Award Data

During altitude-induced hypoxia, operator cognitive and physical capacity degrades, compromising individual and team performance. Cognitive degradation is linked to falling brain energy levels, increased reliance on anaerobic energy production and lactate accumulation. Ketones are the evolutionary alternative substrate to glucose for brain metabolic requirements; previous studies demonstrated that ...

Special OperationsForces (SOF)are an integral aspect of the US military. SOF operators are among the most elite and highly qualified individuals in the U.S.military. As such, extraordinary physical and mental demands are placed upon them to excel in extreme environments for extended periods of time. This unrelenting cycle of combat deployments and intense pre-deployment training shortens the funct ...

Methods for interconversion between cell types (cellular reprogramming) are currently discovered through resource intensive trial and error. Experiments may test a multitude of transcription factors to identify correct combinations that influence cell fate. In addition, reprogramming approaches commonly use stem cell intermediates such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are generated ...

High-speed flight vehicles commonly use carbon / carbon (C/C) and carbon / silicon carbide (C/SiC) for structural components. These materials are chosen because of their superior structural properties at elevated temperatures. Most often, their properties are characterized using flat and thin material test plates. While this approach is convenient, it is not guaranteed to yield material properties ...

We propose to investigate, in collaboration with MGH Voice Center and Altec, Inc., application of surface electromyography (sEMG) to assessing cognitive workload, strain, and overload. Specifically, sEMG sensors placed on the face and neck will detect emotional/motor responses to workload strain. The proposed effort will build on the substantial sEMG experience of our partner, MGH (including resea ...

This effort will analyze publicly available online communication data, uniquely applying empirical results from the cognitive bias literature, to quantify the impact of cognitive biases on exposure to, use of, and propagation of online information. SoarTech, with its partners, will develop and evaluate methods to identify and measure cognitive biases in online information environments. The team wi ...

We propose to develop a Visual Context Understanding (Vis-CU) intelligent agent.Vis-CU tightly integrates vision processing with cognitive reasoning.The vision processing draws the wide array of vision processing capabilities, integrated through the University of Michigans sparse component model into the Soar Cognitive Architecture (Soar).This tight integration facilitates the development of a ric ...

A critical aspect of exoskeleton control that has to date introduced a performance limitation is the ability of the exoskeleton to recognize the intent of the operator so it can apply assistance to their desired motion. This intent recognition effort is typically solved using ad-hoc methods where subject matter experts make design decisions and tune transitions to identify intended maneuvers as re ...

We propose to mature LG-X glider technology by manufacturing full-scaled prototypes and characterizing them in land-based flight-testing by using commercial aircraft to drop the gliders. Validated components such as the landing parachute, folding wing mechanism, and autopilot control system will undergo integrated flight-testing. Logistic Gliders will provide a considerable cost share to support ...

With the advanced capabilities planned by the TALOS program comes the risk of the operator becoming overwhelmed by the information available and the operation of the suit itself. To effectively employ the suit in the field, TALOS requires an effective situational awareness display and an intuitive, low-impact way of interacting with the suits physical/sensor systems. SoarTech proposes to continue ...