Award Data

In this SBIR effort we will develop a balanced detection analog photonic link consisting of a DFB laser, a dual-output high-speed, low-Vp mach-zehnder modulator (MZM) and a high-power, high-linearity balanced photodetector (BPD) using a dual-core, single mode, multicore fiber (MCF) that is supplied by our subcontractor, OFS. We will design, fabricate and characterize (phase I) the MZM and the BPD, ...

Photonic integration, and specifically silicon photonics, has emerged as one of the leading solutions for maintaining or improving the performance of optical systems while addressing the requirements related to size, weight, and power (SWaP). Photonic integrated circuits (PICs), which integrate multiple photonic elements onto a single chip, are specifically suited to providing the complexity and f ...

Composites Automation LLC (CA), our academic partner University of Delaware – Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) are teaming up in this STTR Phase II project to evaluate automated tape placement (ATP) processing of thin-ply composites, including material and process development, creation of a modeling foundation capturing thin-ply placement, test panel fabrication and mechanical performance ...

In phase II work, we will collaborate with Prof. Stefan Preble in RIT and continue to develop large scale hybrid integration and packaging techniques for key active photonic components such as lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) modulators and modified uni-traveling (MUTC) photodiodes. We will demonstrate a low V, broadband, small footprint LNOI modulator with hybrid Si/LN or SiN/LN waveguide usin ...

To reach the end user, oil and gas production at the wellhead must be transmitted through the country and distributed to a wide range of customers. This logistical system requires natural gas gathering lines, processing facilities, product storage tanks and lots of other equipment. What results is air pollution caused by industry losses during these operations and the use of continuous or intermit ...

Passive Microwave Remote Sensing is currently utilized by NASA, NOAA, and others to conduct Earth Science missions, including weather forecasting, early warning systems, and climate studies. These sensors could also be used in upcoming missions such as Saturn’s moon to study atmospheric makeup. On earth, humidity and temperature sounding is conducted near several absorption lines to determine k ...

In Phase 1, Ragnarok will mature the much-needed rad-hard BCDR technology from TRL 3 - 4. Phase 2 of Ragnarok’s efforts will proceed to develop the entire functional prototype radiation-hardened PMAD system including the newly developed BCDR hardware from Phase 1. Phase 2 efforts will conclude with a full Critical Design Review (CDR) and a completed and closed list of HRs and HRMPs. The final pr ...

This project develops an ultra-thin and formable prepreg material from reusable short carbon fiber composites (CFC), including process and material development, test panel fabrication and mechanical performance evaluation. Key to superior performance of ultra-thin ply materials is the ability to fabricate high fiber volume and uniform fiber distribution prepreg with low void content and layer thic ...

To reduce size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-c), military platforms have been evolving towards more integrated platforms that utilize all available space. For radiating systems, this will require exploring innovative design methods, materials and manufacturing approaches to realize cost-effective, customizable and conformal antennas. An attractive solution to this challenge is offered by additive ...

This project aims to develop a low-cost millimeter-wave (mmW) imaging system for ground vehicles, to operate in combination with a long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera. Such a system will mitigate the challenges of driving in degraded visual environments (DVE) including night time, fog, dust, or smoke by providing real-time image of the vehicle surrounding independent from the presence of naturally oc ...