Award Data

AstroPower proposes to develop gallium phosphide (GaP) ultraviolet (UV) sensors for engine combustion control. The UV spectra from the free radial combustion components correlates with combustion effectivity in terms of predetonation, and provides a real time basis for central control of excess air ratio, internal combustion temperatures, and other fuel injector parameters. A system for the engine ...

Operation of cooling tower and boiler systems requires frequent monitoring of water chemistry parameters to obtain the necessary information for adjustments to the water treatment program. Failure to perform the necessary adjustments can result in reduced service life and poor energy efficiency resulting from corrosion, scale and fouling. A hybrid absorbance/emission spectrometer is proposed as th ...

A reflectiver near infrared (NIR spectrometer is proposed for the noninvasive measurement of surface and deep tissue pH. Previous experimental studies have demonstrated on a preliminary basis the ability to estimate liquide pH in complex biological matrices based on NIR spectra [Dre 90][Sch 93], and the proposed development program will design, contruct and test an experimental bench NIR pH measu ...

Computer and engine studies demonstrated a 100% increase in diesel engine power with the use of 31% oxygen enriched air (OEA) versus standard 21% oxygen air. Additional benefits from OEA include: (1) improved fuel efficiency, (2) compatible with lower grade (volatility) fuels, (3) reduced CO and hydrocarbon emissions, (4) enhanced lean burn capability, (5) smoother less noisy operation, (6) better ...

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Lanxide Corporation proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the active brazing method to join a Nicalon TM fiber reinforced alumina matrix composite to structural alloys for applications i advanced turbine engines. The high temperature capability of the ceramic matrix composite allows uncooled operation of several turbine engine components resulting in significant gains in specific fu ...

ORBITEC proposes a Miniature in-Situ Smart Fatigue Monitor (MISSFM) that will accurately assess and monitor fatigue damage in eal time of almost any structural component. Phase I will design and demonstrate technology to achieve a solid state device to measure and display component strain and calculate fatigue life (rainflow cycle couting and Miner's cumulative damage algorithms). A technical appr ...

In this project, the team will develop a prototype of GoWrite, a platform designed for students with moderate to severe disabilities to guide instruction in writing. The cross-curricular intervention will have four modes including instruction, writing about academic content, journaling, and social media. At the end of Phase I, in a pilot study with 30 students (10 each in grade school, middle scho ...

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 ...

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 ...