Award Data

Reduced mass materials are critical to the success of aerospace systems. Thus, large air and space structures can benefit from lightweight composite materials. However, their adoption is impaired by the lack of a robust, cost-effective fabrication process, principally because the autoclaves used to consolidate composite laminates are so expensive for large parts. This program develops for US aeros ...

For propulsion related applications, materials must be able to demonstrate excellent ablation and oxidation resistance at temperature approaching 3500?C, adequate load bearing capabilities, non-catastrophic failure modes, and ability to withstand transient thermal shock. Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) has developed low cost, flexible-manufacturing processes for Zr & Hf-based carbon fiber r ...

We propose to build and evaluate NDIR Analyzers that can be used to observe Eddy Covariance Flux and Absolute Dry Mole Fraction of CO2 from stationary and airborne platforms for a great range of environments. Both open- and close-path analyzers are to be evaluated. Phase I succeeded in building a fast CO2 analyzer with 100 Hz modulation frequency and sensitivity within a factor of two of the targe ...

A forward-looking scanning Doppler lidar is proposed to be used onboard various commercial aircraft to sense the vector wind field and global turbulence parameters ahead, in the vicinity of the flight path, particularly those associated with intense turbulent wind structures. The goal is to provide a closed-loop flight control system with an accurate measurement of the upcoming vertical velocity a ...

Droplet Measurement Technologies proposed to develop a compact, integrated, multi-sensor system for the airborne characterization of cloud icing conditions. This system will measure cloud particle size, number concentration, mass and phase, as well as temperature pressure and airspeed. This combination of measurements allows the system to operate in a stand-alone mode for situations where the inst ...

The objective of the proposed program is to develop a catalytic system for efficient conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to carbon monoxide and steam (reverse water-gas shift). The technical objectives will be achieved by optimizing both the catalyst material and process operating conditions. Alumina and metal oxide supported copper has been shown to be an effective catalyst for the reverse ...

This Phase I project will addresses the development of a new method for incorporating single walled nanotubes into epoxies. The great strength and light weight that can result from incorporating these tubes into composites is the motivation behind this work. The ability of poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenylenevinylene (PmPV) to encase and promote the solvation of long carbon nanotub ...

The proposed innovations are major improvements to existing fine-steering mirror (FSM) actuator and sensor technology for NASA applications such as ST-3 and SIM. Mass of the FSM mechanism is reduced by up to 25%. Simultaneous improvements in power consumption and lateral load capability are also featured. The first innovation involves the use of LHDC's efficient CS actuator technology for FSM actu ...

SiC based mirrors offer great potential for space-borne structures. Current support technology is limited due to poor fracture toughness of RBSiC. This proposal offers a novel, composite technology to produce near zero CTE structure exhibiting only 4 kg/m2 aerial density.

Ultra-light materials are enabling for producing space based optical components and support structures. Heretofore, innovative design using existing materials has been the approach to produce lightweight optical systems. Graphite fiber, because of its lightweight, reinforced composites have been a material of frequent choice to produce space based optical components. A novel and unique new approac ...