Award Data

This innovation proposes the use of a thin film stratospheric balloon to lift a launch vehicle with a payload to an altitude above most of the Earth's atmosphere, then ignite the launch vehicle rocket motor. It will have the capability to carry the payload to its final destination, either into Earth orbit or to the mission design goal. This launch system will eliminate the first stage rocket thr ...

This proposal addresses an approach to millimeter wave imaging called encoded image detection (EID). The concept offers a means of achieving a low cost, all weather seeker for smart munition and submunitions. Its low cost potential makes adaptation of the imager also attractive for a variety of other military applications such as search and rescue, surveillance, and security. Most current devel ...

Control systems that stabilize the operation of a compressor around the surge line have been demonstrated in controlled laboratory conditions on fixed speed compressors. Jet engine manufacturers are considering this technology for improving engine performance and operability by reducing the compressor surge margins that are currently built into engine control logic. To demonstrate this technolog ...

THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS TO EXTEND THE CAPABILITIES OF THE USAF ADVANCED DYNAMIC ANTHROPOMORPHIC MANIKIN (ADAM) WHICH HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSESS THE INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESPONSES ON EJECTION SEAT PERFORMANCE. THE MORE REALISTIC ARTICULATIONS AND VERTICAL SPINAL RESPONSE OF ADAM CAN BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTATION TO ALLOW THE DEFINITION OF INJURY PROBABILITY ASSESSMENT CRITERIA. SIN ...

CHRONIC NEEDS FOR HIGHER PERFORMANCE IN PRESENT AND FUTURE ARMY ROTOCRAFT/AIR-VEHICLE SYSTEMS MANDATE IMPROVEMENTS IN MATERIALS PROPERTIES. LIGHTWEIGHT METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES (MMC) INCLUDING MAGNESIUM AND ALUMINUM ARE AMONG THE BEST CANDIDATES TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ENABLE LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES, ADVANCED PROPULSION, TRANSMISSIONS, ROTORS, THRUST DEVICES, ETC. A UNIQUE COATINGS APPROACH ...

RESPONSIVE AND SENSITIVE FORCE CONTROL IS ESSENTIAL FOR SOPHISTICATED ROBOT TASKS SUCH AS ASSEMBLY AND FINE MANIPULATION. HOWEVER, THIS KIND OF CONTROL IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MANIPULATORS DRIVEN BY ELECTRIC MOTORS WITH GEARED TRANSMISSIONS, PRIMARILY DUE TO FRICTION IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. YET THESE TYPES OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ARE OFTEN THE MOST PRACTICAL FOR MANY APPLICATIONS. TWO PRIMARY TYPES OF CON ...

It is proposed to demonstrate the applicability of advancement materials, that has been developed for aerospace and military applications, to fuel cell technology to lower cost, increase performance, and decrease weight for future man-portable power systems. MER's advanced C-C composites will be investigated as bipolar plates to decrease weight, increase mechanical integrity, decrease resistivity ...

The firm proposes to develop an advanced software capability for the control and monitoring of turbine engines. This effort is aimed at the near-term deployment of ensuing technologies on a low-cost helicopter engine. The effort will be embedded in the T800 engine commercialization project led by the Allison Engine Company. The reasons for the high cost of engine controls are two fold: first, r ...

BioMedical Enterprises, Inc. (BME) and NASA Ames Research Center (NASA ARC) are developing NASA's aerospace insulation materials for use as an osseous scaffolding to facilitate and support bone wound healing and regeneration. Fibrous reusable composite insulation (FRCI) developed by NASA for use on the space shuttle was modified to promote bone ingrowth and will be evaluated for its ability to fo ...

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