Award Data

Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) and The University of Massachusetts at Amherst will collaborate to develop a novel technique for efficient mass spectrometric analysis of high molecular weight analytes such as proteins and polymers. Laser desorption and ionization with minimal analyte fragmentaton will be carried out on metal nanoparticle substrates in a particle beam sampled by Aerodyne’s proprie ...

The objective of this proposed Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) effort is to develop an experimentally-validated, highly detailed chemical kinetic reference model of surface chemistry for C-SiC-SiO2 rubber composite materials exposed to high temperature, high pressure, oxidizing environments. This reference model will then be reduced into simplified reduced-order models that could be easi ...

Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) and MIT are collaborating to extend their successful Phase I effort to fully develop and validate a comprehensive JP-10 combustion mechanism, using a novel automatic reaction mechanism generation tool (RMG) developed at MIT. JP-10 is a very attractive, but complex fuel whose combustion chemistry is poorly understood. In Phase I, the ARI/MIT team successfully developed ...

Agiltron and the University of Massachusetts Lowell will develop a transformational terahertz (THz) imager based on Agiltron’s established optical readout photomechanical imaging technology. The photomechanical imager contains a MEMS-based focal plane array that transduces THz radiation into a visible signal for capture by a high-performance CCD imager. By leveraging the advances made in the fie ...

A stand-off mid-IR based system offers great promise for the detection of chemical, biological or explosive (CBE) agents. Such a system has yet to be realized due mostly to broad spectral features and interfering substances. In this proposal we will demonstrate the feasibility of a system that collects laser induced thermal emission (LITE) from a substance and identifies it as known CBE agent with ...

We propose to realize a new class of microbolometer FPA technology with significantly reduced 1/f noise by replacing the sensing material (e.g. VOx) with colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) oxides. The program uniquely combines Agiltron's experience in novel IR imager development and leading academic research on CMR at Los Alamos National Lab (LANL). The LANL Team has developed breakthrough process ...

Leveraging on our extensive production experience in fiber optical components and fiber lasers, AGILTRON proposes to realize a new high pulse energy tunable blue laser with doped ZBLAN fiber. Based on enhanced blue upconversion by properly selected co-dopant materials, the proposed blue fiber laser will be able to generate high power. Furthermore, using beam combing technology, we will combine mul ...

We propose to develop a combination Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Shear-Force Microscopy (TERS-SFM) instrument to study the composition and morphology of nanoparticles, surfaces, and biofilms on any substrate material. The instrument developed during Phase I will rely upon Scanning Tunneling Microscopy combined with TERS (TERS-STM) to test the effects of various excitation wavelengths and tip ...

In phase I, we have proven the feasibility of using the microwave cavity perturbation technique to detect and quantify DoS in marine aluminum alloys. We implemented an alpha version sensor prototype, characterized and validated its performance using ASTM G67 method. We also identified methods to further enhance the sensor sensitivity, so that DoS in the low (a few mg/cm2) to moderate range can be ...

A rapid assay for the detection of T2 trichothecene mycotoxin in water is proposed that will use ANP Technology, Inc.'s established handheld reader and rapid acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor test ticket format. Dipain-II and other candidate Dipain derivatives will be immobilized on cellulose and other solid supports mounted as discs in wells on the existing test ticket, similar to the AChE i ...