Award Data

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells require a relatively pure, concentrated hydrogen stream, with very low levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in order to prevent poisoning of the fuel cell anode catalyst. In addition, removing inerts and impurities (such as CO2) from the hydrogen feed to the fuel cell increases a fuel cell’s electrical conversion efficiency. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA), in ...

The objective of this program is to develop a wide field of view spectral imaging sensor to support theater surveillance and intelligence. The AHS operates in the Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) band and provides day/night spectral target cueing, geolocation and identification of hot battlefield threats. Currently deployed EO sensors can measure broadband MWIR signals, but are incapable of providing adva ...

Information Dominance is the key metric in today’s battlefield. Reliance on data and management of data and the accuracy and integrity of that data are paramount to mission success. Metadata enables solutions to many problems of integrity of data. As the data becomes more distributed, virtual, and ubiquitous, current methods of centralized metadata and version control are not responsive to mi ...

Taggants are small objects used to label things or people that need to be traced. Synthetic DNA Taggants are ideal for this, since very small amounts can be detected if the sequence is known, and can be disguised by natural DNA in the environment. Known protocols for DNA amplification (e.g. PCR) allow for very sensitive DNA detection, but suffer from disadvantages: the apparatus is not very portab ...

This proposal is for the development of an ultrahigh energy density rechargeable lithium battery chemistry. A novel cathode material is chosen that when fully developed is expected to provide packaged batteries with specific energies of 400-500 Wh/kg. The new battery will have applications in soldier power, aircraft, high power weapons, and other military and commercial products The proposal ident ...

A major limitation of current high performance composites made from vinyl ester resins is their performance with carbon fiber reinforcements. Carbon fiber composites can possess much higher specific stiffness and strength than glass fiber composites, but the laminated composite properties depend on a good interface between the matrix resin and the fiber. Since vinyl ester resins typically do not e ...

Improved head and hearing protection is required for aircraft maintainers working on a carrier flight deck during launch and recovery operations. The current head protection is inadequate in many aspects including impact protection, hearing protection, cleaning, comfort, and compatibility with night vision goggles (NVGs) and with chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) equipment. Creare pro ...

Improved head and hearing protection is required for aircraft maintainers working on a carrier flight deck during launch and recovery operations. Legacy Flight Deck Cranials are inadequate in many aspects including hearing protection, impact protection, cleaning, comfort, and compatibility with night vision devices (NVDs) and with chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) equipment. In this p ...

Flight crews require supplemental oxygen for emergency high-cabin-altitude operations. Some personnel require a walk-around oxygen supply to move freely throughout the cabin until the altitude is reduced to a safe level. Current low-pressure bottles cannot supply oxygen for an adequate duration in an acceptable cylinder size, and multiple cylinder fills are usually required to meet common missio ...

This project addresses the need for higher fuel economy, reduced pollutants, and increased performance associated with electric and hybrid-electric vehicle (EV and HEV) batteries. Standardized battery modules that support a wide variety of vehicles promise dramatic increases in performance, reliability and life-cycle cost. A standard 24V lithium-ion “building block” will fit in the envelope ...