Award Data

A high-performance cooling system for gimbal-mounted infrared sensors is a critical need for future space-based target acquisition and tracking systems. A candidate approach uses a high performance cryocooler remotely located on the spacecraft platform combined with a high conductance, cryogenic heat transport system to exchange heat from the sensors to the cryocooler. The heat transport system ...

DNA microarray technology, in combination with statistical and predictive modeling tools, could be used to evaluate thousands of genes against distinct gene expression patterns induced by chemical/biological agents to provide early identification and speed therapeutic intervention. The overall objective of this Phase II effort is to leverage existing public domain resources and commercial tools t ...

We investigate the development of a secure fuselet runtime environment built on a foundation of aspect-oriented web services. Aspect-oriented techniques enable the modularization of crosscutting concerns such as remote access, security, and monitoring using code instrumentation. We compose aspect-oriented instrumentation with web service technologies in a noninvasive and orthogonal manner, and lev ...

We investigate the development of a secure fuselet runtime environment built on a foundation of aspect-oriented web services. Aspect-oriented techniques enable the modularization of crosscutting concerns such as remote access, security, and monitoring using code instrumentation. We compose aspect-oriented instrumentation with web service technologies in a noninvasive and orthogonal manner, and lev ...

Advanced space-borne infrared detectors require cooling at temperatures near 10 K. Cooling loads for these detectors will range from 0.25 W to 1.0 W at 10 K, with additional loads at higher temperatures. A multistage cooler, capable of cooling multiple loads, will offer large potential gains in system efficiency and weight. Turbomachine-based Brayton cryocoolers are ideal candidates for these m ...

The skin is the first line of defense against chemical warfare agents including nerve agents and toxic industrial chemicals, providing a possible barrier or delay to systemic distribution. Some chemicals also can act directly on the skin including the vesicants sulfur mustard and lewisite. Early and rapid skin decontamination is extremely important following exposure to CWAs and TICs because it de ...

MDA is considering several technologies to upgrade the THAAD sensor. QWIP (Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector) technology is one option being considered. While QWIP has clear advantages (e.g. large formats, high pixel operability, excellent uniformity and image stability, low cost, and proven multi-color capability), its quantum efficiencies have to be improved (to > 40% internal QE, > 15-20% e ...

Diode-Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPALs) have great potential for high-energy lasers. Proper design of these systems is challenging because many interrelated processes impact their performance, and critical kinetic rate coefficients are not well known. In response, our team is developing a comprehensive physics-based analysis/design tool, and experimentally determining key kinetic rate coefficients. The ...

Interfaces on existing military chemical/biological protection garments are not designed to fully eliminate macroscopic and microscopic air gaps at folds, fabric surfaces, or hook-and-loop closures, and thus do not provide a hermetic barrier against exposure. Creare is developing hermetic garment closure systems that seal macroscopic and microscopic gaps at interfaces and closures and provide high ...

Effective collective protection fabrics must have a reliable closure system. During our Phase I Work Plan, Sigma-K began developing a Hermetic Textile Closure Hardware (HATCH) system. The HATCH combines both a magnetic and geometric self locking mechanism that will provide a hermetic seal when closed. Our current Phase I successes include developing self closing samples that can provide a hermetic ...