Award Data

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are severe neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by deficits in social and communication skills and the presence of restrictive, repetitive behaviors. For the 80 percent of individuals with ASDs who speak, prosody—the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech—is among the most noticeable and chronic impairments. Prosodic speech deficits impede social int ...

System requirements elicitation is a time consuming process with an extremely high penalty for errors. Mistakes made in the requirements phase will cost 50 times more to fix while they are uncovered in the production phase as compared to fixing them in the requirements phase. VIStology and Northeastern University are proposing to develop an approach for supporting the requirements elicitation phas ...

We propose to combine QmagiQ's strained layer superlattice (SLS) sensor technology with MIT Lincoln Laboratory's novel digital pixel readout integrated circuit (DROIC) to realize an advanced longwave infrared digital focal plane array (DFPA) with high quantum efficiency, dynamic range, and operating temperature. In Phase I, we will develop the SLS DFPA. In Phase II, we will optimize th ...

The goal of this Phase 1 project is to identify changes in residual limb volume in amputees and to warn the user when these changes may lead to potential problems. One cause of residual limb pain in amputees is improper prosthetic socket fit, causing a range of mild to unbearable pressures. Residual limbs can change shape over long timeframes which can change the interface between the socket and s ...

The goal of this project is to provide real-time monitoring and data logging to help both the patient and clinician determine if and when a scoliosis brace is being worn effectively. Despite widespread use of bracing for treatment of scoliosis, its efficacy remains unproven. Studies have indicated that user compliance is a large factor in the efficacy of scoliosis brace treatment. Two factors comp ...

This Phase I SBIR program will initiate the development of a large-format mid-wave infrared (MWIR) scene projector based on the Company's existing membrane-mirror spatial light modulator technology. The scene projector is based on a VLSI membrane-mirror light modulator (VLSI-MMLM) that uses a deformable membrane mirror to modulate an off-chip light source. Prototype infrared scene projectors ...

Longwave infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on Type-II InAs/GaSb-based strained layer superlattice (SLS) photodiodes show good performance at the current time. A key remaining challenge is the reduction of dark current, dominated by pixel surface leakage in FPAs and low minority carrier lifetime in the bulk material. We propose to address the former in this Phase I and develop a unique sche ...

ANTEOS, Inc. proposes to develop new generation of photonic crystal laser diodes with narrowed emission spectrum, improved thermal stability and overall performance for application in diode-pumped alkali vapor lasers (DPAL) systems. Already demonstrated proprietary process will be employed for holographic recording of relief-free gratings and photonic crystal structures with high refractive index ...

The diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) allows for a potentially scalable approach towards a MW-class high energy laser system. By using an alkali vapor gain medium, one overcomes the intrinsic thermo-optical limitations of more conventional diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) media. High spectral brightness diode pump sources are proposed by TeraDiode as the enabling element for efficient, kW-c ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a nanostructured, alkali vapor resistant, antireflective coating for use on Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) windows. The materials will be deposited from chemical solutions via dip coating. A dual layer AR coating design is proposed including a dense alkali impervious base layer and a porous non-reactive top layer. The result of the Phase I effort ...