Award Data

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Infrared absorption, using tunable diode lasers from aircraft and balloon platforms measures stratospheric trace gas. The goal of this project is to develop a new open-path absorption cell suitable for in situ measurements of reactive trace species from an aircraft platform. The open-path design, in which the laser beam undergoes multiple reflections between two mirrors located on the wing and the ...

NASA space flight equipment test facilities require a monitoring device for airborne vapors of the rocket fuels hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH). The ideal monitor will be portable, respond rapidly and specifically to hydrazines, and be sensitive at the 10 ppb level or below. Infrared direct absorption techniques have much to offer in terms of simplic ...

Space optical communications techniques are expected to be of great value when communicating at planetary distances. As opposed to RF systems, the high optical power concentration resulting from the small beam divergence will allow smaller diameter telescopes, less power and jam resistant communications. For deep space communications, the low optical level available for detection at the spacecraft ...

ADVANCES IN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY HAVE RESULTED IN VAST NEW TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES AND HAVE AFFECTED EVERY ASPECT OF MODERN LIFE. ONE SUCH APPLICATION WHERE ADVANCES IN SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SPACE EXPLORATION IS UV DETECTORS. THE IDEAL UV DETECTOR WOULD BE A SOLID STATE DEVICE WITH HIGH RESPONSITIVITY TO UV LIGHT AND NEGLIGIBLE RESPONSITIVITY TO VISIBLE LI ...

APOGEE CORPORATION IS ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOPING A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POTABLE WATER AT SUFFICIENTLY HIGH CAPACITY AND LOW COST TO BE SUITABLE IN FARM PRODUCTION. WE HAVE CONCEIVED OF AN INNOVATIVE DESALINATION PROCESS NAMES ECS ABD PROVIDED A PROOF OF CONCEPT AND DEMONSTRATED TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A PRACTICAL DEVICE. THIS DEVICE WILL BE OPERATING IN A DYNAMIC MOD ...

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ORMASIL-DIAMOND composite coatings, made via the sol-gel method have great promise for thermal management applications. They are easy to apply, have excellent stability and can be cured at low temperatures. Recent work has provided the knowledge to tailor ORMASIL properties for this application. An unsolved problem is how to obtain a strong chemical bond to the diamond surface. A novel ultrasonic ...

Aspen systems proposes to develop high dielectric constant (K), low loss tellurium polymers to meet the design objectives of high energy density capacitors. In the proposed Phase I program we will apply rigorous computational chemical techniques to predict the properties of this new class of polymers. We will attempt the synthesis of the parent polymer of the tellurium family, fabricate films for ...

An innovative high temperature insulation system is proposed which utilizes high temperature compatible refractory aerogels and fibers. This composite structure incorporates key features of the extremely low thermal conductivity of the aerogels and the flexibility, durability, and engineerbility of the fiber matrix. The proposed comosite insulation will result in a conveniently usable, relatively ...