Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ultimate objective of this proposed program is the commercialization of a neonate ventricular assist device (VAD). Although VADs, both implantable and paracorporeal, have become an important surgical option for adult patients with myocardial failure unresponsive to less aggressive therapy, no VADs are commercially available for short-term use in small infan ...

This proposal addresses the development and use of lightweight, low thermal-capacity reformable tooling materials for high-temperature composite processing evaluation, parts prototyping, trial production and full-rate production of PMC engine components. The weight-saving promise of high-temperature polymer matrix composites (PMCs) for engine components is offset by the very high costs of parts m ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase I proposal seeks support to evaluate the feasibility of developing an extracellular matrix (ECM) biologic scaffold as a repair device for atrial septal defects (ASD). ASDs are one of the most common forms of congenital heart disease and account for approximately 30-40% of all congenital heart defects seen in adults. Closure of an ASD can be performed ...

The future of nuclear fusion relies in part on the development of effective plasma facing components (PFCs) that can withstand the intense heat loads, forces, and neutron bombardment of long-pulse, high-power reactor operation. Current PFC designs for the next-generation International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which will require thousands of PFCs, involve beryllium (Be) armor bon ...

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are one of the most efficient and cleanest power generating systems under development. A key component in the SOFC generator is the cathode-air heat exchanger or recuperator, which ensures that the cathode air (and, thereby, the cells) is at a sufficient temperature to permit ion mobility and improve overall SOFC system efficiency by reducing stack losses. However, ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The ability to culture human embryonic stem cells generated a great deal of excitement about their vast potential for treating a variety of human diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, neurological, retinal and skin disorders to name a few. Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells have indefinite growth potential and the potential to develop into any t ...

Advanced Diamond Solutions, Inc. proposes the development of a novel high efficiency solar cell design based on amorphous diamond nanotip thermoelectric power generation properties. Amorphous diamond has a unique set of material characteristics stemming from its combination of graphitic, diamond and carbon-nanotube structures. Amorphous diamond inherently possesses numerous discrete energy state ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of a two-phase controllable flow in microchannels. The fluid consists of a carrier fluid, nano-magnetic particles, and additives. The proposed work will also produce low-cost, nano-magnetic particles using a novel scaled-up synthesis process. The objectives of the proposed research are to design a large ...

Advanced Membrane Systems Inc. (AMS) proposes a 6-month research effort to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a separator for BA-5590 primary batteries. It is proposed to modify the formulation and process condition of an existing separator developed by AMS for lithium ion cells and make it more porous and suitable for BA-5590 batteries and deliver separator samples to DoD labs and battery m ...

There is a growing demand for power electronics that can operate under the high temperature and high power conditions that will be encountered in applications such as Hybrid Electric Vehicles. As the coolant temperature used to dissipate heat from the electronics increases, the operation of power semiconductor devices such as Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) becomes severly limited, in ...