Award Data

We propose a rapid mapping and 3-D visualization system especially suited for inside buildings, tunnels, urban canyons, and other environments where GPS may be poor or not available. The system--which was fully demonstrated in our Phase I effort-- includes mobile Sensor Nodes that wirelessly supply compressed 3D range data and color imagery to a central Fusion Node. The Fusion Node runs 3D recon ...

The proposed Bio-Inspired Visual Navigation System will enable UGVs to operate semi-autonomously with minimal input from an operator even in degraded communication environments. Semi-autonomous landmark-based navigation in low-texture indoor environments is difficult due to the lack of distinctive micro-features needed by conventional algorithms such as SIFT and SURF. In Phase I, Intelligent Aut ...

In this STTR program, technology created at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) to fabricate silicon photonics based integrated laser devices, including wafer bonded gain elements, will be utilized to develop ultra-coherent integrated laser devices that are widely tunable. Novel laser designs developed by Morton Photonics, taking advantage of ultra-low loss microresonator based f ...

Few-cycle mid-infrared lasers are highly demanded for a variety of practical applications. NP Photonics and University of Arizona propose to develop a wavelength tunable and power-scalable optical parametric laser system at 8-12 micron capable of producing collimated few-cycle pulses with pulse energy>100 microJoule. In this phase I program, we will design the whole laser system and do a feasibil ...

The proposed project will demonstrate high-frequency (0.5 5 GHz) operation of novel 2-dimensional semiconductor molybdinum disulphide (MoS2) based field-effect transistors. Our project will focus on innovative growth startegies for large-area growth of MoS2 along with novel device design methodologies which will consider the tradeoffs between monolayer and multilayer device designs for high-frequ ...

The Department of Defense is concerned with circadian rhythm misalignments as they are known to affect judgment, psychomotor skills, and can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At present, there is no comprehensive unobtrusive and easy-to-use solution that measures the circadian misalignment and automatically administers the appropriate therapy for realignment of circadian rhythm. Intel ...

We propose a wearable, dual-use neurotechnology device. The Personal Brainwave Headband, driven by tablet or smartphone, is designed for noninvasive closed-loop acoustic stimulation, to permit improved circadian regulation. It will measure brain electrical activity from scalp overlying four key sectors of cortex, perform high-resolution spectral analysis of the signals, and use software algorith ...

This STTR project seeks to overcome the performance limitations of experimental sulfur tolerant SOFC materials by combining two elements of efficient SOFC design: 1) micro-tubular arrays (OD

Robotic Research, LLC and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology are teaming their efforts under the Army STTR topic A14A-T018"Intelligent Terrain-Award Navigation and Mobility of Unmanned Ground Vehicles Operating Under Varying Degrees of Autonomy"to develop an unmanned terrain-aware navigation and mobility system that would enhance soft soil mobility and reduce ...

As infrared (IR) electo-optical sensors improve in both availability and quality a strong need exists to have comparable improvements in the performance of military obscurants within the IR band. Conventional approaches for creating effective IR obscurants have relied primarily on shaped metal particles with high aspect ratios (e.g. rods, flakes).