Award Data

The Ultra Portable Ride Quality Meter (UPRQM) is a cost-effective, flexible tool that can evolve (with minimal effort) as new GPS and accelerometer devices become commercially available. Each generation of these sensor devices is more responsive, more sensitive, and more accurate than the last generation. The time between generations is also decreasing such that accelerometer and GPS technology ...

Deep submergence vehicles must perform in demanding marine environments to safely and effectively carry out special operations. These vehicles are subjected to damaging hydrodynamic and wave impact loading that may weaken or fail the structure. Luna Innovations proposes a distributed health monitoring system to monitor localized strain and damage within the vehicle’s structure and predict its ...

SRD will develop a miniaturized atmospheric gas sensor array and design a gas analyzer (sensor analyzer module, SAM) capable of accurately detecting and autonomously monitoring critical atmospheric gases in enclosed spaces. In this Phase I effort, SRD will use its current, existing technology (miniaturized sensor platform, proprietary SMO sensor coatings and advanced signal processing algorithms) ...

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of developing flex hoses for hydraulic and other piping system interfaces that can withstand high pressure environments, hydrodynamic, and other forces unique to deep submergence system operating environments. This hose and connecter system coined FlexiHOSE© proposed by MEI-Charlton, Inc. (MEIC) will meet the need of operating under ...

In 2006, the FRA introduced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to enhance intra-train communications on Tier I passenger cars. This rulemaking would promote the safety of passengers and crew members in passenger train emergencies by enhancing FRA's regulations for passenger train emergency systems. The rulemaking specifically addresses passenger train emergency communication systems, includi ...

Positioning and navigation have become a mainstay of everyday life in the U.S.; applications of interest include navigation of vehicles of all kinds, infrastructure mapping, and safety of life systems. Many of these recent applications have become possible through the GPS. With the recognized vulnerabilities of GPS, it is evident that equivalent backup systems must be developed. One possible so ...

Although the market clearly has several ride quality meters commercially available, the FRA wishes to investigate the possibility of designing a very compact and ultra portable ride quality meter (UPRQM) for allowing railroad inspectors to assess ride safety and quality on revenue trains as well as track locations responsible for the worst ride. Given the emergence of micro-electro-mechanical sys ...

MANY METHODS HAVE BEEN TRIED TO INCREASE THE USE OF SAFETY BELTS BY CHILDREN BUT EDUCATION SEEMS TO BE THE MOST PROMISING. STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY BELT USE WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND THE PHYSICS OF CRASHES. THEY ALSO VISUALIZE PHYSICS CONCEPTS BETTER WHEN A DRAMATIC AND REALISTIC EXAMPLE IS USED, SUCH AS THE DIFFERENCE IN CRASH CONSEQUENCES WHEN SAFETY BELTS ARE WORN. VIDEO TAPE IS ...

MAJOR AIDS TO NAVIGATION (ATON) ARE ESSENTIAL SIGNPOSTS FOR SAFE PASSAGE ALONG COASTAL AND OFFSHORE SEAWAYS. PRESENTLY, THEIR SIGNALS ARE POWERED BY ON-SITE ENGINE GENERATORS REQUIRING CONSIDERABLE AND COSTLY MAINTENANCE. ATON AUTONOMY WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED WITH DEEP DISCHARGE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY PROVIDING THAT ON-SITE CHARGING SOURCES ARE USED. AMONG NATURALLY AVAILABLE SOURCES, THE UNCEASING ...

THE PROPOSED PROGRAM EXAMINES OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIGHTWEIGHT CONTAINMENT STRUCTURES IN AIRCRAFT AND ROTORCRAFT AND SEEKS TO DEVELOP FIBER REINFORCED MATERIALS AS THE ENERGY ABSORBING CORE OF POTENTIAL CONTAINMENT DESIGNS. THE PROGRAM BEGINS FROM BASELINE DESIGNS FOR FAN CONTAINMENT WHICH EMPLOY PLAIN WEAVE KEVLAR LAMINATES TO ABSORB BLADE FRAGMENT ENERGIES. VARIOUS ADVANCED FIBERS INCLUDING POLYETH ...