Award Data

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) ...

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 ...

FIBER MATERIALS, INC. (FMI) PROPOSES SENSORS WHICH CAN BE EMBEDDED IN PAVEMENT TO MEASURE STRESS AND STRAIN FROM TRUCKS PASSING OVER AT SPEEDS UP TO 60 MPH. THESE SIMPLE, DURABLE SENSORS WILL BE MADE FROM PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITES WHICH ACT AS PASSIVE SENSORS AND DEVELOP A CHARGE PROPORTIONAL TO THE APPLIED PRESSURE. THE CHARGE IS CONVERTED TO A VOLTAGE WHICH IS RECORDED ON NEARBY EQUIPMENT. THE PH ...

PRESENT TRAIN DETECTION SCHEMES RELY LARGELY ON A LOW RESISTANCE THROUGH THE TRAIN'S WHEELS TO PERTURBATE A STABLE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. WHILE ELEGANT IN PRINCIPLE, THE DESIGN IS PLAGUED BY OXIDE FILMS AND MATERIAL BUILDUP ON THE RAIL, SNEAK PATHS THROUGH THE BALLAST AND OTHER UNCONTROLLABLE VARIABLES. KVH INDUSTRIES PROPOSES TO DESIGN AND DELIVER A "SMART MAGNETOMETER"-BASED SENSOR PACKAGE WHICH WI ...

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 ...

Polymer Bridge Systems, with over 8 years of research composite bridges, found that success hinges on being dollar-for-dollar cost competitive with steel and concrete. We founded the four "golden rules" that are required: the bridge must be: 1) factory build; 2) road transportable; 3) installed in 1 eight-hour day; and 4) be cost-competitive on an installed cost basis. This bridge will be buil ...

A RELATIVELY UNDOCUMENTED PROBLEM OF UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OFSAFETY BELT AND CAR SAFETY SEAT (CSS) HARNESS BUCKLES BY YOUNG CHILDREN HAS BEEN REPORTED BY PARENTS TO THE NHTSA AND TO CSS EDUCATORS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS RESEARCH IS TO DOCUMENT THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND DEVELOP AND TEST COGNITIVE SKILL BASED SOLUTIONS TO IT. WORK WILL INCLUDE A SURVEY OF CSS USERS; VISUAL OBSERVATION O ...