Award Data

We propose to develop algorithms to improve debris management for electro-optical/infrared sensors (EO/IR) within C2BMC. Our goal is to improve fire control solutions, increase the quality of communicated sensor information, and reduce communication demands. We characterize the pre-intercept debris field mathematically by expressing the debris fields viewed on the sensor"s focal plane as 2D elli ...

Mathematical models of physical and biological systems contain parameters that need to be estimated from measured data. Models with parameters distributed probabilistically require the estimates of a probability measure over the set of admissible parameters. We propose to use frequentist-based approaches for non-parametrically estimating probability measures that describe the distribution of par ...

We propose a solution to the Navy"s laser weapons warning problem. The proposed solution employs a combined approach of extending the wavelength spectrum and dynamic range of current State of the Art laser warning systems. The proposed wide optical bandwidth will be achieved by adapting previously developed methods. The system will exploit on going design work created for visible multi-threat opti ...

Advanced ordnance and propulsion systems utillize materials, such as RDX and HMX, that provide good performance but cannot meet todays more stringent safety and environmental requirements. Unfortunately, in newer compounds created to replace them, the performance falls with the sensitivity. The ORBITEC team proposes the development of new energetic materials that will be both high performance and ...

We aim to develop lightweight and rugged liquid crystal (LC)-based sensors suitable for integration into small unmanned vehicles, including hand-launched UAVs and throwable robots. For Phase I proof of concept, we propose to develop sensors that detect DMMP, H2S, NO2 and NH3. These gases include simulants of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals, selected for their relevance to ...

The technical objectives of this proposal are: (1) design a grating-coupled surface-emitting (GCSE) active-photonic-crystal (APC) 4.6 micron-emitting quantum-cascade laser (QCL) to deliver 15 W diffraction-limited CW power in the main lobe of the far-field beam pattern; (2) design a GCSE-APC QCL structure with monolithic aperture-filling optical elements for obtaining close to 90 % of the surface- ...

The technical objectives of this proposal are: 1) Design a metal/semiconductor grating-based (i.e., substrate-emitting) Grating-Coupled Surface-Emitting Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Laser (GCSE-DFB QCL) emitting at 4.6 microns with high beam quality; and 2) Demonstrate a GCSE-DFB QCL emitting at 4.6 microns with single-lobe-beam operation and high beam quality, under CW operation. It is th ...

Helmeted navy divers are exposed to high levels of noise from self-generated mechanisms, such as regulator exhaust, and external sources, such as underwater tool-generated noise. Noise exposure limits can be easily exceeded especially if effective communications through helmet-mounted speakers is required. A multi-faceted approach is proposed to reduce self-generated noise as well as overall helme ...

Flexible electronic and optical devices, including sensors/detectors, waveguides, and photonic crystal structures, have significant promise for improving communication and information processing capabilities in a number of military and commercial applications. However, the development of such flexible devices has been hindered by the lack of effective manufacturing processes for producing these de ...

Determining a geo-reference of an underwater object is a critical requirement for marine applications such as mine-hunting and marine surveying. Although a GPS fix can be obtained at the surface, the watch circle of a tether connecting a surface and underwater body can impose positional errors that are far greater than GPS errors. Here we propose to develop a technology to automatically determin ...