Award Data

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Spinal cord injury (SCI) inflicts trauma to the cells and tissues of the central nervous system and causes a severe and debilitating condition in the individual. Following SCI, limited regeneration of injured neurons results in permanent disability characterized by some loss of sensation, paralysis and autonomic dysfunction. One reason that neurons fail to rege ...

Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Inc. (AAC) proposes to implement a computational model of human auditory processing based upon cortical theory and to demonstrate its utility to evaluate and improve systems for speech communication and automated recognition ofspectro-temporal patterns. Specifically, AAC believes that unusual brain representations and processing strategies are largely responsible for th ...

In order to win the war for recruitment and retention, the CNO has stated that sailors of today and tomorrow must be well trained and equipped. Given the diverse needs of training communities, acquisition managers, and curriculum developers it isultimately important to provide accountability and ownership in any mechanism or process that intends to enhance performance. This SBIR project will dev ...

Develop new large diameter, high strength rope that meets the criteria. Identify materials and process to develop the rope. Perform tests to optimize life and robustness when used for winches, cranes or STREAM highline applications. New rope materialswould have many potential commercial applications. Commercial shipping companies are transitioning to synthetic mooring lines. Mining and cran ...

Improving the quality and intensity of the x-ray beam is an important design goal for every synchrotron installation. Although small, the effects of vacuum windows on x-ray absorption and phase contrast cannot be neglected. Synchrotron x-rays have wavelengths on the order of one Angstrom (1 x 10-10m), the same order of magnitude as inter-atomic distances. These x-rays are used to study many differ ...

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a high-power Terahertz (THz) source concept and an overall THz system definition for fabrication and testing under a subsequent Phase II program. THz electromagnetic radiation, in the frequency range from 0.1 to 10 THz, is the next frontier in imaging science and technology. THz radiation promises to find broad application ...

Crested multi-layer tunnel barriers have been proposed, which offer a revolutionary solution to overcome density to speed trade-offs characteristic of present data storage technologies. Practical implementation of the proposed technology will involve useof thin film materials that are readily manufacturable and CMOS-compatible. A critical need exists for experimental verification of the theoreti ...

The SAE smoke number has been an important measurement for prevention of black, sooty plumes in military and commercial aviation. The current method, however, requires the use of a complex extraction system to bring engine exhaust through a filter paper,and then requires a person to remove the soot covered filter and perform a measurement in an optical reflectometer to determine the smoke number. ...

Both pyrolysis and incineration steps have been considered as the key solid waste processing step for a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). Pyrolysis is more amenable to handling mixed solid waste streams in a microgravity environment, but produces a more complex product stream. Incineration produces a simpler product stream, but the incineration of mixed solids is a complex unit op ...

The NASA objective of expanding the human experience into the far reaches of space will require the development of regenerable life support systems. On-board carbon dioxide (CO2) removal units play a key role in such systems ensuring high quality cabin air for crew members. Similar but more compact units are needed for extravehicular activities (space suit). The overall objective is to develop a C ...