Award Data

Current modeling of Lunar and Martian soil erosion and debris transport caused by rocket plume impingement lacks essential physics from the peculiar granular characteristics of highly irregular regolith particles. Current granular mechanics models are based on mono-disperse spherical particles empiricism unsuitable for capturing the poly-disperse irregularly shaped grain mechanics. CFDRC and the U ...

The Keystone and MSU team propose to build on the successful feasibility demonstration conducted during Phase I to complete the development of solid-state joining of high strength and temperature alloys utilizing the Thermal Stir Welding process. The focus alloy for this project is Haynes 230; the alloy of choice typically utilized in rocket engine nozzel skirts. This class of alloy is difficult t ...

In Phase I the team completed all scheduled initial efforts, 1) evaluation of relevant current simulation capabilities, 2) development of aero-thermo-elastic-propulsion simulation of air-breathing hypersonic flight vehicles (AHFVs) and other flight vehicles, and 3) generation of a set of recommendations for multidisciplinary simulation capability, as planned. Numerical examples of this capability ...

This project will demonstrate the benefits of a partial emission pump coupled with a zero net positive suction pressure inducer design to achieve robust, deep throttling capability. This pump application is well suited for 5k to 15k lbf thrust range rocket engines.

Long-term exposure to microgravity and radiation during space exploration can pose a critical threat to the health of a flight crew. Real-time monitoring of urine protein levels is an effective way to follow the onset and progress of many diseases and guide the prompt selection of proper therapy. The success of such diagnostic tasks, which are vital for future space missions, critically depends up ...

Warfighters rely on technological equipment to ensure safety, mission effectiveness, and situational awareness. This equipment increases the capabilities of warfighters but also adds to their weight burden. This excess load could cause significant stress on the musculoskeletal system and lead to physiological deficits. The overall objective of the proposed project is to develop a system-level opti ...

Our objective is to develop and demonstrate a novel microfluidic device for non-destructive identification, sorting and counting of radiation damaged cells. A major thrust, using microarray experiments, is the discovery of unique cell surface markers for identification of radiation-damaged cells. A key innovative feature in the proposed device platform is a gravity-independent, optics-free, electr ...

The primary objective of this program is the further development of ultrahigh-loaded carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composites as next-generation structural materials. In Phase II, Composite Technology Development, Inc. (CTD) and The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) propose significant advancements in material and process development, testing and characterization, and manufacturing toward a spec ...

In the Phase I study, IntraMicron found that Microfibrous Entrapped Catalysts (MFEC) increased effective thermal conductivity by 3~12 times, improved selectivity and product yield, and significantly reduced the Balance of Plant (BOP) compared with packed beds; Ceramatec prepared novel catalysts for highly selective jet fuel production and designed a FTS modular reactor with fast external heat tran ...

The innovation proposed here is a complete, wireless remote sensing solution using passive SAW Orthogonal Frequency Coded (OFC) sensors and a wireless interrogation system. Prior to the Phase I activity, wireless, passive sensors which could operate in a multi-sensor environment had not been successfully demonstrated. This is no longer the case. An experimental transceiver test bed has been built ...