Award Data

Next-generation missile defense systems will utilize infrared sensing technologies that will require efficient cooling at low temperatures. We propose to develop an innovative solid-state cryocooler that can provide cooling at temperatures below 35 K while rejecting heat at temperatures up to about 300 K. The cooler uses compact, efficient electrochemical compressors with no moving parts to enha ...

Future space missions will utilize small spacecraft with advanced sensor systems. Cooling of these sensors is required to decrease noise and increase sensitivity by maintaining the detector at a reduced operating temperature. The cooling system comprises a mechanical cryocooler and its control electronics, both of which are critical technologies to enable future missions. Creare proposes to develo ...

Diode-Pumped Alkali Laser Systems (DPALS) have great potential for missile defense and other applications. Proper design of these systems is challenging because many interrelated processes impact their performance and critical kinetic rate coefficients are not well known. In response, our team proposes to develop a comprehensive physics-based analysis/design tool, and determine key kinetic rate ...

Spire Semiconductor proposes a novel MOCVD growth scheme that will substantially reduce the production costs of inverted multi-junction solar cells. Incorporating quantum well structures will be investigated as a means to improve device efficiency and end of life cell performance in the space environment. The theoretical target efficiency is 39.8% under the AM0 spectrum.

This proposal addresses the requirement to significantly improve the affordability, maintainability and performance of KKV DACS components. Exothermics and their Phase 1 partner Southern Research Institute will endeavor to increase the performance, lower the cost and enhance the technical property characteristics of SDACS and hypersonic components by examining the use of a new class of ultrahigh t ...