Award Data

Deep Neural Networks have become ubiquitous in the modern analysis of voluminous datasets with geometric symmetries. In the field of Particle Physics, experiments such as DUNE require the detection of particle signatures interacting within the detector, with analyses of over a billion 3D event images per channel each year; with typical setups containing over 150,000 different channels.  In an ...

Laser guide stars (LGS) are artificial sources of light produced by laser-induced fluorescence from sodium atoms in the mesosphere between 85 km and 100 km altitude. The fluorescence can be detected on the ground with a telescope and used as a reference for compensating atmospheric aberrations in astronomical and space observations in conjunction with an adaptive optics system. Sodium LGS are vita ...

Toyon is proposing to develop multiplier diode technology with record power handling in the 200 – 400 GHz output frequency range using Gallium Nitride (GaN) materials. This technology is needed to effectively utilize the high pump power now available from mmWave GaN power amplifiers. GaN has inherent material property advantages including high electric field strength, electron velocity, and ther ...

During AFWERX STTR Phase I, Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc. (Sensatek) and Research Institution (RI), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), engaged over 1,500 Air Force stakeholders that resulted in over 160 customer discovery interviews, discovered that the uncertainty involved in managing engine operations is one of the most attributing factors to the mission capable aircraft readine ...

As the number of optical communication terminals proliferate there will be a need to have these terminals interoperate.  In the past, optical terminals were designed with a single purpose in mind.  New space constellations are requiring non-RF crosslink solutions.  It is expected that there will be a large number of both commercial and military systems providing crosslinks and space to earth li ...

In this Phase II STTR Project, Team UtopiaCompression (UC) will adapt its 3D ultrasound prototype device to address key research questions posed by AF TPOC and end-users (in particular, Eglin AFB Medical Community- Invisible Wounds Center, family/concussion clinics and emergency rooms). The prototype uses an innovative ultrasound design technology to capture 3D data of anatomical structures (here, ...

Physicians are highly burned out (up to 80% of physicians) and the COVID-19 pandemic is making this problem much worse; Department of Defense doctors are at higher risk (caring for more patients per capita).  Burnout may manifest itself as sustained stress; but also leads to severe effects such as physician suicides, physician drug abuse, and increased patient medical errors.  Electronic health ...

A key goal stated in the United States Air Force Science and Technology Strategy for 2030 and Beyond is to “Increase the speed of battlespace understanding and decision-making to act faster than any adversary.” In this project, ISL and Ohio University (ISL-OU) will build on the success of Phase I and deliver a new game-changing capability for reliably performing complex radio frequency, multi- ...

Software that generates realistic images of models and outdoor scenes is crucial for many scientific and engineering endeavors. Applications include laser modeling for directed energy weapons and remote sensing simulation for sensor design and image analysis. In Phase I, we developed the Realistic Image and Neighborhood Generator (RING) synthetic scene generation platform. The Phase I RING prototy ...

Target tracking and aimpoint maintenance are critical functions within a laser directed energy system.  Traditionally, the optical sensor is a conventional camera viewing an actively illuminated target.  In the absence of turbulence, it is still difficult to point the laser weapon to a specific hit spot when there are no features in the required direction.  Further, atmospheric turbulence scint ...