Award Data

It is difficult to manually count large quantity of small objects fast and accurately for human. Small parts (e.g. screws, bolts, gaskets) have different shapes, sizes, and materials. In this STTR Phase II proposal, we propose an artificial intelligence (AI) software solution to count many small objects that are laid out on a uniform non-reflective surface. By using computer vision (CV) algorithms ...

Mesodyne’s Light-Cell technology was developed at MIT and is being commercialized for the small UAV market. In this effort, the UAV generator is being adapted to meet the needs of dismounted warfighters. Mesodyne’s patented Light-Cell generator converts fuel into electricity via light. Specifically, a microcombustor heats a nanophotonic material to incandescence. The nanophotonic material, whi ...

Enemies use radar system to identify and target Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). To prevent detection, the UAV should be able to reduce its RF signature by reducing its Radar Cross Section (RCS). In addition, it is essential for the "blue force" UAV to be able to use its RF systems (radar/comms) while not being detected. Traditional Radar Absorbing Materials (RAM) are used to absorb radar's Electr ...

Performing accurate simulations of large- and multi-scale electromagnetics problems has far-reaching implications in a variety of engineering and scientific disciplines. The same physics governs a diversity of applications including problems of importance for NAVAIR such as complex radome-antenna and antenna-platform interactions.  Such simulation problems involve complex materials, multiple feed ...

We propose to develop a heterogeneously integrated optical transmitter for balanced radio-frequency (RF) photonic link applications on air platforms that incorporates a high-power Nd:Glass laser source operating near 1054nm. During Phase I, we will develop a Nd:Glass prototype laser using a design that has already been  used to demonstrate hundreds of mW of single-longitudinal mode (ultra-narrowb ...

Quantum information technology will become a key enabler of future Air Force superiority. Topological insulator qubits are inherently stable and fault-tolerant because they exploit local topological symmetries and global boundary conditions of chalcogenide materials to yield unique, emergent quantum cooperative states. Wake Forest University and Streamline Automation have been working collaborativ ...

We have developed a novel low-cost, multi-functional blood coagulation sensor that can measure a patient’s coagulation status within less than 10 minutes using a 25mL drop of blood. This device addresses the critical unmet need to identify and manage patients with an elevated risk of life-threatening bleeding or thrombosis, the major causes of in-hospital preventable death. In addition, our inno ...

In this Special topic AFWERX program, NanoSonic shall explore our commercial product, HybridSil™ ICEPHOBIC nanocomposite combined with WashU’s Distillation Membranes as a Defense-Related Dual-Purpose technology for near-term Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC) military functional hybrids (AFOSR FOCUS AREA RTB2) and commercial water purification markets.  A current dual use need for Hyb ...

Artificial intelligence and deep learning systems used for image analysis have a significant limitation: there is no way to explain how their decisions are made. Additionally, deep learning systems are heavily dependent upon RGB color which is highly variable necessitating the need for thousands of training vectors. Vy has developed a powerful set of algorithms collectively called Shape Based Mode ...

This project focuses on the design, integration and optimization of a flexible natural gas combined cycle plant with carbon capture, capable of operating in a highly variable renewable energy environment. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power offer unique solutions in our quest to reduce global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, the increasing penetration of these high variab ...