Award Data

Autonomous planning of space-based unmanned craft is at the cutting edge of science and technology. Problems associated with planning arise when multiple independent agents each on separate spacecraft must work in a coordinated fashion for a combined mission. This proposal examines the ramifications of cooperating and independent autonomous agents controlling unmanned craft toward a common cause. ...

Particle size distribution is one of the critical parameters in fabricating high-performance, fine-filament superconductors of Nb3Sn and Bi-2212 using the powder-in-tube (PIT) technique. Even a few large particles in the tubes of a multi-filament PIT billet will limit the size of the drawing or rolling to finish dimension. Since performance scales with the number of filaments in a strand, improv ...

DESCRIPTION (Scanned from the Applicant's Abstract): Blockade of A2B adenosine receptors (A2BARs) increases insulin sensitivity in insulin resistant obese Zucker rats by an effect on skeletal muscle. We have synthesized and characterized the first potent and selective antagonists of A2B receptors. The goal of this phase I SBIR proposal is to develop improved A2 ...

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from the Investigator's Abstract): Adenosine administered as an aerosol to asthmatics causes bronchoconstriction, while in non-asthmatics adenosine causes bronchodilation. This occurs because the activation of A2B adenosine receptors on sensitized mast cells triggers degranulation, releasing histamine, leukotrienes, and other allergic mediators. A2B a ...

The purpose of this research is to develop and test the feasibility of a novel portable computerized system that will enable nursing assistants to provide improved patient care. The system will enable nursing assistants to work more efficiently, record data more accurately, and spend more time with each patient. The system is being designed for use in assisted living facilities and nursing home ...

The intelligence community is hampered in its ability to provide information to a gamut of users. The critical shortfalls are database access, timely data fusion, robust dissemination techniques, and communications bandwidth. This effort will create adynamic and responsive intelligence architecture to include; multiple database access, support dynamic user profiling through intelligent agents, p ...

DESCRIPTION (Abstract, from the application): Automated karyotyping is an important procedure in cytogenetics labs worldwide. Multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) is a recent development that uses multicolor chromosome painting probes and multispectral image analysis to identify subtle and complex chromosomal rearrangements. It promises to make ...

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to develop innovative image compression techniques to make the digital storage, archiving, and communication of cytogenetics images much more efficient and faster, thereby significantly reducing the storage and transfer costs of digital cytogenetics imaging instruments in clinical diagnosis and i ...

Future satellite architectures must readily support the on-orbit maintenance and servicing that is vital for maintaining and dynamically reconfiguring both commercial and military satellites during orbital operation. A well-founded architectural designmust also address the need to reduce costs associated with satellite development, fabrication, and operation; improve flexibility in response to mis ...

The ability to maneuver, change orbits, and rapidly deploy spacecraft is a key requirement for the space user community. However, large and bulky propulsion systems with a significant mass of fuel on board often limit the maneuverability and capabilitiesof space vehicles. AeroAstro is developing aerobraking concepts and structures that use the Earth's atmosphere for braking and steering, signifi ...