Award Data

Historically organophosphorus compounds such as insecticides and nerve agents have been susceptible to decomposition by proteinaceous enzymes. Organophosphate hydrolases (OPH) represent a practical method to deactivate such compounds peripherally and on surfaces. However, when such organophosphates are ingested, the use of proteinaceous enzymes such as OPH can be problematic because of their tende ...

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 ...

MgB2 is proving to be a very promising superconductor. Until recently, the low critical field of pure MgB2 had inhibited its use for higher-field applications, such as for high energy physics experiments. Yet, recent advances have demonstrated a dramatic enhancement of the upper critical field (Hc2) when MgB2 is doped with C or SiC. However, in all cases, the resulting material typically has de ...

Homologous recombination (HR) permits the precise insertion, deletion, or substitution of genetic material in the genome of an organism. HR offers numerous opportunities for modifying plant genomes to enhance our understanding of plant gene function and regulation, especially with respect to enhancing the production of biofuels. Although HR normally occurs at very low frequencies, approximately ...

Ultrasupercritical (USC) steam boilers will operate at higher temperature/pressure than subcritical and supercritical steam boilers in service today. However, the majority of current high-temperature materials do not posses the desired characteristics for the operating conditions of a USC unit (760 C/35MPa). This project will develop innovative composite powders and composites that will surpass th ...

Aerosols represent one of the more efficient methods to distribute biological and chemical agents throughout the atmosphere. Small aerosol droplets can be readily inhaled and easily penetrate deep into the lungs where they lodge in bronchial alveoli. Within the alveoli, chemical and biological agents can breach epithelial and endothelial cell layers and enter the bloodstream, where they cause da ...

Given the possibility to administer prophylactic doses of protein bioscavengers inactivating OP nerve agents before they reach their acetylcholinesterase target, much attention has been given to proteins such as human butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase I. As small nucleic acid catalysts can exhibit triphosphoesterase activities, the identification of new molecules active against nerve agents w ...

Shelter enclosures for military working dogs in the event of a CB attack is a technology gap identified by the Joint Requirements Office. Important parameters to consider in the design of protective enclosures include low weight and size to minimize transport requirements; rapid setup; and accommodation of canine physiological and psychological comfort needs. The overall operational weight of th ...

Precursor materials for superconductors such as Nb3Sn and Nb3Al include low melting point components. Therefore, conventional extrusion processes with large area reductions are not possible because adiabatic heating raises the temperature above the melting point. In certain circumstances, hydrostatic extrusion could be used, as it can be operated at low enough speeds to allow the deformation hea ...

60275 Preliminary designs for the next generation of high energy physics colliders will require much higher magnetic field levels for successful operation. Currently available superconducting materials are either unable to reach these levels (NbTi) or they are much too expensive (Nb3Sn, Nb3Al and HiTcSC). This project addresses the design and manufacture of Nb3Sn superconducting wire that h ...