Award Data

Current geo-technical measurement systems are low resolution and generally require significant research vessel support. In this SBIR, the OASIS/WHOI team proposes to build a system that will remotely, autonomously and rapidly estimate and map shear strength parameters using state-of-the art Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) technology. The AUV-based Acoustic Sediment Classifier (ASC) is an inno ...

A new structural joining technique is under development which employs a massive number of nanomaterials to achieve unique combinations of properties. One-dimensional nanomaterials (nanotubes, nanohelices, etc.) are anchored onto the opposite faces of the joint, and compatibly functionalized and engaged to form chemical bonds over their tremendous surface areas. The exceptional mechanical, physic ...

Bio-inspired adhesives are under development which employ nanofibrillar structures for reliable and strong adhesion to various substrates. Applications toward micro air vehicle locomotion and in broader dry adhesives markets are emphasized. Biological adhesives (employed by gecko, spider, etc.) rely on multi-scale structures with nanofibrillar contact elements for effective adhesion to rough or ...

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials present unique benefits to the control and stabilization of hypersonic projectiles. Midé and the University of Colorado at Boulder is concluded in Phase I that SMA materials offer distinct advantages for the control of hypersonic projectile through the development and analysis of concepts that could achieve the desired flight control characteristics within the ...

This proposal presents the VAMAV system (Visual Awareness/Avoidance for a Micro Air Vehicle) for monocular visual collision detection and avoidance. Real time collision detection will be implemented using a time-to-collision approach based on area moment estimates of expansion from globally optimal image segmentation. This approach does not require explicit optical flow computations, and avoids n ...

The accumulation of ethylene in the transport and storage of fresh produce is an important problem for the US Army and for commercial agriculture. Certain fruits and vegetables generate ethylene as a natural part of their ripening cycle. Other fruits and vegetables are highly sensitive to the presence of ethylene, but may or may not produce the ethylene themselves. Small amounts of ethylene can in ...

Automatic Target Recognition and intent determination from airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) or Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging requires highly accurate pose determination. Prior knowledge in the form of radar signatures of 3D target models that accurately capture locations of a few (

PSI proposes to develop a real-time standoff paint thickness sensor for marine paints utilizing time-domain terahertz technology. The THz transceiver will operate in a mode analogous to a pulsed radar ranging system. Ultrashort pulses, ~300 femtosecond full width half maximum, of low-power, eye-safe THz radiation, comprising wavelengths between about 30 and 1000 microns, are focused onto a freshly ...

Fatigue properties of aerospace structures are improved significantly by the application of cold-working processes, which impart favorable compressive residual stresses at and near the surface of the metal. While cold-working production processes are tightly controlled to ensure the effectiveness of the process, human errors are known to occur and the degree of fatigue or damage resistance may be ...

Building on the Phase I results, Triton Systems, Inc. proposes to further develop a long lasting insecticide-treated bednet (LLITN) with high insecticidal efficacy, long lasting residual property, UV-resistance, durability that is lightweight and easy to assemble. Our coating techniques that will be used in Phase II make it possible to increase the efficacy while reducing the dosage on the bednet. ...