Award Data

As NASA space missions become longer in duration the need for high efficiency power generator sets that can operate on NASA logistical fuel become critical. Historically NASA has used fuel cells as part of the energy solution. Space bound energy and power systems require rapid start and stop cycle times as well as high power densities. The high operational efficiency, coupled with the use of logi ...

Small satellites such as CubeSats are in need of responsive propulsion, but are limited due to their size. Though single pulse, AP/HTPB fueled solid rocket motors exist in the market, greater mission flexibility is to be had from a motor with the capability of a second ignition in the same volume constraints. Digital Solid State Propulsion (DSSP) proposes research into the technology to not only t ...

We propose a platform for aerial environmental monitoring based on the integration of two advanced technologies for the first time: a lightweight, flying robotic platform capable of hovering and swarming, and a compact, low-power chemical sensor platform called the Molecular Property Spectrometer (MPS): a robust, low-cost, silicon-chip-based micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) that has been use ...

This work will continue the use of numerical methods to determine optimal design parameters for a compact hybrid fuel cell power system driven by a statistically determined load profile. Detailed physics-based models will be used to represent the bahavior of the components in the hybrid system. The components considered in the hybrid system for Phase II will be a PEM fuel cell, Li-ion batteries an ...

Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. proposes to use QD-like fluctuations of InGaN QW with controllable spatial distribution for high efficiency green LEDs. We will investigate both theoretically and experimentally the performance of green InGaN MQW structures with fluctuations of composition and thickness of InGaN quantum wells. Both types of these fluctuations would lead to the spatial localizatio ...

Sierra Engineering Inc. and Purdue University propose to develop a non-intrusive plume instrument capable of detecting and diagnosing combustion instability. This Stability Diagnostic System (SDS) will be designed, assembled, and tested during this effort. The SDS will include a high-speed video camera and multiple photodiode detectors for observing the plume. It will also include a software pa ...

Terahertz plasma wave detectors and emitters utilizing the high-density 2-D electrons in submicron AlGaInN/GaN-based Quantum Well Heterostructure Field Effect Transistors (QW-HFETs)with high-sensitivity levels for the sensing of terahertz (THz) frequency electromagnetic radiation are proposed and developed.

Next generation General Aviation (GA) Sport Class air vehicles limited to 1200lbs, represent the first opportunity to overhaul the FAA certification process necessary to manufacture affordable aircraft. With propulsion representing over one-third of the direct manufacturing costs of the entire aircraft, dramatic reductions in aircraft engine costs must be achieved by design, economy of scale, and ...

The proposed PAVE propulsion system technology demonstration combines an innovative high-speed aero-diesel engine with a novel ducted fan assembly resulting in a low noise/cost and high performance propulsion system. The core engine makes extensive use of a novel self-injection, compression ignition/combustion system capable of high-speed operation on kerosene-based fuels without degradation due ...

Premature breakdown is a key obstacle in developing AlGaN-based avalanche photo diodes (APD) for ultraviolet (UV) light detection. Novel materials growth techniques, such as Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy (HVPE) allows for reduction of dislocation density only to approximately 10^7 cm-2. In order to reduce the number of growth defects and dislocation density in AlGaN-based APDs we will use single cry ...