Award Data

We propose developing a compact, optical fiber-based Raman scattering instrument for rapid, in-situ analysis of composites, solid rocket motors, and propellants. The instrument will incorporate diode laser-based, full-spectrum Raman scattering forcontinuous in-situ remote monitoring of the composite and propellant chemistry. Narrow well defined Raman peaks and lack of sample preparation requirem ...

The US Missile Defense Agency is seeking to develop innovative architectures and/or high temperature electronics for increasing the temperature capability of actuators used with proportionally controlled valves/thrusters. Solid propellant exhaust gases are commonly 2,000-4,000F while the actuator to valve/thruster interface commonly must be limited to less than 200-300F. This relatively low temp ...

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH POWER, LOW IMPEDANCE, LIGHTWEIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TRANSMISSION LINES FOR PULSE-POWER APPLICATIONS IS CRUCIAL FORSMALLER, LIGHTWEIGHT, SPACE-BASED, PULSE-POWER SYSTEMS. DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH DIELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE LINE TECHNOLOGY WOULD GREATLY REDUCETHE SIZE, WEIGHT, AND COMPLEXITY OF PULSE POWER SYSTEMS UTILIZING THESE TYPES OF COMPONENTS. EFFICIENT TRANSPORT OF 400KV, 100K ...

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Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play a critical role in current solid-state laser systems enabling broad tunability and operation at wavelengths not accessible by available laser gain media. At the same time, NLO materials limit the longevity andefficiency of these laser systems due to low damage thresholds, poor optical quality and small nonlinearities. As a result, new NLO materials are requ ...

Under this Phase I SBIR Kestrel Corporation proposes to demonstrate the advantages of a novel optical technique for measuring wavefront aberrations as a means for aligning large, segmented, space telescopes such as those that might be employed in a SpaceBased Laser (SBL) Weapon system. The same technology has applications as a wavefront sensor for determining aberrations in the transmitted beam. ...

It is proposed to continue development of a novel concept for space power generation based on coupling of a Pulse Detonation Rocket Engine (PDRE) with a magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) generator. This highly efficient chemical power generation approach allowsfor deployment of clusters of satellites, thus increasing the survivability and operability of the defense system. The proposed PDRE-MHD can als ...

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POLYMERIC OR CERAMIC INSULATORS CONVENTIONALLY ARE BEING USED IN HIGH VOLTAGE PULSED SYSTEMS. NEW APPROACHES ARE NEEDED THAT WOULD REDUCE INSULATORS RING THICKNESSES AND INCREASE CORRESPONDING GRADING RINGS FLASHOVER VOLTAGE. SUCH AN APPROACH WOULD POSSESS IN COMPARISON TO CONVENTIONAL INSULATORS: HIGHER SURFACE FLASHOVER FIELD STRENGTH; SMALLER PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS FOR EQUIVALENT VOLTAGE HOLDOFF; ...