Award Data

The objective of lab-on-chip (LOC) is to integrate and perform multiple analytical processes on a microchip platform. So far, most LOC research has been focused on electrophoretic separations. Limited progress has been made on multi-process integration, due mainly to the lack of a robust and miniaturized pump that can deliver constant flow and be integrated with LOC devices. Microchip HPLC can and ...

Biological, chemical and geological activity of soils and groundwater impact agriculture, hydrology, and climate. Sophisticated computer models now include a multitude of interactions that can simulate the complex nature of near, subsurface regions. Improved measurement methods are needed both to provide accurate data to those computer models and to test model predictions. Ideal instruments wil ...

The Ground-based Nuclear Detonation Detection Research and Development office seeks advanced technology for the monitoring of explosion events using infrasonic signatures. In this STTR, Silicon Audio, Inc. and The University of Texas at Austin will team together to develop an advanced microelectromechanical-system MEMS) based piezoelectric infrasonic-sensor technology. The sensor will aim to exc ...

Future particle physics experiments at the high-energy frontier, such as LHC, HL-LHC, ILC, CLIC or Multi-TeV Muon Collider, will all require silicon detectors capable of reconstructing charged particle trajectories with high accuracy in the presence of significant high occupancy. These experiments will impose stringent demands on the data links to transfer the data from the silicon detector to the ...

Geosteering is the act of adjusting the borehole position based on real time measurements in the process of drilling, which is used to keep a well in a pay zone, prevent drilling risks such as water breakthrough, and increase hydrocarbon production. One of the most effective techniques used in geosteering is based on directional electromagnetic logging-while-drilling. One of the essential componen ...

Separations often account for a majority of process costs. This is because all traditional separation processes have inherent weaknesses that prevent the system from achieving perfect (or even near perfect in many instances) selectivity. These weaknesses result in large recycle streams and require multiple separation units in concert in order to produce a product clean enough for use or sale. An a ...

The Air Force Technical Application’s Center (AFTAC) monitors for nuclear explosions through high altitude whole-air gas sampling using compressors to inject air into a high-flow air stream or store in a high-pressure vessel. The existing compressors have proven reliability issues with exhaustive maintenance requirements. A highly reliable compressor with near zero maintenance that can be manufa ...

Advanced Ultra-Super Critical (A-USC) boiler will use nickel based alloys and will operate in the range of 700-760 °C (5000 psi). Advanced turbine and boiler component manufacturing process by conventional process are comprised of multi steps, turbine components are fabricated by conventional machining from a forged or rolled billet processed from an ingot which is originally made from casting/in ...

High selectivity in chemical reactions is the key to reducing costs, energy consumption and emissions in chemical processing. More selective and active catalysts will reduce the need for recovering unreacted chemicals for recycle and removing byproducts. Reducing the burden on separation processes will greatly reduce the energy required for chemical production. We will design macromolecular cataly ...

Maximizing the value proposition for solar and distributed energy resources to consumers requires a more integrated and coordinated approach to utilizing these resources on-site. Commercial solutions are not yet widely available to provide optimal use of combined on-site resources locally, while at the same time optimizing their value to the electric power distribution system as well. Solutions s ...