Award Data

The objective of this proposed SBIR phase I work is to design, build and therefore demonstrate the feasibility of an on-chip optical interconnector. This proposed device contains a molded plastic optical connector, a fiber ribbon, an on-chip opticalreceptacle, VCSEL, PIN diode (arrays for multiple-channel applications), and necessary electronic circuits, all in one compact unit. The design targets ...

Adroit Systems, Inc. will develop a Pulse Detonation Synthesis (PDS) process to manufacture ceramic powders from gas-powder reactant mixtures more efficiently and inexpensively than current methods. A high combustion rate and simple design make the PDS system capable of mass producing these powders, which are used as raw materials for high-temperature, high-performance ceramics and ceramic composi ...

Functional gradient materials (FGMs) have a microstructurally graded transition in composition (e.g. zirconia to a nickel based superalloy). The graded transition eliminates problems associated with a discrete interface such as poor mechanical strength and transport losses. They are being actively pursued by the engineering community, particularly in Japan, as a means of taking advantage of two di ...

On this Phase I program, Advanced Ceramics Research Inc. (ACR) will develop and commercialize technology to fabricate boost motor nozzles using TaC-based Fibrous Monolith composites. These materials may also have application for other high temperaturepropulsion-related composite components such as gas divert tubes, valves, and hot gas ducts. On the commercial side, ACR is exploring and evaluatin ...

Advanced Ceramics Research Inc. (ACR), has developed a simple, low cost composite fabrication method utilizing our patented composite fabrication and gel-casting technologies. Test samples and components will be fabricated by first mixing the gel castingslurry containing ceramic powder and fibers, casting this slurry into a near net shape mold, then firing of the green material into a finished par ...

Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR) proposes to develop a process to fabricate propulsion components that exhibit improved thermo-mechanical properties when compared to the materials currently in use. This effort combines Isotropic ParticulateComposite (IPC) technology, an offshoot of our Fibrous Monolith (FM) composite processing, and gel casting expertise to develop a new generation of low-c ...

This Phase I project has two primary objectives. The first objective is to evaluate the feasibility of a fully ion implanted fabrication process based on the heterodimensional 2-D MESFET. The new device, the 2-D JFET, will have p+ ion implanted sidegates which laterally modulate a thin, highly doped n-type conducting channel. The 2-D JFET should have excellent high speed, low power characteristics ...

We propose to develop a superior thermal management system for high-power radar T/R modules at the Lower Replaceable Unit or LRU board level. We will incorporate evaporators into a new LRU board such that an evaporator is adjacent to each T/R module. Ourunique and proprietary thin-film evaporators remove large amounts of heat via ultra thin-film evaporation of a working fluid. After evaporation ...

We propose to develop a T/R module housing that incorporates two-phase thin-film evaporators adjacent to each T/R module in order to increase greatly the lateral spreading within the housing. Our unique thin-film evaporators remove large amounts of heatvia ultra thin-film evaporation of a working fluid. After evaporation, the fluid's vapors pass through a semi-permeable membrane and condense on ...

There is a demand for enhanced performance gyros used in advanced inertial reference units (aIRUs) required in Space Based Laser systems and space based surveillance systems. The current high performance gyros are marginal in meeting the SBL aIRUperformance requirements and are very expensive. Applied Technology Associates (ATA) proposes to develop a breakthrough angular rate gyroscope that has ...