Award Data

Two approaches are proposed to attack the problems of fixturing process. First, a novel hardware holding system, Dexterous Vise, is proposed. Functionally, a single Dexterous Vise is capable of revealing four faces of the clamped workpiece to the cutting tool without re-fixturing, which actually increases one degree of freedom to the machine tool. A pair of Dexterous Vises, the "Dual-Vise", ena ...

ACX proposes an innovative new process for the manufacture of smart structures using a High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) thermal spray process. This simple, multi-step process will be capable of depositing electroded piezoceramic coatings. The coatings will be poled while still hot, reducing poling times and voltages while increasing poling efficiency. Process times will be extremely short. The pr ...

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The goal of this program is to design and fabricate selected liquid rocket engine combustion components. This goal will be accomplished by developing a low-cost, near net-shape technology for fabrication and rapid densification of ablation and oxidation-resistant LRE components for a wide variety of Air Force missions. The material which will be used for this purpose is zirconium diboride/boron ...

Microscopic measurement of surface topography is a continuing need in microfabrication technology and materials research. The aim of this research is to adapt the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to the quantitative measurement of a wide range of surface structures. The SEM is a widely used measurement tool in materials science and semiconductor fabrication. The SEM's strength is that it prov ...

WE PROPOSE TO APPLY ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS TO THE DERIVATION OF CLOUD MOTION VECTORS FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY. IN PHASE I, WE WILL CONCENTRATE ON USING A NEURAL NETWORK IN THE FIRST STEP IN THE DERIVATIO OF CLOUD MOTION VECTORS, THE HEIGHT ASSIGNMENT AND TARGET SELECTION. THE NEURAL NETWORK COMBINES, AT EACH IMAGE PIXEL, BRIGHTNESS IN DIFFERENT CHANNELS TO DETERMINE CLOUD TYPE AND LEVEL (I.E., L ...

Smart IR technology has advanced at a rapid pace over the last two decades, pushed along by primarily defense-related requirements. This includes such breakthroughs as Acousto-Optic Tunable Filters and microbolometer detector arrays. Coupled with the continuing growth in microprocessor power, this promises to make a new generation of fast, cheap and reliable infrared (IR) fire detectors possible ...

The ultimate objective of this project is to develop an instrument capable of remote detection and location of tornadoes and/or storms containing tornadoes. There are many reports, both scientific and anecdotal, suggesting that tornadoes and tornadic thunderstorms emit anomalous electromagnetic (EM) radiation-both RF and luminous. This radiation is characterized by unusually high rates of EM pulse ...

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The overall quality and the comprehensive strength, in particular, of concrete are critically dependent on the water content in the concrete mixture. It is also essential to know if the concrete has reached a stage of moisture equilibrium before surface finishes such as paint or carpet can be applied. At present, no reliable method or easy-to-use instrument exists for determining the moisture co ...