Award Data

Current artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are built to align with ground truth or consensus of trusted human decision-makers. This is not effective for difficult decision domains, such as patient triage, where even experts disagree on the best course of action. A key reason human experts disagree is that their individual attributes influence their decision-making. To develop human-off-the-lo ...

Extending research on scalable Transformer models performed on previous SBIR-funded work for DARPA, Soar-Tech proposes an investigation into Scalable Language Association Models for Domain-specific Utterances in Novel Contexts (SLAMDUNK), a Phase II SBIR research effort focused on developing novel synthetic data generating pipelines and extending these pipelines with novel index-learning, token gr ...

If civilian and military equipment and personnel are to be effectively shielded in a high radiation environment- such as that found in space, or in a nuclear-powered naval vehicle, or in a nuclear-active battlefield environment- then protection against high-energy photons must be enhanced well beyond that currently delivered by existing materials. Materials that are highly effective in stopping th ...

This SBIR project will exploit the nanoscale physics delivered by percolating networks of PbTe nanoparticles to develop an efficient, low-cost imager of hard x-rays (5 – 300 keV) that has high spatial (< 55 mm) and energy resolutions (< 2 %). We developed methods to assemble PbTe into scalable solids using either templated growth or self-assembly. PbTe gels self-assembled from colloidal nanopart ...

In recent years, the nuclear power industry has been exploring the use of conventional powder metallurgy and hot-isostatic press technologies to fabricate large, near net shape components for high pressure components and other applications pertaining to the generation of electric power. Powder metallurgy has many manufacturing consistency and reliability advantages over other large-scale manufactu ...

We propose to engage in a parallel, two-track approach for Phase II in order to expedite the availability of Reefense artificial reefs to protect DoD’s coastal facilities. Track 1 of this approach will initially use our 3D Concrete Printing (“3DCP”) system and traditional concrete mixtures modified to sequester carbon, to 3D print the novel reef structures designed by the Applied Research La ...

This SBIR Phase I project will demonstrate that high sensitivity, radiation-resistance, and resolution can be elicited from nanostructured media composed of semiconducting nanoparticles derived from size-governed PbTe. In order to transform x-ray imaging instruments, nanocrystalline semiconductors provide an attractive material basis because they present a means of: 1) decreasing the underlying ma ...

The selection of hypersonic IR window materials is generally driven by the specific application, from which the necessary transmission, thermal, and structural performance requirements can be derived.  In considering the flight environment, there are three general problem areas in IR window design and these are a hot window (emission), rain and/or sleet erosion, and thermal shock failure.  Of th ...

As discussed in the announcement document, the apertures of high-speed vehicles may be subjected to aggressive environmental conditions including rain impact, high temperatures, and highly transient aerothermal heating loads, all of which may adversely impact sensing capabilities or the structural survivability of the aperture material. The large thermal gradients caused by highly transient therma ...

In Phase I of this program, the team sought to show feasibility for new advanced materials and manufacturing methods to address the full suite of MW-class magnetics technology needs relevant to DOD in addition to the selection of a single high-value application target for a proposed prototype in subsequent phase efforts.  The work completed paves the way for the proposed Phase II of the program, ...