Award Data

In this innovative Phase I effort, nSI will construct and demonstrate an empirically driven directed evolution model that rapidly selects for BBB-crossing NPs in vitro, as a proof of concept. Leveraging cutting-edge NP formulation advances, we will (1) synthesize a library of DNA-barcoded NPs, (2) administer the library in multiplex to in vitro BBB models, (3) use the BBB infilitration data collec ...

The Phase I effort of this program builds on our experience in developing automated fault-injection and testing frameworks. We will expand upon the CPU-based fault injection methodology developed as part of the Dynamic Robust Single Event Upset Simulator (DrSEUs) to also target FPGA resources. This updated methodology will serve as the foundation for an automated fault injection platform that targ ...

Cellular devices contain several sensors required to enable functionality and detect environmental conditions.  A recent example of practical application of data generated by these sensors are SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) contact tracing.  Perhaps more interesting is Google’s development of algorithms to use Android devices as “mini seismometers” to detect earthquakes. When considered as a distr ...

The TARgeting Distributed Sensors for Situational Surveillance (TARDIS3) program will study the feasibility of sensor-leakage techniques to enable explosive event detection without relying on friendly human or technological assets. Specifically, we propose placing targeted advertisements through public marketplaces that request and surreptitiously exfiltrate the sensor data needed to detect and lo ...

The goal of the proposed DTRA Phase I program is to develop a set a diagnostic tool to capture the evolution of aerosols and particulates ejected from liquid-filled containers impacted by fragments and shock waves in a detonation environment. Since these involve CWMD scenarios, the need is for optical diagnostics that are capable of providing accurate measurements at large standoff distances. Furt ...

Characterization of liquid aerosol droplets in agent defeat scenarios presents enormous challenges, in part due to high optical density conditions in sprays generated from shock or fragment interactions with liquid-filled containers.  We propose a new diagnostic that can probe optically dense regions, based on optical scattering of laser light from particles/droplets.  Our diagnostic instrument ...

The detection of radionuclide aerosols is a critical indicator of a nuclear detonation. Current detection systems used in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty’s  (CTBT) global monitoring network stations spend 24 hours collecting and concentrating particulates from the air to gather enough sample material for adequate detection sensitivity. This approach is inherently a batch process that ...

Advances in spatial metabolomic analysis of tissue biopsies using MALDI-MSI now enable the identification of numerous biochemical pathways as signatures of specific histopathology features. However, the lack of reproducibility across experimental studies without a common internal standard limits the application of MALDIMSI for drug development. SygnaMap is developing MSI-DeepPath as an innovative ...

The goal for this Phase I research is to develop a stretchable dielectric ink that can be used for flexible applications. Printing electronics is a new and quickly growing alternative to traditionally manufactured electronics. Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) is a novel approach to electronic circuit manufacturing that aims to combine the best of printed and conventional electronics. FHE devices ...

Commercial buildings use 35% of the entire US energy output, and up to a third of that energy is wasted. Rapidly rising fuel costs, increasing concern about climate change, and policy directives from the Biden Administration are all driving the need for increased energy efficiency and the elimination of waste. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased public awareness of t ...