Award Data

In this proposal, AlphaSense, Inc. (AI) and the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) detail the development of a novel noninvasive microwave sensor to quantify the DoS in marine aluminum alloys. The key innovations of this proposal include the following: a) DoS quantifications based on the correlation between the surface resistivity with the microstructures of the aluminum alloys, b) measurements o ...

In this proposal, AlphaSense, Inc. proposes to develop an innovative real time probe for online monitoring of plastic bonded explosive manufacturing process. Key innovations of the proposed sensor probe include: a) the use of a white light interferometer (WLI) to form real time images of the particles for accurate particle size measurements, and b) the use of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) base ...

Mid-infrared (MWIR, wavelength ~10 micron) imaging has significant importance in military surveillance and target recognition, since human body radiation peaks in MWIR. The GaSb/InAs type-II Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS) MWIR detector has been under intensive investigation recently. While much progress has been made to enhance wavelength coverage, one of the few remaining issues has been its r ...

Low light level infrared imaging has significant importance in military surveillance and target recognition. The proposed broadband low-light-level nano-BiCMOS camera covers visible and near infrared bands from 400 nm to 1,550 nm wavelengths. With a proven nano-technology, the proposed nano-BiCMOS photo-detector solves this long-standing tradeoff between quantum efficiency and dark current by in- ...

This project will demonstrate the feasibility of using an array of wireless, passive, microwave acoustic sensors and accompanying interrogator system to monitor temperature and pressure in harsh environments encountered within a turboshaft rotorcraft engine. The proposed sensor technology is based on langasite piezoelectric crystals and stable nanostructured thin film electrodes, and will enable ...

The next generation of photovoltaic systems need to meet both physical (shape, size, packaging, durability) and electronic (efficiency, stability) requirements of applications that are not possible to implement today. One of these requirements is to be able to stretch electronic devices without sacrificing the performance and lifetime. Commercially available photovoltaics that incorporate thin sem ...

The need exists for a low-density and low-conductivity spray-in-place thermal barrier coating for application to aluminum and composite aircraft surfaces. Fiber Materials, Inc. (FMI®) has a family of commercial thermal barrier systems, designated FlexFram™, which are TRL9/MRL10 Navy-qualified thermal barrier coatings originally developed for protection of ship surfaces from rocket motor blasts ...

The development of guided munitions offers interesting challenges in system, component, and materials design. Indeed, system requirements drive component requirements which, in turn, drive material requirements. A prime example of this linkage may be seen in the component of focus for this proposed effort; a GPS antenna. The primary functionality of these components, EM transparency for trackin ...

This SBIR Phase I project will develop and innovative sandwich composite material used to manufacture component parts and/or the hull for an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to reduce the weight and increase operational effectiveness. The composite structure includes an inner layer of high tenacity polyarylate LCP long fiber reinforced ionomer. The reinforced resin is extrusion molded directly into ...

The proposed technology has the potential to change the paradigm such that the traditional “brute-force” method of the mechanical breaker is replaced with natural commutation. Further, a downfall of the conventional solid-state breaker is that it still must interrupt large fault currents requiring very specialized semiconductors and controls. Ultimately, the dc breaker herein prevents large cu ...