Award Data

The DoD requires new sources of eye safe, short pulse, laser radiation to enable the next generation laser radar (LADAR) seekers. Conventional eye safe laser sources using diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) and optical parametric oscillator (OPO) technologies have difficulties to meet the packaging requirements and to operate with constant pulse width at variable repetition rate. Also, the e ...

Fiber coupled mid-infrared and infrared semiconductor lasers provide potential technology for proactive infrared countermeasures systems, potentially reducing life cycle costs for these tactical military systems compared to current lasers. Research will be conducted to explore the feasibility of developing low loss infrared transmitting chalcogenide glass fiber optics. The proposed work will als ...

First generation mid-infrared lasers contribute to the prohibitively high life cycle cost of infrared countermeasures systems, precluding their broad application in helicopters. We propose to develop a fiber amplifier-based IRCM laser transmitter that will contain all optical beams within optical fiber, eliminating adjustable, discrete, optical mounts, to significantly increase the laser's MTBF. ...

The subject of this proposal is a heat exchanger based on variable conductance heat pipes (VCHP) that will provide a passive, valve-less means of regulating process gas temperatures in reformers for fuel cells. A key component of the Navy fuel cell system is the reformer, which converts diesel fuel into methane for consumption by the fuel cell. Reaction temperatures are critical to proper functi ...

The objective of this project is to develop a test-validated CAD tool for performing virtual laser shock peening(LSP) simulations of rotorcraft components. Virtual LSP peening can be used, in conjunction with virtual fatigue testing, to conduct simulations to assess the effects of variations in process parameters, i.e., laser beam power density and size, number of layers, and the overlay pattern ...

There are many products that can identify chemical weapons. They range in complexity from simple colorimetric chemical test strips or gas tubes, to more complex multi-step test kits, to intricate arrays of gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers. None of the products is specifically designed to illustrate the presence of chemicals on surfaces or have use as a decontamination assurance method. ...

Dairy manure generated on concentrated animal feeding operations is of particular environmental concern due to potentially harmful effects long term storage and land application have on air, water, and soil quality. This project examines effectiveness of design innovations and reduction in capital costs of Anaerobic Digestion.

Antennovation and the Pennsylvania State University propose to develop novel new electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) materials in conjunction with miniaturized broadband antennas for use in man-portable antenna applications. The proposed antenna/EBG system will be designed to be low-profile, compact, and light-weight for helmet-mounted antennas and/or other body-worn applications. The frequency range o ...

The goal of this proposal is find novel combinations of approved drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with filoviruses. Ebola and Marburg viruses, the only filoviruses, cause an acute hemorrhagic fever syndrome which has a high mortality rate and poses a significant bio-terrorism threat. There are currently no therapeutic agents available to treat filovirus infections and the de ...

The use of small unmanned ground vehicles in both military and civilian operations is rapidly growing. Unfortunately, vendors today only offer their own proprietary Operator Control Units and vehicle payloads that can only be used with their vehicle platform. The objective of this Phase I effort is to design a toolkit of common and interchangeable components for small unmanned ground vehicles to p ...