Award Data

This Phase I proposal describes the development of an Automatic Threat Recognition (ATR) algorithm for volumetric CT data. Our ATR algorithm consists of four stages: (1) preprocessing of CT data, (2) object segmentation of preprocessed CT data, (3) post-processing of segmentation results, and (4) explosive detection from the segmented objects. The ATR algorithm will be made computationally efficie ...

This Phase I proposal describes (1) an automated image quality assessment (IQA) software to objectively quantify image quality of airport security X-ray imaging systems for both checked and carry-on baggage and (2) a design for a novel test phantom specialized for security CT scanners. For fixed images, automated algorithms will measure the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and Contrast-to-Noise ...

Innovative Imaging and Research has teamed with the University of Southern Mississippi to develop a novel energy efficient smart light system. Smart lighting adds an occupancy sensor, photosensor, controller, and dimming unit to a light source and has been shown to save up to 50% of the energy required to power traditional lighting in existing buildings and up to 35% in new construction. Our novel ...

In 2007, wild captured fish accounted for about 15.7% of the animal protein consumed by humans on a global basis, and per capita consumption of fish and shellfish products is increasing, parallel with the global human population. Unfortunately, harvest rates of wild fish have decreased by ~0.7 mmt per year over the past 20 years, and the FAO recently reported that 53% of the world's wild fish ...

The goal of the project is to genetically engineer photosynthetic cyanobacteria that will synthesize farnesene from carbon dioxide. The work will then involve shutting down pathways that compete for carbon in an attempt to maximize the amount of farnesene that can be produced. Then we will do tolerance testing by culturing the cyanobacteria in varying concentrations of the end product(s) in order ...

Current energy storage devices have energy densities that are barely sufficient for low cost electric-vehicles and rely on lithium ion batteries that use flammable, unsafe, liquid electrolytes. However, in order to replace liquid electrolyes in lithium batteries for hybrid electric power train systems, solid polymer electrolytes, which have the advantages of safety and flexibility, must attain con ...

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a process to produce high quality soy protein concentrate (HQSPC) as a fish meal replacement in aquaculture feeds, while providing a binding agent for extrusion and an immunostimulant for disease control. The proposed innovation is a microbially-based process to economically produce HQSPC by converting soybean carbohydrate ...

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will cost effectively optimize the integration of Sinhatech's patented flexible-skin Deturbulator with vehicle drag-reducing wind deflectors, aircraft wings and airfoils. The Deturbulator is a passive flexible-skin large-eddy breakup device for mitigating turbulent mixing in separated flows. Sinhatech?s recently developed self aligning D ...

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project from Nanofiber Separations, LLC will establish an innovative type of bioseparation media utilizing electrospun nanofiber felts of regenerated cellulose with high specific surface area as the support for protein adsorption ligands. Compared to competitive products (e.g., packed resin beads or microfiber adsorption membranes), these nano ...

The DOD has a need to leverage state of the art technologies remotely detect, collect, and evaluate physiological signals of interest. Applications and concepts-of-operations (CONOPs) that would benefit from this capability include, but are not limited to: building-clearing, warfighter health monitoring or battle damage assessment and triage, situational awareness and assessment. The main goal o ...