Award Data

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) due to consumption of contaminated shellfish is an increasing problem is the coastal waters of the United States, particularly in New England and the Pacific Ocean. The symptoms of PSP include vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, confusion, and loss of coordination in both marine animals and humans. In severe cases, PSP toxins can cause respiratory failure a ...

The skin is the first line of defense against chemical warfare agents including nerve agents and toxic industrial chemicals, providing a possible barrier or delay to systemic distribution. Some chemicals also can act directly on the skin including the vesicants sulfur mustard and lewisite. Early and rapid skin decontamination is extremely important following exposure to CWAs and TICs because it de ...

There is a need for a simple, affordable method for measuring domoic acid in the field. This project will develop a rapid, onsite kit for domoic acid featuring a filter membrane that produces a readable color response without need for instrumentation. The filter membrane contains three or more zones with different assay characteristics in close proximity. These zones will indicate different co ...

Commercial-scale marine aquaculture has the potential to balance the increasing demand for high-quality seafood products with the harvest capacity of our nation¿s oceans. However, water reuse in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is limited by the accumulation of nitrate (NO3), which is toxic to many species in high concentrations. Therefore, NO3 removal by denitrification presents a press ...

The pressing need exists within industry to accurately measure high aspect ratio microscale structures. For example, diesel injector nozzles are manufactured with microscale holes ranging from 50-200 micrometers in diameter and 3-5 mm depths. One fundamental challenge is to nondestrucvely measure these features in order to validate models, enhance manufacturing processes, and reduce fuel emissions ...

Manning Applied Technology proposes to develop a handheld infrared spectrometer, ideally suited to detection of airborne chemical agents at and below permissible exposure limits. This approach offers unmatched sensitivity and specificity for detection of all types of chemical vapors. The instrument is modular, rugged, compact and highly sensitive. Volume pricing will be less than $1000 each. ...

Ocean waves are well-known to be the most hazardous of ocean environmental conditions affecting vessel operations. The vast majority of incidents responded to by the U.S. Coast Guard, injuries and fatalities, and damage to or sinking of vessels (particularly small craft) are wave-related. Recognizing the considerable spatial and temporal variability of waves in coastal areas, research will desig ...

MCNC PROPOSES A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND EVALUATION OF THREE PROMISING APPROACHES TO THE FABRICATION OF SURFACE TEST STRUCTURES ON SILICON. SURFACE FEATURES ON THE FIRST STRUCTURE WILL BE PRODUCED BY CONTROLLABLY ETCHING THERMALLYGROWN OXIDES. FEATURES ON THE SECOND WILL BE MADE BY ETCHING PIEZOELECTRIC THIN FILMS. USING THE PIEZOELECTRIC FILM AS PART OF A CAPACITOR, STEP-HEIGHT CAN BE VARIED AND PRO ...

INADEQUATE STARTER FEEDS SEVERELY HOLD BACK NEW AQUACULTURE ENTERPRISES SUCH AS PRESENT ATTEMPTS TO RAISE FISHES WHOSE LARVAE DEVELOP FROM SMALL EGGS AND HAVE VERY "DIFFICULT" FOOD REQUIREMENTS. INERT LARVAL FEEDS HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLYELIMINATED THE STRICT DEPENDENCY ON NATURAL FORAGE DURING THE CRITICAL POST-LARVAL STAGE AFTER YOLK ABSORPTION AND BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGESTIVE SYSTEM WITH ...