Award Data

The recent emergence of the Silicon Drift detector (SDD), for use in energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS), has made possible x-ray event streams with count rates as high as 1-10 Mcps. A problem with existing digital signal processing, as applied to SDDs, is the significant presence of coincidence peaks above the x-ray background. These coincidence peaks occur with amplitudes comparable to lo ...

Conversion of highly stable optical clocks into electrical clocks through photodetection introduces excess phase noise, thereby degrading the frequency stability. This noise is primarily generated due to the conversion of optical intensity noise into electrical phase noise by photodiode¿s non-linearity, specifically power-to-phase conversion. During Phase I, Discovery developed dual photodiodes h ...

The vertical water vapor profile into the atmosphere is measured around the world using balloon-borne radiosondes that take measurements twice a day when the balloons are launched. The objective of this proposal is to establish the feasibility of measuring the amount of water vapor vertically, in the atmosphere as a function of altitude using a Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) operating in the ...

This effort proposes the development of "OrthopterNets" -- a novel approach applying mobile ad hoc network (MANET) communications networks for the transfer of intelligent information via insect calls (e.g., cricket calls). Insects will be equipped with embedded MEMS transceivers that pick up modulated calling sounds from nearby insects. Once the information in a call is extracted by the transce ...

This proposal is for the development of a technology apparatus which can dynamically synthesize a mechanical fingerprint pattern, from an electronic image or from a computer-generated artificial pattern, onto a 2-dimensional pliable surface whose surface height is modulated by protrusions in the z-axis direction. When mechanically applied to a fingerprint sensor-under-test, the synthesized modulat ...

DNA microarray technology, in combination with statistical and predictive modeling tools, could be used to evaluate thousands of genes against distinct gene expression patterns induced by chemical/biological agents to provide early identification and speed therapeutic intervention. The overall objective of this Phase II effort is to leverage existing public domain resources and commercial tools t ...

Currently no commercially available voltammetric electrode system exists which can operate in the water column, water/sediment interface or sediment. These electrodes need to sense a variety of electroactive species in the marine environment, which are biogeochemical relevant to understanding the Essential Fish Habitat. More importantly, these electrodes must be able to take the punishment of mu ...

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. ...

APDs offer tremendous potential for the numerous applications in which photon densities are extremely low and the ability to count single photons is essential. Researchers have recently found that the optimization of InP-based APDs for counting photons may require innovative design approaches that are quite distinct from those shown to optimize APD linear mode performance. For this program, we pro ...