Award Data

73137S03-IFuture active imaging systems for national security applications require compact, rugged, and efficient short-pulse laser sources that can operate over a wide-repetition-rate range. These systems can generate high-resolution topographical maps, which can help detect the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. However, to achieve adequate range and resolution in airborne and space ...

The purpose of this Phase I program is to demonstrate the feasibility of a compact, frequency tripled Nd:Y2O3 laser system to generate 305nm and 315nm for global tropospheric ozone sensing from space. Because Nd:Y2O3 can generate output on both the 915 nm transition and the 947 nm transition, the desired ozone UV DIAL wavelengths of 305 nm and 315 nm can be generated using a SINGLE laser device th ...

Both pyrolysis and incineration steps have been considered as the key solid waste processing step for a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). Pyrolysis is more amenable to handling mixed solid waste streams in a microgravity environment, but produces a more complex product stream. Incineration produces a simpler product stream, but the incineration of mixed solids is a complex unit op ...

The NASA objective of expanding the human experience into the far reaches of space will require the development of regenerable life support systems. On-board carbon dioxide (CO2) removal units play a key role in such systems ensuring high quality cabin air for crew members. Similar but more compact units are needed for extravehicular activities (space suit). The overall objective is to develop a C ...

Advanced Fuel Research, Inc. (AFR) has developed a technology to provide radiation shielding, while simultaneously increasing the capacity of hydrogen storage tanks. This technology uses carbon foam filler with a complex pore structure (?microporosity?). The tank with the filler has, counter-intuitively, more capacity to store hydrogen than an otherwise empty tank. This technology increases hydrog ...

70860 Current drilling systems (e.g., steerable systems and rotary steerable tools) have limitations when drilling deep wells, particularly in applying high torque to the drill bit. Hole tortuosity causes steerable systems to generate a high degree of drag; drag also reduces the drill-bit-torque in rotary steerable tools. Other systems (e.g., percussion) develop high vibrations that can damage ...

70860 Current drilling systems (e.g., steerable systems and rotary steerable tools) have limitations when drilling deep wells, particularly in applying high torque to the drill bit. Hole tortuosity causes steerable systems to generate a high degree of drag; drag also reduces the drill-bit-torque in rotary steerable tools. Other systems (e.g., percussion) develop high vibrations that can damage ...

72383S03-I Conventional waveguide windows have power-handling limitations that severely restrict linear accelerator performance. This project will develop a novel microwave window concept that directly addresses the electrical and thermal stress limitations of conventional waveguide windows, leading to improvements in both peak and average power-handling capability. Phase I will develop a desig ...

The objective of the proposed effort is to develop a novel technology that will provide a unique and powerful alternative to conventional flow cytometry. This new system, which we call a cytometer on a chip will spatially sort cells on a microarray chip based on the presence of specific cell surface receptors or other surface features. Detection and quantitation is accomplished with grating-couple ...

72714S03-I The Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell uses an electrochemical process to generate electricity with zero emissions and high efficiency. Current state-of-the-art PEM fuel cells, operating at ambient pressure, have a power density of 100milliWatt/cm2 at 0.8V. However, power density enhancements greater than 200% would be required to meet the cost and performance targets for autom ...