Award Data

Two approaches are proposed to attack the problems of fixturing process. First, a novel hardware holding system, Dexterous Vise, is proposed. Functionally, a single Dexterous Vise is capable of revealing four faces of the clamped workpiece to the cutting tool without re-fixturing, which actually increases one degree of freedom to the machine tool. A pair of Dexterous Vises, the "Dual-Vise", ena ...

The objective of the proposed program is to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative, cost-effective, rapid-pultrusion composite processing technique and newly formulated resins which substantially reduce the need for expensive tooling, high puller tensions (dies are expected to be an order of magnitude shorter than conventional pultrusion dies) and slow thermal processing and can cure the com ...

The engineering of materials on a nanometer scale is an important technological goal which would facilitate the development of a new generation of materials and devices. A variety of biological membranes exhibit self-assembly into 2-D arrays including the purple membrane from Halobacteria salinarium and the S-layer from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Methods have been developed to use these membrane ...

In order to realize the full potential of cryogenic power converters, it is vital to develop the technology for cryogenic capacitors and inductors, in order to be combined with the switching semiconductors. Capacitors with high dielectric constant and high voltage withstand at cryogenic temperatures with low weight and volume lie on the critical path. The proposed work focuses on innovative tech ...

The fuel cell power supplies of today are two times too heavy compared to man-portable power supplies. A major portion of the weight is in the fuel cell stack, a stack of carbon electrodes with metal bipolar plate separators that are sandwiched between two end plates and held in place by tie rods. We continue to investigate lighter weight materials to use in our conventional fuel cell stack. Ho ...

To Operate effectively, PEM small fuel cells stacks need a chemical hydride hydrogen generator. The chemical hydride digital reactor suggested in the proposed program will provide about 2.5 kWH of energy in a5 pound package.--almost three times the energy density of a BA5590 battery. Studies and experiments will be conducted with spe ...

Proposed is the technical development and design of the electronics and cooling systems for a 1 megawatt cryogenically cooled inverter suitable for use in a wide range of applications, including Uninterruptable Power Suplies (UPS) and motors in the +1000 HP range. The proposed work will provide a logical progression to the development that has already been done by American Superconductor Corp. I ...

ANRO is currently under a Phase II SBIR contract to evaluate an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) linear radar array and the processing of co- and cross-polarization returns for detecting and discriminating buried mines. Experiments indicate that both metallic and plastic ines located several inches below the suface are reliably detected using a novel real-time cancellation scheme; however, it appears that ta ...

This project will analyze and select promising materials and designs to be used in the plumes of tactical solid rocket motors for missile steering and control. The emphasis is on high-performance refractory materials and compatibility of material systems. The control fins experience severe thermal and severe particulate erosion environments. Missile controllability requires fins with minimal er ...

An important facet to a soldier's survivability depends on the clothing worn during combat and training exercises. Common fibers used in the textile industry, particularly nylons and polyesters, are flammable, produce toxic smoke and are potentially hazardous when worn soldiers. Flame retardant materials applied directly to these fibers may adversely alter the properties of the fabric and/or deg ...