Award Data

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project technology has potential to be transformative in power generation. The ultimate goal of this project is to produce aneutronic fusion energy in a system that is small, simple and inexpensive. This system will produce power that is as clean as renewable energy while simultaneously removing the need for ...

The development of a web-based software toolbox is proposed to enable predictions of product yields and product composition in thermal biomass- conversion processes. Biomass pyrolysis is the main focus because of its commercial importance, and because it is the first step in all thermal-conversion processes (gasification, combustion, etc.). Several kinetic models will be incorporated in the softwa ...

We propose a unique design approach for enabling ultra-stable, high conductivity anion exchange membranes for solar-to-hydrogen generation applications. The innovation is targeted to address performance deficiencies in state-of-the-art membranes relating to conductivity, durability and permeability and was identified after analyzing the conduction and degradation mechanisms. The proposed design wi ...

Direct conversion of shale gas components ethane, propane, and butane to useful chemicals or transportation fuels has faced the central challenge that reaction rates and product yields high enough to be economic are accompanied by overreaction to full combustion products in either conventional or unconventional approaches. This is further strained by small processing scales associated with strande ...

Functional metabolic imaging of plant and microbial systems requires a sensitive, high spatial resolution microscopy method that can image metabolically important compounds in situ. This will require new chemically sensitive imaging methods to be developed. In this SBIR/STTR, we will develop a new coherent Raman-based microscopy technique that will improve ensitivity over existing stimulated Raman ...

Detailed accurate data on temperature variations and water vapor concentration distributions are needed for weather and climate forecasting. Water vapor is particularly important for predicting precipitation amounts from storms. Measurements are needed from the ground to the top of the troposphere at about 10 km altitude. Existing ground-based instruments often have measurement uncertainties due t ...

The key opportunity Qualtech Systems, Inc. (QSI) is addressing with the proposed adaptation and deployment of TEAMS technology is towards improving the operational availability of complex mission-critical depot maintenance infrastructure equipment at the Warner-Robins Air Force Base (WRAFB), specifically at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC). This will significantly improve the aircr ...

Currently spark ignition (SI) engines dominate the light vehicle market, and over 80 million light vehicle engines are made worldwide. However, such SI engines experience exceptionally poor efficiency at low to medium loads and speeds, and this makes it difficult to meet new fuel efficiency standards expected to be imposed in many locations around the world. Furthermore, the insufficient wall temp ...

Offshore wind turbines have the inherent drawbacks of being remotely located and subject to harsh weather conditions such as storms, snow and sleet, that subject them to operational stresses. With the growing demand for wind energy in the US, it is imperative to maximize the operational efficiencies of the wind turbines and minimize the Levelised Cost Of Energy (LCOE). Qualtech Systems, Inc. (QSI) ...

Rapid and sensitive remote detection of chemicals remains a challenging and currently unmet need for a wide range of monitoring and sensing applications. Remote detection is needed when it is not possible or practical to obtain samples for analysis of chemicals in a laboratory, and thus measurements must be performed without physical access to the source release point. In particular, quantitative ...