Award Data

Category theory has recently been successfully applied to translate information from one computer system to another. Researchers at MIT have developed a prototype software tool based on category theory for solving information-integration programs. The tool has successfully solved small-scale information-integration problems including a problem identified by NIST about enriching the manufacturing s ...

Brevetoxins are a group of marine algal toxic compounds that are produced by microscopic dinoflagellate algae such as Karenia brevis. During harmful algal blooms (HAB), brevetoxins reach concentrations high enough to cause human neurological and gastrointestinal illnesses through inhalation of the airborne toxins or consumption of contaminated shellfish. The timely recognition of this toxin in mar ...

In Phase I, ZKxKZ designed, developed and demonstrated an approach for fabrication and rapid installation of low cost modular mini-roundabouts made from recycled plastic boards. Phase 1 culminated in the demonstration of half-scale 24’ diameter roundabout’s center circle made with the recycled boards. The same material and modular construction approach can be applied to other roundabout featur ...

Automated passenger counter has been used in the transit systems for automated passenger counting and reporting. These systems have suffered counting accuracy issues, particularly at high rider load points, and at end-of-line count reconciliation. In Phase I, we have successfully developed systems for passenger counting and re-identification. Test results using the data collected at a transit b ...

Federal regulations require a seat belt assembly with a locking lap belt to be available in passenger seating positions to securely accommodate a child restraint system. More recently, federal regulations have been updated to improve the quality of the child restraint system and the mechanisms by which it is secured. However, there are restrictions on total weight capacities for new restraint sy ...

In Phase II, we developed a new system for pedestrian detection, tracking and counting. In this system, both IR LED stereo camera and laser scanner are selected for use. This Phase II system was field-tested at a few cities and achieved a counting accuracy about 97% over 5,000 pedestrians counted. The system can also stream the ped counts and images to a remote server. Based on the feedback from p ...

A NEW APPROACH IS PROPOSED FOR OCEANOGRAPHIC REMOTE SENSING WITH DUAL USE APPLICATIONS IN MINE HUNTING, OCEAN BOTTOM MAPPING, AND SEA FLOOR REMOTE SENSING. THE WEAVER IS A SONAR SYSTEM INTENDED TO DETECT, LOCALIZE, AND CLASSIFY SEAFLOOR BOTTOM LAYING TARGETS, DISCRIMINATING MAN-MADE ITEMS FROM NATURAL ONES IN THE PRESENCE OF NATURAL CLUTTER; IT EXPLOITS HERETOFORE OVERLOOKED TARGET-PHYSICS BASED C ...

Brief Description of Problem: NOAA¿s AWIPS is a cornerstone of NWS¿ forecast mission. As advanced as AWIPS is, it still faces challenges similar to many systems, including: system capacity over-/under-utilization; data and analysis stovepiping; and complex data management needs. Innovations: In Phase 1, FTI successfully demonstrated that grid computing and ontologies could enable communicati ...

PRESENT TRAIN DETECTION SCHEMES RELY LARGELY ON A LOW RESISTANCE THROUGH THE TRAIN'S WHEELS TO PERTURBATE A STABLE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. WHILE ELEGANT IN PRINCIPLE, THE DESIGN IS PLAGUED BY OXIDE FILMS AND MATERIAL BUILDUP ON THE RAIL, SNEAK PATHS THROUGH THE BALLAST AND OTHER UNCONTROLLABLE VARIABLES. KVH INDUSTRIES PROPOSES TO DESIGN AND DELIVER A "SMART MAGNETOMETER"-BASED SENSOR PACKAGE WHICH WI ...

AN IMPORTANT NEED EXISTS IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY FOR A RELIABLE, UNOBTRUSIVE DEVICE TO WARN VEHICLE OPERATORS OF REDUCED ALERTNESS. RESEARCHERS SUGGEST THAT 35-50% OF ALL HIGHWAY FATALITIES ARE CAUSED BY MEASURABLE LEVELS OF REDUCED DRIVER ALERTNESS. UNFORTUNATELY TECHNIQUES PRESENTLY USED TO MEASURE DRIVER ALERTNESS ARE IMPRACTICAL FOR WIDESPREAD USE. STUDIES DO AGREE THAT THE AUTONOMIC, S ...