Award Data

The research objective of the proposed work is to increase the efficiency of the laser return of a Sodium Guide Star Laser (SGSL) reflected off the sodium layer for increased reliability and applicability of the artificial guide star technique. During Phase I, we will demonstrate the concept of maximizing the SGSL signal returns using numerical simulations that account for the effects of atmospher ...

The research objective is to develop a tunable spatially-varying photonic crystal (SVPC) to achieve the optical propagation properties (reflection and transmission) of the light through the designed structure for the visible and near IR-bands. The light from this SVPC will be able to focus and bend as a function of the spatial variation of the refractive index, input angle, and state of polarizati ...

Current continuous wave (CW) and pulse mid-wave infrared (MWIR) lasers have design and performance limitations that constrain their usability in some critical Air Force applications. There is an important need to create a new class of MWIR laser sources with less drawbacks and higher pulse energies and CW powers. The proposed work will demonstrate the technical feasibility of an innovative MWIR la ...

Through the proposed Phase I Air Force STTR program, NanoSonic and Virginia Tech will demonstrate metal organic framework materials and electrospray fabrication methods for the manufacture of eye protection devices that are capable of controlling the amount of light transmitted through the device. The objective of this program is to 1) increase the dynamic range and speed of electronically switche ...

Legacy satellite command and control capabilities and their related telemetry operate in a largely stove piped framework. Satellites are still commanded, controlled, and communicated with their ground station in a specific constellation structure. Each ground station is unique to a given constellation and the communications and telemetry are aligned to the specific constellation, underscoring an o ...

ABSTRACT: Feature extraction and target recognition suffer from a lack of a reliable model for both exploitable target features and the electromagnetic signature they possess. Signature data are often hard to interpret and invert to recover the target robustly. Bayesian learning approaches to statistical pattern recognition are based on the use of training sets of inputs and outputs, a data mode ...

ABSTRACT: Current and projected limitations on the maximum power from a high power single mode fiber laser amplifier impose architectural limitations on a high power phased array laser weapon system. Prior studies strongly indicate that when faced with this limitation the optimal approach is (to borrow the term for Paul McManamon) a Phased Array of Phased Arrays (PAPA) geometry wherein large(r) ...

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for an adaptive optics system using a fiber laser array as the spatial phase correction system within the subaperature of an array of discrete telescopes, Optonicus and The University of Dayton propose the development of a new Scalable Adaptive Fiber-Array Elements (SAFARE) system. The integration of new fiber-array architectures with novel imaging and ada ...

The team of AlphaMicron Inc. and Kent State University proposes a novel LC technology, the dynamic polarizer, as a light control system for Battlefield Airmen and Pilots. The dynamic polarizer technology shares the performance capabilities of AlphaMicron’s e-Tint LC light control technology: instantaneously fails-to-clear, millisecond switching times, and customizable tint and color. Howeve ...

Research is currently identifying new biochemical markers to help monitor cognition and stress in the human body and enhance human performance. Traditional biometric markers like heart rate, temperature, oxygen partial pressure, blood glucose, electrolyte concentration, and others have been correlated with cognition and stress states. However, the correlation is indirect. Molecular biomarkers with ...