Award Data

Development of novel propulsion systems in the past two decades has focused almost exclusively on cryogenic boost-phase systems (LOX/LH2, LOX/LCH4, and LOX/RP-1) for launchers and uppers stage engines, and Attitude / Reaction Control Systems (A/RCS) for in-space applications using green monopropellants such AF-M315E or LMP-103S. Basic research and development of scalable, non-toxic, non-cryogenic, ...

he Storable Clean Ethane-ethylene Nitrous Engine (SCENE) is a proposed technology designed to provide upper stages and spacecraft with non-toxic, liquid, non-cryogenic, high-performance propulsion with an Isp on the order of 300 seconds. The propellant components are stored as liquids under their saturated vapor pressures. With the SCENE, nitrous oxide is used as an autogenously pressurized oxidiz ...

Based on the results of our Phase I work, one significant barrier to optimizing battery performance lies in understanding the relationship between bulk solids and particle flow properties and the flow into the die. Our hypothesis: an increase in quality batteries production can be achieved if powder preparation process can be optimized and the die filling process controlled. We feel that control o ...

Metallic additive manufacturing (AM) is an attractive technology for the production of lethality test articles due to the potential for significantly reduced lead time and manufacturing cost. However, in order to be effective in providing accurate lethality data, the properties of the AM material have to match closely the properties of conventionally manufactured alloys found in real threat target ...

The performance of a composite material is heavily influenced by the strength and toughness of the interlaminar region, which is the resin rich area between the plies of a fiber reinforced composite. The interlaminar region generally provides a direct path for crack propagation since no continuous reinforcement is present and is often the cause of failure in materials subjected to cyclic loading s ...

The development of a catastrophic optical damage model for quantum cascade lasers describing instantaneous laser damage at high optical power levels is proposed. The model will be validated by comparison to experimental data. Based on obtained results, changes to laser design and laser fabrication resulting in an increased damage threshold will be implemented. The work will ultimately result into ...

The objective of this proposed effort is to increase the power and torque density of rotating electric machinery for Naval applications by up to 50%. This aggressive goal will be achieved by developing the novel homopolar AC machine (HAM) topology. This relatively un-studied topology relies on solenoidal field and armature coils, making manufacturing simpler than traditional machines. The HAM elim ...

Waste heat from Naval diesel generators provides significant opportunity to introduce organic Rankine cycles (ORC) to increase their fuel efficiency. The objective of the proposed effort is to design and demonstrate a high-speed, spinning scroll expander (HiSSSE) ORC as a power dense waste heat recovery system for diesel generators on ships. The system will leverage Air Squared’s spinning scroll ...

Monolithic surface-emitting (SE) semiconductor lasers hold promise for significant advantages over edge-emitting lasers in terms of both reliable operation, scaling the CW single-mode output powers into the multi-watt range, and manufacturing cost. Grating-coupled (GC) surface emitters offer a path to achieving single-spatial-mode, single-frequency CW operation, with the added advantage that relat ...

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 ...