Award Data

Prime Research and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte propose to devevelop space-variant nano-optical elements to integrate passive spectral and polarization filters directly into infrared focal plane arrays. This novel technology will enable multi-mode detection by allowing pixels to be uniquely tuned for wavelength and polarization across a focal plane array using a simple fabricatio ...

Jet engine disk components are increasingly subjected to higher operating temperatures. To meet the demands of increasing thrust and higher operating temperatures, a newer generation of nickel based superalloys such as LSHR, Alloy 10, Rene104 and RR1000 are being processed with dual microstructure distributions. Fine grain, high strength, fatigue resistant bore properties are contrasted with co ...

Conversion of sunlight to chemical fuels by artificial photosynthesis has been a long-sought goal. The major goal of the proposed effort is to develop a novel fuel-generating (e.g., hydrogen) photolytic device, which consists of a semiconductor nanowire decorated with metal nanoparticles. The project targets a low-cost technology by fabricating and utilizing the nanowire-nanoparticle conjugate de ...

We propose to develop a commercial weakly ionized plasma modeling capability based off of Tech-X’s high energy density plasma fluid code TxFluids. The new additions will be able to be used to model hypersonic vehicle physics including shock waves, plasma chemistry and innovative techniques for blackout mitigation and hypersonic vehicle control through the application of electric and/or magnetic ...

We will develop a new infrared (IR) radiation sensor technology, which will allow the development of arrays of a new class of multi-mode thermal microbolometer detector. This technology will allow radiation detection from the near-IR to long-wave IR, a capability that is absent in competing detectors. Amorphous silicon and vanadium dioxide has been the dominant materials used for infrared light ...

Modern military and civilian aircraft technologies are pushing the performance envelope through design and use of new advanced materials with superior property combinations. Aircraft powerplant manufacturers are facing intense competition to efficiently deliver ever increasing thrust, while meeting the highest standards of reliability and performance over an expanded service life. These performanc ...

Quantitative predictions of reactive flow dynamics from large-scale simulations of Liquid Rocket Engines (LRE) appear to be model dependent. Relationships and coupling among the dominant mechanisms most responsible for destabilization are obscured by the complexities of the model and subtle consequences of inherent ad hoc approximations not supported by mathematical rationale. The reliability of ...

This Phase I STTR proposal will demonstrate nanostructured “metal-black” coatings to enhance absorption by thin film solar cells. The problem is that silicon has low absorption due to its indirect gap. The opportunity is that nano-scale metallic scattering centers increase the effective optical path length and enhance the solar electric-field strength in thin-film solar cells, leading to more ...

We present a comprehensive framework for modeling, optimization and design for heterogeneous networks. The proposed solution aims to effectively address the existing limitations inherited from the generalized network utility maximization (GNUM) framework. In general, GNUM is a unifying mathematical model as it combines different objectives and constraints from different layers into a single global ...

Aurora and Georgia Tech"s Phase I efforts demonstrated the feasibility of a partially distributed control scheme with separate controllers on the engine core and fan, where the controllers are linked by a supervisory controller. This scheme is representative of the situation encountered in VTOL UAV design and the design of new turbo-props and variable pitch turbofans by the large commercial gas t ...