Award Data

Accurate and timely surveillance of objects in the near-Earth space environment is becoming increasingly critical to US national security. One of the main difficulties in this domain is efficiently and accurately modeling trajectories of the vast number of objects in orbit around the Earth. The orbital trajectory of a single object is typically modeled as a second-order system of equations which ...

Space surveillance is the component of space situational awareness focused on the detection of resident space objects (RSOs) and the use of multisource data to track and identify space objects. While the propagation of the states of RSOs has been investigated extensively over the last fifty years, the correct propagation of their covariance or the more general (non-Gaussian) probability distribut ...

A mathematical framework for detection and classification of weak, distributed patterns on computer networks is proposed. The framework will provide rigorous methods for understanding performance bounds and optimality of intrusion detection methods, while also providing concrete and implementable algorithms. The algorithms will find immediate application in cyber-security efforts, as well as mor ...

High power microwave (HPM) sources have been developed over the past few decades for many important DoD missions ranging from electronic warfare to intentional EMI to impulse radar. In this proposal, we describe an integrated program that seeks to develop innovative solutions based on mesoband source and antenna technology to improve the effectiveness of HPM-based BMD systems. Our research will ...

Hypersonic missile defense systems are being designed to reach global threats. During flight, external surfaces are predicted to reach temperatures in excess of 2200C. As a result, innovative, high performance thermal protection systems (TPS) are of great demand. Among ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTC), it is well known that ZrB2- and HfB2-based materials have high melting temperatures and ...

The real-time implementation of controls in nonlinear systems remains one of the great challenges in applying advanced control technology. Often, linearization around a set point is the only practical approach, and many controllers implemented in hardware systems are simple PID feedback mechanisms. To apply Pontryagin’s principle or Bellman’s equation using conventional hardware and algorith ...

Nanoscale infrared detectors are emerging as a potentially powerful alternative to traditional infrared detector technologies. The University of New Mexico has developed dots in a double well (DDWELL) quantum dot infrared photodetectors which have a spectral responsivity that can be tuned by controlling the bias voltage applied. In this Phase II effort, Polaris Sensor and UNM would fabricate a g ...

As the U.S. Government increases participation in post-conflict Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations (SARO) around the globe, the ability to understand the relationships between task completion and mission completion is critical. The US Government employs a metrics tool developed though the Monitoring Progress in Conflict Environments project. The objective of this Phase II STTR is to provi ...

High energy density capacitors are required for practical implementation of GW-class pulse power loads. In response to this need, TPL has established unique dielectric and capacitor capabilities. Revolutionary materials, designs and manufacturing process have been developed for power sources that have potential for an order of magnitude reduction in mass and volume relative to current commercial ...

The mission of this proposed research is to develop ultracapacitors (also known as electrochemical or supercapacitors) to address an array of military applications. These applications include pulsed power for directed-energy and kinetic-energy weapons, sensors, and power supplies and control systems for aircraft and spacecraft. The proposed innovation employs carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with p ...