Award Data

Durability is the effect of time dependant processes, including fatigue, creep, moisture absorption, thermal-oxidation, abrasion, chemical reactions and physical ageing on mechanical properties. The ability to predict accurately the durability of composite materials and structures is critical to successfully designing for longevity. The existence of models alone is not sufficient; practical soft ...

The Phase II project will build and test prototype actuators based on emerging ferromagnetic shape memory composite technology. The results of the Phase I design and simulation work showed that an actuator which combines an inchworm design with a shape memory composite membrane can provide excellent performance and flexibility for low- and intermediate-force applications. The Phase II work will ...

Spacesuit systems for planetary EVAs must maximize human productivity and provide the astronaut with the capability to perform useful work tasks. Mide plans to work with MIT to develop mechanisms to augment astronaut productivity during advanced EVA missions. We propose to demonstrate the feasibility of using shape memory polymers (SMPs) to provide pressurizing life support in the Bio-Suit, an a ...

The investigation of the coating friction as a function of time is important to monitor the ball bearing heath. Despite the importance of the subject mater, there is a crucial lack of information in the literature about coating life and friction force in ball bearings as coating wear of progressively increases. Here we propose to develop a strategic space vehicle health monitoring system that will ...

As reported by Internet security threat reports, Bot networks are becoming the focal point for cybercriminals. Milcord and the University of Wisconsin, responds to this challenge with our proposal ¿ a ¿Bayesian Activity Monitor for Botnet Defense¿ (BAM-BD). In this proposal, we will research, design, and develop a botnet detection and mitigation tool that automatically classifies botnet behavio ...

This effort will culminate in the demonstration of a new class of antennas, to allow the coupling of RF signals with nanoscale devices and sensors. An antenna for RF must be millimeters long, and nanoscale in diameter, if it is to interact with nanoscale devices. The aligned carbon nanotubes grown at NanoLab are synthesized in millimeter lengths, have good conductivity, and therefore should make ...

Carbon nanotubes, have extraordinary mechanical properties, but these properties are difficult to manifest in composites, due to their limited interfacial bonding, and therefore the inability to transfer loads from a polymer matrix. Chemical functionalization of the nanotube surface is required to improve the interfacial load transfer, but functionalization may degrade the tensile properties of th ...

Proposal Title: Aerospace Systems Monitor PHASE 1 Technical Abstract: This Phase II STTR project will continue development and commercialization of the Aerospace System Monitor (ASM). This technology transforms the power distribution network in a spacecraft or aircraft into a multiple-use service, providing not only power distribution but also a diagnostic monitoring capability and system health ...

We intend to perform a “Demonstration” Certification of a COTS automotive engine, including and focusing on what is likely to be one of the most challenging aspects of the FAA Engine Certification, the FAA approval of a COTS automotive Engine Control Unit (ECU). The COTS automotive based ECU is the most technically challenging system due, not only to the design and manufacturing processes emplo ...

OPTRA is proposing the development of a 3D cloud profiling system that combines an innovative Imaging Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (I-OPFTIR) with advanced computational tomography algorithms. The proposed technology expands the capability of OP-FTIR systems to 3D profiling applications. It does this by adding a spatially dispersed array of sensors at the focal plane of a si ...