Award Data

The problem of detecting hazardous trace species rapidly and sensitively is a difficult spectroscopic problem. Potentially, this problem might be solved with an elemental detection method such as LIBS combined with a molecular detection method. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) might be a candidate for the detection of small molecules, but for larger polyatomic molecules, the resulting fluorescence ...

It is proposed to investigate an innovative mitigation technique for insensitive munitions through a new rocket motor case design. The proposed study will focus upon developing a motor case with sympathetic responses to unplanned thermal stimuli. This particular motor case design will be according to current operating mission parameters for a specific MDA rocket booster.

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and Purdue University (PU) propose to synthesize, characterize, and investigate the efficiency, reactivity, and selectivity of new nanocatalysts in hydrocarbon fuel liquid for RBCC applications. The nanocatalysts will have higher surface area/volume compared to conventional microcatalysts and films, thereby leading to faster reaction rates. Decreased coking will occur ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a high speed laser machining process for ceramic matrix composites. The recent development of high rate, high pulse power lasers and the non-contact nature of the PSI process minimize the damage typical of other laser machining processes. It also enables precise placement of through holes, trenches and identification markings. The goal of the Phase ...

Physical Sciences Inc. proposes an innovative approach to rapidly concentrate (1000:1) bacterial spores from large volumes of water for identification. The technique is based on acoustophoresis – the separation of particles with sound. Since the technology has already been demonstrated on a small scale our primary focus is on scalability for large volumes (1000 L) in short periods of time (10 mi ...

Subretinal neovascular membranes (SRNM) are a deleterious complication of laser eye injury and retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, choroiditis, and myopic retinopathy. The membranes are difficult to treat with conventional photocoagulation because they form near the fovea directly below sensitive photoreceptors. Photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment that acts by sele ...

The present text proposes the development of a computational infrastructure to enable rapid creation of high-quality conforming finite-element computational models---compatible with all existing finite-element simulation tools. The specific proofs-of-concept to be pursued in the Phase I will revolve around generation of tetrahedral meshes, but extensions to other types of finite-element types (e.g ...

Bubble generation and entrainment in the transom region of a surface ship, along its hull, and in breaking waves are major ship signature contributors. For advanced ships such as the LCS, another source of air entrainment is added with the propulsion waterjets interacting with the free surface in the transom region. While significant research on breaking waves bubble generation exists, little is ...