Award Data

Forward looking infrared (FLIR) systems are imaging devices that use two basic ranges of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum: 3-5 µm (MWIR) and 8-12 µm (LWIR). These systems have applications in naval vessels, helicopters, armored fighting vehicles and fixed-wing aircraft. The goal of this proposed STTR Phase I project is to apply AR and compliant, erosion-resistant coatings t ...

We propose to jointly develop a miniaturized novel chemical sensor system through a collaborative effort between IonFinity, LLC, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Imaginative Technologies, LLC. This field portable chemical sensor system consists of 1) a new and powerful detector called a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS) developed by Imaginative Technologies, and 2) a novel “soft-io ...

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in warfare, reconnaissance, and surveillance activities has increased dramatically over the past decade and, for the first time, offers cost effective, intelligence-gathering capabilities without placing soldiers and sailors at unnecessary risk. Current UAV platforms have already been equipped with a limited range of sensors such as miniature audiovisual ...

Makel Engineering Inc. and Universities Space Research Institute propose to develop a reliable, low false alarm system for use with VTUAVs to provide standoff detection capabilities for surface vessels during encounters with potentially explosive-laden vessels. The proposed glow-discharge based detection system would be extremely compact (

Current laser-based infrared countermeasure (IRCM) system integrates a mid-infrared laser with a pointer-tracker (P/T) as a mated pair. The full protection of tactical aircrafts requires six IRCM systems to cover all fields of attack. Today each mid-infrared laser for IRCM costs several hundreds of thousands of dollars, measures about 9 inches x 8 inches x 3 inches, and weighs approximately 10 lbs ...

The Micro-Factory/Nano-Factory will employ piezoelectric devices to realize a high precision, controllable micro/nano-manipulation fabrication/assembly unit that is self-contained and portable. The low cost unit will incorporate adaptable multipurpose Micro-Piezoelectric Microfabrication Tools, or tools, that can provide the miniaturization and efficiency needed as to meet the needs of commercial ...

Perceptronics Solutions and the MIT Humans & Automation Laboratory propose to develop a decision support system that creates cognitive bridges among subjective information assessment, naturalistic decision-making, and a collaborative net-centric decision analysis infrastructure. The objective is to provide an improved method by which a distributed group of decision makers can evaluate, share, and ...

High power semiconductor devices suffer from difficulty in dissipating heat and thermal stresses. Silicon carbide-based power modules, in particular, have increasingly challenging heat loads despite their high efficiencies. In general terms, the module packaging methods used to improve cooling (moving metal heatsinks closer to the die) also increase thermal stresses, and the methods used to reduce ...

Users of additive manufacturing machines expect the highest quality when it comes to the mechanical properties of parts, the usability of the machines and associated processes, and overall machine design. The main contributor to the quality of the part is the involvement of process-related by-products originating from the melting process. To handle these by-products in additive manufacturing - in ...

Lattice Block Structures are innovative, periodic cellular materials whose combination of affordability, low relative density, and substantial strength represents a significant advance in the state-of-the-art of engineered structural materials. Lattice Block Structures in particular have superior kinetic energy absorbing ability that stems from the collapsibility of the internal cells. As a result ...