Award Data

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy are developing rapidly for chemical and biochemical sensing applications. There is an urgent need for high-sensitivity detectors so as to minimize sample quantity and maximize detection range from the source. In most field-deployable spectrometers, a photo-detector array is used for analyzing the spectral contents. The sensitivitie ...

EXISTING METALLIC-TYPE CONTACTS ON GALLIUM ARSENIDE (GAAS) HAVE NOT BEEN STABLE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF INTERDIFFUSION AND/OR ALLOYING OF THE GAAS TOP LAYER. HIGH TEMPERATURE CONTACTS TO GAAS SPACE PHOTOLTAIC CELLS ARE BEING DEVELOPED BASED ON THE FORMATION OF A HIGHLY-STABLE INTERMEDIATE DEGENERATE SEMICONDUCTOR LAYER BETWEEN THE GAAS AND A HIGH TEMPERATURE METAL ALLOY. THE INTERMEDIATE S ...

HIGH TEMPERATURE (>600 DEGREES CELSIUS) INDIUM PHOSPHIDE (INP) SPACE SOLAR CELLS ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO ELIMINATE THEPROBLEMS, SURFACE DECOMPOSITION AND CONTACT FAILURE, ENCOUNTERED WHEN INP SOLAR CELLS ARE EXPOSED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. KEY TO THIS PROGRAM ARE THE USE OF AN ENCAPSULANT LAYER TO ARREST SURFACE DECOMPOSITION AND A HIGHLY-STABLE INTERMEDIATE DEGENERATE SEMICONDUCTOR CONTACT SYSTEM DE ...

Based on multiple technology platforms and theoretical analyses, in the Phase I program we have demonstrated the feasibility that RF polymers with desirable high frequency properties can be achieved. Following Edison¡¯s model of product and process development for technology innovations, Phase-II will pursue further incremental improvement in material properties upon the concept-proving materi ...

Both the Deep Skirt and Advanced Skirt System material used on Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) experience significant wear during normal operations, which require expensive, time-consuming maintenance repairs. The US Navy is looking for innovative new material and manufacturing method for skirt systems to improve it durability and reduces Total Ownership Cost (TOC). Rubber skirts experience two m ...

MO-SCI Corporation and the Missouri University of Science & Technology (MST-formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) propose to develop low cost, IR retro-reflective (800 nm - 2800 nm), visible absorbing glass microspheres for ubiquitous spectroscopic tagging through our innovative material design, fabrication and characterization technologies. These glass microspheres of any size (e.g., 20 - 100 mi ...

The principal objective of the proposed Phase I SBIR project is the development of a reliable predictive capability for the evaluation of flaw tolerance in metallic and composite airframe components, given part specifications, material properties, initial flaws, such as voids, inclusions, heterogeneous grain structure and design load spectra. The proposed concept is based on the idea that the saf ...

This proposal will supply to NAVAIR and to rotorcraft manufacturing companies the emerging solution to their fabrication needs as it relates to the production of Rotor Blade Spars. The process and machine concept developed in Phase I will provide NAVAIR and the rotocraft manufacturing companies an automated solution to spar manufacturing. This will enable: • Low part manufacturing cost • High ...

Accudyne proposes a SBIR program, endorsed by Sikorsky, Cytec Engineered Materials, and NASA-LaRC, to develop a cost-effective thermoplastic automated tow placement (ATP) process and demonstrate it by fabricating and testing a complex contoured skin (Phase 1) and a CH-53K rotorcraft lower cabin or ramp skin (Phase 2). The process employs in situ consolidation, avoiding the autoclave. The targete ...

The Army is frequently forced to operate in hostile climates. Heavy fog, rain, snow, and dust storms can inhibit the performance of tracking technologies such as mid-wave infrared cameras. In such conditions, Army early warning systems are blinded and put personnel and assets at risk. There is a specific need for a degraded visual environment (DVE) penetrative target tracking solution. Radio fre ...