Award Data

In this STTR project, we propose a novel computational technology for analyzing millimeter and submillimeter wave scattering from complex and electromagnetically extended objects and environments. The crux of our formalism lies in a technique for rapidly calculating and coherently adding fields produced by different scatterer constituents, ranging from conducting flat and rough surfaces to penetra ...

The overall objective of this program is to enhance significantly charge transfer from biological molecules to nanostructured electrode surfaces. To achieve this objective, we plan to use combination of three approaches: 1) Develop an effective means for integrating the biological molecules onto the anode and cathode surfaces of the nanostructured electrodes, 2) Reduce the distance between the act ...

We propose to develop a device that is capable of rapidly identifying and classifying pollen from a broad sampling base using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The proposed Raman device is designed to spectroscopically examine, identify and classify the spatial and temporal origin of pollen in complex mixtures using an automated high throughput SERS microscope system. The entire system w ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with its STTR partner Sandia National Laboratories, proposes to develop a spectrally-selective microbolometer. The latter is the core technology behind an envisioned Phase III handheld chemical standoff sensor for detection of chemical warfare (CW) agents and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). The spectrally-selective microbolometer, underpinned by na ...

The Army is interested in developing conductive polymer materials that have a very high conductivity, but are also processable into a range of particle shapes and sizes. These anisotropic particles will be tuned to provide obscuration properties in broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. PSI, and its partner Prof. Jennifer Irvin at the Texas State University, will develop two parallel pa ...

Superior cognitive function is necessary for Warfighters to be able to critically assess their surrounding environment, quickly and effectively solve problems, make decisions, and adapt to changing situations. Reliable assessment of cognitive status changes is not only important for Soldier performance, but could be critical for diagnosing various illnesses, including PTSD, chronic fatigue, and de ...

Mobile Intelligence Corporation (MIC) and Wayne State University propose a virtual teleoperation and visual landmark navigation system for UGV teleoperation in buildings, tunnels and caves. The challenge is search and navigation in complex structures with sparse visual cues, high-latency low-bandwidth communications, UGVs with low-cost vision sensors, and only intermittent static 2D visual feedba ...

System requirements elicitation is a time consuming process with an extremely high penalty for errors. Mistakes made in the requirements phase will cost 50 times more to fix while they are uncovered in the production phase as compared to fixing them in the requirements phase. VIStology and Northeastern University are proposing to develop an approach for supporting the requirements elicitation phas ...

Aerospace structures are subject to dynamic loading. In particular, gearbox components experience continuous cyclic loading, wear and eventually develop fatigue cracks. As opposed to most other aircraft components, gearbox components are non-redundant, so a failure can have catastrophic consequences. Gearbox members are typically magnesium, aluminum or high-strength steel that exhibit high fractur ...

The objective of the proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of a generic package that provides high vacuum, temperature control and vibration isolation for a wide range of high performance (tactical and navigation grade) micromachined inertial sensors. Inertial sensors (accelerometers and gyroscopes) are now widely used in consumer and industrial applications. However, for high performance nav ...