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OBJECTIVE: Develop a swarm of micro-robotic fabrication machines that will enable the manufacture of new materials and components. Address the major technical issues in developing these micro-robotic machines, the platform hardware, and the architecture for their communication and control. DESCRIPTION: Desktop manufacturing is the ability to use a personal computer to drive a miniature fabricat ...

OBJECTIVE: Research and develop a RF channel simulation framework to test the next generation of mobile multi-protocol wideband tactical systems. The framework would allow for the generation of a model based scenario via a script based interface or via a GUI that allows the user to model the effects of mixed mobile and fixed multi-link radio network using this real-time channel simulator. The sim ...

OBJECTIVE: Develop a new design or manufacturing process to quickly produce electronic components that are reliable in the space environment. DESCRIPTION: Space is a harsh environment. Spacecraft are subjected to high levels of radiation depending on the orbit. Spacecraft undergo extreme thermal cycles as they move in and out of direct sunlight. Temperatures range from -171C to 108C at geosy ...

OBJECTIVE: To develop an integrated software tool for the collection, management, analysis, and visualization of ethnographic data in high risk areas. DESCRIPTION: The collection and analysis of socio-cultural data is becoming increasingly important for the conduct of effective military operations. The production of more scientifically valid models of human behavior has itself become increasin ...

OBJECTIVE: Exploration of alternative approaches to generate hydrogen from methanol without thermal reforming. Current thermal reformers operate at elevated temperatures. Novel methanol electrolysis processes that converts methanol into hydrogen for use in low power fuel cells will be developed. DESCRIPTION: Current low power Army Fuel cells that are being developed either steam reform metha ...

OBJECTIVE: Develop new biomimetic membranes with chemical stability and reduced methanol crossover to enable micro direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). DESCRIPTION: The Army has need for high-energy density, lightweight power sources for the dismounted warrior. Currently methanol fueled polymer electrolyte based fuel cells suffer from methanol cross over which reduces overall system efficienc ...

OBJECTIVE: Develop a fungal protein expression system with integrated purification scheme for low-cost production of purified, functional Chloroperoxidase in kilogram quantities. DESCRIPTION: Chloroperoxidase (CPO) is an enzyme produced by certain fungal species that catalyzes a diversity of biochemical reactions. For example, the CPO produced by the filamentous fungus Caldariomyces fumago cat ...

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this STTR are to investigate numerical methods for predictably-accurate treatment of boundary conditions in electromagnetic and other wave-dominated phenomena, and to develop algorithms and computer software that can be implemented for military and commercial simulation applications. DESCRIPTION: High fidelity modeling of electromagnetic phenomena has become incre ...

OBJECTIVE: To develop molecular beam epitaxy/ chemical vapor deposited (MBE/CVD or MOCVD) low-loss, tunable complex oxide thin film materials to enable compact, switchable FBAR filters operating in the 1-3 GHz frequency range. DESCRIPTION: In modern communication systems, frequency-agile and reconfigurable components are becoming increasingly necessary to cope with a multitude of signal frequen ...

OBJECTIVE: The development of a compact and portable instrument that couples mass spectrometry and Rydberg spectroscopy to provide a complete"fingerprint"of a molecule, including molecular mass as well as isomeric and conformeric identification. This instrument will enable a major increase in selectivity for threat identification in the field, while minimizing sample consumption, as well as in ...