|
DARPA SBIR 2003.1 Phase I Award Winners
Surmet Corp. Morgan Research Corp.
CFD Research Corp. Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. Level Set Systems ABSTRACT: The proposed innovation consists of a new analytic and computational method for rarefied gas dynamics (RGD). The prevalent computational method for RGD is the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. DSMC becomes computationally intractable in the near-continuum regime, which is a significant limitation on its capability for materials processing applications. The new method is an interpolated fluid/Monte Carlo (IFMC) method that will accelerate DSMC in the near-continuum regime, removing this limitation. The IFMC method is an improvement over existing acceleration methods for RGD in that it is a single uniform method, valid for the full range of Knudsen numbers, with the correct asymptotic behavior in the continuum and near-continuum regimes. CDM Optics, Inc ABSTRACT: Off-axis illumination, optical proximity correction, phase shift masks, interferometric techniques, and pupil plane phase masks have been used to increase lithographic resolution. Further progress requires new techniques and methodologies. The optimal combination of aspheric optics and signal processing which we term Wavefront Coding has been effective in dramatically increasing the imaging performance of other high quality imaging systems such as microscopes and endoscopes. Similar techniques can be used in lithography. Wavefront Coding can be used to increase the resolution and the robustness of the lithographic system. Examples include increased aberration tolerance to increase system z-alignment tolerance (depth of focus); increased instantaneous field of view in proportion to the increase in the depth of focus; increased numerical aperture by 20% to 30%; and the design of better object amplitude and phase masks to reduce the adverse effects of diffraction. Phase masks that are designed especially for lithography would require no signal processing, but the exposure level would be adjusted appropriately. The illumination, object mask and pupil mask could be jointly optimized, for a class of object masks. Luminescent Technologies, Inc. ABSTRACT: Luminescent Technologies is developing a disruptive innovation to improve sub-wavelength lithography for semiconductor manufacturing. The company has developed a new approach for optimizing photomasks as an inverse problem. It is a radical departure from existing resolution enhancement technologies that merely perturb the original design. Unlike existing techniques, this technology will consider the full realm of possible mask patterns which can diffract light in such a way as to print the desired circuit. In general, the optimal mask pattern will not resemble the original design; to the eye, it will appear more like a hologram. By using an inverse problem methodology to find the optimal mask, we can create masks which provide far better resolution and higher yields than any other competing technology. For phase I, we intend to use our approach to develop software algorithms for the design of phase masks (that is, photomasks that use phase shifting regions to enhance resolution). We intend to demonstrate a proof-of-principle simulation confirming that we are able to use our inverse algorithm to design phase masks. Cerone, Inc. ABSTRACT: An experimental program has been proposed to economically fabricate PMN-PT single crysal discs, 25mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness, via the solid-state conversion method. Cerone has demonstrated the fabrication of PMN-PT single crystals as large as 5 mm x 5 mm x 2.5 mm and proposes to further optimize its proprietary solid-state conversin method in the proposed Phase I prgram. The proposed processes are described briefly as follows. First, fully dense ceramic dscs made of high purity PMN-PT powder are produced by a combination of pressureless sintering and hot-isostatic pressing. Second, the ceramic discs are ground to a uniform thickness and one of their surfaces is polished to a 1/4 micron diamond finish. PMN-PT single crystal seeds are prepared likewise. Third, the polished surfaces of the ceramic disc and seed are paired and heated at an elevated temperature to fuse them together. Finaly the pairs are heated at an elevated temperature under a gaseous pressure to completely convert the ceramic discs into single crystals. The latest cost analysis indicates that the solid-state conversion method is a cost-effective way to produce PMN-PT single crystal discs at a price competitive to that of high-quality ceramics. H. C. Materials Corp. ABSTRACT: The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of reducing the manufacturing costs for large-sized PMN-PT single crystals grown by a novel multi-crucible Bridgman method with a specially designed zone-leveling capability. This hybrid method promises a cost-effective approach for the production of large-sized PMN-PT single crystals with improved compositional uniformity and quality control. The traditional Bridgman method is one of the simplest and most economic techniques for the growth of single crystals, but compositional variations in such multi-component PMN-PT systems leads to obvious property changes. Control of compositional homogeneity during the growth of PMN-PT crystals is a limiting factor for the successful commercialization of the next generation of PiezoCrystals and devices. Improvements in homogeneity and properties will lead to increased yields and reduced costs. The merit of the proposed technique is that: (a) multi-crucible configurations significantly increase the useful crystal yield/per run, (b) implementation of zone-leveling (with a large ratio of growth length (L) / molten-zone length (Z)) gives better control of compositional uniformity, and (c) self-refurbishment of platinum crucibles further reduces the costs of manufacture. The proposed work is directed at evaluating PMN-PT crystal quality by relating piezoelectric properties with compositional analysis of the boules. Audit of the manufacturing costs for PMN-PT single crystals grown by this new method will be made by a detailed consideration of the costs for platinum, materials, man power, environmental control, equipment depreciation and capitalization. The proposed crystal growth method will be of immediate applicability to the fabrication of inch-sized devices with uniform piezoelectric properties. Anticipated work in Phase II would be extended to larger sizes. The PMN-PT single crystal products, such as, poled or un-poled plates, disks, rings, cylinders and wedges, will be supplied to clients for the production of PiezoCrystal transduction devices for defense and civilian applications. Materials Systems, Inc. ABSTRACT: Solid state converted (SSC) piezoelectric single crystal materials have been demonstrated to offer 80 percent of the electromechanical performance of melt-grown single crystals – at only a small fraction of the cost. Cost-effective acicular seed production methods are needed in order to scale up the SSC process and make it available for numerous defense and commercial applications. This program will investigate new processes for fabricating acicular seed crystals that are compatible with the PMN-PT ceramic matrix and effectively initiate solid state conversion. The seeds will then be incorporated into the PMN-PT ceramic injection molding process to form rods, which will be sintered using established methods. The electromechanical properties of the resulting SSC material will be characterized. NexTech Materials, Ltd. ABSTRACT: This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project (DARPA SBIR- Topic SB031-005) will focus on the formation of <001> grain-oriented (textured) 0.675Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-.0.325PbTiO3 (PMN-32.5PT) ceramics for various high performance sensor and transducer applications. NexTech proposes to grain-orient (texture) PMN-32.5PT ceramics in the <001> in order to access a high fraction of the properties identified for rhombohedral PMN-32.5PT single crystals. Fiber texturing (1-D oriented texture) will be achieved in PMN-32.5PT planar (wafer geometry) ceramics in the <001> by utilizing the Templated Grain Growth (TGG) process. The TGG process consists of the initial alignment of a low fraction of anisometric seed particles (templates) in the matrix during consolidation. The aligned templates then grow in the matrix during thermal processing, resulting in a textured ceramic. The <001>-textured PMN-32.5PT ceramics formed in this Phase I will potentially show d33-coefficients >1200 pC/N and k33-coefficients >0.85. The texture PMN-PT ceramics could potentially replace the use of single crystals in a multitude of applications, due to the versatility of the size and shape of the textured ceramics and their much lower cost. This Phase I will provide a basis for the formation and manufacturing of textured PMN-PT monolithic and multi-layer actuators in Phase II. TRS Ceramics, Inc. ABSTRACT: The objective of the proposed Phase I SBIR program is to greatly improve the performance of piezoelectric ceramics by combining recent new material discoveries with intelligent processing. Specifically high Curie temperature (Tc) Pb(Yb1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbTiO3 (PYbN-PT) ferroelectrics will be fabricated into textured ceramics and bulk single crystals using templated grain growth (TGG) and templated crystal growth (TCG), respectively. This will yield piezoelectrics with extremely broad operating temperatures ranges and properties comparable to conventionally grown lower Tc single crystal materials. This will be a revolutionary advance in piezoelectric materials manufacturing, and would be an enabling material for a broad range of applications including highly sensitive vibration sensors, 2-dimensional medical ultrasound phased arrays, and high performance actuators for smart structures applications. TRS Ceramics, Inc. ABSTRACT: TRS Technologies, Inc. is pleased to respond to DARPA’s request for cost effective manufacturing of high performance piezoelectric single crystals. The objective of the Phase I program is to develop a cost-effective fabrication process for manufacturing large relaxor piezoelectric PZN-PT crystals by the Bridgman method. Currently, PZN-PT is grown by the flux technique; which results in relatively small crystals (<30mm in diameter). PZN-PT can not be grown by the conventional Bridgman method (directly from its melt), because perovskite PZN-PT is not stable at its melt temperature. However, by using a flux to stabilize the perovskite phase in a Bridgman furnace that allows the use of a seed crystal to control nucleation, we will be able to produce much larger and therefore less expensive PZN-PT than is currently possible. For this program TRS will develop a solution or flux-Bridgman process with nucleation controlled by PMN-PT seed crystals for the production of PZN-PT crystals greater than 1” in diameter. The materials technology developed will add an additional crystal supply stream to increase availability for development efforts that are dramatically advancing the performance of acoustic transducers and actuators in the form of increased sensitivity, broader bandwidth, higher strains, and higher acoustic power. Adherent Technologies, Inc. ABSTRACT: The Phraselator, a handheld automatic translation device, currently uses a cardioic microphone as an input for automatic speech recognition (ASR). This microphone is highly vulnerable to performance degradation in typical noisy military environments and, thus, there is a need for an improved transducer for this application. We propose to develop a new directional microphone that is immune to extraneous sound inputs that are outside the microphone?s forward detection lobe, i.e., there is a zero backside response. The microphone is comprised of a small parabolic reflector (20-40 mm diameter) that focuses the incoming sound onto a small (1-3 mm diameter) spherical receiver. Preliminary calculations indicate that such a parabolic reflector-based directional microphone will have an excellent directional response characteristic (forward detection response of 21 degrees FWHM) and will have an estimated sensitivity of about 2 x 10-3 Pa (20 db on the acoustic scale). Experimental measurements will be made to verify these calculations and various designs will be evaluated in order to realize optimum performance of the new miniaturized directional microphone. Various methods of encapsulation for ruggedizing the device for military applications will be studied. Fulcrum Corp. ABSTRACT: The DARPA Phraselator is a hand-held, voice actuated phrase “book”. The Phraselator (see Figure 1) is a handheld, wireless computer used to translate more than 1,000 spoken English phrases into languages such as Arabic and Pashto. Five hundred units were delivered to Peacekeeping troops recently in Afghanistan. The Phraselator, built by Applied Data Systems, incorporates SRI's DynaspeakTM speech recognition software. Phrases are translated in advance by a translator, recorded and saved in a phrase database. When an English phrase is spoken into the system, the translation is played back. The system is not a two-way translator. Input phrase is matched with prerecorded translation and played back through a built in speaker. Li Creative Technologies ABSTRACT: The proposal describes unique and promising solutions for robust speech recognition in handheld devices, particularly for the DARPA Phraselator, which was developed under a previous SBIR and a rapid development program. The proposed solutions are: (1) a new special designed microphone array with directional microphones and corresponding algorithms, such as beam forming, adaptive noise cancellation, and passive source localization to improve the quality of input voice signals; and (2) a new auditory-based feature extraction algorithm to improve speech recognition in noisy environments. These two solutions can be applied separately or together to construct an alternative transducer/new front-end, to replace the traditional transducer system. The goal of this project is to apply the results of our speech recognition technology to develop more efficient and effective transducers/front end to enhance multilingual automatic speech recognition and translation in the Phraselator and other handheld devices. Mayur Technologies ABSTRACT: The DARPA Phraselator currently in use is capable of translating spoken English language phrases into audible Pashto, Urdu, Dari, and Arabic language phrases. Although usable, the Phraselator is highly vulnerable to typical military noise resulting in degradation of its performance, primarily due to the limitations of the microphone. Therefore it is proposed to develop an innovative “magnetostrictive microphone” that uses the bone conduction vibration, setup due to the action of speaking, as the source of sound. Using magnetostrictive material coupled to the teeth/bone it is possible to convert the bone vibration into a proportional electrical signal that can be directly fed to the voice recognition module of the Phraselator. Since the environment sound does not have a direct path to the human bone, due to the attenuation effect of skin/muscle, they are automatically filtered out from the magnetostrictive microphone. In Phase 1, it is proposed to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate two alternative microphone technologies, viz., magnetostrictive rod-based transducer and magnetostrictive composite-based transducer, with specific objective of improving performance of the Phraselator in noisy military environment. The proposed magnetostrictive microphone has several potential commercial applications. They include communications on the tarmac of airports, helicopters, and Navy Carriers. MAYA Design Nimkathana Corp. ABSTRACT: We propose a feasibility study to develop and inexpensive and scalable cluster and software architecture (comprising commodity components) to support data warehousing and mining applications. This study will include design, prototyping, and evaluation components with the overall goal of being commodity-driven (and henceforth cost effective) and emphasize ease-of-use and deployment to support DoD and advanced commerical applications. The technical features of the cluster will include scalability of both processing and I/O performance to enable large-scale data warehousing and mining software infrastructure, which is required for doing data analysis in terrorism-related applications. Quimba Software, Inc. ABSTRACT: This effort focuses on building a distributed data warehouse infrastructure running on an inexpensive cluster of processors and free-to-use, open source software, using the following components: Linux (operating system), openMosix (Cluster Software), and mySQL (Database Management Software.) In order for the system to perform as a single cohesive unit, a number of custom components will also have to be developed. Aptima, Inc. ABSTRACT: To predict likely terrorist actions and terrorist targets in the U.S. we need (1) models of how terrorist organizations evolve and learn (2) identification of cultural variables likely to shape the evolution of terrorist organizations within the U.S. and (3) methods for including these cultural context variables in organizational learning models. Our team includes three essential types of expertise: (1) historical knowledge of terrorist organizations and activities and how they have evolved over time; (2) theoretical predictions from cultural anthropology on how cultural context affects organizational evolution; and (3) knowledge of available computational organizational modeling techniques and what they can accomplish. We plan to bring world experts from each of these three areas together onto one team, and conduct a Symposium in Washington, D.C. to assess what should be modeled, and what can be modeled. In Phase I we will assess what is needed to develop a model that predicts the evolution of terrorist groups in the U.S., evaluate current modeling organizational techniques against these requirements, identify areas where new modeling techniques will be needed, develop possible approaches, and prepare a plan for Phase II model development. Psynapse Technologies, LLC ABSTRACT: The proposed project will provide the detail necessary for all steps of a functional prototype of an assessment instrument to determine terrorist threat and likelihood of an organization being targeted for attack. The purpose of the Phase I proposal is to present a final design of such a system with tested and demonstrated functional components. Based on a reliable and validated behavioral model, the application proposed will focus on the identification and use of neural network based predictive patterns combined with an expert, rule-base component that augments historical information with targeting expertise of terrorism subject matter experts. A reporting mechanism whereby results would be embedded within interpretive text will be presented as part of the instrument design. Electrical Geodesics, Inc. ABSTRACT: This project develops a dense array fNIR/EEG neuroimaging system for use in operational environments. Miniature NIR-enhanced optical emitters and detectors are combined with EEG and EIT (Electrical Impedance Tomography) electrodes embedded in a novel, flexible and wireless, geodesic head web. This device integrates all interconnect for power and signal within the flexible geodesic tension structure, allowing comfortable and inobtrusive use while minimizing movement artifact. A novel phase change polymer technology is introduced that optimizes coupling of both electrical and optical signals with the skin and scalp. An advance in miniature electronics will allow all amplification and signal processing to be worn on the head or body, allowing high bandwidth telemetry of dense array data on brain activity to the Cognitive Workload Assessment workstation. The initial design allows topographic reconstruction of both the hemodynamic (NIRS) and fast optical (EROS) signals, and it anticipates new algorithms for tomographic reconstruction of brain activity throughout the head volume. Innovative Technical Solutions, Inc. ABSTRACT: The rapid development of the telecommunications industry over the last decade has led to significant advances in several technologies. Two of these technologies, wireless networking chipsets and laser miniaturization, have made it possible to create a device for wirelessly monitoring neuronal activity. In this project, we propose to utilize these technologies to create a wireless whole brain functional brain imaging systems with applications in the cognitive neuroscience, brain-machine interface, and medical fields. The NOVASOL continuous wave system uses three near-infrared wavelengths to compute blood flow and blood oxygenation over targeted areas and is the fastest CW fNIR system available. It is easily extended to multiple areas, can image through hair, and is currently being integrated into a helmet for comfortable imaging setup. The proposed wireless design and development Wireless CW OTIS system will allow the entire electro-optical data acquisition system to be incorporated into a self contained helmet, transmitting the data using wireless networking protocols to a remote computer. Building upon its unique experience with fiber optic based fNIR systems, NovaSol is proposing to research, design, and implement a WiFi peer-to-peer fNIR brain imaging system by coupling COTS WiFi hardware with existing fNIR architecture already developed by NovaSol. TechEn, Inc. ABSTRACT: Measuring functional activation of the human brain has been advancing rapidly through development of several non-invasive techniques. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse optical tomography (DOT) offer the possibility of measuring simultaneously and non-invasively neuronal and vascular signals in the brain cortex. Although optical measurement of hemodynamic signals is well established, optical measurement of neuronal activation (the Fast signal) is just emerging and requires further optimization. The main goals of this feasibility proposal are to advance neuronal monitoring and DOT methodology, by demonstrating a portable (helmet and backpack), Proof of Concept (POC) wireless NIRS device. By miniaturizing existing NIRS laser and detector modules, and integrating wireless link capability, we will build a portable, light weight, functional NIRS system. The wireless link will couple real-time NIRS data to a portable computer for display. Validation test will use an existing DOT instrument (hemodynamic signals) and an EEG system (Fast signals) to locate and digitize ideal human head sensor sites, and to acquire baseline data. POC system sensors will then be placed at the same head locations and acquired data verified against the reference data thereby establishing the feasibility of using the Proof of Concept system for portable neuronal monitoring. AnthroTronix, Inc. ABSTRACT: The objective of the proposed research is to use non-invasive physiological monitoring to aid in managing the workload of military personnel in a multi-task or high stress environment. Numerous physiological sensors are currently available for monitoring physiological parameters such as electrical activity in the brain, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, vascular blood volume, and skin conductance, all of which can be used to evaluate stress and cognitive workload. We propose to develop a conceptual architecture for a user centered physio-cognitive monitor, then determine the feasibility of a Physiological Assessment Monitor (PAM), which integrates a variety of non-invasive physiological and mechanical sensor systems. The PAM will be used to identify elevated stress levels and cognitive overload experienced during completion of various tasks. The PAM will be unobtrusive, so as not to interfere with task performance, and will be applicable in a variety of operational settings. A common task battery will be used to induce stress and workload elevation as physiological data is assessed. By identifying excessive stress and cognitive overload experienced during task performance, it becomes possible to predict, and therefore prevent, overloading of military personnel. Electrical Geodesics, Inc. ABSTRACT: In modern military operating environments, military personnel are faced with the challenge of accomplishing more with less human resources. To meet this challenge, each personnel must be able to function optimally. In other words, each operator's cognitive resources must be maximized and delegation of tasks by supervisors to each operator must be based upon knowledge of the soldier's remaining cognitive capacities. Towards this end, the DoD wishes to develop an integrated workstation for the monitoring of the operator's cognitive state. In this application we propose to build a software platform that will provide the foundation for an integrated, user centered monitoring workstation. The software will provide the architecture for the integration of multiple, cognitive-load-sensitive, psychophysiological signals and real-time analysis engines for each of these signals. This architecture will support local as well as network access to the operator's cognitive state. We will also conduct functional studies in which an operator's EEG, electrocardiogram, electrodermal activity, and pupilometry signals will be analyzed to index the operator's cognitive workload. These studies will test the feasibility of building an integrated monitoring workstation of cognitive workload assessment. Human Bionics LLC ABSTRACT: We propose to investigate the design of a multimodal cognitive assessment system (MCAS)to seamlessly integrate recording and analysis technologies and enhance the arousal state and decision-making performance of the war fighter under stressful conditions. Our plan is to define a multimodal psychophysiological data collection and analysis system architecture for the development of future technologies capable of delivering cognitive status updates and augmenting the presentation of critical data to a time when the operator is aroused and attentive and best able to process and retain information. Our proposed technology would analyze brainwave patterns associated with higher order executive processing, as well as, eye and heart measures to intelligently identify variability in arousal, stress, and cognitive workload capacity and manage the interface of these data for fitness assessment and task assignment. Our innovative technology would provide behavioral and workload assessment researchers with new tools to investigate higher order cognitive and automomic mechanisms involved in operational decision-making under high stress conditions. 21st Century Systems, Inc. ABSTRACT: Agents, Agent Architectures and Agent-based applications have become a phenomena in recent years with seemingly everyone jumping on the bandwagon. However, as with any truly revolutionary breakthrough technology, Agents have lacked standards and ruling bodies to govern the direction of the bandwagon in its infancy. While inside this wagon train apparent chaos ruled, but with that chaos came many unique and valuable discoveries and innovations. Now that Agent technologies have become more mature with complex and useful applications being fielded, there is a need for a standardized common infrastructure. This Next-Generation, Unifying Agent Architecture should encompass the best of breed capabilities and technologies of existing and in-development Agent Architectures, Commercial and Academic-based Agent Architectures, and Operational and Theoretical Agent Architectures. To fully realize the objectives for the Next-Generation, Unifying Agent Architecture an honest broker is needed. 21CSI is that honest broker. 21CSI will leverage our considerable experience in developing Agent Architectures and our extensive expertise in developing Agent-based Applications, gleaned from Decision Support Systems developed on behalf of other DoD customers. This new Agent Architecture will be developed from scratch using the latest best of breed techniques documented in an exhaustive investigation of both commercial and academic/research Agent Architectures. Intelligent Automation, Inc. ABSTRACT: A cognitive agent is a software model of a human’s perceptual processes, reasoning, and behavior. A general approach to building cognitive agents must address the problems of knowledge representation, planning and reasoning, sensory and motor modeling while satisfying constraints imposed by neural implementations and human cognition. Moreover, different users have varying requirements for their cognitive agents, ranging from modeling fine-grained response and action times to stimuli to modeling high level cognitive actions such as reasoning, planning and mission execution. We propose to create a new design and systems engineering methodology, architecture and infrastructure for cognitive agents that promotes reuse of design, behaviors, and code and supports the incorporation of flexible control strategies and human modeling parameters. It includes both a set of reusable design templates for agents as well as a set of cognitive modules that can be plugged together in different ways to construct different domain-driven cognitive agents. The architecture will be interoperable with existing cognitive approaches through translation and mediation modules as well as through pluggable control and mediation strategies. Intelligent Systems Technology, Inc. ABSTRACT: Computational architectures for intelligent agents and human behavior models have advanced to the point where one can benefit from the other in creating more realistic Intelligent Synthetic Force behaviors. This Phase I effort is directed to analyzing the respective strengths and weaknesses of agent architectures and cognitive/human behavior models with a view to incorporating high payoff cognitive/behavioral constructs into agent architectures. To this end, a comparative framework will be constructed to explore the strengths and limitations of candidate agent architectures and human behavioral models with a view to identifying and exploiting common features, combining unique strengths, and circumventing the limitations of each within a next generation agent architecture. The resultant architecture will improve both the fidelity and validity of distributed training and wargaming simulations while facilitating the design, development, and deployment of agents. TextWise, LLC ABSTRACT: We propose to develop a new agent architecture based on a new agent framework, code-named the UNICORN (UNIfying COllaborative, Reflective, Neurogenetic) agent framework, which will combine the strengths of our own neurogenetic agent framework, enriched by the theory of Emergence (and the collaborative, self-organizing Swarms), with the strengths of other types of agent architectures, including the reflective processes. In Phase I, we will analyze strengths and weaknesses of current leading architectures for intelligent agents and human behavior models, 2) develop a comparative framework to identify common and unique strengths and weaknesses, and 3) use that framework to design a new architecture that shows significant improvements over existing architectures. We will attempt to develop a ‘neurogenetic’ agent framework, as an integral part of the comparative framework, to model, simulate, evaluate and compare the leading architectures for intelligent agents. The ‘neural’ part of the neurogenetic agent framework can be used to model various learning/reasoning capabilities, and perhaps even autonomy, while the ‘genetic’ part can be used to model ‘interactions’ among agents, the importance of which cannot be over-stressed. Furthermore, the ‘Swarm Intelligence’ can be fully integrated into this framework, broadening the types of interactions what can be modeled and simulated, when empirically evaluating and comparing existing agent architectures. ALPHATECH, Inc. ABSTRACT: Organic Air Vehicles have the potential to dramatically improve knowledge of the battlespace by providing persistent networked coverage which can dynamically adjust to changing conditions. These systems require novel algorithms which can address the problems of positioning, sensor resource allocation, and tracking. Here we propose to define an architecture and create core algorithms which address OAV challenges by a) positioning sensors dynamically based on tracking needs in a complex and changing environment, b) directing sensor resources quickly in response to target tracking requirements, c) tracking with algorithms designed specifically to deal with measurements of limited dimensionality and accuracy, and d) designing these components to work in a distributed environment subject to communications limitations. The design and core algorithms, together with ALPHATECH tracking, sensor resource management, and multi-asset synchronization technology will lay the groundwork for the creation of a robust, high performance OAV tracking system. Time Domain Corp. ABSTRACT: Improving situational awareness is a key prerequisite to increasing combat effectiveness in urban operations. The use of RF sensors in high-risk operations may increase situational awareness significantly. To build robust sensors capable of delivering accurate target identification in extreme environments, it is critical to fully characterize key performance parameters. Time Domain Corporation (TDC) proposes an integrated, experimentally verified analysis of their UWB radar for waveform capture, foliage impact, geographic dispersion, and spectrum management that will ensure the military’s ability to accurately determine both the capabilities and limits of UWB sensor technology. TDC’s PulsONâ technology is ideally suited for use as a sensor because of its high resolution, excellent propagation characteristics, simple signal processing, exceptional multipath immunity, and the potential to fuse the radar with a UWB communications link. UWB’s potential for low false alarms is particularly exciting. A final report documenting the evaluation of UWB sensors for urban terrain will contain conclusions and projections regarding further close-range sensor development. The test results will be used to guide development of a reliable, close-range, 360-degree, low signature emission UWB sensor system that can perform Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition against adversarial forces operating in urbanized terrain and in foliage. ALPHATECH, Inc. ABSTRACT: We propose a new automatic
target recognition (ATR) system that operates on video data, exploiting
the inherent redundancy and spatio-temporal coherence of motion imagery to
create three-dimensional target signatures. Unlike previous approaches
that use shape alone, our method will additionally model and predict
object surface appearance properties, in the form of bi-directional
reflectance distributions (BRDFs), to compensate for environmental effects
such as varying illumination. Digital Traffic Systems, Inc. ABSTRACT: The goal of our proposed research is autonomous real-time detection, classification, and location of targets from a video image. DTS Inc (www.dtsits.com) proposes to combine its robust software in real-time video tracking and classification of vehicles for the transportation industry with a new classifier (From our subcontractor, Quasar International, www.quasarintl.com) to develop a true ATR video system . This classifier has been used extensively in a broad variety of applications from non-destructive-inspection (NDI) of manufactured parts (resonant inspection) to a discovery engine for large gene expression and protein data sets. This new classifier will allow us to classify vehicles in a larger multidimensional space, which will dramatically reduce false positives and yield a high probability of correct classification and identification. All of the systems operate using commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and computers. Equinox Corp. ABSTRACT: A general approach exploiting additional information obtained from motion video is proposed that can potentially enhance existing automatic target recognition algorithms. The approach uses a unique combination of statistical observation models and differential geometry. ImageCorp, Inc ABSTRACT: We propose a model-based temporal integration approach for automatic target recognition (ATR) using a single video stream. The video ATR problem is addressed as a verification and identification task. A generalized Hausdorff metric will be used for target to model matching and target to target tracking and verification. The Hausdorff metric is more robust to noise and allows a confidence interpretation for target recognition/verification. Our system can address stationary and moving target ATR using videos acquired from stationary as well as moving platforms. When fully developed, the system will integrate camera motion compensation, target detection, target tracking, target pose estimation, target verification, and target fingerprinting components. In Phase I, we will develop robust algorithms for 3D target pose estimation and sequential target recognition using a generalized Hausdorff metric. We will test and refine our existing algorithms for sensor motion estimation, target detection and tracking, and best view selection for video ATR applications. We will develop techniques for reliable and descriptive vehicle fingerprint extraction. The algorithms will be evaluated using videos acquired using a turn table as well as surveillance videos. During Phase II, we will develop, demonstrate and evaluate a prototype system capable of robust video ATR. EM Photonics, Inc. ABSTRACT: A nearly universal trend in modern technology is integrating systems, and their associated devices, on decreasingly smaller scales. Examples range from complete telecommunication systems on a chip to implantable medical devices smaller than human cells. The majority of these devices apply hybrid designs that integrate on a commensurate scale electronics with active and passive optical components. How to design such systems accounting for all the various physical phenomena, including those present in the fabrication processes, is a very challenging problem. Moreover, as optical components are reduced to a scale that is comparable to the operational wavelength, approximate optical design tools are no longer valid. For these cases more rigorous electromagnetic analysis is required. Thus, new computer aided design (CAD) tools are needed that integrate the rigorous physical models and fabrication processes into a single desktop environment. To solve this very challenging problem we propose to apply EM Photonic’s revolutionary hardware acceleration system. This system has demonstrated that application specific hardware can provide unprecedented acceleration in solving complicated electromagnetic problems using only a single desktop computer. We are confident this novel approach will break the computational bottleneck that has hindered progress towards a truly useful micro- and nano- photonics CAD system. NanoSonic, Inc. ABSTRACT: The implementation of the phase-space, wave-kinetic method is proposed for the simulation of photonic crystals. Although full-wave methods lead to higher accuracy, computational speed remains a problem. Consequently, a subset of the wave-kinetic method is proposed which nearly has the speed of ray-tracing, but the result is superior to the beam propagation method. This method, called “Diffractive Ray Tracing,” extends the conventional ray tracing to include diffractive effects. It is derived from the more general wave-kinetic method and uses the Wigner phase-space distribution to obtain formulas for the spread of ray angles. This leads to the correct diffraction patterns for coherent and partially coherent beams. It is implemented using common radiative transfer methods in combination with the Monte Carlo approach. Starting from the wave-kinetic approach, this method can be further generalized for greater accuracy by moving beyond the Liouville approximation. Many other effects, such as nonlinearity, may also be included. When generalized to the time domain, this approach has been used to account for many orders of dispersion and we propose to investigate its application to ultra-wideband, short pulse interaction in Phase II. NanoSonic would work with a major research university on this program Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. ABSTRACT: The overall objective of the project is to develop a technology for providing optical interconnections to high performance ICs that scale to greater than 1 Tbps aggregate bandwidth and fit within the IC industry cost structure. This technology is radiation hard and well suited for military applications. The objective of Phase I is to understand the system level requirements for this technology from end-users. Likely first insertion opportunities are high-end military applications for processing large data fields, such as in synthetic aperture radar and nuclear event synthesis. Commercial opportunities are in large computer routers systems and high performance distributed computing systems. Candidates for military partners are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrup-Grumman, and Boeing. Commercial candidates include Sun Microsystems and Cisco. The second objective of Phase I is proof of concept through design and analysis. The key issues are the mechanical integrity, thermal performance and optical interface of the PhotonicBGA without sacrificing any electrical/thermal performance of the standard BGApackage. The component must also be cost-effective for successful implementation. Novelx, Inc. ABSTRACT: NOVELX, Inc. proposes to develop and market an innovative miniaturized modular scanning electron microscope (SEM) for commercial and military applications. The Phase I technical objective is to investigate the technical feasibility of building a high-resolution, low-cost, miniature SEM that combines high-performance imaging with a proven manufacturable process. The miniature modular SEM (mmSEM) will nominally operate at 1keV at 1nA and achieve <10nm resolution. Several novel technologies and innovations will be incorporated into the NOVELX column. The machined components and hand-wrapped electromagnetic coils, common to a conventional SEM, will be replaced by all electrostatic micromachined, batch-fabricated silicon components using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. Batch processing will drive the component costs down while MEMS micromachining and silicon technologies guarantee that the dimensions of the components will be delivered precisely as designed. These technologies also guarantee that all components will meet the specifications and exceed the required tolerances. The result will be predictable, uniform column operation. The silicon components will be packaged using advanced integrated packaging technologies. These technologies are commonly used to fabricate small packages with high density interconnects in high-volume production. The NOVELX design eliminates individually wired interconnects common to conventional SEMS and replaces them with high density, batch-processed, printed circuitry. Zyvex Corp. ABSTRACT: This proposal presents a low-cost high-precision method for manufacturing miniaturized e-beam columns, resulting in widespread application in imaging and lithography. While the advantage of downscaling e-beam columns is well known, no commercial applications have emerged, due in large part to manufacturing difficulties. This project begins with the Etec miniaturized e-beam column design and introduces component designs leading to a low-cost automated manufacturing solution. Although the Etec column is generally not considered ideal for an SEM, its high performance and industry-wide familiarity make it an excellent vehicle for proving manufacturing concepts. We will conduct detailed analyses of the design and assembly process to determine the column’s performance within manufacturing tolerances and in a range of environmental conditions. Our proprietary assembly approach, currently the focus of a $25M five-year NIST-ATP award, entails a combination of robotic stages and MEMS actuators, connectors, and parts. Our assembly technology produces robust mechanical and electrical connections with precision dependent upon component tolerances rather than assembly robotics. A major strength of this assembly strategy is the ability to incorporate parallel assembly, dramatically reducing cost. This flexible method further enables a variety of designs meeting the resolution, scan field, and depth of focus needs of many different applications. Integrated Magnetoelectronics ABSTRACT: CMOS digital logic is inherently noisy; generated noise can couple chip components through ground planes, power connections, and signal lines. Noise upsets are being exacerbated by the lower operating voltages and shrinking logic-level margins accompanying smaller feature sizes; measures to counter these effects are losing ground. The proposed project will demonstrate inherent properties of all-metal (no semiconductors) circuits based on the transpinnor, an active device with logic and amplification capabilities, that mitigate sources of noise: no spikes from digital switching; margin independence of feature size. The project objectives are to identify and characterize mechanisms underlying noise generated by analog and digital circuits; analyze effects of such noise on analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits, for both all-metal and CMOS technologies, due to coupling between neighboring components; compare these effects in the two technologies; and provide a plan for system demonstration incorporating the noise-abatement capabilities of transpinnor electronics. The proposed project is expected to demonstrate that all-metal circuit components can overcome the susceptibility of their CMOS counterparts to noise upsets in a multiple-noise-source environment, and that this advantage improves with decreasing feature size. Situs Logic Anvik Corp. Chemat Technology, Inc. MesoScribe Technologies, Inc. ABSTRACT: Direct-Write Thermal Spray (DWTS) is proposed as an innovative new technology for applica-tion for Distributed Electronics. Four key application areas have been identified: 1) Distributed Sensing and Environmental Monitoring, 2) Distributed Electromagnetics, 3) Distributed Wiring and Connectivity, and 4) Distributed Semiconductor Devices. These interrelated topical areas will be cohesively integrated to provide radical new approaches for electronics integration on new and pre-existing surfaces. Examples include instrumenting vehicle surfaces (airplanes, ships, tanks), ordinance (missiles and their containers, shells), and building surfaces with sensing, E-M capability (antennas and/or radar-jamming), and wiring/connectivity (for signal, power, RF, communication, sensing and actuation signals). Also, the ability to deposit semiconductor materials such as Si and Ge in a distributed fashion without the need for expensive fabrication facilities is of enormous interest for innovative new applications as well as in-the-field repair. DWTS can be used to fabricate sensors (temperature, humidity, strain, heat flux, magnetic, crack propagation, etc); antennas; conducting wires, passive components (capacitors, inductors, and resistors), and semiconductor materials, making it an extremely versatile tool for Distribute Electronics applications. We have partnered with AIL, NRL, Boeing Corp., and NUWC for identification of key end-use applications as well as to forge a commercialization path. Sarcos Research Corp. ABSTRACT: Current microelectronics relies on silicon substrate, ceramic packaging and fiber glass circuit board, devices built using this technology is costly and not flexible. Although foils (such as polyimide or steel) promised to address flexibility, they have to be very thin. Sarcos has been working on a revolutionary technology that will enable electronic devices to be fabricated on filamentary and elongated prismatic flexible substrates which can be interconnected to form large area and even volumetric flexible electronics. The capability of flexible substrate to be folded, conformed to structure, woven or embedded means that the form factor of the electronic devices fabricated using this technology can also be changed, resulting in military capabilities not possible before. So far we have developed and demonstrated a proprietary cylindrical lithography (CL) method for fabricating electronic devices on non-planar substrates (e.g. cylinders such as optical fiber, PZT tubes and NiTi shape memory alloy). This project will expand the capabilities of CL. SI2 Technologies ABSTRACT: SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes the use of high mobility (>10 cm2/(V s)) organic semiconductors to enable printable, low-power flexible sensors and microelectronics with the compactness and low weight that is essential for manned and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) electronic system integration. SI2’s Direct Write technology and high mobility conductive polymers enable the proposed sensor systems and will offer a significant cost reduction over the existing paradigm. By reducing the cost of electronic devices and using large area flexible substrates, it is possible to distribute the electronics over the entire surface of a vehicle and provide an additional saving of space over conventionally packaged electronic devices. LightSmyth Technologies ABSTRACT: This phase I SBIR proposal comprises a feasibility study of an advanced new class of optical devices that promise to provide a dramatic expansion of practical optical function in areas such spectral filtering and optical processing. Many areas of optical data transport will benefit from robust, low-cost, yet high performance devices delivering building-block functionality in these areas. The new devices are fabricated using the powerful method of lithographic holography and are based on Holographic Bragg Reflectors (HBR's) as the primary functional element. In the present proposal, we focus on those aspects of HBR's performance key to their potential role as enabling elements in optical systems employing optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA). OCDMA offers important advantages for multiplexed optical data links including flexible bandwidth provisioning, all-optical channel discrimination, and multi-channel function with a single generic optical source. Lithographically scribed HBR's are broadly enabling to OCDMA function and may comprise the key to reducing such systems to widespread use. Physical Optics Corp. ABSTRACT: Combining photonic components into a single integrated optical chip usually requires channel waveguides, which are difficult to fabricate and have high losses. Therefore, DARPA is seeking device technology for two-dimensional holographic diffractive structures in planar waveguides that efficiently connect multiple input-output port pairs. Lithographic scribing of these devices followed by low-cost stamping or etching into optoelectronic materials promises devices that are extremely robust and immune to point defects. However, their implementation in complex yet flexible fully 2D photonic devices for spectral filtering, target discrimination and other applications will require dynamically tunable on-chip holographic elements. In response, to this DARPA need Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new electro-optically tunable Active Planar Holographic Diffractive Structure (APHODS) technology combining standard lithography with holographic nanostructuring. It combines electro-optic material such as liquid crystal polymer with surface relief structures in planar waveguides to create a high speed, low voltage electrically-tunable, fully 2D planar diffractive structure. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of APHODS by means of a simple tunable grating device. Phase II will culminate in a fully packaged 2D planar holographic device for spectral filtering and processing applications, leading to a manufacturing ready device in Phase III. Pioneer Astronautics ABSTRACT: The proposed Pioneer Sea Glider is a new method for underwater transport of equipment and personnel over long distances in a quiet manner. A unique buoyancy control system is based on the conversion of liquid nitrous oxide to a mixture of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen. This nitrous-oxide-derived buoyancy gas also provides breathing air and heat for crews and is based on technology developed and patented by Pioneer Astronautics for long-duration space flight, SCUBA, and terrestrial rescue operations. Because one volume of nitrous oxide gas dissociates to 1.5 volumes of nitrogen plus oxygen, buoyancy gas mass requirements are reduced by one-third compared to those required for other gases. In contrast to successfully demonstrated sea gliders currently used for unmanned oceanographic research purposes, the Pioneer Sea Glider will provide much greater carrying capacity and speed. The Pioneer Sea Glider will be capable of operations between the surface and maximum depths of about 500 meters (1,640 feet) in seawater. The proposed buoyancy control system will accommodate the increased drag resulting from the higher desired velocity. Mission durations of several days or even longer are possible. Arete Associates ABSTRACT: The ability to map ocean waves around an unmanned surface craft and provide intelligent feedback control for survival steering in high sea states will enable the use of high speed, inexpensive, commercial watercraft to meet military requirements in the littoral. Areté Associates brings extensive experience in two key areas of expertise that will be combined to assess the feasibility of a LIDAR solution to sea wave mapping: Areté is a leader in sea surface simulation software and has designed and fielded numerous ocean LIDAR systems. Areté Associates developed a novel 3-D Imaging LIDAR system, the Streak Tube Imaging LIDAR (STIL) that can provide high resolution imaging of the sea surface and subsurface at significant standoff ranges. The patented STIL approach is based on application of mature technologies, and has been demonstrated in the laboratory, ship-based experiments, and airborne demonstrations. Areté proposes to adapt the STIL sensor to the problem of sea wave mapping with a proposed sensor system called Streak Tube Imaging LIDAR for Naval Autonomous Vessel Survival (STIL-NAVS). The proposed Phase I effort will use existing ocean surface rendering software tools to build a detailed model of STIL-NAVS that will be used to produce an optimized system design. ProSensing ABSTRACT: This Phase I SBIR proposal addresses the development of a novel rapid scanning radar interferometer designed to map the surface topography of the ocean surface within one kilometer of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). A system capable of mapping local sea conditions and commanding an adaptive vessel control system would have the ability to steer the boat into the steepest waves to reduce the chance of capsizing in heavy seas. The proposed interferometer will operate in much the same way as a conventional marine radar, enclosing a rotating pair of fan beam antennas in a radome near the top of the USV to provide 360 degree coverage. The proposed system is based on proven technology developed for oceanographic research applications, that has demonstrated the ability to produce ocean surface maps with an rms error of less than 5 cm. During Phase I, we propose to carry out a software simulation of the mapping process, accounting for realistic sea states and expected radar parameters. Based on the results of these simulations we will design a prototype system, including the radar, data system, and auxiliary sensors and interfaces necessary to implement real-time stabilization of a USV. Brown Computer Company ABSTRACT: Currently available equipment for detecting submarines shows poor performance in littoral waters. We propose to deploy a population of inexpensive devices that will augment the capabilities of the currently available equipment to achieve the goal of detecting submarines in littoral waters.
ABSTRACT: The proposed SBIR program would design and implement effective, networked multi-sensor means for the detection of submarines at close range in littoral waters. During Phase I, NanoSonic would develop two designs for simple, low-cost and biodegradable submarine detection sensors and multi-sensor systems. The result of the Phase I program would be a downselection to a single implementation approach, in cooperation with a major DoD contractor intimately involved in distributed littoral battlespace sensor systems. Brassboard hardware based on that approach would be fabricated, deployed and evaluated during Phase II in cooperation with that contractor. NanoSonic specifically anticipates the transition of developed technology in cooperation with that contractor. NanoSonic would also work with Virginia Tech researchers who have specific experience with small autonomous submergible multi-sensor platforms and their cooperative networked communication, through Navy programs. The NanoSonic PI has direct experience in the defense industry on similar sensor, propagation and cooperative identification problems through unclassified and classified efforts. The SBIR program would result in 1) low-cost massive sensor network approaches for littoral ASW detection, 2) cooperative multi-sensor network concepts that could be applied to terrestrial sensing applications, and 3) methods for implementing biodegradable sensor materials and devices. NVE Corp. ABSTRARCT: This work seeks to develop ultra-low-cost antisubmarine surveillance devices based on NVE Corporation’s mass-producible solid-state magnetic sensor technology. The sensors will be used in shallow littoral waters to protect against surprise attack by enemy submarines. NVE’s spin-dependent tunneling sensors are fabricated using thin-film processing techniques that are compatible with semiconductor manufacturing processes and will allow wafer-scale integration with electronic circuitry. The resulting integrated sensor units, when produced in high volume, should be inexpensive enough to permit high-density distribution in the area to be protected. In this Phase I effort, we will produce two conceptual designs for mass-producible submarine detectors incorporating NVE’s magnetic sensor, electronics, battery and acoustic transmitter. We will evaluate the technical feasibility of the magnetic tripwire approach as well as the feasibility and projected cost of a high-volume manufacturing process. Based on a preliminary manufacturing cost analysis, we expect to be able to manufacture the proposed devices for less than one dollar each. PEL Associates ABSTRACT: A sensor/communications package is designed that can sense the physical presence of a submerged submarine at very short range, and that can be manufactured cheaply enough to enable very high density seeding of anti-submarine barriers using environmentally benign materials. The method is based on specially designed biodegradable composite sensor particles activated by the submarine propulsor wake turbulence. These sensors are small nano or micron sized with wake induced luminescent signal emitters and tailored life. The sensor material is sown in a barrier field from air or surface craft. Sensor detectability is achieved by secondary remote sensor technology from satellite, or air and surface craft. Conceptual designs are developed as well as evaluation of the functionality of the detection and communications system. The design will include a communications and data processing unit for monitoring the sensors in the water. An automated sensor manufacturing process is designed capable of producing 100,000 units per year and a complete manufacturing analysis is done including a detailed per-unit cost breakdown, in order to allow evaluation of the affordability of the sensors. Physical Optics Corp. ABSTRACT: Detecting submarines is inherently difficult, and particularly so in littoral areas. A detection system is needed that would consist of thousands of inexpensive sensors to detect a nearby submarine. In response to this need, Physical Optics Corporation proposes to develop the new STARFISH system. The central element of the system is an inexpensive sensor node combining a Kynar film acoustic transducer, thin film battery, MEMS pressure or magnetorestrictive sensor, and microprocessor mounted on a strip of biodegradable plastic. The combined sensor is designed for high volume web production at low cost. The strips are scattered by air or sea, and then establish a network by sending simple acoustic chirps to designated concentration sensors, which concentrate and preprocess the information in the fashion of a neural net. When a detector senses a contact or notices an occlusion of the chirps from its neighbors it generates a detection chirp, which is processed by the concentration nodes. When a pattern of detections is recognized, the secondary nodes generate distinctive chirps that are detected and located by a small array of sonobuoys. SI2 Technologies ABSTRACT: SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes the use of innovative array of sensor suites for ASW. Each sensor suite will contain two sensors, which will provide the system with an extremely low false alarm rate (FAR). An inexpensive integrated sensor suite is now possible to fabricate due to recent advances in both conductive polymer and Direct Write technologies that will enable SI2 to cost effectively fabricate high volumes of these sensor suites. By reducing the cost of electronic devices and using a flexible substrate, it will become possible to distribute electronics over the surface of the sensor suite, giving and additional saving of space over conventionally packaged electronic devices. Bluefin Robotics Corp. ABSTRACT: Bluefin Robotics proposes (in
Phase I) to create a methodology for developing the Bluefin Agent Behavior
Language (BABL) and associated tools. BABL will enable the rapid design
and development of behaviors for autonomous vehicles. Key features of BABL
are that it: Perceptronics Solutions, Inc. ABSTRACT: Unmanned Combat Systems including robotic unmanned vehicles (UVs) are increasingly being deployed to improve the survivability, lethality and sustainability of combat operations. Two factors are critical to the exploitation of UV war-fighting power: a capability for commanders to specify and insert tactical behaviors which can be autonomously instantiated by the UVs as effective war-fighting partners; and a schema for collaborating and supervising the UV forces in battle. Our objective is to exercise the complementary cognitive functions of human and machine to forge a fighting entity with capabilities superior to that of human or machine in isolation. Our innovative approach is to leverage and build on the prior investment of tens of millions of dollars in a command architecture, language and tools for robotic forces that has been made in connection with the DARPA-sponsored SIMNET program and its Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) successors. Building on this strong base, we will develop ontology of war fighting behaviors and establish semantic and communication protocols of a war fighter oriented supervisory language. We will develop design specifications for architecture and tools, select a prototypical FCS application scenario as an application context and conduct a proof of concept demonstration at a DIS facility. Soar Technology, Inc. ABSTRACT: Soar Technology, Inc. proposes a system for end-user behavior specification of autonomous entities. The approach is three fold: First, we propose to develop a user interface that uses a metaphor of a “playbook and whiteboard”. This methodology based on ideas of visual programming; that is, the user manipulates objects on the screen (rather than source code) to piece together behaviors from smaller components. Second, the visual programming environment is supported by an infrastructure consisting of a methodology for encapsulating behavior units, a behavior ontology and a reasoning engine to manage the complexities of composing behaviors. The ontology describes roles, agent capabilities and temporal and behavior constraints. The reasoning engine helps the user piece together behaviors that make sense with respect to the constraints of the behavior units, and informs the user of violations. Lastly, our approach includes the use of a platform-independent behavior representation language that can describe the richness of behaviors generated by the expert user. To support the many different UV platforms, this behavior language can be compiled into the native execution form of different behavior execution systems. Advanced Cerametrics, Inc. ABSTRACT: Advanced Cerametrics, Inc. (ACI) has developed a technology to scavenge waste energy, such as vibration or flex to power active structural control using its piezoelectric fiber composites. Commercial examples include Head Sports’ Intelligence skis and tennis rackets. Similar lightweight, flexible actuators are proposed to be placed on rotorcraft surfaces to deform the surface, at short time intervals and stroke, to fracture ice build up. These small devices can each generate nearly 60 pounds of force from energy scavenged from vibration and several powered designs will be prepared in Phase I to test the best concept for fracturing ice. A test stand will be constructed using a rotor section. The most likely candidate designs will be made into self-powered units in Phase II. These self-powered devices can operate independent of outside sources of power or control and are completely autonomous. The fiber composite structure has relatively high loss and thus will assist in improving the low observable characteristics of the aircraft. ACI will partner with Sikorsky Aircraft for this development. Oxazogen, Inc. ABSTRACT: Ice formation on projections on aircraft is a leading cause of aircraft fatalities. There is a need for efficient ice-phobic technology for both civilian and military aircraft. For military aircraft, including military rotorcraft, there are additional requirements of being lightweight, low energy consuming, and having low observability. This SBIR proposal will test the feasibility of highly crosslinked polyfluorocarbosiloxane networks with extraordinarily low surface energy (water contact angle 115-121°) to act as tough anti-icing coatings for military rotorcraft. This unique technology could lead to a new coating industry based on ice-phobic properties. TPL, Inc. ABSTRACT: The accretion of ice in arctic
environments is an expensive problem for the power transmission and
microwave industries; the military, whether on land, sea, or in the air;
and airlines that operate in blizzard-like conditions. Traditional
de-icing technology relies on chemicals to melt the accreted ice and is
only a temporary solution. Some coatings have been explored that attempt
to prevent the formation of ice on a surface, but many of these are also
temporary solutions. TPL proposes a durable coating that will
significantly delay the formation of ice on a variety of surfaces. The
coating is a molecular combination of organic and inorganic constituents
specifically designed to be durable and ice phobic. The inorganic
component will impart hardness and durability, while the organic part will
impart flexibility and ice phobicity. The wet- chemically derived coating
is easy to apply and has excellent adhesion. Proposed coatings will be
evaluated for ice phobicity by the Army's Cold Region Research and
Engineering Laboratory, which is well-known for their abilities in icing
research. Mechanical and dielectric properties will be tested by TPL,
whose investigators have extensive experience and resources in
wet-chemically derived coating technology |
|
|