DARPA STTR 2006 Phase I Award Winners
| APTIMA, INC. 12 Gill Street Woburn, MA 01801 (781) 496-2415 PI: Dr. Kari Kelton (202) 842-1548 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0398 |
MASSACUUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 253-3529 ID#: 06ST1-0035 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-004 Awarded: 16AUG06 |
| Title: SCALE: Spontaneous Collaboration Assistant and Linking Engine | |
| Abstract: Static organization charts and standard processes define roles, methods, and authority in useful ways for common missions. But these same, rigid structures force the organization to behave inefficiently, often ineffectively on problems in new domains, problems requiring new coordination methods and ad hoc teams. What is needed to facilitate rapid formation of effective human networks is a system that non-invasively monitors the rich content of digital media and conversation, builds knowledge of ad hoc and potential networks, and accurately recommends new opportunities for collaboration. The proposed research addresses this need by developing the Spontaneous Collaboration Assistant and Linking Engine (SCALE), an innovative new technology that integrates three cutting-edge approaches: . Text mining of digital documents and communications to construct an organizational model of members' areas of knowledge/work and existing collaboration relationships; . Reality mining of physical interactions between people to augment the model of organizational knowledge and collaboration; . Social network analysis to identify new productivity-enhancing opportunities for spontaneous collaboration between members of the organization. | |
| CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP, INC. 2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH 45440 (937) 320-1877 PI: Mr. Jason Hermiller (937) 320-1877 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0406 |
UNIV. OF COLORADO 3100 Marine St Room 481, 572 UCB Boulder, CO 80309 (303) 492-2692 ID#: 06ST1-0055 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-005 Awarded: 09AUG06 |
| Title: Design Methodology for Attaching Morphing Components | |
| Abstract: Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) and the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder) will establish the fundamental understanding of materials and mechanical interaction necessary to develop modeling capabilities and fabrication processes for fastening morphing skins. During Phase I, CRG will conduct a broad array of multidisciplinary research ranging from biological systems to emerging mechanical design methodology related to fastening. Phase I efforts will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of overcoming existing fastening challenges at boundary conditions as well as demonstrating predictive modeling capabilities. CU-Boulder will develop and validate a constitutive continuum model for use in finite element analysis (FEA) of morphing materials. Phase II will optimize and extend the fastening methodology and modeling capability to tackle more complex fastening situations beyond simple perimeter boundary conditions. The establishment of the proposed advanced fastening methodology will provide significant enhancements over existing morphing materials performance enabling orders of magnitude increase in lifecycle performance, cost, aerodynamic performance, and signature control. | |
| CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP, INC. 2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH 45440 (937) 320-1877 PI: Mr. Ernie Havens (937) 320-1877 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0408 |
UNIV. OF PITTSBURGH Office of Research 350 Thackeray Hall Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412) 624-7400 ID#: 06ST1-0061 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-007 Awarded: 28AUG06 |
| Title: Light-Activated Shape Memory Composite | |
| Abstract: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. (CRG) and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) will develop light-activated composite materials technology. This development effort will enable the next generation of military vehicles to quickly and efficiently undergo dramatic reconfigurations as necessary to respond optimally to unpredictable warfare scenarios. Light-activated composite materials technology will provide significant enhancements over existing morphing materials approaches enabling higher performance capability for future morphing vehicle systems. The advanced functionality of these materials will include faster activation times, lower energy consumption, and bi-stable state performance. The primary light-activated material sought under this effort is light-activated shape memory polymer (LASMP). When applied as a direct replacement for thermally-activated shape memory polymers, LASMP will significantly reduce the time required for reconfiguration, reduce the overall energy consumption to switch and hold, and increase mechanical performance during shape change by allowing rapid on-off (digital) modulus switching at only discrete locations otherwise. | |
| ECLIPTIC ENTERPRISES CORP. 398 W. Washington Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 798-2436 PI: Mr. Rex Ridenoure (626) 798-2436 Contract #: W31P4Q-07-C-0106 |
CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO Aerospace Engr. Department Cal Poly Stat San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 756-6479 ID#: 06ST1-0097 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-011 Awarded: 20DEC06 |
| Title: P-POD and RocketPod on Steroids | |
| Abstract: Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation (Pasadena, CA) and California State Polytechnic University (San Luis Obispo, CA) will conduct exploratory and advanced development of a family of concepts enabling cost-effective, recurring opportunities for launching very small (<20 kg) `microsat' to `nanosat' to `picosat' secondary payloads on existing and emerging U.S. launch vehicles and spacecraft while also allowing for deployment and capable proximity operations of such systems around their host platforms once in space. The proposed effort starts with elements of the proven "P-POD" launch system for CubeSat-class (10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm; ~2 kg) space systems overseen at Cal Poly and elements of the novel RocketPodT CubeSat-class launch system invented (and now patented) by Ecliptic. RocketPod is derived from Ecliptic's very successful RocketCamT family of onboard video and imaging systems for use with rockets and spacecraft. We start with these concepts, refine them, and also scale up a bit, like "P-POD and RocketPod on steroids." | |
| FREYTAG & CO. LLC 1647 Sierra Woods Drive Reston, VA 20194 (703) 593-6543 PI: Mr. Richard Freytag (703) 579-5377 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0416 |
UNIV. OF MINNESOTA Sponsored Projects Administrat 200 Oak S Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 624-5599 ID#: 06ST1-0042 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-004 Awarded: 10OCT06 |
| Title: Robust Self-Forming Human Networks: Making Organizations Work | |
| Abstract: This proposed work researches, designs, and prototypes a lightweight knowledge management tool supporting legacy communication protocols to assist organizations in automatically restructure themselves to meet new challenges and tasks. This tool promotes virtual reorganizations that connect individuals with common interests and functions irrespective of the official "organization chart" by displaying the real "wiring diagram." | |
| GALOIS CONNECTIONS, INC. 12725 SW Millikan Way Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 626-6616 PI: Dr. John Launchbury (503) 626-6616 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0393 |
YALE UNIV. Department of Computer Science P.O. Box New Haven, CT 06520 (203) 432-4715 ID#: 06ST1-0016 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-002 Awarded: 15AUG06 |
| Title: Automated Wide-Area Network Configuration from High-Level Specifications | |
| Abstract: We propose to design and implement a domain-specific language (DSL) called Nettle that will eliminate a large class of network misconfiguration errors, together with a verification tool that will be used to establish the correctness of other network configuration specifications. Advantages of our approach include: - It can be deployed gracefully and incrementally. The use of Nettle will guarantee many local behavioral properties, as well as certain more global ones, and as more organizations use the framework, greater degrees of correcness can be ensured. - Nettle will be expressive. We will not excessively limit the range of routing decisions that can be expressed. - Nettle will be efficient and platform independent. It will be possible to compile programs written in the DSL on a variety of router platforms and configurations. | |
| HOTSPOT DYNAMICS 2950 Harvey Court Marina, CA 93933 (703) 868-7247 PI: Mr. Steven Huntsman (703) 868-7247 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0388 |
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL Physics Department 833 Dyer Rd Monterey, CA 93943 (831) 238-4444 ID#: 06ST1-0005 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-001 Awarded: 26JUL06 |
| Title: Scalable Information Assurance Through Thermodynamical Traffic Analysis | |
| Abstract: The objective of this joint proposal between Hotspot Dynamics and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is to design and evaluate a large-network deployable computer network defense (CND) system based on thermodynamical traffic analysis (TTA). The system has linear scalability with increased network size (number of hosts and traffic level) that is superior to the exponential scalability of conventional approaches (signature- and heuristic-based) that will not be applicable to future network sizes. In addition to improved performance, TTA also represents the only known scientific approach for describing computer networks with the potential to provide significant improvements in false alarm rates for larger scale networks. It is applicable to the detection of novel ("0-day") attacks, covert channels, encryption-based techniques, and the increased traffic diversity anticipated in future large-scale networks. The Phase I effort will result in a clearly articulated architecture capable of faithfully taking TTA into the mainstream. By allowing the now fully-developed underlying principles to be incorporated into a carefully planned architecture, the foundation will be laid for freeing CND from its present reliance on ad hoc methods. In short, the Phase I work will provide a blueprint for the subsequent development of a production system beginning in Phase II. | |
| LYNNTECH, INC. 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 102 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 693-0017 PI: Dr. Alan Cisar (979) 693-0017 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0419 |
UNIVERISTY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Dept. of Materials Science Viterbi Schoo Los Angeles, CA 90098 (213) 740-3016 ID#: 06ST1-0087 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-010 Awarded: 31AUG06 |
| Title: Safe, Backpackable Method For Field Neutralization of Small Arms | |
| Abstract: This Phase I STTR effort involves harnessing the power of accelerated corrosion for the purpose of safely neutralizing small arms caches. A key part of the fight against irregular forces is finding their hidden small arms caches and either removing or destroying them. When removal is not possible or practical, destruction in place is the alternative. During Phase I, Lynntech, in collaboration with Professor Florian Mansfeld at the University of Southern California, proposes to develop a safe, non-toxic powdered formulation to rapidly neutralize small arms discovered by our combatants in place. This formulation will be packaged into sealed pouches which can be easily opened and the contents dispersed over the weapons to rapidly corrode them and damage them beyond use. Absorbing water even from dry air, our powdered formulation will render small arms non-operational within a few minutes and completely non-salvageable within a few hours of contact. We will develop the necessary packaging to enhance the shelf life and usability of the formulation. During Phase II, Lynntech will optimize the formulation and team up with chemical manufacturers and packaging companies to enable commercialization for mass procurement by our armed forces in the future. | |
| MICROSAT SYSTEMS 8130 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, CO 80127 (303) 285-1833 PI: Mr. Timothy Sayer (303) 285-5136 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0405 |
MONTANA STATE UNIV. Space Science and Engineering P.O. Box 1 Bozeman, MT 59717 (406) 994-6169 ID#: 06ST1-0099 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-011 Awarded: 08AUG06 |
| Title: Responsive Secondary Payload Launch | |
| Abstract: This effort will develop the power, communication and launch vehicle (LV) interface systems of a parasitic "drone" satellite to be used in close proximity with a host satellite. The power system will harvest energy from the side lobes of the host satellite's microwave transmissions. The communication system will transfer data with the host through that same microwave frequency, negating the need for a second communication system on the host spacecraft. The launch vehicle interface will be a responsive and non-intrusive separation system that requires no electrical connections with the LV and bonds on to the structure late in the integration cycle. The interface accommodates both controlled separation as well as redocking maneuvers; it also has the capability to transfer power to the drone if the choice is made to run power lines to it. The interface can bonded to either the LV or the host spacecraft as the individual mission requires. | |
| NEXT WAVE SYSTEMS, LLC 12261 E. Casey Hollow Road Pekin, IN 47165 (812) 961-3543 PI: Mr. Richard Samuelson (219) 644-3684 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0407 |
PURDUE UNIV. School of ECE, Purdue 465 Northwestern A West Lafayette, IN 47907 (765) 494-3538 ID#: 06ST1-0025 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-003 Awarded: 18AUG06 |
| Title: Rosetta Phone | |
| Abstract: Most DoD missions occur in areas of the world where the native language is not English. The warfighters find themselves in situations where a quick, real-time translation of signs, placards, and documents could lead them out of dangerous situations or provide important clues and information relative to the mission at hand. In places such as Afghanistan or North Korea, this turns out to be a particularly difficult problem, since the languages commonly used in these countries are written with characters that cannot be typed into a translation device or even searched for in a dictionary (unless the user has a significant knowledge of the given language.) A valuable tool would be a handheld device (e.g., a mobile telephone or PDA) that would be capable of translating the text found in natural scenes into spoken English and text. The device should also possess the ability to transmit the captured image and text information to other warfighters in the area or to the warfighter's command and control organization or intelligence agencies that may assist in understanding the image as it applies to the larger overall mission. The Rosetta Phone takes the form of a handheld mobile device (HMD) such as a mobile telephone or a PDA. The HMD is assumed to be equipped with a color camera and, at least part of the time, wireless network capabilities. In order to be able to provide a translation of text found in natural images, the HMD needs to be programmed to perform the following sequence of tasks: . Natural Scene Image Acquisition . Text Segmentation (TS) . Optical Character Recognition (OCR) . Text Translation (TT) . Audio Output Once these tasks have been performed, several output items are available for display/listening, including the original image, the segmented text image, the optical character text, the English text translation, and the audio file (MP3) of the translation. The user will be able to choose to transmit any of these to a server, or to other users' HMDs supporting the mission. Each of the five tasks needs to be accomplished by the HMD in real-time and autonomously to ensure operation without the help of a remote server. | |
| NEXTGEN AERONAUTICS 2780 Skypark Drive Torrance, CA 90505 (310) 626-8384 PI: Mr. Jeff Rodrian (310) 626-8364 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0263 |
UNIV. OF PITTSBURGH 350 Thackeray Hall Office of Research Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412) 624-7400 ID#: 06ST1-0071 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-007 Awarded: 11JUL06 |
| Title: Fiber Reinforced Shape Changing Polymer Composites | |
| Abstract: With the recent development of structures that enable morphing aircraft, there is a need for a skin material capable of high in-plane strains while resisting aerodynamic loads. NextGen Aeronautics has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh to develop a fiber reinforced shape memory (SMP) matrix composite material for morphing wing skins. By pairing a fiber with an SMP matrix a composite is created that will withstand high out-of-plane surface pressures yet once activated the SMP will facilitate actuation with low external energy requirements. NextGen Aeronautics will combine its knowledge from the development of FlexSkin, a skin capable of large in-plane shearing, with University of Pittsburgh expertise in the area of developing smart and morphing materials. The objective of the Phase I research is to demonstrate a fiber reinforced composite with an SMP matrix that is capable of 60 degrees in-plane shearing. The ability to undergo large shearing shape changes and the out-of-plane stiffness will be demonstrated experimentally. Phase II will focus on improving the activation mechanism of the SMP and the response time of the shape change. The team will demonstrate the integration of the skin onto large morphing aircraft structures. | |
| NLIGHT PHOTONICS 5408 NE 88th Street, Bldg E Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 566-4471 PI: Dr. Paul Crump (360) 713-5161 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0421 |
UNIV. OF ILLINOIS Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 265-0563 ID#: 06ST1-0081 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-009 Awarded: 27JUL06 |
| Title: Built-In Filament Control for Long Lifetime in Broad Area Diode Lasers | |
| Abstract: The elimination or suppression of filaments through the use of photonic crystal structures is proposed in this STTR. Filament formation is a well-known problem in high-power, broad area semiconductor diode lasers, often leading to catastrophic failure of the diodes. The diode failure also normally results in a system failure in the systems in which the diodes are employed. By using a bi-directional periodic structure, milled into the laser using a Focused Ion Beam, it is shown that mode control can be exercised over the optical mode of the high-power, broad area diode laser. Mode control serves to eliminate or suppress filament formation in the diode laser, thereby eliminating or suppressing this pernicious failure mode. | |
| PERCEPTRONICS SOLUTIONS, INC. 3527 Beverly Glen Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 788-1025 PI: Dr. Amos Freedy (818) 460-9150 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0410 |
UNIV. OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Computer Science Department 941 West 37t Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-4496 ID#: 06ST1-0051 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-004 Awarded: 31AUG06 |
| Title: Rapid Formation of Virtual Organizations Using Modeling and Multi Agent System Technology | |
| Abstract: Perceptronics Solutions, Inc. and the USC Computer Science Department present this proposal to develop an adaptive software system that will automatically form 'virtual' human networks. Our objective is to develop an automated system capable of: (1) identifying groups of people who should be in contact with each other by virtue of their parent organization's basic mission, that is, the long term problems it intends to solve; (2) organizing ad hoc groups of people to solve a specific problem encountered by the organization, taking into account organizational structures and individuals' positions in that structure; or (3) identifying new areas of organizational capability, or problem solving ability, based on the observed interests of the organization's members. Specifically, we will focus our Phase I efforts on automatically forming a problem-oriented virtual network in a dynamic military organization. The advantage of this approach is: (1) it directly addresses the military application, which has top priority; and (2) the solution will hold for less demanding applications as well, such as more static military and non-military organizations including civil agencies, companies, universities, and so forth. | |
| SCIENCE RESEARCH LABORATORY, INC. 15 Ward Street Somerville, MA 02143 (617) 547-1122 PI: Dr. MICHAEL BOOTH (617) 547-1122 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0425 |
PENNSTATE ELECTRO-OPTICS CENTER W. HILLS IND. PK, KITTANNING, PA 16201 (724) 295-7019 ID#: 06ST1-0082 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-009 Awarded: 27JUL06 |
| Title: INTELLIGENT DRIVERS USING OPTICAL SENSING | |
| Abstract: Science Research Laboratory (SRL) and the Penn State Electro-Optics Center (PSU) propose to develop intelligent laser diode driver technology, incorporating optical diagnostics, that extends the operating lifetime of laser diode arrays by an order of magnitude. Random perturbations of temperature or current density during operation of a laser diode array can lead to thermal runaway and the formation of current filaments; the high local temperature, current, and optical power associated with these filaments damages the emitters and eventually leads to array failure. SRL and PSU have demonstrated that the formation of current filaments can result in irreversible damage. As part of this SBIR, SRL and PSU propose to use rapid real-time optical diagnostics to protect laser diodes from irreversible damage, significantly increasing their lifetime and reliability. By improving the lifetime of laser diodes, this technology will dramatically lower the cost of ownership of laser diode arrays, allowing them to be successfully integrated into a wide range of military laser hardware. | |
| SECURE COMMAND, LLC 4972 Marshall Crown Road Centreville, VA 20120 (703) 340-6569 PI: Dr. Anup Ghosh (703) 340-6569 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0387 |
GEORGE MASON UNIV. CSIS 4400 University Drive, MS 5B5 Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 993-3767 ID#: 06ST1-0011 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-001 Awarded: 31JUL06 |
| Title: Building an Internet Cleanroom from Virtual Machines | |
| Abstract: In this proposal, we present an approach for building the Internet Cleanroom (IC) that represents a radical departure from prior and current Internet security tools and practices. Where today's information security tools and practices focus either on building better software, filtering mechanisms such as firewalls to prevent remote exploitation, or building tools to detect compromises, the proposed technology described here creates a safe environment for running Internet-enabled software. The system provides an environment in which intrusions or compromises present no threat to the host system or other software and data. This approach effectively eliminates all external threats from Internet-connected machines. It does not address the insider threat where users are given keyboard access to machines. | |
| SHARED SPECTRUM CO. 1595 Spring Hill Road Vienna, VA 22182 (703) 761-2818 PI: Dr. Filip Perich (703) 761-2818 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0395 |
UNIV. OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE Baltimore, MD 21250 (410) 455-3187 ID#: 06ST1-0019 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-002 Awarded: 19JUL06 |
| Title: Policy-based Automated WAN Configuration and Management | |
| Abstract: Our project aims at developing a description language allowing network administrators to specify policies for desired configuration and operation of their networks, networked devices, and applications at a high abstraction level. We ground the language ontologies and rules in the W3C Web Ontology Language and the W3C Semantic Web Rule Language. We formally prove that our language is sound and complete. We employ incremental tests to build acceptance within user community and demonstrate through use cases and concepts of operations of DoD and commercial enterprise networks that the language is perfect for capturing and expressing cross-layer configuration policies. Our project also aims at designing a cognitive, agent-based system capable of maintaining, verifying, and diagnosing network configurations based on policies defined in our language and responding to aberrant behavior. We develop a secure, distributed knowledge base, advanced expert reasoning technologies, and distributed validation, verification, and enforcement models enabling cognitive agents to collaboratively configure and manage networks. We investigate the feasibility and system benefits for transitioning the system to DoD and commercial customers. | |
| TM TECH Park Center Office Building Pasadena, CA 91101 (323) 702-4750 PI: Mr. John Burns (310) 291-3624 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0440 |
UNIV. OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 837 W. Downey Way STO 308 Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-6058 ID#: 06ST1-0078 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-008 Awarded: 28SEP06 |
| Title: Modification of Wireless Fidelity Communication Devices to Support the Urban Warrior | |
| Abstract: TM Tech has identified an opportunity to leverage commercially available WIFI technology to support squad leader and foot soldiers in the urban warfare environment. The objective of this Phase I proposal is to determine the feasibility of modifying commercial WIFI components together with a single-chip SiGe BiCMOS ASIC to create ultra compact, portable, extended range communication devices in a USB form factor. Our initial focus is the implementation of a single-chip SiGe front-end module that increases the operational range of commercially available WIFI components. The ruggedized module is power efficient, lightweight, small and attaches to a UMPC, laptop, or PDA-type host device. At a minimum the module will be compliant with any 802.11b/g device operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Line-of-sight range will be greater than 1 km at 1 Mb/s digital data rates. The module will also operate outside of the ISM band over an extended tuning range of at least 2.30 GHz to 2.50 GHz. Enhanced versions of the device could include operation in frequency bands from 900 MHz up to 5.9 GHz. | |
| VENTANA RESEARCH 2702 South Fourth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85713 (520) 882-8772 PI: Dr. John Lombardi (520) 882-8772 Contract #: W31P4Q-06-C-0417 |
UNIV. OF ARIZONA Dept. of Materials Sci. & Eng. 1309 E. U Tucson, AZ 85722 (520) 621-6072 ID#: 06ST1-0092 Agency: DARPA Topic#: 06-010 Awarded: 06JUL06 |
| Title: Non-Toxic Chemical Formulation for Incapacitation and Destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons | |
| Abstract: In an attempt to deal with a growing number of weapon caches, Ventana Research will team-up with the University of Arizona to develop a non-toxic, cost-efficient resins formulation which will immediately incapacitate small arms and light weaponry. In addition this resin will also cause significant corrosion of ordinance steel over a prolonged time period. | |