SITIS Topic Details |
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| Proposals Accepted: | |
| Program: | STTR |
| Topic Number: | AF10-BT30 (AirForce) |
| Title: | Directionally-Tailored Infrared Emission and/or Transmission | Research & Technical Areas: | Space Platforms |
| Objective: | Develop low-density material and/or structural solutions that enable directionally-dependent emission and/or transmission of radiation in the infrared (IR) regime.
| Description: | The Air Force is aggressively pursuing technologies that enable advantageous interactions with electromagnetic radiation. This topic is seeking technologies that will greatly expand the Air Force’s abilities to exploit and control interactions at IR wavelength (NIR to LWIR).
Traditional material systems and design approaches utilize materials with isotropic response, so that emissivity and transmittance are not angularly dependent. This topic is investigating engineered material systems with inherently orthotropic response; enabling IR energy to be emitted and/or transmitted in one or more discrete cones, radiating from the surface of a structure.
Proposals should seek to address the following criteria (all 5 equally weighted):
1. Degree of property change with respect to angle: Preference will be given to proposed technologies that can maximize the difference between the high and low emissivity/transmittance states. This enables the maximal amount of energy to be radiated in the preferred direction.
2. Degree of angular control: Preference will be given to those proposals that minimize the size of the emitted/transmitted radiation pattern. For example, the technology that projects a single 15 degree cone will be deemed better than the technology that projects a single 30 degree cone. However, the technology that produces three 5 degree cones will be deemed better than both of the previous examples. Again, this enables the delivery of the maximum amount of energy to the specified direction. Both passive and active (dynamic) angular control is of interest. Consideration will be made for active beaming methods so that it trades favorably with tighter tolerance passive methods.
3. Frequency limitations: Preference will be given to those proposed technologies that enable control over a broader spectrum of the IR frequencies. This can be accomplished via a single, broadband approach, or multiple narrow-band approaches, integrated into a single structure. Explain the limitations of scaling the approach to other frequency regimes.
4. Mass: Mass is always a critical parameter for aerospace systems. Preference will be given to inherently low-density, low-volume approaches. Preference will also be given to those proposals that allow simplified integration with current aerospace structural architectures.
5. Suitability to harsh environments: Air Force systems operate in harsh environments. Preference will be given to proposed material systems that show hardness to hot and cold temperatures (e.g. +/- 100 degrees C), ionizing radiation, highly oxidative environments, and fracture toughness.
All proposals should seek to implement their technology into a flat-panel configuration; enabling evaluators to use consistent metrics across multiple proposals.
| PHASE I: Conduct preliminary development of directive thermal emission/transmission concept, based on criteria above. Clearly demonstrate design feasibility through robust modeling, simulation and analysis. Assess capability to predict performance parameters. Identify fabrication techniques and issues.
| PHASE II: Refine Phase I concept. Conduct comprehensive spectral and mechanical properties testing and characterization, with attention to the survivability/reliability in the appropriate environmental conditions. Assess control mechanisms. Validate design and technical objectives through bench-top experiment of prototype hardware.
| PHASE III | DUAL USE COMMERCIALIZATION:
Military Application: IR lenses/filters, beam splitters, focal plane elements, and novel thermal management for DOD space systems.
Commercial Application: Similar to military application for commercial imaging systems and high-value space systems with demanding thermal management requirements.
| References: |
1. Kemme S.A., et al, “Tailored Surfaces for Managing Thermal Emission: Plasmon/Photon Coupling Using Diffractive Optics Technology,” Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 6883, 68830W, 2008. 2. Middlebrook C., Krenz P., Lail B., Boreman G., “Infrared Phased-Array Antenna,” Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 50, Issue 3, pp 719 – 723, January 2008. 3. Kanayama K., “Apparent Directional Emittances of Random Rough Surfaces of Metals and Nonmetals,” Departmental Paper, Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, 1971. Available: http://kitir.lib.kitami-it.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/10213/194/1/3-2-7.pdf 4. Kramper P., Agio M., Soukoulis C.M., Birner A., Muller F., Wehrspohn R. B., Gosele U., and Sandoghdar V., “Highly Directional Emission from Photonic Crystal Waveguides of Sub-wavelength Width,” Physical Review Letters, Vol. 92, No. 11, 19 March 2004. 5. Alu A., Engheta N., “Enhanced Directivity From Subwavelength Infrared/Optical Nano-Antennas Loaded With Plasmonic Materials or Metamaterials,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 55, Issue 11, Part 1, pp. 3027-3039, November 2007. |
| Keywords: | Infrared, Directional, Emission, Transmission, Emittance, Transmittance, Electromagnetic, Orthotropic, MaterialSystems |
Questions and Answers: |
No questions posed on this topic at this time |
As of midnight September 1, questions for solicitations SBIR 10.3 and STTR 10.B will no longer be accepted.
To read the solicitation for full proposal preparation and submission details click here. |