Army FY09.3 SBIR Solicitation Topics

ARMY

SBIR 09.3 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

The US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM) is responsible for execution of the Army SBIR Program. Information on the Army SBIR Program can be found at the following Web site: https://www.armysbir.com/.

Solicitation, topic, and general questions regarding the SBIR Program should be addressed according to the DoD portion of this solicitation. For technical questions about the topic during the pre-Solicitation period, contact the Topic Authors listed for each topic in the Solicitation. To obtain answers to technical questions during the formal Solicitation period, visit http://www.dodsbir.net/sitis. For general inquiries or problems with the electronic submission, contact the DoD Help Desk at 1-866-724-7457 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET). Specific questions pertaining to the Army SBIR Program should be submitted to:

Chris Rinaldi

Program Manager, Army SBIR

army.sbir@us.army.mil

US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM)

ATTN: AMSRD-SS-SBIR

6000 - 6th Street, Suite 100

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5608

(703) 806-2085

FAX: (703) 806-0675

The Army participates in three DoD SBIR Solicitations each year. Proposals not conforming to the terms of this Solicitation will not be considered. The Army reserves the right to limit awards under any topic, and only those proposals of superior scientific and technical quality will be funded. Only Government personnel will evaluate proposals.

SUBMISSION OF ARMY SBIR PROPOSALS

The entire proposal (which includes Cover Sheets, Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, and Company Commercialization Report) must be submitted electronically via the DoD SBIR/STTR Proposal Submission Site (http://www.dodsbir.net/submission). When submitting the mandatory Cost Proposal, the Army prefers that small businesses complete the Cost Proposal form on the DoD Submission site, versus submitting within the body of the uploaded proposal. The Army WILL NOT accept any proposals which are not submitted via this site. Do not send a hardcopy of the proposal. Hand or electronic signature on the proposal is also NOT required. If the proposal is selected for award, the DoD Component program will contact you for signatures. If you experience problems uploading a proposal, call the DoD Help Desk 1-866-724-7457 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm ET). Selection and non-selection letters will be sent electronically via e-mail.

Army Phase I proposals have a 20-page limit (excluding the Cost Proposal and the Company Commercialization Report). Pages in excess of the 20-page limitation will not be considered in the evaluation of the proposal (including attachments, appendices, or references, but excluding the Cost Proposal and Company Commercialization Report).

Any proposal involving the use of Bio Hazard Materials must identify in the Technical Proposal whether the contractor has been certified by the Government to perform Bio Level - I, II or III work.

Companies should plan carefully for research involving animal or human subjects, or requiring access to government resources of any kind. Animal or human research must be based on formal protocols that are reviewed and approved both locally and through the Army's committee process. Resources such as equipment, reagents, samples, data, facilities, troops or recruits, and so forth, must all be arranged carefully. The few months available for a Phase I effort may preclude plans including these elements, unless coordinated before a contract is awarded.

If the offeror proposes to use a foreign national(s) [any person who is NOT a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) – refer to Section 2.15 at the front of this solicitation for definitions of “lawful permanent resident” and “protected individual”] as key personnel, they must be clearly identified. For foreign nationals, you must provide resumes, country of origin and an explanation of the individual’s involvement.

No Class 1 Ozone Depleting Chemicals/Ozone Depleting Substances will be allowed for use in this procurement without prior Government approval.

Phase I Proposals must describe the "vision" or "end-state" of the research and the most likely strategy or path for transition of the SBIR project from research to an operational capability that satisfies one or more Army operational or technical requirements in a new or existing system, larger research program, or as a stand-alone product or service.

PHASE I OPTION MUST BE INCLUDED AS PART OF PHASE I PROPOSAL

The Army implemented the use of a Phase I Option that may be exercised to fund interim Phase I activities while a Phase II contract is being negotiated. Only Phase I efforts selected for Phase II awards through the Army’s competitive process will be eligible to exercise the Phase I Option. The Phase I Option, which must be included as part of the Phase I proposal, covers activities over a period of up to four months and should describe appropriate initial Phase II activities that may lead to the successful demonstration of a product or technology. The Phase I Option must be included within the 20-page limit for the Phase I proposal.

A firm‑fixed‑price or cost‑plus‑fixed‑fee Phase I Cost Proposal ($120,000 maximum) must be submitted in detail online. Proposers that participate in this Solicitation must complete the Phase I Cost Proposal not to exceed the maximum dollar amount of $70,000 and a Phase I Option Cost Proposal (if applicable) not to exceed the maximum dollar amount of $50,000. Phase I and Phase I Option costs must be shown separately but may be presented side-by-side on a single Cost Proposal. The Cost Proposal DOES NOT count toward the 20-page Phase I proposal limitation.

Phase I Key Dates

09.3 Solicitation Pre-release July 27 – August 23, 2009

09.3 Solicitation Opens August 24 – September 23, 2009

09.3 Solicitation Closes September 23, 2009; 6:00 a.m. ET

Phase I Evaluations September – December 2009

Phase I Selections December 2009

Phase I Awards January 2010*

*Subject to the Congressional Budget process

PHASE II PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Note! Phase II Proposal Submission is by Army Invitation only.

For Phase II, no separate solicitation will be issued and no unsolicited proposals will be accepted. Only those firms that were awarded Phase I contracts, and are successfully executing their Phase I efforts, will be invited to submit a Phase II proposal. Invitations to submit Phase II proposals will be released at or before the end of the Phase I period of performance. The decision to invite a Phase II proposal will be made based upon the success of the Phase I contract to meet the technical goals of the topic, as well as the overall merit based upon the criteria in section 4.3. DoD is not obligated to make any awards under Phase I, II, or III. DoD is not responsible for any money expended by the proposer before award of any contract. For specifics regarding the evaluation and award of Phase I or II contracts, please read the front section of this solicitation very carefully. Every Phase II proposal will be reviewed for overall merit based upon the criteria in section 4.3 of this solicitation, repeated below:

a. The soundness, technical merit, and innovation of the proposed approach and its incremental progress toward topic or subtopic solution.

b. The qualifications of the proposed principal/key investigators, supporting staff, and consultants. Qualifications include not only the ability to perform the research and development but also the ability to commercialize the results.

c. The potential for commercial (defense and private sector) application and the benefits expected to accrue from this commercialization. The Army exercises discretion on whether a Phase I award recipient is invited to propose for Phase II. Invitations are issued no earlier than completion of the fourth month of the Phase I contract award, with the Phase II proposals generally due one month later. In accordance with SBA policy, the Army reserves the right to negotiate mutually acceptable Phase II proposal submission dates with individual Phase I awardees, accomplish proposal reviews expeditiously, and proceed with Phase II awards.

Invited small businesses are required to develop and submit a technology transition and commercialization plan describing feasible approaches for transitioning and/or commercializing the developed technology in their Phase II proposal. Army Phase II cost proposals must contain a budget for the entire 24 month Phase II period not to exceed the maximum dollar amount of $730,000. During contract negotiation, the contracting officer may require a cost proposal for a base year and an option year. These costs must be submitted using the Cost Proposal format (accessible electronically on the DoD submission site), and may be presented side-by-side on a single Cost Proposal Sheet. The total proposed amount should be indicated on the Proposal Cover Sheet as the Proposed Cost. Phase II projects will be evaluated after the base year prior to extending funding for the option year.

Fast Track (see section 4.5 at the front of the Program Solicitation). Small businesses that participate in the Fast Track program do not require an invitation. Small businesses must submit (1) the Fast Track application within 150 days after the effective date of the SBIR phase I contract and (2) the Phase II proposal within 180 days after the effective date of its Phase I contract.

CONTRACTOR MANPOWER REPORTING APPLICATION (CMRA)

Accounting for Contract Services, otherwise known as Contractor Manpower Reporting Application (CMRA), is a Department of Defense Business Initiative Council (BIC) sponsored program to obtain better visibility of the contractor service workforce. This reporting requirement applies to all Army SBIR contracts.

Beginning in the DoD 2006.2 SBIR solicitation, offerors are instructed to include an estimate for the cost of complying with CMRA as part of the cost proposal for Phase I ($70,000 maximum), Phase I Option ($50,000 max), and Phase II ($730,000 max), under “CMRA Compliance” in Other Direct Costs. This is an estimated total cost (if any) that would be incurred to comply with the CMRA requirement. Only proposals that receive an award will be required to deliver CMRA reporting, i.e. if the proposal is selected and an award is made, the contract will include a deliverable for CMRA.

To date, there has been a wide range of estimated costs for CMRA. While most final negotiated costs have been minimal, there appears to be some higher cost estimates that can often be attributed to misunderstanding the requirement. The SBIR Program desires for the Government to pay a fair and reasonable price. This technical analysis is intended to help determine this fair and reasonable price for CMRA as it applies to SBIR contracts.

· The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) operates and maintains the secure CMRA System. The CMRA Web site is located here: https://cmra.army.mil/.

· The CMRA requirement consists of the following items, which are located within the contract document, the contractor's existing cost accounting system (i.e. estimated direct labor hours, estimated direct labor dollars), or obtained from the contracting officer representative:

(1) Contract number, including task and delivery order number;

(2) Contractor name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of contractor employee entering data;

(3) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-contractors);

(4) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-contractors);

(5) Predominant Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by contractor (and separate predominant FSC for each sub-contractor if different);

(6) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the Army Requiring Activity (The Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information);

(7) Locations where contractor and sub-contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest city, country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on Web site);

· The reporting period will be the period of performance not to exceed 12 months ending September 30 of each government fiscal year and must be reported by 31 October of each calendar year.

· According to the required CMRA contract language, the contractor may use a direct XML data transfer to the Contractor Manpower Reporting System database server or fill in the fields on the Government Web site. The CMRA Web site also has a no-cost CMRA XML Converter Tool.

Given the small size of our SBIR contracts and companies, it is our opinion that the modification of contractor payroll systems for automatic XML data transfer is not in the best interest of the Government. CMRA is an annual reporting requirement that can be achieved through multiple means to include manual entry, MS Excel spreadsheet development, or use of the free Government XML converter tool. The annual reporting should take less than a few hours annually by an administrative level employee. Depending on labor rates, we would expect the total annual cost for SBIR companies to not exceed $500.00 annually, or to be included in overhead rates.

DISCRETIONARY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

In accordance with section 9(q) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(q)), the Army will provide technical assistance services to small businesses engaged in SBIR projects through a network of scientists and engineers engaged in a wide range of technologies. The objective of this effort is to increase Army SBIR technology transition and commercialization success thereby accelerating the fielding of capabilities to Soldiers and to benefit the nation through stimulated technological innovation, improved manufacturing capability, and increased competition, productivity, and economic growth.

The Army has stationed Technical Assistance Advocates (TAAs) in five regions across the Army to provide technical assistance to small businesses that have Phase I and Phase II projects with the participating organizations within their regions.

For more information go to http://www.armysbir.com/sbir/taa_desc.htm.

COMMERCIALIZATION PILOT PROGRAM (CPP)

In FY07, the Army initiated a CPP with a focused set of SBIR projects. The objective of the effort was to increase Army SBIR technology transition and commercialization success and accelerate the fielding of capabilities to Soldiers. The ultimate measure of success for the CPP is the Return on Investment (ROI), i.e. the further investment and sales of SBIR Technology as compared to the Army investment in the SBIR Technology. The CPP will: 1) assess and identify SBIR projects and companies with high transition potential that meet high priority requirements; 2) provide market research and business plan development; 3) match SBIR companies to customers and facilitate collaboration; 4) prepare detailed technology transition plans and agreements; 5) make recommendations and facilitate additional funding for select SBIR projects that meet the criteria identified above; and 6) track metrics and measure results for the SBIR projects within the CPP.

Based on its assessment of the SBIR project’s potential for transition as described above, the Army will utilize a CPP investment fund of SBIR dollars targeted to enhance ongoing Phase II activities with expanded research, development, test and evaluation to accelerate transition and commercialization. The CPP investment fund must be expended according to all applicable SBIR policy on existing Phase II contracts. The size and timing of these enhancements will be dictated by the specific research requirements, availability of matching funds, proposed transition strategies, and individual contracting arrangements.

NON-PROPRIETARY SUMMARY REPORTS

All award winners must submit a non-proprietary summary report at the end of their Phase I project and any subsequent Phase II project. The summary report is unclassified, non-sensitive, and non-proprietary and should include:

· A summation of Phase I results

· A description of the technology being developed

· The anticipated DoD and/or non-DoD customer

· The plan to transition the SBIR developed technology to the customer

· The anticipated applications/benefits for government and/or private sector use

· An image depicting the developed technology

The non-proprietary summary report should not exceed 700 words, and is intended for public viewing on the Army SBIR/STTR Small Business area. This summary report is in addition to the required final technical report and should require minimal work because most of this information is required in the final technical report. The summary report shall be submitted in accordance with the format and instructions posted within the Army SBIR Small Business Portal at http://www.armysbir.com/smallbusinessportal/Firm/Login.aspx and is due within 30 days of the contract end date.

ARMY SUBMISSION OF FINAL TECHNICAL REPORTS

All final technical reports will be submitted to the awarding Army organization in accordance with Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL). Companies should not submit final reports directly to the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).

ARMY SBIR PROGRAM COORDINATORS (PC) and Army SBIR 09.3 Topic Index

Participating Organizations PC Phone

Aviation and Missile RD&E Center (Aviation) PJ Jackson (757) 878-5400

A09-124 Aviators Intelligent Assistant

A09-125 Advanced Turboshaft Engine/Drivetrain Modeling Technique for Real Time Rotorcraft

Simulation

Aviation and Missile RD&E Center (Missile) Otho Thomas (256) 842-9227

A09-126 Nano-Lubricant/Fluid for Improved Weapons System

A09-127 FPGA Low Power Design Rules

A09-128 The Behavior within Minimum Signature Propellants during Impact IM Tests

A09-129 Innovative Sensor to Measure Detonation Properties of Propellants and Explosives

A09-130 Enhancement of Penetration Capability of Light Warheads Into Hardened Walls.

A09-131 Quantitative Back-Annotation of Simulink Models for Hardware Synthesis Optimization

A09-132 Automated Preparation of Geometry Models for Computational Applications

A09-133 Power-On Missile Stage Separation Simulation

A09-134 Air-Breathing Missile Thrust Measurement

Armaments RD & E Center Carol L’ Hommedieu (973) 724-4029

A09-135 Innovative Inertia Devices

A09-136 Multispectral Gamma Detector for Explosives Analysis

A09-137 Fast-Impulse Solid Fuel Miniature Thruster

Army Research Laboratory John Goon (301) 394-4288

A09-138 Multi-Threaded Missions and Means Framework

A09-139 Capacitor thermal management for mobile power electronics

A09-140 Ballistic Shock Mitigation Materials and Technology for protective system

A09-141 Mitigating Optical Turbulence using a Real-time Image Restoration Processor

U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command Nancy Weinbrenner (410) 278-5688

Michael Orlowicz (410) 278-1494

A09-142 Realistic Communications Effects for Evaluation of Tactical Command and Control and

Situational Awareness applications

A09-143 Inertially Stabilized Smart Camera

A09-144 Microfabricated Mass Spectrometer for Near Real-Time Toxic Chemical Detection

Communication Electronics Command Suzanne Weeks (732) 427-3275

A09-145 Advanced Readout Development for High Performance Corrugated Quantum Well Infrared

Photoconductors Technology

A09-146 Proactive Automatic Information Requests

A09-147 Helmet Mounted Radar System (HRMS)

A09-148 Tunnel Detection using MASINT Techniques

A09-149 Visual Measurement Based Autonomous Navigation

A09-150 Problem Conceptualization & Resolution of Network Problems in Tactical Environment

A09-151 In-situ Stress and Temperature Optical Monitoring for low-cost heteroepitaxial substrates for

HgCdTe infrared detectors.

Medical Research and Materiel Command J.R. Myers (301) 619-7377

A09-152 Develop a Point-of-care Antigen Assay for Rickettsial Early Diagnosis

A09-153 Wearable Fiber Optic-Enabled Chemical Nanosensor Array for Warfighters

A09-154 In Vivo Stem Cell Extraction Device

A09-155 Development of a Simple and Rapid Assay for Field Detection of Dengue Viral RNA

A09-156 Development of a Multiplex Hand-held, Field-deployable Assay for the Detection of Tick-borne

Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), and Rickettsia

in Ticks

A09-157 Portable Device for Noninvasive Quantization of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M-TBI)

A09-158 Development of New Repellent Application Techniques for Military Clothing

A09-159 Apparatus for Non-Invasive Estimation of Arterial Carbon-Dioxide Content for Ventilation of

Combat Casualties

Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Gerald Raisanen (508) 233-4223
Center

A09-160 Innovative Microclimate Cooling Technology

A09-161 Novel In-Line Water Purification System

A09-162 Thermoelectric Subsytem for Self-Powered Equipment

A09-163 Automated Data Recording Technology for Assessing Parachute Performance and Use

A09-164 Lightweight Bomb Suit Face Shield

A09-165 Washable Wool Products for Individual Protection

A09-166 One-Time Use Parafoil

A09-167 Biomimetic-based Flame Retardant Materials for Combat Uniforms and Equipment:

Coatings/Fibers Developed from Sustainable and Green Processes

A09-168 Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Shelters

A09-169 Lightweight, Flexible Ballistic Protection System for Arc Shaped Shelters

Program Executive Office Command, Control and Christopher Shin (732) 427-0284
Communications Tactical Vikas Gumber (732) 427-2205

Grace Xiang (732) 427-0284

A09-170 Situational Awareness for Ad-hoc Tactical Networks (SAATN)

A09-171 Scalable Discrete Event Simulations of Asynchronous Dynamic Systems on Massively Parallel

Multi-Core Computers for MANET

Program Executive Office Combat Support & Combat Robert LaPolice (586) 909-9945
Service Support

A09-172 Enterprise Logistics Data Mining & Integration Expert System

A09-173 Smart Sensor Network for Platform Structural Health Monitoring

Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems Peter Haniak (586) 574-8671

Jose Mabesa (586) 574-6751

A09-174 Personal Protective Equipment-Integrated Restraints for Blast Mitigating Seats

A09-175 Development of Silicon Based Lithium-ion Battery Technology

Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Bharat Patel (410) 273-5484
Warfare & Sensors Rich Czernik (410) 273-5406

A09-176 Flat Panel Shelter-Mountable Phased Array Antenna for DoD Systems of Record

Program Executive Office Simulation, Training Robert Forbis (407) 384-3884
and Instrumentation

A09-177 High Off-Boresight Angle Icing Cloud Characterization Probe

PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team Fran Rush (703) 676-0124

Philip Hudner (703) 676-0082

A09-178 Development of High Power Lithium-ion Batteries

Space and Missiles Defense Command Denise Jones (256) 955-0580

A09-179 Phasing Multiple High Power Impulse RF Sources

A09-180 High Performance Power Generation for High Altitude Platforms

Simulation & Training Technology Center Thao Pham (407) 384-5460

A09-181 Dynamic Formats in Distributed Simulation Systems

A09-182 Terrain Database Correlation and Automated Testing Technologies

Tank Automotive Research, Development & Jim Mainero (586) 574-8646
Engineering Center Martin Novak (586) 574-8730

A09-183 Real Time Damage Monitoring of Composite Vehicle Armor Structure Integrity Using Embedded

Sensors

A09-184 Innovative Wheel Control Technologies for Mechanical Counter Mine Equipment

A09-185 High Pressure Layflat Hoseline

A09-186 Improved Tele-Control for Manipulator Equipped Unmanned Ground Vehicles

A09-187 Semi-Autonomous Manipulator Control

A09-188 Teleoperation with High Latency

A09-189 Transducer Technologies for Track Health Monitoring

A09-190 Advanced Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Characterization Using Data Fusion Techniques

A09-191 Vehicle Blast Data Recorder

A09-192 System Design Optimization Model

A09-193 Variable Speed Alternator Drive

A09-194 Army Ground Vehicle Thermodynamic Waste Heat Recovery System

A09-195 Highly Accurate Active Optical Sensor - Proximity Fuze

A09-196 Autonomous Indoor Mapping and Modeling

A09-197 Durability Modeling and Simulation of Composite Materials

A09-198 Fatigue Life Modeling & Simulation of Elastomer-Polymer Materials

A09-199 Ultra High Pressure Jet Propellant-8 (JP-8) Fuel Injection

A09-200 Advanced Battery Management System Development (including advanced prognostic and

diagnostic capability)

A09-201 Lower Life Cycle Cost, High Strength Heat Resistant Polymers for Track Bushing & Pads

A09-202 Enable the Main Vehicle Engine to Operate Efficiently in Silent Watch Services at 15 to 20% of

its rated power

A09-203 Vision-Based Motion Sensing for Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles

A09-204 Standards Based Unmanned Ground Vehicle Mission Language Translator with Graphical

Planning Tool

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

This is a Checklist of Army Requirements for your proposal. Please review the checklist carefully to ensure that your proposal meets the Army SBIR requirements. You must also meet the general DoD requirements specified in the solicitation. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your proposal not being evaluated or considered for award. Do not include this checklist with your proposal.

____ 1. The proposal addresses a Phase I effort (up to $70,000 with up to a six-month duration) AND (if applicable) an optional effort (up to $50,000 for an up to four-month period to provide interim Phase II funding).

____ 2. The proposal is limited to only ONE Army Solicitation topic.

____ 3. The technical content of the proposal, including the Option, includes the items identified in Section 3.5 of the Solicitation.

____ 4. The proposal, including the Phase I Option (if applicable), is 20 pages or less in length (excluding the Cost Proposal and Company Commercialization Report). Pages in excess of the 20-page limitation will not be considered in the evaluation of the proposal (including attachments, appendices, or references, but excluding the Cost Proposal and Company Commercialization Report).

____ 5. The Cost Proposal has been completed and submitted for both the Phase I and Phase I Option (if applicable) and the costs are shown separately. The Army prefers that small businesses complete the Cost Proposal form on the DoD Submission site, versus submitting within the body of the uploaded proposal. The total cost should match the amount on the cover pages.

____ 6. Requirement for Army Accounting for Contract Services, otherwise known as CMRA reporting is included in the Cost Proposal.

____ 7. If applicable, the Bio Hazard Material level has been identified in the technical proposal.

____ 8. If applicable, plan for research involving animal or human subjects, or requiring access to government resources of any kind.

____ 9. The Phase I Proposal describes the "vision" or "end-state" of the research and the most likely strategy or path for transition of the SBIR project from research to an operational capability that satisfies one or more Army operational or technical requirements in a new or existing system, larger research program, or as a stand-alone product or service.

____ 10. If applicable, Foreign Nationals are identified in the proposal. An employee must have an

H-1B Visa to work on a DoD contract.

Army SBIR 09.3 Topic Index

A09-124 Aviators Intelligent Assistant

A09-125 Advanced Turboshaft Engine/Drivetrain Modeling Technique for Real Time Rotorcraft

Simulation

A09-126 Nano-Lubricant/Fluid for Improved Weapons System

A09-127 FPGA Low Power Design Rules

A09-128 The Behavior within Minimum Signature Propellants during Impact IM Tests

A09-129 Innovative Sensor to Measure Detonation Properties of Propellants and Explosives

A09-130 Enhancement of Penetration Capability of Light Warheads Into Hardened Walls.

A09-131 Quantitative Back-Annotation of Simulink Models for Hardware Synthesis Optimization

A09-132 Automated Preparation of Geometry Models for Computational Applications

A09-133 Power-On Missile Stage Separation Simulation

A09-134 Air-Breathing Missile Thrust Measurement

A09-135 Innovative Inertia Devices

A09-136 Multispectral Gamma Detector for Explosives Analysis

A09-137 Fast-Impulse Solid Fuel Miniature Thruster

A09-138 Multi-Threaded Missions and Means Framework

A09-139 Capacitor thermal management for mobile power electronics

A09-140 Ballistic Shock Mitigation Materials and Technology for protective system

A09-141 Mitigating Optical Turbulence using a Real-time Image Restoration Processor

A09-142 Realistic Communications Effects for Evaluation of Tactical Command and Control and

Situational Awareness applications

A09-143 Inertially Stabilized Smart Camera

A09-144 Microfabricated Mass Spectrometer for Near Real-Time Toxic Chemical Detection

A09-145 Advanced Readout Development for High Performance Corrugated Quantum Well Infrared

Photoconductors Technology

A09-146 Proactive Automatic Information Requests

A09-147 Helmet Mounted Radar System (HRMS)

A09-148 Tunnel Detection using MASINT Techniques

A09-149 Visual Measurement Based Autonomous Navigation

A09-150 Problem Conceptualization & Resolution of Network Problems in Tactical Environment

A09-151 In-situ Stress and Temperature Optical Monitoring for low-cost heteroepitaxial substrates for

HgCdTe infrared detectors.

A09-152 Develop a Point-of-care Antigen Assay for Rickettsial Early Diagnosis

A09-153 Wearable Fiber Optic-Enabled Chemical Nanosensor Array for Warfighters

A09-154 In Vivo Stem Cell Extraction Device

A09-155 Development of a Simple and Rapid Assay for Field Detection of Dengue Viral RNA

A09-156 Development of a Multiplex Hand-held, Field-deployable Assay for the Detection of Tick-borne

Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), and Rickettsia

in Ticks

A09-157 Portable Device for Noninvasive Quantization of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M-TBI)

A09-158 Development of New Repellent Application Techniques for Military Clothing

A09-159 Apparatus for Non-Invasive Estimation of Arterial Carbon-Dioxide Content for Ventilation of

Combat Casualties

A09-160 Innovative Microclimate Cooling Technology

A09-161 Novel In-Line Water Purification System

A09-162 Thermoelectric Subsytem for Self-Powered Equipment

A09-163 Automated Data Recording Technology for Assessing Parachute Performance and Use

A09-164 Lightweight Bomb Suit Face Shield

A09-165 Washable Wool Products for Individual Protection

A09-166 One-Time Use Parafoil

A09-167 Biomimetic-based Flame Retardant Materials for Combat Uniforms and Equipment:

Coatings/Fibers Developed from Sustainable and Green Processes

A09-168 Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Shelters

A09-169 Lightweight, Flexible Ballistic Protection System for Arc Shaped Shelters

A09-170 Situational Awareness for Ad-hoc Tactical Networks (SAATN)

A09-171 Scalable Discrete Event Simulations of Asynchronous Dynamic Systems on Massively Parallel

Multi-Core Computers for MANET

A09-172 Enterprise Logistics Data Mining & Integration Expert System

A09-173 Smart Sensor Network for Platform Structural Health Monitoring

A09-174 Personal Protective Equipment-Integrated Restraints for Blast Mitigating Seats

A09-175 Development of Silicon Based Lithium-ion Battery Technology

A09-176 Flat Panel Shelter-Mountable Phased Array Antenna for DoD Systems of Record

A09-177 High Off-Boresight Angle Icing Cloud Characterization Probe

A09-178 Development of High Power Lithium-ion Batteries

A09-179 Phasing Multiple High Power Impulse RF Sources

A09-180 High Performance Power Generation for High Altitude Platforms

A09-181 Dynamic Formats in Distributed Simulation Systems

A09-182 Terrain Database Correlation and Automated Testing Technologies

A09-183 Real Time Damage Monitoring of Composite Vehicle Armor Structure Integrity Using Embedded

Sensors

A09-184 Innovative Wheel Control Technologies for Mechanical Counter Mine Equipment

A09-185 High Pressure Layflat Hoseline

A09-186 Improved Tele-Control for Manipulator Equipped Unmanned Ground Vehicles

A09-187 Semi-Autonomous Manipulator Control

A09-188 Teleoperation with High Latency

A09-189 Transducer Technologies for Track Health Monitoring

A09-190 Advanced Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Characterization Using Data Fusion Techniques

A09-191 Vehicle Blast Data Recorder

A09-192 System Design Optimization Model

A09-193 Variable Speed Alternator Drive

A09-194 Army Ground Vehicle Thermodynamic Waste Heat Recovery System

A09-195 Highly Accurate Active Optical Sensor - Proximity Fuze

A09-196 Autonomous Indoor Mapping and Modeling

A09-197 Durability Modeling and Simulation of Composite Materials

A09-198 Fatigue Life Modeling & Simulation of Elastomer-Polymer Materials

A09-199 Ultra High Pressure Jet Propellant-8 (JP-8) Fuel Injection

A09-200 Advanced Battery Management System Development (including advanced prognostic and

diagnostic capability)

A09-201 Lower Life Cycle Cost, High Strength Heat Resistant Polymers for Track Bushing & Pads

A09-202 Enable the Main Vehicle Engine to Operate Efficiently in Silent Watch Services at 15 to 20% of

its rated power

A09-203 Vision-Based Motion Sensing for Small Unmanned Ground Vehicles

A09-204 Standards Based Unmanned Ground Vehicle Mission Language Translator with Graphical

Planning Tool
Army SBIR 09.3 Topic Descriptions

A09-124 TITLE: Aviators Intelligent Assistant

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Electronics, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Aviation

OBJECTIVE: Develop a decision making device, Aviation Intelligent Agent, to be incorporated into a cockpit environment providing both contextual and graphic information/solutions to reduce the already overloaded flight crews.

DESCRIPTION: Mission execution is a complex event, in dynamic environments requiring rapid decision-making capabilities while inducing enormous amount of stress and additional burdens on the flight crews. Flight crews are already overloaded with normal activities: crew management, ensuing situation awareness, platform health, mission priorities, and etc. With new technologies evolving we are constantly increasing crews workload by adding new systems to the airframes and associated systems. This overloading of activities can cripple a flight crew resulting in loss of the resource or even worst loss of the crew and platform.

A proposed solution is to design and develop an automated Aviators Intelligent Assistant that will complement the air crews. It will integrate into the flight deck environment and yet will not induce additional burden or distraction. This device will have the ability to interact with both battle command management and crew activities to provide some sort of decision matrix. The system should convey both textural and graphic information utilizing a high performance computing genetic programming process for solutions.

Critical information that must be accounted for but not limited to: information relevant to the current location, mission plan and directives, monitoring the critical sensor systems/networks associated with the aircraft, tracking critical decision points related to mission success and notifying the crew when requirements are method or reminding them of decision point before it is missed and finally having the ability to track and interpret where natural/friendly forces are in the battle space.

We are searching for an intelligent decision making solution that can work within current or soon-to-be-deployed onboard tactical information systems, such as the Engine Instrument Caution Advisory System (EICAS), the Flight Director/Digital Control Panel (FD/DCP) or Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) and can be tested and integrated in virtual cockpits prior to being transitioned to real aircraft. Core requirements for such a technology include the ability to model and respond to changes in aircrew context including location and mission status information, incorporate direction from the air crew, and manage and/or perform information configuration and presentation processes.

Our intention is to develop the intelligent decision capability first than integrate it into the airframes. However, keep in mind that the developed system will need to be flight certified.

PHASE I: Design and determine the feasibility of mission-relevant information decision-making device, Aviators Intelligent Agent. This agent should have the capabilities to interface and communicate with battle command, sensor systems/networks and airframe computers providing the air crews with solutions and options to better execute their mission.

PHASE II: Develop a prototype tool and hardware to integrate the Aviators Intelligent Agent into the AMRDEC APEX lab at Redstone Arsenal. The device should incorporate both graphical and textual information to provide solutions and options to the crew.

PHASE III: The proposed system has applications in both military and commercial domains. The resultant prototype can be transitioned, with assistance from the Army customer, to display systems on fielded C2 vehicles/platforms requiring human operators to reason about large amounts of diverse information. In the commercial market, this prototype could be transitioned to existing commercial helicopter cockpit interfaces. Furthermore, the intelligent interface concept could be extended to improve scores of existing technologies featuring real-time displays that interact with the user (GPS/navigation displays, smart-phones, etc.).

KEYWORDS: information delivery, intelligent assistant, cognitive decision aids, information overload, intelligent agents, pilot workload, crew situational awareness

A09-125 TITLE: Advanced Turboshaft Engine/Drivetrain Modeling Technique for Real Time Rotorcraft

Simulation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Information Systems, Space Platforms

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Aviation

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this effort is to develop an innovative and advanced modeling technique for turboshaft engine/drivtrain dynamics capable of supporting real-time rotorcraft flight simulation. The resulting modeling technique shall be of a generic architecture and not specific to a particular vendor (i.e. engine or airframe manufacturer).

DESCRIPTION: Current state-of-the-art turboshaft engine and drivetrain models are custom built models specific to a particular engine and simulation application. The engine thermodynamics model requires a significant amount of empirical transient engine performance data used in a table lookup format. For drivetrain dynamics, a single rotational degree of freedom (DOF) is typically utilized. In reality, rotorcraft drivetrain dynamics involves multiple DOFs. Even for the simplest configuration, a conventional single main rotor and tail rotor, there are main gearbox dynamics and a tail rotor drive system which have multiple distinct frequencies and various transient characteristics. This approach suffers from inaccuracy in modeling the engine/drivetrain dynamics during transient states. The need for empirical data and the inaccuracy during transient behavior means the current modeling techniques cannot be used for preliminary aircraft performance evaluations.

Advancement in state-of-the-art rotorcraft models now generates the requirement for a new advanced approach to modeling engine/drivetrain dynamics. This is due to the fact that the engine and drivetrain dynamics are closely coupled with the main/tail rotor dynamics and strongly impact the aircraft transient response. This is especially true for modern rotorcraft that are equipped with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems. A modern FADEC tightly couples the engine/drivetrain and rotor/airframe dynamics, both of which are also coupled with modern flight control systems. Previous rotorcraft models lacked the fidelity to accurately model helicopter performance during aggressive transient maneuvers, restricting the models application, and therefore idealized engine models (i.e. no engine dynamics) were sufficient for preliminary design.

The lack of availability of accurate transient engine data in the early phases of the acquisition process can lead to redesigns later in the design process causing delays and cost increases. Development of a high fidelity modeling tool that can support real time simulation of the coupled rotors/engine/drivetrain/flight control system is essential for designing new rotorcraft or upgrading existing aircraft.

PHASE I: The objective of the Phase I effort is to develop a physics-based formulation to model turboshaft engine thermodynamics and drivetrain dynamics without relying on empirical transient performance data. Given time dependant inputs such as fuel flow and atmospheric conditions, this model shall generate the resulting engine/drivetrain time-dependant response. In addition, a feasibility study to incorporate the solution into an industry standard rotorcraft simulation program shall be completed.

PHASE II: The objective of Phase II is to fully implement the physics-based engine thermodynamics model and the coupled engine/drivetrain/rotor dynamics in a high fidelity real time rotorcraft simulation. Test and validate the simulation with Army helicopters.

PHASE III: The objective of Phase III is to develop simulation applications with the advanced modeling methodology and provide a final software package and demonstrate the functionality to government engineers. It is anticipated that these models will be incorporated into engineering development simulators during the preliminary design phase as well as training simulators. Given that this methodology can accurately simulate the transient thermodynamic and drivetrain dynamics, this will greatly improve design optimization in all phases of procurement, expand the role and effectiveness of both commercial and military simulators used for procedural and proficiency training as well as desktop simulation design analysis, design optimization and simulation based acquisition.

DUAL USE APPLICATION: The advanced turboshaft engine and coupled drivetrain modeling technique can serve as a useful design and evaluation tool for both rotorcraft and turboshaft engine manufacturers of commercial and military systems. The modeling functionality can also be effectively utilized for full rotorcraft simulation and provide valuable simulation support throughout the rotorcraft acquisition, design, engineering, and testing life cycle.

REFERENCES:

1. NASA Contractor Report 166309, "UH-60A Black Hawk Engineering Simulation Program: Volume I Mathematical Model", December 1981.

KEYWORDS: Turboshaft Engine, Engine Thermodynamics, Rotorcraft Simulation, Unmanned Air Vehicles

A09-126 TITLE: Nano-Lubricant/Fluid for Improved Weapons System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team

OBJECTIVE: This topic's primary objective is the development and demonstration a nano-lubricant/fluid to significantly reduce gear erosion wear on Army missile weapon systems, with a secondary objective to significantly improve system heat transfer.

DESCRIPTION: The Army has a need for nano-lubricants/fluids that increase the reliability, readiness, and survivability of its weapons systems while reducing the sustainability and maintenance. The harsh conditions in the current operating environment, such as extreme high temperatures, have hampered missile weapon system performance, impacting drive train and turbine power efficiency on systems such as the Abrams tank, and the M270 and HIMARS vehicles. More heat removal would result in smaller coolers and less weight, thus increasing the weapon system's survivability by reducing the heat signature.

PHASE I: The Phase I objective would involve the development of formulas and technology transfer strategies to implement a nano lubricant/fluid on a variety of Army missile weapon system engines, transmissions, and other gears. The contractor should demonstrate the ability to produce significant quantities for testing. Following testing, the contractor should define overall impacts and improvements to missile weapon system survivability, maintenance, reliability and sustainability. The contractor should understand environmental and safety concerns, as well as, propose methods to address these concerns. Also, need to define disposal issues concerning Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health and any special disposal costs. Define metrics that will be used to show improvements that will be demonstrated in Phase II.

PHASE II: The Phase II objective will be to develop nano lubricants/fluids, apply them, and test/demonstrate their capabilities. The developed nano lubricants/fluids with the nano-additive should be compared to a baseline fluid that does not contain nano-additives. The comparison will be A to B (i.e. under identical testing conditions and loads). Measurements will include power transfer loss by %, heat rejection deltas, fluid breakdown results (i.e. longevity of the fluid). The comparisons will be direct of one fluid versus the other. Accomplishment of greater than 5% increase in power transfer and heat rejection increases of 1% or greater versus the baseline fluid will be considered a success. Also, tribological studies of wear patterns of the gears being tested could be performed. An oil analysis will reveal the degradation of each fluid studied, environmental disposal concerns, and wear metals entrapped in the fluid. Testing needs to show these nano lubricants/fluids can significantly improve Army missile weapon system survivability, maintenance, reliability and sustainability.

PHASE III: In addition to the use on Army missile weapon systems, these nano lubricants/fluidss could be used on Army aircraft systems. Potential uses for the lubricants are the Apache engine and drive trains. The commercial application has huge potential since the auto industry could greatly benefit from a motor or gear lubricant that significantly improves fuel economy and increases lubricity. An example of an aircraft system application could be on the cooling system for the Apache Block 3 nose gearbox. A commercial application could be for the differential that requires a cooler.

REFERENCES:

1. Nanotribology and Lubrication Mechanisms of Inorganic Fullerene-Like MoS2 Nanoparticles Investigated using Lateral Force Microscopy, J.J Hu and J.S Zabinski, Air Force Research Laboratory, Tribology Letters, Vol. 18, No. 2, February 2005.

No other public references are available.

KEYWORDS: lubricant, gear, transmission, engine, additive, drivetrain, heat transfer, heat removal, transmission, engine, cooler

A09-127 TITLE: FPGA Low Power Design Rules

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team

OBJECTIVE: Contractor shall develop a field programmable gate array (FPGA) synthesis tool plug-in software application and a set of design rules to reduce power consumption of commercial field programmable gate arrays.

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this SBIR is to develop a FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool to significantly reduce the power consumption of commercial field programmable gate arrays.

Commercial FPGA programming software tools use a FPGA synthesis tool to route the connections between logic gates, look-up tables, and random access memory (RAM). A design rules file is used by the FPGA synthesis tool to connect the elements together within the design specifications for the FPGA. The road map contained in the design rules configuration file provides the FPGA synthesis tool with the intelligence required to compile the FPGA high level language hardware description and route the programmable connection fabric for the FPGA. Current commercial tools are optimized to maximize operation speed, and minimize logic gate count, look-up tables, amount of RAM required, etc.

We are interested in the development of a FPGA synthesis plug-in software application tool that will minimize FPGA power consumption instead of the traditional approach of minimizing gate count, Look-up Tables (LUT), etc. In order to develop a FPGA synthesis tool to minimize power consumption, the contractor shall develop a set of design rules to minimize power consumption. The FPGA synthesis plug-in software application tool shall utilize the design rules to compile and FPGA high level language hardware description into a FPGA binary file (hardware equivalent of a software executable file).

PHASE I: Contractor shall research the feasibility of developing (1) a FPGA synthesis plug-in software application tool, and (2) programming design rules to reduce power consumption for FPGAs by an order of magnitude over commercial specification.

Contractor shall research how gate count at 0%, 20%, 50%, 70%, and 100% FPGA gate count affects the power consumption of an FPGA.

Contractor shall research the feasibility of FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool(s) for either a single device, a family of devices, or for multiple FPGA manufacturers. Contractor shall research the feasibility of developing a set of design rules to minimize FPGA power consumption. The design rules shall provide the intelligence for the FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool.

Contractor shall provide a report describing how the FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool(s) will utilize the low power design rules to compile a digital system described by Very High Level Design Language (VHDL), High Level Design (HDL), Verilog, System Verilog, etc. into a programmed FPGA. Contractor shall provide a final report describing the FPGA synthesis software tool, roadmap described the low design rules, and any required support hardware.

PHASE II: Contractor shall develop a prototype (1) FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool and (2) the low power design rules.

Contractor shall have an independent lab test and evaluate the FPGA synthesis tool and low power design rules. Contractor shall provide a copy of the test and evaluation report to the government.

Contractor shall deliver (1) FPGA synthesis plug-in application software tool and low power design rules, (2) two FPGA evaluation boards, and (3) any required commercial FPGA software tools to the government point of contact. Contractor shall provide a preliminary performance description for the FPGA synthesis plug-in software tool. Contractor shall provide a final report describing the FPGA synthesis plug-in software tool. Contractor shall provide a 2 day on site training for the FPGA development/synthesis/debugging toolset, and integrated development environment.

PHASE III: Contractor shall team with a commercial FPGA tool vendor to incorporate the FPGA synthesis tool targeted towards low power applications into a commercial FPGA integrated development environment.

Military embedded computers using FPGAs will benefit from lower power consumption. Contractor shall investigate the potential of a commercial version of the FPGA synthesis tool targeted towards low power applications. Commercial electronics, particularly battery power devices, will benefit from the flexibility of FPGAs and the lower power consumption provided by the low power design rules.

REFERENCES:

[1] C. Weisheng, et al.: ï¿½Low-power field-programmable VLSI processor using dynamic circuits,ï¿½ IEEE Computer society Annual Symposium on VLSI, pp. 243 ï¿½ 248, Feb. 2004.

[2] E. Monmasson, and M. Cirstea: FPGA Design Methodology for Industrial Control Systems - A Review, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, Vol. 54, Issue 4, pp. 1824-1842, Aug. 2007.

[3] M. Marik, and A. Pal: High Performance and Low Power Synthesis Approach for ACTEL based FPGAs, IEEE Region 10 TENCON, pp. 1-6, Nov. 2005.

[4] G. Garcia, et al.: Reducing the power consumption in FPGAs with keeping a high performance level, IEEE Computer Society Workshop on VLSI, pp. 47-52, April 2000.

[5] K. Paulsson, et al.: Cost-and Power Optimized FPGA based System Integration: Methodologies and Integration of a Low-Power Capacity-based Measurement Application on Xilinx FPGAs, Design, Automation and Test in Europe, pp. 50-55, March 2008.

[6] P. Leong: Recent Trends in FPGA Architectures and Applications, IEEE International Symposium on Electronic Design, Test and Applications, pp. 137-141, Jan. 2008.

KEYWORDS: FPGA, low power, design rules, field programmable gate array, FPGA synthesis

A09-128 TITLE: The Behavior within Minimum Signature Propellants during Impact IM Tests

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop a model that accurately predicts the violent behavior of minimum signature, Class 1.1 (detonable) propellants to bullet impact (BI), fragment impact (FI), and shaped charge jet (SCJ) Insensitive Munitions (IM) threats.

DESCRIPTION: Several incidents that resulted in significant loss of life and property, including the one on the Forrestal during the Viet Nam conflict, and more recently Camp DoHa, demonstrated that bombs and missiles are susceptible to bullet and fragment impact, slow and fast cook-off, sympathetic detonation, and shape charge jet threats. MIL-STD-2105C outlines the Insensitive Munitions program that requires all warheads, explosives, and propulsion systems to comply with its requirements (no reaction more severe than burning) or get waivers while they work toward meeting their requirements.

US Army Aviation and Missile Commands Safety Office is developing a model to predict the response of conventional high performance, non-detonable Class 1.3 propellants to BI, FI, and SCJ threats; however, there has been little effort in modeling the detonable Class 1.1 minimum signature propellants. The Physical and chemical properties of 1.3 propellants, that have hydroxy-terminated polybuatadiene-based binders, are significantly different than those for 1.1 minimum signature propellants with nitrocellulose-based binders. The model for 1.3 high performance propellants, therefore, cannot accurately predict the response of Class 1.1 minimum signature propellants to these IM threats.

PHASE I: The goal of Phase 1 is to establish the hypotheses that will be the backbone of the model. This includes developing a top-level understanding of the physics and chemistry occurring during the impacts of the three threats into the propellant and collecting experimental sub- and full-scale IM data. A detailed outline of the model will be prepared that describes the planned Phase II effort, and the approach to be taken.

PHASE II: The full model that was outlined in Phase I will be developed during Phase II. This model will incorporate state-of-the-art physics and chemistry understanding into the model. The necessary mechanical models, or equations of state needed as input to the analysis will be defined.The existing sub- and full-scale IM data base will be used to validate the model. At the end of Phase II, the model will be capable of predicting the behavior of a propellant formulation, in a motor configuration, provided by the Army, in a sub-scale FI test. Using data obtained from an experimental sub-scale FI test, the contractor will compare the prediction to the experimental results to provide further validation.

REFERENCES:

1. Sutton, Georg P., and Biblarz, Oscar, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Seventh Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York. 2001.

2. Mader, Charles L. Numerical Modeling of Detonations. UniversityOf California Press. 1979.

3. Bullet and Fragment Impact Hazards To Solid Rocket Motors, Selected Papers The John Hopkins University. CPIA Pub. SP 92-06

KEYWORDS: Insensitive Munitions; solid propellants; minimum signature propellants; Class 1.1 propellants; bullet impact tests; fragment impact tests; shaped charge jet tests; Insensitive Munitions; detonation, hydrocodes.

A09-129 TITLE: Innovative Sensor to Measure Detonation Properties of Propellants and Explosives

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: Develop a sensor system that is capable of being inserted into a propellants and explosives to measure the velocity, position, pressure and temperatures of the deflagration/detonation wave associated with ignition of energetic materials.

DESCRIPTION: In the early stages of detonation, the behavior of any explosive during the dynamic transition from early low-order detonation up to the full-order detonation at nominal detonation velocity is critical in determining the robustness of the initiation and detonation process. This duration of transient detonation velocity change is commonly referred to as dynamic shock detonation and these transients scale to very short times and distances for ideal explosives. The transients in non-ideal propellants and explosives scale to longer times and distances. Experimental techniques that measure a continuous change in detonation velocity provide insight into this dynamic regime of initiation physics. Continuous velocity measurements are significantly more accurate in determining this run-up in velocity relative to single point measurements (such as ionization pins or piezoelectric shock pins), which yield only the average velocity measurement between the individual pin placement points. Additional information provided by pressure and temperature measurements performed during this process would enable a new and powerful diagnostic tool for improving the performance of highly energetic materials. The data obtained by innovative sensors can be used to validate models that predict propellant and explosive behavior during Insensitive Munitons treats. It is important that any new diagnostic tool for energetic systems be intrinsically safe.

PHASE I: Develop and design approach for a measurement system that can be used externally or internally with energetic material. This system will measure key parameters associated with a blast wave including velocity, position, pressure and temperature. Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach and evaluate it with respect to stated performance objectives. These tests will demonstrate the difference between materials that deflagrate and those that detonate.

PHASE II: Design, fabricate, package, test and demonstrate a prototype system that can be embedded into highly energetic material and used to support measurement of the velocity, position, pressure and temperature associated with blast waves associated with detonating material. This system will be used to characterize existing propellants and explosives to demonstrate the ability to obtain accurate and reliable data that can be used to validate theoretical models.

PHASE III: Fabricate, package, test and demonstrate the technology into a commercial system. This sensor system will be of great interest in the testing community. It will measure temperature at microsecond time frams. Standard thermocouples, can not respond in the very short time-frames required. It will be able to measure pressure in ways that are not possible with conventional pressure transduces and they even have a chance of replacing existing transducers at energetic testing facilities. Dual use applications include other transportation modes that have the potential for sudden catastrophic failures, such as black boxes in aircraft or commercial missiles for satellite insertion or commercial maned space flight. These sensors would be linked to the black boxes from critical areas such as motors, engines, and ejection seats. Automobile air bag manufacturers could be interested because the response from this sensor willl have a faster response than current sensors.

REFERENCES:

1.TB 700-2 Department of Defense Ammunition and Explosives Hazard Classifiation (newest revision)

2.MIL-STD-1751A (or newest revision) Department of Defense Test Method Standard Safety and Performance Tests of the Qualification of Explosives (High Explosives, Propellants, and Pyrotechnics)

3.49 CFR Title 49 Hazardous Material Regulations (newest revision)

4.MIL-STD-2105C (or newest revision) Department of Defense Test Method Standard Hazard Assessment Tests for Non-Nuclear Munitions (Insensitive Munitions Standard)

KEYWORDS: velocity, temperature, and pressure sensors; detonation; deflagration; propellants; explosives; Insensitive Munitions

A09-130 TITLE: Enhancement of Penetration Capability of Light Warheads Into Hardened Walls.

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop and demonstrate novel technologies that can be used to enhance the penetration capabilies of light weight warheads and allow for a follow through warhead to enter a masonry structure.

DESCRIPTION: The modern day targets have shifted away from tanks and armored vehicles to Urban Structures. These operations are called MOUT, Military Operations in Urban Terrain. We have an extensive inventory of man portable weapons, using shaped charges, that can be used to defeat tanks and armored vehicles but that threat has greatly diminished and the new threat is MOUT targets. The shaped charged warheads can penetrate the MOUT structures but unlike inside a tank they do not provide a substantial incapacitation of personnel inside that structure. They make a very small hole inside the structure and as long as you are not unlucky enough to be standing right where the shaped charge hits, you will walk out of the structure unharmed. For that reason a new class of shoulder launched weapons has been in development. These weapons are called ASM, Anti Structural Munitions. How they work is that they penetrate inside the structure where the warhead will then detonate and they use blast over pressure to provide the lethality. The blast over pressure will provide lethality by three different mechanisms. Primary blast lethality is caused by the over pressure working on the human body directly resulting in injuries like blast lung. Secondary blast lethality is caused by the blast overpressure throwing debris or the building collapsing on top of combatants inside. Tertiary blast lethality is caused by the blast over pressure picking the combatants up and throwing them against walls or floors.

Presently, our shoulder launched weapons that are designed for MOUT targets, are very effective at penetrating and neutralizing single brick and brick over block structures but are not effective at penetrating or breaching harder targets. The class of shoulder launched weapons of initial interest here are the LAW Anti Structural Munitions, SMAW, SMAW D, Carl Gaustav and AT-4 weapon systems. Presently all of these weapon systems do have Anti Structural warheads but the limit of those warheads is that they cannot penetrate Double Reinforced Concrete, DRC, and double or triple brick. For these types of targets the soldiers have to call in artillery support.

CBA Report Dated 06 July 2005 identifies a capabilities gap that still needs to be filled. That report states the follow requirements exist to Incapacitate personnel protected by urban structures (DRC, Double and Triple Brick), within an earth & timber bunkers, protected by stone bunkers (HEL TM 30-78), protected by fighting positions within buildings, and within a stationary or moving (15 kph) Light Armored Vehicle (30 mm RHA). Additionally the CBA Report sets weight requirements that the new weapon system weigh less than 15 pounds which puts this effort in the LAW or SMAW size weapon.

Current shaped charge designs are very effective at creating a very deep but very small diameter hole. As a rule of thumb a 1 diameter Shaped charge will create a 0.3 diameter hole in Rolled Homogeneous Armor that can be feet thick. This is good when you want to defeat a tank but not very effective against brick or concrete structures. Even with a 3 diameter shaped charge you will only get a 1 diameter hole and that will not allow you to effectively get a follow through round inside the structure. To get the follow through round inside the structure a precursor charge that can soften the concrete or create a much larger hole needs to be developed.

The requirements for the shoulder launched weapon system are that the entire system weight be 15 pounds or less, less than 32 carry length and effective against targets listed in the 06 July CBA Report. The anticipated weight of the follow through round is 2-3.5 pounds with a final velocity in the 350-500/ sec range. This leaves a budget for the warhead section, including the follow through of 3-5 pounds. Of that 3-5 pounds 1-1.5 pounds can be used for the precursor charge. Due to the limit on system weight the anticipated system size will be a 66 - 83 mm round.

What we are looking for are novel concepts in the 1-1.5 pound range that will soften an area of concrete with a diameter of 66-83mm and up to 12 thick to allow the follow through round to penetrate the target.

Once this technology has been developed, tested and matured for the light weight shoulder launched systems it can be easily transitioned into much larger systems Hellfire or Javelin in enhance their penetration capabilities.

PHASE I: Proof of Concept: The goal of Phase I is to develop and test promising technologies to accomplish this mission. This will include the manufacture of charge designs, modeling and static testing to show Proof Of Concept that the new technology has the potential to penetrate the targets and would be weaponizable in a light weight shoulder launched weapon. It is envisioned that several concepts will be evaluated for their penetration or softening capabilities and that the most promising will be awarded a Phase II effort.

PHASE II: Development and Demonstration: The goal of Phase II would be to mature the technology and to demonstrate, in a prototype warhead, that the new technology does enhance the penetration capability and delivers a follow through payload of sufficient size to incapacitate personnel inside the structure. The plan would be for the SBIR business to team with a commercial weapons manufacturer to conduct a live demonstration of their new warhead penetration concept. This demonstration would include the precursor warhead attached to an inert follow through round and integrated into one of the existing shoulder launched weapon system. The Threshold for success would be to be able to penetrate double brick with the follow through round and the objective would be to penetrate DRC and Triple Brick.

PHASE III: Weaponization: This effort will be for the transition of the new warhead technology to a commercial weapons manufacturer, weaponization, System level live fire tests, and qualification of the new warhead for soldier use. There are two main domestic commercial weapons manufactures for this class of weapon system. Those are Talley Defense Systems for the LAW and SMAW systems and ATK for the Carl Gaustav and AT-4. Tally Defense Systems would be the preferred vendor because they actually own both the LAW and the SMAW systems where as ATK only has a licensing agreement with Bofers for the AT-4 and Carl Gaustav. This technology could be used by Search and Rescue teams to allow them to quickly punch holes in walls of a collasped building or structure and allow for a camera, air tube or listening device to be inserted in the hole created by the precursor charge. In natural desaster events like earthquakes accessing inside a collasped structure is very time consuming and dangerous. They often have to wait for heavy equipment to move debris or drill through the walls. Use of the precursor charge would enable much quicker access inside the collasped building so that anyone traped can receive help faster.

REFERENCES:

1. CBA Report for Close Combat Weapons, dated 06 2005

KEYWORDS: Penetrating warheads, breaching hard targets, shaped charge, follow-through, unitary warheads, tandem warheads

A09-131 TITLE: Quantitative Back-Annotation of Simulink Models for Hardware Synthesis Optimization

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this program is to develop a tool for back annotating Simulink models used for hardware design with timing, area, and power information from the as-built system for use by subject matter experts performing optimization.

DESCRIPTION: Model Based Design and Implementation (MBDI) of computational systems is an evolving discipline whose goal is to allow subject matter experts (SME) to take a simulation model directly into a hardware implementation without utilization of design phases. The goal of MBDI is to have the model developed by SME be the design for the final implementation. MBDI will significantly reduce risk, lower cost, and accelerate life-cycle management of computationally based systems. It reduces the number of design cycles required to implement model based designs.

Traditional design involves multiple phases including modeling and simulation, architectural design, detailed design, and code and unit test. Each phase is further and further removed from the modeling world of the SME who best understand what the system is to accomplish. Changes and improvements to a system require that they first be expressed at the model and simulation level, and then be translated into the multiple phases expressed earlier. These intervening design cycles introduce significant risk that (i) the design intent is lost, (ii) errors are introduced, and (iii) system life-cycle costs increase. At present, this translation is accomplished by a series of independent tools which, first translate Simulink models into C programs, then translate C programs into VHDL, and finally yet other tools translate the VHDL into the final chip layout.

A key problem is each level of processing flattens the upper level architectural entities and replaces them with lower level components. A complex mathematical formula in Simulink may appear as a set of C instructions which in turn appear as a set of VHDL statements which in turn appear as a set of gates which in turn appear as a set of switch settings in an FPGA. When timing, area or power properties of the gates are finally determined it is very difficult to identify the high level Simulink component that is associated with the detailed lower level information.

The goal of this project is to develop a tool which is able to back-annotate the high level constructs with the low level properties thus allowing the SME to optimize the design. Back-annotation is the process of linking lower level data with higher level design entities. The tool must create a meta-model which tracks the linkage between the low level constructs and the high level abstracts.

Prior work in back-annotation has been performed in other, more limited domains. Reference (1) describes a back-annotation system for propagating worst case timing estimates to Matlab/Simulink models. This data, however, is not real information obtained from as-built systems but is rather an estimator. Reference (2) describes back-annotation of post layout delay information into models where the models are graph representations of a computation. These models are substantially lower level than those presented by Simulink models.

Once such a meta-model is developed, it can also provide enhanced capability for the verification and validation of such systems, providing an identifiable linkage between the low level implementations and high level abstractions.

ITAR control is not required. DD Form 254 is not required.

PHASE I: The goal of the Phase I research will be to (i) identify the design entities used in each level of a MBDI environment, (ii) develop a meta-model for each of these entities and a linkage mechanism between them, (iii) demonstrate a meta-model language suitable for representation of the meta-model (for example, UML), and (iv) identify the critical performance parameters that need to be back annotated for design optimization (e.g. timing, power, area, etc.).

The deliverable for the Phase I effort will be a detailed report proposing how to create the meta-models, how to link the models together, and how to provide the information to the SME.

PHASE II: The goal of the Phase II work will be to develop, test and demonstrate the tools for: (i) creating the meta-models, (ii) linking the meta-models to the abstract model at the top and low level models at the bottom, and (iii) to provide back-annotation of performance details at the lower level to the higher level abstract models.

The deliverable for the Phase II effort will be a prototype system that actually creates meta-models of the high level system and cross links these to low level implementation together with low level performance information.

PHASE III: The end state for Phase II will be a working prototype tool for back-annotating high level models with low level performance data such as timing, area and power consumption. Typical military systems to which this tool can be applied are missile guidance/navigation, treat tracking/recognition, radar scene generation, and fire control.

This tool can be used in any commercial activity that pre-supposes a path from modeling and simulation to implementation using a model based design tool such as Simulink. Funding for this effort is expected to be provided for by one or more of the electronic design automation tool vendors such as Mentor Graphics, or one of the modeling tool vendors such as Mathworks.

REFERENCES:

1. WCET Analysis for Systems Modelled in Matlab/Simulink. Raimund Kimer, Peter Puschner, http://www.vmars.tuwien.ac.at/documents/extern/781/paper.pdf, reference accessed Jan 21, 2009

2. Backward Annotation of Post Layout Delay Information into High-Level Syntheses Processes for Performance Optimizations, S. Park, K. Kin, H. Chang, J. Jeon, K. Choi, In Proceedings of 6th International Conference on VLSI and CAD, pages 25--28, Oct. 1999

KEYWORDS: information systems technology, model-based design and implementation, meta-modeling, back-annotation of performance data.

A09-132 TITLE: Automated Preparation of Geometry Models for Computational Applications

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: Contractor shall develop methods that automatically import, repair, defeature, and construct surface and volume meshes of three-dimensional geometry models for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) applications.

DESCRIPTION: It is a well known fact within the Government and commercial sectors of computational science communities that, generally speaking, three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) geometry models constructed for manufacturing purposes are not directly useable by applications such as computational aerodynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM), computational heat transfer, and computational electro-magnetics solvers. Production level CAD models typically contain thousands of small internal and/or external geometric details that do not add value to the analysis being conducted and which must be removed. In addition, these geometries almost always possess numerous bolt holes and gaps that prevent CAD models from being watertight. Watertightness of components of interest is an essential requirement for them to be useable by computational analysis tools, so these openings have to be sealed. Further, since CAD tools (both commercial and Government) may not import the models geometric entities correctly, additional repairs must be performed. However, after all repairs and defeaturing have been performed, surface and volume meshes must be constructed for direct use by computational applications. Currently, several weeks are needed to perform the typical preparations described above, and this directly reduces the responsiveness and productivity of the computational engineer. It is essential that this process be streamlined so that computational engineers become more productive, responsive to customer requests (such as those posed by the Targets Management Office, the Joint Attack Munition Systems Project Office, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Project Office, and the Missile Defense Agency), and competitive in the global marketplace. Consequently, innovative solutions are requested that automate the geometry model preparation process for computational applications so that the process time is reduced to a few hours. ITAR control is required, but a DD Form 254 is not required.

PHASE I: Contractor shall develop and demonstrate prototype computer software that: (1) imports production level, three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) geometries in the STEP and Parasolid formats, (2) automatically identifies and repairs geometric entities that get imported incorrectly, (3) allows the user to automatically remove internal or external features while retaining all external or internal features, (4) automatically identifies geometric features, gaps, and holes and allows the user to specify which ones to retain, (5) automatically defeatures geometric items not selected for retention, (6) automatically closes gaps and holes not selected for retention, (7) automatically insures watertightness for the resulting model components, (8) exports the resulting model in file formats that are directly compatible with commonly used grid generation tools, including Cart3D cubes, Gridgen, Pointwise, Chimera Grid Tools, Solidmesh, AFLR, Cubit, and CFD-GEOM, and (9) is cross-platform capable and, at a minimum, directly compatible with the Red Hat Linux Enterprise 5.3 and later operating system as well as the Mac OS 10.5 and later operating system. Required Phase I deliverables will include the developed computer software in source code format, including all makefiles, database files and include files.

PHASE II: Contractor shall develop, demonstrate and validate fully operational computer software that: (1) imports production level, three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) geometries in all commonly generated formats, including the STEP, Parasolid, IGES, and SAT formats, (2) accomplishes all Phase I objectives, (3) allows the user to easily specify criteria (such as initial point spacing, point distribution functions, number of grid points, domain boundaries, mesh type, and boundary conditions) for use in creating surface and volume meshes on, above and/or within user-selected geometric surfaces and volumes, (4) automatically generates structured (multi-block and overset) surface and volume grids based on the specified criteria, (5) automatically generates unstructured and hybrid (traditional and overset) surface and volume meshes base on the specified criteria, (6) exports the resulting surface and volume meshes in file formats that are directly compatible with commonly used grid generation tools, including Gridgen, Pointwise, Chimera Grid Tools, Solidmesh, AFLR, Cubit, and CFD-GEOM, (7) exports the resulting surface and volume meshes in file formats that are directly compatible with commonly used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) analysis codes, including Cart3d, Wind US, Overflow, USM3D, DPLR, FUN3D, ABAQUS, ANSYS, CTH, LS-DYNA, and MSC/NASTRAN, (8) is compatible with both the Plot3D and CGNS file formats which are community standards for data exchange by CFD solvers, and (9) is cross-platform capable and, at a minimum, directly compatible with the Red Hat Linux Enterprise 5.3 and later operating system as well as the Mac OS 10.5 and later operating system. Required Phase II deliverables will include the fully developed computer software in source code format, including all makefiles, database files and include files.

PHASE III: It is expected that all Department of Defense services will be keenly interested in the dramatic reduction in labor time and cost required of computational engineers to prepare CAD geometry files for use by computational applications. Specifically, the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) program and the Helicopter Area Protection System (HAPS) in-house technology effort will benefit directly from the increased productivity, throughput, and responsiveness of high-fidelity computational analyses that will be applied to their product development process. Further, it is expected that the military and commercial sectors of the economy will also be greatly interested in the significant streamlining of their product development cycle that will be brought about by the automated geometry preparation tool developed under this SBIR. The drastic reduction in development time and costs of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned spacecraft, engines to propel these vehicles, surface ships, submarines, weapons, passenger aircraft and helicopters, automobiles, manned spacecraft, engines for these vehicles, cooling systems for computers, medical devices such as artificial hearts, and prosthetics will dramatically enhance the global competitiveness of companies that utilize computational analysis tools to make these products. Consequently, the automated geometry preparation tool would be readily marketable to numerous customers via presentations made at various technical conferences, advertisements in trade publications, and direct sales presentations.

REFERENCES:

1. http://www.opencascade.org

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasolid

3. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/open/parasolid/index.shtml

4. http://www.steptools.com/library/standard

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACIS

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGES

7. http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/fip177-1.htm

8. http://cubit.sandia.gov/CGM/CGMb.pdf

9. http://cubit.sandia.gov

10. http://me-wiki.eng.uab.edu/etlab/?page_id=261

11. Aftosmis, M. J., Delanaye, M., Haimes, R., Automatic generation of CFD-ready surface triangulations from CAD geometry , AIAA-1999-776, Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 37th, Reno, NV, Jan. 11-14, 1999.

12. John Dannenhoffer, Robert Haimes, Using Quilts and Chains to Improve Structured and Unstructured Surface Grids, AIAA 2004 610, 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, Jan. 5-8, 2004.

13. John Dannenhoffer, Robert Haimes, Robust Algorithms for Generating Quilts and Chains , AIAA-2006-943, 44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, Jan. 9-12, 2006.

14. Theresa Robinson, Michael Eldred, Karen Willcox, Robert Haimes, Strategies for Multifidelity Optimization with Variable Dimensional Hierarchical Models , AIAA-2006-1819, 47th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 14th AIAA/ASME/AHS Adaptive Structures Conference, Newport, Rhode Island, May 1-4, 2006.

15. Thompson, J.F., Soni, B. K., and Weatherill, N. P. (editors), Handbook of Grid Generation, CRC Press, September 30, 1998, ISBN 0849326877

16. http://www.pointwise.com/products

17. http://people.nas.nasa.gov/~wchan/cgt/doc/man.html

18. http://www.simcenter.msstate.edu/docs/solidmesh

19. http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/sowen/software/AFLR3.html

20. http://www.esi-group.com/products/Fluid-Dynamics/cfd-geom

21. http://people.nas.nasa.gov/~aftosmis/cart3d

22. http://rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov/cfd/CFD4/New_Page/Overflow-D2.htm

23. http://tetruss.larc.nasa.gov/usm3d/usm6.0_features.html

24. http://128.102.216.35/factsheets/view.php?id=329

25. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/winddocs

26. http://www.simulia.com/products/abaqus_fea.html

27. http://www.ansys.com/products/default.asp

28. http://www.afrl.hpc.mil/software/info/cth

29. http://www.lstc.com/lsdyna.htm

30. http://www.mscsoftware.com/products/msc_nastran.cfm

31. http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~burkardt/data/plot3d/plot3d.html

32. http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/cgns/index.html

33. http://www.redhat.com

34. http://www.apple.com/macosx

35. http://www.cd-adapco.com/products/STAR-CCM_plus/common/surface-wrapper.html

KEYWORDS: Computer-Aided Design, CAD, three-dimensional Geometry, Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD, Computational Structural Mechanics, CSM, surface meshes, surface grids, volume meshes, volume grids, CAD to grid, geometry conversion, Parasolid, STEP, IGES, SAT, OpenCASCADE, SolidWorks, Cubit, Pro Engineer, Geometry and Grid Toolkit, GGTK.

A09-133 TITLE: Power-On Missile Stage Separation Simulation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: To develop an advanced physics based simulation capable of capturing the flow physics and dynamics of a hot-fire missile stage separation in flight.

DESCRIPTION: Power-on endoatmospheric multi-body separation is one of the most difficult problems facing the designers of advanced multi-stage missiles. Indeed, power-off endoatmospheric drag separation is often the preferred technique to avoid the introduction of unwanted asymmetric forces in the upper missile stage during the separation event. However, power-off separation is a time consuming event, in comparison to power-on stage separation, which can severely limit the response and lethality envelope particularly for a missile interceptor system. Hence the need for a predictive dynamic hot-fire multi-body separation model and design tool for those missile applications wherein power-off stage separation is not an option. Proper multi-body separation simulations at the dynamic conditions encountered in flight require the coupling of three critical, independent parameters including (1) external flow conditions, (2) upper stage rocket ignition, and (3) the dynamic separation event. Two elements for simulating the dynamic separation event must be implemented. The first element is the dynamic motion of the bodies where each of the stages would be supported with independent 6-degree of freedom (6-DOF) simulation system models. This element would allow for unrestrained motion throughout the transient separation event time. The second element would be the forcing function developed by the propulsion of each stage describing the behavior of the aero-propulsion interaction in the deployment of the second body for a completely unrestrained free-flight separation. Both elements would be simulated during the separation event using the thrust profile for each of the stages and the same range of freestream conditions. The simulation requires a transient description of the propulsion events of each stage as well as the interaction of these propulsive streams with the external free stream flow and the interstage. The ability to simulate unrestrained, hot-fire stage separation systems would greatly enhance the ability to design efficient interceptors and other multi-stage vehicles, as well as helping to define expanded operational ranges for safe/reliable operation of current configurations.

PHASE I: Technical approaches will be formulated in Phase I to provide innovative stage system simulations which describe the transient separation event for a two stage, powered supersonic/hypersonic missile flight at low altitude. To be both practical yet adequate, the simulation of such innovative and improved designs must give special consideration to the following: 1. Flight Mach Number from 3 to 8 2. Flight Altitude from 5 to 15 km 3. Interstage blow-out vents used during the separation event 4. Stages attached for 20 to 200 ms before separation 5. Solid propellant motors used in both stages with metallized propellants (5 to 20 mass percent metal) 6. Missile angle of attack less than 1 degree At least one innovative, meaningful demonstration will be executed and a flow field solution produced with the computational model during Phase I to assess the potential for Phase II success. Such a demonstration could, for example, model the simple case of a power-off endoatmospheric missile stage separation event with asymmetric aerodynamic loading since this methodology would feed directly into the Phase II prototype demonstration.

PHASE II: The physical model formulated in Phase I will be developed and refined using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate stage separation and flight characteristics over a broad range of flight scenarios of interest. Additionally, this advanced computational fluid dynamics model will be run blind for a a hypersonic power-on stage separation test case for which detailed flowfield data will be available to demonstrate the advanced capabilities for analyzing and modeling these events.

PHASE III: If successful, the end result of this Phase-I/Phase-II research effort will be a validated predictive model for the analysis of power-on endoatmospheric missile stage separation events. The transition of this product, a validated research tools, to an operational capability will require additional upgrades of the software tool set for a user-friendly environment along with the concurrent development of application specific data bases to include the required input parameters such as missile geometries, solid rocket motor properties, and performance parameters. For military applications, this technology is directly applicable to all multi-stage rocket propulsion missile systems. The most likely customer and source of Government funding for Phase-III will be those service project offices responsible for the development of advanced missile interceptors such as the KEI and SM-3 programs. For commercial applications, this technology is directly applicable to all multi-stage commercial launch systems such as the NASA Aries, and the Delta and Atlas families.

REFERENCES:

1. Dash, S., et. al., Hybrid Structured/Unstructured Simulation of Multiphase Rocket Plume/Propulsive Flowfields, AIAA-1995-2780, ASME, SAE, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 31st, San Diego, CA, July 10-12, 1995. 2. Simmons, F.S., Rocket Exhaust Plume Phenomenology, ISBN 1-884989-08-X, AIAA, 2000.

KEYWORDS: stage separation, solid propellant rocket motors, flight dynamics, missile systems

A09-134 TITLE: Air-Breathing Missile Thrust Measurement

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: To develop the capability to make direct measurements of forces on air-breathing powered vehicles in a shock tunnel at duplicated flight conditions.

DESCRIPTION: It has always been difficult to verify advances in air breathing propulsion technology because of the inherent obstacles to making accurate force measurements. For all air-breathing systems, the net propulsive force of thrust minus drag is the difference between two large numbers leading to poor quality data with considerable uncertainty. Such measurements are difficult enough in direct connect facilities but become almost insurmountable for full up air vehicles at hypersonic speeds in a free-jet shock tunnel environment. Hence, air-breathing propulsion technology advances have been difficult to verify. None-the-less, recent advances in MEMS technology instrumentation provide evidence that on-board interference-free instrumentation could conceptually be employed as a means for accurate force measurements in a shock tunnel. Therefore, innovative techniques for measurement of net thrust for an air-breathing, power-on missile operating in a shock tunnel are sought for a variety of supersonic/hypersonic missile concepts.

PHASE I: Innovative technical approaches will be formulated in Phase-I to make force measurements for a hypersonic air-breathing powered vehicle in a shock tunnel while addressing the key problem areas of (1) short run time of the shock tunnel < 100 ms, (2) vehicle vibrational modes, (3) non-flight weight test articles, (4) high frequency mode filtering, and (5) high longitudinal stability. At least one innovative, meaningful concept will be developed and delivered during Phase-I to assess the potential for Phase-II success. Such a demonstration could, for example, provide for the measure of drag force on a simple inlet in a Government run shock tunnel test.

PHASE II: The force measurement concept formulated in Phase-I will be developed and refined using appropriate instrumentation technology which provides the accuracy required to make direct measurement of air-breathing powered net thrust. This instrumentation package will be developed for a specific shock tunnel and delivered to the Government during Phase-II.

PHASE III: If successful, the end result of this Phase-I/Phase-II research effort will be an instrumentation package for the direct measurement of forces on air-breathing powered vehicles in a shock tunnel at duplicated flight conditions. The transition of this product, a measurement concept, to an operational capability will require demonstration and validation of the instrumentation package. For military applications, this technology is directly applicable to all high speed air-breathing missile systems. The most likely customer and source of Government funding for Phase-III will be those service project offices responsible for the development of advanced hypersonic missile systems such as the Navy/DARPA HyFly, Air Force X-51, and DARPA Facet programs. For commercial applications, this technology could transition to thrust measurements for all commercial air-breathing propulsion systems.

REFERENCES:

1. Sims, J.D. and Coleman, H.W., Hysteresis Effects on Thrust Measurement and its Uncertainty Journal of Propulsion and Power, 19(3): 506-513 (2003).

2. Huh, H., and Kim, H., Comparison of Stream Thrust Measurement Methods of a Supersonic Wind Tunnel, AIAA-2003-3883, 33rd AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit, Orlando, Florida, June 23-26, 2003.

3. Holden, M., et.al., Experimental Studies in the LENS Supersonic and Hypersonic Tunnels for Hypervelocity Vehicle Performance and Code Validation, AIAA-2008-2505, 15th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Dayton, Ohio, Apr. 28-1, 2008.

KEYWORDS: force measurement, net thrust, air-breathing propulsion, shock tunnel, MEMS

A09-135 TITLE: Innovative Inertia Devices

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: Develop low-cost innovative inertia-based components for flight control of high-G gun-fired munitions with the goal of providing very affordable guidance and control systems for future guided munitions. These inertia-based components must be capable of withstanding very high-G firing accelerations from 30,000 Gs to 120,000 Gs, but be sensitive enough to yield the required precision that is needed for flight control purposes. The components must be designed to be scalable across all munitions applications, including large to medium caliber rounds.

DESCRIPTION: The state of the art in shock resistant component design is to reduce the size of the proof mass, thereby reducing the related forces, moments, and torques that are generated as a result of high acceleration levels. Physical stops are also generally provided to limit the maximum proof mass displacement/rotation to prevent damage to the moving components of the inertia component. However, by reducing the size of the proof mass, the sensitivity is degraded, thereby making it insensitive for use for flight control purposes. This is particularly the case for high-G gun-fired munitions applications in which the setback acceleration levels could be up to 120,000 Gs and a sensitivity of a fraction of a G (preferably better than 0.1 G) is sometimes desired. Currently available inertia components also suffer from relatively long settling times following firing. The introduction of MEMS technology in recent years has made it possible to reduce the size of the proof mass significantly, independent of the accelerometer type and their mechanism of operation, but for the present applications, the developed designs have not yet solved high-G survivability, low relative sensitivity and low settling time problems. This proposal should provide very affordable guidance and control systems for future guided muntiions and address the issues of measurement accuracy, sensitivity, required calculations, susceptibility to environmental noise and methods of reducing their effects, optimal design of the proposed sensors through modeling and simulation, and in particular, methods of their manufacture and expected cost when mass produced. The primary trade-off parameters to be considered are cost (order of magnitude less than those of current devices), size (0.5cm or less), power consumption (1 mW or less), accuracy (0.05 g or better) and settling time (3 ms or less).

PHASE I: Develop analytical models to study the feasibility of the proposed concepts and through computer simulation determine their potential performance. For the most promising concepts, develop detailed enough designs and appropriate algorithms for their optimal design. The designs must consider the manufacturing process that could be used for their mass production as low-cost components using existing mass-production technologies.

PHASE II: For the most promising concepts, develop detail designs for selected range of applications. Develop the manufacturing process needed for the fabrication of prototypes of the developed inertia-based components. Fabricate prototype of the inertia-based components, perform laboratory tests to validate and fine tune the developed analytical models and determine the characteristics and performance of the components. Perform instrumented survivability tests with air guns. Make final modifications to the developed designs and fabricate final prototypes for laboratory and air-gun tests, and prepare for firing tests.

PHASE III: The dual use potential of inertia sensors with very fast settling time that are very sensitive while capable of withstanding shock loading and related technologies from this effort are widespread. As is often the case, military requirements exceed those of industry; however, the advances made could result in making sensors in general and MEMS sensors in particular much more suitable for many guidance and control and other similar applications such as UAVs, UGVs, robotic systems, and high-speed and precision production machinery.

REFERENCES:

1. Madou, Marc J., Fundamentals of Microfabrication, Second Edition, CRC Press, 2002.

2. Ching-Fang L., Modern Navigation, Guidance, Control, Prentice Hall, 1991.

3. IEEE Std 528-1994: IEEE Standard for Inertial Sensor Terminology.

4. Lawrence, Anthony, Modern Inertial Technology: Navigation, Guidance, and Control, Second Edition, Springer, 1998.

5. Farrell, Jay A., Aided Navigation: GPS with High Rate Sensors, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008.

KEYWORDS: Accelerometers, Sensors, Inertial Sensors, Low-Cost Sensors for future Armaments, High-G Sensors, Guidance and Control

A09-136 TITLE: Multispectral Gamma Detector for Explosives Analysis

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: To design, develop, and demonstrate a compact, efficient, and rugged multispectral gamma ray detector, to include electronics and processing software, for use in a Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) system for analysis of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and remote detection of land mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the battlefield.

DESCRIPTION: The detection and identification of explosive devices in the laboratory and in the field is challenging problem. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) items are brought to QE&SA's Radiographic Laboratory for analysis on a regular basis. Unexploded ordnance (UXO), land mines, and IEDs are found in the field.

Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis has been shown to be an effective tool for detecting and identifying explosives. Refs.(1)(2) It's use, however, has been limited to applications in which the equipment can be placed in close proximity to the explosive. In PGNAA a material is probed by a beam of neutrons from an accelerator source or radioisotope. Neutrons interact with the nuclei of target atoms causing them to emit gamma rays. Explosive compounds have a gamma ray signature, which if it can be measured, can be used to identify the material. The advantage of PGNAA for explosive ordnance detection is that the neutrons readily penetrate earth and steel while also having a high probability of interacting with low-density materials found in explosives. It works by measuring the ratios of the main constituent elements of the most common explosives, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. However, the method has been used mostly in situations where a (stationary) high-flux neutron source was available, measurement time was not a critical parameter and the sample could be placed close to the source and the gamma detector. By contrast, explosive ordnance detection in the field must be accomplished at a safe standoff distance (10 meters or more) and in near-real-time (less than one minute) for minimum explosives quantities of 10 kg. Consequently, the use of PGNAA for this purpose depends on neutron sources that can provide sufficiently high flux, and on high-efficiency detectors for gamma rays whose energy ranges from 2.2 MeV for hydrogen to 10.8 MeV for nitrogen. Moreover, both these components need to be relatively small, lightweight and rugged enough to be transportable.

For the purpose of this solicitation, the contractor may assume a thermal neutron flux of 10^8 neutrons/cm^2/sec at a distance of 1 meter from the source. Without the thermalizing moderator, the flux may be a factor of 100 to 1000 higher.

This solicitation seeks the development of a compact, highly efficient, multispectral detector for gamma rays in the energy range from approximately 2 MeV to 11 MeV, along with the electronics required to process the detector signals. Energy resolution must be sufficient to identify the relevant gamma emission lines and distinguish them from other nearby lines. Detector solutions allowing the acquisition of additional information that would improve the signal-to-noise ratio and thus enhance the detector sensitivity are actively encouraged. Examples include the ability to identify the direction from which the detected photons originate and correlate it with the direction of the neutron beam used for the activation. The resulting system must be transportable in a military vehicle, such as a Humvee, and must have no unusual power requirements.

PHASE I: Perform research and analysis of a PGNAA detector as described above. Provide proof of concept by development of a preliminary detector design and simulation of its performance, and/or by measuring the response of a small sample detector to photons of several MeV.

PHASE II: Develop and fabricate the prototype detector designed in Phase I. The detector volume should be large enough to meet the requirements outlined above. Tests of the detector will be performed at ARDEC's Radiographic Laboratory, which has the necessary neutron sources and target materials, in order to demonstrate feasibility and provide proof of concept.

PHASE III: End vision: Successful completion of Phase II will demonstrate feasibility of PGNAA to detect explosive ordnance at reasonable distances and within reasonable times. Such a demonstration will enable the contractor to attract an industrial partner for further development and marketing. Military applications include EOD/UXO detection and identification, IED detection, as well as surveillance and reliability assessment of stockpiled weapons. Homeland Security applications would be in the area of containerized cargo screening for concealed explosives. Commercial applications may include ship containers in seaport locations.

REFERENCES:

1. E.H. Seabury and A.J. Caffrey, Explosives Detection and Identification by PGNAA, Idaho National Laboratory Report INEEL/EXT-06-10210, April 2006.; available at http://www.osti.gov/bridge

2. A data base of useful information on PGNAA is available at: http://www-nds.iaea.org/pgaa/

3. SBIR Topic A07-040, High-flux electronically generated thermal neutron source for radiographic applications. Contracts W15QKN-08-C-0515; W15QKN-08-C-0516.

KEYWORDS: neutron activation analysis, prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, prompt gamma-ray activation analysis, NNA, PGNAA, PGAA, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Unexploded Ordnance, land mine detection, IED detection, explosives detection, UXO, EOD

A09-137 TITLE: Fast-Impulse Solid Fuel Miniature Thruster

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons

OBJECTIVE: Develop a solid fuel microthruster capable of producing 100-150N thrust amplitude with impulse duration less than 100 sec for application in spin-stabilized projectiles or hypersonic projectiles. This state-of-the-art solid fuel thruster will produce greater thrust force with a reduced duration compared to conventional thrusters.

DESCRIPTION: Actuation technologies are an essential component of in-flight projectile guidance. Specifically, miniature thrusters can be used to either impart forces or to disrupt the drag forces on the projectile. In contrast to drag disruption using movable fins or pins, thruster on-off actuation is not affected by drag forces. In addition, the thrusters have no moving parts. However, conventional chemical thrusters have impulse duration in the range of several milliseconds to several seconds.

This program seeks to develop fast-action solid fuel microthrusters with submillisecond impulse duration, while still achieving total impulse similar to that of conventional chemical thrusters. For example, a microthruster containing ~55mg of high-nitrogen propellant (BTATz) is capable of producing specific impulse of ~10 sec, and a thruster containing ~19mg of CuO/Al nanothermite can produce a specific impulse of ~29sec. In addition, the BTATz propellant thrust is ~40mN and ~400msec in duration, whereas the nanothermite thrust is ~60N and 90 sec in duration. Other types of materials that may be capable of producing short-duration, high-force thrust pulses include energetic materials with high combustion rates.

The thrust requirements depend on the exact system in which the thruster is inserted. The thruster will be developed for either the Excalibur, the Hellfire, or Copperhead. Other general requirements of the developed system is to survive high-G (>10,000 Gs) from setback forces during launch, thermal stability, low ignition sensitivity, and long-term stability.

PHASE I: Identify solid fuel candidate materials and perform initial characterization in a thruster test stand. Application for the solid-fuel thruster will be selected. In addition, design a prototype thruster and outline a plan for integrating the thruster into the desired application system.

PHASE II: Fabricate the prototype thruster designed in Phase I. Determine optimum operation from candidate materials identified in Phase I. The solid fuel will be further studied for performance and sensitivity, and formulation will be fine tuned to meet sensitivity requirements. By the end of Phase II, the prototype will be ready for wind-tunnel testing in simulations of the application system.

Phase III: Strategic partnerships will be developed to further the commercialization potential of the technology. Commercial applications include guidance for small air vehicles and for satellites. Specifically, this technology would be well suited to controlling the altitude and the trajectory of orbiting satellites. Growing numbers of commercial satellites in orbit require course adjustment at high velocities to avoid other satellites and debris orbiting the earth. Another commercial application is tailored compact airbags for personal protection. Military applications include large caliber munitions, missiles, and futuristic small caliber weapon systems.

REFERENCES:

1. Massey, K., McMichael, J., Hay, F. and Warnock, T., Design and Wind Tunnel Testing of Guidance Pins for Supersonic Projectiles, paper DO-01, 24th Army Sciences Conference, 29 Nov. - 2 December 2004, Orlando, FL.

2. A. N. Ali, S. F. Son, M. A. Hiskey, and D. L. Naud, Novel High Nitrogen Propellant Use in Solid Fuel Micropropulsion, Journal Of Propulsion And Power, Vol. 20, No. 1, (2004), 120-126.

3. R. Barrett, G. Lee, Guided Bullets: A Decade Of Enabling Adaptive Materials R&D, 24th Army Sciences Conference, 29 Nov. - 2 December 2004, Orlando, FL

KEYWORDS: Micropropulsion, guidance, nanothermites, projectile, thrust, specific impulse

A09-138 TITLE: Multi-Threaded Missions and Means Framework

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Weapons

OBJECTIVE: To explore the utilization of a modeling and simulation environment where multiple military domains or threads (e.g. Logistics, Transportation, Combat Operations, Intelligence, Engineering) can be described in terms of tasking and capabilities and their mission interactions simulated over some mission scenario time horizon. The effort will explore extending the Missions and Means Framework (MMF)(See Reference 1) from a single military thread application, combat operations, to a multi-threaded MMF that can be applied to two or more operational thread interactions. Utilization of autonomous agent technology will be explored for use in the simulation environment to represent the military decision making process that will create interactions that create courses of action due to changes in one or more defined state variables representing operational knowledge elements. A multi-threaded MMF capability will allow the examination of MMF level 1 battlefield interactions between two or more military threads by utilizing autonomous agent technology in a simulation environment (See Reference 2) for the express purpose of conducting experimentations that represent military decision making with sufficient accuracy to identify those knowledge elements that are critical to taking preemptive course of action that prevent mission failure. This effort will provide the Army with the capability thru modeling and simulation to identify knowledge and information elements that are critical to decision making that directly impacts operational mission outcomes success or failure. Knowledge and information are the key components to the human dimension side of the Common Operating Picture. The ability to identify such knowledge elements will serve as the foundation for the development of advanced future force predictive analyses tools, decision making models, and provide the building blocks for sustainment modeling and simulation training systems that will be needed by the future force to allow sustainment decision makers to better understand what information is critical and what the impact and ripple effects are of those decisions over mission time on overall mission success.

DESCRIPTION: The Missions and Means Framework (MMF) is a methodology for explicitly specifying a military mission and for quantitatively evaluating the mission utility of alternative warfighting DOTMLPF (See Reference 3) services/products. To date, the MMF has been used to examine and develop combat operation models that examine the matching of military tasks associated with the combat operations in question with the military means needed to successfully achieve those objectives. As a result, the natural application of MMF has been within the context of Blue Force versus Red Force combat operation models. For a military operational thread to execute successfully, it often must interact with other military operational threads that provide essential capabilities required at specific times. For example, the logistical operations must plan and execute sustainment deliveries to combat operations forces for mission success to occur. The extended MMF capabilities will provide the capability to describe and characterize the complex top-down planning process as well as the bottom-up employment process to execute and assess the complex dynamic interactions of all these military operational threads. Through the development of a prototype modeling and simulation capability using autonomous agent technology, MMF level 1 thread interaction effects can be simulated for a hypothetical mission and mission time horizon involving two or more distinct operational threads with the objective of determining favorable or unfavorable outcomes. Unfavorable outcomes at the interaction level can be traced back to material and/or personnel state changes up to specific tasks and/or capabilities that lead to an unfavorable interaction (i.e. mission failure). These state variables represent the knowledge and information elements and allow are critical to mission success for a given hypothetical mission.

PHASE I: Research and investigate the Missions and Means Framework. Develop constructs and extents to MMF to support a multi-threaded MMF. Research and identify suitable autonomous agent based simulation technology where autonomous agents have sufficient descriptive metrics to serve as potential simulation platform to demonstrate level 1 multi-threaded MMF interactions. Develop a two threaded MMF description between the logistics thread and combat operation thread to demonstrate the capability of the approach being developed is able to describe and characterize the complex top-down planning process as well as the bottom-up employment process to execute and assess the complex dynamic interaction between the two threads.

PHASE II: Fully develop the constructs and extents to MMF to support a multi-threaded MMF bottom-up assessment of interactions between the operational domains of Combat Operations, Logistics, Transportation, Intelligence, and Engineering. Research, identify, and develop the descriptive metrics required by the autonomous agents to support a demonstration of level 1 thread interactions in a multi-threaded MMF hypothetical mission scenario. Demonstrate level 1 thread interactions between combat operations and logistics in a simulated hypothetical mission over some mission time horizon. Further develop and demonstrate that level 1 interactions can be described and simulated in a hypothetical mission for all the threads described in the objective section above.

PHASE III: Pursue defense, public sector, and private sector opportunities to harden and fully commercialize the chosen technologies/concepts.

Commercialization Potential Statement: The multi-threaded MMF methodology could be applied to the analysis of a number of other government and private sector domains where the mission involves complex tasks and timely material means to meet objectives. For example, multi-threaded MMF methodology could be applied to the analysis of natural disaster scenarios (e.g., Hurricane Katrina in the U.S., Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar) via simulation of various interacting civil management threads such as sustainment, medical relief, reconstruction, and law enforcement. Another example would be to apply multi-threaded MMF methodology to the analysis of large scale construction projects where simulation of various interacting contractor and supplier threads such as heavy equipment, concrete engineers, labor, and supply companies must occur in a timely manner to meet time & cost construction objectives.

REFERENCES:

1. P.H. Deitz, J.H. Sheehan, B.E. Bray, B.A. Harris, and A.B.H. Wong, The Military Missions and Means Framework, in Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), 2003.

2. M. J. North and C. M. Macal, Managing Business Complexity: Discovering Strategic Solutions with Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation. New York: Oxford University Press, NY, 2007.

3. Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities.

KEYWORDS: Missions and Means Framework, autonomous agents, simulation, logistics, sustainment

A09-139 TITLE: Capacitor thermal management for mobile power electronics

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: To develop compact, low thermal resistance solutions for maintaining the temperature of non-planar, film capacitor arrays. Better temperature control in vehicular systems will reduce the need to de-rate components, improving reliability and system energy density.

DESCRIPTION: Future military platforms, including Armys FCS MGV, Air Forces MEA, and the Navys DDX ships will require more extensive use of electronic power conditioning systems to achieve required performance levels. Proper thermal management of these high power electronic systems becomes more difficult as increasing power density requirements push heat generating components closer together. Film capacitor arrays can make up a large volume of these systems, and on vehicles their relatively low full power operating temperature limits (in the range of 60-90C) often force designers to de-rate the components to ensure reliable operation. The combination of close proximity to hot components, volumetric self-heating within the capacitors, and platform coolant temperatures as high as 80-110C all contribute to increased system volume from redundant capacitors arrays operating with reduced energy density. While ongoing research efforts are attempting to develop capacitor materials with higher operating temperature limits, improved methods of efficiently managing capacitor bank temperature would provide near-term reduction in the need for component de-rating which would reduce component redundancy and increase system power density.

Most high-energy film capacitors with a cylindrical, can-style structure cannot efficiently couple to the high performance cold plates and heat sinks being implemented to cool other power electronics components. Although air-cooling methods (including finned adapters, etc.) have been utilized in the past, system volume constraints and platform placement typically remove useful convective flow paths. Other proposed techniques for thermal coupling have included the use of inefficient thermal interface materials, thermal conduction through the electrical terminals, or significant modification of the capacitor structure, none of which provide a cost and performance effective solution.

This SBIR seeks to identify novel high performance capacitor thermal management solutions for military vehicle power electronics systems to reduce the need for de-rating and redundancy. These systems typically utilize sizeable arrays of standard commercial capacitors (45cm3 capacitor, 250 microfarad array, 900V rating), are cooled by a heatsink operating at minimum of 80C, and the array is in close proximity to 150C switch components. As much as 10 degrees C of self heating of the array can result depending on operating frequency. The ability to efficiently couple a standard capacitor to the systems copper or aluminum cold plate while minimizing additional volume requirement would significant benefit to future military capability.

PHASE I: Investigate novel compact cooling mechanisms compatible with standard film capacitor technology that would enable effective coupling to a systems copper or aluminum cold plate. Use modeling and/or experiment to evaluate thermal performance in comparison with standard cooling methods mentioned above. Design details for scalability to larger capacitor arrays, and impacts of the solution on assembly difficulty and capacitor or array line replacability should be addressed

PHASE II: Demonstrate a prototype capacitor array cooling scheme in a surrogate system environment using the concept developed in Phase 1. Evaluate the performance and limitations of the prototype for a range of coolant temperatures and internal/external thermal conditions. Validate through modeling or demonstration the ability to transition the solution for specific military applications and characterize any array dependent size/performance trade-offs inherent in the solution.

PHASE III: Design and develop a modular capacitor cooling mechanism for a particular military application, meeting appropriate MIL-SPEC operational requirements. Continued commercial investment in hybrid ground and air vehicles will increase the demand for larger power conversion systems. A scalable, cost-effective capacitor cooling scheme will enable lighter, more compact electronics solutions to reach the commercial market.

REFERENCES:

1. Urciuoli, D.P., Tipton, C.W., "Development of a 90 kW bi-directional DC-DC converter for power dense applications," 21st IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, (APEC '06), 19-23 March 2006. DOI: 10.1109/APEC.2006.1620718, Available online: http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA433112

2. Gasperi, M.L., "A Method for Predicting the Expected Life of Bus Capacitors," IEEE Industry Application Society Conference, New Orleans, LA, October 2-6, 1997, pp. 1042-1047. DOI: 10.1109/IAS.1997.628989, Available online: http://www.ab.com/drives/techpapers/ieee/24_2.pdf

3. Nishino, A., "Capacitors: operating principles, current market and technical trends," Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 60, No. 2, pp. 137-147, 1996., DOI: 10.1016/S0378-7753(96)80003-6

KEYWORDS: thermal management, capacitor, cooling, power electronics

A09-140 TITLE: Ballistic Shock Mitigation Materials and Technology for protective system

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: The overall objective of this proposed program is to develop a bio-inspired shock mitigation material system concept that attenuates the ballistic shock response to an industry standard tolerance level. The proposed system should be capable of mitigating high frequency shocks that is detrimental for equipment survivability and reducing low frequency load transmission that is fatal to human safety in a demanding high-g environment (MIL-STD-810F) (3). The technology will address the increasing demand of protecting occupants in advanced armored vehicles or electronics equipment in the next generation smart munitions and guided projectiles.

Specifically, the focus of this SBIR is to:

a. Develop computational models to capture the ballistic response-mitigation behavior on bio-inspired cellular or hierarchical micro-structures and such and demonstrate the models capability in predicting and verifying the ballistic response of commonly available Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) rate-sensitive foam (1) and metallic cellular foam structures (2) for the standard military ballistic shock environment (MIL-STD-810F).

b. Establish the material properties that describe the shock wave attenuating characteristics and quantify the mitigation of ballistic shock response on the bio-inspired structures such as Functionally-graded Materials (FGMs) and hierarchical micro-structures and such.

c. Establish design parameters for candidate innovative bio-inspired based armor protective systems and shock attenuating materials that protect advanced military hardware/occupant against ballistic impacts due to detrimental shock or load transmission.

d. Develop and demonstrate innovative bio-inspired based armor protective systems and shock attenuating materials that protect advanced military hardware/occupant against ballistic impacts due to detrimental shock or load transmission.

DESCRIPTION: There is an increasing need to better protect vehicles, buildings, critical microelectronics components, and especially personnel in severe high-g environments associated with ballistic impact [4]. In particular, advanced characterization and modeling of ballistic impact responses are desired to better understand the physics of shock mitigation and to design new protection concepts [5]. For example, severe transient shock from ballistic impact can incapacitate the functional capability of occupant and/or sensitive sensors, and instrumentation, if they are not properly attenuated by appropriate armor protection systems. This proposal seeks an innovative solution to develop armor protective systems and shock attenuating materials to protect occupant and sensitive equipment against ballistic impact.

The protection level for an occupant of a vehicle in a mine blast, for example, require a limiting force transmission as such the injury level remains an acceptable threshold value (6). Additionally, computational efforts to mitigate shock waves due to ballistic impact and the experiments needed to support them are sought. Enhancement of armor systems using bio-inspired materials, stronger and more energy absorbent fibers, harder ceramics, and lighter metals are possibilities (7). The enhancement in material performance such as low transmissibility of load or shock response is desired to limit dynamic load transmission to occupant to an acceptable level (6) or to retain functionality of sensitive equipment in a severe ballistic engagement.

With the advent of nanotechnology, it is now possible to engineer materials or craft a system at the smallest length scales to meet the increasingly harsh design environment on Military apparatus [8] . Bio-inspired material system seems to provide such a promising avenue to explore the possibility of developing advanced engineering materials and system for future military applications [9]. Synthetic materials inspired by biological materials evolution have the potential to develop theories to support new material such as cellular foam, artificial silk. Synthetic structures achieve spatial variations in functionality by assembling components made of homogeneous materials (e.g., sandwich panels). Bioinspired products can exhibit improved functionality and simplified assembly using graded materials (e.g., Japanese swords). Therefore, two such materials are worthy of considerations for future Military applications are:

i. Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) with optimal performance when functional requirements vary with location.

ii. Bioinspired Synthetic Materials such as Nickel foam that includes Hierarchical and cellular structure for Armor applications.

This proposal seeks to employ biologically derived materials for improved warfighting effectiveness that impact the enhancement of protection against ballistic impact and to develop an integrated experimental and computational tool to support design development of such future shock attenuating materials for Military applications.

PHASE I: In phase 1, develop an integrated experimental and computational tool to support the design development of armor protective systems for ballistic impact. This phase would require accomplishing:

- Identify or develop computational models to derive the ballistic shock wave attenuating characteristics of the bio-inspired structures such as FGM and hierarchical micro-structures and such.

- Develop experimental procedures to derive dynamic properties needed to describe the computational model for bio-inspired structures such as FGM and hierarchical microstructures.

- Initiate experimental verification of Computational Model and Shock Loading Response propagation mechanism of commonly available COTS rate-sensitive foam (1) and metallic cellular foam structures (2) for the standard military ballistic shock environment (MIL-STD-810F).

PHASE II: Develop and engineer innovative bio-inspired based armor protective systems and shock attenuating materials that protect advanced military hardware/occupant against ballistic impacts due to detrimental shock or load transmission in a realistic environment. Conduct testing to prove feasibility over extended operating conditions and demonstrate its effectiveness in shock mitigation over existing systems.

- Develop ballistic shock Modeling Principles for Bio-inspired Structures and set trends that govern the design performance of the candidate materials at full scale and lab scale.

- Characterize Shock Loading Response of Bio-inspired Structures at Lab Scale, establish design parameters that optimize the ballistic response of bio-inspired system and determine trends.

- Quantify the mitigation of ballistic shock response on the bio-inspired structures such as FGM and hierarchical micro-structures and such.

- Develop biologically inspired candidate armor protective systems, verify and demonstrate their performance in small scale lab tests.

PHASE III: This phase will focus on full-scale validation and verification of the proposed innovative bio-inspired engineered systems for added protection again severe ballistic loads.

This system could be used in a broad range of military and civilian applications where protection against severe shock due to ballistic impact are necessary, for example, protection of electronic equipment in advanced military applications or enhancing safety and functionality of civilian equipment in a shock environment.

REFERENCES:

1. Robert Doleski, Stephen Plunkett, Dr. Wayne Tucker , Arun Shukla, (2003). THE RATE SENSITIVITY OF HIGH STRENGTH SYNTACTIC FOAM International Conference on the Mechanical Behavior of Materials[9th], ICM-9, Held in Geneva, Switzerland on 25-29 May 2003.

2. Sandwich Structures 7: Advancing with Sandwich Structures and Materials, Edited by, Thompson, O.T., Bozhevolnaya, E, and Lyckegaard, A., Springer Netherlands, 2005.

3. MIL-STD-810F, 1 January 2000

4. Chowdhury, M. R., and Bouland, A. (2007). Ballistics Shock FEM and Parametric Study of the FCS/SAC-11 Vehicle, ARL-TR-4331, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD.

5. Chowdhury, M. R., Berman, M., and Li, T., (2006). Ballistics Shock Characteristics of the Future Combat System (FCS) Vehicle Surrogate Armor Cross Section (SAC)-11, ARL-TR-3937, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD.

6. Test Methodology for Protection of Vehicle Occupants against Anti-Vehicular Landmine Effects, RTo Technical Report, TR-HFM-090, April 2007

7. Bruck, H. (2009). Introduction to Bioinspired Products & Devices, A Workshop Materials presented at U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD.

8. Bioinspired and Bioderived Materials, Materials Research to Meet 21st Century Defense Needs, Committee on Materials Research for Defense After Next, Chapter Seven, National Research Council, ISBN: 0-309-08700-7, 332 pages, 7 x 10, (2003), This free PDF was downloaded from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10631.html

9. Biologically-Inspired Product Development, A University of Maryland and National Science Foundation Presentation available at: http://www.bioinspired.umd.edu

KEYWORDS: ballistic impact, shock mitigation, armor materials, protective system, computational mechanics, bio-inspired materials

A09-141 TITLE: Mitigating Optical Turbulence using a Real-time Image Restoration Processor

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Develop an inexpensive optical turbulence video restoration system capable of correcting distorted visible and IR imagery in real-time that is often associated with long-range viewing, i.e., in excess of 1km.

DESCRIPTION: The amount of information conveyed by a highly magnified image of a distant object is often limited by adverse atmospheric conditions that serve to reduce both spatial resolution and image contrast. This is particularly true for optical paths close to the ground where refractive turbulence and light scattering due to haze is most severe. Although atmospheric aberrations effect all light either reflected or emitted, it is especially troublesome in the IR. Advanced IR imaging systems currently under development will not be limited by sensor characteristics, but by atmospheric degradation. It will be necessary to restore the original information content of the imagery to take full advantage of these next-generation sensors. Various post-processing algorithms are needed that are capable of restoring atmospheric degraded imagery. As an example, one such technique is based on a linear systems approach in which a predetermined atmospheric modulation transfer function (AMTF) is deconvolved, resulting in an enhanced seeing ability.[ 1-12 ] Currently, there is a great deal of debate within the scientific community on which post-processing algorithm is of greatest value. In order to resolve this important issue, the authors would like prospective candidates to propose an optimal post-processing algorithm designed to mitigate atmospheric effects (based on cited research) and to develop a unique programmable video processing device that could be used to implement the necessary image restoration.

The proposed restoration system should have the following features; 1) be capable of restoring degraded video imagery in real/pseudo-real time, 2) the device should be compact and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, 3) process both analog or digital video signals, 4) incorporate a reasonable amount of adaptability needed to process a variety of standard video formats and resolutions, and 5) the device should be easy to incorporate into existing visible and IR imaging systems, e.g., simply connect in-line between the video-out of the imager and the video-in of the display.

The development of such a device should greatly improve the ability to resolve distant objects when viewed through the atmosphere and would likely represent a welcomed enhancement for both military and civilian applications. Such applications might include, but are not limited to, remote sensing, surveillance/security observations, search and rescue operations, and conventional recreational videotography.

PHASE I: Propose and design the video restoration processing systems including schematics that fully describe and identify all computer processing hardware/circuits/boards used for both mathematical computations and analog-to-digital conversion. Included should be a reasonable prediction of the anticipated performance characteristics of the device. The development of a prototype is desirable.

PHASE II: Assemble, test, and demonstrate a prototype device. An evaluation procedure will be conducted using a variety of degraded video imagery recorded with varying degrees of optical turbulence. Included in the evaluation process will be the creation of objective figures-of-merit that can accurately assess the utility and benefit of the proposed device.

PHASE III: Demonstration/evaluation of the final product will take place at an appropriate U.S. Army field test facility, and will include integration of the device with a third generation FLIR system currently under development. This device will be directly applicable to any long-range imaging system, e.g., visible, infrared, and millimeter-wave. Applications of this technology are numerous and include high resolution remote sensing, commercial videotography, long-range surveillance along boarder regions, and environmental monitoring of remote locations.

REFERENCES:

1. D. Sadot, G. Lorman, R. Lapardon, N. Kopeika, High-resolution restoration of images distorted by the atmosphere, based on an predicted atmospheric MTF, Infrared Phys. Technology, vol 36, pp. 565-576 (1995).

2. M. Belenki, Effect of the inner scale of turbulence on the atmospheric MTF, J. Opt. Soc. Am., vol. 13, p. 1078 (1996).

3. D. Sadot, A. Dvir, I. Bergel, N. Kopeika, Restoration of thermal images distorted by the atmosphere, based on measured and theoretical atmospheric modulation transfer function, Opt. Eng., vol. 33, no.1, p. 44, (1994).

4. I. Dror, N. Kopeika, Aerosol and turbulence modulation transfer functions: comparison measurements in the open atmosphere, Opt. Lett., vol. 17, no. 21, p.1532, (1992).

5. Title: Advanced super-resolution image enhancement process <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=2&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Hai-Wen Chen; Braunreiter, D. Conference Information: Applications of Digital Image Processing XXXI, Date: San Diego, CA USA Source: Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering Pages: 70731B (10 pp.) Published: 2008

6. Title: An advanced atmospheric dispersion corrector for extreme AO camera <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=3&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Kopon, D.; Close, L.M.; Gasho, V.Conference Information: Adaptive Optics Systems, Date: Marseille France Source: Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering Pages: 70156M (11 pp.) Published: 2008

7. Title: Mitigating atmospheric effects in high-resolution infra-red surveillance imagery with bispectral speckle imaging - art. no. 631602 <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=11&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Carrano, CJConference Information: Conference on Image Reconstruction from Incomplete Data IV, Date: AUG 14-15, 2006 San Diego CA Source: Image Reconstruction from Incomplete Data IV Volume: 6316 Pages: 31602-31602 Published: 2006 Article Number: 631602

8. Title: Optimization restoration algorithm for infrared object turbulence-degraded image <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=12&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Hong Han-yu; Yu Jiuyang; Chen Yi-chao, et al.Source: Journal of Applied Optics Volume: vol.27, no.6 Pages: 510-15 Published: 2006

9. Title: Evaluation of infrared image restoration techniques <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=13&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Lemaitre, M.; Blanc-Talon, J.; Meriaudeau, F., et al.Conference Information: Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications III, Date: Stockholm Sweden Source: Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering Pages: 63950R-1-9 Published: 2006

10. Title: Effects of image restoration on acquisition of moving objects from thermal video sequences degraded by the atmosphere <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=17&colname=WOS> Author(s): Haik, O; Lior, Y; Nahmani, D, et al.Source: OPTICAL ENGINEERING Volume: 45 Issue: 11 Article Number: 117006 Published: NOV 2006 Times Cited: 3 <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/CitingArticles.do?product=UA&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&search_mode=CitingArticles&parentQid=2&parentDoc=17&db_id=WOS&recid=153509130>

11. Title: Sensors for desert surveillance <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=19&colname=WOS> Author(s): Chauhan, BS; David, E; Datta, PKSource: DEFENCE SCIENCE JOURNAL Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Pages: 493-503 Published: OCT 2005 Times Cited: 0

12. Title: Turbulence induced edge image waviness: theory and experiment <http://apps.isiknowledge.com/full_record.do?product=UA&search_mode=GeneralSearch&qid=2&SID=1CCnBbMHeA7n@hml5l2&page=1&doc=40&colname=INSPEC> Author(s): Belen'kii, MS; Stewart, JM; Gillespie, P Conference Information: Targets and Backgrounds VII - Characterization and Representation Conference, Date: APR 16-17, 2001 ORLANDO FL Source: TARGETS AND BACKGROUNDS VII: CHARACTERIZATION AND REPRESENTATION Volume: 4370 Pages: 188-199 Published: 2001

KEYWORDS: optical turbulence, image processing, video processing, image enhancement, visible imagery, IR imagery, target acquisition

A09-142 TITLE: Realistic Communications Effects for Evaluation of Tactical Command and Control and

Situational Awareness applications

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this highly specialized effort is to research, develop, and integrate consistent, measurable interfaces of live radios, networks, waveforms and network managers with high resolution shared code and behavioral models into the OTC simulation and modeling of battle command network integration and simulation (BCNIS). OTCs BCNIS program will provide realistic situational awareness (SA) and command and control (C2) tactical environment for supporting operational testing, without the costs and constraints of deploying a large number of units to the field. OTC will leverage a variety of battle command system simulations and network loading tools to create the appropriate voice, video, and tactical message loads on networks. Additionally, it will be interoperable with other simulations, data collection, and test control tools within the OTC Advanced Simulation and Instrumentation Systems (OASIS) to provide proven systems and network test support. It will support testing in a distributed environment; be compliant with standard architecture, such as HLA and TENA; employ DoDAF architecture views to support development and integration; compliant with DIACAP and Security requirements; and meet V&V requirements anticipated for use in both tactical communications (such as Joint Tactical Radio System) and network-centric (such as the Future Combat System) test programs. OTC will serve as the systems integration lead for BCNIS, as it does for OASIS, but employs technical expertise from across the Army and DoD to leverage and evolve test support technologies. Data collection, reduction, analysis, and visualization capabilities must be able to track and display, in real-time and for post-event analysis: 1) the status of networks and communications devices (performance, location, key settings, quality of service), 2) inputs and changes to network management systems, 3) changes to the routing and delivery of tactical information, and 4) impacted areas and operations. A particular area of focus must be the representation of built environments - especially large urban concentrations and their impacts on communications and tactical information operations (interference, impact of electromagnetic environments, impact of building materials, etc.).

DESCRIPTION: This effort will perform R&D on live radios, networks, waveforms and network managers with high resolution shared code and behavioral models to integrate OTC simulation and modeling BCNIS. Data collection, reduction, analysis, and visualization capabilities must be able to track and display, in real-time and for post-event analysis: 1) the status of networks and communications devices (performance, location, key settings, quality of service), 2) inputs and changes to network management systems, 3) changes to the routing and delivery of tactical information, and 4) impacted areas and operations. A particular area of focus must be the representation of built environments - especially large urban concentrations and their impacts on communications and tactical information operations (interference, impact of electromagnetic environments, impact of building materials, etc.).

Several acquisition programs as well as the test and evaluation community are providing increased focus on the development or integration of capabilities to replicate tactical and operational networks and the communications effects of electromagnetic, weather, terrain, and information operations. These capabilities primarily involve large-scale simulations of communications systems and networks, communications effects servers to provide high resolution modeling of impacts to quality and speed of service, and interfaces and integration methods that link live networks and applications (battle command systems, intelligence fusion systems, and logistics systems) with the simulated network. It is anticipated that within the next few years, evaluators will be able to employ these simulations and interfaces routinely.

A significant gap in most of these efforts is the ability of evaluators to monitor the complex interactions and activities of these hybrid live and simulated networks as they operate in real-time or to understand activities that occurred on those hybrid networks during post-event analysis. For example, one of the first test events projected to use enhanced communications simulations capabilities will occur in the FY2011 time-frame and will employ a simulation of approximately 2000 radios to complement testing of between 65 to 100 real radios in order to replicate large-scale tactical operations. Good progress is being made on evolution of the network simulations and the interfaces between those simulations and tactical applications but little or no real progress is being made that will allow the test officer to monitor during test operations the status of the entire hybrid network live and simulated to assess if the principles of mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) are achieved. The test officer must be able to see communications regions forming and re-forming as the tactical situation changes and must be able to see the impacts on the routing of tactical information.

Evaluators must be able to understand the dynamics of network operations and the impacts on the ability to conduct tactical operations. During post-event analysis, the analyst will want to assess network performance from a wide range of aspects from purely technical (speed and quality of service, network throughput, timeliness of network transformation) to purely operational (what were the impacts on command and control decisions, were fire missions timely if fire support messages were re-routed due to network turbulence, was situational awareness adversely impacted). In either case, the information required is exponentially more complex than that normally provided or assessed during traditional acquisition efforts.

It is envisioned that tools from commercial large-scale network operations (such as cellular telephone providers) may provide some of the potential solutions. Other potential sources of solutions may come from the rapidly evolving field of visual analysis still largely an academic endeavor but showing great promise for net-centric systems analysis and from previous government testing of communications and network systems. Applications for monitoring and analysis would have to integrate with a variety of simulations, application interfaces and data collection instrumentation to perform these functions. The army is adopting commercial standards in battlefield operations. This effort will involve wireless networks that parallel commercial applications in the monitoring of the flow of information in real time battlefield operations.

The goal of this effort is to develop the capability for simulating communications effects via modeling and more importantly, being able to document, understand, and visualize the impact of those effects - by replicating the effects of man-made environments, electromagnetic, weather, terrain, and information operations on tactical and operational network communications. This capability will involve interfacing and integrating live networks and applications with simulated networks to enhance evaluation of communication systems, network waveforms and management systems, and situational awareness and command and control applications.

The Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) and the Communications-Electronics, Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) are supporting engineering efforts in this effort with OTC and Battle Lab (BL)-Gordon to guide integration and requirements. The modern wireless telecommunications industry that resulted in the development of new services and applications based on new and emerging technology. The influence of the cellular industry has expanded the opportunities within the tactical command and control environment for realistic communications effects to be employed where simulations are developed. Future communications paths are also expected to set the context for expanded wireless technology and more realistic communications effects in simulations within the army.

PHASE I: Perform R&D to determine the feasibility of interfacing and integrating live networks and applications with simulated communications systems and networks, communications effects servers and high resolution models. This study will include identification of performance goals, software specifications, and interface and integration methods required to link live networks and applications with simulated networks and models. The model and stimulation methodology developed must demonstrate the capabilities to simulate communications systems and networks, communications effects servers, and high resolution models with live networks. This must be demonstrated sufficiently to allow on-going development and transition to commercial applications. New and innovative modeling will better allow for testing to replicate tactical and operational networks and the communications effects of electromagnetic, weather, terrain, and information operations to be developed to support operational testing.

PHASE II: The goal of phase II is to develop the prototype and demonstrate the capabilities to simulate communications systems and networks, communications effects servers, high resolution models and integration with live networks. During this phase these dynamics will be demonstrated adequately to allow on-going development and transition to commercial applications to continue.

PHASE III: The capability developed under this SBIR has the potential to meet a wide variety of Government and commercial needs. Potential applications will include the ability to evaluate the performance of large scale networks prior to deployment and fielding, assess the impact of network changes and loading on network performance, and train network users and evaluate systems under a variety of realistic conditions.

The initial customer for this capability will be the Army Operational Test Command (OTC). OTC will utilize the capability to test and evaluate a number Army communications systems and networks.

REFERENCES:

1. Army Regulation 5301; TRADOC Pam 525-3-2

2. STORM:

http://www.sisostds.org/index.php?tg=fileman&idx=get&id=2&gr=Y&path=Simulation+Interoperability+Workshops%2F1998+Spring+SIW%2F98S+Abstracts%2C+Papers+and+Presentations&file=storm.pdf

http://www.sisostds.org/webletter/siso/iss_104/art_600.htm

3. OASIS:

http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA491275

http://www.peostri.army.mil/PRODUCTS/OASISEIS/

4. OneSAF:

http://www.peostri.army.mil/PRODUCTS/ONESAF/

KEYWORDS: Communications Effects, Command, Control, Situational Awareness

A09-143 TITLE: Inertially Stabilized Smart Camera

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop an inertially stabilized smart-camera (ISSC) that achieves sub-milliradian level image stabilization based on sensing and correcting inertial motion of a camera in the presence of tens to hundreds of milliradian levels of camera vibration over a broad frequency band (1-100 Hz). The ISSC measures and corrects for local vibration-induced angular motion of the field of view independent of apparent motion of the observed target or scene, particularly for low-light fast-frame rate color imaging applications.

DESCRIPTION: Increasingly, digital cameras are envisioned or deployed on unmanned vehicles and at remote stations for long-standoff surveillance and reconnaissance applications. The images acquired by these cameras are subject to apparent motion of the field of view due to vibration of the camera as well as motion and distortion due to atmospheric effects. For many applications, stabilization of the image is highly desirable prior to transmission from the camera to an observer.

Image stabilization can be achieved to varying degrees by a multitude of methodologies, some of which have found success within the commercial still and video camera industry. Mechanical image stabilization actuates the imager in order to suppress jitter present on the observers platform from inducing blurring or perceived motion within the image. Digital image stabilization techniques shift the image data spatially within the output array to compensate for apparent motion of the field of view. These digital methods typically employ scene based approaches to deduce own motion and have demonstrated sub-pixel levels of jitter-rejection given a scene with stationary segments that can be tracked and registered. These scene conditions cannot always be guaranteed under poor visibility or low-light scenarios or when the scene is dominated by moving objects. As a result, scene-based stabilization approaches are explicitly excluded in this topic. Instead, the preferred solution equips the camera itself with instrumentation to sense its own motion and stabilize (either digitally or mechanically) the image before transmission to the observer.

Both Feeback Inertial Image Stabilzation and Feedback Inertial Image Stabilization are established approaches to inertial camera stabilization. However, this topic seeks innovative solutions that push beyond existing performance limits and achieve new levels of stabilization performance required by long-standoff observation systems. Long standoff distances (multiple kilometer paths) and narrow fields of view will entail sub milliradian (10s of microradian) levels of stabilization. This is in the presence of 10 - 100 milliradian levels of local vibrational motion of the camera over frequencies from 1 to 100 Hz. The levels of motion and desired stabilization motivate new approaches to inertial sensing and corresponding advances in embedded processing to digitally correct for measured motion.

At the same time, new levels of smart camera integration are required to seamlessly incorporate the desired image stabilization into fast-framing low-light applications. The camera must be smart to enable easy integration into existing video surveillance applications. All processing must be local within the camera device, without imposing external computational or infrastructure requirements. Typical applications could involve mounting the camera on an unmanned ground vehicle or on a surveillance tower. The camera must be capable of providing better than VGA levels of resolution at greater than 60 frames per second. The ability to provide color images in low-light (sub milli-LUX) is critical to a variety of surveillance missions for discrimination of objects under difficult observational conditions. It would be highly desirable to integrate the image stabilization into an embedded processing capability that is scalable and reconfigurable in order to accommodate additional image processing algorithms for object discrimination and image compression. However, the development and implementation of these algorithms is not the intended focus of this topic.

Key Performance Parameters
	Threshold	Objective
Stabilization performance (1 – 100Hz rms)	£ 1 milliradian	£ 0.01 milliradian
Motion environment (1 – 100Hz rms)	³ 10 milliradian	³ 100 milliradian
Minimum Illumination	£1 milli-LUX	£ 0.05 milli-LUX
Frame rate	³ 60 fps	³ 100 fps

PHASE I: Conduct an initial design and feasibility study on camera, embedded computation, and inertial stabilization technology suitable for meeting the imaging requirements. Any hardware-based proof-of-concept demonstrations during this phase will be viewed favorably.

PHASE II: Build a prototype inertially stabilized smart-camera (ISSC) system which operates in the prescribed T 1 milli-LUX at a d 60 Hz frame rate. Perform a demonstration which compares scene-based with inertial-based image stabilization in the presence of 10 - 100 milliradian levels of local vibrational motion. Estimates for Phase III pre-production costs and suggested revisions to the design (based on test results) will be produced.

PHASE III: The Inertially Stabilized Smart-Camera (ISSC) offers the potential to meet a wide variety of DoD and homeland security needs and as such the commercialization of this prototype into a TRL 7 pre-production unit will be supported in this phase of development.

The customer for the initial ISSC capability is the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). WSMR will utilize and test the system in support of a variety of active missions. WSMR will request on-going program funding in the Army's Development Test Command (DTC) Technology Development and Acquisition Program (TDAP) system to implement the ISSC capability.

REFERENCES:

1. R. A. Gross, "Analysis of Internal-Inertial Image Stabilization," Appl. Opt. 10, 1422-1431, 1971.

2. Peter Corke, Jorge Lobo, and Jorge Dias, An introduction to inertial and visual sensing, The International Journal of Robotics Research (IJRR) Special Issue from the 2nd Workshop on Integration of Vision and Inertial Sensors., 26(6):519 V535, June 2007.

3. Morimoto, C. and Chellappa, R., Evaluation of image stabilization algorithms, Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, 1998. Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE International Conference on Volume 5, 12-15 May 1998.

4. Tico, M. and Vehvilainen, M,, Robust method of digital image stabilization, Communications, Control and Signal Processing, 2008. ISCCSP 2008. 3rd International Symposium, 12-14 March 2008

5. Scott W. Teare; Sergio R. Restaino, Introduction to Image Stabilization, SPIE Tutorial Texts in Optical Engineering Vol. TT73

6. PTU-DISM - Inertial Stabilization Module - www.dperception.com/products_family_advanced-features-ism.html

7. A09-143 Key Performance Parameters

8. Additional information from TPOC in response to FAQs; 48 sets of Q&A posted 08-24-09.

KEYWORDS: Inertial sensors, Electronics, Imaging

A09-144 TITLE: Microfabricated Mass Spectrometer for Near Real-Time Toxic Chemical Detection

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Human Systems

OBJECTIVE: Develop a microfabricated mass spectrometer (MS) for use in (1) determining permeation rates through personal protective garments and gear and for (2) hand-portable field detection of toxic volatile and semi-volatile organic chemical threats.

DESCRIPTION: This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is aimed at a creative novel approach to develop a small mass spectrometer (MS) based on microfabrication techniques. There is a need to develop an MS that can be easily and widely applied to unique chemical detection problems, such as swatch testing and field operations. Such a system must be small, inexpensive, robust, and high performing. In order to provide these desirable characteristics, the fabrication methods for the MS analyzer must be simple, highly precise, and low cost. Planar microfabrication techniques offer the potential for satisfying this need.

Development and miniaturization of integrated circuits for advanced computation was one of the most significant scientific advances of all time. There are three fundamental design objectives that guided this advance (reference 1): (1) use thin film processes; (2) keep active components like transistors on one level, at the surface of the substrate; and (3) use the most robust material system available. Analytical chemical instrumentation has benefitted greatly by this advance, mostly at the electronic and computer component level. Additional advanced capabilities are possible by using this approach to design and fabricate the measurement components of analytical instrumentation, and the trend has begun by developments in microfluidics such as microchip capillary electrophoresis, microchip gas chromatography, and microchip liquid chromatography (reference 2). Preliminary efforts in microfabrication of MS analyzers have recently been reported, however, significant innovation and effort is needed for these analyzers to reach their future potential (reference 3). By using microfabrication techniques, it should be possible to design a miniature MS which would operate in the tandem MS (MS/MS) mode in a single device and operate at higher pressures than possible in larger mass spectrometers. Since fouling of electrodes with use is common to all MS designs, and usually determines the frequency of service, the development of throw-away analyzers, which is not unreasonable when based on microfabrication, is extremely attractive.

There are many applications in which instrument size is critical. Obviously, small size is critical for portability, but it is also important when instrumentation must be operated in confined spaces, such as in hoods, and when multiple instruments must be stacked for parallel operation. Furthermore, certain stationary operations require frequent movement of the equipment from one area to another for interval testing. All of these applications could benefit from a new MS analyzer design that is small and inexpensive to fabricate, robust during movement, and easy to remove for servicing and replacement, while still maintaining excellent MS and MS/MS performance. New microfabrication technology should minimize adsorptive surfaces to which analytes could be exposed, greatly reducing the chance for ion-molecule reactions and lengthening the time between cleanings when used as a detector in test equipment, such as the Swatch, Emergency Responder Toxic Industrial Chemicals (ERTIC), Mask, and Glove & Boot test fixtures and when used for detection of chemical threats in the field.

This SBIR topic seeks a novel MS design based on microfabrication techniques to produce an inexpensive, but high performance mass analyzer. The technology should provide simpler, less labor-intensive requirements for cleaning and parts replacement, leading to significantly reduced costs. While feasible, there is significant risk involved in developing a high performance microfabricated MS analyzer. The electrical fields for ion manipulation (e.g., trapping, focusing, and scanning) must be carefully designed and implemented; electrical shielding is especially important for miniaturize analyzers. Materials that are robust under continuous use for extended periods of time must be selected for use as substrates and coatings for patterning of thin-film electrodes and feed-throughs. Novel approaches for ionizing samples and detecting ions with high efficiency are also needed. In addition, low power consumption is critical for field operations.

PHASE I: Perform a feasibility study to develop and demonstrate key performance features of novel microfabricated MS instrumentation for accurate, real-time (or near real-time) detection and identification of volatile and semi-volatile toxic organic chemicals in swatch test fixtures. Generate a detailed design of the new MS utilizing microfabrication methods. Report study findings which will include feasibilities of performance features, detailed design, and microfabrication methods.

PHASE II: Construct a microfabricated MS prototype as designed in Phase I and demonstrate its applicability for detecting target analytes according to the specifications outlined in this topic description. The new MS prototype should demonstrate detection limits better than 100 pg (S/N = 3), and be able to continuously monitor from 0.4 mg/m3 to 200 mg/m3 (direct without split) of target analytes in an air stream. The new MS prototype should also be capable of monitoring an air stream in real-time. This sensitivity and unit mass resolution up to 450 m/z should be maintained for at least 1000 hours of continuous operation.

PHASE III: Deliver a working system to DPG for testing on Swatch, ERTIC, Mask, and Glove & Boot test fixtures. Assist in integrating the new MS in Swatch, ERTIC, Mask, and Glove & Boot fixtures for determining permeation rates of toxic chemical threats. Furthermore, demonstrate the application of the new MS in a hand-portable system for field detection of chemical threats. Provide training for personnel in both application areas.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Private sector applications of the developed technology include (1) use for stationary or mobile routine monitoring of workplace and field environments and (2) use by first responders for field detection of toxic chemicals, solvents involved in arson, drugs of abuse, and explosives, as well as detection of volatile and semi-volatile chemicals associated with agricultural, food quality, biomedical, and environmental issues.

REFERENCES:

1. May, G.S.; Sze, S,M. Fundamentals of Semiconductor Fabrication, Wiley, New York, 2004.

2. Vilkner, T.; Janasek, D.; Manz, A. Anal. Chem. 2004, 76, 3373-3386.

3. Janasek, D.; Franzke, J.; Manz, A. Nature 2006, 442, 374-380.

KEYWORDS: mass spectrometry; microfabrication; detection; chemical threats; toxic industrial chemicals; personal protective equipment; air

A09-145 TITLE: Advanced Readout Development for High Performance Corrugated Quantum Well

Infrared Photoconductors Technology

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Research, design and develop a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) concept that is optimized for high performance C-QWIP (corrugated quantum well infrared photoconductors) detector technology. CQWIP IR technology has not advanced to its potential due to a lack of available low noise ROICs. The readout will be required to be large format (~2Kx2K), small pixel pitch (~15um) and will need to exhibit high injection efficiency, low noise, low power dissipation, high dynamic range, and high storage capacity. Normal ROICs used today are generally optimized for one or two of these parameters but the design concepts to optimized all of these parameters has not yet been undertaken. In addition, the readout design must be capable of operating at 60Hz and provide A/D conversion on-chip to allow digital outputs off the FPA. Particular interests will be given to readout designs that incorporate novel dark current charge skimming (dark current subtraction) to address the limited dynamic range due to higher dark currents associated with QWIP detectors.

DESCRIPTION: This topic seeks to improve the current technology of C-QWIP detector infrared imaging by designing concepts for an advanced large format ROIC optimized specifically for CWIP detectors. Recent development in C-QWIP technology has shown improvements in quantum efficiency compared to the current QWIP technology. Due to the desirable feature of being fabricated on relatively mature GaAs/AlGaAs material systems, C-QWIP has shown to be a viable cost-effective candidate to meet US Armys needs for large format, high performance infrared imaging IRFPAs for persistent surveillance applications. To date, most of the C-QWIP infrared imaging demonstrations consist of mating C-QWIP detector arrays to existing ROIC designs or off-the-shelf ROIC designs. To realize the full performance of C-QWIP technology, readouts optimized specifically for C-QWIP detectors needs to be developed.

PHASE I: Investigate research and design readout architecture optimized for large format, high performance C-QWIP technology through the use of modeling, analysis, empirical testing or construction. Readout designs with innovative dark current charge skimming techniques are highly desirable. Establish working relationship with C-QWIP detector vendor to acquire C-QWIP detector arrays for possible phase II effort.

PHASE II: Using results of Phase I, design, develop and fabricate 2Kx2K, 15um pixel pitch ROIC. To demonstrate performance of ROIC, hybridize (mate) ROIC to C-QWIP detector array and evaluate performance of IRFPA through lab characterization. Develop and fabricate camera electronics to image the IRFPA. Deliver the C-QWIP imaging system/camera to the government.

PHASE III: Transition the C-QWIP technology to a production capable technology. The commercialization of this technology includes night driving aid, search and rescue, security, border patrol, fire fighting, and a host of other high performance infrared imaging applications.

REFERENCES:

1. Forrai, D., Choi, K.,K., Devitt, J., Corrugated QWIP Developments for Tactical Infared Imaging; Infared Systems and Photoelectric Technology II, Proc. Of SPIE Vol 6660, 2007.

2. Majumdar, A., Choi, K.,K., Rokhinson, L., Electron Transfer In Voltage Tunable Two-Color Infrared Photodectors; Journal of Applied Physics, Vol 91, number 7, April 2002.

KEYWORDS: readout integrated circuits,electronics, infrared imaging, infrared focal plane array

A09-146 TITLE: Proactive Automatic Information Requests

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team

OBJECTIVE: The U.S. Army has a need for improved automation at all levels of the Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and Command and Control (C2) processes. As the volume of information grows, it is increasingly difficult for an officer or a commander to anticipate all data that might critically impact the situation of a unit. ISR organizations and C2 staff are stressed to obtain, interpret, filter, distribute, and use a great body of information appropriately. This project will help commanders and their staffs to obtain succinct combat information while reducing their workloads.

This topic addresses a focused set of needs in support of Army Battlespace Awareness Force Operating Capabilities. Battlespace Awareness (BA) is an overarching, unifying concept mechanism to orchestrate and synchronize ISR operations across echelons, services, agencies and coalition partners, by enhancing collaboration, adding new capabilities, and in some cases, performing existing functions more efficiently and effectively [7].

DESCRIPTION: The present Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) is primarily reactive to commanders requests for information. An operator keys in Requests for Information (RFI) based upon his assessment of the commanders visualization. This visualization includes the commanders intent, planning guidance, general and specific doctrine, specific Commanders Critical Information Requirements (CCIR), and Essential Elements of Friendly Information (EEFI). Specific RFI are shaped by the knowledge of the commander and his staff. These individuals will ask for the information that they deem to be important. However, this approach limits the requests to what can be visualized by these individuals given their experience, their local information, the results of their previous information requests, and previous Indications and Warnings (I&W). The result is that a commander does not receive some critical intelligence items because no one determines beforehand that the information is critical to his units situation.

DCGS-A is a system that links a commander to a wealth of information concerning the combat environment. More specifically, a DCGS-A system is hosted on an appropriate computer with a link to information servers by way of a secure network. DCGS-A requires a human operator. The operator uses DCGS-A to fulfill CCIR and EEFI requests. Commanders use the results of these requests to develop appropriate actions within a combat environment or within Operations Other Than War (OOTW).

The U.S. Army desires an automatic I&W and RFI system that operates in conjunction with DCGS-A. This software item will proactively find information that is relevant to a units situation and offer the information to the commanders staff. Such information should be appropriately organized, starting with a succinct summary that includes a justification and explanation of relevance, and links to progressively detailed levels. The justification must be based upon a proven combat model which correlates critical variables to measures of combat power and in turn correlates well with combat results. In other words, such a system will assess a units situation in light of combat experience and offer information that the commander can use to gain advantages over the enemy.

A useful byproduct of this software is that CCIRs can be compared with what the software feels is most important. This provides an indication of how commanders are making their decisions and provides feedback to training commands.

Improving performance over time is a useful characteristic. The combat model can be updated using the databases available to a server. In this way, the system automatically learns; producing more relevant information as it gains experience with particular conditions, a specific theater, or mode of combat.

A third useful feature is that the software is capable of providing information to the militarys long-term planners regarding the key variables impacting those missions, theaters, or mode of combats that are expected in the future. This information is useful to improving organization, intelligence capabilities, logistics, other military functions, and weapons systems.

PHASE I: The contractor will develop a technical approach to facilitate innovative methods of automation including requirements, usage scenarios, and a prototype architecture for implementing effective automatic information requests in net-centric environments. The contractor will establish the feasibility including a technical risks assessment of the proposed approach.

PHASE II: The contractor will capture the specific operational scenarios within a Government specified domain. A prototype will be developed to demonstrate the capability of the system for use by the Army. The architectural significance of the device will be defined. Doctrinal issues will be addressed. The Phase II device will be integrated in a laboratory or simulated environment with the characteristics of the target tactical environments. Initial performance benchmarks will be defined and the system will be tested according to these benchmarks.

PHASE III: The end state of this project is effective automation of I&W and of RFI across the Global Information Grid (GIG) by multiple Government organizations. This automation will improve combat performance by minimizing information disuse and stagnation while minimizing command workload. Army applications include use of the technology by stakeholders in all stages of the ISR analysis workflow. Similar needs exist in the other services, homeland defense, and intelligence agencies. Phase III applications may involve joint and cross-organization operations. Candidate Army transition programs include Aerial Common Sensor (ACS), DCGS-A, and Future Combat Systems (FCS). Potential dual use would be the application of this technology in commercial organizations to improve the production of critical decisions about competitors, customers, suppliers and new markets.

REFERENCES:

1. Dam, Steve, DoD Architecture Framework: A Guide to Applying System Engineering to Develop Integrated Executable Architectures, BookSurge Publishing, 2006.

2. Chizek, Judy, Military Transformation: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Library of Congress, July 2003.

3. Dept. of Defense Chief Information Officer Memorandum, DoD Net-Centric Data Strategy, May 9, 2003.

4. Distributed Common Ground System Army; http://www.monmouth.army.mil/peoiew/dcgsa

5. U.S. Army Field Manual 2-0

6. U.S. Army Field Manual 3-0

7. U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Functional Concept for Battlespace Awareness. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 31 October 2003.

8. DCGS-A Version 2 (V2) System A Key Element in the Armys Net-Centric ISR Arsenal http://asc.army.mil/docs/pubs/alt/2007/2_AprMayJun/articles/20_DCGS-A_--_Version_2_(V2)_System_A_Key_Element_in_the_Army's_Net-Centric (ISR)_Arsenal_200704.pdf

9. Distributed Common Ground System- Army (DCGS-A), http://www.gdc4s.com/documents/DCGS-A.pdf

10. Distributed Common Ground Station - Army (DCGS-A), http://www.gdc4s.com/content/detail.cfm?item=004279f8-a9a9-4c18-8051-f9e1acb643ee

11. DCGS-A Users' Web Forum and TRADOC Capability Manages Sensor Processing Home Page University of Military Intelligence. http://www.universityofmilitaryintelligence.us/mipb/DCGS_A.asp

KEYWORDS: Distributed Common Ground System, Information Request, Combat Planning, Battlespace Awareness, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance

A09-147 TITLE: Helmet Mounted Radar System (HRMS)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Develop a miniature, low power, near 360-degree field of view Moving Target Indicator (MTI) radar sensor that will alert the soldier to the whereabouts of a target out to at least 25 meters. The sensor is to be mounted, embedded, and integrated within the Advanced Combat Helmet and associated sensor suites.

DESCRIPTION: With the emerging threat of urban warfare, soldiers need a reliable, lightweight radar system that detects and locates close range targets and cues the soldier to the target's location. In urban warfare, dismounted warfighters can come from any direction, thus the system shall provide a near 360-degree field of view (FOV) and detect dismount targets out to 25 meters, with a goal of 50 meters. Special attention should be given to the weight and power consumption of the system. The total weight of the system should be < 2 1/2 pounds and the portion of the system mounted on the helmet should be < 1 pound. The effective radiated power of the system has to be low enough not to affect the health of the soldier. The contractor shall develop an innovative concept that will be utilized in the detection of targets and alert the soldier to the whereabouts of the targets. The radar system shall be capable of being mounted, embedded and integrated within the Advanced Combat Helmet and associated Sensor suite. An objective requirement for the system is to have usage of the system while under coverage, alertness to other blue force entities, and the detection of small arms fire.

PHASE I: The contractor shall conduct a feasibility study to develop a miniature, low power, Moving Target Indicator (MTI) radar system that can be mounted, embedded and integrated within the Advanced Combat Helmet and associated Sensor Suite. The contractor shall submit a report which will be a feasibility study of the methods and radar sensors used to perform this mission. The report should contain a description of the radar sensors, and the method for taking the radar data from the sensors and cueing the soldier to the whereabouts of the target.

PHASE II: The contractor shall develop a prototype system based on the findings of the Phase I feasibility effort. A demonstration of the prototype system will be conducted at a location determined by the government.

PHASE III: Based on Phase II results, the system will be improved upon and optimized for integration with the Advanced Combat Helmet. The system will be used to demonstrate its target detection and cueing capabilities at a location determined by the government. Several specific military/commercial programs that can benefit from this system include Law Enforcement agencies, Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border security, etc. Potential Commercial applications that can take advantage of this technology include remote stand-alone MTI radar for perimeter awareness, vehicular accident avoidance, environment awareness for law enforcement agencies, etc.

REFERENCES:

1. Johnson, R.C., "Antenna Engineering Handbook" Third Edition. New York:McGraw-Hill, 1993.

2. Merrill Skolnik, "Radar Handbook" Second Edition. New York:McGraw-Hill, 1990.

3. https://peosoldier.army.mil/docs/TM10847020410R001.pdf.

KEYWORDS: Helmet Radar, Moving Target Indicator, Sensors, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

A09-148 TITLE: Tunnel Detection using MASINT Techniques

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors

OBJECTIVE: Develop a suite of sensors that will detect, and locate tunnels. The system will be able to determine the depth of the tunnel and map the location of the tunnel on an overlay of a map. The system should also be able to determine if the tunnel has power and be able to detect the presence of human beings.

DESCRIPTION: Tunnels are used for a variety of reasons, to smuggle people across borders illegally, to smuggle weapons behind enemy lines and to perform terrorism. The tunnels can be large enough for a man to walk upright, have power for lights, power for air and noxious gas removal. They can be small and shallow, just large enough for a person to crawl through. The tunnels essentially make voids in the earth which make them susceptible to detection by seismic/acoustic techniques. The larger tunnels with power and conduit to hold power lines are detectable through electromagnetic techniques as well. The tunnels if not properly ventilated or even with ventilation have to filter the air and this gas is detectable. The contractor shall develop an innovative concept that will be utilized in the detection, location and mapping of these various detection parameters and tunnels.

PHASE I: The contractor shall conduct a feasibility study to develop a suite of sensors that would be necessary to detect tunnels. The methods used for the detection of the tunnels can be seismic/acoustic, electromagnetic and/or chemical sensors. The contractor shall submit a report which will be a feasibility study of the methods and sensors used to perform this mission. The report should contain a description of the sensors, the method for taking the data from the sensors and turning this into useful information to determine if there is a tunnel and where this tunnel is located.

PHASE II: The contractor shall develop a prototype system based on the findings of the Phase I feasibility effort. The prototype system will be able to map the physical dimensions of the tunnel and location of the tunnel and display this location overlayed on a map of the local area.

The system should also be able to display other characteristics of the tunnel such as power. A demonstration of the system will be done at a location determined by the government.

PHASE III: Based on Phase II results the system will be improved upon and optimized for commercialization. The system will be used to demonstrate its tunnel detection capabilities at a government facility such as Yuma Proving Ground or facility with some sort of tunnel system. The system will also be tested at border areas where tunnels have been know to be used to smuggle contraband into the United States. The system will also be demonstrated in areas where the government feels there is a possibility of tunnel activity that could compromise the security of U.S. interests. Several specific military/commercial programs that can benefit from this system include Forward Operating Bases (FOB), URBAN SABRE, Sense Through The Wall (STTW), military encampments, Law Enforcement agencies, Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border security.

REFERENCES:

1. Mican, S.,: "A Novel 3D Seismic Sensor for Virtual Border Application" Technologies for Homeland Security, 2008 IEEE Conference, 12-13 May 2008, pp.67-72

2. Sabatier, J.M.; Matalkah, G.M., "A Study on the Passive Detection of Clandestine Tunnels" Technologies for Homeland Security, 2008 IEEE Conference on Vol. , Issue , 12-13 May 2008 pp.353 - 358

3. http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2007/December/Pages/SecurityBeat2431.aspx

4. http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2008/May/Pages/SecurityBeat2260.aspx

5. http://www.fcw.com/Articles/2009/02/24/Tunnels-p-roliferating-at-borders.aspx

KEYWORDS: Sensors, seismic, acoustic, electromagnetic, chemical detection, Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)

A09-149 TITLE: Visual Measurement Based Autonomous Navigation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate a visual based electro optic device that provides navigation data for use in place of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in a soldier navigation system. The demonstration must show that the performance is not tied to temperature and be on the order of a 0.5 deg/hr MEMs IMU.

DESCRIPTION: Soldier navigation systems currently consist of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and possibly an inertially based measurement device to determine the motion of the soldier. When these are coupled, the two work very well together, providing Position Location Information (PLI) to the soldier. In a navigation system, the GPS provides highly accurate PLI and keeps the errors in the inertial device constrained, while the inertial device lends robustness to the navigation solution. Inertial devices used for personal navigation systems must be small, light weight, very power efficient, and low cost. These constraints lead to the use of units with poor accuracies and high error growth mechanisms that drive the performance and cause the unit to degrade rapidly in the absence of GPS. Error growth is primarily dependent upon time or distance travelled, and low grade systems quickly exceed acceptable performance parameters without inputs to restrict the error growth, thus rendering the unit ineffective in a matter of a few minutes. This situation is especially critical when operating in conditions where GPS is unavailable, such as a GPS denied battlefield, under foliage, in and around natural mountains/canyons, or more recently pertinent, urban conditions.

A video based device could replace the inertial sensor in a soldier navigation system by providing velocity and position information based on object recognition and measurements made upon those objects. The distinct advantage here is that this type of system inherently offers the opportunity to meet the need for low cost, light weight, low power, and small size in a device that does not have an error mechanism that depends on temperature or grows with time/distance traveled. Current video based navigation solutions require an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that is relatively large, heavy and expensive. We are seeking an innovative method for using visual object recognition to autonomously determine PLI without auxiliary hardware for use in a soldier navigation system. This concept eliminates the need for an IMU, replacing it within the navigation system.

PHASE I: T he vendor shall investigate methods and develop algorithms to use with a video based device in order to recognize objects, make measurements, and calculate the attitude, position, and velocity of the camera in real time. This should initially be conducted with smooth and steady motion to verify and improve upon the technique, but later dynamic disturbances should be introduced to the field of view that are similar in nature to motions of the human body. The vendor shall determine what error mechanisms impact potential devices and analyze them to predict the expected performance. Using this error analysis, the vendor shall explore meothods to mitigate the errors and prepare a model/simulation to test the veracity of the techniques developed and use this tool to demonstrate the potential capability.

PHASE II: Based on the results from phase I, the vendor shall develop a prototype visual based system and experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of navigating with a camera in place of an IMU. This demonstration should include a scenario where GPS is available and then transition to a GPS hostile environment, such as an indoor scenario, which is especially important as GPS is not available. This phase must include considerations for size, weight, power, and cost to be useful for soldier navigation systems. Investigations should include the fidelity and performance of cell phone cameras (extremely small size, weight, power, and cost) as candidates for use as soldier sensors.

PHASE III: The vendor shall further refine the development of a camera based autonomous navigation system for a field demonstration on an individual. This includes more involved considerations such as the human gait, robustness, and degraded visual conditions. Development should also include uses by other potential customers such as fire fighters, automotive applications (both military and commercial), unmanned air/ground vehicles (UAVs/UGVs), etc. In particular other Army efforts that may benefit from this development include: the Military 3D Locator, RF ADaptive technologies Integrated with Communications And Location (RADICAL) Army Technical Objective (ATO)l, and Assured Position and Navigation efforts in the Communication-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Command and Control (C2) Directorate as well as the Advanced 3D Locator development effort currently being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.

REFERENCES:

1. SiFT-ing through Features with ViPR, Application of Visual Pattern Recognition to Robotics and Automation - Mario E. Munich, Paolo Pirjanian, Enrico Di Bernardo, Luis Goncalves, Niklas Karlsson, and David Lowe; IEEE Robotics and Automation Magazine, September 2006, pp 72-77.

2. L. Goncalves, E. Di Bernardo, D. Benson, M. Svedman, J. Ostrowski, N. Karlsson, and P. Pirjanian, A visual front end for simultaneous localization and mapping, in Proc. Int. Conf. Robotics Automation (ICRA), 2005, pp. 44-49.

3. Dieter Fox, Wolfram Burgard, Sebastian Thrun and Armin B. Cremers "Position Estimation for Mobile Robots in Dynamic Environments", 1998, American Association for Artificial Intelligence.

KEYWORDS: Global Positioning System (GPS), Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), Navigation System, Position Location Information (PLI), Simultaneous LocalizationAnd Mapping (SLAM),

A09-150 TITLE: Problem Conceptualization & Resolution of Network Problems in Tactical Environment

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems

OBJECTIVE: Research and develop innovative algorithms, cognitive visualization, correlation and reduction technologies for the presentation of mission relevant network operations (NetOps) data. Information needs to be presented in such a way that an unskilled operator can understand the complexities of a tactical network.

DESCRIPTION: Acquiring and maintaining NetOps situational awareness is a key task of any network operator in defense of the Global Information Grid (GIG). Accomplishing this task currently requires a skilled network engineer. Only with these skills can the network operator fully understand, maintain, and diagnose the status of the network. Tactical network management operators often come in with a

limited amount of training and are responsible for problem resolution of complex systems which are abstract or do not have good physical world references.

Existing commercial off the shelf (COTS) network monitoring tools are designed for skilled users who understand networks, and not networks with the characteristics of a tactical environment. Tools are designed for static networks where loss of connectivity is atypical. In a tactical network, problems such as error rates, packet drops, resource contention and system mis-configuration are typical and usually require an in-depth understanding of the systems in order to be resolved.

New tasks, emergencies, and other distractions increase the burden on the operator as the situational status of the network, its environment, and the mission must be reacquired. Unfortunately, the current generation of network operator systems are based on conventional commercial operational support systems (OSS), and often do not take into account recent advances in our understanding of the human visual system, or in human-centered computing, and thus to not provide any cognitive load reducing benefits. Instead, they just provide data and expect the operator to be able to integrate it all, while simultaneously accomplishing other tasks.

Traditional displays require the network operator to scan the raw data, looking at various systems in succession in order to obtain needed information. Examples include determining the relationships spectrum management, network monitoring, security and access control policies. Studies of system scanning have shown that the amount of time an operator views a system is affected by such factors as the type of system, the operators workload at the time, mission type, and the operators expectations. It is not unusual for even trained network operators to spend as much as 0.5 to 2 sec viewing a single item of data. The delay imposed by the requirement to gather information sequentially can be substantial, severely limiting the operators ability to cope with rapidly changing or unanticipated situations and emergencies. Furthermore, the operator must constantly monitor systems to ensure that the network is performing as intended. Rapidly understanding deviations from a prescribed mission plan is particularly important for network operators, who often switch between network planning, network execution, network monitoring, and network replanning.

PHASE I: Observe and research problem resolution of untrained network management operators of tactical networks in high stress environment and come up with techniques and feedback processes to maximize performance. Categorize the different types of problems a tactical network operator is subject to. Perform user studies observing untrained operator behavior in resolving network problems. Research the techniques and feedback systems in order to optimize operator performance and test their success on real operators. Provide a paper documenting the best processes for problem resolution in the tactical environment.

PHASE II: Implement the best approach resulting from the documented reports in Phase I. Deliverable includes prototype software that will be demonstrated and tested Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC). Deliverable final report will include the final design, as well as test results, and any results of modeling and simulation. It must also demonstrate how it generates relationships between various information sources.

PHASE III: Develop fully functional system as described in Phase II and refine to the degree necessary to transition into a Program of Record. Deliverables include final product, any documentation associated with product, as well as all modeling and simulation results .

REFERENCES:

1. Hansen, Robert J. Human-System Technology, http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA440015

2. Liu, Yan; Salvendy, Gavriel, Design and evaluation of visualization support to facilitate decision trees classification, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, V.65 n.2, p. 95-111

KEYWORDS: Cognitive; Heuristic; Relationships; Optimization; Patterns; Information

A09-151 TITLE: In-situ Stress and Temperature Optical Monitoring for low-cost heteroepitaxial substrates

for HgCdTe infrared detectors.

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: To design a concept for real-time temperature, stress, and reflectivity monitoring during the MBE (molecular beam epitaxial) growth of HgCdTe/CdTe layers on low-cost large-area substrates.

DESCRIPTION: II-VI compound semiconductor alloys of HgCdTe have been shown to be ideal materials for detecting infrared radiation at wavelengths of tactical and strategic interest. Next-generation systems are envisioned to entail large-format (>1M pixels), infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPA) for applications such as persistent surveillance and beyond-the-horizon enhanced horizontal field of view systems. Such systems will only be realized through the use of low-cost large format composite substrates such as CdTe buffered Si, or GaAs. The traditional substrate material, Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT), is not made in large format sizes and is available only from a foreign vendor. Fabrication of large area composite structures will be difficult due to large lattice and thermal matching between the CdTe buffer layer and the Si or GaAs substrate. More critically, the growth of II-VI material (HgCdTe, CdTe) is highly temperature dependent and the temperature measurements within a high vacuum environment are very challenging. What would be ideal is an optical sensor that could be used non-destructively through a port window to monitor critical growth parameters like temperature, stress and surface morphology. Recent advances in the CdTe/Si and CdTe/GaAs growth technology have come from improved growth recipes, derived from in-situ annealing and interface engineering studies.

Further improvement in these composite substrates is required to reduce the density and propagation of crystalline defects that would degrade the subsequent HgCdTe device overlayer. In-situ annealing processes could be further examined and optimized by monitoring the overall stress and temperature states of the deposited film in real time. Simultaneous monitoring of accurate substrate surface temperature is also necessary for improved understanding of the annealing process. For Si, commercially available pyrometers do not permit the full temperature range used during CdTe MBE because the surface properties change as CdTe is deposited. For example, accurate substrate temperature measurement is complicated by changes in surface emissivity during growth. Reflectance monitoring could be employed for emissivity correction as well as thickness/growth rate measurements.

PHASE I: The contractor shall establish the feasibility of apparatus capable of performing real-time (non-contact) optical temperature surface monitoring in the range 25-800 deg C on Si, GaAs, and CdTe, in addition to real-time stress and surface reflectivity monitoring. This should include a feasibility demonstration on bare and CdTe buffered substrates provided by NVESD. NVESD will also provide HgCdTe epitaxial layers for feasibility demonstration of stress and reflectivity monitoring. A plan for incorporation of the apparatus into an existing VG80H MBE system should be included, with attention to the need for monitoring during substrate rotation.

PHASE II: The contractor shall complete design and development as well as fabrication of the temperature/stress/reflectivity monitoring apparatus for MBE growth of CdTe on Si and GaAs substrates. The field testing will be critical to the performance and acceptance of the optical based measurement system.

PHASE III: Successful completion of Phase II, followed by validation of apparatus by government experts, will likely lead to great interest from the II-VI thin-film growth industry. It is anticipated that several major corporations seeking critical real-time growth metrics (for improved yield) would purchase the tool. Revenue from service agreements would maintain the small business.

REFERENCES:

1. N.K. Dhar C.E.C Wood, A. Gray, H.Y. Wei, L. Salamanca-Riba, J.H. Dinan, J. Vac. Sci Technol. B 14 2366 (1996)

2. Y. Chen, S. Farrell, G. Brill, P. Wijewarnasuriya, N. Dhar, J. Cryst Grwth, 310, 5303-5307 (2008)

3. R.N. Jacobs , J. Markunas, J. Pellegrino, L.A. Almeida, M. Groenert, M. Jaime-Vasquez, N. Mahadik, C. Andrews, S.B. Qadri , J. Cryst. Grwth. 310, 2960 (2008)

KEYWORDS: in-situ Stress monitor, heteroepitaxy, thin-film, HgCdTe, Si, IRFPA

A09-152 TITLE: Develop a Point-of-care Antigen Assay for Rickettsial Early Diagnosis

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: Rickettsial pathogens have been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during military operations. Currently there are no FDA-cleared, field-usable assays that can be used to diagnose rickettsial disease in sick soldiers. The goal of this topic is to develop the capability to detect rickettsial antigens/pathogens in sick soldiers blood for early diagnosis within one week after the on set of illness to compliment the development of on going antibody based diagnosis. We envision a rapid point-of-care, hand-held device that is capable of determining whether a sick soldier is infected with rickettsiae. The assay should be at least 85% as sensitive and specific as current (non-deployable, non-FDA cleared) assays. The assay must be soldier friendly (little or no training required), rapid (<30 min), easy to operate (one- or two-step), inexpensive, portable, and all reagents must be heat-stable (at 35 degrees C for 2 years) without the requirements for special storage.

DESCRIPTION: Rickettsial pathogens have been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during military operations. Many different organisms fall under the name of rickettsial pathogens which cause a variety of diseases. In recent years, emerging rickettsial disease has been reported throughout the world and is a significant medical concern for local and deployed personnel and travelers [1]. The most militarily relevant pathogens are the spotted fever group Rickettsiae (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Rickettsial Pox, Boutonneuse fever, Siberian and Australian tick typhus, and Oriental spotted fever) and the typhus group Rickettsiae (epidemic and murine typhus).

Due to the high mortality rate that can result from untreated rickettsial infections, early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is critical [2]. Doxycycline is the drug of choice for the infections caused by Rickettsia except in cases of pregnancy and tetracycline hypersensitivity. Symptoms of many rickettsial infections are easily confused with a variety of other pathogens (e.g., dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, etc.) that require different treatment regimens. In order to ensure that appropriate treatment is initiated promptly, the early diagnosis of rickettsial infections is critical. Currently, the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases relies mainly on serological methods [3, 4]. Hand-held assays specific for spotted fever group and typhus group Rickettsia are in the process of being developed. These tests are all based on antibody detection. However, antibody based assays may not be adequate for the diagnosis of patients in acute phase as antibody levels may not be detectable at the onset of illness. Therefore, antigen/pathogen detection before the rise of antibody level is important. Almost all antigen/pathogen detection for rickettsial diseases is based on polymerase chain reaction [5, 6]. This approach requires sample processing (DNA extraction), sophisticated instrumentation, expensive temperature sensitive reagents, and extensive training of the end user. Its application is suitable for the hospital based laboratory, but not for point-of-care in a rural area.

The goal of this SBIR topic is to develop the capability to detect rickettsial antigens/pathogens in sick soldiers blood soon after the onset of diseases. We envision a rapid point-of-care, hand-held device that is capable of determining whether a sick soldier is infected with rickettsiae. The assay should be at least 85% as sensitive and specific as current (non-deployable, non-FDA cleared) assays. The assay must be soldier friendly (little or no training required), rapid (<30 min), easy to operate (one- or two-step), inexpensive, portable, and all reagents must be heat-stable (storage at 35 degrees C for 2 years) without the requirements for special storage.

PHASE I: Selected contractor demonstrates the feasibility of the concept by developing a prototype diagnostic assay for antigen/pathogen detection using its selected technology that has the potential to meet the broad needs outlined in this topic. The assay must detect all rickettsial diseases (spotted fever group and typhus group). The assay should be able to further differentiate spotted fever group and typhus group Rickettsia when it is necessary. Selected contractor should coordinate with the contracting officers representative (COR) for access to required reagents and control materials from DoD. A limited supply of reagents and control materials may be provided by Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) (these reagents may not be sufficient to complete all work required by the contract the contractor may have to obtain additional reagents from sources other than NMRC). The selected contractor provides prototype device/assay format and reagent sufficient to evaluate 100 samples to the COR for initial laboratory testing at the NMRC at the conclusion of Phase I. Data from independent testing at the NMRC will be used as a factor in determining award of Phase II contracts.

PHASE II: The selected contractor provides at least 300 prototype devices/assay format and reagents to evaluate 100 samples to the COR each time. Feedback regarding the sensitivity/specificity of prototype device/assay format will be provided to the contractor at the end of each evaluation this data will then be used to optimize and improve each subsequent design of prototype device/assay format. The goal in Phase II is the development of a prototype device/assay format that provides 85% sensitivity and 85% specificity when compared to current gold standard assays for rickettsial diseases. Once sensitivity/specificity requirements have been met, the selected contractor provides a final prototype device/assay format and reagents sufficient for evaluating of 500 samples to the COR for laboratory confirmation of assay performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, accuracy, reliability and limit of detection) and initial field testing. The selected contractor will also conduct stability testing of the prototype device/assay format in Phase II. Stability testing will follow both real-time and accelerated (attempt to force the product to fail under a broad range of temperature and humidity conditions and extremes) testing in accordance with FDA requirements.

PHASE III: During this phase the performance of the assay should be evaluated in a variety of field study sites that will conclusively demonstrate that the assay meets the requirements of this topic. The selected contractor shall make this product for sale to military and non-military users throughout the world. The selected contractor is recommended to carry out studies required to obtain FDA clearance for the assay.

Military applications: Rickettsial diseases are widely distributed throughout the world as zoonotic cycles in foci of endemicity, with sporadic and often seasonal outbreaks developing. Historically, infection with typhus group rickettsia was responsible for greater than 30 million cases of typhus during and immediately after World War I, causing about 3 million deaths. The recent outbreak of louse borne typhus in refugee camps in Burundi, which involved thousands of human cases with the mortality rate exceeding 10%, reminded us that rickettsial diseases can re-emerge in epidemic forms as a result of the catastrophic breakdown of social conditions. The Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC) last year ranked spotted fever and murine typhus as the 22nd and 25th highest global risk-severity index (GRSI) disease, respectively, among 53 infectious diseases of military significance. The real threat to deployed soldiers is much higher than the current view because there are no good diagnostic assays and cases are always under reported, especially in those developing countries where the disease is endemic. The diagnosis of these cases is often delayed, because the similarity of symptoms with other febrile diseases and that there are no FDA-cleared rickettsial tests currently available. With the availability of an easy and rapid assay developed under this topic, sick soldiers will be treated in a timely manner in any military medical organization (such as a Battalion Aid Station, a Combat Support Hospital, Forward operation base, or a fixed medical facility). Once a National Stock Number (NSN) has been assigned to the assay, it will be incorporated into appropriate "Sets, Kits and Outfits" that are used by deployed medical forces.

Civilian applications: Rickettsioses are a good example of diseases whose importance is not adequately appreciated, except by patients. It is a widespread zoonotic disease. In the US, drastic increase in the number of cases of murine typhus and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) occurred in the 1940 and in the late 1970s, respectively. Additional human pathogens are being identified in areas of the world where rickettsioses had not previously been investigated in depth. Political unrest and major changes in social conditions have led to small outbreaks of rickettsial diseases in various parts of the world. Civilians in these areas are subjected to great danger. We envision that the contractor that develops the rickettsial assay will be able to market this assay to a variety of civilian medical organizations, and that this market will be adequate to sustain the continued production of this device.

REFERENCES:

1. Walker, DH Rickettsiae and Rickettsial Infections: The Current State of Knowledge. Clin. Infec. Dis. 2007, 45 (Suppl 1) S39-S44.

2. Rolain JM, Jensenius M, Raoult D. Rickettsial infections--a threat to travellers? Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2004 Oct;17(5):433-7.

3. Kovacova E, Kazar J. Rickettsial diseases and their serological diagnosis. Clin Lab. 2000;46(5-6):239-45.

4. La Scola B, Raoult D. Laboratory diagnosis of rickettsioses: current approaches to diagnosis of old and new rickettsial diseases. J Clin Microbiol 1997;35:2715-27.

5. Henry KM, Jiang J, Rozmajzl PJ, Azad AF, Macaluso KR, Richards AL. Development of quantitative real-time PCR assay to detect Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, the causative agents of murine typhus and flea-borne spotted fever. Mol Cell Probes 2007;21:17-23.

6. Razmajzl PJ, Houhamdi L, Jiang J, Raoult D, Richards AL. Validation of a Rickettsia prowazekii-specific quantitative real-time PCR cassette and DNA extraction protocols using experimentally infected lice. Ann N. Y. Acad. Sci. 2006, 1078:617-619.

KEYWORDS: rapid diagnosis, antigen/pathogen detection, point-of-care, rickettsial diseases,

A09-153 TITLE: Wearable Fiber Optic-Enabled Chemical Nanosensor Array for Warfighters

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Chemical/Bio Defense, Biomedical, Human Systems

OBJECTIVE: Develop a novel lightweight, low power and inexpensive smart porous silicon sensor capable of reliably detecting one or more non-agent volatile organic chemical compounds (VOCs). Demonstrate signal capture, signature analysis, and digital data packet generation.

DESCRIPTION: Develop and demonstrate a minimalistic chemical nanosensor that is low-cost, lightweight, and suitable for use by dismounted Warfighters operating in harsh environments. The ideal prototype sensor would (a) be based on optically-interrogated porous-silicon, PSi, nanosensor technology, (b) incorporate digital signal processing, and (c) be capable of reliably detecting, classifying and providing the airborne concentration of one or more TICs (toxic industrial chemicals). The sensor will ultimately be used to improve chemical situational awareness of military personnel by (a) detecting, classifying, quantifying, and reporting chemical species contained in air and/or expired breath, and (b) enabling prompt (within tens of seconds) detection, characterization, and local annunciation of exposure to a range of environmental chemical threats such as volatile organic compounds.

Advances in the understanding of the manufacture of PSi, new techniques for suppression of background interference in PSi-based sensors, successful encoding of PSi rugate filters for multiple analytes together with demonstrations of compact optical fiber sensor smart nodes intended for embedded use allow for the possibility of an ultra-compact, powerful, low-cost, physically-robust sensor that does not necessarily require power at the sensor node. Significant challenges remain in adapting this technology for use by the Warfighter, specifically in miniaturizing the sensing element and providing a useful signal over a wide range of environmental conditions. Accuracy, durability, and insensitivity to heat, dust, changes in humidity; precision, reliability, reversibility, and sensitivity to target analytes; simplicity, speed of operation, low power-consumption, low weight, small physical size, low cost, minimal logistical burden, and ease of use are all desired sensor characteristics.

The ultimate goal is to develop a sensor with detection limits for target analytes consistent with the medical threat represented by the analyte e.g., benzene 0.04 ppm, xylene 17 ppm, toluene 7 ppm, acetone 170 ppm. (This list is for reference only and is not intended to be either definitive or complete. Required detection limits for any analyte of interest may be estimated as one-third of the most conservative time weighted average (TWA) exposure threshold limit value found on a given substances current MSDS.) Technologies proposed must show a clear developmental path towards providing this level of sensitivity. Target analyte concentration derived from the sensor should be in close correspondence to reference measurements. Sensor reversibility is required, that is, quick clearing or reset of a previously exposed sensor.

System response times of a very few tens of seconds, or less, not minutes or hours, are needed. The sensor must operate reliably, with minimal calibration requirements. The sensor technology should exhibit good selectivity, providing the desired information regarding the triggering analyte without significant interference from other compounds. Ideally, the technology should ultimately be able to detect, classify and report the concentration of a variety of analytes in the presence of interfering compounds. To facilitate eventual use in networked applications, sensors must be capable of providing information in digital format (e.g., unique identification number, time of detection event, analyte class and concentration, sensor status) in response to an external query. Experimentation with human test volunteers will not be needed.

PHASE I: Initiate development of a smart porous-silicon sensor capable of detecting one or more volatile organic compounds. More specifically, define methods to reliably produce porous-silicon with the desired characteristics. Explore innovative methods of producing millimeter-sized sensor elements. Define approaches to optically interrogate sensor element and generate digital data. Initiate efforts to assess sensor performance (sensitivity, reliability, regenerability, response to varied humidity, etc.), power requirements, and general feasibility for field use.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate an advanced prototype sensor (Technology Readiness Level 4: Component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment)(TRL Explanation Biomedical TRL Explanation). Demonstrate selectivity, reliability, insensitivity to common interferents, and stability towards zero point drift. Demonstrate the detection and discrimination of two or more target volatile organic compound (VOC) analytes under conditions of 25-75% relative humidity and -10 to 55 deg C. Demonstrate digital data sensor output. Develop and deliver at least five advanced prototype sensor systems. Provide a technical path forward to an advanced sensor capable of multi-analyte detection in air and expired breath under field conditions.

PHASE III: Other DoD, non-DoD Governmental and private sector applications for the technology should be identified and vigorously pursued by the offeror. This technology could be used in mobile, portable and static applications. Because the threat of exposure to harmful level of volatile organic compounds exists across a wide array of workplace and operational environments, this technology would be useful in risk mitigation, threat detection, and acute and chronic exposure assessment of large populations.

REFERENCES:

1. J. Ge, et al. Systematic study on pulse parameters in fabricating porous silicon-layered structures by pulse electrochemical etching. 2007 Semiconductor Science and Technology. 22 925-928

2. C. Pacholsik, M. Sailor. Sensing with porous silicon double layers: A general approach for background suppression. Physica stauts solidi. v4 issue 6, pp 2088-2092

3. S. Lewis, et al. Sensitive, selective, and analytical improvements to a porous silicon gas sensor. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical v110 issue 1 pp 54-65

4. S. Jang, et al. Multi-encoded rugate porous silicon as nerve agents sensors. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2007 Nov; 7(11):4049-52

5. S. Lloyd, et al. Compact optical fiber sensor smart node. Rev Sci Instrum. 2007 Mar; 78(3):035108

6. V. Lien, et al. A fiber-optic powered wireless sensor module made on elastomeric substrate for wearable sensors. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2004: 3:2145-8

7. M. Sailor. Color Me Sensitive: Amplification and Discrimination in Photonic Silicon Nanostructures. ACS Nano, 2007, 1 (4) pp 248-252

8. Dorvee, J. and M. J. Sailor. A low-power sensor for volatile organic compounds based on porous silicon photonic crystals. Phys. Stat. Sol. (a) 202, No. 8, 1619-1623 (2005)

9. M. Sailor, Smart Dust: Sensors Derived from Photonic Crystals and Luminescent Quantum Dot Structures in Nanocrystalline Porous Si. Gerischer Symposium on Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials and Interfaces. May 2003. http://www.electrochem.org/dl/ma/203/pdfs/2742.pdf

10. J. Buriak. High surface area silicon materials: fundamentals and new technology. Phil. Trans. R. Soc A 2006 364, 217-225

11. Review of the Army's Technical Guides on Assessing and Managing Chemical Hazards to Deployed Personnel (2004) Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology (BEST) The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 2004 http://darwin.nap.edu/books/0309092213/html

12. IEEE 1451 Standards (see: http://ieee1451.nist.gov/ and http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/1451/0/)

KEYWORDS: Ambulatory monitoring, wearable sensor, nanotechnology, porous silicon, chemical awareness, toxic industrial chemicals

A09-154 TITLE: In Vivo Stem Cell Extraction Device

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: To develop a cell extraction device (that can be easily implanted) for stem cell collection, enrichment, and extraction (e.g. in the blood) with sufficient cell numbers for rapid regenerative medicine applications. Device should be safe for use with injured patients. Ideally, the device should be low cost and off-the-shelf for single use.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, there are few to several devices and processes for which stem cells are collected and expanded. For example, bone marrow stem cells have been traditionally obtained through bone marrow aspiration, which requires general anesthesia and causes pain and discomfort. An easier and less painful alternative process known as mobilization can be used and involves injection of a medication that temporarily results in the stem cells (residing inside the bone marrow) to move into the peripheral blood. Then apheresis is used to separate and collect the stem cells from the peripheral blood. This process is typically aimed at a healthy person, who wants to collect and preserve the collected stem cells for later use. Thus, it remains to be determined whether an injured person can undergo this process with additional risks. Another alternative process includes extraction of stem cells from adipose tissue. Generally these methods require additional ex vivo processing for obtaining stem cells of interest as well as expansion ex vivo to achieve sufficient cell numbers for regenerative medicine applications. The greatest hurdle with any stem cell collection device or process is harvesting sufficient cell numbers for rapid regenerative medicine applications. Ideally the device should harvest sufficient cell numbers so it does not require ex vivo expansion, which sometimes can change the cell properties and its abilities such as engraftment. Therefore, it is envisioned an in vivo stem cell extraction device for which selectivity and enrichment can be controlled through engineering designs and understanding of cell biology, could potentially provide sufficient cell numbers for rapid regenerative medicine applications. Specific regenerative medicine applications of interest include improving wound healing and regenerating loss tissue due to traumatic injuries.

PHASE I: Conceptualize and design an innovative plan for constructing a prototype device that will selectively isolate stem cells to result in sufficient cell numbers for rapid regenerative medicine applications. This research plan should result in the construction of a prototype device for proof of concept without conducting animal studies. Required Phase I deliverables will include a conceptual design (i.e. blueprints of the design to include implant and removal of device) and a prototype of a device that demonstrates isolation of stem cells from a cell mixture with high efficiency. The design should be based on sound engineering principles, an understanding of cell biology, and knowledge of the human physiology.

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate, and validate prototype device designed in Phase I for in vivo stem cell collection, enrichment, and extraction with sufficient cell numbers for rapid regenerative medicine applications (i.e. do not require ex vivo expansion process/bioreactor). Implantation and removal of the device should be safe for use with injured patients. Pre-clinical testing of the device should be included. Conduct life cycle and environmental testing to ensure the device can be used off-the-shelf with minimal requirements (i.e. ambient storage) and reasonable shelf-life. Develop plans to result in low cost production of the device. Establish performance parameters through experiments and prototype fabrication.

PHASE III: Traumatic injuries occur in both civilian and military populations and oftentimes treatments do not result in optimal outcome. The intent of this SBIR topic is to support the development of a safe, implantable, and removable stem cell extraction device that could selectively isolate stem cells of interest at sufficient cell population without the need for ex vivo expansion so that it could be used for rapid regenerative medicine applications. Phase III is intended to support and test the device for various regenerative medicine applications, including conduction of relevant large animal (pre-clinical) studies for generating data to support application of an IND application with the FDA, and may also include demonstrated manufacturing process for quality production of devices for medical grade application for support of clinical studies. Therefore, partnership with clinicians and other relevant experts may be necessary to identify an injury for repair through implementation of the device. The end goal would result in obtaining sufficient data for Phase I clinical trial and an IND application. This device is envisioned to be used in treatment of injuries where regenerative medicine would most likely result in the best functional and aesthetic outcome where current surgical and other treatment options are inadequate. It is intended to be used at fixed medical facilities and the device needs to be off-the-shelf.

REFERENCES:

1. Hanzlik, J., E. Cretekos, and K.A. Lamkin-Kennard. Biomimetic Leukocyte Adhesion: A Review of Microfluidic and Computational Approaches and Applications. Journal of Bionic Engineering 5:317-327. 2008

2. Wojciechowski, J.C., S.D. Narasipura, N. Charles, D. Mickelsen, K. Rana, M.L. Blair, and M.R. King, Capture of CD34-positive haematopoietic stem cells from blood circulation using P-selectin in an implantable cell capture device. British Journal of Haematology 140:673-681. 2008

3. Narasipura, S.D., J.C. Wojciechowski, B.M. Duffy, J.L. Liesveld, and M.R. King, Purification of CD45+ hematopoietic cells directly from human bone marrow using a flow-based P-selectin-coated microtube. American Journal of Hematology 83:627-629. 2008.

4. Thorlacius H., J. Raud, S. Rosengrenbeezley, M.J. Forrest, P. Hedqvist, L. Lindbom. Mast Cell Activation Induces P-Selectin-Dependent Leukocyte Rolling and Adhesion in Postcapillary Venues in Vivo. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 203:1043-1049. 1994

KEYWORDS: Stem cells, device, cell sorting, cell enrichment, cell isolation

A09-155 TITLE: Development of a Simple and Rapid Assay for Field Detection of Dengue Viral RNA

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: To develop and field a point-of-care molecular assay for sensitive and specific detection of dengue viral RNA for the early diagnosis of all serotypes of dengue infection.

DESCRIPTION: Dengue fever is caused by dengue virus, an enveloped, single-stranded positive sense RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae (1). Greater than 50 million infections are reported each year, with over 40% of the worlds population at risk (2). Dengue virus is transmitted predominantly by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, which breed in urban dwellings primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. As a result of increased travel and the ubiquitous nature of the Aedes vector, dengue fever is now endemic in more than 100 countries. Due to its worldwide prevalence, dengue fever is currently ranked 3rd among infectious disease threats of military significance (3). Developing the capability to rapidly and accurately distinguish dengue infections from other febrile illnesses is critical to providing proper healthcare to our military and civilian personnel.

Presently there are no FDA-approved vaccines, drugs, or diagnostic devices for the prevention, treatment or detection of dengue fever. Traditional laboratory techniques such as virus isolation followed by indirect immunofluorescence assay are labor intensive, and can require weeks to obtain results. Newer technologies such as real-time PCR allow for more rapid identification of dengue during acute illness, but require expensive, cumbersome equipment that is not practical in the field. The objective of this topic is to develop an assay or device that allows for simple, rapid isothermal amplification of all serotypes of dengue virus RNA. An example of such technology is the recently described loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique (4). The assay must be capable of detecting circulating levels of dengue virus from patient samples with minimal sample processing up to 7 days post-onset of symptoms, with sensitivity and specificity equivalent to current nucleic acid detection systems. Desired characteristics also include: 1) ease-of-use (1-2 steps), 2) reagent stability in tropical climates, 3) speed (<60 minutes), and 4) ease of interpretation of results. The assay should also be capable of point-of-care usage, either as a hand-held device or requiring no more than an inexpensive, battery operated system.

We envision that the rapid diagnostic assay developed under this SBIR topic will be FDA approved for use by the military at the point-of-care. This can lead to more targeted medical treatment, and limited disease outbreaks among military personnel due to enforced personal protective measures. This assay could also be used in rapid screening of blood-banks for the presence of dengue, which is a significant problem during transfusions in dengue endemic regions. Due to the ease-of-use and inexpensive nature of this prototype, we envision widespread use by regional medical clinics and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world.

PHASE I: The selected contractor will determine the feasibility of the concept by providing a detailed design and development plan for a prototype diagnostic assay that has the potential to meet the characteristics discussed in this topic. The assay must be able to detect RNA of all serotypes of dengue virus from patient samples within one week of onset of febrile illness. Other broad needs include ease-of-use, stability of reagents in tropical climates, and minimal need for expensive, cumbersome equipment. The selected contractor should coordinate with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for access to required reagents from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) or the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC). At the conclusion of Phase I time permitting, the selected contractor may provide the COR an assay prototype for independent evaluation which is capable of amplifying all serotypes of dengue virus with minimal scientific expertise and equipment required. Prototypes should include a positive and negative control in each assay. The contractor will also identify feasible approaches for the determination of positivity of a sample which meet previously mentioned criteria. The degree to which the prototype assay development plan and/or supplied prototype corresponds to the desired capabilities will be used in the determination of Phase II awardees.

PHASE II: The goal in Phase II is the successful refinement and validation of a prototype assay that provides optimum sensitivity and specificity when compared to the current gold standard assays of dengue virus detection (virus isolation and/or Real Time-PCR). This prototype must be either hand-held, or require only battery-operated, portable equipment. The prototype should also be stable enough for transportation without a cold chain, storage at room temperature, and use in high humidity tropical climates. The down-selected prototype should also allow use of whole blood with minimal sample processing, and require no special equipment to determine positivity of a sample. Once these requirements have been met, the selected contractor will begin comprehensive pre-clinical evaluations of assay performance in regions both non-endemic and endemic for dengue fever. These evaluations must be in accordance with FDA requirements in preparation for a 510(k) application. Characteristics to be tested include: 1) sensitivity (85% or greater compared to gold standard test) and specificity (85% or greater compared to gold standard test) 2) limit of detection (10 plaque-forming units (PFU) or less) 3) Cross-reactivity with other fever-causing agents and 4) reproducibility/stability. The selected contractor may coordinate with the COR to facilitate field site testing and collection of clinical specimens. As successful completion of Phase II will require assay validation on clinical samples, the Phase II proposal must contain a comprehensive strategy for use of human specimens. This includes types of specimens to be tested, potential trial sites, identification of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and a Federal-Wide Assurance of Compliance.

PHASE III: During this phase, the performance of the assay should be evaluated in a variety of field studies that will conclusively demonstrate that the assay meets the requirements of this topic, resulting in a 510(k) submission to the FDA. Once FDA-approved, the assay will be assigned a National Stock Number (NSN) and incorporated into appropriate Sets, Kits and Outfits to be used by deployed medical forces. The selected contractor shall make this product available to potential military and non-military users throughout the world.

This assay will be suitable for use by far-forward military medical units (e.g. Battalion Aid Station) or medical personnel (e.g., Special Forces medics) to determine if sick military personnel are infected with dengue. This assay may also be useful to the military for surveying mosquito populations for dengue virus, allowing vector control measures to be implemented before a disease outbreak occurs. This simple, inexpensive assay will also be ideal for non-military medical purposes, such as use by regional medical clinics or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in areas of the world where dengue is endemic (e.g., most tropical regions of the world including South-East Asia and South America). In addition to its usefulness in patient diagnosis, this assay is also amenable to other applications such as blood-bank screening during epidemics. Because dengue fever is one of the worlds most common infectious diseases, we believe that the contractor that develops this assay will be able to sell and/or market this product to a variety of civilian medical organizations, and that this market will be adequate to sustain the continued production of this device. This assay may also serve as proof-of-principle for the usefulness of isothermal gene amplification at point-of-care, and could easily be adapted to other infectious diseases, thus creating a sustainable and profitable product pipeline for the contractor.

REFERENCES:

1. Chambers TJ, Hahn CS, Galler R, Rice CM. Flavivirus genome organization, expression, and replication. Annu Rev Microbiol 1990; 44:649-88.

2. Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever: diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland 1997.

3. Burnette WN, Hoke CH Jr, Scovill J, et al. Infectious diseases investment decision evaluation algorithm: a quantitative algorithm for prioritization of naturally occurring infectious disease threats to the U.S. military. Mil Med 2008 Feb; 173(2):174-81.

4. Parida M, Horioke K, Ishida H, et al. Rapid detection and differentiation of dengue virus serotypes by a real-time reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jun; 43(6):2895-903.

5. Parida M, Sannarangaiah S, Dash PK, et al. Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP): a new generation of innovative gene amplification technique; perspectives in clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases. Rev Med Virol 2008 Nov-Dec; 18(6): 407-21.

KEYWORDS: dengue virus, DENV, point-of-care, diagnosis, virus detection, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

A09-156 TITLE: Development of a Multiplex Hand-held, Field-deployable Assay for the Detection of

Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV), Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), and

Rickettsia in Ticks

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: Adapt state-of-the-art technology to develop a hand-held, field-deployable assay capable of detecting and identifying with one assay TBEV, CCHFV, and Rickettsia in ticks collected from deployed military service areas.

DESCRIPTION: Development of this assay is an extremely high priority to the Department of Defense, allowing rapid determination of infected ticks and timely implementation of prevention and control programs to minimize the impact of the diseases in deployed US forces.

REQUIREMENT: To quickly and accurately determine whether ticks collected during military deployments are infected with TBEV, CCHFV, and/or Rickettsia, the three most militarily-relevant tick-borne diseases, to minimize the impact of the disease on our operational capabilities and minimize medical evacuation and lost-duty time. Rapid identification of the pathogen should occur as far-forward as possible, and the testing methodology must be easily portable, shelf-stable, and cost effective.

A. Desired Capability/Concept of the Final Product: We envision a rapid multiplexed detection hand-held assay capable of simultaneously determining whether ticks are infected with TBEV, CCHFV, and/or Rickettsia. The assay shall detect a large range of serotypes and strains of TBEV, CCHFV, and/or Rickettsia. The assay shall be rapid (<30 min), one- or two-step format, and stable (storage at 35C for 2 years). The assay shall be at least 80% as specific and at least 80% as sensitive compared to current gold-standard assays (real time PCR and/or ELISA) and shall require a small (<100ul) sample volume. The assay shall be soldier-friendly (i.e., easy to operate), inexpensive, portable, use heat-stable reagents, and have no special storage requirements.

B. Technical Risk: There is a degree of technical risk involved in this project. There are currently no existing assays that meet the requirements outlined in this proposal. The candidate contractor is expected to use innovation and in-house expertise to develop a prototype that meets the needs of the Department of Defense.

C. Access to Government Facilities and Supplies: Reagents, positive-control materials, infected ticks, etc, to support this project may be available from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and United States Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases(USAMRIID). The candidate contractor should coordinate with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for any support required from WRAIR.

PHASE I: Selected contractor shall determine the feasibility of the concept by developing a prototype diagnostic assay that has the potential to meet the broad needs discussed in this topic. For phase I we envision a rapid detection hand-held assay capable of detecting at least one serotype/isolate of TBEV, CCHFV, and Rickettsia. Contractor shall conduct an initial laboratory evaluation of the prototype device with inactivated pathogens and provide a written report to COR. By the conclusion of Phase I, the selected contractor shall provide a single lot of 100 prototype assays to the COR.Selected contractor must coordinate with the COR for access to required reagents from the WRAIR or USAMRIID. The degree to which the prototype assay meets the desired capability outlined above will be evaluated at a government laboratory data from this independent evaluation will be used in the determination of the Phase II awardee.

PHASE II: The goal in Phase II is the development of a prototype assay that provides at least 80% sensitivity and at least 80% specificity when compared to current gold standard assays for each TBEV, CCHFV, and Rickettsia. Once sensitivity/specificity requirements have been met, the selected contractor shall conduct comprehensive laboratory evaluation of the assay performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, accuracy and reliability) and initial field testing.

The selected contractor shall also conduct stability testing of the device in Phase II. Stability testing should be conducted under both real-time and accelerated (attempt to force the product to fail under a broad range of temperature and humidity conditions and extremes) conditions.

The WRAIR or USAMRIID may provide support to facilitate the test and evaluation of the developed device. The selected contractor shall coordinate in advance with the COR for any support required from the WRAIR or USAMRIID.

It is envisioned to have a universal hand-held device; therefore the Phase II proposal must include a detailed description of the strains and serotypes (of the pathogen) that will be used for the evaluation.

PHASE III: During this phase the performance of the assay should be evaluated in a variety of field studies that will conclusively demonstrate that the assay meets the requirements of this topic. By the conclusion of this phase the selected contractor will have completed the development of the assay and successfully commercialized the product. The contractor shall provide a report that summarizes the performance of the assay to the Armed Forces Pest Management Board and will request that a national stock number (NSN) be assigned. Contractor shall coordinate in advance with the COR for any support required from the WRAIR or USAMMRIID.

Military Application: Once an NSN has been assigned to the assay, the Armed Forces Pest Management Board will work with appropriate organizations to have the assay incorporated into appropriated sets, kits, and outfits that are used by deployed Preventive Medicine Units.

Commercial applications: This assay will also be available for non-military purposes, such as use by commercial pest controllers or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in areas of the world where TBEV, CCHFV, and Rickettsia are endemic. We envision that the contractor that develops the TBEV, CCHFV, and Rickettsia assay will be able to market this assay to a variety of commercial, governmental, and non-governmental vector control organizations, and that this market will be adequate to sustain the continued production of this device. By the end of this phase, the selected contractor shall make this product available to potential users throughout the world.

REFERENCES:

1. Cazorla C, Socolovschi C, Jensenius M, Parola P. Tick-borne diseases: tick-borne spotted fever rickettsioses in Africa. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008 Sep 22(3): 531-44, ix-x.

2. Davis LE, Beckham JD, Tyler KL. North American encephalitic arboviruses. Neurol Clin. 2008 Aug 26(3): 727-57, ix. Review.

3. Ergnl O. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Lancet Infect Dis. 2006 Apr 6(4): 203-14.

4. Garrison AR, Alakbarova S, Kulesh DA, Shezmukhamedova D, Khodjaev S, Endy TP, Paragas J. Development of a TaqMan minor groove binding protein assay for the detection and quantification of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 Sep 77(3): 514-20.

5. Kaiser R. Tick-borne encephalitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008 Sep 22(3): 561-75.

6. Kovalev SIu, Umpeleva TV, Snitkovskaia TE, Kiliatsina AS, Romanenko VV, Kokorev VS, Glinskikh NP. Molecular and epidemiological characteristics of tick-borne encephalitis virus in the Sverdlovsk Region on the basis of genotype-specific RT-PCR. Vopr Virusol. 2008 Mar-Apr 53(2): 27-31.

7. Logan TM, Linthicum KJ, Moulton JR, Ksiazek TG. Antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection and quantification of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in the tick, Hyalomma truncatum. J Virol Methods. 1993 Apr 42(1): 33-44.

8. Melik W, Nilsson AS, Johansson M. Detection strategies of tick-borne encephalitis virus in Swedish Ixodes ricinus reveal evolutionary characteristics of emerging tick-borne flaviviruses. Arch Virol. 2007 152(5): 1027-34. Epub 2007 Feb 5.

9. Mura A, Masala G, Tola S, Satta G, Fois F, Piras P, Rolain JM, Raoult D, Parola P. First direct detection of rickettsial pathogens and a new rickettsia, 'Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae', in ticks from Sardinia, Italy. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2008 Nov 14(11): 1028-33.

10. Oliveira KA, Oliveira LS, Dias CC, Silva A Jr, Almeida MR, Almada G, Bouyer DH, Galvo MA, Mafra C. Molecular identification of Rickettsia felis in ticks and fleas from an endemic area for Brazilian Spotted Fever. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2008 Mar 103(2): 191-4.

11. Rudenko N, Golovchenko M, Cihlrova V, Grubhoffer L. Tick-borne encephalitis virus-specific RT-PCR--a rapid test for detection of the pathogen without viral RNA purification. Acta Virol. 2004; 48(3): 167-71.

12. Svendsen CB, Krogfelt KA, Jensen PM. Detection of Rickettsia spp. in Danish ticks (Acari: Ixodes ricinus) using real-time PCR. Scand J Infect Dis. 2009 41(1): 70-2.

13. Vorou R, Pierroutsakos IN, Maltezou HC. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2007 Oct 20(5): 495-500.

14. Yapar M, Aydogan H, Pahsa A, Besirbellioglu BA, Bodur H, Basustaoglu AC, Guney C, Avci IY, Sener K, Setteh MH, Kubar A. Rapid and quantitative detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus by one-step real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 58(6): 358-62.

15. Zhu Z, Dimitrov AS, Chakraborti S, Dimitrova D, Xiao X, Broder CC, Dimitrov DS. Development of human monoclonal antibodies against diseases caused by emerging and biodefense-related viruses. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2006 Feb 4(1): 57-66.

KEYWORDS: CCH, TBE, Ricketssia, detection, assay, next- generation, field-deployable, diagnostic, device.

A09-157 TITLE: Portable Device for Noninvasive Quantization of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M-TBI)

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: Capitalize on recent advances in functional neuroimaging and EEG noise reduction to develop and demonstrate a novel portable multi-modal neuroimaging device with spatial and temporal resolution sufficient to detect subtle patterns of brain activity associated with mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

DESCRIPTION: The American Academy of Neurology has established diagnostic criteria for Traumatic Brain Injury based upon gross behavioral and affective symptoms. These symptoms are difficult to observe in many battlefield situations and provide only superficial descriptions of what may be a distinctly complicated injury. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is uniquely difficult to diagnose due to the often delayed and subtle presentation of symptoms. Additionally, many of the symptoms that present for mTBI are also common to other battlefield related neuropsychological conditions, such as Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Data gathered before and soon after a battlefield related insult can be used to train computer models to provide detail and differentiation to the diagnosis of mTBI or other related neuropathologies.

Research using both established measures of neural activity, such as electroencephalogram (EEG), and newer, more advanced functional neuroimaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNRIS), have shown promise in the detection of mTBI. For example, alternations in theta wave activity as measured using EEG have been associated with varying degrees of head trauma. Studies using fNIRS have shown decrements in cerebral oxygenation following mild head injury. Recent research using DTI has demonstrated diffuse axonal damage in individuals with mild head injury. However promising these methods may be, research has consistently shown that a large number of individuals with mTBI show no signs of trauma by neuroimaging, despite the presence of cognitive and/or physical symptoms suggestive of mild head injury. Thus each of these neuroimaging methods alone are not yet sufficient to provide a reliable diagnosis of mTBI.

Chronic stress conditions, including PTSD, are associated with amygdala hyperactivity, hippocampus hypotrophy, and pre-frontal cortex (PFC) hyporesponsivity. Although the limbic structures are too deep for traditional electrophysiological imaging, magnetoencephalographic (MEG) and modified electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques have shown some success in detecting alterations in brain activity within the amygdala and insula in people with PTSD. In addition, many areas to which limbic structures project, such as the PFC, demonstrate altered function linked to PTSD in recent research and can be more easily accessed by EEG and fNIRS. Functional imaging techniques (such as fNIRS) that infer blood-oxygen level may provide an array of measurements that contribute to the assessment of PTSD and related disorders. Anxiety related alterations in respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure may aid in differentiation between these disorders and other potential causes of dysfunction through changes in the blood oxygenation profile.

Recent work has shown that combining the temporal resolution of EEG with the localized detection of hemodynamic changes (usually provided by fMRI) significantly enhances the diagnostic sensitivity for anxiety disorders of either method alone. Based on evidence from previous research, combining EEG with fNIRS (which also provides localized detection of brain blood oxygenation) may provide far greater sensitivity for the differentiation of mTBI and PTSD from normal cognitive states. This novel combination of imaging modalities could provide a portable, low-cost, noninvasive, rapid screening tool for use in detection of mTBI and PTSD soon after battlefield insult and for use in determining the readiness of a soldier to return to duty.

To model multifactorial conditions like PTSD or mTBI, a weighted metrology that is derived from a large volume of data that includes measurements from pre and post injury is required to gain the fidelity and resolution for the model to suggest a diagnosis. To gather this volume of data, we require a portable, inexpensive device that can be utilized near the forward edge of the battle area, be transported by vehicle to remote sites for decentralized operation, and provide data comparable to legacy neuro-imaging devices. This new device must provide images or other data streams with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to differentiate subclinical indicators of mTBI and PTSD from pre-trauma states. It will combine electrophysiological data collection and functional (or hemodynamic) data collection into one array, so that the disparate data streams can be temporally matched with specific evocative stimuli, thus enhancing diagnostic modeling efforts. This device shall: use non-invasive techniques to gather the data; provide functional, spatial, and electrophysiological data; collect data from medically relevant areas of the cortex; limit the preparation required of the subject/patient; allow sufficient freedom-of-movement for the subject/patient to conduct limited physical/cognitive tasks. Developing the models to diagnose PTSD and mTBI is not the focus of this project; rather, the focus is to build the device that will provide the developmental platform and the data for in-house researchers to derive diagnostic models. The minimum deliverable will consist of the multi-modal sensor array, control interface, data conveyance from patient through to the central processing unit, control software, and data discrimination software.

PHASE I: Deliverables for Phase I shall be: 1) an analysis that will identify two or more imaging approaches for integration into array, 2) a conceptual design for the proposed sensor array assembly, 3) a report of an investigation of the effect(s), if any, of simultaneous use of the proposed multiple sensor modalities in close proximity to each other, 4) an analysis that will identify obstacles to data collection fidelity and suggest strategies to overcome those obstacles, 5) a conceptual design for control interface and associated hardware, 6) pseudo-code for control and data-discrimination software, 7) preliminary research of potential market area, 8) an outline of applicable FDA performance requirements and relevant safety regulations, 9) a proposed Gantt chart for prototype testing and production in Phase II.

PHASE II: Deliverable for Phase II shall be one functional, portable, neuroimaging advanced prototype ensemble to include: 1) prototype multi-modal sensor array apparatus, 2) all required hardware for data conveyance from sensor array to storage, 3) control and input/output hardware, 4) associated control and data-discrimination software. Additional requirements for Phase II include: 1) successful demonstration of the operation of the completed device in a relevant environment, 2) a report detailing the validation of data fidelity on control subjects and mTBI/PTSD sufferers using both the prototype and the separate legacy devices it aims to integrate 3) all required documentation to demonstrate regulatory performance compliance for FDA premarket approval, 4) a report detailing a marketing strategy and proposed efforts to secure capital for Low Rate of Initial Production (LRIP).

PHASE III: This imaging ensemble will have both military and civilian applications. While the applications for mTBI and PTSD detection in the military are noted, there is an increasing awareness of the effects of mTBI in the professional sports world as well as in other civilian trauma settings. Phase III will focus on gaining FDA approval for the proposed device and plans for marketing toward sports and occupational health industries. Concurrent with FDA trials and product marketing, Phase III will necessitate the involvement of academia and government medical research institutes to begin data collection on individuals with PTSD and mTBI so modeling software can be trained. Phase III will conclude with the implementation of the LRIP plan from Phase II and establishment of the production baseline.

REFERENCES:

1. Bhambhani, Y., Maikala, R., Farag, M., Rowland G., Reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy measures of cerebral oxygenation and blood volume during handgrip exercise in nondisabled and traumatic brain-injured subjects MSc12 JRRD, Volume 43, Number 7, 2006

2. Bozkurt, A., Onaral, B., Safety assessment of near infrared light emitting diodes for diffuse optical measurements. Biomedical Engineering Online. 3:9, 2004. http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/3/1/9

3. Centonze, D., Palmieri, M., Boffa, L., Pierantozzi, M., Stanzione, P., Brusa, L., Marciani, G., Siracusano, A., Bernardi, G., Caramia, M. , Cortical hyperexcitability in post-traumatic stress disorder secondary to minor accidental head trauma: a neurophysiologic study, J Psychiatry Neurosci 2005;30(2).

4. Francechini, M. A., Joseph, D. K., Huppert, T. J., Diamond, S. G., Boas, D. A., Diffuse optical imaging of the whole head. J Biomed Opt. 11(5): 054007. Doi:10.1117/1.2363365, 2006.

5. Giardino, N., Friedman, S., Dager, S., Anxiety, Respiration and Cerebral Blood Flow: Implications for Functional Brain Imaging. Compr Psychiatry. 2007 ; 48(2): 103ï¿½112.

6. Hillman, Elizabeth M. C., Optical brain imaging in vivo: techniques and applications from animal to man. J Biomed Opt. 12(5): 051402, 2007.

7. Izzetoglu, M., Bunce, S. C., Izzetoglu, K., Onoral, B., Pourrezaei, K., Functional Brain Imaging Using Near-Infrared Technology: Assessing Cognitive Activity in Real-life Situations. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, pp. 38-46, July/August 2007.

8. Khoa, T. Q. D., Nakagawa, M. recognizing brain activities by functional near-infrared spectroscope signal analysis. Nonlinear Biomedical Physics, 2:3, doi:10.1186/1753-4631-2-3, 2008.

9. Kolassa, I.T., Weinbruch, C., Neuner, F., Schauer, M., Ruf, M., Odenwald, M., Elbert, T., Altered oscillatory brain dynamics after repeated traumatic stress. BMC Psychiatry. 7:56, 2007.

10. Kucewicz, J. C., Dunmire, B., Leotta, D. F., Heracles, P., Paun, M., Beach, K. W., Functional Tissue Pulsatility Imaging of the Brain during Visual Stimulation. Ultrasound Med Biol. May; 33(5): 681-690, 2007.

11. McCrea, M. A., Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Postconcussion Syndrome, Oxford Workshop Series, Oxford University Press, 2008.

12. Morey R., Petty C., Cooper, D., LaBara, K., McCarthy, G., Neural systems for executive and emotional processing are modulated by symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in Iraq War veterans Psychiatry Res. 2008 January 15; 162(1): 59-72.

13. Shin, L. M., Rauch, S. L., Pitman, R. K., Amygdala, Medial Prefrontal Cortex, and Hippocampal Function in PTSD, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1071: 67-79 (2006).

KEYWORDS: functional neuroimaging, EEG, near infrared spectroscopy, optical brain imaging, diffuse optical imaging, tissue doppler imaging, cognitive assessment

A09-158 TITLE: Development of New Repellent Application Techniques for Military Clothing

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: The topic seeks to develop and evaluate new repellent application technologies for clothing materials, to include military uniform fabrics. The proposed repellent application should demonstrate bite protection against common arthropod vectors and meet other specifications IAW JSOR for Insect/Arthropod Repellent System (June 1987) and the Capability Production Document for Core Soldier System (CSS) (June 2007). The proposed repellent and/or repellent application technology must prove to have no detrimental effect on the physical properties of the textile fabric.

DESCRIPTION: Historically, Disease and Non-Battle Injuries (DNBI), particularly vector-borne diseases, have resulted in more casualties than have combat operations. Vector-borne diseases remain a significant threat in military and humanitarian operations resulting in reductions in manpower, lost duty days, and decreased combat effectiveness. Personal protective measures (PPMs) are the most effective means of protecting soldiers from these threats. The Department of Defensess (DoD) Arthropod Repellent System, when employed properly, protects Soldiers from potential vector-borne disease threats. The system consists of: 1) a permethrin-treated uniform; 2) DEET applied on exposed skin; and 3) proper wear of the military uniform.

Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, is both an insecticide and repellent and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a clothing treatment. It has been used by the DoD as a uniform treatment for over 12 years. However, development of pyrethroid resistance to several vector species has been recently documented in several countries and the absence of any suitable alternative insecticide class for clothing treatment may undermine our ability to continue to protect service members against vector-borne diseases. Compounding this problem is the reduction of permethrin content that occurs with wear and laundering of IDA Kit treated ACUs (Army Combat Uniform) as well as evidence that the current methods of permethrin application do not work as well or cannot be used on the recently introduced FRACU (Fire Retardant ACU). Since the ACU and FRACU are fairly new introductions into the DoD and Army clothing line, little to no research has been done to investigate new application techniques. However, recent research in other areas of vector control, primarily treatment of bed net materials, has demonstrated some new ways (e.g. nanotechnology) to impregnate textiles.

In addition, anecdotal evidence, evidence from surveys of troops redeploying from theatres of operation, and the rates of vector-borne diseases from recent operations demonstrates that use of personal protective measures, particularly the military topical repellent, is low among service members; therefore, a renewed focus on the more passive aspect of the DoD Arthropod Repellent System is needed.

PHASE I: Selected contractor identifies potential arthropod repellents and investigates processes for application (impregnation) of these repellents to textile materials. Processes can include, but are not limited to; coating, spraying, dipping or tumbling. Contractor should investigate and determine the technical feasibility of potential repellents and processes by producing treated prototypes for small scale testing. Testing on the prototypes should be conducted to determine what effect the application parameters have on the physical properties of the textile material. Things to consider include: 1) the effect of solvent choice and temperature on the textile fibers, 2) the effectiveness against a wide range of arthropod vectors; 3) safety (eventual registration of repellent and/or processes with the EPA); and 4) retention to wear and laundering. Contractor should develop approaches for implementation and conduct limited testing of materials.

PHASE II: Utilizing findings from Phase I, selected contractor further investigates and develops processes for textile impregnation, to include military clothing materials, with an arthropod repellent. Development should include treatment parameters such as dosage rate, curing temperatures and modes for consistent application of the repellent. Contractor should select an application method and parameters, address scale-up challenges and demonstrate technical feasibility. Contractor should establish that product meets performance parameters through larger scale prototype fabrication and experiments that demonstrate the following: 1) bite protection provided against important arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand flies, and biting midges; 2) persistence of the clothing repellency with wear and laundering; and 3) the effect of the treatment on the physical properties of the material such as strength, color-fastness and hand. Contractor should design experiments to establish performance parameters in accordance with EPA and military requirements. The selected contractor will also conduct testing of physical,chemical, and toxicological properties of the selected repellent and impregnated fabrics in accordance with EPA requirements. The selected contractor provides sufficient material for independent testing at government laboratories and facilities. The government labs or facilities, such as Natick, will provide feedback to the contractor regarding the efficacy of the formulation in repelling arthropods.

PHASE III /DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This SBIR has strong commercialization potential. Currently, there is an increased interest in the private-sector in public health pesticides (repellents) to combat and prevent arthropod-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus. Currently, the military has evidence that our DoD Arthropod Repellent System is vulnerable due to 1) low levels of compliance with the standard military topical repellent, 2) evidence of arthropod resistance to permethrin, the military clothing repellent, and 3) failure of permethrin to work as well on new military clothing materials (FRACUs). This leaves troops vulnerable to arthropod-borne disease. Therefore, the military has an interest in a clothing repellent application technique that has superior efficacy and duration. Such an application technique would be of great interest to the commercial sector as well given the increased interest in outdoor clothing that has been factory impregnated with a repellent, such as the Insect Shield Repellent Apparel products. A primary requirement under Phase III is to demonstrate ability and technical feasibility of large scale production and further validate the compatibility of the active ingredient and application process with military clothing materials. The contractor should develop a commercialization plan to include partnering and collaboration with a company with experience in production, transition, and marketing of such products for consumer and/or usage. Transition of the product for military usage should include establishment of a product-based Integrated Product Team (IPT) in collaboration with the U.S. Army Medical Material Development Agency (USAMMDA) so that a product can be integrated into the requirements document for the Core Soldier System (CSS). Phase III would also include working with the Natick Soldier Center and the Armed Forces Pest Management Board to ensure product meets military standards.

REFERENCES:

1. Coleman RE, Burkett DA, Putnam JL, Sherwood V, Caci JB, Jennings BT, Hochberg LP, Spradling SL, Rowton ED, Blount K, Ploch J, Hopkins G, Raymond JW, OGuinn ML, Lee JS, and Weina PJ. 2006. Impact of phlebotomine sand flies on U.S. military operations at Tallil Air Base, Iraq: 1. Background, military situation, and development of a Leishmaniasis Control Program. Journal of Medical Entomology 43:647-662.

2. Gambel JM. 1996. Debugging the battlefield: winning the war against insect bites and related diseases. Military Review November-December pp. 51-57.

3. Macedo PA, Peterson, RKD, and Davis RS. 2007. Risk assessments for exposure of deployed military personnel to insecticides and personal protective measures used for disease-vector management. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 70:1758-1771.

4. National Research Council. 1994. Health effects of permethrin-impregnated Army battle-dress uniforms. Subcommittee to Review Permethrin Toxicity from Military Uniforms, Committee on Toxicology, Board of Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Washington, DC: NRC.

KEYWORDS: arthropod, repellent, bite protection, textiles

A09-159 TITLE: Apparatus for Non-Invasive Estimation of Arterial Carbon-Dioxide Content for

Ventilation of Combat Casualties

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: MRMC Deputy for Acqusition

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to develop a device of accurately and noninvasively estimating the partial pressure of carbon dioxide of arterial blood in a combat casualty.

DESCRIPTION: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are lifesaving interventions for combat casualties who are unable to breath for themselves, due to head injury, blood loss, lung failure, or other injuries.

However, combat medics do not currently have a method for mechanically ventilating patients, and rely instead on manual bag-valve ventilation. Extensive prehospital data from large civilian studies has shown that errors in ventilation (too much or too little) are common when the manual bag-valve method is performed. The same studies have shown that such errors are associated with increased mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury, since these patients are exquisitely sensitive to the effects of carbon dioxide on brain blood flow, and to inadequate oxygen levels. Military data confirm that such errors are common in patients arriving to a Combat Support Hospital.

In order to solve this problem, two things are needed. One is a replacement for the manual bag-valve device, i.e. a small prehospital mechanical ventilator. One such device is under development.

However, equally important is a method of measuring the blood carbon dioxide content (partial pressure, PCO2), to ensure that ventilation is performed in a manner which achieves a normal PCO2 (neither too much nor too little). Normally, this requires an invasive arterial blood gas analysis, which is not possible in the prehospital setting.

Thus, there is a need for a noninvasive estimate of PCO2 that can be performed in combat casualties. No such device exists. The PCO2 cannot be predicted based on the exhaled CO2 level (ETCO2) alone, because of the many factors which affect the excretion of CO2 into the lungs with each exhaled breath.

Such technology for noninvasive PCO2 estimation may include advanced algorithms for analysis of the ETCO2-exhaled volume waveform, the ETCO2 waveform, the transcutaneous CO2 level, a combination of the above and other vital signs, or some novel measurement technology. It should be suitable for use in combat casualties who have hypovolemic shock, acute lung injury, massive resuscitation, and other factors which alter the ETCO2-PCO2 relationship.

The ultimate goal is a device which can be incorporated into field systems in order to provide feedback to the medic on whether the ventilator is maintaining the PCO2 within the target range. In other words, a "new vital sign" is sought which would tell the medic whether ventilation is adequate, too little, or too much.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of and develop a design for a noninvasive device for estimation of the arterial PCO2 level of a combat casualty. This effort may require identification of a suitable human patient database to support algorithm development, if an empiric algorithm is proposed.

PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate, and evaluate a prototype noninvasive device for est