ARMY 02.2 SBIR TOPICS
A02-001 TITLE: Innovative Energy Generation
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM, Small Arms
OBJECTIVE: To design and develop an innovative energy generation power supply that would able to be operated at storage and transportation environment and a gun launch environment or both.
DESCRIPTION: The envisioned power supply will have application for the Future Combat System and other related munition applications. The power supply must be able to generate/extract energy from existing environments including but not limited to: pressure, vibrations, temperature, humidity, shock or setback forces. In addition this technology/devices should have a high energy density and a low unit production cost. The power supply technology will have applications ranging in size from approximately the size of a AA battery to being incorporated into a Smart Cargo projectile or other FCS projectiles or submunitions. The resulting approach(s) cannot degrade existing performance, structural integrity of the projectile body and must minimize the weight amount of room required for the technology. Current power supply technology does not handle all relevant environments. A system must be designed to generate/extract power in either a storage (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordinance (HERO) safe) and transportation environment, a gun launched environment or both while maintaining a 20-year shelf life. In the storage and transportation environment the technology must be able to survive a temperature range of –65 °F to 180 °F with temperature changes of only 3 to 10 degrees over a period of a day along with minimal changes in pressure and vibrations during transportation. In a gun launched environment the device must survive the temperature range along with forces up to 100,000 G’s and pressures up to 60,000 PSI along with any forces encountered while in flight. In both environments, rapid discharge of energy/power or slow discharge of energy/power could be utilized and the device must able to operate multimode: a) off, b) generating/extracting and c) discharging.
PHASE I: Design and develop a power source that is capable of functioning in a storage and transportation environment or a gun launched environment or both. Compare possible options to factors including but not limited to survivability, required volume, integration issues, power production requirements and efficiency. Provide results of proof of principle experimentation and demonstration with a roadmap indicating implementation to the aforementioned applications. From this study down select to candidate technology for transition to Phase II.
PHASE II: Build prototype device and test in a relevant environment. Prove power production within the specified limits and demonstrate survivability in operational environment.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Possibility for application not limited to the realm of munitions. Any application in which a power source is required could benefit from this technology. When the volume taken up by a power source is eliminated, the product becomes smaller, possible lighter, and allows space for additional features or functions.
REFERENCES:
1) Jaffe, B., Cook, W. R. and Jaffe, H., Piezoelectric Ceramics, 1971.
2) RRAPDS Environmental Sensor Overview & System Demo https://w4.pica.army.mil/asis/RRAPDS-Webjune01files/fram.htm Thermolectric generators http://www.hi-z.com
3) Bailey, J. C., 1999, "Comparison of Rechargeable Battery Technologies for Portable Devices," Conference on Small Fuel Cells and the Latest Battery Technology, Bethesda, MD.
4) Gozdz, A., 1999, "Flat Li-ion Batteries," Conference on Small Fuel Cells and the Latest Battery Technology, Bethesda, MD.
5) International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE Intelligent Sensing and Wireless Communications In Harsh Environments. Carlos M. Pereira, Michael S. Mattice, Robert Testa. March 6-8, 2000; Smart Structures and materials 2000, Newport Beach, California.
6) Smart Electronics and MEMS. The International Society for Optical Engineering. March 6-8, 2000, Newport Beach, California.
KEYWORDS: power, battery, smart projectile, sensor, fuze, power generation, smart munitions, guided munitions, microelectronics, prognostics, lethality, optimized resources
A02-002 TITLE: Innovative Wireless Communications
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Small Arms
OBJECTIVE: To develop innovative secure communications technologies as alternatives to Radio Frequency (RF) wireless technologies for integration into the next generation of smart munitions for the Future Combat Systems (FCS).
DESCRIPTION: Communications technologies, such as those based on optical transmission and other novel technologies, are sought as alternatives to Radio Frequency (RF) wireless transmissions. The primary goal is to achieve a wireless sensor/actuator and communications/command capabilities within the munitions housing without the need for any physical wiring between sensors, actuators, processors and communications devices. Noise free and high bandwidth communication links between the processors, the sensors and actuators are particularly critical for the highly sensitive sensors such as MEMS based accelerometers and rate gyros being developed for guidance and control purposes. Such data communications networks also provide the possibility of being integrated into the structure of the munitions, thereby occupying minimal added volume and greatly simplifying the problems related to high-G hardening and surviving harsh environmental conditions. The target application for this effort shall be the Future Combat System (FCS) Multi-Role Armament Munitions Suite, such as the Smart Cargo Round and other FCS advanced munitions. The proposed concepts should be capable of withstanding the harsh firing environment, such as the high temperatures and pressures of firing and very high accelerations of sometimes in excess of 100,000 Gs. The methods being proposed in this topic do not emit energy, thus intelligence cannot be monitored by external means.
PHASE I: Design an innovative, wireless communication system as alternatives to RF transmissions to implement communication links between sensors, actuators, onboard processors and other communications devices.
PHASE II: Develop a prototype wireless, communication system.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The development of embedded non-RF secure, extremely low-noise and high bandwidth wireless communications network and protocol concepts for munitions that must survive harsh firing environment and could be integrated into the structure of the munitions are quite appropriate for any military and commercial system and devices that rely heavily on sensors, actuators and processor communication. One possible application of this technology is to fit it into the Multi Role Cannon Munition Suite.
Reference Specification: Future Combat System Multi-Role Armament Smart Cargo Projectile proposed characteristics:
Length 800mm
Weight 18kg, Lightweight materials
Diameter 105mm, Maximize payload volume
G load approximately 20,000 G’s
Range 4-50 km, Stability and Maneuverability
REFERENCES:
1) International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE, Intelligent Sensing and Wireless Communications In Harsh Environments. Carlos M. Pereira, Michael S. Mattice, Robert Testa. March 6-8, 2000; Smart Structures and materials 2000, Newport Beach, California.
2) Smart Electronics and MEMS. The International Society for Optical Engineering. 6-8 March, 2000, Newport Beach, California.
KEYWORDS: FCS munitions, FCS, smart cargo projectile, smart munitions, guided munitions.
A02-003 TITLE: Extraction of Nitrocellulose from Gun Propellant Formulations
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes
OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate technology that enables the recovery and reuse of nitrocellulose (NC) from gun propellant formulations.
DESCRIPTION: The US stockpile of unserviceable, obsolete and excess munitions currently exceeds 500K tons. A portion of this inventory is made up of bulk propellant that has been downloaded from various munition items and kept in storage. Historically, the final disposition of this material has been destruction via open burning or via conventional incineration. Current demilitarization policy and planning is shifting the focus from destruction to resource recovery and reuse (R3). To this end, it is proposed to conduct a research effort to develop a process that employs chemical extraction techniques to remove and recover NC from gun propellant. This will primarily involve the evaluation and comparison of various solvents as extraction agents for NC. An evaluation matrix will be developed and used as the basis for carrying out the experimental design. In addition to solvent extraction efficiency, the matrix will include evaluation criteria such as environmental, safety and economic factors. Execution of the experimental design will result in the establishment of a preliminary process. The NC recovered in this process will then be subjected to specification analysis after which a ball powder propellant will be formulated from it and tested for chemical, physical and performance characteristics. The proposed project will establish a pilot process and then seek to develop optimized operating conditions.
PHASE I: Carry out laboratory testing to establish baseline parameters for the recovery of NC from gun propellants using solvent extraction technology. A structured experimental design will be prepared and executed in order to evaluate various candidate solvents. A preliminary process flowsheet and material balance will be developed based on the selected solvent.
PHASE II: Based on the preliminary process established in Phase I, a pilot scale process will be developed, evaluated and optimized. The NC recovered via this process will be tested for specification compliance and then formulated into a ball powder propellant that will also be subjected to quality and performance testing. Design data sufficient to allow scale-up to a prototype demilitarization process will be generated.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: In the area of demilitarization, this technology has application to many different propellant formulations in which NC is used. Development of environmentally benign solvent extraction technology could have application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
REFERENCES:
1) Joint Ordnance Commanders Group, Munitions Demil/Disposal Subgroup, Joint Demilitarization Study, US Army Defense Ammunition Center and School, Savanna, IL, September 1995. Reference can be obtained by contacting the U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center, Technology Directorate, 1 C Tree Road, McAlester, OK 74501-9053. Telephone is 918-420-8084, e-mail is sosac-td@dac.army.mil.
KEYWORDS: Nitrocellulose, propellant, reuse, solvent extraction, demilitarization
A02-004 TITLE: High Power Miniature Laser
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Weapons
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO-Ground Combat and Support Systems (GCSS)
OBJECTIVE: Conduct feasibility study and identify enabling technologies for a miniature lethal high-power LASER source.
DESCRIPTION: Current laser systems that deliver energy levels over 100 Joules are far too large to be incorporated into a man-portable or hand-held system. In order to keep up with future soldier demand, current technology must be evolved to the point where such systems weigh less than 30 pounds, rather than hundreds of pounds. The next generation of mini-lasers is envisioned to be battery operated, and therefore must be very efficient. An overall system approach is needed to look at the entire system to improve efficiency and system size and weight. The Power Train technologies are the major enablers, which includes the High Energy/Power density power source-battery and power conditioning-energy storage/switching. Multi-functionality and efficiency of components is of utmost importance in order to reduce component count and thermal management, thereby enhancing compactness and reliability. Desired wavelength of the envisioned laser is ~ 800 nm, and a rep rate ~ 200 Hz, delivering ~100 J per pulse.
PHASE I: Investigate possible candidate technologies in solid-state LASER systems including but not limited to optics, stabilization, and power train. Identify the critical components and prepare an optimization and miniaturization plan to be demonstrated in Phase II. Conduct a trade-off study as to reduction in power output or increase in weight and overall geometry in order to arrive at an optimized size, i.e., a high efficiency system will result in less thermal loss, and therefore reduce the size of the thermal management system.
PHASE II: Construct a prototype system from recommendations based on the findings in Phase I. Make this system available for testing to demonstrate wavelength, rep rate, and power output.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Applications in miniaturization can benefit a host of Directed Energy concepts, including active protection systems, FCS, and Non-Lethal capabilities.
REFERENCES:
1) http://www.ailu.org.uk/
2) http://www.newsight.com/newsight/
KEYWORDS: LASER, Directed Energy, Non-Lethal, Lethality, pulse power, energy
A02-005 TITLE: Innovative Lightweight Munitions
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Small Arms
OBJECTIVE: Reduce the weight of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) components through innovative means.
DESCRIPTION: The OICW is a dual munition (20mm and 5.56mm) weapon system for the infantry capable of firing kinetic energy projectiles and an air-bursting fragmentation munition. The OICW has a weight limit of twelve pounds. In order to meet this limit without sacrificing any of the current features of the weapon, alternative processing methods are often explored. Weight reduction of the plastic housing, the KE barrel of the gun and the grenade launcher barrels are a few of the parts that are being explored for potential weight reduction. This SBIR will explore forming techniques using functionally gradient and/or reinforced materials with the goal of reducing the overall weight of the parts being examined. The components could be produced from advanced castings and advanced forming techniques. Investigate processes that could include, but are not limited to, High Velocity Particle Compaction, laser forming and other processes that may permit producing components, combined with selective reinforcement of wear resistant materials for improved wear and durability.
PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of a process to produce advanced functional gradient material for the OICW application. The materials should include functionally gradient and/or reinforced materials from advanced forming techniques. A trade off analysis will be conducted to evaluate costs, weight and durability of the OICW components and the production method.
PHASE II: Determine hardware requirements specific to the selected process and design a prototype. Develop and refine the forming technique. Select evaluation criteria for the OICW components. Form selected OICW components using the selected process and gradient/reinforced materials. Evaluate the components based on cost, weight, mechanical properties, microstructure and other relevant criteria.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Demonstrate producibility of the components and develop an implementation plan for the OICW components. Potential commercial applications include the production of lightweight components in various industries that include aerospace and automotive industries.
OPERATING AND SUPPORT COST (OSCR) REDUCTION: It is an enabling technology, which reduces replacement costs.
REFERENCES:
1) The Project Manager Small Arms web site - http://w4.pica.army.mil/Opmsa/programs/Production/Objective_Weapons/oicw.htm
KEYWORDS: OICW, Producibility, Lightweight, Forming Techniques, High Velocity Particle Compaction, Laser Forming.
A02-006 TITLE: Nano-particle Capacitor Technology
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Small Arms
OBJECTIVE: Design and build an innovative high capacitance, low inductance capacitor for use in various Directed Energy applications.
DESCRIPTION: Electrification of combat systems requires high energy density storage media. The extraction of stored energy in short pulses required for weaponry depends upon internal inductance and resistance of the storage media. Currently available capacitors need several orders of magnitude improvement in energy density as well as minimization of internal inductance and resistance. Capacitor technology based on nano-particles has a great potential for improving all the desired parameters. This concept of fabricating capacitors will revolutionize the electronics industry by reducing the size and enhancing the performance of electronic components and systems.
PHASE I: Investigate electrical parameters of nano-particles of various materials. Use this information to fabricate a single capacitor cell and characterize its performance. Develop a model to predict scalability to a kilojoule level.
PHASE II: Fabricate and characterize a 1 kJ device operating at greater than 1 kV.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: General power conditioning – power supplies for all types of military, commercial, and industrial applications. Pulsed power applications especially Directed Energy.
REFERENCES:
1) http://priorities.jrc.es/BackgroundDocs/NANO%20VDI%2001.pdf
KEYWORDS: Directed Energy, power sources, high power, capacitors
A02-007 TITLE: Hyperspectral 3-D Detector
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO-Ground Combat and Support Systems (GCSS)
OBJECTIVE: Develop an optical and/or infrared detector component that simultaneously acquires the spectral intensity across the entire 2-D field of view for at least 16 spectral bands.
DESCRIPTION: Hyperspectral detectors rely on a starring array to measure either the intensity of multiple spectral bands for a 1-D field of view (line scanner) and acquire the other dimension by scanning over time the line, or, the detectors scan over time the spectral band intensities while acquiring the intensity of a single band simultaneously over a 2-D field of view. This solicitation is for a detector system which scans the entire spatial 2-D field of view and measures the intensity at each pixel of at least 16 spectral bands simultaneously. Such a detector would acquire the data cube, (x, y, wavelength) intensities simultaneously.
PHASE I: Design the proposed system and provide theoretical proof that the proposed method will work. Provide clear documentation that the proposed system can be fabricated. Obtain confirmation that the system can be built and commitment from a fabricator to build it.
PHASE II: Fabricate and deliver to the government a prototype system. Test the system providing test results that show latency between the various pixels, signal-to-noise, spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution.
PHASE III DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Such devices have broad application in agriculture (crop evaluation), medical diagnostics and imaging, process control of chemicals and materials of all sorts, non-destructive inspection of products, detection of biological molecules…
REFERENCES: (A02-007)
1) Jim Jafolla, et. al., “ASIC Implementation of Real-Time Spectral/Spatial Algorithms For Autonomous Target Detection,” SPIE Imaging Spectrometry VI, July 2000. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES ON FOLLOWING PAGE.
2) Mark Dombroski, Paul Willson, and Clayton LaBaw, “Countering CC&D Through Spectral Matched Filtering of Hyperspectral Imagery”, National Infrared International Symposia (IRIS), John Hopkins, University, Baltimore, MD (November 1997).
3) Mark Dombroski, Paul Willson, and Clayton LaBaw, “Defeating Camouflage and Finding Explosives Through Spectral Matched Filtering of Hyperspectral Imagery”, SPIE Counter-Terrorism Conference, Boston, MA (November 1996).
KEYWORDS: hyperspectra, imaging detectors, sensors, infrared detection, optics, camera
A02-008 TITLE: Precision Robotics for Tomography
TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Electronics
ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM, Tank and Medium-Caliber Armament System
OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative precision robotic system which moves and manipulates munition items from a normal production line into appropriate precise positions for computed tomography (CT) inspection systems.
DESCRIPTION: This solicitation is for research and development of components necessary to robotically move objects that contain explosives and energetic material from floor, platform, or conveyor, and position the object in an x-ray beam, translating and rotating it as required for acquiring the hundreds of images by generic cone beam computed tomographic inspection systems. One might think that off-the-shelf robotics would apply, but the precision necessary and the extreme safety requirements for handling energetic explosive muntions exceed that of current robotics. The government has only recently begun inspecting munition items using generic CT where the material handling is done manually. Historically, the material handling and the CT are custom built in one integrated system for inspection of a particular item. The limitation of such a system to one end item makes them prohibtively expensive. If now, a generic robotic system (as defined below) can be developed and implemented in conjunction with the government's generic CT, cost savings of millions of dollars would be reaped. X-ray computer tomographic (CT) imaging of munition items requires the item be rotated, translated, and positioned repeatably to within 0.001 inches and five arc seconds. Items to be moved vary from ounces to 200 pounds. During the x-ray process, all parts of the robotic arm that might be in the x-ray imaging space, must be of low-density material. Parts of the robot must not extend more than a few millimeters into the space surrounding the object perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Munition items range in diameter from 20 millimeters to 155 millimeters and in height from a few centimeters to one meter. To meet safety requirements, the robotic system that picks up and manipulates munitions must have adequate sensor feedback and secondary safety devices to prevent the item from being detonated either mechanically or electrically. Motors, sensors and controls used for the system must be proper for explosive items and an explosive environment. The actual munition holding devices must be such as to not interfere in the acquisition of the CT data. This is non-trivial. The combination of attributes the system needs are not available in the market place. This difficulty has stymied the fabrication of generic automated assembly line systems for the inspection of munition items by computed tomography. The result is that generic CT systems, which the Army has developed, can be used only with manual handling of munitions. This topic requires research in innovative tactile and vision sensors and feedback loops for motion control, innovative methods of securing items so that under all conditions the munition will not be dropped or slammed into an obstacle, and error budget management between various component manipulators.
PHASE I: Design a feasibility concept for components of the precision robotics tomography system which can meet the safety requirements for explosive and energetic materials and simultaneously position munition objects which range in diameter from 20 millimeters to 155 millimeters and weigh from eight ounces to 200 pounds.
PHASE II: Develop a prototype for the precision robotics tomography system.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: CT is becoming a common non-destructive tool for inspecting manufactured items. CT systems, unlike many other processes within the manufacturing plant, do not employ robotic arms as solicited. With such an arm, CT non-destructive systems will merge well into the industrial production lines. Dual use will include numerous production plants, both government owned and privately owned. The robotic arm solicited will enhance the expansion and versatility of CT on production lines.
REFERENCES: (A02-008)
1) http://www.universal-systems.com/
2) H. Phillips and J. J. Lannutti, "Measuring Physical Density with X-ray Computed Tomography," NDT&E International 30, 339 (1997).
3) http://mse.iastate.edu/people/schilling/Fine-Scale/Fine-Scale.html
4) http://www.roboticarm.com/
KEYWORDS: robotic arm, automation, production lines, robotics, manufacturing equipment, tomography
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