Collection
Success Story records
| Success Story | Detail | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Differential Pressure Flow Sensor Technology NAVSEA INDIAN HEAD | An engineer at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Indian Head Division developed a differential pressure flow sensor to measure the speed of submarine-launched torpedoes. Wickford Technologies realized that the invention had multiple uses in the commercial arena, and signed an exclusive contract with the Navy to produce the sensor. The device is most easily adapted for use by sailboats. Wickford's first market for the sensor is racing sailboats that need to measure flow of water to determine speed. | STORY-60039 |
| Integrated Circuit Design and Fabrication Technology SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER, SAN DIEGO | Integrated circuits are the hearts and brains of computer hardware that provide command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Designing and fabricating such circuits is part of the mission of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) in San Diego, CA. One use of such circuits is for electronic display of information. Reducing the size and weight of such circuits, as well as the number of required electronic connections, is important. Three SSC San Diego scientists patented a new integrated circuit that produces an extremely bright micro-display, while eliminating millions of interconnections between the display and its control circuitry. The work advanced under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between Optron Systems, Inc. and SSC San Diego. The goal is to offer improved imaging and video in virtual presence applications for the warfighter. Radiant Images, Inc., a spinoff from Optron Systems, Inc. formed to commercialize a high-resolution color display for Naval use. This technology also promises dual-use applications for emergency service personnel such as law officers, firefighters and paramedics, who can utilize imaging systems in the field to provide situation assessment updates as they work to contain emergencies. | STORY-60041 |
| Genomic Sequence of the Human Malaria Parasite NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER | The Naval Medical Research Center provided expert scientific guidance and leadership in collaboration with an international group of genome centers and funding agencies in publishing the complete genomic sequence of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The completion of the malaria genome was recognized by Science as the third most important scientific breakthrough of 2002. The Malaria Genome Project provides the complete blueprint of one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, as well as a major threat to U.S. military forces. | STORY-60042 |
| Advanced Solid State High Repetition Rate Modulator OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH | Diversified Technologies Inc.(DTI) adapted its patented high-power, solid-state, modulators and control systems to develop the Navy’s AN-SPG/60 fire control radar upgrade kit. The kit modernizes the radar’s transmitter section by replacing older vacuum tube devices with high voltage switching modules, gate drives, and interface electronics. The kits are currently installed and operating in the US Navy fleet with a similar program for the AN/SPQ-9A radar soon entering production. | STORY-60055 |
| SeliTherm Therapeutic Warming System NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER | SeliCor, Inc. developed and produces the SeliTherm therapeutic warming system. The system is based on recently patented technology developed by the U.S. Navy's Naval Medical Research Center and licensed exclusively to SeliCor. The heart of the Seli Therm system is a helical coil design. This system combines traditional radio-frequency diathermy, a widely accepted means of delivering therapeutic warming, with an all-new mode of delivery. The result is a medical device that makes core warming of deep body-tissue easier, safer, more effective, and more economical than ever before. Initially, the product will be available only to clinicians, but because it is exceptionally easy and safe to use, the system will eventually be made available directly to patients by prescription for in home use. | STORY-60043 |
| Fiber Optic Technology NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY | CorActive High-Tech Inc. recently signed a partially exclusive patent license agreement and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Naval Research Laboratory focusing on the commercial manufacturing and future development of NRL’s infrared fiber technology. The work was conducted at NRL by a research team headed by Drs. Ishwar Aggarwal and Jas Sanghera. NRL’s partner, CorActive Inc., is an independent developer and manufacturer of advanced Specialty Optical Fiber products for customers in the telecommunications, sensor, defense, and security, industrial, medical and aerospace industries. | STORY-60044 |
| Plasma Arc Waste Destruction System NAVSEA CARDEROCK | The Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWCCD) and PyroGenesis developed a Plasma Arc Waste Destruction System (PAWDS) for shipboard use. The use of NSWCCD and PyroGenesis technology resulted in an efficient and compact design with the ability to dispose of a vast variety of unsorted ship garbage unlike any existing shipboard incinerator. PAWDS operates at extreme temperatures so that combustion is almost complete with very little pollutants exhausted into the environment. | STORY-60045 |
| Advanced Concepts in Hull Array Beamforming NAVSEA CARDEROCK | Applied Hydro-Acoustics Research, Inc. (AHA) has developed a new sonar beamforming technique for the Navy surface combatant hull-mounted array. The technique consists of a new method for adaptive beamforming (ABF). The Short-Time Adaptive Broadband Beamformer (STABB) algorithm differs from traditional ABF techniques by operating over a broad frequency range and having the ability to rapidly respond to changes in the acoustic noise field. The rapid adaptation characteristic enhances performance in the face of active reverberation and close-aboard fast moving targets. | STORY-60048 |
| Remote Fiber Optic Sensors for Gaseous and Liquid Environments Based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH | Raman spectroscopy provides a unique fingerprint of the vibrational modes of a substance, and is similar to infrared spectroscopy in this regard. However, unlike infrared, Raman employs visible or near-infrared laser light to address the sample that is efficiently transmitted over conventional silica optical fibers. Cables up to 200 meters long have been employed with limited signal loss. This capability is a result of a compact sampling probe with microoptical components, developed and patented by EIC Laboratories. The RamanProbe™ probehead eliminates Raman scattering originating from the silica fiber optics and completely filters the laser wavelength prior to detection. A further feature of this probe is that it focuses the laser light several millimeters past the probe tip. This allows high quality Raman spectra to be obtained through the walls of transparent and translucent containers with little interference from the container materials themselves (e.g., glass, polyethylene, brown glass, etc.). | STORY-60056 |
| Advanced Modular Gun Design NAVSEA DAHLGREN | Applied Ordnance Technology (AOT) has developed a high velocity, high pressure, large caliber test gun that incorporates a separable chamber using AOT’s extended Long Range(XLR) gun design. AOT’s objective is to provide the Navy with the Advanced Modular Gun Demonstrator, a test and evaluation gun based on the XLR design, that is capable of testing advanced gun technologies. The XLR gun was developed in conjunction with Advanced Power Technology, Inc., and offers an innovative approach to loading, chamber sealing, chamber/barrel connection and recoil. The design consists of a high-velocity, smoothbore gun incorporating multiple separable large-volume chambers and a segmented barrel. The key innovation involves the use of a separable chamber bridged by a single-use chambrage sealing cartridge in a high pressure, large caliber gun. The development of the XLR Gun recently advanced with the successful evaluation of the chambrage sealing cartridge in a sub-scale Proof of Concept test at a 60,000 psi chamber pressure. AOT is currently working on a full-scale, full pressure test to evaluate the separable chamber in a relevant gun environment. | STORY-60049 |
| High Speed, Dual-Mode Missile Radome (HiSMR) NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER | As the Navy continues to make communications advancements, antenna bandwidth requirements increase. With the use of higher frequencies and higher missile speeds, the housing of the antenna, called the radome, must meet new materials challenges. The radome must maintain mechanical and electrical properties at higher temperatures. ATK Composites has developed Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) materials that show an excellent combination of electrical, mechanical, and erosion-resistance properties suitable for radome structures that can experience temperatures up to 2500°F. | STORY-60052 |
| Aircraft Weapons Bay Flow Simulation Model NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER | An internal aircraft weapons bay, when exposed to freestream flow, experiences an intense aero-acoustic environment in and around the bay with loads as high as 160 to 180 decibels. High acoustic loads significantly reduce the life of aero-structures in the bay and damage sensitive electronic components. These loads disrupt the store separation process by inducing unfavorable moments on the store. Aircraft design engineers have been challenged to develop innovative suppression methods to control the acoustic environment in the weapons bay. Further, control of the aero-acoustic environment surrounding cavities exposed to high-speed flows has been the subject of several recent investigations. CRAFT Tech has developed a Hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Strokes Large Eddy Simulation (RANS-LES) model for the prediction of weapons bay aero-acoustics. The technology has aided in the design of control systems to minimize dynamic loading on the weapons bay structures and ensure the safe separation of stores for naval platforms. | STORY-60054 |
| Low-cost Lightweight, Night Vision Capability for Hand Launched UAV System NAVAIR CHINA LAKE | Bodkin Design & Engineering, LLC (BD&E;) developed the world's first miniature uncooled infrared camera. The Infrared Microcam provides high-resolution thermal images that equal those available from costly cryogenically cooled cameras. The lightweight sensor head (3" x 3.9" x 3.2" weighing 7.0 oz.) uses a high resolution (320 x 240 pixel) uncooled focal plane array. This microbolometer array operates at room temperature, eliminating thermal stress and the cooler's power drain. The camera has no moving parts, making it highly reliable and compact. Its patented tethered sensor head permits it to be placed in smaller spaces than previously possible, thereby enabling new applications for thermal imaging. Designed for and demonstrated on the Hand-Launched Pointer UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), the camera's compact rugged design, low power drain (4.5 watts), and wide operating temperature range (-20 to 60 °C.) enables its use across a wide range of demanding environments. The highly sensitive camera responds to temperature differences smaller than 0.1 °C, and captures video-like imagery at high frame rates (30Hz) without blooming, blurring, or trails. | STORY-60060 |
| All Digital Receiver OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH | HYPRES has produced the world’s first All Digital Receiver (ADR) based on Superconducting MicroElectronics (SME). ADR is designed to demonstrate the ability to directly digitize and process multiple Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) waveforms simultaneously from a single wideband digital sample, at an extremely high speed (40 GHz). HYPRES calls this process "Digital RF" as it combines for the first time, analog-to-digital and digital signal processing on the same device, running at the same 40 GHz clock speed. SME technology exceeds the processing capabilities of the best semiconductor analog-to-digital technology and greatly improves the performance of the JTRS and other military communication systems. The research was accomplished in collaboration with the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and other leading universities. | STORY-60061 |
| Metal Plate Forming OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH | The current method of producing three dimensional shapes for Navy ship hulls and other structures consists of manual thermal forming by skilled labor that uses oxy-acetylene torches and water hoses. The process is very costly, labor intensive, inaccurate, and slow. Native American Technologies Company (N.A. Tech) has developed the Light Induced Thermal Shape Forming (LITS-Form) process to address this problem. The LITS-Form process uses advanced high-energy heat sources, automated manipulators to position the heat at precise locations, intelligent controls, and computerized off-line planning. The process is cost effective, uses minimal labor, produces highly accurate parts, and is up to 100 times faster than manual plate forming. | STORY-60088 |
| Navy Develops Environmentally Friendly Protective Chromium Coating for Aluminum NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER | The first drop-in replacement for the ROHS, WEEE, and ELV directive's designated carcinogen hexavalent chromate. The coating is the only coating in the world that is an environmentally safe and economical replacement that meets or exceeds corrosion protection, electrical conductance, and paint and rubber bond adhesion specifications for all hexavalent chromate applications. The coating was developed by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River, Maryland because of the lack of commercially available alternatives to the industry accepted hex material. TCP-HF can be used on aluminum, zinc, copper, brass and a wide variety of other metals. The technology was licensed to METALAST International in 2005 and is commercially available worldwide. | STORY-60090 |
| Navy Medical Researchers Launch New Methods for Treating Autoimmune Disease NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER | While assigned to the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC), Navy immunologist Dr. Carl June made a profound discovery—the key to a hypothesized second signal in T-cell stimulation. June’s discovery of the function of the CD28 molecule in that second pathway led to major advances in the search for safe and effective therapies for autoimmune disorders. | STORY-60091 |
| Light-weight, Portable, Water Purification for Military and Commercial Applications NAVSEA PANAMA CITY | MIOX Corporation partnered with Mountain Safety Research (MSR) to develop and commercialize a water purifier that utilizes salt, water and power to generate a strong disinfectant solution. When the solution is added to untreated water, it rapidly and effectively inactivates a number of common water-borne pathogens, including E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Efficacy has been proven against several chemical and biological warfare agents as well. The MSR MIOX purifier provides the warfighter with a portable, light-weight water purification device that alleviates the expense and difficulties of water logistics. The MSR MIOX purifier does not require pumping, which is an advantage in a hostile environment where water must be captured quickly and treated under cover. The MSR MIOX purifier is also commercially available to outdoor enthusiasts and international travelers that must purify water regularly. | STORY-60174 |
| Affordable Surface Enhancement NAVAIR LAKEHURST | To achieve safe aircraft operations, extensive inspection and maintenance programs are required to detect and replace even critical blades with as little as 0.005" deep foreign object damage (FOD). The threat of FOD failure significantly increases the engine blade replacement frequency and maintenance costs. An estimated $400M is expended annually for HCF related inspection and maintenance, greatly increasing the total ownership cost of military aircraft. As the fleet continues to age, the cost for inspection and maintenance will increase. The associated reduction in time on-wing increasingly impacts fleet readiness. A new approach and new technology are needed that will arrest, or even reduce, the spiraling costs of HCF mitigation. Low Plasticity Burnishing (LPB) is an engineered surface enhancement that produces deep levels of beneficial compressive residual stress in steel, titanium, aluminum and nickel-based alloys. The deep compression has been shown to dramatically improve both damage tolerance and fatigue life, and is essentially a manufacturing operation performed using conventional CNC machine tools in a machine shop environment. LPB processing can be easily incorporated into existing manufacturing and overhaul operations. LPB offers an affordable, effective and available means of both improving engine life and performance while reducing ownership costs by mitigating common damage mechanisms such as foreign object damage, stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue and fretting fatigue. | STORY-60208 |
| Port Security Barrier Technology NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SERVICE CENTER | The Port Security Barrier System is a fencing barrier system designed to protect ships and port facilities. The system consists of a floating fence constructed of a synthetic net with a steel base, and is moored with deadweight anchors. The barriers can have a gate, or multiple gates, that can be opened and closed by security personnel. From concept to steel prototype, the process for the current barrier design took approximately eight months. NFESC tested the barrier designs in wave tanks at the U.S. Naval Academy, building 1:56 and 1:10 scale models in which the barriers were put through the worst-case environmental conditions. A full-scale test with a 38 foot remote control boat was used, and the data was studied carefully using numerical modeling techniques. The net result was a demonstrated effectiveness against high-speed boats, and proven in-water operational performance with a simple, low cost design. Each fence is specifically designed for each location. It rises eight feet above the water surface. HOI will continue to modify and improve this technology to create the best port barrier system available. | STORY-60021 |
| Oil Spill Early Detection and Warning SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER, PACIFIC | To control damage caused by oil spills, an immediate and effective response is required. However, before any response can be mounted, the spill must be detected and responders notified. To address this need, five environmental scientists from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) in San Diego developed the “Underwater Spectroscopic Detector” that provides rapid, reliable spill detection. The invention includes fluorescence-based sensors deployed just below the water to detect increased hydrocarbon concentration. When detection occurs, a radio signal is transmitted to a base station computer and designated responders are alerted via an automated phone call. SSC San Diego entered into a licensing agreement with Applied Microsystems, a company that designs and manufactures water quality monitoring instrumentation. Applied Microsystems was able to integrate the new technology into an oil spill early warning system called Spill-Sentry. The system includes spill detection buoys for deployment in the field and a PC-based reporting/coordinating station. Buoys communicate with the base station via cable, radio or satellite and transmit data at user-defined intervals. Data are then analyzed to determine if a spill has occurred. If a spill is detected, automatic alarms notify the appropriate personnel to respond. | STORY-60038 |