Collection
Available Technology records
| Available Technology | Detail | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tent Stake Driver/Puller FirstLink | The US Air Force has developed and seeks to commercialize a user-friendly, time-saving, tent stake driver/puller that is especially suitable for the safer insertion and removal of double-headed stakes commonly used with medium sized tent. The new design has proven to be a time saver and safer (the two most important factors for military users when purchasing tents). The double-headed tent stake driver/puller is comprised of a driving tool and a coupler mounted on the distal end of the driving tool. The coupler has an elongated body with an open end, and a hollow core sized to receive the head of the stake. The coupler includes a retractable keeper. The keeper retains the stake when inserted into the coupler, and provides a hardened surface for imparting the extraction force for pulling a stake from the ground. Conversely, the closed end of the coupler provides a surface for imparting the driving force when inserting the stake into the ground. Although primarily designed for use with medium sized tent stakes, the invention could be easily sized for recreational or large tent stakes. | TECH-10019 |
| Diazoluminomelanin (DALM) HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS DIRECTORATE | Diazoluminomelanin (DALM) is a spiral linear polymer compound which, when synthesized within bacteria, sensitize them to destruction by microwave energy. It is also a reporter molecule that luminesces when oxidized and heated by conventional means or radio frequency energy. The genes for its production have been isolated and cloned, and are being engineered to respond to the presence of various toxic chemicals. DALM can be used in place of an inorganic semiconductor as a label for aptamer binding. It has been demonstrated to work for detection and identification of biological target agents. DALM can be detected by the following methods: (1) Chemiluminescence (when oxidized, it produces its own light), (2) Fluorescence (using an excitation light to get it to glow at a different wavelength, color), (3) Electroluminescence (passing electricity through it or exciting it with microwave energy; it will light up and even re-emit a different frequency radio or electromagnetic pulse). When DALM is connected to a target with a specific aptamer and is excited sufficiently by the forms of energy mentioned above, it “kills” the target or destroys it by mediating oxidations (comparable to a slow “burn”) or sudden, very rapid bursts of energy transfer (cavitations, like micro-explosions). This method can enhance or replace the cold-plasma kill method by providing a means to use pulsed microwaves at a distance to destroy an agent labeled with DALM/aptamer. The feasibility of such an approach has been demonstrated by the Air Force Research Laboratory and published in Kiel et al, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, volume 30, No. 4, 4 August 2002, 1482-1488 and under two SBIR contracts. More importantly, without DALM, it is not practicable to reach energies capable of killing the biological agents; this has been confirmed by other work sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory. The DALM produced by bacteria and other cells is also transferable to plastic surfaces, leading to passive sensors being developed from DALM-coated, microwave-sensitive film. The DALM coatings may be laser activated and emissions read from a distance. By associating the fluorescent polymer with various specific binding and sensing agents, changes in fluorescence can indicate the presence of certain chemical or physical agents. This bundle of patents provides all necessary steps required from development to manufacturing. | TECH-10033 |
| Collapsible Star Barrier SENSORS DIRECTORATE | These devices were designed as a channeling device intended to replace concertina wire and be more effective against light cars and trucks than the fixed, anti-tank star barriers used at entry points to most military installations. Three orthogonal beams, each 2 feet in length are equipped with spikes. The devices can fold into a compact uniform position, placing all three beams parallel to each other. Their light weight and compact storage makes them ideal for traveling units setting up mobile checkpoints. Their intended use would consist of at least nine collapsible star barriers connected as sets of three placed in a chicane or ‘S’ formation. These devices are more formidable than cones; easier to handle and quicker to set up than concertina wire; and have the potential to significantly damage and halt vehicles. AFRL is interested in Cooperative Research and Development opportunities to demonstrate a possible manufacturing capability for military and civilian use. | TECH-10039 |
| Bumper Thumper Pop-up Sign SENSORS DIRECTORATE | This device serves to communicate directions as well as ‘grab’ the attention of drivers approaching checkpoints. Its dimensions are approximately: 42in. x 27in., for the frame; and 36in. x 24in., for the attached sign. This hybrid sign/speed bump, made from Lexan and other high impact materials, causes no damage to the vehicle on impact. Instead it alerts the driver via a bump (caused by driving over the device) and a loud noise (caused by the impacting sign). The intended use of this device is to communicate to the attentive driver that they should slow to a specific speed and change lanes. To the inattentive driver, this device will be certain to bring their focus to their surroundings. Spring loaded hinges return the sign to the upright position after the vehicle has driven past. AFRL is interested in Cooperative Research and Development opportunities to demonstrate a possible manufacturing capability for military and civilian use. | TECH-10040 |
| Collapsible Signs SENSORS DIRECTORATE | These devices are intended to provide standardization and positive checkpoint identification in addition to communicating checkpoint instructions to approaching drivers. These hinged octagonal signs are reflective for night-time operations. They have water-marks and holograms for anti-tamper and authentication purposes. Highly visible logos serve to positively identify the check-point as US/Coalition. In the deployed position, the octagons measure 30in. x 30in. They collapse to 30in. x 15in. rectangles for easy storage. They are equipped with a locking mechanism and support stand built into the back. AFRL is interested in Cooperative Research and Development opportunities to demonstrate a possible manufacturing capability for military and civilian use. | TECH-10041 |
| New Optical Approach and Instrumentation for Single Particle Flow-thru Measurement of Mueller Matrix Uniformed Services University Health Services | Inventor(s): Jozsef Czege, The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Biomedical Instrumentation Center, and Dr. Burt V. Bronk, Air Force Research Laboratory, HEPC at Wright Patterson Air Force Base The application describes a novel optical instrument for measuring scattering properties of micron-sized particles via Mueller Matrix (MM) elements. Drs. Czege and Bronk have developed and tested a new single step, instantaneous method that can be packaged into a turn-key table-top instrument with modest additional development, and like many commercial spectrometers, could be successfully operated by anyone with average laboratory and technical skills. The new instrument allows for the instantaneous measurement of multiple MM parameters simultaneously in a fraction of a second for each particle in an aerosolized stream. Potential Applications for Particle Analysis Using this Method: 1) Real-time measurements of size and shape of micron-sized biological particles such as living bacteria in a suspension; 2) Quality control of manufacturing of micron-sized particles of various shapes to determine the extent of deviation from design parameters for members of a batch of particles; 3) Quality control of various powders manufactured for pharmaceuticals and other applications; 4) A method to give first responders important quantitative shape information on particles in an aerosol. This will help determine when hazardous particles or pathogens are present in the air. This information can be obtained on a single particle basis from airborne particles by this new method; and 5) Development of additional methods to determine the types of cells contained in biomedical samples. Collaboration with Industry Desired The scientists involved in this effort have had considerable experience in using Mueller matrix methods in various applications. Dr. J. Czege is a research professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He is an expert experimental physicist, who is highly skilled in optical science and instrument development. Dr. B. V. Bronk is a biophysicist with the Air Force Research Laboratory with many years of experience in measuring physical properties of microorganisms. The Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. is exploring opportunities for patent licensing and collaborative development of the described instrument with parties interested in a research partnership with the inventors. We are looking for a partner who can show the ability to obtain or fabricate certain instrumentation for producing a prototype and provide some financial support for the project. The Foundation has filed a patent application covering the technology. To discuss licensing this technology please contact Carol Lavrich. | TECH-10067 |
| Auditory Horizon for General Aviation HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS DIRECTORATE | This technology was the Air Force winner in the OSD Office of Technology Transition & DoD TechMatch Hot Technologies Contest. The Auditory Horizon is a patent pending method developed by the Air Force Research Lab 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate (711 HPW/RH). This lab has a long and successful history of advanced research in auditory displays that help military pilots maintain situational awareness and spatial orientation under extremely difficult conditions. This technology processes data from Global Positioning Systems and flight indicators then provides audio feedback to the pilot through the existing entertainment and communication systems. The Auditory Horizon technology provides a three dimensional auditory artificial horizon that the pilot can use to orient the aircraft. The audio display is continuously available, but is easily relegated to the pilot’s mental background when it is not needed. The Auditory Horizon has been tested by pilots at the NASA Langley Research Center. Key Advantages Increased situational awareness for general aviation pilots Increases flight safety by helping pilots avoid conditions that result in spatial disorientation Easily integrated into existing aircraft avionics equipment Proven effective in real flight tests Provides a clear advancement and “wow” factor that will increase avionics instrumentation sales Opportunity & Development Status The Auditory Horizon has been prototyped and tested. This technology is patent pending and is available for licensing from the US Air Force. A demonstration can be arranged. Collaborative R&D; with the Air Force is a possibility. | TECH-10061 |
| Wireless Network Intrusion Detection TechLink | The United States Air Force seeks industry partners to license and commercialize an advanced technology that provides wireless network situational awareness for network management. The Wireless Intrusion Detection Sensor (WIDS) enables network personnel to enforce wireless network policies such as the Department of Defense Directive 8100.2 and aids in the early detection of malicious network intrusions via wireless networks. WIDS provides the geo-location of unauthorized wireless LAN connections. WIDS is a patent pending software and hardware product developed by the Air Force Research Lab Information Directorate (AFRL-RI). AFRL-RI is a cutting edge research organization with a long and successful history of advanced product development for cyber operations, advanced computing architectures, information fusion, and information exploitation. WIDS detects anomalous wireless activity and vulnerable configuration settings and provides data to the network management system. WIDS detects and reports Rogue Access Points, Unauthorized Clients, Unprotected SSIDs, WEP Usage and Ad-Hoc Networks. WIDS provides information on a number of network exploitation methods including Network Discovery and Probing, Man-in-the-Middle attacks, Connection Hijacking, Denial of Service Attacks and MAC Address Spoofing. Key Advantages Does not require sensor calibration making it especially good for areas with changing RF signatures Geo-location capability without system power and frequency configuration Works on all RF communication not just 802.11, 2.4GHz WIDS has been reduced and tested | TECH-10081 |
| Hydrogen Storage AIR FORCE ACADEMY | This technology was the Air Force winner in the OSD Office of Technology Transition & DoD TechMatch Hot Technologies Contest. This invention is a step forward in the utilization of fuel-cell technology, particularly in the personal electric power sector. It constitutes a significant underpinning to future developments in this arena, and is a critical component to successful storage and use of hydrogen fuel. The combination of a hydrogen generator, ammonia fuse, and a fuel cell will outperform the most energetic batteries currently available by a factor of two in specific energy (aka energy density). Such a system for personal electric power was conceived, developed, and tested for military use, where it would power devices such as radios, night vision goggles, laser range finders, GPS receivers, and other similar military hardware totaling about 15 to 150 watts of power consumption. The commercial equivalent of those military needs are easily envisaged; notebook computer, cell phone, music player, GPS receiver, PDA, video player, ebook. The power requirements are similar. The invention, also known as an ammonia fuse, controls gas flow when a feed gas and a contaminant gas are present. In an environment containing hydrogen gas as a fuel, this invention prevents contaminants from polluting the fuel supply to a contaminant-sensitive device such as a fuel cell. The ammonia fuse would be an essential part of an ammonia-hydride hydrogen generator, which can provide hydrogen fuel to a fuel cell for the purpose of electrical power production Benefits: Pure hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell. The overall mass of the hydrogen generator, ammonia fuse, and fuel cell weighs significantly less than that of batteries producing the same amount of energy. The savings is at least a factor of two, comparing a PEM fuel cell with BA5590 primary lithium/SO2 batteries. | TECH-10084 |
| Self-Referenced Locking of Optical Coherence by Single Detector Electronic Frequency Tagging(LOCSET) AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB | The present invention is a unique coherent beam combining system for a laser amplifier array. In one embodiment, the output power of the signal from a single master oscillator is split by a 1 by N splitter and directed simultaneously into an array of the N optical modulators where each of the N signals is modulated by a unique electronic frequency. One of these modulated signals is selected as the reference signal. The modulation frequencies must be selected so that beat notes between the reference and other M element optical signals (N -1 = M) can be uniquely isolated. The M modulated signals are fed to M phase adjusters and then optically amplified. The reference signal proceeds directly to an amplifier. A small portion of the array output is split off and imaged onto a photodetector. The photodetector output is fed to a signal processor that produces phase error signals that drive the M phase adjustors. The final output is thus a high-powered optically-coherent signal. Thus, a complex and difficult to implement spatial isolation of the phase error signals of previous systems is replaced with an easy to implement electronic isolation of the phase error signals between the reference signal and each of the M modulated optical signals. A single detector is used, and there is no separate reference beam. Furthermore, the method can easily be scaled to large numbers of array elements because the scaling is done in the electronic instead of the spatial domain. The present invention relates generally to multiple element optical amplifier arrays used to achieve a high power beam and in particular, to a coherent beam combining system to facilitate such laser amplifier arrays. Benefits: The current invention eliminates the need for an optical reference beam on each amplified optical output beam to achieve optical phase locking and coherent beam combining. Previous methods for phase locking required multiple photodetectors and were cumbersome to align and maintain. The simplicity of using a single photodetector leads to a robust and deployable architecture for many applications. | TECH-10087 |
| Layered Sensing Testbed AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB | The LST is a software and data base environment that integrates layers of sensor video feeds in real time onto a precision geo-referenced database for the visualization, analysis, and exploitations of multi-INT video streams approaching terabytes per hour. The key technology innovations include a structured approach for integrating, registering, and referencing multiple layers of massively heterogeneous motion imagery. There are three components to the LST: the integrations and visualization software, the analysis & exploitation software, and the advanced GIS database architecture that turns every pixel of interest into a Wikipedia or PixelPedia. The integration & visualization software integrates and registers real time video streams from multi-INT air and ground sensor networks into a precision geo-referenced Google-Earth like database architectures. The foundational software for this function is the NASA World Wind. Unique application software was developed to give the environment more sophisticated imagery manipulation capability. The analysis and exploitation software focuses on the data processing, formatting, and representation that allows for the extraction and interpretation of patterns of behavior within a city environment, whether it be vehicle or people traffic. The ability to ingest massive video streams across a heterogeneous set of sensor layers allow for an extremely rich range of analysis options to study behavior at the city wide level, the neighborhood wide level, the city block level, down to the specific building level giving the user an unprecedented degree of situational awareness. The advanced GIS database architecture called PixelPedia is crucial to achieving meaningful situational awareness over a complex urban setting. The concept is elegant in its simplicity. The PixelPedia data structure allows for the preloading of apriori knowledge that acts to bootstrap ISR operations. The resulting insights or declarations can then be stored in a geo-referenced data structure that is directly associated with the sensors in operation. This in affect gives the area of regard the ability to remember and to learn. The belief is that this will increase probability of detecting anomalous behavior while also reducing the probability of false alarms, the holy grail of advanced pattern recognition. Benefits There is no comparable existing technology that has demonstrated the ingestion of multiple video streams geo-referenced to a learning data base architecture. The LST will provide a unique capability to ingest massively heterogeneous data streams and efficient extract out understanding within a framework that learns. | TECH-10088 |
| Mid-infrared optically pumped unstable resonator laser AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB | Description The invention relates to the high power, mid-IR optically pumped unstable resonator lasers and a means to produce a high-power output while maintaining a near diffraction limited beam. A diffraction limited beam is a beam in which the angular distribution of light is completely coherent; the diffraction limit is the optical systems theoretical limit. Benefits Current laser technologies go through beam quality degradation when operated at high powers. The optically pumped UR has shown it can maintain superior beam quality under these stressing conditions, consequently these lasers can be operated at or near the theoretical maximum brightness. This is extremely useful for airborne infrared countermeasures, free space optical communication and distant stand off detection for WMD and IED detection. Marketability There are a large number of applications that would directly benefit from high power mid-IR output in a nearly diffraction limited beam. These applications include countermeasures, free-space optical communication, remote sensing, laser marketing, and various medical applications | TECH-10096 |
| High Resolution, Large Field of View, Long Working Distance Microscope TechLink | The U.S. Air Force seeks to commercialize through patent licensing a microscopy/lithography technology that corrects for a variety of aberrations in lenses and mirrors. This allows for the use of inexpensive, imperfect optics as the objective lens to image objects with sub-micron resolution. This invention has been reduced for 2D but is equally applicable for 3D imaging Features/Benefits Holographic correction: Resolution performance equivalent to objective lenses that cost much, much more than the imperfect lenses/mirrors that can be used here Long working distances: Flexible viewing conditions including in situ, real time observations Large field of view: Ease of operation: no longer necessary to toggle lenses of different magnifications or stitching various scenes together to get the full picture De-magnification and photo-reduction: The system can be used in reverse to project a demagnified image for lithography or to focus laser light for micro-machining Status:U.S. patent 7,471,430- Holographic Image Corrector - available for licensing Peer-reviewed articles Inventor can be available for discussions and consultations | TECH-10102 |
| Fiber Pump Signal Combiner AIR FORCE ACADEMY | This technology provides a method to combine a single mode signal beam and multiple multi-mode pump beams and efficiently couple them into the core and inner cladding of a double clad fiber respectively. Although devices currently exist to perform this function, the are limited in the maximum pump power they can withstand and the dimensions of double clad fibers they can accommodate. This invention represents an important breakthrough by enabling a uniform core diameter, and therefore efficient single-mode coupling throughout the device, for an arbitrary brightness-conserving transformation of the pump beams. This property does not exist in any currently-existing devices. Market Potential This invention can be used as commercial fiber lasers and amplifiers for defense and manufacturing applications. Defense applications include laser designation, ranging, LIDAR, and directed energy. Manufacturing applications include welding and cutting. Also will serve as a key component for next-generation high-power, lightweight laser systems. As such, the primary uses for the Air Force include unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite payloads. Benefits The main advantage and new feature of this laser is the use of etching to allow the pump cladding to be tapered while maintaining a constant or gradually-varying signal core diameter throughout the signal path. This allows high efficiency and reliability relative to existing technologies. This invention also eliminates contact between high-power laser radiation and polymer-based materials resulting in higher power handling capacity relative to existing technologies. | TECH-10104 |
| Source for Sodium Laser Guide Stars DIRECTED ENERGY DIRECTORATE | Ground-based optical astronomy has been revolutionized by a technology called adaptive optics, which enables very high-resolution images near the theoretical limit of large telescopes by significantly reducing the distortions produced by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics relies on a high altitude “guide star” as a reference beacon when observing very faint objects. Unique laser technologies were invented to generate a high power, very accurate, single frequency source to excite sodium atoms in the mesosphere, 90 km above the surface of the Earth, producing a beacon for the adaptive optics. This technology involves combining two infrared lasers in a non-linear material to produce yellow light. Two devices were built for the Starfire Optical Range for imaging satellites. All previous attempts to build laser devices for this purpose in the past 20 years have not met the expectations of the astronomy community for required performance and reliability on the telescope. This technology is now highly sought-after by the worldwide astronomy community. The desire for the technology has come about primarily due to the performance of the system as built by the US Air Force Research Laboratory for its 3.5-meter adaptive optical telescope at the Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland AFB, NM. | TECH-10111 |
| Plug and Play Satellite SPACE VEHICLES DIRECTORATE | The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Electronics Branch has developed key Plug-and-Play technologies for use on tactical and larger satellites. The goal is to rapidly acquire and field capabilities to accommodate the growing rapid-response needs of the warfighter. The building of satellites has traditionally been a very labor intensive operation with some estimating that 85 percent of total cost is due to labor. To demonstrate the potential of standardization and modularity, the Branch built a fully flight-qualified PnP satellite. The goal of the PnPSat program is to substitute open interface standards (such as Space Plug-and-Play Avionics, or SPA) for proprietary custom interfaces to dramatically reduce the labor required to design, build, test and operate satellites. The PnP program supports the realization of truly responsive space from every aspect of spacecraft design, including hardware, software, mission design tools, modeling and creation of open standards. Benefits Quick assemby Customizable Reduction of labor Interoperability hardware and software | TECH-10118 |
| Vascular Injury Shunt TechLink | The U.S. Air Force seeks to commercialize through patent licensing a trauma specific vascular injury shunt to restore blood flow to an injured extremity until definitive vascular repair can be accomplished. The Technology: The U.S. Air Force has developed a trauma-specific vascular injury shunt (TS-VIS), which represents a breakthrough in the management of extremity vascular injury. The device has been designed by combat surgeons and military researchers to allow this capability to be applied in different operational environments including civilian and wartime. Its features also minimize the risk of complications, ensure its adapability to the unique needs of patients, and allow infusion of therapeutic (i.e. therapeutic reperfusion) or contrast agents (i.e. angiography) into the injured limb. Benefits: Safe: Designed for convenient, rapid insertion by broad range of surgeons and to lessen complication risks. Effective: Early reperfusion of damaged extremity leads to improved functional outcomes for patients. Game-Changing: First shunt designed for extremity vascular injury. Status and Opportunity: Provisional patent filed. Systematic preclinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals have demonstrated efficacy and safety of early restoration of extremity perfusion using this technique. Preparing for early prototype device preclinical studies. Licensing and commercialization/development partner(s) sought. | TECH-10120 |
| Trainer for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy TechLink | The U.S. Air Force has developed a model for negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) training that incorporates bleeding, fluid extraction, pulse points, and can be used to represent various wound types and depths on different anatomic locations. A prototype of the Air Force's trainer was constructed from commercial off-the-self (COTS) components. Final design and configurations are flexible and can be determined by the commercial developer. This system can be developed as a standalone task trainer or engineered for use with high fidelity simulators. Suction can be provided by proprietary devices or standard wall suction. Benefits Physiologically Detailed: Incorporates bleeding, fluid extraction, and pusle points Wound Variety: System can be developed to represent wounds and in various locations and of different types, including bed sores, diabetic ulcers, and blast/high energy trauma COTS: System can be developed using commercially available components and adapted to exisiting systems Task Trainer or High Fidelity Simulator: Equally effective with task-specific trainers or comprehensive simulators Status and Opportunity: One U.S. patent application available for license Prototype trainer built and tested Potential for R&D; Collaboration with inventor | TECH-10123 |