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Briefs Software
A Predictive Model for Cognitive Radio
A computational model that predicts effects of changing operational parameters of a cognitive radio has been developed as part of continuing research on cognitive / software - defined radio (C/SDR)...
Briefs Materials
Metamaterials for Advanced Microwave Antennas
A report discusses a research and development project that has made contributions to the art of metamaterials for directing electromagnetic radiation at frequencies of the order of several gigahertz. The next-generation metamaterials expected to emerge from this and related projects could enormously...
Briefs Photonics/Optics
Heterodyne RF/Optical Links Utilizing Integrated Photonics
A program of research and development has been directed toward the goals of demonstrating (1) ultra-low-noise communication links in which information is conveyed by phase-modulated...
Briefs Electronics & Computers
Microwave Sources Utilizing Linear Induction Accelerators
Progress has been reported in a continuing effort to develop pulsed, high-power microwave signal sources based on (1) oscillators in the form of relativistic magnetrons containing...
Briefs Materials
Measuring Glucose Using pH-Sensitive Hydrogels
Sensors that exploit pH-sensitive hydrogels for measuring concentrations of glucose in aqueous solutions are undergoing development. Because the underlying chemical and physical principles are also...
Briefs RF & Microwave Electronics
Accomplishments of the Microwave Power Research Initiative
Research performed under the auspices of the Microwave Power Research Initiative (MiPRI) between May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2006 has been reported. [The MiPRI is a congressionally mandated Air Force program to advance the science of high-power electron- beam-driven microwave and millimeter-...
Briefs Electronics & Computers
Microstrip Patch Antennas Containing Multi-PBG Structures
Microstrip patch antennas of a proposed type would contain photonic- bandgap (PBG) structures characterized by multiple bandgaps. In a given antenna, the PBG structure(s) could be one or...
Briefs Electronics & Computers
Assembly of Nanowire-Based Computing Systems
A program to develop ultra-dense integrated digital data-processing systems and circuits based on nanowires involves utilization of hybrid top-down and bottom-up assembly techniques to implement designs representative of a highly reliable defect- and fault-tolerant architecture. This program has included...
Briefs Electronics & Computers
Compensating for Parasitic Effects in Low-Pass Filters
Techniques to compensate for the effects of parasitic inductances and capacitances have been developed as part of an effort to improve the performances of low-pass filters in electronic...
Briefs Photonics/Optics
Fast Liquid-Crystal-on-Silicon Spatial Light Modulators
Stressed-liquid-crystal (SLC) light-modulating devices suitable for use as liquidcrystal- on-silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulators (SLMs) that could operate in nearand mid-infrared...
Briefs Photonics/Optics
Detecting Change in 3D by Use of an Evidence Grid
Astudy has been undertaken to evaluate a method of detecting change in a three-dimensional (3D) terrain map generated from data acquired by an imaging ladar system carried aboard a moving...
Briefs Materials
Accelerated Evaluation of Properties of Polyphase Alloys
A methodology for accelerated evaluation of mechanical properties of polyphase alloys is based on digital representations of the alloys. For a given alloy material system, this...
Briefs Materials
Plasma-Spray Coating as an Alternative to Chromium Plating
Plasma-spray application of coating materials that include tungsten carbide has been investigated as an alternative to electroplating of hard chromium onto internal metal surfaces that...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Thrust-Augmented Nozzles for Rocket Engines
The thrust-augmented nozzle (TAN) has been invented as a means of obtaining high performance from a rocket engine both during liftoff at sea-level atmospheric pressure and later during flight under...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Thermal Design and Analysis of a Rocket-Engine TAN Injector
A subscale thrust-augmented-nozzle (TAN) rocket engine was designed, built, and hot-fire tested to demonstrate the validity of the TAN concept. As described in more detail in the...
Briefs Information Technology
Two-Processor Autopilot System for a UAV
A two-processor autopilot control system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been proposed and partly developed. Relative to prior such systems, this would be a lightweight, inexpensive autopilot...
Briefs Information Technology
Automatic Abstraction of Information From Digitized Images
A research effort now underway addresses fundamental mathematical issues involved in a methodology of creating flexible machine vision systems that would be able to modify their...
Briefs Information Technology
Data Fusion for Space Situational Awareness
Satellites greatly enhance US defense operations; however, these key assets are vulnerable to perils such as space weather and acts of aggression. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine the cause...
Briefs Aerospace
Near-Precision Soft Landing Resupply Dispenser
AFRL munitions experts teamed with engineers from Systima Technologies, Inc., under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a Covert Resupply (COVRES) dispenser. The team...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Blended Wing Body Aircraft
Scientists from Boeing Phantom Works, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and AFRL are testing a new aircraft with the potential to realize up to 30% better fuel efficiency because of its unique...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Improved Accuracy of Computational Fluid Dynamics Calculations
Understanding how air flows over the surfaces of an air vehicle can help AFRL designers maximize the vehicle's performance and minimize its cost. AFRL scientists recently developed...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Remote-Controlled Aerial Vehicle for Application of Pesticides
AFRL demonstrated its Remotely Controlled Aerial Vehicle for Application of Pesticides (RCAVAP) at the Force Protection Equipment Demonstration (FPED) conducted at Quantico Marine...
Briefs Mechanical & Fluid Systems
AFRL Proves Feasibility of Plasma Actuators
AFRL is laying the groundwork for the development of revolutionary hypersonic aerospace vehicles (see Figure 1). Accordingly, AFRL engineers are examining the feasibility of replacing an air vehicle's...
Briefs Test & Measurement
Composites Design and Structural Analysis Tool
AFRL researchers developed a unique design and structural analysis tool for composite materials, and they subsequently transitioned their product to manufacturers of helicopters and other...
Briefs Materials
Corrosion Suppression Technologies and Techniques
Members of AFRL's Air Force Corrosion Prevention and Control Office (AFCPCO) teamed with corrosion experts from Warner Robins Air Logistics Center to assess environmentally induced damage to...
Briefs Materials
Enhanced Blast-Resistant Windows
AFRL entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Dlubak Technologies, Inc., of Freeport, Pennsylvania, to pursue ongoing research in blast-resistant window and glazing...
Briefs Materials
Friction Stir Welding of Aerospace Materials
AFRL scientists are studying a unique metal joining process— friction stir welding (FSW)—for building major structural assemblies. FSW is a solid-state welding process that forces a spinning tool...
Briefs Sensors/Data Acquisition
Intelligence Fusion System Tracks Mobile Targets
Current intelligence fusion systems are not accurately and quickly performing the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fusion necessary for tracking moving targets that use...
Briefs Materials
Integrated Aircraft Oxygen Sensor
Shortly after its takeoff from New York City on July 17, 1996, Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 800 exploded over the Atlantic Ocean and crashed. The accident investigation board determined that the center wing fuel tank caught fire and exploded. Although the ignition source remains unknown, it was unquestionably...
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