ARMY STTR 19.BPROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

The approved 19.B Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) topics for the Army Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program are listed below. Offerors responding to this BAA must follow all general instructions provided in the Department of Defense (DoD) Program BAA. Specific Army STTR requirements that add to or deviate from the DoD Program BAA instructions are provided below with references to the appropriate section of the DoD BAA.

Due to the lack of access to the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS) during the pre-release period, Army STTR PMO strongly recommends that, when TPOCs respond to potential offerors, they include a courtesy copy to the PMO, bridget.m.cogley.ctr@mail.mil.

The STTR Program Management Office (PMO), located at the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Army Research Office (ARO), manages the Army’s STTR Program. The Army STTR Program aims to stimulate a partnership of ideas and technologies between innovative small business concerns (SBCs) and research institutions (RIs) through Federally-funded research or research and development (R/R&D). To address Army needs, the PMO relies on the collective knowledge and experience of scientists and engineers across nine (9) Army organizations to put forward R/R&D topics that are consistent with their mission, organization, and STTR program goals. More information about the Army STTR Program can be found at https://www.armysbir.army.mil/sttr/Default.aspx.

See DoD Program Announcement Section 4.15 for Technical questions and Topic Author communications. Specific questions pertaining to the Army STTR Program should be submitted to:

Mr. M. John Smith CCDC-Army Research OfficeArmy STTR Program Manager P.O. Box 12211usarmy.rtp.aro.mail.sttr-pmo@mail.mil Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

(919) 549-4258

ADVANCE NOTICE

The Army STTR Program plans to participate in the DoD STTR 19.C cycle, as well, with a pilot effort employing several broader “special topics” developed to enable a wider range of technical solutions from partnering small businesses and research institutions. Further, the pilot is likely to include shorter, more defined proposal requirements, a simplified review and selection process, more rapid contract award, and quicker payment to performers. Direct to Phase II authority may also be employed. The pilot will also include an engagement workshop in Research Triangle Park, NC, during or before pre-release at which attendees can learn more about the pilot and how to propose, hear from Army topic sponsors to enable better understanding of opportunities, and network with other interested small businesses and research institutions to form teams and vet ideas.

PHASE I PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Phase I proposals should address the feasibility of a solution to the topic. The Army anticipates funding two (2) STTR Phase I contracts to small businesses with their research institution partner for each topic. The Army reserves the right to not fund a topic if the proposals received have insufficient merit. Phase I contracts are limited to a maximum of $166,500 over a period not to exceed six (6) months. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAXIMUM DOLLAR AMOUNT HAS BEEN INCREASED COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PHASE I’s. Army STTR uses only government employee reviewers in a two-tiered review

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process. Awards will be made on the basis of technical evaluations using the criteria described in this DoD BAA (see section 6.0) and availability of Army STTR funds.

The DoD SBIR/STTR Proposal Submission system (https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/) provides instruction and a tutorial for preparation and submission of your proposal. Refer to section 5.0 at the front of this BAA for detailed instructions on Phase I proposal format. You must include a Company Commercialization Report (CCR) as part of each proposal you submit. If you have not updated your commercialization information in the past year, or need to review a copy of your report, visit the DoD SBIR/STTR Proposal Submission site. Please note that improper handling of the CCR may have a direct impact on the review and evaluation of the proposal (refer to section 5.4.e of the DoD BAA). The Army requires your entire proposal to be submitted electronically through the DoD-wide SBIR/STTR Proposal Submission Web site (https://sbir.defensebusiness.org/). STTR Proposals consist of four volumes: Proposal Cover Sheet, Technical Volume, Cost Volume and Company Commercialization Report. Please note that the Army will not be accepting a Volume Five (Supporting Documents), nor a Volume Six (Fraud, Waste and Abuse) as noted at the DoD SBIR website for 18.B Phase I proposals. The Army has established a 20-page limitation for Technical Volumes submitted in response to its topics. This does not include the Proposal Cover Sheets (pages 1 and 2, added electronically by the DoD submission site), the Cost Volume, or the CCR. The Technical Volume includes, but is not limited to: table of contents, pages left blank, references and letters of support, appendices, key personnel biographical information, and all attachments. The Army requires that small businesses complete the Cost Volume form on the DoD Submission site versus submitting it within the body of the uploaded Technical Volume. It is the responsibility of submitters to ensure that the Technical Volume portion of the proposal does not exceed the 20-page limit. Do not include blank pages, duplicate the electronically generated cover pages or put information normally associated with the Technical Volume such as descriptions of capability or intent in other sections of the proposal as these will count toward the 20-page limit. Army STTR Phase I proposals submitted containing a Technical Volume over 20 pages will be deemed NON-COMPLIANT and will not be evaluated. It is the responsibility of the Small Business to ensure that once the proposal is submitted and uploaded into the system that the technical volume .pdf document complies with the 20 page limit. If you experience problems uploading a proposal, call the DoD SBIR/STTR Help Desk at 1-800-348-0787 (9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET).

Companies should plan carefully for research involving animal or human subjects, biological agents, etc. (see sections 4.7 - 4.9). The short duration of a Phase I effort may preclude plans including these elements unless coordinated before a contract is awarded. If the offeror proposes to employ a foreign national, refer to sections 3.5 and 5.4.c (8) in the DoD BAA for definitions and reporting requirements. Please ensure no Privacy Act information is included in this submittal.

If a small business concern is selected for an STTR award they must negotiate a written agreement between the small business and their selected research institution that allocates intellectual property rights and rights to carry out follow-on research, development, or commercialization (section 10).

PHASE II PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

All Phase I awardees may apply for a Phase II award for their topic ‒ i.e., no invitation required. Please note that Phase II selections are based, in large part, on the success of the Phase I effort, so it is vital for SBCs to discuss the Phase I project results with their Army Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). Army STTR does not currently offer a Direct-to-Phase II option. Each year the Army STTR Program Office will post Phase II submission dates on the Army SBIR/STTR web page at

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https://www.armysbir.army.mil/sttr/PhaseII.aspx. The submission period in FY19 will be 30 calendar days. The details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Phase II proposal will be provided by the Army STTR PMO via subsequent notification of Phase I awardees. The SBC may submit a Phase II proposal for up to three years after the Phase I selection date, but not more than twice. The Army STTR Program cannot accept proposals outside the Phase II submission dates established. Proposals received by the Department of Defense at any time other than the submission period will not be evaluated. Phase II proposals will be evaluated for overall merit based upon the criteria in section 8.0 of this BAA.  STTR Phase II proposals have four Volumes:  Proposal Cover Sheet, Technical Volume, Cost Volume and Company Commercialization Report.  The Army STTR Program does not accept submission of Volume 5, Supporting Documents, nor a Volume Six (Fraud, Waste and Abuse) as noted at the DoD SBIR website for 18.B Phase II proposals. The Technical Volume has a 38-page limit including: table of contents, pages intentionally left blank, technical references, letters of support, appendices, technical portions of subcontract documents (e.g., statements of work and resumes) and any attachments.  However, offerors are instructed to NOT leave blank pages, duplicate the electronically generated cover pages or put information normally associated with the Technical Volume in others sections of the proposal submission as these will count toward the 38-page limit.  ONLY the electronically generated Cover Sheets, Cost Volume and CCR are excluded from the 38-page limit.  As instructed in section 5.4.e of the DoD Program BAA, the CCR is generated by the submission website based on information provided by you through the “Company Commercialization Report” tool. Army STTR Phase II proposals submitted containing a Technical Volume over 38 pages will be deemed NON-COMPLIANT and will not be evaluated. Small businesses submitting a proposal are also 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 Volumes must contain a budget for the entire 24 month period not to exceed the maximum dollar amount of $1,100,000.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MAXIMUM DOLLAR AMOUNT HAS BEEN INCREASED COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PHASE II’s) Costs for each year of effort must be submitted using the Cost Volume format (accessible electronically on the DoD submission site).  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. Phase II proposals are generally structured as follows: the first 10-12 months (base effort) should be approximately $550,000; the second 10-12 months of funding should also be approximately $550,000. The entire Phase II effort should not exceed $1,100,000. The Phase II contract structure is at the discretion of the Army’s Contracting Officer, and the PMO reserves the option to reduce an annual budget request of greater than $550,000 if program funds are limited.

Any subsequent Phase II proposal (i.e., a second Phase II subsequent to the initial Phase II effort) shall be initiated by the Government Technical Point of Contact for the initial Phase II effort and must be approved by Army STTR PM in advance.

DISCRETIONARY TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE (TABA)

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 STTR projects through a network of scientists and engineers engaged in a wide range of technologies. The objective of this effort is to increase Army STTR technology transition and commercialization success thereby accelerating the fielding of

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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 nine (9) Technical Assistance Advocates (TAAs) across the Army to provide technical assistance to small businesses that have Phase I and Phase II projects with the participating Army organizations within their regions. Details related to TABA are described in section 4.22 of the DoD BAA. Firms may request technical assistance from sources other than those provided by the Army. All such requests must be made in accordance with the instructions in Section 4.22. It should also be noted that if approved for TABA from an outside source, the firm will not be eligible for the Army’s TAA support. All details of the TABA agency and what services they will provide must be listed in the technical proposal under “consultants.” The request for TABA must include details on what qualifies the TABA firm to provide the services that you are requesting, the firm name, a point of contact for the firm, and a web site for the firm. List all services that the firm will provide and why they are uniquely qualified to provide these services. The award of TABA funds is not automatic and must be approved by the Army STTR Program Manager.

For more information go to: https://www.armysbir.army.mil/sbir/TechnicalAssistance.aspx

NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE OF PROPOSAL STATUS AND DEBRIEFS

Once the selection process is complete, the Army STTR Program Manager will send an email to the “Corporate Official” listed on the Proposal Coversheet with an attached notification letter indicating selection or non-selection. Small Businesses will receive a notification letter for each proposal they submitted. The notification letter will provide instructions for requesting a proposal debriefing. The Army STTR Program Manager will provide written debriefings upon request to offerors in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 15.5.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

Please review the checklist below to ensure that your proposal meets the Army STTR requirements. You must also meet the general DoD requirements specified in the BAA. Failure to meet all the requirements may 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 $166,500 for up to six-month duration).

2. The proposal is addressing only ONE Army BAA topic.

3. The technical content of the proposal includes the items identified in section 5.4 of the BAA.

4. STTR Phase I Proposals have four volumes: Proposal Cover Sheet, Technical Volume, Cost Volume and Company Commercialization Report.

5. The Cost Volume has been completed and submitted for Phase I effort. The total cost should match the amount on the Proposal Cover Sheet.

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6. Requirement for Army Accounting for Contract Services, otherwise known as CMRA reporting is included in the Cost Volume (offerors are instructed to include an estimate for the cost of complying with CMRA – see website at https://www.ecmra.mil/.

7. If applicable, the Bio Hazard Material level has been identified in the Technical Volume.

8. If applicable, include a 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 STTR project from research to an operational capability that satisfies one or more Army operational or technical requirement 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. Include country of origin, type of visa/work permit under which they are performing, and anticipated level of involvement in the project.

ARMY STTR PROGRAM COORDINATORS (PCs) and Army STTR 19B Topic Index

Participating Organizations PC Phone

CCDC-Armaments Center Benjamin CallSheila Speroni

973-724-6275 973-724-6935

CCDC-Aviation and Missile Center Dawn Gratz 256-842-8769CCDC-Army Research Office Nicole Fox 919-549-4395 CCDC-C5ISR Center Argiro Kougianos 443-861-7687CCDC- Chemical Biological Center Martha Weeks 410-436-5391CoE-Environmental Research and Development Center (ERDC) Melonise Wills 703-428-6281Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC)

James MyersAmanda Cecil

301-619-7377301-619-7296

CCDC-Soldier Center Cathy Polito 508-233-5372CCDC-Ground Vehicle Systems Center

George PappageorgeJoseph Delfrate

586-282-4915586-282-5568

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ARMY STTR 19.B Topic Index

A19B-T001 Freeform Optics for Small Arms Fire ControlA19B-T002 Universal Navigation Solution ManagerA19B-T003 Uniform Dispersion and Alignment of Short Fiber Composite ReinforcementA19B-T004 Diamond Electron AmplifiersA19B-T005 High-Speed Mid-Infrared Free-Space Laser CommunicationsA19B-T006 Isogeometric Analysis Methods for High Fidelity Mobility ApplicationsA19B-T007 Low Temperature Deposition of Magnetic Materials on Topological MaterialsA19B-T008 Exploiting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Extreme PerformanceA19B-T009 Optical Grating Enhancement of MWIR Structures for High Temperature OperationA19B-T010 Production of Natural Melanin for Affordable EMP ShieldingA19B-T011 Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) as a Method to produce High Aspect Ratio Conductive

Flakes for Advanced Bispectral or Infrared (IR) ObscurationA19B-T012 Mobile Metal Manufacturing Technologies for Repair and Retrofit of Infrastructure SystemsA19B-T013 To Develop and Demonstrate a Technology Enabling the Detection and Quantification of

Modified Nucleic Acid Bases from a Mammalian Genome Such as Methylation sStesA19B-T014 Passive, Non-powered Re-chargeable Heat Storage Systems for Cold Climate OperationsA19B-T015 Direct Hydrogen Production from Sunlight and WaterA19B-T016 High Performance, Non-flammable Lithium Battery

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ARMY STTR 19.B Topic Descriptions

A19B-T001 TITLE: Freeform Optics for Small Arms Fire Control

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons

OBJECTIVE: OBJECTIVE: Design, develop, prototype and demonstrate a selection of Freeform Optics that allow for the reduction of lens elements required to reproduce color-corrected imagery. Evolve the technology for manufacturability and survivability in a military environment. This technology will benefit Squad, Crew Served and Sniper fire control systems by reducing the size, weight and complexity of Fire Control devices and enablers.

DESCRIPTION: The necessity for snipers, soldiers, and crew served weapons operators to rapidly and accurately detect targets on the battlefield is a capability that is of high interest to the department of defense, across all agencies. Traditional optics are radially symmetric while freeform optics can be non-radially symmetric. The increased flexibility of freeform optics allow for potentially revolutionary optical designs. Previously freeform optics were not really practical due to manufacturing limitations. Additive manufacturing technologies such as three dimensional printing are making an entire new generation of optical components and designs possible. For example, an Alvarez lens system is capable of providing a continuously variable focal length with a compact size. A Freeform optical element that is able to precisely focus light at different wavelengths will reduce the number of optical components required in a weapon mounted fire control sighting system, greatly reducing the size and weight of the system. The threshold wavelength range is 390nm to 700nm (Human Visible Spectrum). The objective wavelength range is from 390nm to 1600nm. The intent is for the contractor to determine what level of achromaticity is achievable across the spectrum of visible light using this technology. The Freeform lens design and manufacturability technology developed under this effort will result in cost and weight savings across all branches of the armed forces. The transition of this technology to industry will reduce the size, weight & complexity of optical systems by reducing the number of lenses required in nearly every precision optical system.

PHASE I: Identify materials, methods and models for producing Freeform Optics, in particular solutions that use 3d printed polymeric materials, however, it is not the intent of the author to specify how the optics are to be fabricated. Optical properties shall be modeled, and performance quantified. Small-scale proof-of-concept samples shall be produced with identified materials and methods. Any software utilized and literature addressed shall be identified by the contractor. Contractor shall clearly state in the proposal and final report how the phenomenology provides the unique capability for achieving the design goals. Freeform optic design software will be used to define how a fielded small arms fire control system could benefit from a Freeform design. Efficiencies of at least 10% shall be demonstrated through modeling of the optical system design complexity (the number of optical elements), the size of the optical system, and the commensurate savings in weight shall all be described in the final report.

PHASE II: Develop prototype Freeform optical units. Prototype shall be F/7 or faster, with a half field of view no less than 5 degrees. Prototype shall be optimized for a minimum of three (3) visible wavelengths (486nm, 587nm, 656nm). A variable magnification system based on Alvarez lenses or another freeform optic is of considerable interest. The contractor shall perform modeling and simulation that quantifies the optical performance of the prototype (Spot Diagrams [Both Monochromatic & Polychromatic], Ray Fans, MTF [Modulation Transfer Function], Distortion, and Field Curvature). A prototype shall be fabricated and delivered to the Government. Testing shall be conducted on the prototype to verify its actual performance versus modeled expectations. The Government will keep at least one prototype. Any software utilized and literature addressed shall be identified by the contractor. Contractor shall clearly state in the proposal and final report how the phenomenology provides the unique capability for achieving the design goals. Efficiencies of at least 20% shall be demonstrated through modeling of the optical system design complexity (the number of optical elements), the size of the optical system, and the commensurate savings in weight shall all be described in the final report.

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 3

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PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Optimize the physical properties for military applications. Prototype a rifle mounted fire control sight using this technology that demonstrates the benefits in size and weight over currently fielded systems. Replace conventional optics with the design in a sight that represents the optical performance of a fielded military small arms sighting system. Test and report the results of the optical metrology/performance and weight savings. Create a partnership with industry to commercialize the technology and improve the manufacturability. The prototype will be TRL 4 at the end of phase III.

REFERENCES:1. Freeform:S. Barbero, J. Rubinstein, J. Opt 13 (2011) 125705

2. A. Moehl et al., SPIE vol 10690, 1069017 (2018).

3. https://phys.org/news/2017-08-freeform-optical-device-smaller-package.html#nRlv

4. https://phys.org/news/2018-05-method-guesswork-lenses-freeform.html

5. http://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04186-9

6. https://phys.org/news/2015-11-telescope-mirrors.html

7. https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/10690/2313114/Ready-to-use-a-multi-focal-system-based-on-Alvarez/10.1117/12.2313114.full?SSO=1

KEYWORDS: Conformal Optics

A19B-T002 TITLE: Universal Navigation Solution Manager

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a universal navigation solution manager that provides the best possible navigation solution without human intervention using conventional and alternative navigation sensors in an environment where some or all of those sensors might be compromised, contested, degraded, or denied.

DESCRIPTION: Increased dependence on Global Positioning System (GPS) has driven the need for alternative navigation solutions in using these systems for critical operations where precise system performance is desired and GPS might be compromised, contested, degraded, or denied. The navigation accuracy and availability of conventional and alternative navigation solutions provided in such a compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environment have the potential to vary depending on the challenges presented by the environment. In addition to accuracy and availability, one must also consider the integrity of the sensed information such that compromised data and/or data estimates that exceed specified limits are excluded from the final navigation solution [1]. Furthermore, the accuracy, availability, and integrity of conventional and alternative navigation information sources may change during the duration of the mission and may depend on factors such as flight dynamics, mission status, sensor parameters, location, system health, etc. The objective is to develop an innovative solution analogous to that of GPS Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) [2] that is capable of identifying and monitoring the accuracy, availability, and integrity of conventional and alternative navigation sources for the duration of the mission and ingesting them into a navigation solution accordingly to provide the best possible navigation solution without the intervention of a human. In advancing alternative navigation technologies applicable to Precision, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), this effort is a key enabler for precision engagements in compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environments in the Army Modernization Priorities for Long Range Precision Fires.

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Addressing the technical issue of computing the best navigation solution using conventional and/or alternative methods without human intervention will allow for performance improvements in compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environments.

By advancing alternative navigation solutions applicable to Army mission scenarios, this effort is an enabler for extended range for systems in the Army Modernization Priorities for Long Range Precision Fires.

PHASE I: Develop, test, and validate a universal navigation solution manager that demonstrates the capability to provide the best navigation solution by autonomously adjudicating the accuracy, availability, and integrity of conventional and alternative navigation sensors in compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environments. Further define the complete proof-of-concept universal navigation solution manager that will be developed in Phase II.

PHASE II: Develop, test, and validate a universal navigation solution manager that demonstrates the capability to provide the best navigation solution by autonomously adjudicating the accuracy, availability, and integrity of conventional and alternative navigation sensors in compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environments. The complete proof-of-concept universal navigation solution manager will be delivered to AMRDEC at the end of Phase II.

In the event that DoD Components identify topics that will involve classified work in Phase II, companies invited to submit a proposal must have or be able to obtain the proper facility and personnel clearances in order to perform Phase II work.

International Traffic in Army Regulation (ITAR) control may be required.

Contract Security Classification Specifications, DD Form 254, may be required.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Advance the universal solution manager developed in Phase II to a marketable product addressing the size, weight, power, cost, and operational environment of military and commercial systems. Precision operation in contested, degraded, or denied environments is important to many missile applications. The ability to autonomously provide the best possible navigation solution in compromised, contested, degraded, or denied environments would be advantageous to many Army systems including current and future systems within Long Range Precision Fires. This technology has the potential to find uses in both military and commercial applications. Commercial applications could include emergency personnel or civilian operations where precision is required such as in urban canyons, mining and tunneling, and indoor environments where conventional and/or alternative navigation sensors have the potential to be compromised, contested, degraded, or denied.

REFERENCES:1. Federal Radionavigation Plan. Technical Report DOT-VNTSC-RITA-05-12/DoD-4650.5, Springfield, VA: Joint Publication by US Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Transportation, December 2005.

2. R. G. Brown. Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring. Global Positioning System: Theory and Applications, II(143-165), 1993.

3. M. A. Sturza. Navigation system integrity using redundant measurements. Journal of the Institute of Navigation, 35(4), Winter 1988-1989.

4. Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, 3rd edition, Wiley, 2007.

5. S. Moafipoor. Updating the navigation parameters by direct feedback from the image sensor in a multi-sensor system. In Proceedings of the 19th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2006), 2006.

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6. Y. C. Lee. Navigation system integrity using redundant measurements. In Proceedings of the 17th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2004), 2004.

7. Craig D. Larson, John Raquet, and Michael J. Veth. Developing a framework for image-based integrity. In Proceedings of ION GNSS 2009, pages 778-789, September 2009.

8. J. L. Farrell and F. van Grass. Statistical validation for GPS integrity test. Journal ofthe Institute of Navigation, 39(2), 1992.

9. Larson, C. An Integrity Framework for Image-Based Navigation Systems. Ph.D. Thesis, Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH, USA, 2010.

KEYWORDS: Autonomous, Integrity, Accuracy, Availability, GPS denied, Alternative navigation, Precision, Environment

A19B-T003 TITLE: Uniform Dispersion and Alignment of Short Fiber Composite Reinforcement

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: Develop a method for the uniform dispersion and alignment of short fiber reinforcement in highly loaded composite materials.

DESCRIPTION: There is an on-going effort to reduce the weight of Army vehicles to increase combat effectiveness, improve fuel efficiency and reduce the burdens associated with transporting fuel to the battlefield. Currently, there are many fielded Army vehicle parts that are made of aluminum or other metals that could potentially be replaced by lighter and stronger fiber composite materials. The anisotropic nature of the fiber reinforcements often requires the fibers to be highly aligned to obtain advantageous material properties. However, this imposes restrictions on the part geometries due to the need to preserve the continuity of long or continuous fibers. Strong curvatures or sharp angles would cause the fiber reinforcement to break, compromising mechanical properties. A method of addressing this problem is to produce prepregs of highly aligned (>90% of fibers within 5º of the same orientation), short (<5 mm), discontinuous fibers with high aspect ratios (i.e., fiber length divided by fiber diameter), and high fiber volume fractions (>45%). This strategy has two advantages: (1) theoretical models [1, 2] have shown that high alignment with high aspect ratios (approaching 1000) should produce materials that have material properties that approach those of their continuous counterparts and (2) the short fiber material should be readily formable (e.g., it could be stamp formed or compression molded in a manner similar to that of aluminum) due to its discontinuous nature.

Despite the central importance of formability while maintaining properties, there is currently no commercially available method for achieving the high precision short fiber alignment mentioned above. There are at least two reasons for this. The first reason is the difficulty in creating a uniform dispersion of short fiber reinforcement in a resin or other fluid media (e.g., air, water) used for alignment. It is extremely difficult to prevent clumping or agglomeration among the short fibers in highly loaded resins due to the electrostatic interactions and dispersion forces that attract fibers to each other, and surface energy mismatches between the reinforcement and the dispersion media that prevent full wetting of the fibers. In addition to compromising the alignment necessary to attain the desired material properties, fiber agglomerates and clumps can impair filling of the resin, creating processing defects in the composite parts. A second reason is the challenge associated with uniformly aligning well dispersed short fibers in a consistent and reproducible manner. Some alignment techniques have shown promise, but they have suffered from the following drawbacks: (i) low fiber volume fractions, (ii) insufficient alignment, or (iii) long overall fiber lengths, which prevented them from achieving materials with properties that approach those of similar continuous materials with better formability. Some of these challenges are themselves associated with the dispersion problems mentioned above. Recently, it was demonstrated that specific patterns or alignments of particles in a fluid can be created through the use of arranged ultrasonic transducers [3, 4]. This was accomplished by developing a

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sufficient mathematical understanding of the forces generated from ultrasonic interactions that the resulting particle patterns could be predicted. Other researchers have had success in employing electromagnetic fields to accomplish similar controlled alignments (5).

Given that it has been established that it is possible to create dispersed and organized patterns using external fields, it should be possible to develop a methodology of creating well-dispersed and highly aligned composites via chemical, acoustic, electromagnetic, or mechanical methods. A method of consistently creating uniform well dispersed and oriented short fiber reinforcement in highly loaded composite materials would not only enable the development of more flexible and inexpensive composite fabrication

PHASE I: The offeror(s) shall develop a technique to (1) consistently disperse a short fiber (<5mm) reinforcement (e.g. carbon, or glass) in a medium without clumping or agglomeration and use this dispersion to (2) produce a highly aligned (>80% of fibers within 15º of the same direction) in a highly loaded (>30 vol% fiber) thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix (e.g., Nylon 6 or an epoxy resin). Offeror(s) should take care to address or counter the electrostatic interactions between fibers and surface tensions that promote agglomeration. Potential solutions for obtaining good dispersion include, but are not limited to, chemical modification of the fiber and matrix, ultrasonic dispersion, or utilization of EM interactions for dispersion. Potential solutions for alignment include, but are not limited to, fluid flow, (di)electrophoresis, and pneumatic techniques. The goal of phase I is to demonstrate an ability to consistently produce a 30vol% or higher fiber loaded composite sheet with a uniform alignment of short fiber reinforcement. The parts produced by said method should be a minimum of 0.5 mm thick and of sufficient lateral dimensions for a simple tensile test in the fiber direction. Adequate dispersion and alignment of the fibers should be confirmed via microscopic or non-destructive evaluation. Samples shall be provided to Army researchers for independent testing and validation. For Phase II to be awarded, the offers should also be able to articulate a technically viable path for the dispersion and alignment methods to be employed in a flexible composite manufacturing process such as stamp forming or compression molding.

PHASE II: The offeror(s) shall expand the method in phase I to the development of 45vol% or higher short fiber composites with highly aligned fibers. Highly aligned is defined as 94% of the fiber reinforcement deviating by a maximum of 10° in alignment. The goal of Phase II is to demonstrate the methodology by producing two example parts. One example part is at least 1 mm thick having an angle feature that is >85º and the other is at least 1 mm thick and has a hemispherically shaped feature with a radius of about 2 inches. The offeror(s) shall measure the tensile modulus, tensile strength and short beam shear strength of flat plates of the produced material in a manner consistent with ASTM Standard D3039 and demonstrate variance of no greater than 10% in a set of ten samples. Offeror(s) shall provide additional example parts and test specimens to Army researchers for independent testing and validation.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The offeror will adapt the dispersion methodology to as many fiber/matrix systems as possible, and develop commercial processes that employ the dispersion/alignment solution for the production of commercial composite parts. The offeror will begin to offer high fiber loaded short fiber composite parts for use in military ground vehicles, military autonomous vehicle, military rotorcraft, and commercial applications in automotive, aerospace, and robotics.

REFERENCES:1. Fukuda, H. and T.-W. Chou, A probabilistic theory of the strength of short-fibre composites with variable fibre length and orientation. Journal of Materials Science, 1982. 17(4): p. 1003-1011.

2. Lauke, B. and S.-Y. Fu, Strength anisotropy of misaligned short-fibre-reinforced polymers. Composites Science and Technology, 1999. 59(5): p. 699-708.

3. Prisbrey, M; Greenhall, J; Vasquez, F; and Raeymaekers, B, Ultrasound directed self-assembly of three-dimensional user-specified patterns of particles in a fluid medium. Journal of Applied Physics, 2017. 121: p. 014302

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4. Greenhall, J; Homel, L; and Raeymaekers, B, Ultrasound directed self-assembly processing of nanocomposite materials with ultra-high carbon nanotube weight fraction. Journal of Composite Materials, 2018.

5. Ma, W-T; Kumar, S; Hsu, C-T; Shih, C-M; Tsai, S-W; Yang, C-C; Liu, Y-Y; and Lue, S-J, Magnetic field-assisted alignment of graphene oxide nanosheets in a polymer matrix to enhance ionic conduction. Journal of Membrane Science, 2018. 563, p. 259-269

KEYWORDS: Composites, manufacturing processes, short fiber, dispersion, fabrication

A19B-T004 TITLE: Diamond Electron Amplifiers

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors

OBJECTIVE: To develop high current, high brightness and long lifetime electron amplifiers based on diamond cathodes.

DESCRIPTION: Stable and efficient electron emitters are critical for a wide range of applications such as high power vacuum electronic microwave/millimeter-wave/terahertz power amplifiers, coherent x-ray sources, electron diffraction and microscopy, electron-beam lithography, flat panel displays, and thermionic energy conversion (TEC) through thermal electron emission for renewable energy generation. Traditional thermionic electron sources operate at cathode temperatures over 1000o to produce appreciable electron emission. Such high temperature have serious consequences in terms of lifetime and reliability.

As an electron emitter, diamond offers several advantages over conventional electron emitters. These advantages include a wide bandgap, large breakdown field, high electron mobilities, and high thermal conductivity. Its ability to control electron affinity through surface termination and doping is also extremely important for electron emission. Negative electron affinity (NEA) has been demonstrated through hydrogen termination of the diamond surface. This has resulted in superb electron emissivity even at room temperature. Recent advances of diamond thin film growth based on techniques such as chemical vapor deposition and thermodynamic growth under high-pressure high-temperature have resulted in commercially available large-size, single-crystal, and high-purity synthetic diamond substrates. Furthermore, post growth processing techniques such as surface polishing and atomic layer etching have also significantly reduced surface roughness of these diamond films. All of these new developments now open the door for realizing practical diamond-based applications including efficient and low temperature field-emission electron sources.

In a diamond electron amplifier (DEA), electrons are generated as secondary emission from a hydrogen terminated surface of a diamond film after excitation by a primary electron beam. It has demonstrated the ability to amplify an electron beam current by several orders of magnitude while at the same time yielding high current and high electron beam quality with ultralow emittance and energy spread while maintaining relative low cathode temperatures. All of these are desirable characteristics for the aforementioned applications. However, key scientific and technical challenges still need to be addressed for DEAs to realize their full potential. Issues such as hydrogen desorption under high current and elevated temperature and DC shielding by surface charge build-up due to surface dangling bonds and impurities have been observed and resulted in reduced electron emission efficiency. The origin of these surface degradation processes need to be investigated and eventually compensated in order to recover the reduced emission efficiency. New surface processing techniques for surface termination with molecules other than hydrogen and incorporating dopants into diamond can also be investigated and developed to achieve higher NEA and further improve electron emission efficiency. The goal of this topic is to investigate electron emission process from diamond, develop new surface processing techniques for diamond to improve electron emission efficiency, and create DEA prototypes which incorporate these new techniques to achieve high current, high brightness and long lifetime operation.

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PHASE I: During the Phase I effort, a numerical model and design methodology for diamond electron amplifiers (DEAs) will be developed. A prototype DEA will be designed and tested to verify the model and design methodology. Technical risks will be identified and plans for minimizing these risks will be devised. The prototype devices should have the following specifications: electron energy of 10 KeV, average current of 0.5 µA, bunch charge of 200 pC, diamond amplifier gain of ~200. New techniques for surface termination and doping to improve emission from diamond and related materials will be investigated.

PHASE II: A prototype diamond electron amplifier (DEA) will be designed based on the numerical model and design methodology developed in Phase I. The prototype device will be built, assembled, and tested. Target specifications for the Phase II design are as follows: electron energy of 100 keV, average current of 0.3 mA, bunch repetition frequency of 3 MHz, thermal emittance of 0.2 µm, maximum peak current of 100 mA, diamond amplifier gain of >200 and a lifetime of at least one year. Technical risks will be identified and plans for minimizing these risks will be devised. New techniques for surface termination and doping to improve emission from diamond and related materials will be investigated, and incorporation of these new techniques into the Phase II prototype will be explored.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Diamond electron amplifiers (DEAs) would be highly beneficial for applications requiring high current, high brightness and stable electron beams, e.g., high power, high frequency vacuum electronic power amplifiers for radar and directed energy applications, coherent x-ray generation, and thermionic energy conversion (TEC) through thermal electron emission for renewable energy generation. Phase III effort will explore opportunities for integrating DEAs with suitable electron beam parameters into these systems for improved performance in both defense and commercial sectors. An example of a potential Phase III product demonstration will be a high power microwave source such as a traveling wave tube with an integrated DEA cathode. The targeted frequency and power level should be in the range of X-band (8-12 GHz) and ~10s-100 KW which would be suitable for insertion into existing radar and/or directed energy systems.

REFERENCES:1. J.Y. Tsao, et al., "Ultra-wide-Bandgap Semiconductors: Research Opportunities and Challenges," Adv. Electron. Mater. 4, 1600501 (2018).

2. X. Chang, et al., "Electron beam emission from a diamond-amplifier cathode," Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 164801 (2010).

3. W.F. Paxton, et al., "Thermionic Emission from Diamond Films in Molecular Hydrogen Environments," Front. Mech. Eng. 3, 18 (2017)

4. M.C. James, et al., "Negative electron affinity from aluminium on the diamond (1 0 0) surface: a theoretical study," J. Phys: Condens. Matter 30, 235002 (2018)

5. K.M. O'Donnell, et al., "Extremely high negative electron affinity of diamond via magnesium adsorption," Phys. Rev. B 92, 035303 (2015)

KEYWORDS: Ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors, diamond thin films, electron sources, negative electron affinity, hydrogen termination, field emission, secondary electron emission, diamond electron amplifiers

A19B-T005 TITLE: High-Speed Mid-Infrared Free-Space Laser Communications

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors

OBJECTIVE: To develop high-speed mid-infrared free-space laser communications devices at wavelengths significantly longer than current short wave infrared commercially available systems. Specifically, to develop Watt-

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level mid-wave and long-wave infrared high-speed semiconductor lasers for transmitters and related high-speed photodetectors for receivers.

DESCRIPTION: Mid-infrared photonics components such as quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) and p-n junction based photodetectors are poised to make an impact on free-space laser communications. Such transmitters and receivers could produce high power beams from very compact packages. Speeds of multi-Gbps data rates should clearly be achievable with potential to go even faster than bipolar lasers thru use of unipolar QCLs due to faster carrier transport of purely electron based devices. However, few advances have occurred to push such approaches beyond the initial investigation phase [1]. More recent advances in reliable, Watt-level output power QCLs show the readiness for further pursuit of free-space laser communications based upon these devices [2]. Other lasers based on antimonide semiconductors have also progressed to Watt-level output powers needed for significant link distances [3]. Mid-infrared photodetectors have also advanced in various materials showing promise to be developed into high-speed receivers for sensitive, low bit-error-rate (BER) performance [4, 5]. Such laser communications links would have high applicability for military scenarios as well as civilian systems [6] where 1.55 micron components have been dominant. Long-wave infrared (LWIR) wavelengths in the 8-12 micron range, and to a lesser extent mid-wave (or MWIR) wavelengths at 3-5 microns, have clear advantages over such commercial systems due to reduced Rayleigh scattering. However, the receiver signal to noise ratio (SNR) may be strongly influenced by other factors including background infrared radiation sources (manmade or otherwise) that could encourage multi-channel development (both in MWIR and LWIR). This project is aimed at developing both detectors and lasers that could be used in such systems for high-speed laser communications. Military relevance would be found in both primary and alternative communication pathways and commercial relevance is seen for high-speed data communications with extended range operation.

PHASE I: To develop the epitaxial growth, design and fabrication processes for the lasers and photodetectors needed for high-speed free-space laser communications. The laser should be capable of 1W output power (continuous-wave, room temperature) and modulated at 5 Gb/s or more. MWIR and LWIR wavelength ranges should be considered for multichannel solutions to make robust data communications links. Photodetectors need to meet the specifications to create a low BER and high data rate. Justification should be made whether the very highest detectivity HgCdTe based detectors or needed or more cost effective and sufficient III-V semiconductor based solution has merit.

PHASE II: To pursue a full device demonstration for high-speed data communications in a laboratory environment. Data rates of at least 5 Gb/s should be achieved for a laser communications link demonstration with studies to show BER performance versus speed. Minimum requirements would be for BER of 1e-12 at 5 Gb/s. Insertion of the devices into bulk optics systems would be sufficient for link demos. Exploration of the limits of the data speed should be made up to 50 Gb/s. Production scale costs of the devices should be studied to show viability for reasonable cost devices at manufacturing volumes. Motivation for phase III follow-on investment should be made evident.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Pursuit of free-space laser communications links products – transmitters and receivers based upon the laser and photodetector devices developed in phase II. Such products would need to include the packaging of the full transmitter and receivers including the optics, driver circuitry and related software needed to monitor and use the equipment. The range and speed that these products can achieved would need studied in both military and commercial application scenarios. Multi-channel, e.g. multi-wavelength products should be explored to improve BER performance. Wall-plug efficiency of the transmitter and detectivity of the receiver photodetector should be evaluated relevant to the application and costs of the transmitter and receiver. Atmospheric turbulence mitigation systems and experiments would also need to be pursued, particularly for military relevant scenarios. Applications would include networking across a battlefield or environment where RF jamming signals are in use and may involve multi-hop, non-line-of-sight networks for avoiding obstacles, obscurants or for other reasons such as lower signal distortion of certain paths. Other considerations may be incorporation of components into beam steering systems, for agile, moving systems, e.g. UAVs, UGVs, planes, other mobile platforms.

REFERENCES:

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1. S. Blaser, D. Hofstetter, M. Beck, and J. Faist, "Free-space optical data link using Peltier-cooled quantum cascade laser," Electronics Letters, Vol. 37, No. 12, June 2001.

2. Y Bai, N Bandyopadhyay, S Tsao, S Slivken, M Razeghi, "Room temperature quantum cascade laser with 27% wall plug efficiency," Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 98, No. 18, 181102, 2011.

3. T. Hosoda, G. Kipshidze, G. Tsvid, L. Shterengas, G. Belenky, "Type-I GaSb-based laser diodes operating in 3.1-3.3 µm wavelength range," IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett., Vol. 22, 718, 2010.

4. K. K. Choi, S. C. Allen, J. G. Sun, Y. Wei, K. A. Olver, and R. X. Fu, "Resonant structures for infrared detection," Applied Optics, Vol. 56, Issue 3, pp. B26-B36, 2017.

5. M. Kopytko, A. Keblowski, P. Madejczyk, et. al., "Optimization of a HOT LWIR HgCdTe Photodiode for Fast Response and High Detectivity in Zero-Bias Operation Mode," J. of Electronic Materials, Vol. 46, No. 10, 2017.

6. X. Pang, O. Ozolins, R. Schatz, et. al., "Gigabit free-space multi-level signal transmission with a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser operating at room temperature," Optics Letters, Vol. 42, No. 18, Sept. 2017.

KEYWORDS: mid-infrared, photonics, lasers, photodetector, free-space optical communications

A19B-T006 TITLE: Isogeometric Analysis Methods for High Fidelity Mobility Applications

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles

OBJECTIVE: To create a mathematical and numerical framework for the design, analysis, and optimization of performance of mobility system components that are subject to significant fluid-structure interaction effects.

DESCRIPTION: The intent of this solicitation is to achieve superior accuracy and high-fidelity solutions in computational flow and fluid-structure interaction analysis for com-plex engineering applications, including military and commercial applications, through efficient conforming methods such as Isogeometric Analysis (IGA). Software objectives include extending CAD models to IGA models for high-fidelity computation on supercomputers, doing the required mesh generation automatically or without substantial user effort, and developing a good graphical user interface for conducting simulations and post-processing of results.IGA [1], because of its special higher-order nature, has several very desirable features in multiscale computation of flow and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems, including superior spatial and temporal accuracy in the flow solution and more accurate, sometimes exact, representation of the solid surfaces, in-cluding and especially those coming from CAD models. This plays a crucial role in many classes of problems. Compared to classical methods such as the finite differences and finite elements, it performs well even in computations with high-aspect-ratio elements; such elements are inevitable in real-world flow and FSI problems where accurate representation of boundary layers requires very small/thin elements near complex solid surfaces in internal flows and FSI prob-lems where contact between solid surfaces requires meshes in very narrow spaces. Also, for the same level of accuracy, it generally requires fewer un-knowns than classical methods, and so it has larger effective element sizes and therefore the computations can be done accurately with larger time-step sizes, resulting in substantial savings in computing time. Because it shifts the compu-tational burden from the number of unknowns to the number of floating-point operations per unknown, and because it does that without creating any compu-tational disadvantages, it is very suitable for efficient parallel computing. This makes IGA attractive in real-world flow and FSI analysis and is the reason this solicitation seeks to implement it in important mobility applications.

IGA-based computation has been applied to FSI problems in turbomachinery [2], tire aerodynamics [3], ship hydrodynamics [4], and gas turbines [5-7]. However, mesh generation with IGA, such as in Nonuniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) mesh generation, is not as established and straightforward as mesh generation in the classical methods such as the finite differences and finite elements. To make IGA-based flow and FSI computations even

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more powerful and practical, this solicitation seeks implementations that make the mesh generation more straightforward and automated, similar to current finite difference and finite ele-ment methods. It seeks easier adaptivity of solutions, such as creating thin lay-ers of elements near solid surfaces to accurately represent the boundary layers with less user effort. It seeks more user-friendly and dynamic mesh motion that matches the structure motion and deformation in an FSI computation, automati-cally maintaining the thin layers of elements created near solid surfaces. Basically, extending the CAD models to IGA models in terms of mesh generation, solution adaptivity and FSI mesh motion has to be more automated, embedded in a good graphical user interface (GUI). The product will enable IGA-based computation to play an expanded and significant role in enabling mobility design in military and commercial applications.

PHASE I: a) Identify the most promising path(s) forward from existing methods and implementations of NURBS mesh generation in real-word mobility applications of interest, such as turbocharger turbines with exhaust manifolds, parachutes, and rotor-stator interactions in adaptive axial-flow or centrifugal turbomachinery with pitching blades/stator vanes. Identify typical applications and regimes of interest, and identify relevant geometries and parameters suitable to demonstrate the feasibility of IGA-enabled solutions.b) Develop and demonstrate the generation of a NURBS mesh made of patches, demonstrate recovery of the original model surfaces, and demonstrate the suitability of the recovered surface for accurate and robust fluid mechanical computations.c) Develop GUI implementation of the method. The focus will be on NURBS meshes. In problems with complex geometries, it may be necessary to use multiple NURBS patches; making that more user-friendly should be one of the GUI features. There should be two options for handling the joints be-tween patches: C0-continuity, or C-1-continuity (probably with discontinuous functions).d) Automate the mesh motion matching the structure motion and deformation in an FSI computation. The motion of the solid surfaces can be represented by using time-dependent NURBS basis functions as one of the possible feature choices in the GUI implementation.e) Implement the foregoing scheme numerically and conduct appropriate proof-of-concept computations.

PHASE II: a) Expand the computational technique to basis functions other than NURBS, such as T-splines or others. By conducting numerical and automated tests, demonstrate that the selected linear combinations of basis functions optimally reconstruct a variety of surfaces.b) Explore methods for boundary layer refinement such as knot insertion, in-creasing the polynomial order, or particular combinations of the two (i.e., h,p,k refinement). Automate this refinement process.c) Demonstrate utility in a wide set of test mesh generations from CAD models for mobility applications. Use to evaluate the performance of the method and the GUI.d) Port the mesh generation module to parallel computing platforms and optimize performance on those platforms.e) The computational method shall be capable of performing dynamic transient flow simulations as fluid-structure interaction happens in adaptive or morphing structures interacting with fluid flows for both internal and external flows. The computational method shall be verified and validated by conducting required fluid flow experiments using a pitching annular turbomachinery cascade with articulating stator and rotor blade configuration.f) The computational technique will be tested, validated, and implemented as a documented software package that can be shared or marketed.g) Transition the developed methods and software, including documentation, to interested users in academia (e.g. CFD and Mobility Design research groups in the US and Europe), industry, and government (e.g. ARL-VTD, TARDEC) under appropriate licensing agreements. The software package will ultimately be integrated into the CREATE environment at HPCMP or at least be port-able to DoD HPC platform so that DoD and other government agencies and Universities can use the software within HPC environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The uniquely capable analysis and numerical techniques developed under this topic will achieve superior accuracy and high-fidelity solutions in computational flows and fluid-structure interaction analysis involving flexible boundaries. This will in turn enable rapid, high quality solutions in a variety of complex engineering applications, especially those involving high velocity/high pressure flows over deforming elements, such as found in turbines, in highly deformable elements such as MAV rotors, and others. This will therefore make great progress in the design of a wide variety of both military and commercial applications, such as commercial and military aircraft turbines, commercial and military rotorcraft turbines, commercial and military

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MAV flexible rotors, etc.

REFERENCES:1. [1] T.J.R. Hughes, J.A. Cottrell, and Y. Bazilevs, "Isogeometric analysis: CAD, finite elements, NURBS, exact geometry, and mesh refinement", Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 194 (2005) 4135-4195.

2. [2] Y. Otoguro, K. Takizawa, T.E. Tezduyar, K. Nagaoka and S. Mei, "Turbo-charger Turbine and Exhaust Manifold Flow Computation with the Space-Time Variational Multiscale Method and Isogeometric Analysis", Computers & Fluids, published online, 10.1016/j.compfluid.2018.05.019 (May 2018).

3. [3] T. Kuraishi, K. Takizawa and T.E. Tezduyar, "Space-Time Computational Analysis of Tire Aerodynamics with Actual Geometry, Road Contact and Tire De-formation", Chapter in a special volume to be published by Springer (2018).

4. [4] I. Akkerman, Y. Bazilevs, D.J. Benson, M.F. Farthing, and C.E. Kees, "Free-Surface Flow and Fluid-Object Interaction Modeling with Emphasis on Ship Hy-drodynamics", Journal of Applied Mechanics, 79 (2012) 010905.

5. [5] M.-C. Hsu, C. Wang, A.J. Herrema, D. Schillinger, A. Ghoshal, and Y. Ba-zilevs, “An interactive geometry modeling and parametric design platform for isogeometric analysis, Computers & Mathematics with Applications, 70 (2015) 1481-1500.

6. [6] F. Xu, G. Moutsanidis, D. Kamensky, M.-C. Hsu, M. Murugan, A. Ghoshal, and Y. Bazilevs, "Compressible flows on moving domains: Stabilized methods, weakly enforced essential boundary conditions, sliding interfaces, and applica-tion to gas-turbine modeling", Computers and Fluids, 158 (2017) 201-220.

7. [7] M. Murugan, A. Ghoshal, F. Xu, M.-C. Hsu, Y. Bazilevs, L. Bravo, and K. Kerner, "Analytical study of articulating turbine rotor blade concept for improved off-design performance of gas turbine engines", Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 139 (2017) 102601.

8. [8] Y. Otoguro, K. Takizawa and T.E. Tezduyar, "A General-Purpose NURBS Mesh Generation Method for Complex Geometries", Springer (2018).

KEYWORDS: Isogeometric analysis, mobility, fluid-structure interaction

A19B-T007 TITLE: Low Temperature Deposition of Magnetic Materials on Topological Materials

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: Develop a technique/approach/methodology to deposit known crystalline ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic insulators on topological materials such as Bi2Se3 at low temperature below 300~400°C.

DESCRIPTION: Since Topological insulators (TIs) were discovered a decade ago, the understanding of this new physical phenomena progressed rapidly as evidenced in literature growth. However, the technological potential of this interesting new class of materials has not advanced sufficiently for technology realization. The goal of this topic is to address the traditionally weak link between knowledge generation and applied research/engineering to accelerate the pace of new technology development. Among the known TIs, high quality Bi2Se3 in combination with ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials forming a planar heterojunction is expected to provide a unique opportunity to develop energy efficient electronics ranging from low power switching and memory to energy harvesting. A TI channels electrical current through 100% spin polarized surface states ensuring a very highly efficient exchange interaction with adjacent magnetic materials. The resulting spin orbit torque transfer [1]

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enables magnetic order in an FM or AFM to be switched at much lower energies than can be achieved with conventional heavy metals. Proposed TI-based energy efficient electronics have, however, been hampered because standard approaches to epitaxy of magnetic materials such as molecular beam epitaxy and pulsed laser deposition require sample temperatures above what TIs can survive. Deposition of the TI on the magnetic material is also ill suited for device and circuit patterning and does not surmount the challenge.

Because of the excitement and nascent nature of the field of topological materials, alternative methods for building heterostructures with other materials, ranging from mechanical approaches to low temperature chemical techniques have not yet been considered. Such techniques have been established in other electronic materials but have not been applied in the context of topological plus magnetic materials. This STTR topic therefore seeks an innovative technique/approach/methodology for the deposition of known insulating FM or AFM materials on topological materials such as Bi2Se3 (other well investigated TI materials with spin polarized topologically protected electronic surface states are also of interest) at low temperature (e.g. below 300°C) so that the integrity of the underlying TI material is maintained by its own chemical and physical stability. Key aspects to form the heterostructure are (i) the control of the formation of the terminating top atomic layer on the surface of TI materials, (ii) the formation of the first atomic layers of the deposited magnetic material on the TI material, and (iii) sustaining the magnetic order of the magnetic material. Layer by layer deposition preserving the underlying TI quality is highly desired under a set of available parameters such as temperature, pressure, deposited thickness and speed.

The created interface/heterostructure, as demonstrated in Ref [1-2], is expected to be characterized by advanced measurement and analysis to determine the interface structure and the electronic and magnetic interactions between the two different materials. Understanding the relationship of the interface characteristics as well as the nature and extent of the electronic/magnetic interactions is expected for iterated tunings and optimizations. Alternative techniques to create structurally well-defined and atomically regular interfaces between magnetic materials (as an over-layer) and high quality TI materials (as a substrate) will be considered.

PHASE I: Demonstrate low temperature deposition or alternative method for interfacing magnetic materials on dichalcogenide topological insulators. Theoretical and computational efforts may also be included. The results of Phase I should demonstrate a path forward toward optimized materials, interfaces and control over the interface exchange interaction.

PHASE II: Demonstrate low temperature juxtaposition (deposition or other technique) of high quality magnetic insulators on high quality topological insulators. The “high quality” metric is defined by a heterostructure that retains the performance characteristics of the topological insulator and is suitable for control of the magnetic anisotropy or antiferromagnetic Neél order driven by electrical current through the topological insulator. Magnetic, electronic, structural and chemical characterization of the topological insulator(s) and magnetic insulator(s) post-interfacing is required. Structural and chemical analysis of the interface itself must be included. Analysis of the exchange interaction at the interface itself would be ideal. Delivery of samples is expected for government qualification of the resulting heterostructures.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: If sufficiently high quality heterostructures and interfaces are formed, this effort should further optimize the technique and include topological-magnetic device design and fabrication for energy efficient electronic devices in application areas such as THz detection, switching or energy harvesting.

REFERENCES:1. A. R. Mellnik, J. S. Lee, A. Richardella, J.L.Grab, P. J. Mintun, M. H. Fischer, A.Vaezi, A.Manchon, E.-A.Kim, N. Samarth and D. C. Ralph "Spin-transfer torque generated by a topological insulator"Â Nature, 511, 449 (2014); doi:10.1038/nature13534.

2. Y. G. Semenov, X. Duan and K. W. Kim, "Voltage-driven magnetic bifurcations in nanomagnet-topological insulator heterostructures"Â Phys. Rev. B 89, 201405(R) (2014); doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.89.201405.

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3. Y. G. Semenov, X.-L. Li, and K. W. Kim, "Currentless reversal of Néel vector in antiferromagnets" Phys. Rev. B 95, 014434 (2014); doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.95.014434

KEYWORDS: Topological insulator, magnetic, epitaxy, deposition, heterostructure, interface, energy efficient electronics, manufacturing process, manufacturing materials

A19B-T008 TITLE: Exploiting Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Extreme Performance

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems

OBJECTIVE: To enhance cognitive and physical performance in warfighters by exploiting single nucleotide polymorphisms

DESCRIPTION: American soldiers are an elite and highly motivated group of individuals. They face severe cognitive and physical loads while in combat and while preparing for combat. The Army prepares soldiers with both physical and cognitive training. Individual soldiers usually also prepare themselves for training and combat by consuming considerable quantities of nutritional supplements, including vitamins and minerals.

Standards for vitamins and minerals were developed in the 1940s and have changed little since then. National recommendations vary widely across the developed world, reflecting the paucity of underlying science. Most importantly, national standards were developed to reflect the needs of an average individual and take no account of genetic variation that dramatically influences needs at an individual level. Furthermore, indiscriminate overconsumption to attempt to compensate for this lack of knowledge leads to both health and performance problems.

Advances in DNA sequencing technology have revealed a surprising level of genetic variation between individual humans, with any two humans differing by an average of 3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms. While some polymorphisms are neutral, many others have a metabolic and physiological impact. Over 600 human genes encode critical enzymes that require a vitamin or mineral cofactor. Proper function of these 600 enzymes requires appropriate levels of individual vitamin or mineral cofactors; too much or too little leads to loss of function and downstream metabolic, physiological, and phenotypic effects. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the exons, promoters and splice sites of these genes alter the amount of the vitamin or mineral cofactor that an individual needs. A typical human has functional polymorphisms in two or more of these critical 600 genes, that alter the amount of cofactor needed for proper enzymatic function. Because of advances in sequencing technologies these polymorphisms can now be rapidly identified and biochemically interrogated. The results of these interrogations of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used to tailor intake of supplements to individual genotypes. The impact of this on the Future Army will be enhanced warfighter cognitive and physical performance. With the advent of inexpensive genome and exome sequencing it is becoming unconscionable to not exploit this new capability. The missing link between individual genomic information and improved performance capabilities is the functional interrogation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in key enzymes that require vitamin or mineral cofactors for proper function.

The objective of this SBIR is to functionally interrogate single nucleotide polymorphisms in a subset of the 600 genes that encode critical enzymes that require a vitamin or mineral cofactor in order to identify those variants that affect enzymatic function but that can be remediated with vitamin or mineral supplementation in order to enable enhanced cognitive and physical performance and to protect warfighters from performance-degrading factors. Metabolic tuning through dietary cofactors (i.e. vitamins and minerals) is safe, efficacious, inexpensive, and easy to deliver.

PHASE I: In phase I the investigators will demonstrate that they have the capability to rapidly, efficiently and rigorously screen comprehensive libraries of human polymorphisms in metabolically important genes whose

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enzymatic activity is cofactor sensitive. They will demonstrate this by determining, for one common human polymorphism, the impact of the polymorphism and the impact of individually tailored nutritional intervention. Furthermore they will quantify the impact of the polymorphism and the intervention on performance in a young healthy population that is similar demographically to U.S. soldiers.

For example, recent work by Manousaki et al (AJHG 2017) confirms other reports that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human CYPR2R1 gene have large effects on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and individuals with just one synonymous coding variant have a significantly increased risk of vitamin D insufficiency (p = 1.26 x 10-12). Other investigators have previously shown that vitamin D deficiency depresses the immune response to infections, and is also associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and some cancers. While cancer, diabetes and stroke are outside the scope of this SBIR topic, 5% of male and 20% of female soldiers develop stress fractures during basic training. A successful phase I could be screening soldiers entering basic training for CYPR2R1 polymorphisms that affect vitamin D levels, prescribing dietary (vitamin) interventions for soldiers with CYPR2R1 polymorphisms that suppress serum vitamin D levels, and documenting the return on investment of this intervention on the incidence of stress fractures in basic training. However, a successful phase I could also instead focus on a different gene and its polymorphisms and quantify the effect of those polymorphisms and tailored interventions on soldier performance and readiness. A demographically similar population may be used instead of U.S. soldiers.

PHASE II: By the end of phase II the investigators will have comprehensively characterized common polymorphisms in at least fifteen cofactor-dependent enzymes with well-established metabolic importance and impact on human performance. They will characterize the impact of these polymorphisms as well as the impact of remediation. They will provide DoD with qualitative and quantitative measures of the biological, physiological, and economic costs and benefits of assaying these polymorphisms in warfighters.

The deliverable is the dataset which will provide the content for immediate implementation for genotyping assays to identify individuals with suboptimal enzymatic activity. The performer will have designed a low cost accurate screening test for individual humans and low cost recommendations for individually tailored nutritional recommendations of FDA approved over the counter supplements to optimize performance capabilities. By the end of phase II the results will be ready for large scale commercial production. The analysis should cost less than $100 per soldier and the analysis should be complete within 24 hours of receiving a soldier’s sample.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The ability to use tailored regimens of over the counter FDA approved vitamins and minerals in conjunction with precise knowledge of the molecular effects of individual genetic polymorphisms will radically advance human performance capabilities. Today many warfighters seek to be physically and mentally better prepared by consuming vast quantities of vitamins, herbs, and other substances, often with no scientific basis whatsoever and almost certainly with no knowledge of their own genetic variance and biochemical needs. This SBIR will change this behavior from anecdote driven to scientifically based. It is anticipated that civilian athletes, scholars, scientists and engineers, as well as any civilian seeking improve physical or cognitive capabilities will embrace the opportunity for informed nutritional intervention in order to safely and economically enhance and preserve cognitive and physical performance capabilities.

REFERENCES:1. Hustad, S., Midttun, O., Schneede, J., Vollset, S.E., Grotmol, T., and Ueland, P.M. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-T polymorphism as a modulate of a B vitamin network with major effects on homocysteine metabolism. 2007. Am J Hum Genet 80(5): 846-55.

2. Manousaki, D., et al. Low-frequency synonymous coding variation in CYP2R1 has large effects of vitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. 2017. Am J. Hum Genet 101(2): 227-238.

3. Roussotte, F.F., Hua, X., Narr, K.L., Small, G.W., Thompson, P.M., Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. The C677T variant in MTHFR modulates associates between brain integrity, mood, and cognitive functioning in old age. 2017. Bio Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2(3): 280-288.

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4. Troesch, B., Weber, P., and Mohajeri, M.H. Potential links between impaired one-carbon metabolism due to polymorphisms, inadequate B-vitamin status, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. 2016. Nutrients 8(12): 803.

KEYWORDS: genetic, variation, polymorphisms, metabolism, performance, health, cognition, cognitive, biochemistry.

A19B-T009 TITLE: Optical Grating Enhancement of MWIR Structures for High Temperature Operation

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors

OBJECTIVE: Design and fabricate a resonant cavity midwave infrared (MWIR) detector for a proof of concept that utilizes a patterned metal layer (grating) to selectively enhance the optical absorption of the underlying device. The resulting detector should demonstrate a high quantum efficiency and higher operating temperature than a comparable state-of-the-art device without the grating, thus reducing the size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements for long range high resolution midwave infrared (IR) imaging sensors.

DESCRIPTION: Advances in infrared detector technology remain limited by SWaP due to the need for cooling in dewar assemblies for peak performance. In order to provide the benefits of high-performance mid-wave IR imaging to small UAS and infantry weapon systems, sensor cooling requirements must be reduced so that detectors can be incorporated into lightweight sensor packages to enable enhanced awareness and long range object of interest identification in all battlefield conditions. Patterned resonator structures are a well-known concept for creating local enhancements to field intensities in optical structures (see references and related literature). However, current III-V semiconductor technology (bulk and strained layer superlattice) have not yet achieved operation close to room temperature. By combining the latest in device materials and architecture (e.g. unipolar barrier devices) with a novel metal grating on the detector structure that uses optical resonance to greatly enhance the infrared absorption, the total absorber volume required can be reduced, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio to allow for operation at higher temperatures accessible to thermoelectric cooling or even passive cooling. The overlaying grating pattern must be carefully designed to provide the maximum enhancement at a targeted wavelength for a specific device geometry. If successful, the high-temperature MW detectors enabled by this project will directly benefit the compact imaging sensors supporting the Solider Lethality, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, and Future Vertical Lift Army modernization priorities.

PHASE I: Design a grating pattern for an antimonide-based MWIR detector using electromagnetic (EM) modeling that results in near-total absorption while also minimizing the required absorber layer thickness of the device. Demonstrate enhanced absorption in a fabricated test structure and accuracy of the EM model. Show that the model and device fabrication can be adjusted for a desired cutoff wavelength.

PHASE II: Develop a working focal plane array and incorporate in a prototype device, including a readout integrated circuit and conduct testing in a realistic environment.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The system could be used in a variety of applications where size and portability are paramount. This includes head mounted display systems, which could incorporate infrared sensors to enhance visibility in poor environmental conditions, highlight Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) signals, and to provide advanced warning of hostile activity. Commercial: high-performance MWIR cameras can be applied in commercial vehicle technology, both manned and autonomous. Room temperature MWIR detection can also be packaged in fused video surveillance and home security.

REFERENCES:1. D. Z. Ting, A. Soibel, A. Khoshakhlagh, S. A. Keo, S. B. Rafol, A. M. Fisher, B. J. Pepper, E. M. Luong, C. J. Hill, S. D. Gunapala, Antimonide e-SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR barrier infrared detector and focal plane array development, Proc. SPIE 10624, Infrared Technology and Applications XLIV, 1062410 (2018)

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2. K. K. Choi, M. D. Jhabvala, J. Sun, C. A. Jhabvala, A. Waczynski, K. Olver, Resonator-quantum well infrared photodetectors, Appl. Phys. Lett. 103 (2013)

3. C. Min, J. Li, G. Veronis, J.-Y. Lee, S. Fan, P. Peumans, Enhancement of optical absorption in thin-film organic solar cells through the excitation of plasmonic modes in metallic gratings, Appl. Phys. Lett. 96 (2010)

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Infrared, Midwave, Optical Grating, Focal Plane Array, Plasmonics

A19B-T010 TITLE: Production of Natural Melanin for Affordable EMP Shielding

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: Prototype solid melanin-based material for additional application testing such as harvesting thermal energy for cold weather vehicle/clothing coating, EMP shielding, radiation shielding/countermeasure/prophylaxis, stored energy & energy release.

DESCRIPTION: Melanin is a biological polymer that possesses many desirable properties with clear Army applications in dampening radar signatures, EMP shielding, radiation protection, cold condition protection, energy storage/transduction and an alternative circuit material. Naturally produced melanin absorbs energy in many different forms (UV, visible light, ionizing radiation, electromagnetic), binds toxic materials (metals, oxiding agents, free radicals) and provides structural strength. Melanins are believed to be the primary protective mechanism for microorganisms that survive in harsh environments like Chernobyl, Fukushima and Antarctica. Experimental mice injected with melanin survive otherwise lethal doses of gamma irradiation. Melanin absorbs solar radiation and could be used to improve solar panels for energy harvesting. While this material represents extraordinary properties, exploitation for military applications is impossible without scale production of the naturally biologically produced version. Synthetic melanin is estimated to be 40-60% less efficient than naturally derived melanin. Research on industrial production of natural melanin will allow for future structural studies on why synthetic melanin lacks several properties. At the industrial scale, melanotic materials (either naturally or synthetically produced) could yield revolutionary benefits in the battlespace such as inexpensively EMP shielding sensitive equipment, protecting soldiers from the harmful effects of radiation, enhanced mountain and alpine operations, new types of batteries and possibly even explosives. Melanin based coatings can be clearly tied to Army modernization priorities for the Next generation combat vehicle (NGCV) through its EMP/EMR protective properties, Networks through EMP/EMR protective properties and as a possible circuit material and finally soldier lethality through its thermal absorption properties enhancing mountain/alpine operations.

PHASE I: Conduct a systematic study of naturally produced melanin’s ability to collect, store and release multiple forms of dispersed energy with an emphasis on efficient production. Evaluate shelf-life and safe storage conditions as well.

PHASE II: Develop scalable production methods while retaining desirable energy transduction properties. The goal is to develop prototype solid melanotic materials (sheets, bricks, powder, etc) that can be further evaluated in military applications. Use of a bioreactor, fermentation vessel or padreactor system at the industrial scale are encouraged.Phase III – Provide at least 1kg of solid, naturally derived, melanin. This will be used to seed additional development in multiple application areas from vehicle/fabric/ building material coatings, body armor and battery packs. As a material that absorbs a very wide range of energy, it may have many, many applications.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Possible new class of explosive. Melanotic materials are also useful for EMR/EMP shielding and thermal energy absorption.

REFERENCES:

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1. Casadevall A, Cordero RJB, Bryan R, Nosanchuk J, Dadachova E., Melanin, Radiation, and Energy Transduction in Fungi. Microbiol Spectr. 2017 Mar;5(2). https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.FUNK-0037-2016

2. Rageh MM, El-Gebaly RH, Abou-Shady H, Amin DG. Melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) provide protection against whole-body ɣ-irradiation in mice via restoration of hematopoietic tissues. Mol Cell Biochem. 2015 Jan;399(1-2):59-69. doi: 10.1007/s11010-014-2232-y. Epub 2014 Oct 10.

3. Robertson KL, Mostaghim A, Cuomo CA, Soto CM, Lebedev N, Bailey RF, Wang Z. Adaptation of the black yeast Wangiella dermatitidis to ionizing radiation: molecular and cellular mechanisms. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e48674. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048674. Epub 2012 Nov 6.

KEYWORDS: Multifunctional materials, synthetic biology, radiation protection, EMP shielding, protective coatings, energy harvesting.

A19B-T011 TITLE: Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) as a Method to produce High Aspect Ratio Conductive Flakes for Advanced Bispectral or Infrared (IR) Obscuration

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: To develop a low-cost manufacturing process for the production of metal composite flakes/discs for use as visible and infrared obscurants. Develop and demonstrate a PVD method to produce highly electrically conductive flakes/discs with optimum dimensions in the for IR obscuration. These PVD produced flake/disc materials shall have an electrical conductivity on the order of iron, although a conductivity on the order of copper is preferred. Additionally, the PVD produced material should be appropriately chosen so as to provide attenuation in the visible region of the spectrum, i.e. via absorption. Also, the PVD produced material must not be ‘pyrophoric’ in nature and must be disseminated via hot air turbine smoke generators and explosively disseminated via explosive central burster munitions. Aluminum is an example of material that meets conductivity requirements, is efficiently manufactured via PVD processes but is ‘pyrophoric’ in nature and creates a flaming hazard when disseminated via explosive central burster grenade or hot air turbine smoke generator. Higher density materials may have an advantage over low density materials for volumetric dissemination purposes. Finally, the PVD produced Flake material should provide a means of mitigating particle agglomeration, so that aerosolization is maximized during the dissemination process. Dissemination approaches for the newly developed material shall include pneumatic (e.g. smoke generator) or explosive (e.g. grenade) techniques. There are two essential dimensional requirements for the flakes produced. First, the length requirement is vital for achieving the desired electromagnetic properties. The distribution must be relatively narrow with a major lateral dimension of about 3 µm (+/- 1 µm) in order to produce a strong resonance within the FIR atmospheric transmission window (8 to 12 µm). Second, flake thicknesses should be as thin as possible within the constraints of flake production. This may prove to be in the vicinity of 10-30 nm, although an ideal thickness of 1-2 nm is desired. A realistic goal of this effort is to produce an IR obscurant with extinction coefficients in the 8-20 m2/gram range.

DESCRIPTION: Smoke and obscurants play a crucial role in protecting the Warfighter by decreasing the electromagnetic signature that is detectable by various sensors, seekers, trackers, optical enhancement devices and the human eye. Recent advances in materials science now enable the production of precisely engineered obscurants with nanometer level control over particle size and shape. Numerical modeling and many measured results on metal flakes affirm that more than order of magnitude increases over current performance levels are possible if high aspect-ratio conductive flakes/discs can be effectively disseminated as an un-agglomerated aerosol cloud.

CURRENT STATUS: Aluminum has been demonstrated as a PVD produced material that has high extinction cross-section/unit mass characteristics on the order of 10 m2/gram. Despite its high extinction, aluminum PVD flakes are too pyrophoric and too low in packing density to be practical for dissemination in munitions. Previous efforts with copper PVD processes were unable to produce desired particle dimensions. Novel approaches to generating metal/

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disk shapes with the required dimensions is one possible approach that may be integrated into the PVD process. For example, patterning a substrate with a photolithographic technique prior metal deposition is one possible approach to achieving disc/flake shapes. Currently, the best obscurants for IR attenuation are comprised of brass flakes, which have an extinction cross-section/unit mass of 1.4 m2/g.

PHASE I: Demonstrate with samples an ability to produce PVD produced flakes with major dimensions of 3 µm (+/- 1 µm) microns in length, thicknesses of 10-30 nm, and conductivity of iron or better (10^5 mho/cm). (5) 10-gm samples shall be provided to ECBC for evaluation.

PHASE II: Demonstrate that the process is scalable by providing 5 1-kg samples with no loss in performance from that achieved with the small samples. In Phase II, a design of a manufacturing process to commercialize the concept should be developed.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The techniques developed in this program can be integrated into current and future military obscurant applications. Improved grenades and other munitions are needed to reduce the current logistics burden of countermeasures to protect the soldier and associated equipment. This technology could have application in other Department of Defense interest areas including high explosives, fuel/air explosives and decontamination. Improved separation techniques can be beneficial for all powdered materials in the metallurgy, ceramic, pharmaceutical and fuel industries. Industrial applications could include electronics, fuel cells/batteries, furnaces and others.

REFERENCES:1. Bohren, C.F.; Huffman, D.R.; Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles; Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1983.

2. Takayuki, Nakao, Metal pigment flakes and method for producing metal pigment flakes, PCT Int. Appl. (2015), WO 2015146977 A1 20151001

3. Embury, Janon; Maximizing Infrared Extinction Coefficients for Metal Discs, Rods, and Spheres, ECBC-TR-226, Feb 2002, ADA400404, 77 Page(s)

4. Obscurant Applications, S. Johnson, ISN Review, MIT, June 2012.

5. Bujard, Patrice; U. Berens; Patent WO2006021528 A2; Process for Preparing flake-form pigments based on aluminum and on sioz (z=0.7-2.0), Ciba Sc Holding Ag; Mar 2, 2006

6. Takayuki, Nakao, Method for producing metallic flake pigment, PCT Int. Appl. (2016), WO 2016047253 A1 20160331

7. Weinert, H. H,.New developments for the continuous high rate production of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) flake pigments without use of consumable substrates, Annual Technical Conference Proceedings - Society of Vacuum Coaters (2006), 49th, 642-647

KEYWORDS: Physical Vapor Deposition, metals, infrared obscuration

A19B-T012 TITLE: Mobile Metal Manufacturing Technologies For Repair And Retrofit of Infrastructure Systems

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

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OBJECTIVE: Develop an in-situ manufacturing system for repair or retrofit of existing structures such as railways and bridges with the ability to match or improve upon existing material performance.

DESCRIPTION: With the demand for persistent readiness of critical infrastructure such as rail and bridge structures, the need for the ability to repair and improve upon existing large metal structures becomes more crucial. These needs range from the ability to repair metal structures with the same material to retrofit with materials exhibiting improved material properties over the existing structure which impart new capabilities to carry heavier loads and/or improve durability.Recent advancements in additive manufacturing have developed several technologies such as cold spray and additive friction stir which provide unique capabilities to deposit material on existing structures and maintain or improve upon the performance characteristics of the original wrought material.

The goal of this topic is to develop a system capable of rehabilitating existing structures such as railway rails and bridges using an additive process. The proposed system should not only be able to provide in-situ repair of the base material, but also be capable of improving upon the existing material properties through processes or material improvements. The additive manufacturing repair process needs to have a deposition rate of at least 80 cm3/hr. in order to be economically viable for large structures.

PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of material repair prototypes which exhibit favorable mechanical properties for structural performance. Develop a few small-scale prototypes using the proposed process for a steel structure. Demonstrate the feasibility of applying the repair/update process to existing structures. Deliver a report documenting the research and development efforts along with a detailed description of the proposed methodology. The most effective process capable of repairing/improving existing structures with the desired material properties will be determined and proposed for phase 2.

PHASE II: Manufacture the proposed repair technology. Develop a set of small-scale mechanical tests to demonstrate the performance of the developed repair process. Apply the proposed rehabilitation methodology to a damaged steel structure as a repair method and demonstrate the repaired area has comparable properties to that of the original structure. Demonstrate that the technology could be used on a wide range of structure geometries and open environments. Determine the effects of varying specific structure/composition parameters on the mechanical performance of the prototype. Develop a parametric study which systematically varies the composition, microstructure, and processing of the material to determine the conditions for manufacturing operations. In addition, determine the environmental stability of the backing material: relevant variables to consider are temperature, corrosion resistance, and effects of strain rate.

Deliver a reporting document: (1) the formulation, composition and process for fabrication of the repaired structure; (2) the experimental procedures and results that demonstrate the processmeets the performance requirements; (3) the experimental procedures and results showing the repaired material meets the performance requirements. A favorable performance evaluation will lead into Phase III applications. All research, development, and prototype designs shall be documented with detailed descriptions and specifications of the composition, fabrication, microstructure, and mechanical performance of the prototype repair materials.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The development of a process capable of repairing/improving on existing railway and bridge systems has a wide range of applications in both the military and civil works areas as well as in both government and private sectors. A metal repair process such as this could also potentially be used for in-situ repair of ships or complex parts such as submarine propellers, automotive parts, etc. The process could also be used in a wide range of coating applications. The ability to repair an existing structure in-situ with a metal additive process opens an endless amount of possibilities for applications.

REFERENCES:1. D. M. Frangopol and M. Liu, "Maintenance and management of civil infrastructure based on condition, safety, optimization, and life-cycle cost*," Struct. Infrastruct. Eng., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 29-41, Mar. 2007.

2. 0. G. Rivera et al., "Influence of texture and grain refinement on the mechanical behavior of AA2219 fabricated by high shear solid state material deposition," Mater. Sci. Eng. A, vol.

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724, pp. 547-558, May 2018.

3. S. Palanivel and R. S. Mishra, "Building without melting: a short review of friction-based additive manufacturing techniques," Int. J. Addit. Subtractive Mater. Manuf , vol. 1, no. 1, p. 82, 2017.

4. E. Irissou, J.-G. Legoux, A. N. Ryabinin, B. Jodoin, and C. Moreau, "Review on Cold Spray Process and Technology: Part I-Intellectual Property," J. Therm Spray Technol., vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 495-516, Dec. 2008.

5. C. A. Widener, 0. C. Ozdemir, and M. Carter, "Structural repair using cold spray technology for enhanced sustainability of high value assets," Procedia Manuf , vol. 21, pp. 361-368, 2018.

A19B-T013 TITLE: To Develop and Demonstrate a Technology Enabling the Detection and Quantification of Modified Nucleic Acid Bases from a Mammalian Genome Such as Methylation Sites

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Biomedical

OBJECTIVE: To develop and demonstrate a technology enabling the detection and quantification of modified nucleic acid bases from a mammalian genome such as methylation sites. The method shall be in an easy-to-use format, not too technically demanding, and require instrumentation with minimal analytics. The method should enable the assessment of DNA methylation targeting a particular region or gene of interest as oppose to discovery of unknown epigenetic changes.

DESCRIPTION: DNA methylation is the study of chromosomal patterns of DNA or histone modification by methyl groups in vertebrates. The cytosine (C) base in DNA and lysine residue in histone tails can be methylated. These modifications are considered very stable, heritable, and are correlated with locus specific transcriptional status. DNA methylation can also impact gene expression, particularly if the methylation is present in CpG islands, which are found in approximately 50% of promoters. DNA methylation alters gene expression levels primarily through regulating methylation state-dependent interactions with transcriptional activators or repressors, and chromatin remodeling enzymes. There are multiple events that can impact DNA methylation machinery. These biomarkers can be used at any stage of a disease and can be associated with its cause (risk biomarkers), onset (diagnostic biomarkers), clinical course (prognostic biomarkers), or response to treatment (predictive biomarkers). To date vast majority of DNA methylation are reported in cancer research and recently DNA methylation has been known to show a significant role in the pathophysiology of several other diseases such as PTSD (Hammamieh et al 2017), aging ( Hovarth et al 2013) as well as neurodegenerative disorders (Levenson et al 2011). There is a growing body of literature suggesting a role for epigenetic factors as a molecular link between environmental factors and type 2 diabetes.

Multiple technologies exist by which these differences can be measured. Most of these methods detect the global DNA methylation or overall changes in DNA methylation status of the sample (1). Bisulphite sequencing that is considered the gold standard method for the detection and quantification of DNA methylation and is similar to genomic sequencing with regards to its prohibitive cost and difficulty in data analysis. To perform a targeted region sequencing, primers are designed that are specific for bisulphite converted DNA; It is a quick method, which could be used for simultaneously profiling of multiple samples/multiple regions (Zymo research, (5)). The obvious drawbacks of the current methods are that they are all time intensive and involve the use of multiple equipment with specialized training. Less common is the detection of methylated bases directly through sequencing of unmodified DNA that could be done without enrichment or bisulfite conversion. Considering the detailed procedure of bisulphite modifications, direct detection of modified bases would be a preferred approach. Another approach for methylated DNA fractions of the genome, usually obtained by immunoprecipitation, could be used for hybridization with microarrays ( 1, 4, 5 ). This is the most popular method which fills that gap between whole genome bisulfite sequencing and cumbersome low throughput methods that can access the methylation of a pre-designed individual CpG sites and can be customized to region of interest. Pyrosequencing is another technology where individual

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primers are designed to get a short-read pyrosequencing reaction of around 100 bp. The level of methylation for each CpG site within the sequenced region is estimated based on the signal intensities for incorporated dGTP and dATP. The result is quantitative, and the technique is able to detect even small differences in methylation (down to 5%). It is a good technique for heterogeneous samples but requires specialized equipment and training. Advancement in the development of nanopore-based single-molecule real-time sequencing (2-3) technology (Oxford nanopore) can help to detect modified bases directly in short time.

Commercialization of each or combination of the unique technique will bring the next generation of assay with even better sensitivity and specificity that would be easy to perform and analyze. The aim of this STTR is to develop a method of choice that should deliver an unbiased answer to the biological question being asked by the researcher. It will be important to consider following factors when choosing a method for targeted DNA methylation analysis:

1) The development of an automated procedure;2) The investigation is on known methylation sites for specific gene of interest3) The amount of sample requirements. Considering clinical samples, whole blood would be sample of choice.4) The sensitivity and specificity of the assay proposed;5) The robustness and simplicity of the method.6) The simplicity of software for analysis and interpretation of the data;7) Effortless use of specialized equipment and reagents;8) Turn-around time to result9) Assay cost.

PHASE I: Given the short duration of Phase I, this phase should not encompass any human use testing that would require formal IRB approval. Phase I should focus on system design for rapid detection of targeted methylation sites using any gene/region of interest. At the end of this phase, a working prototype of the assay (s) should be completed and some demonstration of feasibility, integration, and/or operation of the prototype. In addition, descriptions of data analysis and interpretations concept and concerns should be outlined. Phase I should also include the detailed development of Phase II testing plan.

PHASE II: During this phase, the integrated system should undergo testing using some targeted genes/regions of interest for evaluation of the operation and effectiveness of utilizing an integrated system and its capability to demonstrate the utility in a diseased condition such as PTSD. Accuracy, reliability, and usability should be assessed. This testing should be controlled and rigorous. Statistical power should be adequate to document initial efficacy and feasibility of the assay. This phase should also demonstrate evidence of commercial viability of the tool. Accompanying the application should be standard protocols and procedures for its use and integration into ongoing programs. These protocols should be presented in multimedia format.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The ultimate goal of this topic is to develop and demonstrate a technology enabling the direct detection of modified bases such as methylation sites. This assay format should also be seamlessly integrated so that it can be used as monitoring tools for long term health assessment. Once developed and demonstrated, the technology can be used for identification of risk, diagnostic, prognostic, monitoring and/ or predictive biomarkers for diseased state. Development of new technique for methylation analysis will open a multitude of possibilities for biomarker development and might become extremely valuable in clinical practice.

REFERENCES:1. Hammamieh R, Chakraborty N, Gautam A, et al. Whole-genome DNA methylation status associated with clinical PTSD measures of OIF/OEF veterans. Translational Psychiatry. 2017;7(7):e1169-. doi:10.1038/tp.2017.129.

2. Simpson, J. T., Workman, R. E., Zuzarte, P. C., David, M., Dursi, L. J., & Timp, W. (2017). Detecting DNA cytosine methylation using nanopore sequencing. Nature Methods, 14, 407. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.4184

3. Wilmot, B, et al. (2015) Methylomic analysis of salivary DNA in childhood ADHD identifies altered DNA methylation in VIPR2. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12457

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4. https://www.biomerieux-usa.com/clinical/biofire-film-array https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjAeOzTL1wo

5. Dean et al Multi-omic biomarker identification and validation for diagnosing warzone-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Submitted to Science Translational Medicine

6. Levenson VV. DNA methylation as a universal biomarker. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2010;10(4):481-8.

7. Horvath S. DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types. Genome Biol. 2013;14:R115. doi: 10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r115

KEYWORDS: Epigenetics, methylation, next-generation sequencing, Technology, Military Health

A19B-T014 TITLE: Passive, Non-powered Re-chargeable Heat Storage Systems for Cold Climate Operations

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this topic is to develop products that can store and deliver heat without the need for power.

DESCRIPTION: Extremity protection for the current Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) utilizes a series of garments designed to be worn within tightly defined temperature ranges. For the hands, Soldiers can increase protection by switching from gloves to mittens. A similar option exists for wearing boots with progressively higher levels of insulative capabilities. The trade off to higher insulation under the current system is the loss of dexterity and increased weight, both of which impact mission execution and success. Improvements in thermal extremity protection will offer a cognitive benefit to Soldier performance as well as enable better dexterity for operations—such as shooting— which combined will improve Soldier lethality in extreme operating conditions.

Many athletic and sportswear companies are now selling garments with built-in heating elements, from socks and gloves to full jackets, thus allowing a wearer to maintain thermal comfort with less bulk. However, to date, the majority of these systems require the use of power. In addition to the power challenge, many systems are not Berry amendment compliant, limiting procurement options. The focus of efforts under this topic call will be on developing material systems that can store and deliver heat to a Soldier in the field without the need for a power input. Material systems must be able to be recharged for additional heat release cycles in a field or deployed setting.

PHASE I: Phase I of the proposal must demonstrate feasibility of the technical approach through development of a preliminary material concept. The material must demonstrate successful heat release that is initiated without a power input. The heat release must be compatible with applications adjacent to human skin without the risk of burns (< 44° C for direct contact systems over 6 hours). By the end of Phase I, a feasibility study of scale up must be completed, including an estimate of material cost. There must also be a coherent prototype design for fabrication in later Phases. Sample material (3 prototypes or formulations) must be delivered at the end of Phase I. Heat generation should be sustainable for at least 3 hours. Number of recharges during the life of the material is to be estimated. Technologies at the end of Phase I should be at TRL 4.

PHASE II: Phase II will focus on scale up of the successful Phase I technology into prototypes for lab and field simulated evaluation. Prototypes and material must demonstrate successful heat storage and release for at least 3 hours. The form factor of the prototype is left to the discretion of the principal investigators (PI). Prototype materials must demonstrate consistent function in varying environmental exposures (high humidity, wind, etc), including after pro-longed exposure to temperatures as low as -40 C. The final deliverable must also include a commercialization ⁰assessment and the viability of mass production for the technology. Deliverables to include production cost estimate,

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technical data package, final report, and 3 prototypes. Technologies at this stage should be at a TRL 4 to 5.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III will demonstrate scalability and operational application of the proposed technology. The technology developed under this effort has direct application to Soldier operational clothing and individual equipment. The results of this effort may culminate in a material that can be fielded as an insert to complement the current ECWCS system or could be directly integrated into the textile layers of the ECWCS. While the focus of this effort is use at the Soldier level, technologies could be extrapolated to other military applications, for example, maintenance of military equipment in cold temperatures for optimal performance, icing prevention of critical tools, weapons, and equipment etc. Successful materials may also find commercial applications in passive or latent heat storage for energy optimization systems and infrastructure maintenance (thermal regulation, ice prevention etc), recreational gear for cold weather activities, and non-military police and rescue forces.

REFERENCES:1. Holmer et al, 2010, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics (JOSE), 16(3), 387–404, “A Review of Technology of Personal Heating Garments” https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2010.11076854

2. Riffat et al, 2015, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 41, 356-367, “The Latest Advancements on Thermochemical Heat Storage Systems”https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032114007308

3. Ghafoor et al, 2016, Energy Conversion and Management, 115, 132-158, “A Review of the Performances Enhancement of PCM Based latent heat Storages System within the Context of Materials, Thermal Stability and Compatibility” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890416300759

4. Zeiler et al, 2014, Proceedings of the 8th Windsor Conference, “personal heating; energy use and effectiveness” http://nceub.org.uk/W2014/webpage/W2014_index.html

KEYWORDS: Personal Heating, Thermal Comfort Management, Powerless heating

A19B-T015 TITLE: Direct Hydrogen Production from Sunlight and Water

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles

OBJECTIVE: Develop a system that produces hydrogen from water and exposure to sunlight without any additional energy input that is ready to use in fuel cell or storage applications.

DESCRIPTION: The Army has been investigating hydrogen fuel cells for vehicle power applications (both primary and non-primary) due to their reduced acoustic and thermal signatures as well as high power density and unlimited run time (provided fuel is supplied). Unlike current logistic fuels, hydrogen needs to be extracted from a source before it can be used, as it is not abundantly available in a usable form naturally. Numerous methods for hydrogen generation have been investigated in the past few decades, most usually requiring external energy to produce the hydrogen and treatment to remove compounds that could damage a fuel cell if passed through. Recent advances in technology have suggested that producing hydrogen from water with direct exposure to sunlight may be an attractive path for hydrogen generation.

A system is desired to produce hydrogen from water and exposure to sunlight with no external energy input, just sunlight. The system should produce hydrogen that is of sufficient purity for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell use (99.999% pure). The hydrogen produced by the system should be ready to use in a fuel cell application or passed to a compressor/hydrogen storage system. The system should also be able use greywater or wastewater as a hydrogen source. The system should maximize hydrogen production per unit area, minimizing the total area of the

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system.

PHASE I: The desired results of Phase I work are a preliminary design of the system and a small-scale demonstration of the underlying technologies and design. Specifically, the efficiency of the water splitting process, the hydrogen separation and collection, and proposed operations and control of the system should be demonstrated. These demonstrations do not need to be performed in concert with each other but should be performed at a small scale to demonstrate the feasibility of the design. The system should minimize both area and weight while providing the desired flow rate of hydrogen.

PHASE II: The desired result of Phase II is a system that produces 1 kg of hydrogen per day assuming 6 hours of sun exposure per day. The system should be optimized for continuous operation and provide hydrogen that can be used in a PEM fuel cell system or compressed and stored for later use in such a system. A demonstration of the system will be performed in conjunction with a fuel cell system and/or a hydrogen storage apparatus. Hydrogen purity will be measured as well as overall system efficiency. A study should be undertaken to develop a plan to scale up the system to a higher production rate. Key difficulties in production and scale up should be identified and mitigations proposed and examined, when possible.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III would result in a portable, self-powered, high output hydrogen generation system. A scaled up system could support operational refueling of future hydrogen vehicles, enabling enhanced silent watch and mobility capabilities along with increasing lethality and survivability. Potentially larger systems could be developed for larger facilities and staging areas, further enhancing the capability. Commercially, this system could be used to augment the hydrogen economy infrastructure and lead to clean, potentially remote hydrogen generation and refueling stations. This technology would contribute to energy security and reduce pollution via increased zero emissions vehicles.

REFERENCES:1. Sheng Chu, Wei Li, Yanfa Yan, Thomas Hamann, Ishiang Shih, Dunwei Wang, Zetian Mi, Roadmap on solar water splitting: current status and future prospects, Nano Futures 1, 022001, September 2017.

2. Faqrul A. Chowdhury, Michel L. Trudeau, Hong Guo, Zetian Mi, A photochemical diode artificial photosynthesis system for unassisted high efficiency overall pure water splitting, Nature Communications 9, 1707, April 2018.

KEYWORDS: hydrogen, hydrogen production, solar, water splitting

A19B-T016 TITLE: High Performance, Non-flammable Lithium Battery

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles

OBJECTIVE: Develop a High Performance, Non-flammable Li-ion Battery (LIB) with improved safety and lower thermal management requirements, while maintain / increase the Power, Energy and Cycle life performance of state of the art Li-ion batteries.

DESCRIPTION: Increased electrification of Army ground vehicles has the potential to increase fuel efficiency and enable integration of higher performance lethality and survivability systems including Directed Energy Weapons and Active Protection Systems.

However a significant limitation to electrification are the safety risks and thermal management requirements of the current generation Li-ion battery (LIB) based Energy Storage System (ESS). LIBs utilize highly flammable, volatile electrolytes that can react with electrodes resulting in thermal runway and subsequent catastrophic failure. To mitigate this risk, ESS utilize thermal management and charge / discharge limitations to minimize failure events. They are also packaged in specifically engineered battery enclosures and located to minimize platform damage in the event of LIB failure. However these mitigation measures result in the platform incurring increased weight,

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volume and / or performance limitations.

Recently, a non-flammable Li-ion electrolyte , , has been demonstrated with acceptable Power/ Energy density and Cycle life performance. This is a significant technical advancement in ESS systems as the development of non-flammable chemistry enables LIBs to be packaged in new form factors (e.g conformal linings) and located anywhere (e.g. crew compartment). It is expected that the successful transition of this technology to DOD applications would result in increased energy storage on a platform, lower weight, volume and cooling requirements and earlier / cheaper safety certification.

PHASE I: A preliminary design based on initial experimental data (e.g. flash point measurements, cell polarization) and modeling showing the feasibility to meet non-flammability rating and meet / improve existing ESS performance metrics in a with a specific focus on Power Density (880W/kg), Energy Density (72Wh/kg), Cycle life (1000), Charge rate (1C) and Discharge rate (2C). Successful accomplishment of this phase includes meeting and demonstration of the aforementioned ESS metrics and delivery of button cells for evaluation / verification.

PHASE II: Increased design maturity, additional experimental data (e.g. Accelerated Rate Calorimetry) and simulation results (e.g Battery module thermal modeling) to result in interim and final delivery of prototype batteries / cells. The final deliverables and data should support / verify a pathway to meet / exceed the MIL-PERF-32565 90AH LIB performance specifications4. It is expected that the final prototype deliverable (battery / cell) will be safer than MIL-PERF-32565 Type 1 LIBs and should result in a battery / cell demonstrating a SAE J2464 Hazard Severity Level rating is < 3 (nail penetration / overcharge abuse, battery projectile penetration)4. Successful accomplishment of this phase includes meeting aforementioned goals as well as cost competitive technology implementation in a 6T format.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The end state of the research is the transition of the High Performance, Non-flammable Lithium Battery technology to DOD acquisition programs including US ARMY Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems / PM Stryker. It is expected that development of a safer LIB will enable quicker and cheaper platform integration and SG-270 / S9310 safety certification for Naval transportation.

Furthermore this technology can be transitioned to ARMY’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle hybrid platforms (PM NGCV) as it will have lower safety risk.

Successful accomplishment of this phase includes OEM integration on combat vehicle platform to demonstrate capability to PM.

REFERENCES:1. Yang et al., Joule 1, 122–132, September, 2017

2. Li et al., J Power Sources 394, 26-34, (2018)

3. Zeng et al., Nature Energy 3, 674-681(2018)

4. MIL-PERF-32565

KEYWORDS: Power, Energy, Battery, Fuel Efficiency, Rechargeable, Safety, Li ion, Storage

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