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Go to the NIST SBIR Awards by State.
Note: Certain non-ASCII characters may not be
represented accurately in this document. In cases where there may be doubt,
please refer to the printed copy of the solicitation or direct your questions
to sbir@nist.gov.
FY2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.6 Adaptive Learning Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.6.1T Distributed Interactive
Learning
TITLE: Application Frameworks and Simulation
Components for
Intelligent Tutoring
NIST OU: 890
FIRM: Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
(SHAI)
1660 So. Amphlett Boulevard Suite 350
Mateo, CA 94402
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Richard Stottler
650-655-7242
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) strive
to provide the benefits of one-on-one instruction automatically and cost-effectively.
Like training simulations, ITSs enable students to apply their knowledge
and hone their skills by carrying out tasks within highly interactive
learning environments. However, ITSs go beyond training simulations by
also monitoring the student's actions, assessing his or her performance,
and providing helpful hints and feedback. Despite the effectiveness of
ITSs, relatively few ITSs are in operational use, compared to the number
of traditional computer-based training systems which have been deployed.
This is largely due to the high cost of developing the simulator portion
of ITSs. SHAI proposes to develop task-specific tutoring system engines
and authoring tools which can incorporate pre-built simulation components.
Each tutoring system and authoring tool will enable a subject matter expert
or instructor to create tutoring systems more quickly and easily than
is currently possible, by configuring and incorporating these pre-built
components within the appropriate task-specific application framework.
Designing each tutoring system architecture to support a specific abstract
task makes it possible to create authoring tools which provide more guidance
to the author, and simplifies the integration of simulation components
with the tutoring system engine.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
This technology will lower the cost of
developing web-based ITSs and will support the commercialization of tutoring
system engines, authoring tools, instructional simulation components,
and turnkey ITS applications which serve horizontal markets, vertical
industry markets, and individual companies.
FY2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.7 Advanced Building Materials
and Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.7.1T Direct Electrical Measurement
of Cement Hydration
TITLE: Time-Domain-Reflectrometry Frequency-Probe
Sensor System to Measure Degree of Hydration in Cementitious Materials
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: Materials Sensing and Instrumentation,
Inc.
772 Dorsea Road
Lancaster, PA 17601-2212
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Nathaniel Hager
III
717-361-1377
Award AMOUNT: $74,928.29
ABSTRACT:
This project will demonstrate an in-situ cure
sensor for continuously monitoring internal moisture and hydration
reactions in curing concrete. It uses a modified form of Time-Domain-Reflectometry,
which extracts frequency information from sensor response, and thus
probes microwave molecular dynamics. The sensor response is captured
in a fast voltage transient and either Fourier-Transformed to the
frequency domain for a detailed research-grade measurement, or interpreted
directly in the time domain for a robust field-grade measurement.
Signals for free- and bound-water response are separated due to
differences in response time. Phase 1 will demonstrate this approach,
a sensor will be devised which can detect the signal in situ, free-
and bound-water signals will be separated and identified through
appropriate dielectric modeling, and each signal will be monitored
during controlled cure and correlated with analytical methods.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The commercial potential of this work
will be a concrete cure sensor that provides continuous readout of moisture
and hydration both in the laboratory and the field. This could lead to
lower construction costs through elimination of excessive wait times and
design safety factors to compensate for uncertain quality control. The
work draws on much experience in our laboratory in Time-Domain-Relectometry
process monitoring.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.7 Advanced Building Materials
and Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.7.2T Software Package for
Optimizing Refrigerant Circuitry in Finned-Tube Condensers
TITLE: An Intelligent System for Optimizing
Refrigeration Circuitry in Finned-Tube Condensers
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: International Intelligent Systems,
Inc.
9711 Maury Road
Fairfax, VA 22032-2836
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Kenneth Kaufman
703-764-9142
Award AMOUNT: $74,940.00
ABSTRACT:
This project applies the state-of-the
art methods of evolutionary computation and machine learning to develop
a system for designing optimized refrigerant circuitry in finned-tube
condensers. We will study a feasibility of building a software package
that would assist engineers in designing condensers of the maximum capacity
for the specified parameters. To this task, we will apply a novel form
of evolutionary computation, called Learnable
Evolution Model (LEM). In contrast with conventional computation
methods that apply semi-blind operations of mutation and/or recombination
to obtain new designs, LEM applies a reasoning process involving hypothesis
generation and instantiation. At each step of evolutionary design, alternative
designs are generated and evaluated by a condenser simulator. The designs
are classified to two groups: high-performance and low-performance. A
learning system generates hypotheses characterizing differences between
the two groups. These hypotheses are then instantiated to new designs.
This process is conducted repeatedly until a satisfactory design is obtained,
or a termination condition is met. Our experience in applying LEM to designing
evaporators for heat exchangers have shown the high practical potential
of such an approach. Deliverables will include results from the feasibility
study of the methodology, and a preliminary software package for designing
optimized circuitry of condensers.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed methodology and system will
lay foundations for the development of an industrial strength system.
Since the ISHED system for heat exchanger design, previously developed
by INIS, has shown the ability to outperform the best human designs, it
is expected that similar performance will be achieved with the proposed
system. In view of the wide use of condensers in the industry and private
homes, potential benefits from this project in terms of savings energy
may be huge due to more efficient designs of condensers.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.8 Advanced Detection and Suppression
of Fires
SUBTOPIC: 8.8.7T Fire Fighter Locator
TITLE: Ultra-Wideband Wireless Fire Fighter
Locator
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
2 Research Place Suite 202
Rockville, MD 20850
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Len Haynes
301-590-3155
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
The key innovation of this proposal is
the use of Time Modulated Ultra-Wideband (TM-UWB) technology to develop
a low-cost radio system that allows both voice communication and tracking
positions of hundreds of fire fighters inside or outside buildings. Intelligent
Automation (IAI) is working with a partner company, Time Domain, Corporated
(TDC), to develop and apply a new type of radio called Time-Modulated
Ultra-WideBand radio. This radio has several characteristics which make
it ideal for tracking multiple individuals from inside to outside a building
without line-of-sight. What we propose will exceed the solicitation requirements
in that it will also provide voice communication, low probability of intercept,
difficult-to-jam voice and data communication with no additional hardware
over the basic tracking system. We will call the system we propose Ultra
Radio.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
IAI's role will be designing, building,
and commercializing the Ultra radio system using TDC components for the
kernel functions.
 |
Potential
customer needs - A way to track many participants moving within some
defined area. |
|
Potential
customers - The military for training activities or actual operations,
fire fighters, and police. |
|
What
is done today - GPS can be used but is inaccurate, susceptible to
jamming and interruption by noise and will not penetrate foliage or
inside buildings. |
Market size - Large, including commercial
applications such as police and fire fighters.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.8 Advanced Detection and Suppression
of Fires
SUBTOPIC: 8.8.10T Drop Size and Velocity
in Industrial Fire Sprinklers
TITLE: Real-time Technique to Measure
Particle Size and Velocity of Polydisperse Sprays with Large Dynamic Size
Range
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: MetroLaser Inc.
18010 Skypark Circle #100
Irvine, CA 92614-6428
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Cecil Hess
949-553-0688
Award AMOUNT: $74,982.00
ABSTRACT:
This is a proposal to develop a technique to simultaneously
measure particle size, velocity, and concentration in applications
characterized by a large size range and high particle concentration.
The technique is superior to currently available methods in its
ability to measure particle size over a very broad dynamic range,
its small probe volume that allows high particle concentration measurements,
and its ability to measure nonspherical particles. The technique
bases its measurement on accurate time-domain algorithms. Measurements
with calibrated glass beads and calibrated liquid sprays show a
remarkable accuracy that places the measurement within manufacturer's
tolerances. Analytical and experimental studies will be conducted
during Phase 1 to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the required
size range and concentration characteristic of fire sprays.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The laser-based technique proposed here
should have broad commercial applications given its large dynamic range
and its ability to measure either liquid or solid particles. Potential
users include industries and Government agencies interested in spray atomization
and powder technology such as food, pulverized coal combustion, and sand
blasting.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.10 Condition-Based Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 8.10.2T Ambient-Powered Wireless
Network Smart Sensors for Intelligent Manufacturing
TITLE: Ambient-Power Wireless Network
Smart Sensors for Intelligent Manufacturing
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Wilcoxon Research Inc.
21 Firstfield Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-1703
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Thurston Brooks
301-216-3009
Award AMOUNT: $73,515.00
ABSTRACT:
The objective of the research presented
in this SBIR proposal is for the development of the component technology
required for an ambient-powered (self-powered) sensor that communicates
on a network and can be easily integrated into a manufacturing environment.
Wilcoxon Research has extensive experience in the design, manufacturing,
and customer support of vibration sensors and related equipment. This
proposal would permit the company to explore a novel configuration for
power sources that generate and/or scavenge power from the industrial
environment. New packaging requirements and materials, along with a study
for the extension of present concepts for a data acquisition system, are
presented. Such a wireless system not only reduces the need for cabling,
but also drastically lowers installation costs permitting more comprehensive
instrumentation for the manufacturing operations.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The effective deployment of condition-based
maintenance requires sensors that are low in cost, but also cost effective
for installation. It is foreseen that wireless sensors will be used in
collecting vibration data for processes where either the installed machines
or their downtime is costly. Wilcoxon sees good opportunity to improve
productivity and output quality of the $5B (annual) machine tool market.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.2T Simulation and Animation
Tools Supporting RCS Control Systems Development
TITLE: Intelligent Software and Animation
Tools for RCS Architecture Based Development
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Pathway Technologies, Inc.
510 Township Line Road
Blue Bell, PA 19422
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ananthakrishnan
Suri
610-941-7769
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
Based on the outline for a theory of intelligence,
and using NIST's hierarchical real-time control system (RCS) architecture,
we will develop OpenSim and OpenAnimation
toolboxes consisting of the following innovations, namely, (i) Simulation
and Animation Software Design that will seamlessly interface with
RCS Hierarchy, (ii) Knowledge hierarchy consistent with the four
key paradigms and four key elements of
the theory of intelligence, (iii) Identification of an extensive
collection of simulation models and algorithms that will lead to
implementation level software for the knowledge hierarchy, (iv)
Real-time Simulation that reduces computational load through efficient
numerical algorithms, intelligent dynamic modeling, and real time
planning, (v) Structured Approach to GUI and Animation Development.
In Phase 1, we will provide detailed architecture of the S&A
software design process, knowledge hierarchy based on theory of
intelligence, extensive simulation models for Phase 2 software development,
and real-time simulation environment employing our innovations.
In Phase 2 we will incorporate the software algorithms into the
OpenSim and OpenAnimation
toolboxes so that they will seamlessly integrate with the RCS software
libraries, thus resulting in a stand alone software product.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
These toolboxes will be well suited for
real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop simulation using commercial
vendor boards such as dSpace, RTI, VxWorks. Our tools, because of its
modular approach and rich API interfaces can provide an easy means of
developing real-time interface to these types of boards and other vendor
software. Secondly, our shell approach will allow one to incorporate only
necessary features in the real-time environment. Thirdly, currently DSP
boards are programmable using high level languages and hence custom API
interfaces can be developed rapidly. We believe that our innovations will
lead to a unique real-time environment for real-time testing of large-scale
dynamic systems. The software as well as hardware interfaces will be open,
modular, and hierarchical.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.6T Constitutive Equations
for Lightweight Sheet Metal Forming
TITLE: Micromechanics and Constitutive
Model Characterization for Sheet Metal Forming
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: Northwest Numerics and Modeling,
Inc.
150 Nickerson Street Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98109
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ronald Foerch
206-352-8030
Award AMOUNT: $74,704.43
ABSTRACT:
The next generation of higher efficiency
vehicles will utilize lightweight materials to reduce the amount of power
required for equivalent performance. The proposed project addresses engineering
needs for this advancement by forming the basis of improved structural
simulation methods in aluminum sheet metal forming. Application of modern
state variable constitutive equations incorporating anisotropic effects
in the yield shape and translation will be characterized to aluminum in
more than one microstructural configuration. An anisotropic plasticity/viscoplasticity
model with kinematic hardening, and a polycrystal model with slip-system
hardening, intergranular hardening, and crystal lattice rotations will
be used together. Finite strain validation is also emphasized in the project,
using an integrated corotational formulation to maintain a consistent
material referential where all the state variables exist, and the constitutive
equations are evaluated. Innovative non-proportional biaxial sheer-extension
testing at finite strain will be carried out to validate the strain measure
of the corotational formulation, and investigate the models ability to
accurately predict complex deformation histories. Microstructural investigation
of the deformed test specimens will help define physically based coefficients
and state variables (e.g. grain size and orientation, slip density, sub-grain)
which can be introduced during Stage II developments. The combination
of microstructural input variables, and the complexity of deformation
paths in the biaxial tests will allow more thorough characterization for
these materials than previously available.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The constitutive modeling capability proposed
in this project is important for the DoC and Partnership for the Next
Generation of Vehicles program because it will reduce costs by replacing
expensive tests with high quality computer simulation, and provide the
basis for more accurate design prediction in forming. Constitutive model
advancements will lead to easier and more concrete characterization of
materials for structural simulation with increased levels of confidence.
The fundamentals used here are applicable to essentially all types of
metal deformation, giving the project large commercial scope in different
industries.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.07T Software for Weld Sensing and Control
TITLE: Software for Weld Sensing and Control
NIST
OU: 850
FIRM: IMPACT Engineering, Inc.
500 E. Biddle Street
Jackson, MI 49203
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Stephen Ivkovich
517-789-0098
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
"The integrity of welded joints is a primary
concern in the fabrication and repair of engineering structures.
Rising expectations of system safety and longevity can only be met
with improved production techniques ... Yet, recent improvements
in automated welding equipment have not been accompanied by a corresponding
increase in intelligent control systems." Weld quality monitoring
systems offer the opportunity to significantly improve the quality
of welding applications in the manufacturing industry, insuring
increasing process control and repeated quality in welded components.
Yet, two primary factors are limiting the acceptance of this technology:
ease of set-up for specific applications, and usefulness of system
information outputs. The technology developed in this Phase 1 and
follow-on Phase 2 will infuse simplicity, ease of set-up and automated
"expert system" diagnostics into weld monitoring systems, accelerating
the acceptance of this technology in the weelding industry. The
feasibility of this approach is demonstrated in three focused Phase
1 tasks: develop and demonstrate an effective framework and Human-Machine
Interface (HMI) for automated adaptive learning and system set-up;
develop and demonstrate an effective paradigm for advanced 'expert
system' and automated diagnostics techniques; and demonstrate a
factory-floor beta-test system as a foundation for Phase 2.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Weld monitoring and process control systems
in all segments of the welding industry. Suitable for robotic,fixed automation
and semi-automated applications.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.8T X-Ray Optics for Spectrometers
in X-Ray Microanalytical Systems
TITLE: Improve X-ray Microanalysis in
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Systems by Using Monolithic
Polycapillary X-ray Optics
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: X-Ray Optical Systems, Inc.
30 Corporate Circle
Albany, NY 12203-5719
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Ning Gao
518-464-3334
Award AMOUNT: $74,948.00
ABSTRACT:
This SBIR Phase 1 project will determine the feasibility
of greatly improving the spatial resolution and detection sensitivity
of the energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometer in environmental
scanning electron microscope (ESEM) systems by using monolithic
polycapillary x-ray optics. An inevitable consequence of the presence
of the gas in the sample chamber of an ESEM is the electron beam
broadening due to scattering in the gas. The severely degraded spatial
resolution has a large impact on x-ray microanalysis because the
fluorescent characteristic x rays from the material out of the region
of interest may overlap or interfere with the useful signals. We
propose using a monolithic polycapillary x-ray optic as a spatial-filter
to restrict the effective viewing area of the EDX spectrometer.
The optic can collect a large solid angle of x rays from a small
area (25-200 mm in diameter) at the center of the electron probe
on the specimen and redirect them to the spectrometer. The success
of the program will result in significantly improved x-ray detection
sensitivity and spatial resolution, which are vital for electron-probe
x-ray microanalysis in the ESEM. The proposing team, consisting
of the world leaders in polycapillary optics and experts in ESEM
and x-ray microanalysis, will ensure that the system will be rapidly
commercialized once successfully demonstrated.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The addition of a polycapillary optic
between the sample and the detector has commercial applications for a
focused beam analytical system applied to advanced microanalytical problems
including materials, semiconductor devices and environmental applications.
The immediate commercial application to be pursued by XOS and NORAN Instruments
(EDS supplier) is the addition of a polycapillary optic to the EDS detector
in ESEM and LVSEM systems.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed
Electronic Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.3T Infrastructure for Interoperable
MPI (IMPI) Parallel Algorithms
TITLE: Collective, Performance-Oriented
Algorithms for Interoperable MPI
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: MPI Software Technology, Inc.
101 S. Lafayette Street #33
Starkville, MS 39759-2946
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Rosen Dimitrov
662-320-4300
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
This Phase 1 SBIR Project will provide optimization
framework and technology for interoperable Message Passing Interface
Technology, and the underlying Message Passing Interface Standard.
This effort represents a challenge and opportunity. With the emergence
of cluster computing, there are many opportunities to connect diverse
parallel programming environments based on the MPI programming model;
currently interoperation is almost non-existent between such environments.
The IMPI standard by itself addresses basic interoperability, and
the results of this effort will drive performance of collective
communication higher, in order to promote wider use of interoperable
MPI for demanding performance situations. Interestingly, the practical
support for high performance interoperable MPI's, and collective
operations places important technical constraints on the underlying
MPI implementations, including the ability to handle multiple network
protocol stacks efficiently (called "devices" in MPI nomenclature).
Proposer's underlying technology is particularly suited to adaptation
to this task, more so than are public-domain implementations of
MPI.
This effort will lead to wider use of
interoperable parallel programming environments through the IMPI standard,
and will widen the space of potential applications of IMPI-oriented parallel
programming to additional commercially valuable applications, which need
support for such heterogeneity. Proposer will commercialize the technology
devised here through incorporation into MPI products.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Proposer already conducts its primary
business activities in the area of parallel processing message passing
software with Government, university and commercial clients in the United
States and overseas. The added capability of the IMPI-tuner described
in this proposal would provide competitive advantage for situations where
customers want to interoperate several parallel machines or clusters,
and demand high performance, which is becoming an increasingly high demand
for commercial and research uses of parallel clusters and parallel machines.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed
Electronic Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.6T Mathematics on the World
Wide Web
TITLE: Structural Analysis and Conversion
of Mathematical Expressions
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: MathSoft, Inc.
1700 Westlake Avenue N. Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98109-3044
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jisheng Liang
206-283-8802
Award AMOUNT: $74,998.00
ABSTRACT:
Scientific community is making increasing use of the
World Wide Web to exchange scientific documents and deliver scientific
reference data to the public. Much of this data has significant
mathematical content, such as limits, integrals, differential equations,
matrices, etc. Current technology for representing and displaying
such content in document format, such as HTML, PDF/Post Script,
and TeX/LaTeX, is both primitive and inefficient. New and emerging
standards, such as XML, MathML, and OpenMath, promise to greatly
improve this situation. Mathematical equations in electronic form
can be input to computer algebra tools, such as Mathcad, Matlab
and Mathematica, which can decode the equation and do the computation
automatically. The goal of this research is to develop stable and
robust production-quality tools to convert existing mathematical
content to new standards, and to correctly convert the resulting
mathematical expressions into the internal format of mathematical
computation systems. During the Phase 1, we will concentrate on
the structural analysis of math expressions and will implement a
tool to convert LaTeX encoded mathematical expressions to MathML/OpenMath.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The potential applications of the proposed
system include: exchange of scientific/mathematical documents on the Web;
cut and paste of equations in various formats to a computer algebra system,
such as Mathcad from MathSoft, and vise versa; conversion and interpretation
of a large collection of technical documents for the creation of a database;
and reading machine for the visually impaired.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed
Electronic Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.7T Application-Based Intrusion
Detection Techniques
TITLE: Using Cluster Analysis to Detect
Attacks Against Database Management Systems
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
1660 So. Amphlett Boulevard Suite 350
San Mateo, CA 94402
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Terrance Goan
206-545-1478
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
We propose an innovative machine learning approach to
detecting anomalous and intrusive Database Management System (DBMS)
usage. By drawing on our experience developing knowledge discovery
and intrusion detection systems, we have devised a unique clustering-based
approach to formulating data characterization models that can be
used as the basis for detecting the misuse of data resources. By
recognizing the deeper structure of monitored usage patterns and
databases, our CASAD (Clustering Activity Streams for Anomaly Detection)
system will be capable of accurately recognizing unique classes
of database transactions and user behavior. Our approach recognizes
the fact that identifying suspicious DBMS use will involve analyzing
high-dimensionality data that may include ordered sequences of operations
or data transformations. Further, unlike other clustering techniques,
our approach will allow 'seeding' with user provided knowledge (e.g.,
constraints on acceptable data transitions) and be capable of effectively
using feedback to improve its characterization of data and use patterns.
This capability will make CASAD uniquely competent in database anomaly
and misuse detection. The Phase 1 development of a proof-of-concept
prototype will demonstrate the feasibility of our approach.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Our approach to data characterization
and intrusion detection will be applicable across a very large spectrum
of database systems including those utilized by an ever-growing population
of electronic commerce companies.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed
Electronic Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.9T XML for Workflow Management
TITLE: A Tool Kit for Creating Web-based
Workflow Applications using XML and CORBA
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Dokken Software, Incorporated
100 North 27th Street Suite 250
Billings, MT 59101
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jason Dokken
406-256-8300
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
Today's workflow technology suffers from
a lack of software tools that facilitate application development and open
data exchange for businesses operating on the Web. We propose to address
those weaknesses by creating a tool kit for building Web-based workflow
applications. The
tool kit will employ the unique combination of XML (eXtensible Markup
Language) for data representation and CORBA (Common Object Request Broker
Architecture) for asynchronous, bi-directional communication between client
and server. By combining the strengths of XML and CORBA, the tool
kit will enable Web-based workflow applications that are superior to those
found today.
The objectives of this proposal include showing feasibility
of passing XML-based user interface constructs, data presentation
constructs, and data between client and server. The proof for this
work will be shown via an on-line demonstration where a remote user--using
only a browser--will complete a workflow process. Exploiting the
flexibility of the XML/CORBA combination will help Dokken Software
Incorporated (DSI) create a market-ready tool kit. The 1999 market
for Web-based workflow has been estimated at over $3 billion. DSI
plans to enter that market by building a software product line around
the tool kit following Phase 2 of this work.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Distributed banking, securities trading,
finance, engineering, manufacturing, health care, insurance, accounting,
and human services; also local, state, and federal government agencies.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.14 Measurement and Standards
for Composite Materials
SUBTOPIC: 8.14.1T Nondestructive Evaluation
of Microstructure in Graphite/Glass Hybrid Composites
TITLE: Nondestructive Evaluation of Microstructure
in Graphite/Glass Hybrid Composites
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: Texas Research Institute Austin,
Inc.
9063 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78733-6201
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Russell Austin
512-263-2101
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) composite
offer weight and corrosion advantages for civil applications when structural
needs can be met cost effectively. New "hybrid" FRP materials provide
large increases in mechanical properties with nominal cost increase by
placing a limited amount of high-strength, expensive graphite fibers in
highly stressed regions of otherwise glass fiber reinforced composites.
This benefit can only be realized by measuring the exact content, orientation,
and location of both types of fibers.
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods
are available for measuring fiber structure, as well as general flow detection.
However, these NDE techniques were developed for FRP materials with only
one type of fiber. Research has been done to apply these methods to hybrids,
but a direct comparison has never been conducted.
TRI/Austin will identify, and demonstrate
feasibility of, NDE methods best suited to evaluate microstructure in
hybrid composites. Tasks include a comprehensive information review; sample
collection from hybrid composite manufacturers' round-robin laboratory
testing by qualified NDE laboratories; and a non-biased evaluation of
all findings. TRI/Austin, the home of NTIAC, routinely performs these
types of projects.
Phase 1 lays the groundwork for developing testing procedures
and calibration samples, allowing manufacturers and end users to
confidently certify hybrid components.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Design, manufacture and in-serve inspection
of composite versions of: bridge members, pilings, fenders, offshore pipe
cradles, offshore oil platform secondary structural members, offshore
storm water drainage, petrochemical storage tanks, boat hulls, and vehicle
(railcar, bus, truck) bodies.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.16 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.16.1T Co-axial Atomic Force
Microscope Probes for Electrical Measurements
TITLE: Co-Axial AFM Probes for Near-Field
Microwave and Electrical Measurements
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Manufacturing Instrumentation Consultant
Company
2762 Berkshire Road
Cleveland Hts., OH 44106
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Natal Rodrigo
216-368-6431
Award AMOUNT: $74,610.90
ABSTRACT:
We propose to design and fabricate co-axial
electromagnetically shielded scanning microwave probes compatible with
atomic force microscopy with very sharp tips (<50 curvature, 10-15
m high) and suitable for near-field microwave scanning of materials in
the 1-20 GHz range. Our proposed co-axial probes have an outer metallic
ground layer for better shielding at high frequencies due to its smaller
skin depth. The inner probe tip consists of an oxidation sharpened silicon
tip with very high doping concentration for good conductivity. An oxide
layer is used as the insulator. The signal is connected to these tips
using a gold co-planar waveguide. Co-planar weveguides can be probed easily
and they also provide superior frequency characteristics and isolation
between parallel probes. MICC has extensive experience with near-field
microwave probes, high frequency instrumentation and measurements and
microfabrication techniques.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed scanning microwave probes
have many applications in the semiconductor industries as real-time in-situ
nondestructive measurement system for quality assessment and intelligent
manufacturing. The commercial market for the SMM as a manufacturing quality
assurance tool is around 1B/year in the US alone. It has many other applications
in bio and agricultural materials. MICC is working on all these other
applications as well.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.16 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.16.2T In-Situ, Closed Loop
Control of Semiconductor Epitaxial Deposition
TITLE: In-Situ X-ray Characterization
for Real-time Monitoring and Closed-Loop Control of the Epitaxy of III-V
Heterostructures
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Epitaxial Technologies, LLC
1450 South Rolling Road
Baltimore, MD 21227
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Olaleye Aina
410-455-5594
Award AMOUNT: $73,846.00
ABSTRACT:
Epitaxial Technologies proposes to develop
novel in-situ characterization tools and closed-loop control algorithms
that will enable precision MBE growth of advanced III-V materials. We
will achieve this objective through system reconfiguration and by devising
appropriate measurement metrologies to use in-situ x-ray characterization
to monitor layer thicknesses and compositions which can then be combined
algorithmically with other MBE system sensor data to achieve closed-loop
control.
The primary goal of this proposed Phase 1 effort
is to demonstrate the feasibility of these novel approaches by performing
a system reconfiguration study and by initiating preliminary in-situ
characterization investigations. In Phase 2, the MBE system reconfiguration
will be further refined, the in-situ x-ray characterization system
will be completed and incorporated into a new production MBE system
for complete validation. A concurrently developed in-situ x-ray
characterization tool will be delivered to NIST.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
This project will result in an in-situ
x-ray diffraction characterization system which can be attached to MBE
systems and used for in-situ growth condition monitoring and material
characterization. It will also enable high yield MBE wafer production
thus lowering the cost of epitaxial wafers and circuit chips fabricated
with them. The proposed in-situ x-ray characterization tool will also
be applicable in material deposition systems such as thermal and electron
beam evaporators, sputtering systems and vapor phase deposition systems.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.16 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.16.6T Measurement of Trace
Alpha Radiation in Polymenric Microchip Material
TITLE: Alpha Detector with Active Background
Suppression for Electronic Materials Characterization
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: X-ray Instrumentation Associates
8450 Central Avenue
Newark, CA 94560-3430
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. John Wahl
510-494-9020
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
As flip-chip bonding becomes the predominant standard
in the electronics industry, the increased proximity between dice
surfaces and packaging materials will require a significant reduction
in the latter's alpha particle activity in order to avoid soft errors.
emission rates approaching 0.0001 /cm2/hr are desirable,
which is well below the 0.0050 /cm2/hr capability of
today's best detectors. We propose to address this need by developing
an active background suppression scheme to dramatically improve
the performance of a gas-filled wire chamber. In this scheme we
will digitize signals from the detector and apply pulse shape analysis
to identify their point of origin within the detector and reject
those that do not come from the sample. In preliminary work, we
have already obtained 0.0200 /cm2/hr on a crude handbuilt
detector. In Phase 1 we propose to demonstrate the feasibility of
attaining 0.0001 /cm2/hr and, in Phase 2, to construct
a working commercial prototype.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The initial commercial application will
be a detector for screening polymeric and other packaging materials for
the electronics industry at 0.0001 /cm2/hr
activity levels. We will then work to replace the Si barrier detectors
used for environmental and health physics screening applications since
our background level will be over 100 smaller and our active area 100
or more times larger.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.16 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.16.10T High Speed/Low Power
Magnetic Field Sensing Devices
TITLE: High Speed/Low Power GMR/SDT Devices
for Magnetic Field Sensing
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: Nonvolatile Electronics, Inc.
11409 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3617
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dexin Wang
612-996-1608
Award AMOUNT: $74,893.00
ABSTRACT:
This SBIR Phase 1 program will demonstrate the
feasibility of fabricating high-speed/low power magnetic field sensing
devices by incorporating high-speed magnetic films into giant magnetoresistive
(GMR) structures. In the last decade, the speed of logic gates has
been driven into keep sub-nanosecond regime, yet the speed of magnetic
devices is still limited to nanoseconds under moderate fields. Although
higher speed magnetic switching can be achieved by higher magnetic
field, it takes inproportionally high power to do so for conventional
magnetic films used in all GMR and SDT structures. In contrast,
high-speed magnetic films require less power to switch at the same
fast speed in the GHz range. We propose to fabricate spin valve
bridge devices using high-speed magnetic films with our proprietary
push-and-pull approach, and make the bridges compatible with fast
electronics. The end devices will have state of the art static properties,
a switching speed higher than 1 GHz, and a reasonably low power
budget (<1 mW with 1 V supply). In the Phase 2, we will also
explore spin-dependent tunneling (SDT) devices, which have several
technological advantages compared with GMR, including a higher output
signal, lower power consumption and smaller size, and integrate
these devices with electronics.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There are several applications for this
research in high-speed magnetic field and current sensing devices, high-speed
isolators, fast magnetic random access memories (MRAM), magnetic reconfigurable
logic, and next generation read heads.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.18 Photonics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 8.18.2T Actively Quenched IR
Avalanche Photodiode
TITLE: Actively Quenched InGaAs:Si Fusion
Bonded APD
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Voxtel, Inc.
2604 SW Georgian Place
Portland, OR 97201
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: James Gates
503-224-8379
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
In this Phase 1 program, Voxtel proposes to demonstrate
the feasibility of manufacturing a large area, high speed, actively
quenched, NIR avalanche photodiode (APD) using the InGaAs: Si wafer
fusion. In the absence of an intermediate layer, fusion bonding
with elastic accommodation of the InGaAs: Si layers is accomplished
by removing the InP substrate layer before any high temperature
annealing.
Materials with high optical absorption
coefficients and high speed, low noise amplification characteristics are
required of large area, low dark current, fast, efficient APDs. In the
near infrared, InGaAs is an excellent choice for an absorber. Because
the electron ionization coefficient of silicon is 100 times larger than
the hole ionization coefficient, it is an ideal avalanche material. Wafer
fusion of the materials results in high gain bandwidth products by implementing
very thin bulk gain regions or through band structure engineering using
multiple quantum well gain regions.
The monolithic quenching circuit uses
a novel current amplifier scheme to tract and quench the APD avalanche
current and reset more quickly.
During the Phase 1 program, Voxtel will perform
Taguchi experiments to optimize the device design and processes.
An active quenching circuit will be designed, manufactured, and
tested and a monolithic device will be designed for the subsequent
Phase 2 program.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
New instruments for astrophysics, astronomy,
planetary exploration, earth observation, spectroscopy, telecommunications,
night vision, and biomedical applications in the NIR.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.19 Supporting Technologies for
Semiconductor Lithography
SUBTOPIC: 8.19.1T Detectors for Deep Ultraviolet
Excimer Laser Photolithography Dose Metrology
TITLE: Degradation Resistant and Incident
Angle Insensitive Pyroelectric Detectors for Deep Ultraviolet Dose Metrology
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Molectron Detector Inc.
7470 SW Bridgeport Road
Portland, OR 97224-7286
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. James Schloss
503-603-9749
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
The development of highly accurate dose
sensors for 157 nm photolithography is of critical importance for the
proper operation of F2
excimer laser stepper systems. Pyroelectric detectors best fit the
performance requiremnts for a 157 nm dose sensor. The technical challenges
for pyroelectric detectors applied to 157 nm photolithography are degradation
of the DUV absorbing layer and poor angular response. A novel ceramic
coating process which is compatible with pyroelectric detector processing
is proposed as a solution to the material degradation issue. This coating
procedure has a low capital investment and can produce a wide range of
ceramic materials. A second benefit of this ceramic coating is that its
inherent surface roughness leads to improved angular response.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Dose sensors for deep ultrviolet excimer
laser based stepper systems in photolithography.
Laser power and energy sensors for output
control and monitoring of deep ultraviolet laser systems.
Laser power and energy sensors for deep
ultraviolet laser micromachining systems.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.20 Integration of Manufacturing
Applications
SUBTOPIC: 8.20.3T Ontological Engineering
Applied to Manufacturing System Integration Research
TITLE: Broadening Effective Participation
in Distributed Collaborative Ontology Development
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Stottler Henke Associates, Inc.
1660 So. Amphlett Boulevard Suite 350
San Mateo, CA 94402
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Eric Domeshek
650-655-7242
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
As ever more of industry and commerce
moves onto electronic networks, there is a growing appreciation for the
usefulness of expressive general models of enterprise activities, such
as design and manufacturing. Ontologies - as developed in the Artificial
Intelligence (AI) Knowledge Representation and Sharing communities - are
commitments to formal declarative multi-purpose representation with clear
semantics that can serve as a solid foundation for such models. While
there has been much work on representation languages, and on tools for
creating, browsing, editing, and translating expressions in such languages,
there has been relatively little attention to supporting the larger process
of figuring out what ought to be encoded in an ontology. Existing tools,
while built on aspects of Web infrastructure and offering some support
for collaborative teams, by and large seem to assume that all team members
will be AI experts and that all work will focus on the formal expressions
that make up the final ontology. Within the scope of this project, we
propose to develop an initial prototype of a Domain Expert Collaborative
Ontology Development Environment (DECODE) that ensures those who best
understand the domain, but least understand the technology of ontology,
can make necessary contributions to the development process.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
By enabling effective participation in
the ontology development process by those who actually understand the
target domain and will use the ontology, this technology will lower the
cost and increase the quality of ontologies developed to integrate functions
in a particular organization.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.3T Linear Magneto-Resistive
Array for Imaging Data Storage Media
TITLE: High-Resolution GMR Sensor Array
for Imaging Data Storage Media
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Nonvolatile Electronics, Inc.
11409 Valley View Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3617
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Carl Smith
612-892-9217
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase
1I project will develop and demonstrate the sensor technology and
electronics of a high-resolution GMR sensor array for imaging data
storage media. The technical objectives include a sub array of 8
or 16 sensors which will resolve data on magnetic media with 5 m
by 5 m resolution and a sample data rate of 16 kHz per sensor. The
design work will include studying the feasibility of a full-scale
560 sensor array with the same resolution over a 2.8 mm width and
with on-chip integrated electronics. A full-scale integrated GMR
sensor array for imaging data storage media will be the objective
of a Phase 2 extension.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The anticipated results of a successful Phase
1 and Phase 2 project will be a working, high-resolution integrated
prototype sensor with 5 m by 5 m resolution and a 2.8 mm working
width. This device could be directly taken in to production and
marketed to the data recording industry. In addition, the integrated
sensor array technology developed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects
could be applied on a larger scale with lower resolution to a number
of other markets including currency validation, nondestructive evaluation,
biosensors, and magnetic domain imaging.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.8T Fast-Scanning FTIR Spectrometer
for Measurements in Spray Flames
TITLE: A Fast-Scanning FT-IR Emission/Transmission
Spectrometer for Spray Combustion Diagnostics
NIST OU: 810
FIRM: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
87 Church Street
East Hartford, CT 06108-3742
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. David Marran
860-528-9806
Award AMOUNT: $74,906.00
ABSTRACT:
Advanced, non-intrusive combustion diagnostics
for multiple gas species concentrations and temperature, soot volume fraction
and temperature, as well as droplet characteristics (both size and number
density) are needed to enhance our understanding of spray combustion systems.
Although many of these combustion related properties can be measured using
separate, specialized diagnostics, a single, simple to use method capable
of measuring many of these parameters is desired. Fourier Transform Infrared
Emission/Transmission (FT-IR E/T) Spectroscopy has been demonstrated to
be a valuable and extremely versatile diagnostic capable of performing
these measurements, but traditional FT-IR spectrometers are highly susceptible
to temporal fluctuations in the measurement volume. These fluctuations,
which can be caused by particle transit, turbulence, or other combustion
instabilities, introduce significant noise into the measured spectrum,
especially in the low wavenumber end. These effects are most problematic
in spray combustion, where particle transit noise seriously degrades the
signal-to-noise of the measured spectra. In order to minimize the effect
of temporal fluctuations on the measured spectrum, a high speed FT-IR
E/T spectrometer needs to be developed. This spectrometer will be combined
with a novel Hadamard tomography scheme developed to provide spatially
resolved information on gases, droplets, particles and soot in multiphase
combustion systems.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The instrument to be developed through Phase 2
will have wide applicability as a research and development tool
in many areas of combustion. The Phase 2 prototype product will
be delivered and installed at the NIST spray combustion facility
in Maryland. This first Government delivery will lead to a point
of reference for other Government facilities and universities concerned
with gas combustion and spray combustion diagnostics. Both the turbine
engine industry and boiler industry are based on spray combustion.
Considerable industry work is focused on spray nozzle/combustor
design to minimize combustion instabilities and maximize efficiencies.
The combustion industry would benefit from a diagnostic tool to
expedite combustor development and the product of this DoC project
will fill an important role in the industry. Another niche area,
which is growing in importance, is the use of combustion processes
to produce fine particles, such as the combustion of silica to product
SiO2, and the combustion of TiC14 to produce TiO2. These are both
large volume commodity chemicals. Minor improvements in process
efficiency and quality can result in substantial manufacturing savings,
thus making advanced diagnostics cost effective tools.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.10T Synthesis and Characterization
of Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Standards for Fluorescence Intensity in
Medical Devices and Medical Diagnostics
TITLE: Rational Design of Ligands for
Stable, Biologically Accessible and Highly Luminescent Semiconductor Nanocrystals
NIST OU: 830
FIRM: NanoSonic, Inc.
P.O. Box 618
Christiansburg, VA 24068
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Yongqiang
Wang
540-953-1785
Award AMOUNT: $74,999.00
ABSTRACT:
This program aims to solve the linking chemistry problem
of highly luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals used for medical
devices and medical diagnostics. NanoSonic's proposed strategy is,
by the polymerization of surface-capping ligands, to convert an
inorganic nanocrystal to a chemical entity acting like a spherical
organic or biological macromolecule. This will enable the enormous
amount of existing knowledge about linking chemistry for organic
and biological macromolecules to be readily applied to the linkage
of these types of semiconductor nanocrystals and biological targets.
Additionally, the polymerization of the surface ligands enhances
the stability of the semiconductor nanocrystals to the level of
an ordinary organic macromolecule. We will rationally
design and synthesize a series of organic ligands with the polymerizable
group in the middle of the two polar terminal groups. One of the
terminal groups will bind readily to the surface of highly luminescence
semiconductor nanocrystals. The other terminal group of the ligand
will make the nanocrystals soluble in water and provide the linking
site for the biological targets. The ultimate goal of the Phase
1 program is to discover one or two ligands that meet the desired
properties of the nanocrystal-ligand combination for the biological
analysis applications described in the proposal.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Fluorescence-based analytical techniques have
wide applications in biology, chemistry and physics. Once the core
technical problems of semiconductor nanocrystals as fluorophores
are solved in Phase 1, the large-scale synthesis of these commercially
important nanocrystals will be quickly developed in Phase 2.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.11T The Development of
Critical Renewable Validation Materials for Molecular Diagnosis
TITLE: Controls for Cystic Fibrosis Mutation
Detection Assays
NIST OU: 830
FIRM: Maine Molecular Quality Controls,
Inc.
125 John Roberts Road
South Portland, ME 04106
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Clark Rundell
207-842-7916
Award AMOUNT: $75,000.00
ABSTRACT:
The rapid rate at which disease-causing genes
are being discovered has elicited an explosion of genetic diagnostic
technologies. Because development of molecular validation materials
has not kept pace, available controls, chiefly patient-based materials,
often do not represent the variety of mutations being detected.
We propose to engineer a synthetic construct that will serve as
a model for reference material useful for quality assurance of multiple
detection assays. In Phase 1 we will ligate two exons of the cystic
fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and subsequently
introduce the most prevalent cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation, deltaF508.
In a similar construct, we will introduce the deltaI507 mutation,
sometimes misidentified as deltaF508 in current assays. Successful
constructs will demonstrate a ligation scheme that facilitates removal
of any exon so that it may be mutated and then re-ligated. In Phase
2 we will produce constructs comprised of all 27 exons of the CFTR
gene, including intronic borders. Using our cassette design, a variety
of mutations will be introduced to produce a series of controls
appropriate for current CF testing menus. Our project will play
a key role in establishing a system to provide quality assurance
material for genetic diagnostic tests.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Controls for most genetic diagnostic tests,
particularly those used to detect multiple mutations, are currently unavailable.
Clinical laboratories require controls for every patient-testing event
and researchers need reference materials to validate their results. Manufacturers
require reference materials as they develop new technologies, as do regulatory
agencies responsible for ensuring accurate patient test results. The proposed
system of synthetic constructs will make available cost effective materials
for use as controls in cystic fibrosis mutation detection.
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.13T Development of a "Turn-Key",
Broadly Tunable Source for Terahertz Spectroscopy Applications
TITLE: Turn-Key, Broadly Tunable, THz
Source
NIST OU: 840
FIRM: DeMaria ElectroOptics Systems, Inc.
1280 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002-1301
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Eric Mueller
860-243-9557
Award AMOUNT: $74,963.32
ABSTRACT:
A turn-key, broadly tunable, THz source
is proposed here. This source utilizes DEOS's high-reliability THz space
laser technology combined with an ultra-high frequency Scotch diode and
millimeter-wave source, to yield a reliable, tunable, THz source. The
applications for such a source are numerous and include: characterization
of semiconductor materials and devices, characterization of composites,
characterization of plastics, monitoring of plastics curing, remote sensing,
and trace chemical detection. The development of this technology will
complement DEOS's existing THz laser products, placing DEOS in a unique
competitive position.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Characterization of semiconductors and
semiconductor Devices
Characterization of composiste
Characterization of plastics
Monitoring of plastics curing
Remote sensing
Trace chemical detection
FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.18T Modeling of Optical
Radiometric Calibration System
TITLE: Internet-accessed Calibration System
Analysis Toolkit
NIST OU: 840
FIRM: Frontier Technology, Inc.
6785 Hollister Avenue
Goleta, CA 93117
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Thomas Murdock
978-927-4774
Award AMOUNT: $74,994.00
ABSTRACT:
This proposal addresses the need for radiometric
calibration system modeling tools that are approved and certified by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). FTI offers to create
for NIST an Internet-accesses Calibration System design and performance
Analysis Toolkit (CSAT). A NIST-approved Internet accessible modeling
tool which incorporates NIST-traceability standards and NIST recommended
practices would have a great potential to facilitate traceability of the
calibration to the International System of Units and allow cross-calibration
among different sensors that are used in community-wide or shared scientific
analysis. The scope of the proposed effort is to incorporate NIST-traceable
source and NIST-certifiable optical system level models and performance
modeling tools into an expert system that will be accessed and executed
by users over the Internet from the Internet Browser on their computer.
Our innovative web-enabled approach will allow the users to access these
codes for a reasonable cost. Small-company type users might not otherwise
be able to have the advantage of such computational power because of cost
or hardware limitations.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
A major goal of the Phase 1 effort is an initial identification
of potential commercialization opportunities, including both governmental
and non-governmental end-user customers. It is envisioned that ground
based and on-orbit remote sensing applications would benefit with
the use of this modeling tool. It is envisioned that agricultural,
environmental, industrial, law enforcement and military applications
wold be enhanced by the use of such a tool. FY 2000 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.21 General
SUBTOPIC: 8.21.22T Ultra High Efficiency
Solid State Soft X-Ray Detectors for Low Z Fluorescence
TITLE: X-Ray Detectors for Low -Z Fluorescence
Measurements
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: Physical Sciences, Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Willi Schwarz
703-941-0495
Award AMOUNT: $74,934.00
ABSTRACT:
The goal of the proposed program is to
develop detectors for X-ray fluorescence that have enhanced efficiency
and energy resolution for low energy (1 keV) X-rays. The better performance
will be achieved through (1) determination of a process to reduce the
"dead layer" in the crystal that, in existing detectors, limits the penetration
of low energy X-rays into the active semiconductor material, and (2) realization
of a process for depositing the window isolating the detector from the
environment directly on the crystal. Both Si(Li) and high purity germanium
(HPGe) detectors will be addressed. As part of the program, models for
quantifying dead layers depths in and for predicting the spectrum
characteristics of HPGe and Si(Li) X-ray detectors will be developed and
used for detector optimization. The final goal of the program is a detector
with an Incomplete
Charge Collection
(ICC) ratio of less than 0.6%.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
(1) applications utilizing energy dispersive
X-ray micro analysis with scanning and transmission electron microscopes,
(2) industrial applications using X-ray tube fluorescence, (e.g.,quality
control of semiconductor wafer fabrication), and (3) fundamental materials
research by fluorescing samples from a monochromatic synchrotron beam.
FY 2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Adaptive Learning Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.6.1T
TITLE: Adaptive Learning in Web-Based
Instructional Systems
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Intelligent Systems Technology,
Inc.
2800 28th Street Suite 306
Santa Monica, CA 90405
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Azad Madni
310-581-5440
AMOUNT: $299,877.91
ABSTRACT:
The overall objective of this SBIR effort is to
design, develop, demonstrate, and commercialize a prototype web-based
adaptive instructional system. In Phase 1I, we created the system
concept and technical architecture for this system and review candidate
applications to demonstrate the technology. The key innovations
that resulted from the Phase 1 R&D are: (a) a scaleable, customizable,
adaptive instruction framework integrated with knowledge management
facilities for knowledge sharing and reuse; (b) a formal learning-instruction
ontology that supports the extensibility and customizability of
the instructional system; and (c) prototype GUI screens for template-based
course authoring and personalized, web-based training. Phase 2I
will implement and demonstrate the overall capability of the concept
prototype on an application of interest to NIST and the commercial
sector.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Commercial applications of this research
include: web-based, 7x24 learning in: (a) preparing for packaged application
installation (e.g., ERP, CRM); (b) reinventing processes to Internet-enable
an organization; (c) methods for accelerating clinical trials in genome
research; and (d) planning new corporate initiatives such as business
expansion, ISO certification planning and support, and obtaining FDA product
approval.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Advanced Building Materials and
Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.7.5T
TITLE: High Temperature Thermal Conductivity
Apparatus
NIST OU: 860
FIRM: MetSys Corporation
P.O. Box 317 2014 Millwood Road
Millwood, VA 22646
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Daniel Flynn
540-837-2186
AMOUNT: $300,000.00
ABSTRACT:
It is proposed to develop an advanced-design guarded
hot plate apparatus that will define the new state of the art for
measuring the thermal conductivity of thermal insulation materials
over the temperature range from 90 to 900 K. The initial apparatus
to be developed under this Phase 2 project, to be used by NIST,
will have the capability to carry out measurements under controlled
environments of air, a selected gas, or vacuum. The specific technical
objectives of the Phase 2 development effort include: establish
a task completion schedule; develop additional numerical models
of the thermal performance of various components of the apparatus;
carry out further reviews of material property data and fabrication
techniques; analyze alternative approaches to the most crucial design
features of the apparatus; develop a detailed design of the complete
apparatus; prepare a set of recommendations for the measurement
and control instrumentation; develop software and analysis procedures
for operation of the plate apparatus and estimation of measurement
uncertainties; oversee the fabrication of the guarded hot plate
apparatus; prepare a detailed plan for initial testing and performance
verification of the completed apparatus, including determination
of measurement uncertainties, and oversee that testing and performance
verification; write papers describing the work done during this
project; develop one or more designs for commercial versions of
the new NIST guarded hot plate apparatus and seek non-government
funding or collaborations with other companies in order to enable
commercial development and rapid entry into the marketplace; and
prepare a final report documenting the Phase 2 developments in detail.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
It has been estimated that over 1.4 quadrillion
Btu's could be saved each year if industry installed economically optimal
insulation. The guarded hot plate apparatus to be developed for NIST under
this project will provide the U.S. with an unparalleled capability to
provide accurate thermal conductivity data, either for future reference
materials or for critical thermal insulations, to manufacturers and users
of industrial thermal insulations for a wide variety of applications,
thus allowing selection and installation of greatly improved insulation
systems.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.7T
TITLE: Optical Coherence Tomography Based
Fiber Optic Sensor for Monitoring and Control of Composites Processing
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: Optiphase, Inc.
7652 Haskell Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jeff Bush
818-782-0997
AMOUNT: $298,977.00
ABSTRACT:
An optical coherence tomograph (OCT) based
fiber optic sensor can provide non-invasive, high resolution, monitoring
for control of composites processing in commercial manufacturing. OCT
is a non-contact optical technique for imaging in scattering media such
as glass reinforced composites. With <30 micron resolution achieved
by OCT, microstructure and defects such as: fiber wetting, void structure,
fiber orientation, fiber waviness, cracks and delaminations of composites
can be determined. To commercialize this technology, a compact, robust,
portable, and inexpensive OCT system must be designed and built which
is insensitive to birefrigence artifacts observed in typical OCT systems.
Optiphase, Inc. proposes to develop an innovative, all fiber optics OCT
system utilizing a unique piezoelectric fiber optic modulator and a polarization
sensitive design. Polarization sensitivity eliminates birefringence shadowing
and artifacts and provides material strain information. The all fiber
optic design provides compactness, ruggedness, portability and cost savings
over bulk optic or hybrid systems. The project objectives are to design,
test, and build a prototype all fiber optic OCT system and then use this
system for monitoring composite processing in an industrial setting.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The ruggedness, compactness, low cost,
and non-invasive nature of an all fiber optic OCT system make this sensor
applicable to monitoring, control, and automation of manufacturing processes
and health monitoring of composites. In particular, an all fiber optic
OCT sensor will be instrumental in monitoring microstructures during mold
filling, predicting permeability for modeling of Liquid Composite Molding
(LCM), and detecting damage such as cracks and delaminations of parts
in the field. All these applications are especially pertinent to the automotive
and marine composite industries. Additional commercial applications exist
in the medical field as a diagnostic tool for imaging of biological tissue
such as the human retina, skin, blood vessels, and tooth and gums. Optiphase,
Inc. has already placed over 30 all fiber optic OCT modules with researchers
at various companies and institutions pursuing OCT applications. These
applications include: imaging of tooth enamel for detection of carries,
imaging of oral gum lines to measure the severity of gingivitis, material
property measurements of paints and pharmaceutical coatings and thickness
measurement of thin films in production environments.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Infrastructure for Distributed
Electronic Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.5T
TITLE: Conversational 3-D Character On-line
Agents
NIST OU: 890
FIRM: Seamless Solutions, Inc.
3504 Lake Lynda Drive Suite 390
Orlando, FL 32817
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Edward Sims
407-737-7309
AMOUNT: $300,000.00
ABSTRACT:
The increasing use of the Internet for
commerce poses challenges for communicating information about product
features, support, and operation. Studies have shown that face-to-face
demonstration of products can provide far more information than the text
and still images typically found on web sites today. However, bandwidth
requirements and support costs limit the effectiveness of live video as
a solution.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase 2 project
will develop a fully functional prototype of an Internet-based 3D
Virtual Human Agent capable of real-time, natural language interaction
that can demonstrate the features, operation, and support of new
products. This project will be: (1) developed to operate on low-cost
PC hardware; (2) demonstrated in a standard Internet browser environment,
using World Wide Web standards; and (3) fully consistent with the
standards being developed by the Humanoid Animation )H-ANIM) working
group of the Web3D Consortium. We will integrate this Virtual Human
Agent with a leading commercial Internet Agent or "bot" technology
and demonstrate the effectiveness of this solution in a commercial
product support application.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
A communicating 3D Virtual Human Agent,
that performs tasks in response to natural language commands, can enable
new modes of communicating product information and customer support over
the Internet. When linked with real-time education, training, and entertainment
software, the same NLP/VH Agent can provide an immediacy and flexibility
of interaction not available with "point and click" or joystick type applications.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.1T
TITLE: Nanometer-scale Semiconductor Analysis
with Tunable Microwave Microscopy and Spectroscopy
NIST OU: 830
FIRM: Atolytics, Inc.
545 Orlando Avenue
State College, PA 16803-3479
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gregory McCarty
814-863-8220
AMOUNT: $300,000.00
ABSTRACT:
We will apply and continue to develop tunable
microwave frequency scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy
for 2-D and 3-D dopant profiling of semiconductors. In Phase 2,
we will use existing state-of-the art instrumentation at Penn State.
We will demonstrate and optimize the resolution of the ACSTM by
using NIST/Sematech standard samples. In Phase 1I, we showed that
we are indeed sensitive to dopant density and identity, and have
high resolution on these samples. We will fill an important gap
in the international Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors in profiling
dopants where today there is no known solution. Our tunable microwave
frequency scanning tunneling microscopes are extremely versatile
in terms of measuring linear and nonlinear, scalar and vector, and
transmitted and reflected signals over a wide range of biases and
frequencies (0-20 GHz). In Phase 2, we will further determine which
measurements are information-rich in terms of dopant profiling and
then will show how to generate images of dopant profiles on this
basis. We will continue to participate in the industry-wide Working
Group on this problem, so that our advances can quickly be included
in the strategic planning of the semiconductor industry's march
to ever smaller features.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The relevant commercial applications for
the work described in this proposal are to image the dopant profiles in
semiconductor devices. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors
points out there are no known solutions for measuring dopant profiles
with the resolution required even for current devices! The dopant profiles
determine the device function (or malfunction), and we are creating an
analytical tool to meet this need.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.10T
TITLE: Innovative Manufacturing Methods
for Diamond Indenters
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Gilmore Diamond Tools, Inc.
43 Roger Williams Avenue
East Providence, RI 02916
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Michael Mihalec
401-438-0717
AMOUNT: $297,000.00
ABSTRACT:
There is a universal need with the Rockwell hardness
testing community for NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRM) grade
Rockwell diamond indenters. There is primarily one significant difference
between these diamond indenters and the standard working grade indenter.
SRM grade indenters have tighter tolerances on the geometric parameters
than the working grade. Now with the increased precision available
in measurement equipment today, those tighter tolerances become
measurable. That is essentially the problem and the opportunity.
The days of holding the profile up on a 200X optical comparator
to visually check whether the radius follows the curve are over.
Characterizing the microform on the tip of a Rockwell diamond indenter
requires specialized measurement systems. Creating the microform
to comply with the stringent tolerances for SRM grade indenters
requires equally new manufacturing techniques. In continuation of
our Phase 1 work we propose to develop new manufacturing techniques
capable of generating the tighter Rockwell microform on a substantially
more consistent basis. We intend to further our investigation into
advanced grinding systems. We will also continue pursuit of consistency
by varying the wheel grit size, RPM, and spindle speed while maintaining
the "one spindle" approach for grind, policy and radius.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The potential commercial applications
of the research results are very promising. NIST is seriously interested
in securing a consistent source for Rockwell diamond indenters, which
meet the stringent geometrical and performance requirements necessary
for the National Standard. NIST needs to be able to provide Standard Reference
Materials (SRM) diamond indenters to industry. There is a substantial
global market as well. The NIST parameters adhere to ISO specifications
and to most (if not all) of the standardizing agencies worldwide. These
organizations also desire indenters compliant with the specifications.
Beyond the standardizing agencies, industry all over the world is in need
of these tools. In an economically global marketplace where all the requirements
are becoming universal, the aim of business is to be ISO, NIST, NAMAS,
etc. compliant. The traceability provided by these indenters brings everyone
a step closer to this goal.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Microfabrication and Micromachining
SUBTOPIC: 8.18.5T
TITLE: High Resolution, 3-D, Digital Image
Calibration System for Brachytherapy Sources
NIST OU: 840
FIRM: Industrial Quality Inc.
640 E. Diamond Avenue Suite C
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-5323
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Harold Berger
301-948-2460
AMOUNT: $300,000.00
ABSTRACT:
A novel radiation imaging system is proposed for
use in mapping the three-dimensional radiation intensity emitted
from relatively low activity brachytherapy sources. A scintillator-CCD
camera system will display high contrast and high spatial resolution
images that provide a full three-dimensional map of the photon or
particle radiation emitted from the radioactive source. Camera results
are presented in seconds and analysis software will permit straight-forward
determination of source radiation emission uniformity in both radial
and axial directions. The camera system has shown the potential
for spatial resolution within the desired 0.1 mm limit. The developed
scintillator-camera system will permit measurements to be made in
an efficient manner, in an operational mode much simpler to use
as compared to measurement/calibration instruments presently available.
Two scintillator-camera configurations are proposed for evaluation
in this Phase 2 project. The most promising approach will be further
developed as a prototype camera instrument for evaluation as a source
measurement and calibration system. The proposed Phase 2 team includes
expertise in radiation dosimetry and calibration and radiation imaging.
Camera system measurements will be compared to those of a similar
source calibrated by conventional methods, thereby providing the
means to relate the camera system measurements to radiation dose.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Advantages include rapid and complete
response and detailed information about radiation emitted from specific
surfaces of the source. Markets foreseen for an easy-to-use camera system
that can provide radiation emission data from radioactive sources in both
the radial and axial directions include manufacturers of radioactive sources,
organizations that offer source calibration services and, particularly,
radiation oncology centers that are the primary users of brachytherapy
sources. Considering only the oncology market, the 2,500 or more U.S.
and foreign oncology centers represent a potential $100 million market
for this new instrument.
FY2000 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: Photonics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 8.20.6T
TITLE: Nano-Ceramic Tools for Precision
Machining
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Nanopac Technologies
35 Hutchinson Road
Allentown, NJ 08501
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. James Colaizzi
609-758-5200
AMOUNT: $300,000.00
ABSTRACT:
This project merges two breakthroughs
in nanomaterials research to produce a new generation of materials of
single phase and composite materials with an extraordinarily fine scale
and uniform structure for use in high performance cutting tools. By combining
Rapid Solidification Processing of metastable ceramic powders and Transformation
Assisted Consolidation (TAC) of compacts, we are able for the first time
to produce bulk samples that have high density while still retaining the
nanoscale grain size.
For single phase ceramics, we are able
to produce sintered structures with grain sizes smaller than 20nm at 99+%
of theoretical density. Our previous research into these materials has
shown that such nano-ceramics have extraordinarily high wear resistance,
low friction, and high strength.
In case of ceramic composites, we were
able to produce a homogeneous distribution of two or more ceramic phases,
each of which retards the grain coarsening of the other and provides mechanical
reinforcement. The result is a material with a grain size 10nm and that
combines the advantages of composite structures with those of nanomaterials.
Our goal in this project is to extend
the technologies developed to data to produce ceramic nano-nanocomposites
in which all the phases are nanoscale and are suitable for high performance
cutting tools. These components will have properties such as toughness
and wear resistance that are superior to conventional ceramics and composites
whose grain sizes have m dimensions.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Ceramic nano-nano-composites have wide
applicability where high strength, high toughness, excellent wear resistance
and high temperature capability are needed. This includes cutting tools,
engine components, and heat resistant materials such as brake, valve seats,
cylinder liners and so forth.
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