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INTRODUCTION
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FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.01 Advanced Biological and Chemical
Sensing Technologies
SUBTOPIC: 7.01.02 Laser Based Traced Gas Monitor
TITLE: Quantum Cascade Laser Monitor for N0,
N02 and 03
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Aerodyne Research, Inc.
45 Manning Road
Billerica, MA 01821
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: David Nelson
Phone#: (978) 663-9500 x231
Fax#: (978) 663-4918
AWARD AMOUNT: $ 75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
This project will develop a high accuracy monitor
for the photo-chemically coupled pollutants nitric oxide, nitrogen
dioxide and ozone using infrared absorption spectroscopy with quantum
cascade (QC) lasers. The target molecules are monitored at air quality
stations worldwide using instruments, which require frequent calibration
and are not sufficiently specific (in the case of NO2). This QC
monitor will initially provide a portable measurement standard to
calibrate the existing network and will eventually replace existing
instruments. QC lasers are spectroscopically stable and can be operated
near room temperature when in pulsed mode. This allows the design
of compact, rugged, monitors which are also highly accurate. The
main Phase 1 research objective is to demonstrate the required measurement
stability (one part per thousand). This stability will be converted
to accuracy in Phase 2 using the ozone ultraviolet absorption standard
and chemical titration to transfer this standard to NO and NO2.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There are several large markets, which will be serviced
by the instrument resulting from this research. These include 1)
the market to calibrate or replace the existing instruments deployed
worldwide to monitor NO, NO2 and O3, 2) the research market attempting
to quantify the sources and sinks of these species and their ambient
concentrations, 3) the market for trading credits for pollutant
emission reductions which requires quantitative documentation of
these reductions, and 4) various research markets needing to quantify
NOx or ozone concentrations or emissions in both laboratory and
field settings.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.05 Condition-Base Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 7.05.02 Development of a MEMS Viscosity
Meter for Refrigerant/Lubricant Systems
TITLE: Robust MEMS Viscosity Meter
for Condition-based Maintenance
NIST OU: 860 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
FIRM: Boston Microsystems, Inc.
30-H Sixth Road
Woburn, MA 01801-1758
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jeffrey Chan
Phone#:(781) 933-5100
Fax#: (781) 933-5885
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The use of real time, in situ measurements of lubricant/refrigerant
viscosity can reduce maintenance costs and system downtime and improve
system longevity, by allowing maintenance personnel to determine
identify and correct mechanical problems, before they cause more
serious problems. With the advent of MicroElectroMechanical Systems
(MEMS), the opportunity exists to develop small and inexpensive
devices to measure the fluid viscosity real time and in situ. However,
the temperatures, pressures, and corrosive environments inside typical
refrigerant compressors exceed the capabilities of materials typically
used to manufacture MEMS devices. Boston MicroSystems' proprietary
technologies for micromachining harsh environment compatible SiC
and AlN materials enable, for the first time, fabrication of small,
inexpensive and robust MEMS-based fluid viscosity sensors for non-intrusive
health monitoring and condition based maintenance of refrigeration
systems, engines, and other machinery. In Phase 1, Boston MicroSystems
will leverage from work on previous and ongoing FAA, ATF and NSF
programs to test three already developed devices, microresonators,
SAWs and FPWs, for their applicability as in situ fluid viscosity
sensors for condition based maintenance of compressors in refrigerant
systems.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Condition-based maintenance and health monitoring
of refrigerant compressors, engines, and other machinery, and fluid
viscosity sensors for industrial process control and quality control.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD
WINNER
TOPIC: 7.09 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 7.09.04 Optical Sensing and Control
of Polymer Processing
TITLE: Optical Sensing and Control of Polymer
Processing
NIST OU: 850 Material Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: Chemical ElectroPhysics Co. Inc.
705 Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, DE 19707-9279
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Michael McBrearty
Phone#:(302) 234-8206
Fax#: (302) 239-4677
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,278.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
A NIST/industry consortium identified accurate temperature
distribution measurements, as one of the major technical needs of
polymer processors. NIST developed a way to make spatially resolved
temperature measurements. Add a small amount of dye. During processing,
focus UV illumination onto a small volume element of the process
material. Use the ratio of the resulting fluorescent intensities
at two wavelengths to determine the temperature. Move the focal
point up and down to construct temperature profiles. The proposed
Phase 1 would evaluate the feasibility of this technology for meeting
the stated need. We would build a prototype with improved spatial
resolution, motorized positioning and a spectrometer rather than
filters for detection. Results would include the prototype, a characterization
of its performance, range of operation and the influence of process
and material conditions, and a comparison with the needs of industry.
A negative outcome in Phase 1 would imply that some fundamental
limitation exists. A positive outcome would imply that the technology
can probably meet industry's needs.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed Phase 1 project is intended to determine whether the
confocal fluorescent optical technique can accurately, non-invasively
measure temperature profiles in flowing polymer melts at a level
of performance that would make it useful for polymer processors.
At the completion in 2003 of the proposed Phase
1 project, we anticipate the following results:
1. A working prototype of an optimized confocal
fluorescent temperature measurement system.
2. A characterization of it performance in terms
of its precision, accuracy, range of operation and calibration
range. This characterization would include both the high and low
temperature dyes and a variety of resins over their standard temperature
ranges.
3. Measurements of the sizes of the pressure and
possible molecular weight influences, with estimates of the ranges
beyond which independent pressure and/or viscosity measurements
would be needed for compensation.
4. A comparison of the optimized system's performance
with the industry's needs.
5. A written evaluation of the performance and
range of the instrument and its calibrations.
The total cost for Phase 1 would be $75,000.
If, contrary to our expectation, the project reveals
some fundamental limitation on the usefulness of the technology
we would not recommend further effort on it. If, on the other hand,
the project outcome were favorable, the implications would be that
there are probably not any fundamental problems; the technology
works and a Phase 2 project would be recommended.
Assuming favorable results from Phase 1, the objectives
of a future Phase 2 project in 2003 - 2004 would be to:
1. Incorporate improvements and build an actual
commercial style temperature sensor that is sufficiently rugged,
accurate and economical to be commercially useful for the polymer
processing industry.
2. More fully characterize the range of applicability
of the technology. Characterize the pressure and temperature withstanding
ability of the apparatus. Determine the range of materials with
which the system will work, including an assessment of how much
non-transparency it can tolerate. Determine the maximum practical
measurement temperature. Characterize the pressure and temperature
withstanding ability of the apparatus.
3. Evaluate the time response of the confocal
fluorescent temperature measurements. There is reason to think
these measurements would be fast enough to follow the transient
temperature disturbances associated with the passing of screw
flights and squeezing flow viscometer cams, and the flow of material
into injection molding machines.
4. Explore the relationships between micro-viscosities
perceived through fluorescence and electrical properties. The
theoretical models for fluorescence spectra involve the viscosity
in the microscopic neighborhood of the fluorescent molecule. This
microviscosity similarly governs the electrical conductivity of
polymer resins. Probing the same fundamental quantity using two
independent measuring techniques could prove to be very revealing.
5. Determine whether the device could be produced
at a reasonable cost.
6. Determine how well it performs over extended
periods of time.
A negative outcome in Stage 2 would suggest that
the technology's usefulness to the polymer processing industry is
primarily for research and troubleshooting. A positive outcome would
imply that the technology has potentially more broad application
in routine production where it would bring substantial commercial
value. Total costs for Phase 2 would not exceed $750,000.
Assuming favorable results from Phase 2, the objectives of a Phase
3 project starting in 2004 (funded by CEP, approximately $200,000)
would be to develop demonstrated, successful commercial applications,
manufacturing tooling, and procedures for producing and using the
instruments. This Phase would also include market research to help
identify the most promising applications for the technology.
Following a successful Phase 3, CEP would market,
sell, produce and support the instruments for existing and new customers
in the polymers industry. The first commercial sale would be in
about year 2005.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.08 Information Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.08.01 Mobile Code for Mobile Devices
TITLE: Machine-learning Based Detection
of Malicious Code and Viruses for Handheld Devices
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Cigital, Inc.
21351 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 400
Dulles, VA 20166-6561
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Christoph C. Michael
Phone#:(703) 404-9293
Fax#: (703) 404-9295
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,232.21
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The pervasiveness of handheld devices makes computational
power available in diverse settings where computers were once impractical.
The power of handheld devices could be improved even further if
executable applications were downloaded on demand from the Internet,
instead of being stored full-time in the limited memory of the handheld.
However, downloading new software on demand leads
to greatly increased security risks. Viruses and other malicious
executables pose an even greater threat to handheld devices than
to desktop machines, since a handheld has limited storage and computation
power with which to enforce security. Existing handhelds have virtually
no protection from software that contains hidden, malicious functionality.
We will investigate a new technique for detecting
malicious executables on handheld devices. Our proposed approach
is based on algorithms that learn what features distinguish malicious
executables from benign ones. There is reason to believe that such
a system can be built not only with a smaller footprint than traditional
virus detection systems, but with some ability to detect novel attacks,
so that the detection software needs to be updated less often. The
purpose of the Phase-I feasibility study will be to evaluate these
two hypotheses.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Virus and malicious code detection on desktops,
laptop, and handheld computers.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.08 Information Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.08.04 XML Schemas for Access Control
Models
TITLE: Flexible Support for Multiple
Access Control Models Using XML and RDF Schemata
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Civil Engines Research, LLC
545 W. 34th Street, Suite 2E
New York, NY 10001-1329
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Paolo de Dios
Phone#:(646) 674-0860
AWARD AMOUNT: $72,919.90
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Security is of critical importance for e-business
systems, in which multiple internal and external enterprise applications
and data are linked into one integrated system. It is a key factor
that will determine how comfortable successful companies and their
associated constituents are going to be with the idea of integrated
e-business systems and the virtual enterprise. Existing proprietary
access control APIs, schemes and representations have made uniform
access semantics a very elusive and very expensive goal in the enterprise.
To address this issue, it is necessary to develop standardized,
platform agnostic and semantically meaningful representations for
access control models. XML has been used in great effect to interchange
and model data in a platform dependent fashion and it can be effectively
used to represent complex access control relationships. Civil Engines
Research plans to develop schemas that will effectively model enterprise
access control ontologies and semantics in an extensible and interoperable
manner. We plan on developing the schema instance processors and
development tools necessary to enable the enforcement of access
controls in an enterprise scenario. Phase 1 of this program will
focus on assessing and demonstrating the feasibility of this approach
by architecting and prototyping common access control models using
XML Schema and the W3C recommended system for representing lightweight
ontologies, RDF.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed set of schemas, tools and associated
technologies will find widespread use in security policy specification
and enforcement. It would have immediate impact in the enterprise
application integration (EAI) arena where complex, cross-organization
business process rules only can be realized via secure access to
enterprise applications and data. These tools and technologies may
be commercialized as standalone user management software or licensed
for integration into existing middleware solutions.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.16 Technologies to Enhance Fire Safety
SUBTOPIC: 7.16.01 Advanced Building Sensors
and Information Systems
TITLE: Novel Integrated System for
Fire Detection, Alarms & Real-Time Fire-Ground Surveys
NIST OU: 860 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
FIRM: Cyrano Sciences, Inc.
73 N. Vinedo Ave
Pasadena, CA 91107-3759
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gregory Steinthal
Phone#:(626) 744-1700 x224
Fax#: (626) 744-1777
AWARD AMOUNT: $73,398.96
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Cyrano Sciences, Inc. proposes to develop and demonstrate
a distributed sensor network that uses arrays of traditional and
non-traditional detectors with data fusion to improve system performance
and to perform a real-time survery of the fire ground to better
protect and inform firefighters. Each node consists of multiple
detectors, including a polymer-composite sensor array and other
detectors, to reduce the incidence of false alarms and provide faster
fire detection capabilities. Data fusion occurs at each node and
alarm fusion occurs at a system-wide level, providing robust alarms
and the ability to locate the source of a fire. The overall architecture
of the system allows sensors to be added after installation and
provides a communications center for mobile devices with GUIs. We
envision using non-traditional sensors, such as video and force
sensors, that will be installed in the structure and integrated
with the system to provide complete and new information to first
responders. We also envision that firefighters will have GPS and
residual life indicators (for respirators) on their person and that
these sensors will communicate with the building communications
center, providing full information to the firefighter command center
about the fire, the building, and personnel.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
We anticipate that the demonstrated fire detection
system will provide new capabilities to eliminate false alarms and
protect fire fighters in the business community. All hardware and
system software are COTS, but software/algorithm development is
required to meet these goals. Furthermore, the demonstrated polymer-composite
sensor array with data fusion algorithms will provide a smoke detector
for homes with reduced frequency of false alarms when compared to
existing home smoke detectors.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.17 X-Ray System Technologies
SUBTOPIC: 7.17.03 High Efficiency Circular
Array Secondary Electron Yield Detectors
TITLE: Improved Manufacturing Processes
for Circular Array Detectors
NIST OU: 850 Material Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: Detector Technology, Inc.
9 Third Street
Palmer, MA 01069-1542
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jay S. Ray
Phone#:(413) 284-9975
Fax#:(413) 284-9979
AWARD AMOUNT: $68,664.25
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Channel electron multipliers are used in a variety
of applications including synchrotron research facilities. It is
imperative that channel electron multiplier technology be improved
for this type of application. Currently, the manufacturing process
of channel multipliers is very inconsistent. When running an array
of detectors each detector must act similarly. If the detectors
are not matched then results may be skewed. During the shaping processes
of the glass, contamination and surface imperfections can occur.
Both causes inconsistency in the electrical characteristics of channel
electron multipliers. In this project Detector Technology, Inc.
will specifically concentrate on perfecting the manufacturing processes
that contribute to inconsistencies. The resulting technology will
provide a manufacturing process that will produce array detectors
with matched electrical characteristics.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Time of flight; Hemispherical analyzers; Magnetic
sectors; Mass spectrometers; Residual gas analyzers.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.14 Optics and Optical Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.14.01 Blackbody Radiation Sources
Based on Carbon Nanotubes
TITLE: Uniform Large Area, High Emisivity
Blackbody Radiation Source Based on Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes
NIST OU: 840 Physics Laboratory
FIRM: Foster-Miller, Inc.
350 Second Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451-1196
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Thomas M. Tiano
Phone#: (781) 684-4118
FAX#: (781) 290-0693
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,966.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
In this program Foster-Miller (FMI)proposes to build
on its extensive experience with processing and characterization
of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) to develop a high emissivity
(>0.999), large area (>600 cm2), variable temperature (330-600K),
uniform emitting, black body radiation source that takes advantage
of the unusually high emissivity of carbon nanotubes. Using SWNT's
furnished by teaming partner Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc three
different SWNT structures will be evaluated on candidate substrates:
random or well-ordered deposited SWNT's using proprietary exfoliation
/ polymer wrapping techniques previously developed by FMI; assembling
the SWNT's in an ordered array perpendicular to the substrate surface,
using technology developed by teaming partner Dr. Fotios Papadimitrakopoulos
of the University of Connecticut; and a combination of these two
techniques. During the Phase 1 effort FMI will produce and test
small articles with uniformly dense SWNT thin film coatings in the
three different geometries mentioned above.. The geometry yielding
the highest emissivity and most uniform radiation shall be selected
for further development in Phase 2 to produce prototype large area
SMNT blackbody sources to be tested and delivered to NIST for evaluation
as sources for high-accuracy radiometric calibrations of infrared
cameras, IR focal plane arrays, and spectroradiometers.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The most immediate commercial application of this
research program is the development of large area NIST traceable
blackbody sources for the high-accuracy radiometric calibration
of infrared cameras and imaging devices, IR focal plane arrays and
spectroradiometers.
Potential Commercial Application and Follow-On Funding
Commitment
The principal commercial application for the proposed
advanced large area blackbody source is for NIST traceable sources
for the calibration of infrared cameras, focal plane arrays and
spectroradiometric instruments. While this is a niche market primarily
for U.S. Government (NIST) and DoD use, Foster-Miller's infrared
products group has had significant success in marketing specialized
infrared products, such as IR fiber optic probes, on-line oil condition
monitors and remote reflectance probes and systems to other niche
markets. Working closely with team member CNI., FMI during Phase
2 will evaluate the market potential for the advanced blackbody
source and determine whether to invest in a commercial product development
program for Phase 3. The technology to be developed in the proposed
program will have great value for applications other than blackbody
sources.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.12 Microelectronics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 7.12.04 On-Wafer Measurement System
for Combinatorial Magnetic Thin-Film Libraries
TITLE: On-Wafer Measurement System
for Combinatiorial Magnetic Thin Film Libraries
NIST OU: 810 Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Laboratory
FIRM: Industrial Measurement Systems, Inc.
2760 Beverly Drive #4
Aurora, IL 60504
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Donald E. Yuhas
Phone#: (630) 236-5901
Fax#: (630) 236-5982
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
As magnetic thin-film systems became part of complex
industrial applications, their composition increasingly became more
complicated. A means is needed to efficiently develop and systematically
characterized magnetic, electronic, and mechanical properties of
advanced thin-film systems. New metrological systems are required
that are capable of making on-wafer measurements on large number
of sites over a large region of parameter space. Combinatorial materials
techniques involve fabrication of libraries with a large number
of on-wafer sites, metrologies that systematically characterize
these libraries are needed. This project proposes to solve an important
materials characterization problem of combinatorial film libraries.
The completion of this project will result in a multi-sensor magnetic
properties measurement capability and paradigm for rapidly characterizing
combinatorial magnetic thin-film libraries deposited on wafers.
A novel scanning system will be developed and integrated with multiple
sensor types (MOKE probes and Hall microprobes). This system will
obtain magnetic property data on combinatorial film libraries deposited
on 37-millimeter diameter wafers. The system design is such that
new sensor technologies (as they become available) can be added
in order to achieve more complete magnetic properties analyses.
High throughput, which is one of the system parameters, is essential
to keep pace combinatorial library deposition methods.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The current worldwide market for magnetic films
is estimated to be in excess of 30 billion dollars per year. Applications
include in magnetic recording, magnetic solid-state memories, magnetic
sensors, and magnetic microwave devices. The fastest growing segment
is the thin film area because thin films can be fabricated using
modern lithographic methods and composition modified for specific
applications. The proposed scanning multi-sensor characterization
system is directed at speeding the development of new thin film
compositions and devices.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.08 Information Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.08.03 Pervasive Computing, Accessible
Computing Technology Integration and Demonstration
TITLE: A Real-time Demonstration of
the Smart Flow System
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM:Intelligent Automation, Inc.
7519 Standish Place, Suit 200
Rockville, MD 20855-2785
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Chiman Kwan
Phone#:(301)222-0438
FAX#: (301) 222-0466
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) proposes to further
the development of NIST's Smart Space technology and demonstrate
that the integrated system facilitates the interaction of persons
with limited abilities in a meeting room environment. Such a demonstration
will serve to simulate interest in applying Smart Space technology
in real world interaction. Two individuals enter the meeting room
laptop computers equipped with 802.11 wireless Ethernet. As each
person comes within range, connection is achieved and nodes are
established. Following connection, each laptop uploads the identity
of the individual. In Phase 1, the identification record will consist
of standard text descriptions of an individual (gender, race, etc.)
along with a voice print. Each individual will wish to exchange
PowerPoint presentations and conduct a verbal dialogue with the
others. The PowerPoint presentation for every individual will also
be uploaded from their PCs and distributed as requested. Each individual
will be tracked as he or she moves around the room. Tracking will
be performed both by audible and visual clues. The microphone array
will be used to localize all sound sources. If the emitted sounds
can be classified using the voice print, every individual can be
identified as they are tracked.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The Smart Space concept will have great impact in
many applications such as hospitals, conference and meetings, border
control, workspace, customs, airport, etc. The ability to acquire
voice and facial information and track a person around a space is
very important in airport or workspace security. After September
11, homeland security becomes an urgent task, which is extremely
difficult as America is a free country. We anticipate the market
of Smart Space in security will be billions of dollar market.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.11 Manufacturing Systems Integration
SUBTOPIC: 7.11.04 Next Generation Process
Exchange Tools and Applications
TITLE: Advanced Tools for Process Specification
Language
NIST OU: 820 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM:Knowledge Based Systems, Inc.
1408 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840-2335
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ronald Fernandes
Phone#:(979)260-5274
FAX#: (979) 260-1965
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,946.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
We propose to develop a robust PSL syntax based
on XML and RDF that will further its role as an interlingua among
various process modeling languages. In addition, we will develop
the next-generation translator-generator system based on this format
to automate the software development process of process-centric
translation across applications and formats.
One of today's greatest challenges to successful
Inter-enterprise Process Engineering implementations is the lack
of technology for enabling processes to be exchanged, analyzed,
modified and executed as if processes were considered as core business
transaction data. This necessitates the need for (a) technology
and standards for process information, and (b) software tools that
can interchange, extract, merge, and transform process data.
Our proposed solution will solve these problems
by extending the PSL standard and creating the PSL/XML syntax for
increasing its adoption in industry. PSL/XML will be generic enough
to incorporate future PSL extensions. It will also facilitate the
development of the advanced toolkit that includes a PSL editor and
a translator code generator. Our toolkit will be designed to be
easily maintainable, scalable and extensible and it will require
no additional programming for generating translators for new formats.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Our proposed solution will provide an innovative
framework and the necessary tools for process-centric information
sharing. It has tremendous commercial potential throughout public
and private sectors for solving problems relating to agile manufacturing,
virtual enterprises, and enterprise resource planning and supply-chain
management systems.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.11 Manufacturing Systems Integration
SUBTOPIC: 7.11.05 Ontological Engineering
Applied to Manufacturing System Integration Research
TITLE: Just in Time Ontology Mapping
for Manufacturing System Integration
NIST OU: 820 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: Knowledge Evolution, Inc.
1215 17th Street, NW, Suite 101
Washington, DC 20036
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Sidney Bailin
Phone#:(202) 467-9588
Fax#: (202) 467-9589
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,927.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Large-scale manufacturing system interoperability
requires the interchange of both process and product specifications.
The heterogeneity of process representations makes this difficult.
NIST's Manufacturing Systems Integration Division has developed
the Process Specification Language (PSL) as a means of overcoming
these problems. PSL is intended to serve as an inter-lingua, a common
representation that can be used to mediate between application-specific
or ontologies. A fundamental part of the PSL vision is a collection
of translators between PSL and these other ontologies. The challenge
is to develop such translators in a manner that is both cost-effective
and adequate to the needs of client applications. Our intention
is to apply just-in-time (JIT) techniques to this challenge. JIT
ontology mapping is a dynamic approach in which only those parts
of an ontology that are needed in a given application context are
translated. The research conjecture is that JIT can greatly facilitate
the implementation, deployment, and maintenance of PSL extensions
and translators.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There is both a great need and a great potential
for just-in-time ontology mapping in the e-business world. The need
arises from the rapid pace at which agent technology is taking root
in e-business, especially automated bidding systems. Such agents
will have to engage in continual monitoring and assessment, maintaining
a current view of other agents present on the web, identifying those
that represent potential partners, providers, or customers, and
a persistent context for ongoing communication with agents already
contacted. Ontology mapping arises in this setting because every
business is based on an underlying ontology. Proper operation of
the interface between providers and consumers requires that the
ontologies of the respective organizations be consistent. JIT techniques
will lead to more efficient ontology mapping and therefore better
performing e-business agents.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD
WINNER
TOPIC: 7.07 Healthcare and Medical Physics
SUBTOPIC: 7.07.01 Miniaturized Detectors for
Brachytherapy Dosimetry
TITLE: A High-Spatial Resolution, High-Sensitivity,
Rapid OSL Dosimetry System For Brachytherapy
NIST OU: 840 Physics Laboratory
FIRM: Landauer, Inc
2 Science Road
Glenwood,IL 60425-1586
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Mark Akselrod
Phone#: (405) 377-5161
Fax#: (405) 743-2966
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
This project seeks proof-of-concept and prototype
demonstration of a high-spatial resolution, high-sensitivity, rapid
in-vitro dosimeter system for calibration and dose measurements
of brachytherapy radiation sources. The present innovation utilizes
the high sensitivity of Pulsed Optically Stimulated Luminescence
(POSL) from Al2O3:C proprietary luminescence materials, coupled
to a fiber optic delivery system. We expect measurable signals of
1 mGy in passive mode and 1 mGy/s in active mode from small (<
0.5 mm in all three dimensions) detectors with high signal-to-noise.
Readout is predicted to be rapid, enabling scanning of measurements
from multiple locations surrounding the source. We also test the
feasibility of energy independence through calibration of several
detectors of different sizes, and extrapolation to a detector size
of zero. The technical implications of the innovation are the development
of a system that not only solves a problem of brachytherapy source
calibration, but the innovation is also designed to be used in vivo
during patient treatment, thereby ensuring the same calibration
device for in-vitro and in-vivo measurements. The device is free
from magnetic or electrical interference and can also be used with
teletherapy sources. Commercial applications of the device will
be found in all radio-oncology treatment and source calibration
facilities.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The instrument and analytical techniques anticipated
by the research will allow improved quality assurance testing of
brachytherapy sources, provide grater dosimetric information for
improved cancer treatment planning, and enable in vivo dosimetry
to verify actual delivered radiation doses from radiotherapy treatment.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.09 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 7.09.3 On-line, Non-destructive
Measurement of Mechanical Properties of Metals and Alloys
TITLE: Magnetic Methods for On-Line Non-Destructive
Mechanical property Measurement
NIST OU: 850 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: Magnetronix Inc.
7404 Cliffbourne Ct.
Derwood, MD 20855
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: George E. Hicho
Phone#:(301) 963-1836
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,999.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
A pressing challenge in automotive, aerospace, and
other manufacturing industry is the ability to measure the mechanical
properties of formed metal and alloy components on a part-by-part
basis. We propose to develop a non-destructive testing system suitable
for rapid on-line measurement of critical mechanical properties
of steel parts as they are being produced. Our approach is based
on measurement of the Barkhausen effect and hysteresis loops. The
feasibility studies will focus on (1) development of material standards,
(2) development of flexible and miniaturized production-compatible
probes, and (3) development of novel interpretation algorithms.
The materials standards will enable the NDT system to have self-calibration
and auto-testing features to assure consistent and reproducible
results in a production environment. The algorithms will incorporate
calibration results, as well as a broad range of characteristics
derived from the Barkhausen spectra and hysteresis data, in order
to provide unambiguous, rapid, and robust determination of the mechanical
properties of products fabricated from steel.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The non-destructive characterization tools developed
by this project will have broad implications. Benefits include increased
efficiency and reduced pressures on energy, environment, and natural
resources, accompanied by enormous cost savings and societal benefits.
Another benefit lies in improved design by eliminating the uncertainty
associated with the mechanical properties of formed parts. This
is because design optimization is currently based on mechanical
properties of sheet metal such as steel that go into the die rather
than the mechanical properties of formed parts that come out of
the die. Initial commercialization will be directed at vehicle manufacture
with natural extensions to many other industries.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.12 Microelectronics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 7.12.3 Improved Magneto-Optical
Indicator Films
TITLE: Improved Magneto-Optical Indicator
Films By Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition
NIST OU: 850 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: MicroCoating Technologies
5315 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30341-2107
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Yongdond Jiang
Phone#:(678) 287-2477
Fax#: (678) 287-3999
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
In response to the need for improved magneto-optical
indicator films for real-time characterization of magnetic domain
structures, MicroCoating Technologies (MCT) proposes to enable the
fabrication of epitaxial, high performance YIG magneto-optical thin
films by combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) process at
low cost. With the rapid pace of optical telecommunications and
optical information process and storage, there is an increasing
need for magnetic films, and magnetic film based devices and systems.
Therefore, a reliable and simple imaging technique for real-time
characterization of magnetic domain structures is becoming more
and more important. Rapid response to customer requirements and
further cost reductions are essential to respond to the future marketplace.
CCVD technique offers an attractive alternative to enable synthesis
of these magneto-optical thin film materials for real-time imaging
applications. The success in this proposed project will enable the
U.S. to maintain leadership in the global competition in this area.
The end of Phase 1 objectives are a film thickness of larger than
1 mm, a surface roughness of less than 5 nm, and a Faraday rotation
of larger than 100,000o/cm.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Ferromagnetic materials have a wide range of applications
in sensors, optical modulators, and information storage. There is
a need for real time characterization of their magnetic domain structures.
Magneto-optical indicator film imaging technique is expected to
become a standard nondestructive quality control imaging technique
for the next generation of magnetic materials for these applications.
Successful development of films proposed in this Phase 1 and a follow-on
Phase 2 effort will result in meeting the market need. Industrial
partner has been identified and recruited for this effort. If MicroCoating
Technologies triumphs in its product plan, both military and commercial
segments would benefit immensely with the availability of a commercially
viable production technique.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.13 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 7.13.01 Polymer Coatings by Inkjet
Methodoloy
TITLE: Polymeric Coating by Ink-Jet
Printing
NIST OU: 850 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: MicroFab Technologies, Inc.
1104 Summit Ave., Suite 110
Plano, TX 75074
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Bogdan Antohe
Phone#:(972) 578-8076
Fax#: (972) 423-2438
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,900.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The ability to pattern multilayered polymers on
a micro-level is valuable to a large number of applications in microelectronic
manufacturing. Applications range from printing dielectric coatings
and polymer resistors to printing active devices such as polymer
LEDs and polymer transistors. The advantages of ink jet printing
are: (1) one station can print multi-fluids, (2) non-flat substrates
could be used (non-contact printing process), (3) it is a data-driven
process so no hard tooling is required since meaning shorter change-out
times, (4) it is an additive process so it generates very little
waste, and (5) one piece of equipment can replace multiple manufacturing
stations. The objectives of Phase 1 are to demonstrate patterning
several polymers that are of interest to NIST and to create guidelines
for developing polymer printing applications. Phase 1 will identify
the key technical issues that need to be addressed in order to create
a robust manufacturing process. MicroFab will leverage its experience
in printing system development and polymer printing experience to
accomplish these objectives. Completion of a development program
to print polymeric coatings in multilayer patterns on a variety
of substrates will bring through the emerging technology productive
benefits to the factory floor.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Potential commercial applications of the proposed
research are as follows:
Near Term Hardware Sales
Both the polymer printing research system and the printhead subsystems
can be commercialized rapidly after completion of their development.
MicroFab current markets and sells products in these categories,
so no change in business model is required for MicroFab to commercialize
this hardware. The new capabilities embodied in the hardware will
be marketed to our current customer base, including DuPont, Uniax,
Honeywell, Nortel, Vantico, Siemens, and Rockwell and to other companies
active in polymer printing research, including Motorola, Dow, IBM
and Xerox. The most likely use by NIST and other government agencies
(e.g., DOD) of the technology developed in this research project
would be in the form of a research system or subsystems purchased
from MicroFab.
Fluid Formulations
Polymer fluid formulations to be suitable for ink-jet printing and
for creating polymer structures with both desired geometry and properties
are of considerable value. This value is usually protected via either
patenting the formulation or keeping it trade secret. We expect
to create a number of valuable polymer fluid formulations during
and after this research project. Marketing (licensing) of these
formulations is very difficult while trying to protect them at the
same time, but we plan to pursue this vigorously. Again, the commercial
potential of formulations created by customers of MicroFab's printing
equipment will be much greater than that of MicroFab's efforts alone.
Polymer Structures
The polymer printing systems and fluid formulations developed in
this research will likely lead to novel printed polymer structures
that are patentable. As with fluid formulation, the principle commercial
opportunity for MicroFab would be in licensing these structures.
We expect customers of MicroFab's equipment to be very active in
this area.
Manufacturing Tools
The polymer printing research system will be used as a basis for
developing high volume manufacturing equipment. MicroFab has previously
partnered with equipment manufacturers (Speedline and Universal
Instruments) to develop equipment that incorporates MicroFab's ink-jet
tools (SolderJet™). We will employ the same business model
for polymer printing equipment, and have already begun negotiations
with a equipment company.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD
WINNER
TOPIC: 7.06 E-Commerce and Security: Infrastructures,
Tools, ETC
SUBTOPIC: 7.06.01 Technologies for Designing
Web Sites in the Global Market
TITLE: Usability centric Localization
Methodology and Tools for Global Websites
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Mindlore, Inc.
114 Bonita Street
Sausalito, CA 94965-1951
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Wanda Smith
Phone#:(707) 869-1940
Fax#: (415) 339-0595
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,900.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
In order to compete in international markets, US
companies need eCommerce applications and Web sites that can attract
and retain customers from a diverse range of cultural and linguistic
backgrounds. Through many years of work in academia and eCommerce
industry, our team has developed a usability centric localization
process that can meet this need. In this project, we propose to
document and validate this process, and design a supporting set
of tools to help Web designers and developers build global Web sites,
following our localization process. In particular, we propose to
build a design critiquing tool that will give localization specific
feedback to designers, and an online repository of eCommerce design
components that contains both localized designs, and designs with
more global appeal. The contents of the repository will be managed
through a rigorous online usability process.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Our localization methodology and supporting tools
will have direct commercial impact on international website design,
as well user interface design for international software products,
enabling US companies to be more competitive in the global marketplace.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.01 Advanced Biological and Chemical
Sensing Technologies
SUBTOPIC: 7.01.01 Advanced Microplatforms
for Chemical and Biochemical Sensing
TITLE: Robust Nanopopous Ceramic Microsensor
Platform
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Sciences and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Nanomaterials Research, LLC
2021 Miller Drive
Longmont, CO 80501
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dmitri Routkevitch
Phone#:(720) 652-4001 x102
Fax#: (720) 652-4004
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
This proposal seeks NIST support for the development
of a robust gas microsensor platform from nanoporous alumina ceramic.
Conventional microsensors have limited application in harsh conditions,
such as in the exhaust streams, due to their low stability at temperatures
above 500°C. Furthermore, this also limits implementation of
sensors that require high temperature for their operation. We propose
a concept that has a potential to overcome these limitations and
provide a microplatform for sensing in harsh conditions. Our innovation
combines nano- and microfabrication with self-organized nanostructured
ceramic to create low power, high surface area, fast response, robust
microsensors. Using this approach, we have already demonstrated
several types of microsensors. This Phase 1 project now targets
comprehensive development of this ceramic microplatform in support
of chemically and mechanically robust microsensors for applications
that demand reliability in extended operation and could be heated
in excess of 800°C.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Miniature gas sensors are needed for reliable real-time
point-source measurements of multiple chemical species in a variety
of applications, such as emission monitoring, process control, industrial
and consumer health and safety, air quality monitoring, healthcare
and anti-terrorist activities.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD
WINNER
TOPIC: 7.14 Optics and Optical Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.14.03 Sensitive, Linear, and Spatially
Uniform Midinfrared Detectors
TITLE: Sensitive, Linear and Spatially
Uniform Midinfrared Detector
NIST OU: 840 Physicis Laboratory
FIRM: New Jersey Microsystems Inc.
240 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Newark, NJ 07102-2100
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Donald E. Booth
Phone#:(973) 297-1450 x15
Fax#: (973) 297-1125
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,995.47
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
We propose an uncooled infrared detector for the
8 to 12 micron wavelength range utilizing an integrated image converter
with a thermal sensitivity as small as 2 millidegK based on modeling
by independent research groups. Highly stable thin films coupled
to a silicon readout additionally provide the desired spatial uniformity,
linearity, dynamic range, and reduced cost for the detector representing
an improvement in all areas over the commercial HgCdTe-based systems
presently available. During Phase 1 a prototype detector will be
delivered to NIST for proof-of-concept evaluations.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
We propose an infrared detector for use in the NIST
Infrared Detector Comparator Facility that can ultimately qualify
as a secondary calibration standard, traceable to NIST primary standards.
NJM is using a technology that is scalable from the single pixel
detector for the NIST application up to very high-resolution imagers.
The NJM detector senses temperature and is sensitive in the infrared
range 8 to 12 microns wavelength. The technology that NJM is developing
for the larger infrared imaging market will support the single pixel
detector application for infrared spectral radiometry funded by
this SBIR project at NIST. The commercialization plan is to sell
and support a secondary calibration standard traceable to the NIST
standards. NJM plans to become an OEM supplier of the detector to
infrared laboratories and production facilities worldwide.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.05 Condition-Based Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 7.05.04 Tools for IEEE 1451-based
Smart Sensor Networks
TITLE: Java Framework for IEEE 1451-based
Smart Sensor Networks
NIST OU: 820 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: NewMonics, Inc.
877 S. Alvernon Way, Suite 100
Tucson, AZ 85711-5352
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: James Lathrop
Phone#:(515) 296-8313
Fax#: (515) 296-4595
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,815.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Today's vehicles are inundated with sensors and
actuators that broadcast critical data over control networks. The
extensiveness of these networks is likely to increase over the next
few years. The promise of a plug-and-play world where system designers
can buy off-the-shelf products to build complex distributed systems
on vehicles is enticing. To reach this promise, software tools that
support distributed systems are needed. To be effective, these tools
need to work with networks commonly found on vehicles, such as the
Controller Area Network (CAN). There is a recognized need within
the CAN community for a middleware solution that will support the
communication of distributed embedded devices. This proposal describes
a framework based on IEEE 1451 which will provide the logistical
communication services necessary for a distributed system. The object-oriented
flavor of the IEEE 1451 standard makes Java a natural fit for implementing
the standard. Phase 1 of the project will include a needs analysis
for a plug-and-play framework within telematics. This will be followed
by an architecture design for this framework. Phase 2 will result
in the development of a prototype of the proposed framework.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Anticipated benefits to the telematics community
include improved development tools for the CAN network. This is
facilitated by a framework that supports distributed smart sensors.
This framework will abstract system details from developers; therefore,
we anticipate it will reduce the calendar time and costs needed
to develop applications using distributed smart sensors on the CAN
network. This framework would be useful commercially in other markets
where the CAN network is utilized, including factory automation
and medical communities. Additionally, the framework can be easily
modified to other networks, thereby making the framework useful
to other markets that need to build distributed smart networks.
FY 2002 PHASE 1 AWARD
WINNER
TOPIC: 7.05 Condition-Based Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 7.05.01 Ambient-powered Wireless
Network Smart Sensors for Intelligent Manufacturing
TITLE: Condition-Based Maintenance
NIST OU: 820 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: Oceana Sensor Technologies, Inc.
1632 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jens Hult
Phone#:(757) 426-3678
Fax#: (757) 426-3633
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Sensors powered from environmental energy sources
and capable of communication over wireless links will be a tremendous
boon to manufacturing systems monitoring and condition based maintenance
programs. It is usually inconvenient and often cost-prohibitive
or physically impossible to run signal and power cables to sensors
used to monitor complex machines and industrial systems. The ability
to extract energy from the machine environment to power intelligent
sensors employing wireless data communication clearly would be a
very desirable development. Solid-state thermoelectric heat pumps
are readily available commercially; however these units typically
are optimized for refrigeration applications and operate at low
voltage and high power levels. Recent advances in thermoelectric
(TE) module fabrication technology has led to the development of
miniature TE modules that may operate at modest temperature gradients
(10° - 20° C) to generate voltage and current levels suitable
for powering semiconductor electronic circuits. There also is rapid
progress in the development of compact wireless intelligent sensors
that employ the Bluetooth™ RF communication specification and
are compliant with the IEEE P1451 family of smart transducer network
standards. The goal of the proposed program is to integrate these
emerging technologies to create autonomous "plug and play"
sensors for use in manufacturing environments.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Sensor autonomy is critical to the further development
of machine health monitoring instruments. Wireless communications
technology exists that has the capability to transmit output data;
however, power must be supplied by cable and, if it is even feasible
to run cables, their cost is typically several times the cost of
the sensors themselves. Thermal energy harvesting to power autonomous
sensing devices will have a significant beneficial impact on the
costs and manner in which sensors are deployed in manufacturing
systems and condition based maintenance applications. Cable-free
sensors will enable improved spatial distribution of sensors, ease
of installation, higher reliability, and new methods of installation.
Furthermore, sensor interoperability, universal network access,
application information sharing and, thus commercial potential will
be enabled by the adoption of the IEEE1451 family of sensor network
information model standards
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.17 X-Ray System Technologies
SUBTOPIC: 7.17.01 Develop Advanced X-ray Deffraction
(XRD) Detection System
TITLE: Advanced Detectors For X-Ray
Diffraction (XRD) System
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Photon Imaging Inc.
19355 Business Center Drive, Suite 8
Northridge, CA 91324
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jan S. Iwanczyk
Phone#:(818) 709-2468
Fax#: (818) 709-2468
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The goal of the proposed work is to develop a novel,
large-area, high energy-resolution analytical x-ray detection system
for x-ray powder diffraction applications, capable of operating
at count rates >1MHz. The proposed system is based on silicon
drift detectors (SDD) specifically designed for installation on
a Bragg-Brentano diffractometer, which will provide orders of magnitude
advancement in performance compared to current energy dispersive
semiconductor x-ray detectors, and greater than a factor of two
improvement in efficiency compared with the current graphite monochromator
combined with proportional counter systems. In Phase 1, the detector
package (based on our current 50 mm2 SDD) and preamplifier will
be developed and optimized for the high-count rate operation. Low
noise amplification electronics, detector bias voltages, Peltier
cooling and a miniaturized hermetic capsule will be developed. In
Phase 2, we will finalize the development of the detector with an
optimized device with the required dimensions of ~ 5 mm x 20 mm,
detector package and supporting electronics and software. The detector
system will be tested at Photon
Imaging as well as at NIST. We will measure the performance of the
system as a function of the input count rate and compare the detection
efficiency with that of the conventional graphite monochromator
with proportional counter system.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed new detectors will lead to significant
performance improvements and lower cost systems, compared to diffraction
detectors on the market currently. Eliminating the need for liquid
nitrogen, combined with the relatively low cost of silicon planar
processing, will allow construction of affordable, light weight,
low power consumption x-ray analytical systems. These new devices
will replace many existing detectors, such as proportional and scintillation
counters, as well as cryogenic Si(Li) and high purity germanium,
used in many commercial (e.g. x-ray diffraction, microanalysis,
x-ray fluorescence, medical imaging) and scientific (nuclear, high
energy physics, synchrotron radiation experiments) applications.
Other new applications are possible for use in hand-held, portable
field instrumentation.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.10 Manufacturing (Microfabrication
and Micromachining)
SUBTOPIC: 7.10.02 Silicon Cross Capacitor
for Gas Analysis
TITLE: A Micro-Electroformed Cross
Capacitor (MECC)
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Research Support Instruments, Inc.
4325B Forbes Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20706-4854
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jon R. Fox
Phone#:(609) 580-0080
Fax#: (609) 580-0083
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,852.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Utilizing new hard, etch resistant photoresists
derived from epoxy formulations such as SU-8 to serve as the mold
for electroless metaldeposition for MEMS electroforming techniques,
a fully micro-miniaturized cross capacitor can be realized. A Micro-Electroformed
Cross Capacitor (MECC) is built by electroforming high aspect metals
atop the substrate. A Phase 1 effort would model MECC performance,
develop the process steps for fabrication, and finally demonstrate
the ability to fabricate a micro-miniaturized cross capacitor.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
NIST has an interest in producing micro-machined
cross capacitors for
metrologic studies of the dielectric constant of gases, and as a
possible measure of pressure. Industrial uses of a micro-machined
cross capacitor would be similar.
The cross capacitor is a capable tool for the measure
of the dielectric constant of gases and as an ancillary may be used
as a pressure measure for systems where epsilon (p,T) is well understood.
Such capabilities would be desirable for a wide range of customers
who have demanding process gas monitoring requirements, including
the gas pipeline industry, the semiconductor industry, the chemical
manufacturing industry, and the medical systems industry.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.12 Microelectronics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 7.12.01 High-Temperature Emissometer
for Semiconductor Materials
TITLE: High Temperature Emissometer
for Semiconductor Materials
NIST OU: 840 Physcis Laboratory
FIRM: S C Solutions, Inc
1261 Oakmead Pkwy
Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4040
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: J. L. Ebert
Phone#:(408) 617-4526
Fax#: (408) 617-4521
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1
project involves the design of a test facility for a new method
to accurately measure the near-normal spectral emissivity of semiconductor
wafers at near-infrared wavelengths. The accurate emissivity characterization
of wafers by the proposed test equipment will provide a measurement
standard needed for improved thermal processing of wafers, such
as in Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP), particularly for model-based
temperature control and sensing. SC Solutions, an industry leader
in delivering RTP temperature control solutions, recognizes accurate
temperature measurement as the single biggest impediment to more
precise control of wafer temperature necessary to meet the increasingly
stringent specifications of the semiconductor processing industry.
The novelty of the proposed design is in the use of both direct
and indirect methods, including transmittance measurements, to determine
wafer emissivity over a temperature range of 300K-1400 K. The measurements
will be made on both surfaces of the wafer in air or in an inert
environment using a hot-wall, pancake chamber that ensures excellent
temperature uniformity. Apart from the detailed design, the Phase
1 work will include developing a dynamic thermal model of the furnace
and an estimate of the error. In Phase 2, the test facility will
be constructed and tested, and delivered to NIST.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
SC Solutions proposes to develop a new high-temperature
emissometer to measure the near-normal emissivity of semiconductor
materials. The measurement of emissivity is the key to determination
of wafer temperatures during thermal processing of semiconductors
and other advanced materials. The final result of this focused effort
will be a fully instrumented emissometer with accompanying control
computer and software that can be marketed to all thermal equipment
manufacturers, as well as to semiconductor manufacturers. The proposed
standard has the potential to significantly improve temperature
measurement accuracy, resulting in substantially improved controller
performance and process repeatability for RTP and other thermal
processing systems. Consequently, the commercial application of
the proposed product is significant.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.16 Technologies to Enhance Fire Safety
SUBTOPIC: 7.16.02 Fast-Response Oxygen Sensor
for Fire Environments
TITLE: Oxygen Sensor in Fires
NIST OU: 860 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
FIRM: Southwest Sciences, Inc.
1570 Pacheco Street, E-11
Santa Fe, NM 87505-3993
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Shin-Juh Chen
Phone#:(505) 984-1322
Fax#: (505) 988-9230
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The ability to perform in-situ measurements of oxygen
concentration in fire environments at a fast rate (better than 1
sec ) is not fulfilled by available sensor systems in the marketplace.
Current systems involve extraction of gas samples with the required
removal of water, particulate, and interfering chemical species,
which can take several seconds to complete, prior to passing the
samples to a gas analyzer. To capture the flow dynamics and chemical
processes in fires, oxygen concentration measurements with better
temporal and spatial resolution are needed. Better understanding
of fire phenomena are crucial to fire safety and abatement of fires.
Southwest Sciences proposes to develop a diode
laser-based sensor for the in-situ measurement of oxygen concentrations
in fires. Using a newly developed vertical cavity surface-emitting
laser (VCSEL) as the light source for optical absorption sensing
has several advantages over other techniques such as electrochemical
cells, solid-state and dye-based sensors. Phase 1 will establish
the requirements for a measurement probe that is hardened for fires
and evaluate the performance of the sensor design in a fire.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed oxygen sensing system will be an essential
tool for researchers to monitor oxygen concentrations in fire tests
with temporal and spatial resolution. These tests will improve the
understanding of fire phenomena, validate and improve the modeling
capabilities of fire simulation codes. Commercial partners will
be sought towards the end of Phase 1 to commercialize this technology.
Possible applications of this technology include monitoring oxygen
consumption in industrial furnaces or incinerators to determine
the combustion efficiency, or monitoring building fires to assess
the efficacy of fire suppressants.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.12 Microelectronics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 7.12.05 Semiconductor Diode Lasers
for Water Spectroscopy
TITLE: Compact, Turnable Diode Laser
for Water-Vapor Spectroscopy
NIST OU: 810 Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Laboratory
FIRM: Vescent Photonics
P.O. Box 315
Lyons, CO 80540
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Mike Anderson
Phone#:(303) 823-9229
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Stable tunable diode lasers suitable for industrial
environments are cost prohibitive. Lower-cost systems suffer from
unstable wavelength behavior and mode hopping requiring operation
by highly-trained personnel. The development of low cost, compact
and robust tunable diode lasers is required for the transition of
diode-laser spectroscopy from the laboratory to the marketplace.
We will develop a compact, external-cavity stabilization system
which will employ independent control over the cavity optical path
length and a wavelength-selective element. The system will quasi-continuously
tune over the entire laser diode gain profile in 10 nm-20 nm continuous
tuning intervals. The final package for a Phase 2 prototype could
be the size of a deck of cards. In Phase 1 we will assemble a demonstration
system on an optical breadboard. In Phase 2 a fully integrated device
will be developed with a tuning range centered at 1380 nm for water-vapor
spectroscopy.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Water is an important contaminant requiring control
in semiconductor processing and robust water-vapor spectrometers
are needed. Other applications include combustion control, explosives
detection, medical diagnostics in exhaled human breath, and environmental
monitoring.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.04 Chiral Chemistry
SUBTOPIC: 7.04.01 Chiral Surface Diagnostic
Instrumention
TITLE: Surface Selective Chiral Detector
NIST OU: 840 Physcis Laboratory
FIRM: Vescent Photonics, Inc.
737 4th Street
Lyons, CO 80540
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Scott R. Davis
Phone#:(303) 823-9229
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
A novel approach to the problem of surface-selective
chiral detection is presented. In a small and potentially inexpensive
optical package, chiral molecules adsorbed to the surface of a guided
wave optic are probed via the evanescent field of the guided radiation.
Single-mode guided-wave optics are exploited to increases the analyte-probe
interaction region compared to traditional methods such as attenuated
total-reflectance spectroscopy. Techniques for both circular-dichroism
and optical-rotary-dispersion measurements will be studied and compared.
In Phase 1 surface selectivity will be demonstrated in an optical-breadboard
experiment. In Phase 2 a prototype of a surface-selective chiral
spectrometer will be developed. This device promises to be useful
in the characterization and understanding of the increasingly important
field of chiral stationary phases as it relates to HPLC and enantio-specific
synthesis.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The fields of enantio-specific synthesis and enantiomeric
separations are crucial in several large industries such as pharmaceuticals,
pesticides, food chemistry, and biomedical. The detailed chiro-surface
chemistry and physics that enables such synthesis and separations
is poorly understood. The proposed technology could be the basis
of a research spectrometer that directly and selectively probes
surface adsorbed chiral molecules. Reduction in size through optical
integration could enable sensors for monitoring of enantiomeric
excess on pharmaceutical production lines.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.08 Information Technology
SUBTOPIC: 7.08.02 Mobile Workforce Privacy
TITLE: Mobile User Privacy
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM: VKD Shoppe, Inc.
56 Beaver Street, Suite 305
New York, NY 10004
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Yiannis Tsiounis
Phone#:(917) 660-3913
Fax#: (347) 710-4580
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,800.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
As the deployment of mobile devices becomes ubiquitous
and special interest groups and governments create laws to require
the tracking of mobile users, user privacy is under serious threat.
Being able to identify and locate an individual also creates a potential
liability for service providers. Today the only private wireless
communication system is the pre-paid cell phone. However, a pre-paid
system is not ideal, as subscription-based services are more popular
with both consumers and service providers, while users cannot be
identified in emergencies as is required by the FCC's E911 Phase
2 bill.
We aim to create a system that can be used by service
providers, or by third parties, to (a) guarantee user privacy without
restricting the billing options; and (b) allow identification of
users when required by law or requested by the customer.
Currently the user's identity is disclosed when
accepting payments or authorizing access. We therefore aim to construct
an anonymous electronic payment system that (a) can be used to hide
the user's identity during payment or login, (b) can be integrated
into typically low-powered and size-constrained mobile devices,
(c) can trace users when required by law, and (d) can be adapted
to existing providers' infrastructure.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Upon successful completion of the research we anticipate
the following results:
· A very efficient, easy to implement and
secure under clear assumptions Rabin signature-based anonymous
on-line e-cash system and the methodology for such a system to
support privacy in a mobile setting.
· A very efficient, easy to implement and
secure under clear assumptions traceable anonymous on-line e-cash
system and the methodology for such a system to support privacy
and trustee-based revocation of privacy in a mobile setting.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.11 Manufacturing Systems Integration
SUBTOPIC: 7.11.03 Manufacturing Data Exchange
Standards Interoperability Testing Tools
TITLE: Manufacturing Data Exchange
Standards Interoperability Testing and Optimization Tool
NIST OU: 820 Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: VulcanCraft
201 Stable Road
Carrboro, NC 27510-4144
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Donald M. Esterling
Phone#:(919) 942-2757
Fax#: (919) 942-2757
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,921.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The International Standard for the Exchange of Product
Model Data (STEP) offers a platform for a seamless flow of information
from product design though product planning and product manufacture.
However, the current information flow is strongly biased in the
direction of design to planning to manufacture. A closed loop feedback
system is desirable to achieve optimum design through manufacturing
conditions. The same feedback system would be a powerful testing
tool to ensure that the model and data exchange between different
Standards and their implementations are correct. The part representation
in each of the three major domains (design, planning and part manufacture)
will be placed within two common model formats: a populated B-Rep
model that contains pointers from low level B-Rep entities to high
level STEP features and which would have particular advantages for
2.5D parts and a volumetric model which is particularly facile in
testing surface information and errors, making it highly suitable
for free form parts. Representing the part in a common language
across different domains will assist in comparing the resulting
part models for each domain and in providing the closed loop/up-stream
feedback that is a requirement for a fully optimized design to manufacturing
system.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There is a large, international contingent of companies
and government organizations that are rapidly moving to an integrated
design to manufactured environment as mediated by the STEP standards.
But currently there are no tools to ensure that various implementations
of the Standards properly handle the exchange of information between
domains. Further, the entire process is currently open loop, lacking
the feedback necessary for optimization. The latter (optimized processes)
is an industry requirement. Industry may be expected to enthusiastically
support this solution to an acute and important need.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.16 Technologies to Enhance Fire Safety
SUBTOPIC: 7.16.01 Advanced Building Sensors
and Information Systems
TITLE: Advanced Building Sensors and
Information Systems
NIST OU: 860 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
FIRM: Williams-Pyro, Inc.
2721 White Settlement Road
Fort Worth, TX 76107
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Matthew B. Scarpino
Phone#:(817) 335-1147 x117
Fax#: (817) 332-7341
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
The objective of this proposal is to develop an
advanced technology system that can detect the location and size
of fires and activate a fast response system. The proposed innovation
will detect the incipient stage of a fire using smart sensors with
data fusion and Artificial Neural Networks to reason and minimize
the false alarm rate. In addition, the proposed system will provide
standardized display schemes that will allow firefighters to easily
access information about the fire. The system will initially provide
information about the size and growth of the fire, which will allow
firefighters to determine adequate resources to dispatch: how many
fire trucks to send, how many firefighters are required. When firefighters
arrive at the scene, the system can provide information including
the location of the fire within the building, location of any occupants,
routes to the fire within the building, a safe location to stage
firefighting activities, and growth of the fire (including temperature/CO/02
conditions related to OSHA requirements). As the fire is fought,
our proposed system will continue to indicate the location of both
the fire and smoke/gases, which are conditions relative to the OSHA
2 and 2 regulation.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Potential commercial applications of the research
include buildings, especially large buildings with stairs and elevators.
These buildings can be office buildings or used for other purposes.
As the commercialization process progresses, WPI's marketing department
will investigate alternative product applications. For example,
the U.S. Air Force has expressed interest in a fire detection system
for use in aircraft hangars. A variation of this proposed building
control system may have application for the government in military
aircraft hangars. Another possible application of this system is
fire detection in private homes.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.17 X-Ray System Technologies
SUBTOPIC: 7.17.02 High Speed Pulse Processing
for the Silicon DriftDetector X-ray Spectrometer
TITLE: Digital Electronics for Silicon
Drift Detectors
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: X-ray Instrumentation Associates
8450 Central Avenue
Newark, CA 94560-3430
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Peter Grudberg
Phone#:(510) 494-9020
Fax#: (510) 494-9040
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Silicon drift detectors (SDDs), a new class of energy
dispersive detector that operates at near-room temperature, have
just started to become commercially available. SDDs achieve energy
resolutions comparable to the best Si(Li) detectors but at much
shorter peaking times. The use of these detectors has resulted in
photon throughput rates exceeding 1 MHz, exceeding the capabilities
of existing pulse processor electronics to produce a clean spectrum.
We have existing technology that can handle the raw count rates,
but not with the desired spectral quality. We propose to develop
the processing algorithms necessary to produce a clean spectrum
under extremely high count rate conditions. In addition, since one
of the main target applications for this technology is high speed
x-ray full spectrum mapping, we will develop algorithms to properly
handle the assignment of x-rays to pixels as well as to apply individual
deadtime corrections to each pixel. Finally, we propose to develop
the high speed communications interface necessary to transfer the
large volume of mapping data to the host computer for display and
storage on disk.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The primary commercial application of this research
is for high speed x-ray spectroscopy using silicon drift detectors.
These detectors offer excellent performance at much higher data
rates than the exisiting state of the art, and promise to revolutionize
the EDS industry. Other potential commercial applications include
synchrotron research and a wide range of industrial applications
that can benefit from the shorter process times offered by the higher
data throughput. XIA's digital spectrometer is uniquely situated
to capitalize on this opportunity.
FY 2002 PHASE
1 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.16 Technologies to Enhance Fire Safety
SUBTOPIC: 7.16.04 High Temperature Smoke Obscuration
Measurements
TITLE: Advanced Technology Smoke Measurement
NIST OU: 860 Building and Fire Research Laboratory
FIRM: Zerad, Inc.
425 E. Greenway Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282-6938
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Richard E. Zimmermann
Phone#:(480) 456-1010
Fax#: (480) 456-1010
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,617.00
AWARD START DATE: July 2002
AWARD END DATE: January 2003
ABSTRACT:
Smoke obscuration must be measured simultaneously
at multiple locations to support building fire research. Currently
used equipment experiences drift with both time and temperature.
Ambient and forward scattered light also introduces error. The R
& D will apply current photonics, materials, and data processing
technology to reduce errors to acceptable levels.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Better smoke obscuration measurement equipment will
save lives by establishing more viable egress paths in building
fires and by supporting more precise evaluation of smoke detectors.
The technology can also be applied to new products for assuring
mine safety, early detection of aircraft fires, and monitoring air
quality in metropolitan areas.
FY
2002 PHASE 2 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.11 General
SUBTOPIC: 7.11.03 Advanced Time-Resolved Planar
Velocity Diagnostics for Spray Flames
TITLE: High Frequency, Time-Resolved
Digital Particle Image Velocimetry System for Polydispersed Multi-Phase
Flows
NIST OU: 830 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory
FIRM: Areoprobe, Corporation
2000 Craft Drive, Suite 1104
Blacksburg, VA 24060
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Pavlos P. Vlachos
Phone#: (540) 951-3858
Fax#: (540) 951-8618
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,598.00
AWARD START DATE: August 2002
AWARD END DATE: August 2004
ABSTRACT:
We propose to capitalize on the success of the Phase-I
effort and develop a unique next generation three-dimensional DPIV
system with the capability to resolve quantitatively with sub-pixel
accuracy, both velocity and size of poly-dispersed multi- phase
flows. This system is going to be unique compared with existing
commercial systems in several aspects. Specifically, there is no
commercially available PDIV system that: 1) delivers KHz time-resolution
measurements 2) integrates a dynamically adaptive methodology with
particle-tracking schemes, resolving the global three-dimensional
velocities in a multi-phase flow with high accuracy (sub-pixel)
and enhanced spatial resolution 3) resolves the size and shape of
a dispersed phase simultaneously with the velocity measurements.
The proposed system will deliver all of the above becoming an equivalent
of a combined DPIV, LDA and PDA in one competitively priced package
with the flexibility to address different fluid mechanics problems.
The success of Phase-I, the unique features of the
proposed system, the innovative task identified for Phase-II, the
assembly of an experience team to carry out the effort, combined
with the fact that the most prominent fluid diagnostics company
worldwide will be marketing the system almost guarantees the success
of the proposed project.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
No commercial DPIV system today, can perform with
10KHz frequency and the ability to resolve shape and size in multi-phase
flows. Upon successful completion of the proposed work, a unique
tool for basic fluid mechanics research and industrial applications
related to fluid mechanics will be delivered. Currently the conventional
DPIV, LDA and PDA systems market represents an approximate sales
volume of $40M worldwide. The proposed system will penetrate this
market by commercializing the product through Dantec Dynamics who
commands approximately 60% of this market. It is expected that within
5 years from the first sale, the overall market share could be in
the order of 10 to 20%.
FY 2002 PHASE
2 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.11 General
SUBTOPIC: 7.11.14 High Efficiency Wavelength
Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Detectors
TITLE: Wavelength Dispersive Fluorescence
Detectors in Soft X-ray Region
NIST OU: 850 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: HD Technologies, Inc.
7900 South Cass Ave., Suite 255
Darien, IL 60561
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Ke Zhang
Phone#: (630) 241-9737
Fax#: (630) 241-9863
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,767.00
AWARD START DATE: August 2002
AWARD END DATE: August 2004
ABSTRACT:
A wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence detector
working in soft x-ray region has been proposed based on the diffraction
principles. The detector uses graded multilayers as analyzers and
large area detectors for data collection to achieve good energy
resolution and to avoid count rate problems encountered by solid
state detectors. Furthermore, the detector will be tunable in a
wide energy region and easy to operate. Testing results obtained
in Phase 1 indicate that the detector will have a throughput between
20 to 30%, and a bandwidth of 3-4%. In the Phase 2 project, we will
design and fabricate the multilayer array analyzer/detectors with
large solid angle, which will be optimized in two energy regions:
500 to 1000 eV, and 1000 eV to 2000 eV. The detectors will be evaluated
for their performance, and will be marketed as a generally used
soft x-ray fluorescence detector for x-ray spectroscopy, fluorescence
analysis, and imaging experiments.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed detector will be marketed as a generally
used soft x-ray fluorescence detector for various experimental techniques,
which can be tailored to satisfy various applications. With superb
energy resolution, reasonable solid angle, and very large count
rate limitations, it will have a very promising market potential,
especially a much better performance to price ratio compared to
the solid state detector available. The product may lead to new
market opportunities in high sensitive and more rapid data collection.
FY 2002 PHASE
2 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.05 Information Infrastructure Security
(Electronic Commerce)
SUBTOPIC: 7.05.05 Mobile Code Policy Toolkit
TITLE: Inlined Reference Monitors for
Java Bytecode
NIST OU: 890 Information Technology Laboratory
FIRM: GrammaTech, Inc.
317 N. Aurora Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Paul Anderson
Phone#: (607) 273-7340
Fax#: (607) 273-8753
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,995.00
AWARD START DATE: August 2002
AWARD END DATE: August 2004
ABSTRACT:
Current state-of-the-art technology for specifying
and enforcing security policies for software is generally too inflexible,
coarse-grained, and difficult to use. In systems that make use of
mobile code, such as Java applets, the situation is yet more difficult.
A more flexible and powerful approach is needed that will allow
a wider range of security policies to be set by various policy-setting
authorities for different applications. At the same time, there
must be check-box simplicity. We propose to commercialize mechanisms
for specifying and enforcing security policies for mobile code that
work by inserting fragments of code into programs in order to monitor
their state and prevent them from violating security policies. The
proposed system will allow arbitrary policies to be specified independently
by different policy-setting authorities. We will apply this approach,
named Inlined Reference Monitors (IRMs), to Java bytecode using
a technique called aspect-oriented programming. We will leverage
existing static-analysis technologies in the implementation of a
security policy toolkit.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The software proposed has applications in computer
security policy specification and enforcement. In addition, it has
applications in general Java development and maintenance.
FY 2002 PHASE
2 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.09 Microelectronics Manufacturing
Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 7.09.05 Cryogenic Packaging for
Programmable Voltage Standards
TITLE: A Closed Cycle Refrigerator-based,
Programmable Voltage Standard System
NIST OU: 810 Manuacturing Engineering Laboratory
FIRM: HYPRESS, Inc.
175 Clearbrook Road
Elmsford, NY 10523-1109
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Masoud Padparvar
Phone#: (914) 592-1190 x7827
Fax#: (914) 347-2239
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,378.00
AWARD START DATE: August 2002
AWARD END DATE: August 2004
ABSTRACT:
Researchers at the NIST have demonstrated a programmable
Voltage Standard (VS) chip based on SNS (superconductor-normal-superconductor)
tunnel junction technology. Excellent programmable voltage standards
were demonstrated using this SNS technology in a liquid helium-based
system. At HYPRES, we have developed and commercialized a Closed
Cycle Refrigerator (CCR)-based DC voltage standard system using
a VS chip previously developed and integrated into a liquid helium-based
system at NIST. Under the Phase 1 SBIR project, we developed a high
performance cryogenic package for the programmable VS chip for integration
with a CCR system. This developmental work involved collaborations
between NIST and HYPRES to develop the package that was integrated
with a NIST-provided CCR. In the Phase 2 program, we will continue
to improve the packaging technology and design and implement a flexible
cable technology to interface to the chip. In addition, we will
procure a CCR system and develop and demonstrate a complete CCR-based
programmable VS system. This system, based on a new CCR system developed
by Sumitomo, will be compact and portable. The programmable Voltage
Standard system has many other applications such as D/A converters
and signal synthesizers. Phase 1 established the feasibility of
the concept and Phase 2 will lead to a prototype compact system.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The product targeted in this program will encompass
voltage standard markets as well as high-resolution D/A converter
markets. Dual civilian and military uses for both applications abound.
Through its contact with the Army, HYPRES has discussed the merits
of the proposed program and obtained support and agreement that
the goals of lower cost, programmability, and flexibility to implement
D/A operations are important to the applications the Army and the
other services would have for this product.
FY 2002 PHASE
2 AWARD WINNER
TOPIC: 7.04 Condition-Based Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 7.04.03 Development and Inegration
of Condition-Based Maintenance Technologies
TITLE: Development of an Intelligent
Condition Based Maintenance System, Phase 2
NIST OU: 810 Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Laboratory
FIRM: VerTech, LLC
15471 Riddle Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022-3943
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: William H. VerDuin
Phone#: (440) 247-8315
Fax#:
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,814.03
AWARD START DATE: August 2002
AWARD END DATE: August 2004
ABSTRACT:
An Intelligent Condition Based Maintenance System
(ICBMS) will provide "early warning" of equipment maintenance
needs. Adaptive process models will predict changes in machine health
from analysis of sensor inputs and machine usage. A troubleshooting
and repair knowledge base will provide advice on maintenance scheduling
and procedures to support ongoing operations and training of new
staff. ICBMS will minimize the cost and disruption of maintenance,
repair and unscheduled downtime. Innovations include hybrid neuro-fuzzy
technology to provide "virtual sensors" and adaptive models.
Automatic rule acquisition technology will extract structured rules
by analyzing operational decisions and problem solving approaches
provided by machine operators and maintenance staff. Proposed Phase
2 work will build upon preliminary technical feasibility demonstrated
in multiple applications.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Two application areas have been identified in Phase
1. One involves the addition of intelligence to current manufacturing
supervisory control systems. The Intelligent Condition Based Maintenance
system will add to current reporting and presentation capabilities
the functionality to predict maintenance requirements, as enabled
by adaptive machine health models, and a decision support capability
enabled by an associated knowledge base to support troubleshooting
and specification of repair procedures.
The second application area is in support of sophisticated
rotating machinery products such as turbine engines for aircraft
propulsion and power generation. In this application, our technology
will sit on top of existing data logging and presentation systems
and will enable the human experts currently providing interpretation
of all data streams to instead focus on the more challenging situations.
They will additionally be provided a model-based predictive capability.
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