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The Department of Commerce (DOC), through the
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, awarded 27 Phase
1 contracts for FY 1999. These awards of up to $75,000 each, and
totaling approximately $2.9 million, are for a 6-month effort to
demonstrate the feasibility of innovative approaches to the research
topics identified in the "DOC SBIR Program Solicitation for FY99
(DOC 99-1)." Abstracts of the successful Phase 1 proposals submitted
under this solicitation, and brief comments on their potential commercial
applications, are provided in this publication. In Phase 2, funding
is provided for projects that are most promising after Phase 1 is
completed. These awards can be for up to $300,000 each and for 2
years. Phase 3 uses non-SBIR funding to pursue potential commercial
applications of the project. The DOC awarded a total of 10 Phase
2 contracts in FY 99 for a total of approximately $4.6 million.
Abstracts of successful Phase 2 proposals and comments on their
commercial applications are also provided in this solicitation.
The SBIR program is highly competitive. A total of about 300 proposals were received by DOC in response to its FY 99 solicitation. The proposals were independently reviewed by DOC scientists and/or engineers. With the funds available, only 40 could be selected. Final selection was based upon the results of the reviews, relative importance to DOC needs, relationship to on-going research, and potential for commercialization.
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.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.6. Adaptive Learning Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.6.1T Web-based Instructional Platforms
TITLE: Adaptive Learning in Web-Based Instructional
Systems
NIST OU: 890
FIRM: Intelligent Systems Technology, Inc.
2800 28th Street, Suite 306
Santa Monica, CA 90405
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Azad Madni
310-581-5440
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,891
ABSTRACT:
Recent advances in information technologies, and
more specifically, in web-based instruction, intelligent tutoring
systems, and platform-independent implementations have made it possible
for the first time to create web-based instructional systems with
the capability to adapt instructional sequence, and presentations
based on learner/student progress and entry level skills. The specific
thrust of this SBIR is intelligent authoring and knowledge management
in web-based instructional systems. The product of Phase 1 will
be a conceptual prototype that communicates the Phase 2 functionality
and features to end-users and sponsors for feedback and critique.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Potential commercial applications of the research
include web-based distance learning/training for packaged application
suites such as ERP systems, manufacturing execution systems, and decision
support systems.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.7 Advanced Building Materials and Systems
SUBTOPIC: 8.7.5T Measurement of Thermal Conductivity
of Insulation at High Temperature
TITLE: High Temperature Thermal Conductivity
Apparatus
NIST OU: 860
FIRM:
MetSys Corporation
P.O. Box 317
Millwood, VA 22646
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Daniel Flynn
540-837-2186
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
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 industrial insulation materials
over the range of temperatures from 200 to 1500 K, depending upon
the particular material and its compatibility with other materials.
The apparatus will have the capability to carry out measurements
under controlled environments of air, selected gases, or vacuum,
again depending upon material compatibility. The specific technical
objectives of the Phase 1 development effort are to: develop performance
criteria and specifications for the apparatus; review alternative
measurement approaches, select the design, and refine it to the
point where it can be subjected to detailed analysis; develop numerical
and analytical models of the apparatus that will enable reliable
prediction of apparatus performance and measurement accuracy as
functions of the design parameters; study and analyze alternative
approaches to the most crucial design features of the apparatus;
and develop a detailed design of the complete prototype apparatus
to be built in Phase 2, and all instrumentation and software specifications.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Industrial plants and utilities account for
about half of the total United States energy use. It has been estimated
that over 1.4 quadrillion Btu's could be saved if industry installed economically
optimal insulation. The apparatus to be developed under this project will
provide the U.S. with an unparalled capability to provide accurate thermal
conductivity data to manufacturers and users of high-temperature thermal
insulations for a wide variety of industrial and military applications,
thus allowing selection and installation of greatly improved insulation
systems.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.8 Advanced Detection and Suppression
of Fires
SUBTOPIC: 8.8.1T Advanced Detection and Monitoring
of Fires
TITLE: Novel Fiber Networked Diode Laser-Based
Fire Detection
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: Physical Sciences, Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: William Kessler
978-689-0003
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,985
ABSTRACT:
Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop and
demonstrate a fiber optic network of sensors for the detection of molecular
species and smoke used as fire indicators. The combination of these two
sensors in one package will preclude false alarms while providing rapid,
sensitive fire detection. The all-fiber network will use absorption measurements
for toxic gases and scattering measurements for the presence of smoke.
Diode laser-based absorption spectroscopy utilizing near infrared light
sources has been developed and refined now for more than 10 years. We
propose advancing this technology to the next logical stop by integrating
a diode laser-based carbon monoxide sensor and scattering smoke sensor
with an all-fiber-optic network for transmission of the laser light to
and from the measurement point. The use of the same fiber optic components
for laser launch and reception reduces the cost of diode laser-based fire
sensors for widespread commercial application. We envision a central hub
location for the main sensor control networked to an array of sensors
which may be located within an individual building, an industrial park,
or an entire community.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
We anticipate that the demonstrated fiber optic
network of sensors may lay the foundation for a new class of fire sensors
which provide fire and toxic gas detection capability for both the business
community and communities of homeowners. The use of currently developed
telecommunications products and new products about to come on-line in
the telecommunications industry make it possible to envision fire and
carbon monoxide sensor companies servicing businesses and individual homeowners
in the coming years.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.10 Condition-Based Maintenance
SUBTOPIC: 8.10.1T Development & Integration
of Condition-Based Maintenance Technologies
TITLE: Vigilant: A Conditional-Based Maintenance
Technology for
Turbomachines
NIST
OU: 470
FIRM: The Athena Group, Inc.
3424 N.W. 31st Street
Gainsville, FL 32605
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Iztok Koren
352-371-2567
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Condition-based maintenance (CBM) is concerned
with ensuring the health of high-value systems. CBM is an evolving
maintenance paradigm anticipated to play a major role in defining
the operational environment of future complex machines. Such machines
will be expected to possess deeply embedded diagnostic systems having
predictably accurate real-time performance. A system with these
capabilities would decrease operational costs and increase public
safety. In this context, the Athena Group proposes Vigilant, a new
class of embedded CBM system. The Vigilant paradigm is based on
the innovative use of wavelets, neural classifiers, and data fusion
techniques. By using multiple wavelet bases, the unresponsiveness
of Fourier or single wavelet basis systems can be mitigated. Vigilant
also incorporates a new data fusion and classifier design that overcomes
the historical problem of training systems in the absence of meaningful
failure databases. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the potential
advantage of the Vigilant CBM in turbomachine applications. The
Phase 1 SBIR study builds upon this foundation to produce an experimental
prototype system that can be studied using computer simulations.
The result is the definition of a viable Vigilant system which can
be reduced to a field-operable prototype in Phase 2, and a commercial
product in Phase 3.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
CBM, while being an accepted maintenance paradigm,
has had only limited commercial success. Vigilant expects to achieve a
marketplace success in this area due to the technology's superior performance
and cost-effectiveness. In commercial form, Vigilant will be delivered
as a software system or upgrade. The marketing of Vigilant will benefit
from the proposer's long-term technology relationship with Lockheed-Martin,
a major provider of large complex machines.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.3T Graphical Design of Manufacturing
Control Systems
TITLE: Architectural Patterns for Real-Time
Systems
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Real-Time Innovations, Inc.
155A Moffett Park Drive, Suite 111
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Rajive Joshi
408-720-8312
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Software architecture is critical for real-time
systems. Much progress has been made in generic architectures and reference
models; the NIST ISAM system presents a well-developed theory of temporal
hierarchical modeling to structure real-time systems. However, generic
architectures have not realized their potential for widespread adoption.
We believe this is largely due to a lack of
enabling software tools. We propose to develop a capability to define
and enforce architectural patterns, and merge it with a commercial software
design environment for intelligent control. The tool will assist in defining
the architecture, building compliant systems, and developing and reusing
software modules. Architects will use patterns to specify generic system
structures. Users will then create complex systems by filling in these
templates. The tool will provide the much-needed mechanism for widespread
use of reference architectures.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed research will create a platform
that will serve as a technology conduit for architectures, modules, and
research. With a powerful development environment behind it, reference
model architectures will realize the potential of long years of research.
This research, if successful, will revolutionize the development of intelligent
control systems.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.5T Novel Atomizer for Control
of Reference Spray Combustion Facility
TITLE: A Micromachined Device for Precision
Atomization
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: Creare Incorporated
P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: James J. Barry
603-643-3800
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,755
ABSTRACT:
To assist NIST's development of a reference spray
combustion facility, we propose a novel atomizer based on a micromachined
droplet generation device. This atomizer will provide precise and
repeatable droplet fields, and its unique design permits control
of droplet size distribution and spray output independent of air
flow. We have previously demonstrated in the laboratory the basic
approach for generating near-monodisperse droplets for production
of precision aerosols. In Phase 1, we will demonstrate the generation
of a specified droplet distribution using a proof-of-principle benchtop
device and develop a concept design for a Phase 2prototype. Phase
2 will involve constructing the prototype device, testing it in
the lab, then installing and testing the atomizer in the NIST combustion
facility.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The end result of Phase 1 and 2 will be a precision
atomizer ideally suited to the needs of NIST's reference facility. The
technology has strong prospects for commercialization in combustion and
in material processing applications requiring precise, well-controlled
droplet distributions.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.7T Process Monitoring and Control
of Composites Processing
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: Pepe Davis
925-876-8818
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,132
ABSTRACT:
An optical coherence tomography (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 effects 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 birefringence artifacts observed in typical OCT systems.
Optiphase Inc. proposes to develop an innovative, all fiber optic 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,
build, and test this all fiber optic OCT sensor. These objectives will
be met through analytical design and prototype testing culminating with
imaging of glass reinforced composite samples at Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory.
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 specially pertinent to the automotive
and marine composite industries. Additional commercial applications exist
in the medical fields as a diagnostic tool for imaging of biological tissue
such as the human retina, skin, blood vessels, and tooth and gums.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.9T Sensor for In-Situ Measurements
of Thermal Spray Coatings
TITLE: Investigation of Ripple-Technique for
Thermal Spray Coatings
NIST
OU: 850
FIRM: STRATONICS, Inc.
23151 Verdugo Drive, Suite 114
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: James Craig
949-461-7060
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,999
ABSTRACT:
Thermal spray coating (TSC) is a promising low-cost
technology for improving the abrasion resistance and surface characteristics
of low cost parts. The major problem preventing wider adoption of this
technology, is that coating quality is very sensitive to the surface temperature
of the substrate during deposition. Application of the ripple technique
for the simultaneous measurement of sample emissivity and temperature
to TSC will be investigated. All major sources of error will be identified.
Experiments will be designed and carried out to quantify the magnitude
of the possible errors. Special fixtures will be designed and constructed
for these experiments. It is expected that a major source of error will
be associated with the necessity to measure the TSC deposition-sample
temperature through the TSC flame. Measurements will be made during operation
of the TSC flame both with and without typical TSC deposition samples
as a function of flame temperature, velocity, particle leading, and sample
temperature, when applicable, to quantify this source of error. A second
source of error is the failure to satisfy Kirchhoff's law with the ripple-technique
lamps. Measurements will be carried out as a function of ripple-technique
lamp location to quantify these errors.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed ripple technique temperature measurement
system addresses industry's needs to simultaneously measure emissivity
and temperature in thermal spray coating processes. This product
is well suited for researchers in national laboratories, universities
and industries who are developing and improving TSC. Successful
completion of the proposed Phase 1 and Phase 2 research will increase
the market for optical-fiber thermometers and the associated instrumentation
that supports the ripple technique. Currently, this market is confined
to the application of the ripple technique to rapid thermal processing
(RTP) of integrated circuit wafers.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Intelligent Control
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.10T High-Speed Video Camera for
Measurements in Spray Processing
TITLE: Intelligent Control
NIST
OU: 850
FIRM: The Cooke Corporation
600 Main Street, P.O. Box 888
Tonawanda, NY 14150-0888
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gerald Lilly
248-332-5655
AWARD AMOUNT: $65,000
ABSTRACT:
A need has been identified for a High Speed
Video camera for the study of high velocity particles used in thermal
spray applications. Cooke Corporation proposes to build on our past success
in the area of high speed imaging of thermal sprays, by extending the
capabilities of our video camera system. The proposed camera will have
extended spectral range to allow imaging of sprays below 600C, while shortening
exposure times to less than 50ns to enable the study of higher velocity
sprays than previous systems. The camera will also provide multiple exposures
per frame, with readout rates of 30 fps or lower as required. Spatial
resolution of 10m or less will enable the imaging of fine droplets. All
system parameters will be software controlled. The system will be robust,
to allow operation in industrial environments. Deployment of the proposed
high speed imaging system will further the research necessary to advance
the industrial applications of spray forming in the industrial, military
and automotive sectors. System costs will be minimized by extending the
capabilities of existing commercial products.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed system can be further developed
to provide real time, feedback control of particle size, speed and distribution
in thermal spray application systems. The proposed camera technology also
lends itself to high speed imaging pyrometry for temperature studies of
fast phenomena. Other applications include combustion and fuel injection
studies, ink jet spray analysis, wind tunnel studies for aerodynamics
and studies for a number of other spray related phenomena.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.12 Intelligent and Distributed CAD
SUBTOPIC: 8.12.3T/CC Green Engineering Concepts
for Next Generation Vehicles
TITLE: Green Engineering Concepts
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Thar Designs, Inc.
730 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Lalit Chordia
412-826-3939
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,950
ABSTRACT:
Montreal Protocol requires that ozone-depleting
gases such as clorofluorocarbons (CFC) should no longer be used soon.
As an example, automobile air conditioning systems, with over 40-45 millions
cars being fitted with air conditioners every year, represent a major
source of refrigerant emissions to the environment. Replacing freon with
carbon dioxide would be the ideal situation as was done in the early part
of this century. This problem represents a unique opportunity to design
and develop a new compressor based on Green Engineering. Green Engineering
is the encapsulated applied research and design of systems that can impact
the ecology at a significant level.
Designers have to utilize a vast array of design
tools in order to develop a given product. The design team involved in
Green Technologies has in addition to the typical design process: layer's
of scientific, regulatory, and ethical data to address. Green Technology
Designers need a Coupled Component Design System that has an accessible
source of information related to their project, and the most current,
authoritative, and extensible knowledge base with which to focus the design
process. The design, and analysis tool set must be advanced and scaleable
in order to disseminate and incorporate each component to its specification
within the design. A collaborative exchange of information is extremely
necessary for the design team to assure a timely development of design
tools admission into the design repository.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
With over 40-45 million air conditioned cars
being made each year, even a small market share will make a significant
dent in the emissions to the environment. The long-term market potential
for compressors in the automotive industry is over $1.2 billion dollars
annually, and this is expected to grow as the demand for cars fitted with
air conditioners grows every year. This product is especially attractive
in the developed countries due to environmental considerations and in
third world countries due to the high cost of HCFC's. Once this process
is proved for this application, it can be extended to other applications.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed Electronic
Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.5T Natural Language Interface
to 3-D Character Animations
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
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,707
ABSTRACT:
This SBIR Phase 1 project will demonstrate the
feasibility of real-time, natural language interaction with an Internet-based
3D Virtual Human Agent that can demonstrate the features, operation,
maintenance, and assembly 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 VRML 97; (3) fully
consistent with the standards being developed by the Humanoid Animation
(H-ANIM) working group of the VRML consortium; and (4) coordinated
with the initiatives being undertaken by the Natural Language Processing
Animation (NLP-ANIM) and other working groups dedicated to developing
related standards. In Phase 1, we will design and integrate a Test
Bed that leverages existing hardware and software, and will perform
trade studies on the proposed architecture, using a simple operator
or maintenance task. We will also demonstrate the ability to compose
new, more complex character interactions from basic library animations.
In Phase 2, we will use the research results and Test Bed from Phase
1 to develop a fully operational prototype of a Natural Language
Processing/Virtual Human (NLP/VH) agent that (1) demonstrates the
features, operation, maintenance, and assembly of a product; and
(2) learns new tasks by composing them from a library of basic animations.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
A Conversational 3D Character On-line Agent,
that demonstrates products and tasks in response to natural language commands,
can enable new modes of communicating product information over the Internet.
By providing a faculty to learn new, composite actions, the VH Agent will
be adaptable to new tasks and situations. When linked with on-line learning,
distributed manufacturing, e-commerce, 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 controls.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed Electronic
Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.10T Displays for Learning Technologies
and Information Dissemination
TITLE: Evaluation and Integration of a Novel
Volumetric 3D Display Technology
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: Genex Technologies, Inc.
10605 Concord Street, Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jason Geng
301-962-6565
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Genex Technologies, Inc. (GTI) has recently
made a breakthrough in high-resolution volumetric three-dimensional (3D)
display technology by offering volumetric 3D display capability of over
8,000,000 voxels. Capitalizing upon our success, and facing new challenges
brought by this innovation, we propose herein a Phase 1 SBIR program to:
(1) perform a thorough evaluation of this novel volumetric 3D display
technique in the context of human-display interface standards; and (2)
develop a prototype volumetric 3D display device that integrates the powerful
volumetric 3D capability with image storage and interactive user interface
functions to enhance knowledge acquisition, comprehension, and management.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The commercial market for true 3D display systems
is sizable (the market for compatible 2D display was about $22 billion/year
in 1995 and is continuously growing) and applications are enormous, including
both military (e.g., air traffic control, pilot training, battle management,
submarine navigation, telemedicine, etc.) and commercial (e.g., 3D TV,
virtual reality, computer aided design, visualization of multidimensional
data, medical imaging, surgery assistance, education, scientific computing,
video games, stadium displays, etc.). The 3D display system will provide
a new level of realism and literally add a new dimension to the dynamic
interaction between human, display, and computers.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Infrastructure for Distributed Electronic
Commerce
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.11T Security Requirements Analysis,
Methods and Tools
TITLE: Security Requirements Analysis, Methods
and Tools
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: VDG, Inc.
6009 Brookside Drive
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Serban Gavrila
301-975-4343
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,972
ABSTRACT:
The research proposed herein is intended to
solve two problems, namely (1) to define a method for the analysis of
protection profiles (e.g., those of the Common Criteria for IT Security,
FIPS 140 series) for distributed systems, networks, and their subsystems
in a precise and systematic manner; and (2) to provide a set of automated
tools to support profile development and analysis. Precise analysis methods
and tools for profile requirements and components have not been available
because a formal basis for classifying and analyzing the dependencies
among these requirements and components does not exist to date. Furthermore,
a systematic way of composing security components into a profile in a
manner that enables the demonstration of their effectiveness in countering
a specific set of threats is also lacking. While useful in practice, extant
profile development tools are in effect simple aids for the display, manipulation,
storage, and formatting of textual requirements. These tools do not satisfy
our profile development, analysis and effectiveness goals. The overall
objective of this project is to develop a precise method and a set of
tools for the analysis and synthesis of protection profiles, and for the
specification of security targets based on a wide variety of security-requirement
sets of different sizes and complexity.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The profile development and analysis method
and tools, when fully implemented, will provide a significant measure
of confidence in consistency, completeness, and effectiveness of protection
profiles and security targets. We envision that the method and tools would
be used for the development and analysis of new protection profiles by
both private industry, government, and commercial security certification
services both in the U.S. and internationally, for both the Common Criteria
and other, more specialized, security standards, e.g., cryptographic frameworks.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.15 Measurement & Standards for
Composite Materials
SUBTOPIC: 8.15.1T Methods & Tools to Support
Composite Materials for Civil Infrastructure
TITLE: Low Cost Renewable Resin for Pultruded
Products
NIST
OU: 470
FIRM: Composite Products, Inc.
9417 South Broadway, Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63125
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: John Unser
314-638-6525
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,977
ABSTRACT:
One of the fastest growing industries is the
civil infrastructure. Composites usage represent only a small percentage
of the civil infrastructure market. In 1997, composite material shipments
to this market were 700 million pounds. In just September of 1998, steel
shipments in this market were 2.4 billion pounds. One of the main reasons
for the small penetration of composites into this market is that they
are too expensive. Two of the major cost drivers for composites are labor
and raw materials. Labor costs can be reduced significantly through the
use of pultrusion, which is a continuous low cost fabrication method for
composites. However, there has not been much focus on the development
of low cost, high performance raw materials for use on composites. The
use of renewable raw materials such as Epoxidized Soybean Oil in resin
formulations offer low cost ($.50 per pound) raw materials. Another problem
with composites is that they are not ductile, therefore they fail catastrophically.
Epoxidized Soybean Oil in resin formulations offer damage tolerance, ductility,
and flexibility. Composite Products Inc. (CPI) and the University of Missouri
- Rolla have teamed to propose to develop a new resin system for pultrusion
base on this renewable raw material source. Preliminary work indicates
that a pultrudable resin system can be made that is more ductile without
much loss in strength.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The potential uses of pultruded composite products
that are strong, damage tolerant, and flexible are numerous. CPI envisions
implementation in applications where catastrophic failure could be life
threatening such as hand railings in industrial sites, safety rails for
off shore platforms, deck railing systems for boats, and road barriers.
CPI is currently building several all composite bridges in Missouri. CPI
will focus on the development of road barriers, which is a natural extension
of the bridge effort.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.15 Measurement & Standards for
Composite Materials
SUBTOPIC: 8.15.2T Flow Detection Method for
FRP Composites Used to Repair Concrete and Masonry
TITLE: NDE of FRP Repairs for Concrete and Masonry
NIST OU: 860
FIRM: Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc.
9063 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX 78733-6201
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: George Matzkanin
512-263-2101
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,997
ABSTRACT:
Adhesively bonding fiber reinforced polymer
(FRP) materials to concrete and masonry structural components has emerged
as a valuable way to repair America's aging infrastructure. Widespread
use of this technology is hampered, however, by the current inability
to qualify such repair.
Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. (TRI/Austin)
will determine the capabilities and limitations of various NDE methods
for detecting defects in FRP bonded repairs of concrete infrastructure.
TRI/Austin operates the Nondestructive Testing Information Analysis Center
(NTIAC) for the U.S. Department of Defense. The in-house capabilities
gained by running NTIAC make us uniquely qualified to achieve the proposed
effort.
In Phase 1, TRI/Austin will perform a complete
information collection and critical review to determine which NDE methods
offer the most promise for detecting defects in FRP repairs. This review
will recommend the four most promising NDE techniques, and vendors qualified
to complete them. Samples containing artificially introduced defects,
such as delaminations, debonds, voids, and resin rich areas will be sent
to these four vendors for laboratory inspections. All data collected throughout
the project will be analyzed and reported to NIST.
Phase 2 work will include field development of
the most promising technique(s), as well as developing inspection
procedures and calibrations standards.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Composite materials are becoming more and more
common. They are being used in such applications as aeronautics, automobiles,
and boats. The technology used in this project will be able to evaluate
such items as composite masts and fiberglass panels.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.1T Scanning Microwave Microscope
for 2-D and 3-D Dopant Profiling of Semiconductors
TITLE: Nanometer-Scale Semiconductor Analysis
with Tunable Microwave Microscopy and Spectroscopy
NIST
OU: 810
FIRM: Atolytics, Inc.
545 Orlando Avenue
State College, PA 16803-3479
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gregory McCarty
814-863-8220
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
We propose to develop tunable microwave frequency
scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy for 2-D and 3-D dopant
profiling of semiconductors. For Phase 1, we will use existing state-of-the-art
instrumentation at Penn State. We will have access to a wide range of
semiconductor samples which will undergo complementary analyses using
the current standard technologies. We will be partnering with a leading
analytical services company for this purpose. 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
1, we will measure tunneling impedance as a function of frequency and
bias. We will determine which measurements are information-rich in terms
of dopant profiling. In subsequent work, we will make these measurements
quantitative. Through partnerships, we have ready access to samples, markets,
and future technologies as they are being developed.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Nanometer-scale analyses for the electronics,
communications, and biotechnology industries. The commercial applications
of this work will be developed simultaneously through ongoing partnerships.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.5T Advanced Chemical Modeling
and Simulation Tools for Semiconductor Processing
TITLE: Advanced Chemical Modeling and Simulation
Tools
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: Reaction Design
11436 Sorrento Valley Road
San Diego, CA 92121
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Erik Egan
619-550-1920
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,391
ABSTRACT:
Chemistry is at the heart of most semiconductor
and materials manufacturing processes. Models that describe the interaction
between chemistry and transport in reactors are a core technology for
improving production efficiency, quality control and operating costs.
A key input to these models is a reaction mechanism and associated chemical
data. Today, synthesis of these mechanisms is a difficult, time-consuming
task and there are few support tools. This proposal presents a plan for
development of a prototype environment that incorporates: chemical databases,
uncertainty analyses, chemically reacting flow simulation, visualization
and data analysis. The goal is to develop a commercially viable system
that will reduce the time needed to generate chemical mechanisms and analyze
the results of reacting flow simulations. Five tasks are proposed: (1)
review methods for generating mechanisms; (2) design a software architecture
and database management system for storing chemical species, their chemical
properties, reaction steps, mechanisms, uncertainties and documentation;
(3) implement a prototype system (based on the NIST CKmech code) that
simplifies access to the information base; (4) integrating into CHEMKIN
reaction modeling environment algorithms for sensitivity and uncertainty
analysis; and (5) define a post-processing analysis system.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
One of the largest challenges in the semiconductor
industry today is the move to larger wafers and smaller features while
also introducing new material systems. Chipmakers will reduce resulting
process development costs by using simulation tools from this research
to gain more information with fewer experimental wafers, while freeing
production capacity for processing saleable material. They will also speed
process optimization by replacing time consuming experiments with faster
simulations to reach high-yielding processes quickly, shortening time-to-market.
Their equipment and chemicals suppliers will likewise use the software
for faster, cheaper reactor and chemical systems development to accelerate
overall technology evolution. The entire industry will apply the product
to understand how to improve efficiency and reduce emissions of harmful
waste chemicals. Such uses readily extend to combustion and chemical processing
industries.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.7T High Temperature Thin Film
Insulation
TITLE: Novel High Temperature Insulators for
Thin Film Thermocouples
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: ATMI, Inc.
7 Commerce Drive
Danbury, CT 06810
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Frank DiMeo, Jr.
203-794-1100
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Thin film thermocouple technology for real-time,
high-temperature (1000C), distributed thermometry spans a wide range
of commercial application areas, including semiconductor manufacturing
and combustion engine feedback. At present, a lack of suitable high-temperature
thin film insulators, required to provide an adhesive interface
we well as an electrical and chemical barrier between the substrate
and the thermo-elements, severely hinders widespread implementation
of this technology. Compounds from the MgO-SiO2-Al203 ternary system
offer the opportunity to overcome the limitations of conventional
insulators. These compounds are chemically compatible with silicon,
have high resistivity at elevated temperatures, and offer a range
of coefficients of thermal expansion. Metal organic chemical vapor
deposition (MOCVD) of complex oxides is an attractive fabrication
method because of its ability to cover large areas with high quality
films and, coupled with the ability to coat complex shapes, can
conformally encapsulate thin film thermocouples for improved robustness.
In Phase 1, MgO and MgAl204 films will be deposited by MOCVD on
silicon substrates and fully characterized, including electrical
behavior at elevated temperatures. In Phase 2, film performance
will be optimized, full encapsulation of thin film thermocouples
will be examined, and the deposition process will be extended to
insulator films such as Mg2Al3(AISi)5018.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The potential commercial applications of thin
film insulator compounds from the MgO-Si02-Al203 ternary system include
high temperature insulators for silicon wafer based thermometry using
thin film thermocouples, gas turbine engine thermometry, and barriers/buffer
layers for advanced semiconductor devices.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.8T Measurement of Trace Alpha
Radiation in Polymeric Microchip Material
TITLE: Measurement of Trace Alpha Radiation
In Polymeric Microchip Material
NIST
OU: 840
FIRM: Fayette Environmental Services, Inc.
120 E. Davis Street, P.O. Box 21
Fayette, MO 65248-0021
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Rhys N. Thomas
660-248-1911
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
The reduction of alpha particle emission induced
soft error upset has been identified in the industry association's National
Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors as a major concern. However, the
measurement of ultratrace alpha radiation levels is difficult, and has
become a source of conflict between materials suppliers and microchip
manufacturers. Development of an inexpensive standardized test method
has been solicited to allow for accurate analysis to a detection limit
far below the current low-alpha standards. Not only will this alleviate
the misunderstandings between suppliers and users, but also will permit
further research into the source and removal of the ultratrace contamination.
The process to be developed under this proposal
utilizes three unique principles in order to provide an improvement in
detection limit of more than a factor of 50 over the best available technology.
First, this process evaluates volumetric content of alpha activity rather
than surface content, greatly increasing the effective size of the sample.
Second, it requires no chemical separations or processes to isolate trace
alpha emitters from the encapsulant material. Third, it utilizes a unique,
digital counting system that provides precise selectivity for alpha decay
events, thus eliminating background radiation and improving alpha detection
sensitivity.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The method for ultratrace detection of alpha
emissions developed under this proposal will be of value not only to the
semiconductor industry but also for environmental monitoring at various
governmental sites formerly used for nuclear weapons research or uranium
production. The proposed device will be economical enough to allow surveying
of contamination fields to map plume development.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.9T Advanced Ion Beam Methods
for Nanotechnology
TITLE: Highly Charged Ions - A New Tool for
Nanotechnology
NIST
OU: 840
FIRM: Charles Evans & Associates
301 Chesapeake Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Kuang Jen Wu
650-369-4567
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,974
ABSTRACT:
The goal of this proposal is to develop advanced
mass spectrometry instrumentation based on the use of slow, highly charged
ion (HCI) such as Xe44+ or Au69+. The competitive characteristics of this
excitation source for secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) arises from
the unique power density of ~1E14 W/cm2 that can be delivered into a nanometer-scale
surface area. Secondary ion yields in highly charged ion SIMS are increased
by a factor of
100 - 1000 as compared to conventional SIMS.
This improvement enables chemical structure analysis on a 10 nm length
scale through integration of coincidence counting. The proposed research
will determine the feasibility of Highly Charged Ion SIMS for industrial
applications in the semiconductor and biotech industries. We propose to
target (1) advanced metallization: sub-micron copper lines on silicon;
and (2) biomolecular assemblies: interface bonding properties as examples
where available techniques have been insufficient in addressing critical
industry needs. Phase 1 research will be performed at Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory where highly charged ion technology has been developed
for about a decade.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Analytical instrumentation for chemical analysis
of nanometer scale surface features.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.17 Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
SUBTOPIC: 8.17.10T High Precision Manufacturing
of Rockwell Diamond Indenters
NIST
OU: 820
TITLE: Innovative Manufacturing Methods for
Diamond Indenters
FIRM: Gilmore Diamond Tools, Inc.
43 Roger Williams Avenue
East Providence, RI 02916
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Michael Mihalec
401-438-0717
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Due to the inherent properties of Natural Diamond,
indenters produced by traditional manufacturing methods yield unacceptable
variations in their geometric profiles. It will become our objective to
repeatedly reproduce Rockwell indenters with tighter geometric tolerances
than those currently available for standardization and traceability. Our
primary focus will be the implementation of advanced grinding systems,
coupled with experimental techniques and variations in grinding wheel
specifications. The variables will translate directly into documented
test results directed towards minimal variations in cone angle and radius
measurements. Additional areas of evaluation will monitor surface finish,
and interpret measurement results gathered both on site and though working
relationships with Government Facilities and Universities.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Diamond indenters produced utilizing advancements
in manufacturing technologies would represent an available source of calibration
grade indenters with direct traceability to NIST and ISO standards. These
indenters would be available to testing laboratories, Test Block manufacturers,
Hardness Testing Machine manufacturers, and facilities dependent upon
accurate and repeatable hardness testing results, with direct traceability
to National Standards.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.18 Microfabrication and Micromachining
SUBTOPIC: 8.18.1T Ultra-Sensitive Atomic Force
Microscope Cantilevers
TITLE: Ultra-Sensitive Torsional Oscillators
for Scanning Probe Microscopes
NIST
OU: 810
FIRM: Xidex Corporation
8906 Wall Street, Suite 105
Austin, TX 78754
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Validmir Mancevski
512-339-0608
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Xidex proposes to team with UT Austin to develop
a new type of ultra sensitive force sensor suitable for use with
scanning probe microscopes. Ultra sensitive force detection will
be enabled by using high-Q silicon multiple torsinal oscillators.
Our strategy to attain and surpass a force sensitivity of 1016N/Hz1/2,
which is required to measure extremely small electro-dynamic forces,
involves two main thrusts: (1) utilizing double- and multiple-torsional
oscillator modes, which can enhance oscillator quality factor Q
by a factor of 100 or more; and (2) replacing ultrathin silicon-nitride
(amorphous) cantilevers with single-crystal silicon structures,
which can further enhance the Q by a similar or greater factor.
Phase 2 will focus on improving the repeatability and scalability
of the batch fabrication process, thus enabling incorporation of
ultra-sensitive cantilevers into planed OEM modules and sale of
cantilevers themselves to end users of scanned probe microscopy
tools and instruments.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Targeted commercial applications include magnetic
force microscopy (MFM), magnetic force resonance microscopy (MFRM), lateral
force microscopy (LFM), and scanning potentiometry. Two commercial embodiments
of the technology will be evaluated: (1) sensing components, bundled with
appropriate software, for sale to OEMs of laboratory instrumentation;
and (2) integration of the technology into our own stand-alone tools for
sale directly to end users. The channel we pick will depend on the application
or applications that have the greatest commercial potential.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.18 Microfabrication and Micromachining
SUBTOPIC: 8.18.5T Three-Dimensional Imaging
System for Low Activity Brachytherapy Sources
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
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Improved methods are needed to calibrate the
radiation emission uniformity of small radioactive sources used for radiation
therapy. Improvements are needed in terms of spatial resolution and ease
of use. A novel radiation imaging instrument is proposed to be developed
for use in mapping the three-dimensional radiation levels emitted from
relatively low activity brachytherapy sources. A scintillating glass-CCD
camera system offers the potential for sensitive, high resolution imaging
in a geometry what will provide a full three-dimensional map of the emitted
radiation, in a measurement time estimated in minutes. The developed instrument
will permit measurements to be made in an efficient manner, in an operational
mode much simpler to use as compared to the cumbersome methods currently
in use. The Phase 1 project is planned to demonstrate the feasibility
of the imaging system and geometry and help determine if additional scintillators
will be needed for the prototype instrument. The proposed radiation camera
system clearly has the sensitivity needed for measurements/calibration
of low activity sources. A major advantage of the proposed scintillator-camera
system is the prospect for rapid, easy-to-use measurements that can be
related to dose.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Multiple markets are foreseen for this efficient,
radiation mapping scintillator-camera instrument. Instrument needs exist
with manufacturers of small radioactive sources, with organizations that
offer radiation calibration services and, particularly with the many radiation
oncology centers that are the primary uses of brachytherapy sources. There
are more than 1,500 radiation oncology facilities in the U.S. alone, representing
a potential market of $75 million.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.20 Photonics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 8.20.1T Photonic Components/Systems
Manufacturing Cost Reduction
TITLE: Materials Processing for Mass-Producible
Distributed Photonic Amplifiers
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: Intelligent Fiber Optics Systems (IFOS)
1778 Fordham Way
Mountain View, CA 94040
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Richard Black
650-967-4107
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
Photonic systems offer enormous potential because of
the extraordinary large bandwidth that they deliver. However, component
cost dominated by optical amplifiers constrains their proliferation.
Furthermore, a common problem is component loss including splitting-loss
whereby signal strength per channel is reduced whenever a signal
is split. For an economic and compact solution to this problem,
there is the need for integrated-optic devices that combine splitting
and amplification of light. Erbium-doped amplifiers have become
well established in fiber form. However, their manufacture is today
complex and costly. IFOS proposes to combine integrated-optic splitter
fabrication with a new approach for manufacture of integrated-optic
amplifiers. It will open up new application opportunities for amplifiers
in subsystems intended for sensing, signal processing and communications.
Our approach brings together processing technologies that are low-cost,
low-temperature and lend themselves to high-volume production. In
Phase 1, we will focus on materials processing and analyze, fabricate
and characterize active-glass waveguide substrates for proof-of-concept
demonstration of high gain-per-unit-length. In Phase 2, we will
demonstrate active-ridge-waveguides and fabricate an optimized 1x2
lossless splitter and begin commercialization activities. IFOS has
demonstrated its expertise in photonics including amplifiers and
couplers/splitters, materials processing, business and marketing.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The IFOS low-cost, highly manufacturable, distributed
photonic amplifier technology will significantly enhance performance of
photonic systems in telecommunications, cable TV, Internet access and
optical signal processing systems. A multiplicity of distributed, low-cost,
low-gain amplifiers and splitters can be integrated on the same chip to
perform cost-effective all-optical signal processing with improved signal-to-noise
ratios. The fiber amplifier market is now over $500 million and is doubling
every four years.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.20 Photonics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 8.20.4T In Situ, Noncontact Temperature
Measurements of Semiconductors
TITLE: Noncontact Measurement of MBE Substrate
Temperature
NIST
OU: 810
FIRM: ARACOR
425 Lakeside Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jonathan Kerner
408-733-7780
AWARD AMOUNT: $75,000
ABSTRACT:
There is a need to improve the reliability of
semiconductor photonic devices, such as lasers, LEDs, photodetectors and
modulators which are critical to the high-growth industries concerned
with wireless and optical telecommunications, high speed networks, and
imaging. The lack of accurate, in situ process control monitors during
device fabrication can lead to defect generation and poor reproducibility
of component parameters, such as film thickness and composition, which
strongly impact device lifetime and performance.
To improve reliability, new deposition processes are
being developed at low temperatures (150 to 450C) using molecular
beam epitaxy (MBE). This Phase 1 project is designed to demonstrate
the feasibility of using x-ray diffraction for the in situ, not-contact
measurement of substrate temperature, a critical MBE processing
parameter. The objectives will be to show that the x-ray measurement
can yield a temperature accuracy of ±1C in the presence of substrate
rotation, and to evaluate the effect of epitaxial films on the measurement.
A breadboard instrument will be built to test the concept with GaAs
substrates, and a collaboration with NIST to examine relevant samples
and interfacing issues will insure a Phase 2 prototype which is
compatible with the MBE processing chambers.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The main commercial applications are associated
with epitaxial and thin film growth equipment processes including molecular
beam epitaxy (MBE), rapid thermal processing (RTP) and chemical vapor
deposition (CVD).
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.20 Photonics Manufacturing
SUBTOPIC: 8.20.6T Ultra-Hard/Sapphire Tools
for Precision Machining
TITLE: Ultra-Hard Nanoceramic Tools for Precision
Machining
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Nanopac Technologies, Inc.
35 Hutchinson Road
Allentown, NJ 08501
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Shih Chieh Liao
732-445-5627
AWARD AMOUNT: $70,000
ABSTRACT:
This Phase 1 project will result in wear-resistant nanoceramic
cutting tools for use in ultraprecision machining operations. In
previous research, we have discovered a method for producing fully
dense, bulk ceramic materials which retain their nanoscale grain
size. Characterization of these materials has demonstrated that
the nanoceramics have exceptional wear resistance with an extremely
fine surface finish. As an example, we have been able to produce
nanograined ceramics with wear resistance that is 4x better than
their micrograined counterpart. In this effort, we will apply our
processing technique to produce bulk ceramic materials with grain
sizes <100nm, densities >99%, and surfaces finishes below
50nm. We will then characterize these materials for their usefulness
as ceramic cutting tools. We anticipate that the combination of
ultrafine grain size and nearly full density will impart the required
properties to this new generation of materials. In the Phase 2 effort,
we will work with our partner, Tempo Technology Corp., to optimize
the scale-up to produce large bulk samples and then to optimize
the properties of the cutting tools for the best combination of
wear resistance and toughness. The Phase 3 effort will address the
manufacture and commercialization of specific nanoceramic cutting
tools.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The nanoceramic cutting tools developed in this
project are expected to replace diamonds in a variety of applications.
In those cases where diamond interacts with the workpiece, we expect that
the ceramic materials will exhibit better stability and lower reactivity.
In addition, the nanoceramics are expected to exhibit many properties
similar to diamond, such as cutting tool sharpness and wear resistance.
Until now, there has been no suitable alternative to diamond for ultraprecision
cutting operations. However, we expect that the nanoceramics will match
many properties of diamond, and may actually exceed it in terms of toughness
due to the retained nanograin size.
FY1999 Phase 1 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.22 Integration of Manufacturing Applications
SUBTOPIC: 8.22.1T Next Generation Process Exchange
Tools and Applications
TITLE: Integration of Manufacturing Applications
Through Next Generation Process Exchange Technology
NIST
OU: 820
FIRM: Intelligent Systems Technology, Inc.
2800 28th Street, Suite 306
Santa Monica, CA 90405
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Azad Madni
310-581-5440
AWARD AMOUNT: $74,955
ABSTRACT:
The overall objective of this SBIR effort is
to provide an easy-to-use generic PSL representation viewer and editor
and a PSL Translator toolkit to facilitate development of translators.
In addition, this project will also evaluate the adequacy of the organizational
aspect of the current PSL ontology. A robust and complete common process
representation is essential for application integration in a manufacturing
environment. The PSL is positioned to fulfill that requirement. PSL is
not used in any commercial product because of lack of good generic PSL
tools. To this end, the proposed effort is directed to create a generic
PSL representation viewer and editor for the users to review and modify
process models stored in PSL format. The proposed effort will also create
a PSL Translator architecture and toolkit that will speed up the development
of translators for integrating various applications using PSL as the common
language. The proposed scalable, web-based PSL Viewer and Editor architecture
and the proposed symmetric modular design for the PSL Translator will
make PSL easier to use and greatly reduce the effort in manufacturing
application integration.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Commercial applications of this research include:
(a) process exchange between different applications such as process design,
workflow managers, project management tools, schedulers and process simulations;
(b) supply chain integration and management; (c) enterprise resource planning;
and (d) enterprise application integration.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.7 Advanced Technology Program
SUBTOPIC: 8.7.1T Technologies for Large Area
Electronic Materials and Devices
TITLE: 3-D Printing of Opto-Electronic Components
on Flexible Substrates
NIST OU: 890
FIRM: Gemfire Corporation
2471 East Bayshore Road Suite 600
Palo Alto, CA 94303
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Nigel Cockroft
650-849-6800
AWARD AMOUNT: $300,000
ABSTRACT:
The technique of screen printing has been demonstrated
to be of practical benefit in numerous engineering applications.
Over the past two decades, these benefits have been widely recognized
by the electronics industry, as evidenced by the flourishing fields
of screen-printed thick-film electronics. Multilayer circuits are
now manufactured by the sequential deposition of conductive and
resistive paste patterns and the deposition of solder bumps and
epoxies to secure precisely mounted components. We propose to apply
these advanced screen printing methods to large-area opto-electronic
applications. In Phase 1, we demonstrated the feasibility of screen
printing three-dimensional optical components on a flexible substrate
using electroformed stencils, where feasibility was defined as being
able to print fine-pitch 3-D optical features of precise dimension,
and being able to print a second set of features over the first
without damaging either. In Phase 2, we will develop several precision
printing techniques required to demonstrate a multilayer device
on a flexible polymer substrate for consumer-electronics display
applications.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The ability to screen printing 3-D opto-electronic
components on thin, flexible substrates will provide a powerful new way
of manufacturing low-cost, large-area integrated optics. Used in conjunction
with existing electronic printing capabilities, the proposed method will
greatly accelerate the emergence of large-area opto-electronic devices.
The technology is anticipated to enable numerous unexpected applications
in thin-film electronics.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.9 Manufacturing Engineering
SUBTOPIC: 8.9.7T Next Generation Process Exchange
Tools and Applications
TITLE: A Framework for Building Information
Translators
NIST OU: 820
FIRM: Knowledge Based Systems, Inc.
1408 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Florence Tissot
409-260-5274
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,760
ABSTRACT:
Today's manufacturing companies are concentrating
their energy towards breaking the barriers between firms all along the
supply chain to create a virtual enterprise whose goal is to operate as
if the chain was a single entity. Breaking these barriers involves facilitating
collaboration and communication at all levels of the enterprise. A key
roadblock to this sort of facilitation is the need for a computer system
interoperability that enables manufacturers and product suppliers to move
and share information up and down the supply chain.
In this project, we propose to implement a framework
for developing and maintaining an information translator for the entire
supply chain. The translators generated by the framework will not only
enable the exchange of properly formatted data, but will take into account
the meaning of data during the translation. The key innovations of this
project are: (1) the use of ontologies to enable information translation,
(2) foundations for ontology harmonization, (3) semantic translation through
inferences, and (4) automated generation and management of translators.
The technology developed in this project will enable companies to cost-
and time-effectively integrate their ERP and ERM systems with their suppliers'
stand-alone software applications.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There is strong evidence for commercial application
potential for the proposed technology in several different areas. The
most promising area is the ERP application area that is lacking tools
that facilitate rapid integration of ERP systems with other stand-alone
software tools. The explosive growth in ERP systems is expected to continue
for the next few years with a continued technology void for integration
tools. The second and broader market segment is to facilitate the development
of general purpose integration mechanisms through the use of ontology-driven
translators.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.10 Chemical Science and Technology
SUBTOPIC: 8.10.2T Strongly Coupled CFD Code
for Modeling of Spray Combustion Systems
TITLE: Next Generation CFD Code for Spray Combustion
Simulations
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: CFD Research Corporation
215 Synn Drive
Huntsville, Al 35805
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: M.G. Girdharan
205-726-4800
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,952
ABSTRACT:
Despite major advances in CFD technology over
the past two decades, simulation of industrial spray combustion systems
remains challenging due to difficulties in modeling various droplet physical
phenomena and in dealing with the geometrical complexity. The proposed
study will develop a 3-dimensional code incorporating advanced physical
models for droplet transport/vaporization and spray combustion by using
solution-adaptive unstructured meshes and efficient parallel algorithms.
The Phase 1 effort demonstrated proof-of-concept
by developing a baseline spray dynamics module incorporating heat
and mass transfer and coupling it with an existing unstructured
reactive flow solver. Comparison of model predictions for non-evaporating
and burning sprays with experimental data showed good agreement.
In Phase 2, the code will be extended to include state-of-the art
models for droplet physics, such as multi-component droplets; droplet-turbulence
interactions; droplet deformation, breakup and collisions; soot
and gaseous emissions; detailed chemical kinetics; and group combustion,
and stochastic spray. Additionally, solution-adaptive meshing techniques
and algorithm improvements will be incorporated into the code. As
part of a verification study, the developed code will be subjected
to a series of test cases for which analytical solutions are available.
Comprehensive benchmark validation of the code will be performed
against data being collected at the NIST Spray Combustion Facility.
A variety of full-scale 3-D waste fuel furnace/incinerator simulations
will be performed to demonstrate the capabilities of the code. Prof.
Aswani Gupta of the University of Maryland and Prof. Clayton Crowe
of Washington State University will be consultants during the Phase
2 project. Phase 3 commitments and endorsements have been obtained
from Optomec, BMW--Rolls-Royce and Geo-Centers, Inc.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The computer code developed under this study
will be a valuable design and analysis tool to maximize the operating
efficiency of spray combustion systems and to reduce the formation and
release of harmful emissions. This software will have applications in
gas turbine and rocket engine combustors, furnaces, evaporative cooling
systems, particle separation systems, fire protection systems, chemical/process
industries, and particle/dust cleaning systems used in microelectronic
applications.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.10 Chemical Science and Technology
SUBTOPIC: 8.10.6T New Technology Detectors for
Analytical X-ray Spectometry
TITLE: New Technology EDS Detectors for X-ray
Microanalysis
NIST
OU: 830
FIRM: Photon Imaging, Inc.
19355 Business Center Dr. Suite 8
Northridge, CA 91324
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jan Iwanczyk
818-709-2468
AWARD AMOUNT: $300,000
ABSTRACT:
The goal of the proposed work is to develop
a novel detector for analytical spectrometry having large active area,
high-energy resolution and capable of operating at high counting rates.
The proposed detector will be specifically designed for x-ray microanalysis
to provide orders of magnitude advancement in the performance over conventional
energy dispersive systems. During the Phase 1 effort of this project,
we successfully designed, fabricated, and demonstrated a ~2cm2 silicon
drift detector (SDD) array. All of the goals of Phase 1 were met, and
most were significantly exceeded. Accomplishments included development
of a closely spaced array of four 0.5 cm2 SDD elements. Energy
resolution of 143 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV was achieved on the best device.
All four devices produced energy resolution below 200 eV FWHM. Importantly,
these results were obtained at relatively short peaking times and additionally
the detectors do not require cryogenic cooling to obtain this performance.
In Phase 2, we will develop a prototype x-ray spectrometer
for insertion into an electron microscope. The prototype will include
the finalized detector array of up to four elements based upon the
Phase 1 study. Each element will be capable of attaining electronic
noise of <10 e- rms at peaking times on the order
of 100 ns, allowing throughput rates exceeding 106 cps
each. These advances will have a remarkable impact on reducing the
acquisition time for 2-dimensional compositional mapping. The prototype
system will be deployed for evaluation at NIST in one of the scanning
electron microscope instruments.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The proposed new detectors will lead to significant
performance improvements and lower cost systems. Elimination of the liquid
nitrogen, combined with the low cost of silicon planar processing, will
allow construction of affordable, small mass, low power consumption x-ray
analytical systems. These new devices will replace many existing detectors
based on cryogenic Si(Li) and High Purity Germanium, used in many commercial
(e.g., microanalysis, x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, 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.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.11 Physics
SUBTOPIC: 8.11.14T Liquid-Nitrogen-Cooled Electrical
Substitution Radiometer
TITLE: Advanced Absolute Radiometers Using Superconducting
Transition Thermometers
NIST
OU: 840
FIRM: CRI, Inc.
80 Ashford Street
Boston, MA 02134
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Peter Foukal
617-787-5700
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,964
ABSTRACT:
In our Phase 1 work we were able to replicate
and build on recent results at NIST with superconducting transition
(SCT) thermometers, which suggested that dramatic improvements may
be achieved in detectivity and range of application, of cryogenic
electrical substitution radiometers. Cryo-ESR's are widely used
as the most accurate absolute standards of radiative flux and irradiance.
In Phase 2, we will focus on the additional research required to
demonstrate that the advantages of SCT thermometry can be translated
into: (a) LN2-cooled ESR's of comparable accuracy, but
easier accessibility, than conventional, LHe-cooled instruments;
(b) LHe-cooled ESR's capable of improved detectivity for detector
calibrations in the aerospace industry; and (c) more stable pyrheliometers
operating at 90 K for space-borne monitoring of radiations in solar
total and ultraviolet irradiance. This research will include development
of high-Tcsuperconducting heater leads having low thermal
conductance, of an SCT thermometer based on thin metal films with
Tc between 2-4 K, and characterization of a prototype
LN2-cooled ESR through intercomparison with LHe-cooled
ESR's at CRI, and calibration at the NIST HACR facility. CRI is
the world's leading manufacturer of cryo-ESR's, and identifies total
domestic and foreign markets of $10-15 M for this important new
technology if the Phase 2 objectives in accuracy and system detectivity
can be met.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
(1) LN2-cooled electrical substitution
radiometers for absolute measurement of light flux and irradiance, of
similar accuracy, but more widely accessible, and less expensive to operate,
than conventional LHe-cooled electrical substitution radiometers.
(2) LHe-cooled electrical substitution radiometers
capable of ten times higher detectivity than conventional cryo-ESR's,
for more widely useful aerospace detector calibrations.
(3) More stable pyrheliometers for NOAA or NASA
monitoring of total and UV solar irradiance from space, in global change
studies.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.12 Materials Science and Engineering
SUBTOPIC: 8.127T/CC Process Monitoring and Control
of Composites Processing
TITLE: Optical Fiber Devices for Composite Process
Monitoring
NIST OU: 850
FIRM: F&S, Inc.
P.O. Box 11704
Blacksburg, VA 24062-1704
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Paige Furrow
540-953-4282
AWARD AMOUNT: $275,000
ABSTRACT:
The primary objective of the Phase 1 program was the
development of optical fiber devices and cost-effective signal conditioning
systems to produce commercially available composite process monitoring
systems. The tasks successfully completed during the Phase 1 effort
are as follows: (1) examined the performance requirements of the
optical fiber devices and demodulation systems for FT-IR- and fluorescent-based
process monitoring systems, (2) fabricated special high-index fiber
to operate in the near infrared (NIR) that is compatible with standard
fiber optical connection components, (3) designed high-index optical
fiber compatible grating fabrication that maintains optical transmission
quality in the desired wave-length ranges, (4) designed and fabricated
a prototype optical launch system for use with FT-IR systems to
monitor epoxy resin cure, (5) designed and fabricated a prototype
grating-based optical fiber sensor to monitor resin flow during
composite processing, (6) investigated sensor elements for fluorescent
applications, (7) designed and constructed cost-effective signal
conditioning systems, and (8) demonstrated prototypes at F&S
and NIST. The objective of the proposed Phase 2 program is to build
upon the success of the Phase 1 effort and produce commercially
available cure monitoring instrumentation based on patented F&S
technology.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The inherent advantages of on-line and development
stage process monitoring made possible using fiber optic systems will
enable significant market penetration in the composite industry where
structural performance is of major importance. The optimization of curing
processes will lead to greater cost-savings; this makes optical fiber
instrumentation attractive to composite manufacturers. The multi-billion
dollar composite markets include the (1) aerospace, (2) automotive, (3)
sporting goods, (4) heavy industry, (5) infrastructure, (6) oil and gas,
and (7) government and academic research laboratories. Based on the initial
market and competition analysis performed during Phase 1, the F&S
team is actively targeting select market opportunities with intent to
provide cost-effective process monitoring sensors to composite manufacturers.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.12 Materials Science and Technology
SUBTOPIC: 8.12.11T Device and Technique for
Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Ceramic Powders
TITLE: High-Temperature Thermal Conductivity
Measurements of Ceramic Powders
NIST
OU: 850
FIRM: METSYS
P.O. Box 254
Millwood, VA 22646
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Daniel R. Flynn
540-837-2186
AWARD AMOUNT: $275,000
ABSTRACT:
It is proposed to develop an advanced field apparatus
for measuring the thermal conductivity of ceramic powders over the
range of temperatures from room temperature to 1500 to 2500 K, depending
upon the particular material and its compatibility with other materials.
The apparatus will have the capability to carry out fully automated
thermal conductivity measurements, by transient or steady-state
means, under controlled gaseous environments and will be equipped
with associated software to compute the thermal conductivity of
the ceramic particle material from the data taken on powders. The
specific objectives of the Phase 2 effort are: finalize the design
of the prototype field apparatus for determination of the thermal
conductivity of ceramic powders of mixtures, including construction
drawings and selection of all instrumentation; develop software
for experimental control, data acquisition, and data analysis for
the prototype field thermal conductivity apparatus; further review
available correlations and models relating the thermal conductivity
of powders and mixtures to the properties of their constituents,
and write appropriate software for use with the prototype field
thermal conductivity apparatus; and build and test the prototype
field thermal conductivity apparatus.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The apparatus design that is being developed,
along with the software that will be developed for use with the apparatus,
will provide the thermal spray industry with a valuable tool that can
be used to select feedstock, based upon its thermal conductivity and other
properties, and to optimize the thermal spraying process. The apparatus
will be sufficiently inexpensive, and easy to operate, that it can be
used by suppliers of feedstock, companies that apply thermally sprayed
coatings, and researchers. In addition, the apparatus will be very useful
for determining the thermal conductivity of powders used for other purposes,
such as thermal insulation or formation of ceramic parts by various manufacturing
processes.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Building and Fire Research
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.4T Low-Cost, Smart Vibration
Sensors
TITLE: Low-Cost, Smart Vibration Sensor Utilizing
CIFMEMS Technology and Postmolded-Plastic (PMP) Packing
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: OPTICAL E.T.C., Inc.
3077-K Leeman Ferry Road
Huntsville, AL 35801
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Jon Geist
301-774-7280
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,992
ABSTRACT:
The feasibility of a very lost cost approach
to producing smart amplication-specific vibration sensors will be investigated.
The approach consists of: (1) fabricating integrated circuit wafers containing
vibration sensor precursors and signal processing electronics at a commercial
Application-Specific Integrated-Circuit (ASIC) foundry service in a completely
standard CMOS process; (2) processing the completed wafers to convert
the sensor precursors into functional sensors on dies suitable for postmolded-plastic
(PMP) packaging; and (3) packaging the dies at a commercial PMP packaging
service. Sensor system protyping will be carried out with low-cost multi-project
wafer runs and a full-wafer layout will be designed when prototyping is
completed. Low-cost test wafers that simulate the sensor-wafer layout
will be fabricated and run through steps 2 and 3 to verify that they are
working properly. Then a small batch of full wafers will be run through
steps 1, 2, and 3. The results will be somewhere between 10,000 and 40,000
single-chip demonstration vibration-sensor systems for testing by potential
customers for custom systems.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
There is a large untapped market for very low-cost
vibration sensors for shutting off malfunctioning air-conditioning compressors
to minimize the damage to equipment that is covered by manufacturers warranties.
A break-through in vibration-sensor cost is needed to tap this market.
The results of the successful completion of this project will be applicable
to many other untapped markets for vibration sensors such as condition-based
maintenance.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.13 Building and Fire Research
SUBTOPIC: 8.13.12T Advanced Fire Suppression
and Novel Suppression Concepts
TITLE: A Solid-Solid Hybrid Gas Generator Fire
Suppression System
NIST
OU: 860
FIRM: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Pines Industrial Center
200 Yellow Place
Rockledge, FL 32955
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Lawrence R. Grzyll
407-631-3550
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,771
ABSTRACT:
This Phase 2 proposal addresses the advanced development
and commercialization of a novel solid-solid hybrid gas generator
fire suppression technology to replace the ozone depleting Halon
1301 for total flooding applications. Mainstream's solid-solid hybrid
gas generator technology will result in the delivery of chemical
extinguishing agents to the fire in addition to the inert gas agents.
This technology has several advantages over state-of-the art gas
generator fire suppression technology. First, the system will be
significantly smaller and lighter than current gas generator systems
because it results in chemical, in addition to physical, extinguishment
of the fire. Second, the entire hybrid gas generator material is
stored in a single storage vessel as a solid, compared to other
hybrid systems which require a separate pressure storage vessel.
Third, the hybrid gas generator material has acceptable atmospheric
and toxicological properties, unlike other hybrid gas generator
systems that use the agents HFC-227ea., HFC-236FA, or CF3I.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Successful completion of the Phase 2 effort will
result in the final development and commercialization of Mainstream's
hybrid gas generation fire suppression technology. The Phase 2 effort
will show that this technology is superior to other existing technologies
in terms of system size, system weight, fire suppression effectiveness,
and cost. The technology also has no environmental or atmospheric
concerns, making it the ideal future technology for total flood
fire suppression.
FY1999 Phase 2 Award Winner
TOPIC: 8.14 Information Technology
SUBTOPIC: 8.14.1T Extending RBAC to Include
Work Flow Properties
TITLE: Workflow Policy Server
NIST
OU: 890
FIRM: Secure Computing Corporation
2675 Long Lake Road
Roseville, MN 55113
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Charles Payne
612-628-1584
AWARD AMOUNT: $299,398
ABSTRACT:
Workflow management systems (WMS) may control
access between hundreds of users and thousands of objects, so simplified
policy management is critical. WMS developers recommend Role-Based Access
Control (RBAC) since roles occur naturally in workflows; however, the
typical RBAC model lacks the framework to express workflow policies adequately.
Traditionally, a WMS mediates accesses to objects
in its workflows. As workflow technology grows in popularity, workflows
eventually may control distributed objects such as managed by CORBA and
COM/DCOM. Protections must be added to these objects to prevent users
from circumventing the WMS and accessing the objects directly.
We propose the "Workflow Policy Server" (WPS)
to address these challenges. The WPS simplifies workflow policy management
with a powerful RBAC Model that has been extended with workflow concepts.
In particular, the concept of a workflow task or 'step' has been added.
Distributed objects are protected because the WPS can "push out" the access
control policy for a specific stop when directed. The WPS translates the
step's policy into the enforcement language of the target object manager.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
Secure Computing provides a wide family of high
security products, including firewalls, web filtering software and authentication
servers. One of the primary focuses is to provide centralized management
of security components throughout the enterprise. Specifying and enforcing
work flow policies accurately and easily is critical to enforcing complex
business policies at several different locations.
Secure Computing intends to incorporate the
work flow technology developed under this program into its suite of network
security products.
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