Source: https://www.sbir.gov/node/374113
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 07:37:47+00:00

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OBJECTIVE: Improve small gas turbine engine system weight and performance by developing foil-air bearings to support the main rotor shaft (s). DESCRIPTION: Small gas turbine engines for unmanned aerial systems and man-portable electric power generators need to be as light and efficient as possible to meet mission requirements. These small gas turbine engines currently use oil lubricated, conventional ball bearings that operate at very high rotational speeds. The frictional loss of these high speed bearings represents a 5-10% loss in power. Also, the weight of the required lubrication and bearing cooling system approaches 30% of the engine system weight. Advanced foil bearings for small gas turbine engines have the potential to eliminate a large portion of these performance and weight penalties. The use of air foil bearings for small gas turbine engines has been hampered by several significant technical challenges. These challenges include bearing surface velocities above current industrial applications, the need for small compact bearing sizes with thin material sections (foils) and small well controlled clearances. Also, these small bearings need to provide high levels of radial and axial stiffness to maintain tight/well controlled compressor and turbine clearances for good engine performance. In addition, the air-foil bearings need to provide adequate damping to control rotor motion as critical speeds are encountered and balance deteriorates during field usage. Lastly, high temperature rub materials need to be validated for these thin foils that must operate through a large number of start/stop cycles in military applications. This effort seeks to develop air foil bearings for gas turbine engines with a maximum output power of up to 200 hp. PHASE I: Investigate compact foil-air bearing concepts and select candidate rub materials for high-speed, small gas turbine engine applications through modeling, empirical evaluation, pragmatic analysis and laboratory tests. Complete foil-air bearing preliminary design for the most attractive concept(s). Substantiate the weight savings of the foil-air bearing configuration in comparison to a conventional rolling-element bearing and sump layout (as a percentage of total engine weight, for target engine size). Also, the foil-air bearing shall be designed to a minimum of 1000 hours life. PHASE II: Design and fabricate an air bearing test rig, air bearing concept and small gas turbine engine modifications as necessary to accommodate foil-air bearings. Complete rig and small gas turbine engine tests to validate the foil-air bearings. Develop a dual use commercialization plan. Design to weight and life metrics as described in Phase I. PHASE III: Work with the Government and industry to construct a prototype small gas turbine engine system with advanced foil-air bearings. Conduct extended durability testing over typical military and civil use cycles. Pursue global commercial markets for this new small gas turbine engine technology. REFERENCES: 1. L."Foil Air/Gas Bearing Technology: An Overview."American Society of Mechanical Engineers 97-GT-347 (1997): n. Web. 12 Oct. 2011. 2. C. and, Mark J."Load Capacity Estimation of Foil Air Journal Bearings for Oil-Free Applications."NASA/TM 209782 (2000). 3. H."Advancements in the Performance of Aerodynamic Foil Journal Bearings High Speed and Load Capacity."STLE Transactions Vol. 41, 3 (1998): 335-340. 4. P., Locke, D.H. and, H."New-Generation Development Rigs for Testing High- Speed Air-Lubricated Thrust Bearings,"STLE Transaction, Vol. 46, 4 (2003): 556-559.
OBJECTIVE: Construct an instrument to measure the millimeter wave polarimetric bidirectional reflectance distribution function of objects. DESCRIPTION: Millimeter-wave (mmw) RADAR techniques may exhibit advantages over other imaging methodologies for aiding navigation in degraded visual environments, providing high-resolution terminal missile guidance, and detecting wires and small-caliber threats. Surprisingly, there is very little information about the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of objects in the mmw region and how it depends on waveband or polarization. The transition from Ka-band to W-band to G-band involves more than just shorter wavelengths and their commensurate technological challenges; it also involves a change in the nature of the scattering problem. Millimeter-sized structures and imperfections significantly change the RCS of objects that would appear smooth at longer wavelengths, so when targets must be separated from clutter, different wavebands and polarizations will discriminate different features. Contributions from surface roughness and millimeter-sized features increasingly dominate the BRDF of an object, producing a combination of Lambertian and specular scattering. Lambertian scattering from man-made structures may be caused by surface corrugation, abrasion, rust, or corrosion, for example, while Lambertian scattering from terrain, grass, and foliage may also depend on environmental conditions (esp. hygroscopicity and wind). Specular reflection may come from surface imperfections like cracks, dents, fasteners, facets, corners, and edges that act as antennas or retroreflectors in a manner that may or may not be sensitive to the object"s orientation and the RADAR"s polarization. Measurements of the polarimetric BRDF of potential targets and unintentional scatterers (clutter) are required at these wavelengths to identify unique target signatures and ascertain their detectability above ambient clutter from naturally occurring scatterers. Having a common platform in which multiple mmw wavebands and polarizations (both co- and cross-aligned) may be measured would allow a direct comparison of the BRDFs and the identification of unique signatures. BRDF measurements can take hours to days to acquire, placing severe stability and reproducibility requirements on both the heterodyne transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) hardware and the gonioreflectometer. The rapid maturation of heterodyne mmw Tx/Rx modules has made it possible for such long-term measurements to be performed, and verifiably accurate imaging techniques developed in other spectral regions may be adapted for alternative approaches to mechanical scanning by a gonioreflectometer. The deliverable will be a working gonioreflectometer-mounted heterodyne Tx/Rx system (or equivalent) configurable for mono-static or bi-static measurements, plus an analysis package that can autonomously obtain the four-dimensional polarimetric BRDF of test objects at least 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm in size in each of the following wavebands: Ka-band (35 GHz), V-band (60 GHz), W-band (94 GHz), D-Band (140 GHz), and G-band (220 GHz). The instrument, which will be delivered to AMRDEC at the end of Phase II, must measure and analyze BRDFs in a large (nominally 20"x 20"x 20") anechoic chamber in a manner that can constrain or validate increasingly sophisticated models of RADAR cross sections for each waveband and polarization combination. PHASE I: Design an instrument that can measure the mmw polarimetric BRDF of test objects at least 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm in size for at least a week of continuous operation. The heterodyne Tx/Rx module mounted on the gonioreflectometer or equivalent instrument must coherently measure amplitude and phase information and construct a BRDF with user-specified angular precision in each of the following mmw bands: Ka-band (35 GHz), V-band (60 GHz), W-band (94 GHz), D-Band (140 GHz), and G-band (220 GHz). An ideal instrument will require only trivial modifications to change operating waveband and polarization so comparative BRDF measurements may be easily made. The Phase I deliverable is a detailed construction plan with performance estimates based on specified, available hardware with the required stability, power, and sensitivity to maximize signal to noise ratio (SNR) and minimize dwell time at each angle. PHASE II: Using this plan, construct and deliver to AMRDEC an instrument that can measure the mmw polarimetric BRDF of test objects at least 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm in size for at least a week of continuous operation. The heterodyne Tx/Rx module mounted on the gonioreflectometer or equivalent instrument must coherently measure amplitude and phase information and construct a BRDF with user-specified angular precision in each of the following mmw bands: Ka-band (35 GHz), V-band (60 GHz), W-band (94 GHz), D-Band (140 GHz), and G-band (220 GHz). An ideal instrument will require only trivial modifications to change operating waveband and polarization so comparative BRDF measurements may be easily made. The Phase II deliverable will have the required stability, power, and sensitivity to maximize SNR and minimize dwell time at each angle. It will also have a user-friendly analysis and graphical user interface to render the BRDF in a variety of user-specified formats that facilitate comparative analyses as a function of angle, waveband, and polarization. PHASE III: Dual Use Application: Expand the instrument so that it may estimate the RCS of larger military or civilian targets in the presence of ambient clutter. Millimeter wave RCS measurements will prove very useful in the growing need for remote detection of concealed anti-personnel terrorist threats in civilian venues like airports, courthouses, stadiums, and other large public gatherings. The value of an instrument for measuring the mmw BRDF is that it can help identify new methodologies (e.g. polarimetric, multispectral) for detecting such threats with greater reliability and a lower false detection rate. REFERENCES: 1) K.B. Cooper et al., IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol. 18, p. 64 (2008). K.B. Cooper et al., IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 56, p. 2771 (2008). 2) W.L. Chan et al., Reports on Progress in Physics, Vol. 70, p. 1325 (2007). W.L. Chan et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 93, p. 121105 (2008). 3) B. Gorshunov et al., International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, Vol. 26, p. 1217 (2005). 4) J.C. Dickinson et al., Terahertz for Military and Security Applications IV, Proc. Of SPIE, Vol. 6212, p. 62120Q-1 (2006). 5) A. Semenov et al., Terahertz for Military and Security Applications VI, Proc. Of SPIE, Vol. 6949, p. 694902-1 (2006). 6) http://www.saic.com/products/software/xpatch/ 7) Yasuhiro Mukaigawa et al.,"Rapid BRDF Measurement Using an Ellipsoidal Mirror and a Projector"IPSJ Transactions on Computer Vision and Applications, Vol. 1, 21-32 (Jan. 2009).
OBJECTIVE: To research and develop an innovative, programmable, low-power, neuromorphic parallel processor that functions with power comparable to that of the biological neuron that is 1000 times more power efficient than popular processors available today. DESCRIPTION: The US Army ARDEC is in search of a novel means to address the urgent need for a low-power parallel processor with functionality similar to that of the biological neuron to facilitate massive computational resources necessary to support un-manned aerial systems (UAS) applications, such as digital imaging, acoustic processing, and other power intensive applications. This technology can reduce the cost of precision munitions by providing in-flight and terminal guidance. Standard systems have demonstrated that their ability to process and integrate data from various modalities is insufficient to provide valuable information judiciously. In addition, power constraints are often a restrictive factor when considering deployment in theater. Due to the limitations of conventional processor technologies, there is a critical necessity for a fundamentally unique processor in which the goal is to supply adequate computational capability with optimal and acceptable power requirements. The goal of this effort will be to design a parallel processor based on the neuromorphic characteristics of the biological neuron. Leveraging the efficiency of the human brain, based on numerous electro-chemical mechanisms and neuronal activity, provides an innovative methodology for logic interpretation and the transmission of signals. Considerable investigation has gone into the modeling and simulation of the human brain and its neuronal components. This has led to the development of hardware configurations that can emulate neuronal behavior and functionality called neuromorphic architectures. Understanding the various components in these architectures has allowed for the development of complex simulations in software as well as small-scale, prototype integrated circuits. A predominant amount of this work has been performed to comprehend neuronal operation rather than prioritizing the application of neuromorphic concepts for a utilizable processor with favorable size, weight and power attributes. To accurately emulate the cellular neuron and all its intricacies it will be necessary to incorporate a mixed-mode element to accurately implement the integration of signals as in the neurons within the brain. These elements should consist of several individual neurons with the ability for their interconnections to be reconfigured dynamically. To augment processing capabilities and decrease power necessity, the internal network should be able to execute in parallel with the potential for the sub-units to be interconnected and networked for dedicated applications, as in the brain. PHASE I: In Phase I, the contractor shall create one or more innovative and practical designs that leverages various neuromorphic research and development efforts to develop a technical approach for a low-power neuromorphic parallel processor. The technical approach should include the various bio-inspired components included within the proposed neuromorphic design as well as how these elements will implemented in a prototype solution. The proposed approach must demonstrate the ability for numerous neurons to operate simultaneously in parallel or/and in series with a timely data flow between the neurons and outside stimuli. In addition, details should be provided on the dual analog/digital capabilities of the neuron as well as the ability to reprogram interconnections (synapses) dynamically. Phase I should present a fundamental advancement in processor technology and provide a framework for which consequent phases can be supported. Deliverable of Phase I should be a paper study demonstrating feasibility of concept. PHASE II: Phase II will consist of a complete prototype neuromorphic architecture design, simulation to ensure communication and system design functions properly, and a manufactured hardware chip with the appropriate semiconductor technology based upon the selected architecture. The neuromorphic design should be equivalent to the processing power of fifty million neurons in a package that weighs less than thirty grams, occupies less than fifteen cubic centimeters, and operates on less than two pico-Joules per operation. Current state-of-the-art neuromorphic processors utilize slightly under 1 watt per 1 million neurons on a compact, portable device. IBMs BlueGene project simulates in software 1.6 billion neurons and 8.87 trillion synapses with the C2 cortical supercomputer. The neuromorphic processor must be fully programmable through self or guided learning. The memory, i.e., synaptic junctions, should be greater than one hundred per neuron. The devise should be interfaced to a laptop for programming, control, and graphical user interface. Prior to fabrication, the full up prototype design shall be thoroughly evaluated through computer simulation of all components and their integrated whole to provide the highest level of confidence that the prototype will function as a neuromorphic system. The simulations shall include execution of multiple types of mathematical and logic algorithms, self learning, that is, self adjustment of synaptic strengths based on changes in outside stimuli, and power off with full recovery to the learned state prior to power off. Multiple simulations should be executed in which the processor correctly identifies hundreds of graphical structures where the outside stimuli is equivalent to that which would come from ten thousand rods in the human eye viewing those structures. Deliverable of Phase II should be a prototype of the neuromorphic system. PHASE III: This technology will support many applications where computational requirements are severe while power consumption must be at the lowest possible level. Applicable mission related activities include surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), automated target recognition and detection, IED detection, and acoustic processing. Commercial applications include any intensive processing applications such as imaging devices (hyperspectral imaging). REFERENCES: 1. J G Elias, H H Chu and S Meshreki, A neuromorphic impulsive circuit for processing dynamic signals, IEEE International Conference on Circuits and Systems, pp 2208-2211, IEEE Press, 1992. 2. M Simoni, G Cymbalyuk, M Sorensen, R Calabrese. and S DeWeerth, A multi-conductance silicon neuron with biologically matched dynamics, IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng, pp 342-354.IEEE Press, 2004 3. A Chandrasekaran and K Boahen, A 1-change-in-4 Delay-Insensitive Interchip Link, IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, IEEE Press, 2010. 4. J V Arthur and K Boahen, Silicon Neurons that Inhibit to Synchronize, IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, pp 4807-10, IEEE Press, 2006. 5. K M Hynna and K Boahen, Neuronal Ion-Channel Dynamics in Silicon, IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, pp 3614-17, IEEE Press, 2006. 6. J Lin, P Merolla, J Arthur and K Boahen, Programmable Connections in Neuromorphic Grids, 49th IEEE Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Symtems, pp 80-84, IEEE Press, 2006.
OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative technology that enables rapid, on-site screening of"suspicious powders"to determine if a biothreat agent is present and if so, its identity. The technology should also enable concurrent documentation of the sample. DESCRIPTION: Since the mailing of Bacillus anthracis spores in 2001, there have been over 35,000 suspicious powder incidents reported in the US. Each incident causes disruption of activities at the scene of the event and costs tens to hundreds of man-hours before the area can be re-opened to the public. The expense of such a shut-down at some locations such as an airport could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. An overwhelming majority of suspicious powder incidents are hoaxes and the powders identified are often not biological. Currently, first responders use hand-held laminar flow immunoassays1,2 or, much less often, PCR3 for on-the-scene evaluation of suspicious powders to determine biological identification. These tests are costly; equipment to conduct the assays or evaluate the results can cost thousands of dollars, and each assay conducted costs an additional $15-$25 or more2. Recent advances in highly sensitive label-free imaging of bacteria4, lens-free microscopy5, and micro-fluidics6 techniques potentially offer new approaches to rapid screening of suspicious powders. Innovative, cost-effective methods are sought to conduct rapid, on-site screening of suspicious powders by first response personnel. The methods should be within the capabilities of response personnel without requiring advanced levels of expertise or extensive training. PHASE I: As a proof of concept, a method will be developed that is able to rapidly (1-2 min) determine if there are bacteria or bacterial spores present in a 10-milligram sample of suspicious powder that may be diluted by talcum powder or some other type of inorganic material up to a mass ratio of 1000 inorganic to 1 biological. Specific identification of a bacterial biothreat agent or surrogate will be demonstrated within ~30 minutes. PHASE II: An inexpensive (<$100) light-weight reusable hand-held prototype device will be developed that is capable of rapidly detecting and identifying at least 4 bacterial biothreat agents (e.g., Bacillus anthracis, Brucella spp., Francesella tularensis, Yersinia pestis), and at least one biotoxin (e.g., ricin). Consumables shall cost less than $1 per assay. The device will enable documentation of results obtained from each sample analyzed and rapid, simple reach-back capabilities. A system that also has the potential to detect viruses is a plus. PHASE III: Development of a simple pre-processing step may be required to clean-up environmental samples prior to loading into the device developed in Phase II. The resulting system must be usable by first responders and military personnel in full chem/bio protection gear. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Civilian and military first responders; derivative versions of this technology could be used by point of care clinicians for rapid diagnosis of infectious organisms. REFERENCES: 1. https://www.advnt.org/cart/categories/Biowarfare-Detection/ 2. http://www.advnt.org/products/biowarfare/techlibrary/ComparisonSheet.pdf 3. http://www.idahotech.com/RAZOREX/ 4. Rohit Bhartia, Everett C. Salas, William F. Hug, Ray D. Reid, Arthur L. Lane, Katrina J. Edwards, and Kenneth H. Nealson. 2010. Label-Free Bacterial Imaging with Deep-UV-Laser-Induced Native Fluorescence Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 76(21):72317237. 5. Lee M, Yaglidere O, Ozcan A. 2011. Field-portable reflection and transmission microscopy based on lensless holography. Biomed. Opt. Express, 2(9):2721-2730. 6. Ehrlich DJ, McKenna BK, Evans JG, Belkina AC, Denis GV, Sherr DH, Cheung MC. 2011. Parallel imaging microfluidic cytometer. Methods Cell Biol. 102:49-75.
OBJECTIVE: To develop and demonstrate an ultra-sensitive, room-temperature, long-wavelength detector that utilizes the coupling between a combined mechanical-optical-cavity system at the micro-to-nanoscale to achieve operational performance that exceeds the state-of-the-art in the Far-IR and THz regions. DESCRIPTION: Optical forces are known to produce significant mechanical effects in micro- and nano-optomechanical systems [1-5]. Such interactions have been proposed as a means of constructing novel optomechanical components , such as tunable filters, couplers and lasers. Additionally, the static and dynamical manifestations of the coupling between the mechanical and optical degrees of freedom [1, 2] in such systems have been exploited in the development of electromechanical oscillators, tunable filters and switches, in enhancing the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors, and in the study of the quantum dynamical properties of both light and mechanical systems. Therefore, the inherent physical advantages of light-based interactions with very small mechanical systems suggest basic paradigms for detectors that should be able offer very high detection sensitivities across very broad electrical bandwidths at the long wavelength end of the spectrum, e.g., far-infrared (Far-IR) and even beyond to terahertz (THz) regime. Indeed, prior investigations [3-5] have demonstrated the basic advantages of using the available radiation pressure to affect the static and dynamical behavior of very high quality (Q) factor mechanical systems. These observations are very important because detection devices of this type are inherently optical, thereby being free of electrical interference. Furthermore, micro-to-nano size systems have the inherent potential for producing extremely high sensitivity at room temperature, and they can be tailored to operate at long wavelengths. Most importantly, the combined results of recent studies [6-8] indicate that electromagnetic (EM) field driven changes in mechanical resonators can be efficiently sensed by monitoring their influence on optical modes of a combined mechanical-optical-resonator system. Specifically, schemes employing the use of Whisper Gallery Mode (WGM) resonators have achieved Q-factors of 10**11  under laboratory conditions and 10**8 in practical devices . Hence, these micro-scale resonator systems have already demonstrated minimum detectable powers (or temperature changes) on the order of 10**-9 watts (or 10**-4 K) [6-8]. These breakthroughs, and technical observations noted above, are already significant when compared the existing state-of-the-art. Presently, bolometric and pyroelectric sensors are the two leading classes of Far-IR and THz radiation detectors. However, bolometric sensors require liquid helium temperature operation in order to achieve the level of sensitivity of interest, so that they are cumbersome to use and therefore of no interest for comparison at room temperature. Conversely, pyroelectric sensors do operate at room temperature and they have high sensitivity at room temperature (micro-to-nanoscale watt level in the range 0.1 to 30 THz) but they are inherently electrical which means they are prone to noise problems, and they have a non-linear temperature coefficient which is problematic. All these facts strongly motivate further research into EM-field-driven mechanical-optical coupled cavities, which employ for example the response of WGM resonances  to incident radiation, for the purpose of realizing ultra-sensitive room-temperature detectors for application at the Far-IR and THz regimes. In addition, the research should be extended into mechanical-optical-cavity (MOC) detectors that employ external modulation of the incident radiation field and that utilize novel materials for optimizing the sensor time constant because these measures [8, 9] could lead to a ten times improvement in the room temperature sensitivity at very long wavelengths. As these ultra-sensitive, room-temperature, MOC detectors would offer significant potential for enhancing the operation of many Far-IR sensing systems of relevance to the military and it could open new opportunities for fundamental research into Far-IR and THz sensing science and micro-to-nanoscale phenomenology, a new research and development program is proposed. One particular scientific area of importance to the Joint Chemical and Biological Defense Program is the interaction of THz radiation with biological systems which could provide new methods for detecting hazardous organisms. These interactions may also prove useful in new methods of medical diagnosis. Hence, the associated long wavelength technological investigations would have significant relevance to biological and medical science. PHASE I: Studies will be executed to explore the use of novel mechanical-optical-cavity (MOC) structures consisting of various geometries and materials to determine their potential for detecting long wavelength (Far-IR and/or THz regimes) radiation with very high sensitivity performance. This work will include physical modeling of the coupling between MOC elements and design simulations to optimize specific MOC structures and operational modalities. The Phase I effort should include fabrication experiments and optical and/or mechanical benchmarking testing that will demonstrate the general potential for the future implementation of an ultra-sensitive, room-temperature detector for operation with the Far-IR and/or THz regimes. The merit of the project will also be increased by defining micro-to-nanoscale phenomenology experiments that have potential for discovery in regards to long wavelength radiation and biological systems. PHASE II: A prototype Mechanical-Optical-Cavity (MOC) detector will be developed that demonstrates ultra-sensitive, room-temperature performance that exceeds the state-of-the-art at long wavelengths (Far-IR and/or THz regimes). The expected technology development work should include but is not necessarily limited to: systematic studies of the MOC detector characteristics as a function of the structural parameters of the combined mechanical and optical resonators; detailed investigations into the use of various types of materials and coatings; development and implementation of a fully operational integrated detector platform with heat sinks, fibers and/or waveguide based optical coupling; and investigation into robustness and reliability issues in the context of a field sensor. The merit of the project will also be increased if micro-to-nanoscale sensing phenomenology research is performed to investigate the use of the technology for interfacing to, and interrogating, biological systems. PHASE III: Refine the sensitivity and functionality of a new type of Mechanical-Optical-Cavity (MOC) detector concept, and design fabrication and integration procedures for defining a robust and reliable field sensor. The base technology would have direct applicability to point detection and standoff scanning imaging systems. The Phase III development work could also be expanded to perfecting the optical signal interface and to defining integration methods for potentially implementing the technology into focal plane arrays. Therefore, this new detector technology will have commercialization opportunities for such military relevant applications as detection of BW agents with obvious extensions to chemical and explosive threats. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This technology is relevant to scientific studies on the interaction of micro-to-nanoscale MEC systems with biological (and possibly chemical and explosive) targets. Hence, the technology work conducted in conjunction with this project could find applicability in many sensing areas, and especially in areas related to biological and medical science. REFERENCES:  H. G. Craighead,"Nanoelectromechanical Systems,"Science 290, 1532 (2000).  T.J. Kippenberg and K.J. Vahala,"Cavity Opto-Mechanics,"Optics Express 15, 17172 (2007).  Y. Wu, J. M. Ward, V. G. Minogin and S. N. Chormaic,"Trapping of a Microsphere Pendulum Through Cavity-enhanced Optical Forces,"Phys. Scr., T140, 014040 (2010).  R. Ma, A. Schliesser, P. Del'Haye, A. Dabirian, T. J. Kippenberg,"Radiation Pressure Driven Vibrational Modes in Ultra-high-Q Silica Microspheres,"arXiv:physics/0702252v1 [physics.optics] 28 Feb (2007).  M. Eichenfield, C. P. Michael, R. Perahia and O. Painter,"Actuation of Micro-Optomechanical Systems via Cavity-enhanced Optical Dipole Forces,"Nature Photonics 1, 416 (2007).  A. Schweinsberg, S. Hocde, N. N. Lepeshkin, R. W. Boyd, C. Chase, J. E Fajard,"An environmental sensor based on an integrated optical whispering gallery mode disk resonator,"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 123, 727 (2007).  J. Lutti, W. Langbein, P. Borri"A monolithic optical sensor based on whispering gallery modes in polystyrene microspheres,"Applied Physics Letters 93, 151103 (2008).  G Guan, S Arnold, M V Otugen"Temperature measurements using a microoptical sensor based on whispering gallery modes,"AIAA Journal 44, 2385 (2006).  T. Ioppolo, M. Kozhevnikov, V. Stepaniuk, M V. Otgen, V. Sheverev,"Micro-optical force sensor concept based on whispering gallery mode resonators,"Applied Optics 47, 3009 (2008).  A.B. Matsko et. al.,"Fabrication, Characterization and Applications of Crystalline Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators,"in ICTON"07, 9th International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks, 2007.  I.S. Grudnin et. al.,"Ultra high Q Crystalline Microcavities,"Optics Communications, 265, 33 (2006).  V. Otugen and V. A. Sheverev,"Micro-Optical Wall Shear Stress Sensor"; US Patent #: US 7,701,586 B2, 2010.  V. A. Sheverev and V. Stepuniuk,"Load Cell and System for Measuring Forces Based on Optical Spectral Shifts,"US Patent Application #: US 2009/0282928 A1, 2009.  T. Carmon,"Wavelength-independent coupler from fiber to an on-chip cavity, demonstrated over an 850nm span,"Optics Express 15, 7677 (2007).
OBJECTIVE: Develop an advanced decision-support medical monitor driven by algorithms that provide real-time processing of physiologic signals for the purpose of guiding accurate fluid resuscitation in humans who are hypovolemic due to hemorrhaging. The algorithm will run in real time on a resource constrained portable device. The final device should provide a wireless connection between the patient and monitor, and the system should be capable of monitoring multiple patients simultaneously as well as forwarding clinical data to a central location. DESCRIPTION: Emergency medical treatment is imperative when time and distance limit quick casualty evacuation. Early intervention during the"golden hour"(the first 60 minutes following a traumatic injury) has long been recognized by medical personnel as vital to saving lives. Since hemorrhagic shock remains a leading cause of death on the battlefield (1), it is critical to provide medics with real time monitoring of soldiers with traumatic injuries and real-time fluid resuscitation support. Current fluid resuscitation strategies are based on standard vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate and arterial saturation. We know from experience, however, that humans are unable to recognize subtle changes in these parameters until late in the course of ongoing blood loss (2-4). Inadequate resuscitation poses the risk of inadequate tissue perfusion and end organ damage. Conversely, overly aggressive fluid resuscitation may result in hemodilution of clotting factors resulting in coagulopathy (5,6), or elevated arterial blood pressure that can dislodge clots from vascular injuries (6), resulting in further blood loss and possibly death. How to best proceed when one is dealing with a multiple-injured patient who has a traumatic brain injury and exsanguinating hemorrhage can be especially difficult. A small portable device is needed that continuously evaluates an injured soldier"s hemodynamic status in a beat-to-beat fashion and periodically updates or alerts a medic if a change in the injured soldier"s clinical status is detected or an adjustment in IV fluid therapy is warranted. PHASE I: Demonstration of a proof-of-concept algorithm to provide moment-to-moment integration of standard vital signs or other novel physiological signals capable of tracking hemodynamic compensations due to alterations of central blood volume in humans during fluid resuscitation. Contractors should explore novel approaches for the analysis of physiological signals which can lead to the development an effective plan for real-time implementation. In Phase I, the algorithm will process, in near real time, continuous physiological signals related to alterations in central blood volume. The contractor is encouraged to explore novel physical signals, with the understanding that current non-invasive physiological signals such as the electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory measures and blood pressure (BP) may provide a good starting point to derive the necessary physiological information. The algorithm will process one or more of the individual physiological signals and extract the necessary parameters to robustly determine the circulating blood volume status of an individual patient and how that individual is responding to fluid resuscitation. In order to accomplish this objective, the use of machine-learning techniques to implement the algorithm is encouraged. The successful algorithm will be required to process noisy physiological signals, while still maintaining robust performance in tracking fluid resuscitation during hemorrhaging. The contractor will be given access to a progressive hypovolemia data set produced at the US Army Institute for Surgical Research. Contractors are also encouraged to use other data sets relevant for the development of their fluid resuscitation algorithm. PHASE II: The contractor will further develop and optimize the resuscitation algorithm across various data sets. Optimization of the algorithm should utilize both simulated and actual trauma patient data. The contractor will integrate the algorithm software for tracking changes in central blood volume (i.e., hemorrhage severity detection and accurate resuscitation) in a real-time portable device. The device will display and archive the collected data. The device will be tested with both actual and simulated data sets. Evaluations of the system will encompass: data quality, real-time operation, performance measures, robustness, and consistency. PHASE III: The contractor will produce a working device capable of providing beat-to-beat real-time fluid resuscitation decision support to assist combat and civilian medics in fluid management and triage prioritization. The device should provide a wireless connection between the patient and monitor, and also be capable of monitoring multiple patients simultaneously. The final device must provide IEEE compliant wireless and a physical connector to allow connection to individual computers and computer networks. Such a device could save lives by providing critical information on hemorrhage, fluid resuscitation and triage priority. The device should be of great commercial interest for all branches of the U.S. armed services as well as pre-hospital and trauma centers around the world. The final device must provide IEEE compliant wireless and a physical connector to allow connection to individual computers and computer networks. Such a device could save lives by providing critical information on hemorrhage severity, and should be of great commercial interest for all branches of the U.S. armed services as well as civilian critical care professionals working in the pre-hospital transport setting and trauma centers around the world. REFERENCES: 1. Bellamy RF. The causes of death in conventional land warfare: implications for combat casualty care research. Mil Med 1984; 149:55-62. 2. Convertino VA, Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Salinas J, McManus JG, Cooke WH, Holcomb JB. Physiological and medical monitoring for en route care of combat casualties. J Trauma Supp, 2008; 64:S342-S353. 3. Cooke WH, Convertino VA. Heart rate variability and spontaneous baroreflex sequences: implications for autonomic monitoring during hemorrhage. J Trauma, 2005; 58:798-805. 4. Orlinsky M, Shoemaker W, Reis ED, Kerstein MD. Current controversies in shock and resuscitation. Surg Clin North Am 2001; 81:1217-1262. 5. Hirshberg A, Hoyt D, Mattox K. From"leaky buckets"to vascular injuries: Understanding models of uncontrolled hemorrhage. JACS. 2007; 204:665-72. 6. Blackbourne LH, Czarnik J, Mabry R, Eastridge B, Baer D, Butler F, et al. Decreasing killed-in-action and died-of-wounds rates in combat wounded. J Trauma. 2010; 69:S1-S4.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a litter-mountable active noise-reduction system that will reduce the level of noise in a Black Hawk MEDEVAC or CASEVAC helicopter to 80 A-weighted decibels (dBA) at the casualty"s head without interfering with monitoring of the casualty's condition or with in-transport medical treatment. DESCRIPTION: Medical evacuation of ill, injured, or wounded Soldiers often occurs in air and ground vehicle with very high noise levels in the compartment in which the casualty is being transported. For example, the sound levels in the right center position in the cabin of the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter flying at 120 knots with doors open are recorded at 106 A-weighted decibels (dBA). In accordance with Army regulations and the operator"s manual (i.e., the"dash 10") of the UH-60A aircraft, all Army aircrew are required to wear both earplugs and the sound-protective flight helmet (HGU-56/P Aircrew Integrated Helmet System) in this environment. If a casualty has suffered a head injury, it is unlikely that traditional head-borne or insert hearing protection devices could be used, even if they were available. In this environment, a casualty without hearing protection exceeds his/her 100% noise dose in less than four minutes. Thus, it should be readily apparent that a casualty being transported in a vehicle with these noise levels will be at significant additional risk for permanent hearing injuries. However, the risk of hearing injury is not the only problem that excessive noise causes in the MEDEVAC environment. The noise levels in an Army MEDEVAC helicopter will completely eliminate the possibility of communication between the casualty and medical personnel, thus negatively affecting treatment. Furthermore, physiological stress responses are evoked by noise levels significantly lower than either experienced in the MEDEVAC environment or even the"safe"levels promulgated by industrial hearing conservation regulations (Babisch, 2002, 2003). This added stress may significantly impair the recovery of the ill, injured, or wounded patient (McCarthy, Ouimet, & Daun, 1991). The principles of active noise reduction (ANR) or active noise control are well known (Hansen, 2001; North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Research and Technology Organization, Human Factors and Medicine Panel, 2005). Using feed-forward (predictive), feedback, or hybrid techniques, an ANR system produces a sound ("anti-noise") whose compression and rarefaction phases are intended to cancel the rarefaction and compression phases of unwanted noise in a space, an earcup, or underneath an earplug. The proposed system will significantly reduce the noise exposure to the casualty being transported with consequent reduction in environmental stress that adversely affects the casualty as well as the risk of permanent hearing loss from excessive noise. PHASE I: Develop an initial concept design and model key elements for an active noise reduction system, mountable on a standard NATO litter, that will reduce noise at patient ear locations to less than 90 dBA in the presence of pink noise presented at 106 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Identify the key elements required for airworthiness testing for use in US Army MEDEVAC and CASEVAC operations. PHASE II: Based on Phase I results, construct and demonstrate the operation of a prototype MEDEVAC ANR system that will reduce the noise at ear locations to less than 80 dBA in the presence of pink noise presented at 106 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Demonstrate that the prototype system can pass the stringent requirements for airworthiness certification for medical devices by the US Army Medical Command. PHASE III: Medical evacuation in air or ground vehicles often includes an environment in which the presence of noise will interfere with patient assessment, triage, and treatment, produces additional stress on the patient and medical personnel, and may comprise a significant risk of permanent hearing losses and/or tinnitus. Road noise, engine and drive train noise, rotor noise all compromise the medical care given to the ill, injured, or wounded. The development and deployment of a local active noise generation system for air or ground ambulances should significantly improve the quality of care given during the"golden hour"following injury or wounding. REFERENCES: 1. Babisch, W. (2002). The Noise/Stress Concept, Risk Assessment and Research Needs. Noise Health, 4(16), 1-11. 2. Babisch, W. (2003). Stress hormones in the research on cardiovascular effects of noise. Noise Health, 5(18), 1-11. 3. Hansen, C. H. (2001). Understanding active noise cancellation. London ; New York: Spon Press. 4. McCarthy, D. O., Ouimet, M. E., & Daun, J. M. (1991). Shades of Florence Nightingale: potential impact of noise stress on wound healing. Holist Nurs Pract, 5(4), 39-48. 5. North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Research and Technology Organization. Human Factors and Medicine Panel. (2005). New directions for improving audio effectiveness nouvelles orientations pour l'amelioration des techniques audio, RTO meeting proceedings 123.
OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a materiel solution for a passive and thermally efficient temperature-controlled transport container (cold chain container) that has a service life of not less than 5 years without a need for normal repairs and maintenance. Identify method(s) to reduce or eliminate the need for preconditioning of the container. DESCRIPTION: Delayed casualty evacuation from far-forward battle areas necessitates the need for medical personnel to carry small amounts of payload (packed red blood cells (pRBCs), etc.) far-forward on the battlefield. The extreme hot and cold temperatures make it difficult to store payload in containers with wet ice at the right refrigerated temperature for very long. To resolve this shortcoming, personnel utilize lightweight, insulated containers to carry up to 2 liters (L) of payload (approximately 10 pounds when full) at required refrigerated temperatures of 1-10 degrees C for up to approximately three days. The current Army solution needs no power source (passive) to maintain its internal temperature. A combination of vacuum-insulated panels (VIPs) and phase-change material (PCM) maintains the refrigerated temperature. However, both the VIPs and PCM have limited effectiveness over time. Historically, VIPs have proven unreliable and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cannot guarantee efficacy beyond a two-year period. PCMs are subject to repeated thermal stress and will not consistently change phase at the appropriate temperature. No feedback is provided to the user regarding the suitability of the container for its next mission. The current solution can also be utilized for other products that require temperature control during transport. However, limitations of preparation, reliability and shelf life persist in the current technology and must be reduced or eliminated. PHASE I: 1. The materiel solution for a container shall have the following considerations: a) Maintains temperature (110 degrees C) for 48+ hours (preferably 72+ hours) in any climate i) Duration between 28 degrees C should be considered for pharmaceutical applications b) Evaluate all containers at external temperatures of -27 degrees C and 40 degrees C for expected duration c) Consider mass, volume, and portability i) Device mass should not exceed 10 pounds (lbs) fully loaded ii) Device volume should not exceed 0.5 cubic feet (ft3) iii) Payload volume should be approximately 2 liters iv) One-person"hands-free"carry (ex: adjustable shoulder strap, belt or clip, etc.) d) Minimize/Eliminate preconditioning (technology preparation) e) Maximize/Eliminate useful life or shelf life. 2. Determine if unique container shapes (non-parallelepiped), such as cylinders or spheres can be realized. These shapes can eliminate or minimize edge heat losses of VIP applications. This is a particular concern when the seam length and surface area are of similar magnitude. Edge heat losses of VIP applications can be much higher than those of the VIP itself. 3. Determine through vendor research and current literature if VIP reliability may be extended beyond two years through good manufacturing practice (GMP) or empirical data. At the conclusion of this phase, the contractor will develop an initial concept design and model key elements, including but not limited to thermal simulation, weight and cube. The contractor will also provide a white paper not to exceed 2 pages regarding VIP reliability as stated in bullet 3. PHASE II: Transition the Phase I concept(s) into six (6) prototypes delivered ready for temperature control testing. These prototypes will be of the best quality that can be produced with the design considerations specified for 1-2 of Phase I. Suggestions for constant monitoring of internal temperature of the container during transport. VIP evaluation (point 3 of Phase I) of reliability versus shelf-life will continue with literature updates and the acquisition of any additional empirical data. At the conclusion of this phase, the contractor will have produced six (6) prototypes that successfully pass temperature control testing. In addition, the contractor will provide: 1. Options (3 minimum) that will constantly monitor the internal temperature of the container with high reliability and minimal power requirements 2. An analysis of current OEM VIPs (if viable) as a candidate for the shelf life extension program (SLEP). PHASE III: Focus on commercialization and technology development. Explore tailoring to user needs (fit and form) and system integration. Address and assess additional test requirements, such as MIL-STD-810. The usefulness of the technology developed under this SBIR can benefit all military medical centers worldwide, especially those in far-forward areas. The feasibility of this container for temperature-controlled supply chain transport is expected to extend to other biologics (e.g., vaccines, organs, etc.) and non-biologics requiring transport in the desired temperature range (28 degrees C). We envision that the contractor that develops reusable and reliable technology can become a market driver in transfers of longer than 1 day in the commercial sector. This includes a majority of the Third World, where vaccines and medical assistance are in high demand and short supply. The temperature-controlled supply logistics community is moving to highly reliable, reusable containers. These efforts have shown to be cost effective and provide significant risk reduction. At conclusion of this phase, the contractor will provide: 1. No fewer than 10 preproduction articles for technical testing and demonstration in an operational environment. 2. A commercial transition plan, including projections for the implementation for similar containers of larger scales (payload volume) and contents (biologics, etc.) 3. A detailed plan for life-cycle (logistics) analysis and routine validation of the design REFERENCES: 1. 21 CFR 600.15. Temperatures during shipment. Code of Federal Regulations - Title 21: Food and Drugs. April 1, 2010 Edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 2. Discussions with experts and sources of supply. Cold Chain Temperature Management Global Forum, September 26-30, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.coldchainpharma.com. Philadelphia, PA. 3. MIL-STD-810G. Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests. October 31, 2008. 4. Rentas, F.J., Macdonald, V.W., Houchens, D.M., Hmel, P.J., & Reid, T.J. (2004). New insulation technology provides next-generation containers for"iceless"and lightweight transport of RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C in extreme temperatures for over 78 hours. Transfusion, 44(2), 210-216. 5. U.S. Army. (2007). Operational Procedures for the Armed Services Blood Program Elements. TM 8-227-11. Retrieved from http://armypubs.army.mil/med/index.html. Washington, DC: Author.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a system that has high-throughput capability for extracting nucleic acids from arthropods, to include ticks, mosquitoes, and sand flies. The system must then be able to deposit purified nucleic acids into multiple type of receiver (i.e., tubes or plates) for future diagnostic testing systems. DESCRIPTION: The rapid identification of relevant arthropod transmitted pathogens and the determination of potential human disease risk, especially in hostile environments, is of great importance to the U.S. military. In some cases, determining if a given pathogen is present in a given area is important for emphasizing the level of personal protective equipment (PPE) or personal protective measures (PPM) necessary for a given area. To determine if an arthropod-borne pathogen is present in a given area, hundreds (and even thousands) of pools of arthropods would need to be screened in order to conduct risk assessments for that given area. The screening of large numbers of arthropods is necessary to determine the infection rate, and thus the risk from acquiring an infection from the bite of an arthropod. Currently, vector surveillance is conducted by manually pooling and processing thousands arthropods for subsequent testing. To alleviate this bottleneck, a system that has high-throughput capability for extracting nucleic acids from arthropods (to include ticks, mosquitoes, and sand flies), followed by automated sample preparation would help alleviate this issue. The system must then be able to deposit purified nucleic acids into multiple type of receiver (i.e., microcentrifuge/PCR tubes, real-time PCR capillaries, or 96-well plates) for current and future diagnostic testing systems. The development of a processing/purification system would enable Preventive Medicine Units to screen more arthropods for more pathogens in less time and with less logistical needs, thus resulting in better vector surveillance, diagnostic testing, and risk assessments. Requirement: To extract nucleic acids from arthropods in a high-throughput manner for diagnostic applications using arthropods collected during military deployments. The unit/system would need to be fieldable, with minimal logistical requirements, and should be designed for far forward applications in a deployed setting. Desired Capability/Concept of Final Product: The primary vision for the final product would be a unit/system that would sit on a regular laboratory bench (or smaller in size) where the investigator would load pools of arthropods into it using the developer"s designated tubes or plates. The arthropods would consist of soft-bodied arthropods (e.g., mosquitoes, sand flies, and swollen blood-filled ticks) or hard-bodied arthropods (e.g., adult hard ticks). The unit would then process the arthropods and would produce purified nucleic acids that would then be deposited into microcentrifuge tubes, real-time PCR capillary tubes, or 96-well plates for diagnostic testing. The diagnostic testing is not a part of this topic. The unit/system should be rapid, cost effective, and easy to use, with reagents that are stable at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time (e.g. 40oC for 2 years). Technical Risk: There is a degree of technical risk associated with this project. Currently, there is no single unit/system that fulfills the requirements of this proposal. The candidate contractor is expected to use innovative and in-house or associated expertise to develop a prototype that meets the needs of the Department of Defense. Access to Government Facilities and Supplies: The candidate contractor should coordinate with the Contracting Officer"s Representative (COR) to determine if any support is available for supplying arthropods or other testing materials. PHASE I: The selected contractor will determine the feasibility of the concept by developing a prototype unit/system where pools of arthropods are loaded into it using the developer"s designated tubes or plates. The unit would then process the arthropods and would produce purified nucleic acids that would then be deposited into microcentrifuge tubes, real-time PCR capillary tubes, or 96-well plates for diagnostic testing. The unit/system should be rapid, cost effective, and easy to use, with reagents that are stable at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time (e.g. 40oC for 2 years). For Phase I, the prototype should be able to process up to 48 pools of arthropods in less than 4 hours and should be able to deliver purified nucleic acids into microcentrifuge/PCR tubes (Threshold). The contractor will conduct initial laboratory evaluations of the prototype device with both soft-bodied and hard-bodied arthropods and will supply a written report to the COR. By conclusion of Phase I, the contractor will provide a prototype unit/system to the COR for evaluation. The degree to which the prototype unit/system meets the desired capability as outlined above will be evaluated at a government laboratory. Data from this independent evaluation will be used in the determination of a Phase II awardee, if applicable. PHASE II: The prototype unit/system should be able to process 960 pools of arthropods in less than 8 hours and should be able to deliver purified nucleic acids into microcentrifuge/PCR tubes, PCR capillaries, or 96-well plates (Objective) and should be fieldable. The prototype should consist of a single unit without the need for manual transfer of sample/material between the stages (Objective). The selected contractor will conduct comprehensive laboratory evaluations of the unit/system performance characteristics (to include, but is not limited to the number of arthropods in a single pool, reliability, ease of use, and range of usable work conditions, e.g., conducting the processing where the sun is shining on the work area and where the work is conducted at 35oC in a dusty environment). The selected contractor will also conduct stability testing of the unit/system/components/ associated reagents as part of Phase II. The stability testing should be conducted under both real-time and accelerated conditions (e.g. attempt to force the unit/system/ components/associated reagents to fail under a broad range of temperature and humidity conditions). PHASE III: During this phase, the performance of the unit/system should be evaluated in a variety of field studies that will conclusively demonstrate that the unit/system meets the requirements of this topic. By the conclusion of Phase III, the selected contractor will have completed the development of the unit/system and will successfully commercialized the product. The contractor should provide a report that summarizes the performance of the unit/system to the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) and will request a National Stock Number (NSN) be assigned. The contractor should coordinate in advance with the COR for any support required from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) or from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). Military Application: Once an NSN as been assigned to the unit/system the AFPMB will work with the appropriate organizations to have the unit/system incorporated into the appropriate"sets, kits, and outfits"that are used by deployed Preventive Medicine Units. Commercial Applications: This unit/system will be made available for non-military purposes, such as for use by commercial pest controllers or non-governmental organizations (NGO"s) in areas of the world where arthropod-borne diseases are an issue. We envision that the contractor that develops the unit/system will be able to market it to a variety of commercial, governmental, and non-governmental vector control organizations and testing facilities, and that this market will be adequate to sustain the continued production of the unit/system. By the end of Phase III, the selected contractor will be able to make this unit/system available to potential end-user customers throughout the world. REFERENCES: 1. O'Guinn M, Lee JS, Kondig JP, Fernandez R, and Carbajal F. 2004. Field detection of eastern equine encephalitis virus in the Amazon Basin region of Peru using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction adapted for field identification of arthropod-borne pathogens. Am J Trop Med Hyg 70: 164-171. 2. Pages F, Faulde M, and Orlandi-Prarole P. 2010. The past and present threat of vector-borne diseases in deployed troops. Clin Microbiol Infect 16: 209-224. 3. Gu W, Lampman R, Novak RJ, 2004. Assessment of arbovirus vector infection rates using variable size pooling. Med Vet Entomol 18: 200-4. 4. Philip Samuel P, Tyagi BK, 2006. Diagnostic methods for detection & isolation of dengue viruses from vector mosquitoes. Indian J Med Res 123: 615-28. 5. Lundstrom JO, 1999. Mosquito-borne viruses in Western Europe: a review. J Vector Ecol 24: 1-39.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a rugged, novel particulate respirator or dust mask that is suitable for extended wear in military operational environments with high particulate matter levels during aerobic activity. DESCRIPTION: Adverse health effects, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, are well-documented consequences of exposure to high levels of PM with aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 m (PM10) and especially less than 2.5 m (PM2.5). In many deployed environments, including regions of Southwest Asia (SWA), military personnel are continually exposed under normal conditions to levels of PM that exceed the military exposure guidelines (MEG) (1). These levels can be greatly exaggerated by anthropogenic activity or dust storms. There is a growing concern among pulmonologistsbased primarily on anecdotal evidencethat exposures in SWA are leading to degraded respiratory function in a large number of service members (2). While operations in SWA have highlighted the risk, many military operations worldwide suffer the same burden. Unfortunately, current dust mask and respirator technologies are not suitable for extended wear during military operations (3,4), which require high levels of aerobic activity over sustained periods. The primary complaint which limits use of masks and respirators is discomfort caused by breathing resistance (5). Further, due to the extreme levels of PM in some deployed settings, there is the recurring issue of clogging, which adds an additional logistics burden when masks need to be continually replaced. The objective of this project is to develop a rugged, novel particulate respirator or dust mask that is suitable for extended wear and significantly reduces the amount of dust respired in operational environments with high particulate matter levels, such as Southwest Asia. The ideal respirator shall allow high flow volumes with a minimal breathing resistance (sometimes called airflow resistance or pressure drop) and shall be suitable for wear during aerobic activity. It must also be resistant to clogging. Any technology capable of meeting the performance criteria will be considered. Priority shall be given to innovative or novel designs with minimal size and weight that are fully self-contained and have minimal to no power requirements. PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate a filtration technology that significantly reduces PM10 and PM2.5 levels and is suitable for integration into a wearable device. The technology must be tested in a high PM environment (using polydispersed aerosol particles from 0.1-10 m and concentrations of>150 g/m3 PM10 and>40 g/m3 PM2.5). Minimum operating characteristics for the Phase I demonstration include a low breathing resistance (<5 mm of water inhale and<3 mm of water exhale) at a moderate flow rate (85 L/min), a reduction of respirable particulate concentrations by greater than 90%, and a resistance to clogging for 12 hours (<2x increase in breathing resistance in high PM environment challenge). The technical feasibility of improving the performance characteristics to levels indicated in Phase II should also be determined. PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype particulate respirator or dust mask using the filtration technology develop in Phase I that meets or exceeds the following characteristics when tested in a high PM environment (using polydispersed aerosol particles from 0.1-10 m and concentrations of>150 g/m3 PM10 and>40 g/m3 PM2.5) at a flow rate of 150 L/min: 1) Breathing resistance<3 mm of water inhale and<2 mm of water exhale 2) Respirable particle penetration of<5 % 3) Resistance to clogging for 24 hours (<2x increase in breathing resistance in high PM environment challenge) Any reduction in exposure provided by a dust mask or respirator is dependent upon having a product that fits closely to the face and is correctly donned and worn. In order to address the need for proper fit, a fit assessment must demonstrate fit and the ability to easily don and doff the device. The fit characteristics of the device should be tested using a quantitative fit testing against a panel of human test subjects that adequately represent the intended users of the device. Examples of test panels include the Bivariate Panel, recently described by NIOSH"s National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), and the older Los Alamos National Laboratory Panel (6). The product should have a fit factor of at least 10 for 95% of the subjects. To further accommodate the recurring daily use of the device, the prototype should be designed to ensure comfortable fitting with minimal facial abrasions due to extended wear under conditions with high levels of dirt, grit, or sand. The weight of the face mask should be less than 4 oz. The design must be user serviceable and any replaceable parts must be reusable for at least 30 days. In addition, a plan must be proposed on how to create a rugged design that is suitable for military operational use. PHASE III: The overall goal of the project is to develop a NIOSH N95 compliant particulate respirator that has extreme performance characteristics for low breathing resistance and resistance to clogging. A ruggedized, military model suitable for field use has the potential to become standard issue to all troops deployed in dusty environments, including SWA. A commercial version will find a market across the hundreds of industries that require respirator use due to high dust levels (e.g. agriculture, construction, mining), but where compliance with use is limited due to poor performance characteristics. REFERENCES: 1) Weese, CB and JH Abraham"Potential Health Implications Associated with Particulate Matter Exposure in Deployed Settings in Southwest Asia"INHAL TOXICOL: Mar 2009, Vol. 21, No. 4: 291296. 2) Szema, AM, et al."Respiratory Symptoms Necessitating Spirometry Among Soldiers With Iraq/Afghanistan War Lung Injury"JOEM: Sep 2011, Vol. 53, No. 9, 961-965. 3) Heus, R, et al."Influence of inspiratory resistance on performance during graded exercise tests on a cycle ergometer"APPL ERGON: Nov 2004, Vol. 35, No. 6, 583-590. 4) Caretti, DM."Performance Decrements in Constant Load Work for Specific Inspiratory and Expiratory Breathing Resistances"Final rept. Aug 94-Mar 95, http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA317875. 5) Chia, SE."A Study on the Usage of Respirators Among Grannite Quarry Workers in Singapore"SING MED J: 1989, Vol. 30, 269-272. 6) Zhuang, Z, et al."New Respirator Fit Test Panels Representing the Current U.S. Civilian Work Force"JOEH: Sep 2007, Vol. 4, 647-659.
OBJECTIVE: Develop a stereo-photo Smartphone ophthalmic slitlamp (system), with accessories and software applications for ocular diagnosis in remote or austere locations where ophthalmic or optometric support is unavailable, such as military forward operating bases, ships afloat, or disaster areas, or humanitarian missions. DESCRIPTION: Ocular injuries currently account for approximately 13-22% of all combat casualties and up to 32% in disaster scenarios (1,2), while untold others experience other less devastating eye issues while deployed. Because the diagnosis and treatment of ocular trauma and disease are daunting to most non-ophthalmic providers, most opt to refer ocular patients to theater ophthalmologists or optometrists for evaluation of all but the most routine conditions; most often, however, those assets are very limited or non-existent in military operations so that transferring even relatively simple ocular conditions entails significant risk, or may not be possible at all (eg, ships afloat or humanitarian missions). In this regard, telediagnosis should offer both rapidity of evaluation and increased security; evacuation of the patient can then be more judiciously advisedor avoidedbased on evaluation of the tele-information. Because Ophthalmology is so heavily reliant on visual information, high-quality photographic attachments are very helpful to the teleconsultants (3). Limitations to current photodocumentation are the 2-dimensional nature of standard photographs, the inability to selectively focus standard cameras on the microscopic structures of the ocular anatomy on which diagnoses can hinge, and overall resolution. Because of their size, weight, cost, fragility, and training requirements, conventional and portable slitlamps are not typically deployed in all forward clinical settings such as ships"sick bays, Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), Battalion Aid Stations (BAS), disaster areas, or humanitarian missions, and when available are not equipped with photo capability (a technique that requires considerable skill in itself). Smartphone technology has recently put high quality photography, advanced processing capability, and robust connectivity into the hands of technically untrained populations. Still photos or video can be captured and quickly edited for rapid dispatch via the internet in near real-time, or can be stored for later transmission. Continual advances in smartphone hardware have increased photographic resolution while decreasing the size of the cameras, and have even broached into 3-D applications. Such handheld capability is of significant interest to military Ophthalmology. Inherent portability, connectivity, and affordability would allow use by minimally trained personnel and deployment to areas heretofore considered inaccessible or impractical. However, mere adaptation of existing smartphones may not answer all of the specialty"s needs. For example, a key aspect would be the capability to do high-resolution stereo photography of ocular structures that vary in scale from a few centimeters (external macro photography), to millimeters (microphotography of the surface of the eye), to sub-millimeter or microns (eg, internal structures such as the anterior chamber, lens and fundus). Additionally, selective illumination by slit beams of light cast at oblique angles allows greater precision in diagnosis unavailable in current smartphone technology. Software applications should facilitate ophthalmic telediagnosis, to include collection of patient ocular exam data as well as enhanced photography/ videography and bundling for teleconsultation. Capacity should include both real-time and store-and-forward teleconsultation. PHASE I: Develop an initial concept design, and create working models of key elements of a smartphone slitlamp or slitlamp system. Phase 1 deliverables should include: a highly specific design strategy that addresses and incorporates each of the listed minimum functional requirements, particularly with regard to ease of use, and modularity and adaptability for use in different configurations; proof of concept model(s) that addresses minimum functional requirements, particularly with regard to photographic and illumination requirements; and, initial examination, documentation, and teleconsultation software applications. Minimum functional requirements include, but should not be limited to: ability to capture high quality 2-dimensional and stereo-photography (and/ or videography) of the eye(s) and adnexa; ability to transmit bundled examination data and photo information as near-real-time, or store-and-forward; ability to focus at different physical scales, from macro- (e.g., single eye or both; eyelids; adnexa; and gross ocular structures), to micro- (e.g., cornea, iris, lens, fundus etc) and sub-millimeter-scales, potentially including micron-scale (e.g., corneal epithelium , anterior chamber cells, etc); ability to focus principally on external and anterior internal ocular structures (i.e., lids, conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, etc) with flexibility to image deeper internal ocular structures (e.g., lens, fundus, optic nerve); ability to select lighting and illumination patterns from various direct or oblique angles, including, but not limited to, broad or diffuse beams, slit-beams, and pencil beams of light; ability to select from various illumination colors and wavelengths, such as (but not limited to) white, cobalt blue, red-free, and infrared lights; modular adaptability for use in a variety of platforms and configurations, such as freehand-operated, to stabilized-handheld (eg, a portable slit lamp platform), to table mounted (eg, a conventional slit lamp platform); adaptability to use in a variety of settings and environments, such as first-responder/ casualty-side in a field setting; bedside; or fixed facility/ clinic/ sick bay; adaptability to use in a variety of climatic conditions, such as extremes of heat and humidity, dust, rain, altitude, barometric pressure, etc; robust physical ruggedness to survive physical activities and abuses common to and expected of a combat, disaster, or otherwise austere environment; consideration of protection of camera lenses from scratching or other degradations that could adversely affect photo quality (especially at micro- and micron-scales); software applications to facilitate a detailed ocular examination (including pupil examination) by providers who are untrained or minimally trained in ocular diagnosis; overall ease of use by minimally trained personnel; appropriate instructional material and software. Due to the time constraints regarding IRB and DoD second level review, no human or animal use studies should be proposed or executed during the six-month Phase I period. PHASE II: Construct and demonstrate the operation of a prototype of the above integrated smartphone slitlamp system, to include both hardware and software components. Demonstrate the ability of the system to perform in a variety of situations and environments such as in the field, at the bedside, or in a more stable and fixed mode. Demonstrate easy use with acceptable results (photos and examinations) by minimally trained personnel. Demonstrate physical ruggedness. PHASE III: The vision of this research is to create a novel ocular telediagnostic tool that can be used by minimally trained providers in remote, austere, or isolated environments such as military forward operating bases, ships afloat and away from port, or on humanitarian missions and in disaster zones where medical infrastructure and capability is reduced or nascent. Development of a smartphone-based ophthalmic slit lamp (or slitlamp system) would allow high-quality telemedicine consultations with ophthalmologists and optometrists, thereby potentially providing on-site diagnosis and treatment capability, and probably avoiding evacuation and minimizing security risks. The focus should be on technology transition or commercialization of this product. FDA approval (if needed) should be initiated or completed during this phase. Beyond military interest, commercial interest in this product could include disaster readiness organizations as well as humanitarian-relief organizations, and would not be limited to ocular diagnostics. Teleconsultation software applications could be attractive to other medical specialties. Advanced and stereophotographic capabilities could be attractive to the general public. REFERENCES: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for World Trade Center disaster health effects among survivors of collapsed and damaged buildings. In: Surveillance Summaries, April 7 2006. MMWR 2006; 55 (No. SS-2). 2. Mines M, Thach A, Mallonee S, Hildebrand L, Shariat S. Ocular injuries sustained by survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. Ophthalmology 2000; 107: 837-843. 3. Mines MJ, Bower KS, Lappan CM, Mazzoli RA, Poropatich RK. The United States Army Ocular Teleconsultation program 2004 through 2009. Am J Ophthalmol 2011; 152: 126-132. 4. Poropatich RK, DeTreville R, Lappan C, Barrigan CR. The US Army Telemedicine program: general overview and current status in Southwest Asia. Telemed and e-Health 2006; 12: 396-408. 5. McManus J, Salinas J, Morton M, Lappan C, Poropatich R. Teleconsultation program for deployed soldiers and healthcare professionals in remote or austere environments. Prehospital Disast Med 2008; 23: 210-216. 6. Ehlers JP, Shah CP. The Wills Eye Manual. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwers: 2008. 7. Carlson NB, Kurtz D. Clinical Procedures for Ocular Examination. New York, McGraw Hill: 2004.

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