Future military space missions will introduce significant new technological needs for spacecraft energy systems. various technologies need to be evaluated to determine the best technology for a particular application. a design tool that allows rapid but accurate comparison of all alternatives would… More

Future military space missions will introduce significant new technological needs for spacecraft energy systems. heat pump augmented spacecraft heat rejection systems have the potential to reduce radiator size and system weight. vapor-compression heat pump radiator configurations for spacecraft heat… More

This project aims at developing a new means of producing nitrogen tetroxide (n[2]o[4]) with suitable purity for use as spacecraft fuel oxidizer. the immediate objective is to validate bench production of nitrogen tetroxide by catalytic combustion of ammonia. this technology has already been… More

In order to utilize a working fluid for a specific heat pipe application the working fluid must have a useful temperature range that spans the temperature limits of the heat pipe. an overview of the status of current heat pipe working fluids shows that none of the current working fluids can be used… More

To analyze the effect of a refrigerant on the capacity of refrigeration equipment the thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant must be known. mainstream will develop the thermodynamic properties of various binary and ternary refrigerant mixtures using an equation of state appropriate for… More

Increasingly stringent thermal requirements are projected for future spacecraft. compliance with these requirements necessitates the development of thermal control techniques with capabilities far exceeding those in current use. a fundamental consideration is a heat transport and thermal rejection… More

Aerospace fuel and propellant handling during cold weather at kennedy space center has resulted in lower than optimal temperatures inside propellant handlers' protective suits (scape suit). the intent of this proposal is to experimentally demonstrate a prototype light-weight, non-contaminating,… More

The intent of this sbir phase i proposal is to experimentally demonstrate an innovative high-efficiency, high-reliability heat pump for spacecraft heat rejection applications. this heat pump would allow equipment to operate at a temperature close to but different from the saturation temperature of a… More

The proposed research describes a method to extract water from air with relative humidities as low as 5% and production of 11.1 gallons of water per gallon diesel fuel consumed. the concept is based on the use of an inorganic hydrated salt that will act as a desiccant, and can be recycled to produce… More

The intent of this phase i proposal is to determine the feasibility of using a liquid stirling cycle, also known as a malone cycle, as a non-vapor compression ac plant for potential shipboard use. the phase i effort will concentrate on theoretical modeling of, and determination of alternative… More

Presently the army has two sizes of personnel heaters in tracked vehicles. the smaller one produces up to 30,000 btu/hr and the larger one 60,000 btu/hr. these units were designed over forty years ago using technology available at the time. subsequent research in combustion, power conversion, heat… More

This phase i project will determine the feasibility of usinga computational chemistry database system for the development of a nontoxic, two-phase, heat transport fluid for spacecraft thermal control systems. experimental data on the physical and chemical properties of as many compoundsas possible… More

This research will develop an innovative and effective technique for the removal of heat from high heat flux electronic components. The cooling fluid is passed through micro-channels engraved in chip substrate which acts as an evaporator in a heat pump loop. The flow in micro-channels is controlled… More

This proposal describes several potential sorbent dispersion systems to deliver sorbents onto surfaces contaminated with chemical warfare agents. under this phase i effort, mainstream engineers will review the technology that is available to apply free-flowing powders/sorbents onto surfaces; develop… More

This proposal describes four innovative ration heating/cooling concepts that use no moving parts or external electrical energy. as part of this proposal, an initial trade-off study was performed which revealed one concept which is superior to the others, is inexpensive, and satisfies the army… More

1The completion of the Phase I contract would result in the development of a micro-climate heating and cooling device that will be light-weight; have a small battery operated pump as the only moving component; and have a system that could be regenerated. This device would have applications to… More

Phase i of this effort proposes to determine the feasibility of using the computational chemistry database system for identifying suitable fire-suppression alternatives. data on the physical, chemical, structural, thermodynamic, and fire-suppression properties on as many compounds as possible will… More

Future army combat missions will introduce significant new technological needs for the foot soldier. heat-pump-cooled protective clothing will be necessary to allow extended use of protective garments without excessive fatigue. the intent of this proposal is to investigate a novel, lightweight,… More

The Air Force is developing a test capability to simulate wave foriDs, modes, and power levels of advanced threat airbome interceptors. The Advanced Airborne Interceptor Simulator (AAIS) will be a pod mounted s3-mRilator designed to achieve a high degree of autonomy. The technical challenges of pod… More

This Phase I proposal describes an innovative process to treat waste waters containing a high concentration of nitrates and mixed nitrite/sulfate, which would permit dumping to grade and/or reuse. This waste water will be produced by a second stage nitrogen tetroxide vapor scrubber system to be used… More

This Phase I effort describes Mainstream's innovative approach for the development of improved aqueous film forming (AFFF) fire fighting agents designed for hydrocarbon fires. This approach addresses the problem of biodegradability and performance of the current AFFF in extinguishing rolling fuel… More

Mainstream has a long and successful history of developing useful, easy-to-use hardware for heat and cooling applications [3-37]. This Phase I effort will investigate and demonstrate the use of hydrogen-powered food service system. Phase I will systematically investigate and define the best approach… More

Mainstream has vast experience in water purification, reverse osmosis, and water treatment. We also have experience in NASA spacecraft laundry and personal shower cleaning techniques. This Phase I effort will investigate numerous new water purification and ultrasonic and related low-detergent… More

Metals which form hydrides can be used for the synthesis of high-surface area metal-oxide powders. Mainstream proposes the use of reversible metal hydrides and subsequent air/oxygen exposure to yield nanoscale powders which can be used as chemical reagents for detoxification of organic wastes. … More

Numerous applications exist where cooling is desired for sensors, for only a small portion of the entire spacecraft orbit. These burst power requirements may also be coupled with a requirement to have no vibration during this data gathering period. This problem is often further complicated by the… More

This Phase I project will determine the feasibility of developing a xenon propellant storage system for an electric propulsion engine that offers significant reductions in mass, volume, and storage pressure over the compressed vapor storage currently used. Electric propulsion systems utilizing xenon… More

This proposal addresses the development of a hybrid chemical/mechanical heat pump, using environmentally acceptable absorbent/refrigerant pairs, for more electric aircraft thermal control systems. Mainstream's chemical/mechanical heat pump incorporates the advantages of both the chemical and… More

Supply of potable water is essential for the individual soldier in hostile, marine, or wilderness environments. Chemical warfare agents and natural infectious bacteria can render water unusable unless filtered and/or disinfected, and high salinity cannot be tolerated by humans. Mainstream proposes… More

The search for replacements for ozone-depleting Halon fire extinguishing agents has been underway for nearly ten years. Many potential replacement agents have been underway for nearly ten years. Many potential replacement agents have been considered, evaluated and tested over the years, yet, there… More

Mainstream has identified potential replacements for current de-icing and anti-icing chemicals comprised of alcohols and high-oxygen content organics, and salts. Compared to currently used compounds, these replacements can be optimized in formulations for a rapid and potentially lower BOD, similar… More

The high molecular weight of Xenon (Xe) makes it ideal as a fuel for electric propulsion systems such as SPT and ion engines. However, storage as a compressed-gas or in a liquified state is far from ideal due to the massive supporting refrigeration hardware, pressure reduction equipment, complex… More

Phase I will develop and test the feasibility of coated topical skin protecant additives using a new class of reactive metal alloys. These materials have already been demonstrated to destroy molecules containing hetero-atoms (P, S, 0, halogens) which includes nerve agents such as Sarin. The… More

Numerous applications exist where cooling is desired for sensors, for only a small portion of the entire spacecraft orbit. These burst power requirements may also be coupled with a requirement to have no vibration during this data gathering period. This problem is often further complicated by the… More

The search for replacements for ozone-depleting Halon fire extinguishing agents has been underway for nearly ten years. Many potential replacement agents have been underway for nearly ten years. Many potential replacement agents have been considered, evaluated and tested over the years, yet, there… More

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… More

Mainstream has demonstrated the effectiveness of a new family of metal alloy powders (patent-pending) in immobilizing chemicals such as halocarbons, alkenes, and H and G CWA simulants. These materials must now be feasibility tested in complete product formulations. There is also the potential for… More

Not Available 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… More

The goal of the Phase II effort is to optimize the desing of and demonstrate a low-lift heat pump thermal control system for spacecraft heat refection. This low-lift heat pump thermal control system will use an innovative magnetic-bearing centrifugalcompressor. The Phase II effort will result in… More

The objective of Phase I was to demonstrate a prototype 1 kWdiesel generator that weighed less than 50 pounds. Mainstream'sfirst prototype satisfied this requirement early in Phase I. Asecond-generation prototype was then developed with reducedengine block size and weight. A third-generation… More

NASA is currently developing an on-board hyperbaric chamber to treat decompression sickness in crewmembers during long-term space missions. However, they do not have a compressor that will operate in zero gravity to pressurize the chamber. The goal of this program is to develop a compact,… More

The ability to safely detect fuel leaks, salt and water intrusion, charge, shock and temperature extremes in a missile canister is lacking. Normal methods used to determine a fuel leak, moisture, charge, or exposure to extreme temperatures and shockinside a missile canister are inadequate because… More

Unfortunately, forgery is becoming even more common in our world. Everyday, crooks forge money, identification cards, documents, drivers licenses, and even forge handicapped parking placards. This problem has gone too far. As a response to this problem, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)… More

The objective of this Phase II research is to perform advanced testing of second-generation solvent replacements used for cleaning hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon residues from oxygen systems. The advanced testing includes determining flammability,autogenous ignition temperature in oxygen, atmospheric… More

The objective of this Phase II research is to perform advanced testing of second-generation solvent replacements used for cleaning hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon residues from oxygen systems. The advanced testing includes determining flammability,autogenous ignition temperature in oxygen, atmospheric… More

This proposal addresses topic BMDO 01-007, Thermal Management, of the DoD SBIR Solicitation 01.1. The recent development of nanofluids, or fluids consisting of a conventional heat transfer base with nanometer-sized oxide or metallic particles suspendedwithin, offers the exciting possibility of… More

One example where new cooling systems are required immediately is high power solid state phased array microwave transmitters. Used in military and commercial applications, including radar, electronic defense systems, and satellite communication data linksthese electronically scanned antennas are… More

Mainstream has developed an innovative cryocooler design utilizing a multi-cascaded single-compressor vapor-compression system. We have demonstrated the potential of this configuration, and have identified a specific Army application.The Phase II effort is significant, in that a full scale… More

Mainstream has developed an innovative cryocooler design utilizing a multi-cascaded single-compressor vapor-compression system. We have demonstrated the potential of this configuration, and have identified a specific Army application.The Phase II effort is significant, in that a full scale… More

"Future spacecraft military electronics will require two-phase thermal management systems to maintain appropriate operating temperatures. Thermal control systems such as heat pipes, pumped loops, heat pumps, etc. are systems being considered for thisapplication. In order for these thermal control… More

"Next-generation laser diode arrays and solid-state lasers being developed for a variety of military and commercial applications, are rapidly becoming limited by their cooling systems. Improved high heat flux capabilities of the thermal management systemcan significantly improve device output… More

NASA is currently developing an on-board hyperbaric chamber to treat decompression sickness during long-term space missions. The prototype pressure vessel is already complete and Mainstream is developing a pressurization subsystem that also addresses breathing gas delivery (oxygen generation)… More

Phase I will experimentally demonstrate the performance benefits of a Heat Pump Loop (HPL) Thermal Control Bus employing a unique working fluid which is not only non-toxic and environmentally-safe, but it will also survive the catalytic oxidizer on board spacecraft. Phase I will compare this unique… More

"Protective ensembles worn by today's soldiers for chemical protection, small-arms protection, and environmental protection require cooling if the soldier is to be able to operate for extended periods of time in warm temperatures. Similar problems exist inthe commercial chemical, nuclear, and… More

"The goal of the Phase I effort is to demonstrate Mainstream's innovative multi-stage autocascade refrigeration technology as a portable, temporary cooling system that could interface with an Organic Airborne and Surface Influence Sweep (OASIS) towed bodyto quickly cool the system and decrease the… More

Mainstream recently completed a highly successful Phase I project to demonstrate the benefits of spray cooling high-power microwave amplifiers (device-level) used in solid-state, phased array transmitters / receivers. Heat flux removal rates in excess of100 W/cm2 were achieved at wall superheats… More

The advent of carbon nanotechnology has now made rechargeable lithium-polymer batteries that meet mission target goals for the next generation of high energy density applications possible. Experiments performed to date have exhibited reversible capacitiesof lithium-polymer batteries with carbon… More

Mainstream Engineering Corporation has already demonstrated the value of integrating a saturated liquid spray cooling system with high power GaAs microwave amplifiers in phased array transmitters. Optimized cooling systems can increase reliability by anorder of magnitude, improve efficiency by 30%,… More

This proposal will demonstrate the development of a composite material containing aligned carbon nanotubes with thermal conductivity far in excess of traditional copper or aluminum. A unique process for fabricating the aligned carbon nanotubes will bedemonstrated in Phase I. Limited thermal… More

This proposal will demonstrate a composite material containing aligned carbon nanotubes with thermal conductivity far in excess of traditional copper or aluminum. A unique process for fabricating the aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT) into to a very highlyloaded CNT porous composite will be… More

Industrial-sized, solid-state lasers can not be scaled up in power to meet the demands of future missile defense systems due to stringent thermal constraints. Existing water-based thermal management systems are undesirable due to the high freezing point of water and need for military systems to… More

Sensing gas molecules is critical to environmental monitoring, control of chemical processes, space missions as well as agricultural and medical applications. Existing electrical sensor materials are based on semi-conducting metal oxides, silicon devices, organic materials and gas responsive… More

The objective of this Phase I effort is to demonstrate an innovative nanotube sensor capable of identifying and quantifying the concentrations of arsenic in water using a unique, low-cost, and robust nanotube sensor configuration. This proposal will discuss bench top experiments already performed… More

A lightweight portable water purification device has been long sought by the US military. Mainstream has been hard at developing such a lightweight purification device since 1989, and has finally developed the configuration for a small portable device that will meet or exceed all the performance… More

This proposal will demonstrate the development of a composite material containing aligned carbon nanotubes with thermal conductivity far in excess of traditional copper or aluminum. A unique process for easily fabricating the aligned carbon nanotubes will be demonstrated in Phase I. This aligned… More

75622-High-temperature heat, a by-product in many processes, is often used for heating or in combined cycles to produce additional power. Other processes, including microturbines, internal combustion engines, and fuel cells, also produce heat as a by-product, but this heat is often wasted because… More

Planned single-phase thermal management system designs for high average power solid state lasers will result in thermal systems that are 20x larger and 10x heavier than the laser itself. A two-phase thermal management system, based on Mainstream's patented spray cooling technology and… More

Mainstream has already demonstrated that active cooling systems can be used to increase the output power and the power added efficiency of gallium arsenide (GaAs), high power amplifier (HPA), monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) by 36% and 14%, respectively. Now, Mainstream has… More

Current lead-acid battery systems in military vehicles are increasingly unable to support the full array of onboard electrical sensors, to endure the stringent demands of "silent-watch" operation, and to maintain reliable cold weather vehicle starting required by 21st-century missions. In this… More

The advent of advanced electrical generation technologies has finally led to the development of novel devices that meet mission target goals for the next generation of high power and high energy density applications. Current battery systems in military vehicles are becoming increasingly unable to… More

Ultracapacitors are an emerging technology that have already found use in high pulse-power applications, being able to deliver tens or hundreds of kJ of energy over thousands of deep-discharge cycles from a package roughly a quarter cubic foot in size. Recently, Mainstream demonstrated a new… More

Military aircraft currently utilize an externally bladed ram air turbine to provide electrical power for military stores (pods). This current system has several disadvantages, first, an externally blade turbine located at the cone of the pod increases the aerodynamic drag of the aircraft. Second,… More

Arsenic contamination in water supplies poses a severe health risk to world-wide populations. The US EPA has recently lowered As water standards from 50 ppb to 10 ppb to address this risk. Many states, including California, either have passed or are soon to pass even stricter regulations. … More

The Army has included provisions for Preplanned Product Improvement in the Multi-Temperature Refrigerated Container System (MTRCS) Operational Requirements Document calling for innovations such as alternative energy sources. As the price of photovoltaic power decreases, new opportunities for its… More

A need exists to provide the individual Warfighter with hot beverages and ration components that can be heated while on the move. The current Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) provides an acceptable means for heating prepackaged shelf-stable foods that are already hydrated. However, it is inadequate… More

The military has an on-going need to post troops for long periods of time in austere and remote world-wide where power and clean water are difficult to obtain. At these locations, there is still the need to disinfect and sterilize medical or dental instruments where autoclaves are not possible to… More

Mainstream has a long history of investigating the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in heat pumps and air conditioners. Experimental data has demonstrated the performance of some hydrocarbon refrigerants to be about 7% better than R-410A and 10% better than HCFC-22. Experiments have also… More

Many Chemical Warfare (CW) agents can cause undetectable corrosion problems that accumulate over time to significant maintenance and repair problems, or catastrophic failures. In addition to the CW threat, the decontaminating agents that are used for detoxifying the surface-borne toxic CW-agents… More

This proposed research addresses NASA 2004-1 SBIR Topic B3.01, "Environmental Control of Spacecraft Cabin Atmosphere." The objective of this proposed effort is to demonstrate the freeze/thaw properties and fault tolerance of a water pump loop using an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, drop-in… More

The Army has included provisions for Preplanned Product Improvement in the Multi-Temperature Refrigerated Container System (MTRCS) Operational Requirements Document calling for innovations such as alternative energy sources. As the price of photovoltaic power decreases, new opportunities for its… More

Mainstream Engineering Corporation has successfully determined that a small, compact Ram Air Turbine can be internally located in the central section of military stores (pods). This Ram Air Turbine will generate the electrical power, and cooling capacity demanded by the Navy's advanced technology… More

The Phase I was highly successful and included the design, building and testing of a 5-ton Hydrocarbon refrigerant ECU (HECU). The Coefficient of Performance in Cooling (COPc) of the HECU was demonstrated to be 6% better than an otherwise identical system using HFC-410A and 25% better than the… More

The Navy is currently seeking innovative technologies to "combine existing high power RF technologies with the latest advances in cooling methods." for next-generation electronic attack tactical jamming systems. The current inventory of airborne tactical jamming systems consist of multiple… More

Increasing thermal requirements for space-based thermal control systems are straining the capabilities of conventional heat pipes. Mainstream has experimentally demonstrated a new wick configuration that has been shown to more than triple the heat transport capacity of an otherwise identical… More

This proposal discloses an innovative, economically feasible technique to capture and re-liquefy the hydrogen boil-off by using carbon nanotube adsorption prior to liquefaction. The hydrogen boil- off involves an average of 10,300 SCFM of hydrogen vapor at pressures below 17 psia for a period of an… More

This proposal outlines a program to develop a vibration-free reverse-Brayton cycle cooling system using specially-tuned magnetic bearings. Such a system is critical for the level of sensitivity required by future electromagnetic and gravitational wave detectors. The nature of magnetic bearings and… More

Many current DoD systems use battery technologies that require extended mission capabilities with reduced volumetric and gravimetric impact. OSD is interested in developing manufacturable technologies with improved volumetric and gravimetric storage densities for hydrogen. Specific design goals are… More

With higher fuel costs and desire for ehanced performance, new techniques for improving efficiencies in marine propulsion are required. The reduction of the viscous drag is one such technique. Various active and passive measures have been extensively researched with mixed results for total energy… More

Drop-in heat transfer fluids replacements for ITCS and EVA suits were down-selected and characterized in Phase I for various metrics including density, heat capacity, viscosity, freezing point, freezing expansion, toxicity, NFPA rating, flash point, materials compatibility, heat transfer… More

In satellites designed to monitor nuclear explosions, current electromechanical housings are fabricated from aluminum, which is much heavier than composite materials. Because it costs approximately $10,000 per pound to put an object into space, weight is critical. However, even with the obvious… More

The energy generation and storage for modern-day sensor networks, communications, and electronics presents a variety of unique challenges. To achieve the long-duration missions away from Earth as outlined in the Vision for Human Exploration in Space, these energy storage systems will need to… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research project amis to experimentally validate the theory that similar heat exchangers can produce saturated two-phase flows with superior heat transfer. Initial experiments confirm that metastable two-phase fluids can produce heat transfer… More

A lightweight portable water purification device has been long sought by the US military for use in survival kits. Mainstream has been working hard at developing such a lightweight purification device since 1989, and has finally developed the configuration for a small portable device that will meet… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mainstream's prior research has already demonstrated a highly-sensitive real-time carbon nanotube (CNT) sensor for the detection of water-borne arsenic and a determination of the arsenic concentration. This Phase I conc entrates on extending and improving the… More

The Vietnam-era solution of packing 40-60 pounds of ice in an aluminum transfer case to maintain temperatures inside a human remains case is still being utilized. This method offers essentially no temperature control or assurance that the remains are properly preserved during transportation. This… More

The Army is currently interested in obtaining small engines that are lightweight, reliable, durable, fuel efficient, and low cost for many applications. One application of this small engine technology is for use as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for the Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker vehicles. The APU… More

Oxygen-enriched air has been used in the past to enhance combustion in burners (e.g. for Stirling engines and thermophotovoltaics). The same technology can be extended to internal combustion engines providing potential benefits that include; cold start operation, emissions control, combustion… More

Typical cooling systems for high power density system include forced air or liquid convection. Problems associated with these single-phase cooling systems are the large thermal gradients that develop along the length of motor and generator stators. These large thermal gradients lead to inefficient… More

Advances in turbine materials resulting in high strength and lightweight metallic and ceramic components have allowed for high efficiency, high power density, compactness, and low emissions. Current technology turbine blades are comprised of single crystal nickel superalloys in combination with… More

OSD is currently seeking compact and lightweight thermal management systems (TMS) for airborne and ground-based high-power electronics (HPE), high-energy laser (HEL), and directed energy weapons (DEW) systems that are capable of dissipating extremely high heat fluxes at temperatures potentially… More

Historically, plate-fin heat exchangers with heat transfer fluids such as poly f-olefin have been used for the majority of heat removal and heat transfer within advanced military aircraft. However, with the continual increases in thermal loads due to advancements such as high-powered solid-state… More

Deployed Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resource (BEAR) bases not only require tent power to operate equipment, but also to provide environmental control since they are often located in regions having extreme ambient conditions. Environmental control for current Air Force BEAR bases is supplied by… More

Mainstream is ideally suited for this proposed effort with more than 20 years of experience in the development of advanced environmental control units and more than 15 years of experience in the development of JP-8-fueled generators. This proposal contains a detailed analysis of power generation and… More

The thrust of this proposal is to use Mainstream's proposed concept for a VC-QuaDD dehumidifier to demonstrate an innovative low-power compact dehumidification design that can be powered from alternative energy power sources including solar, wind, and even internal battery power, as well as… More

Keeping vending machines on a Naval ship filled with soda can be very time consuming as a result of the distance from the storerooms to the vending machines, lack of transportation aids, and the high per capita consumption rate of those onboard the ship. As manpower needs increase, devoting large… More

The Navy is currently seeking innovative technologies to "combine existing high power RF technologies with the latest advances in cooling methods." for next-generation electronic attack tactical jamming systems. For the Phase I effort, Mainstream performed a detailed assessment of… More

Mainstream Engineering Corporation completed the design of a high-speed pump for International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and future spacecraft and extraterrestrial outpost applications. Specifications for this pump were derived from an existing pump… More

Mainstream Engineering Corporation successfully demonstrated a compact, lightweight, hand-powered miniature seawater desalinator that meets or exceeds all of the Air Force's current requirements and is significantly smaller and lighter than the existing MROD-06 unit. Mainstream's Survival Water… More

A need exists to provide the individual Warfighter with hot beverages and ration components that can be heated while on the move. The current Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) provides an acceptable means for heating prepackaged shelf-stable foods that are already hydrated. However, it is inadequate… More

Keeping vending machines on a Naval ship filled with soda can be very time consuming as a result of the distance from the storerooms to the vending machines, lack of transportation aids, and the high per capita consumption rate of those onboard the ship. As manpower needs increase, devoting large… More

Mainstream is proposing a methodology to reduce the development time and cost, and improve the reliability of future thermal control systems for the next decade of deep space missions by utilizing a Plug-and-Play (PnP) thermal control strategy. A unique modular thermal control approach is… More

OSD is currently seeking compact and lightweight thermal management systems (TMS) for airborne and ground-based high-power microwave (HPM), high-energy laser (HEL), and directed energy weapons (DEW) systems that are capable of dissipating extremely high heat fluxes at temperatures potentially below… More

Current satellites used to monitor nuclear explosions carry excessive weight, and successful weight reduction would result in decreased launch costs and increased maneuverability in space. This project will develop nanostructured carbon composites to substitute for existing metals without… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will experimentally validate the theory that inclusion of nanostructures within the Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC) will enhance the resistance to hot corrosion by increasing the fracture strength of the ceramic thereby inhibiting grain… More

The Army is currently seeking advanced thermal management technologies for cooling localized hot spots in military vehicular power electronics. Electrowetting microfluidic devices provide highly-efficient discrete cooling with nano-liter volumes of fluid. The microdroplet is typically sandwiched… More

The Main Base Landfill at Edwards Air Force Base will reach full capacity by no later than 2017, and many other landfills across the country are facing the same situation. Waste streams need to be redirected to extend the lives of these facilities. We propose to develop a portable, flash-pyrolysis,… More

The objective of this effort is to reduce the weight of the cryocooler system, improve the efficiency of the cryocooler system, provide multiple cryocooler temperatures, and improve the configuration of the gimbaled flexible joint. At first glance, this set of claims seems incredibly ambitious;… More

The objective of this effort is to demonstrate an innovative phase-change thermal storage system that can exceed the 1000 kJ/kg and 180 MJ/m3 thermal storage objective sought in the SBIR topic description. This Phase I effort will address a current need of the airframe system integrators for a… More

Venus retains many secrets pertaining to its formation and evolution. NASA is interested in expanding its ability to explore the deep atmosphere and surface of Venus through the use of long-lived balloons and landers. Survivability in extreme high temperatures and high pressures is also required… More

The United States Marine Corps have adopted Distributed Operations as an effective way to fight the Global War on Terrorism. Electronic devices enable Distributed Operations by connecting squads to each other and to their commanders. However, as the suite of electronic devices that is taken into… More

Since the advent of production-grade methods for producing single-walled (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), research has been conducted to utilize the extraordinary properties of these nanoscale cylindrical fullerenes. Tensile strength of an individual MWCNT has been observed as… More

As Army signal intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic warfare (EW) continue to evolve, significant improvements in thermal technologies at the device level have provided higher heat flux dissipation. System integrators are hesitant to utilize these advanced cooling technologies because they require… More

The U.S. Department of Defense is currently interested in obtaining small engines that are lightweight, reliable, durable, fuel efficient, and low cost for many applications. Some of these applications include providing propulsion and power generation for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS),… More

Advances in microelectronics technology have digitized the modern battlefield by enabling night vision, global positioning, laser range-finding/targeting, digital communications, and advanced sensing. As these powerful new battlefield technologies emerge and mature, the need for compact, efficient,… More

The U.S. Department of Defense is currently seeking micro fuel injection (FI) systems for very small, heavy-fuel internal combustion engines (ICEs). These small engines are required for lightweight, low volume applications such as unmanned aircraft systems, unmanned ground systems, and unmanned… More

The OSD is seeking devices to increase the intake air flow and pressure to small engines in order to increase their power density and fuel efficiency, specifically for unmanned applications. Such unmanned systems require high efficiency and highly reliable power sources operating at near continuous… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to demonstrate an innovative multi-phase-fluid heat exchanger capable of revolutionizing heat transfer for high-heat-flux cooling applications. Initial experiments confirmed that metastable two-phase fluids can produce heat… More

Anaerobic digesters are capable of producing methane-rich biogas from animal manure and also offer the advantages of controlling odors, reducing pathogens, and minimizing the environmental impact of the waste. The biogas produced from anaerobic digesters is a renewable, distributed source of energy… More

Historically, plate-fin heat exchangers with heat transfer fluids such as poly f-olefin have been used for the majority of heat removal and heat transfer within advanced military aircraft. However, with the continual increases in thermal loads due to advancements such as high-powered solid-state… More

The proposed Phase II program is the continuation of an extremely successful Phase I contract, during which all of the objectives where achieved. In Phase I, Mainstream verified feasibility, size, low-noise operation, and operational cost savings of the proposed Self Sufficient Tent System. … More

In electrical utilities and many process industries, improved heat transfer by heat exchangers offers great potential for improving process energy efficiency. To improve the heat transfer within the heat exchangers, one of two scenarios must be considered. The first is to modify the heat exchanger… More

Reduced duct friction and improved fan technology can significantly increase maximum airflow in ducts. More specifically, the Navy desires a doubling of maximum airflow in shipboard HVAC systems. It is shown in this proposal that reduced duct friction al

This proposal discusses a scalable modular ORS Thermal Control approach that can provide flexible, lightweight, compact, thermal control systems. This effort will demonstrate that a thermal control system can be configured and assembled in days instead of years. Phase I will demonstrate the critical… More

Cooling requirements associated with ongoing developments in aircraft technology have exceeded the capabilities of existing thermal management architectures. In recent studies, vapor-compression systems have shown potential to meet these requirements through two-phase heat transfer and capabilities… More

In the Phase I effort, Mainstream has addressed the need for a separate auxiliary power unit (APU) for military ground vehicles by designing a naturally-aspirated, 2-cylinder, 0.726-L diesel engine coupled with an alternator that meets the strict requirements for Abrams, Bradley, and Stryker… More

The Vietnam-era solution of packing 40-60 pounds of ice inside an aluminum transfer case in an attempt to maintain human remains at a proper storage temperature (to avoid cellular decomposition) is still being used. This method offers no temperature control or assurance that the remains are… More

In the Phase I effort, Mainstream made significant improvements to the hydrophobic layer that is incorporated into a digital microfluidics device. A design for a test digital microfluidics device was also completed in the Phase I effort. In the proposed effort, the improved hydrophobic layer will… More

This proposal addresses the Navy's desire for CO mitigation in the breathing oxygen supplied to aviators. The current onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS) is ineffective at removing CO from the pilot's oxygen supply during the take-off procession when the OBOGS is operating at low pressure and… More

Electrical power generation has been typically done with large gas turbines or reciprocating engines (otto or diesel cycle). However, these mature technologies cannot deliver both modularity as well as a high power density. Mainstream proposes a different type of engine that has the promise of… More

Mainstream will produce and test coupons of a novel reactive composite material designed to reduce the size and weight of modern munitions, and thereby improve mobility and precision, without sacrificing offensive power. This composite, based on unique component materials, will offer lower density,… More

Avionics electronics operating in high temperature ambient conditions have significantly decreased reliability and lifetime. The standard rule-of-thumb is to halve the life of an electronic device for every 10 >XC (18 >XF) increase in temperature. As aircraft electronics becomes increasingly complex… More

Studies have shown that solid waste is generated at a rate of 3-4 lbs per person per day for base camp operations. A typical maneuver battalion of 550 soldiers will produce about 2000 lbs of waste per day. Much of this waste is food waste, with high water content and low energy content. We… More

Current submersible thermal protection technology is not capable of meeting the requirements of very cold water or hot water operations in a Shallow Water Combat Submersible. Thermal protection equipment for divers in these situations will be expected to operate for durations in excess of 8 hours in… More

The Main Base Landfill at Edwards Air Force Base will reach full capacity by no later than 2017, and many other landfills across the country are facing the same situation. Waste streams need to be redirected to extend the lives of these facilities. In Phase I, Mainstream successfully demonstrated… More

Reducing battlespace fuel demand will improve our Armed Force's operational capability and contribute to mission success. During wartime, the majority of the fuel consumed by the Army is used to power mobile gen-sets, so increasing the efficiency of these

Advances in electronically controlled injection technologies for diesel engines have provided a method to improve medium- to heavy-duty engine performance through increased injection pressures, multiple injections, and injection rate shaping. Although these injection systems have been primarily… More

In miniature gas turbines for UAV applications, traditional bearings exhibit a typical lifetime of only 25 hours due to excessive axial loading. Mainstream proposes to use a passive, permanent magnet thrust bearing to alleviate this problem and increase service life to over 1000 hours. Since this… More

Military shelters currently use electrically driven Environmental Control Units (ECUs) to provide cooling for the air inside the shelter. The ECU is vapor compression cycle powered by a diesel generator, operating on JP-8 fuel. Other than fueling jet engines, the largest drain on U.S. military fuel… More

Historically, more troops sent into battle are taken out of action by insect-borne diseases than are injured in combat, according to the Department of the Defense. In order to minimize the threat of insect-borne disease, military entomological units require an efficient collection device for… More

Hydrogen produced today from coal, natural gas, or biomass must be separated and purified outside the reactors using pressure swing absorption (PSA), a process that requires significant additional space and energy. Placing hydrogen-permeable membranes inside the reactors themselves would allow… More

Current engines used in UAVf?Ts are useful but they are lacking in efficiency and power. A significant amount of power and efficiency loss can be traced back to losses found in the combustion chamber/hot section of the engine. The best solution is one that does not require extensive fabrication to… More

Mainstream previously demonstrated a breadboard Prime Power Generation (PPG) subsystem, including ram air turbine, alternator, and ducting mounted in a 480-gallon drop tank. The demonstration was performed in a wind tunnel at sea-level conditions. The original SBIR Phase II design flight condition… More

Distributed Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that Marines need a better way to manage batteries. In response, the Marines have implemented a policy that stresses the use of rechargeable batteries. Currently fielded battery chargers can charge a wide range of batteries, but they require a… More

Current aircraft thermal management systems are not capable of dissipating high-heat-flux thermal loads or transporting and rejecting overall thermal loads on the order of those associated with tactical lasers. Beyond overcoming limitations of existing systems, the developmental system must meet… More

Mainstream Engineering Corp. (MEC) proposes developing a Pressure-Feedback, Premixed-Charge Compression-Ignition (PF-PCCI) retrofit kit for military diesel engines. PCCI combustion uses extremely early injection under certain load/speed points to dramatically improve combustion efficiency and reduce… More

Waste management on ships is an important yet difficult task because as waste is generated by day to day processes, it accumulates and occupies valuable space aboard vessels. The waste consists of a wide variety of organic and inorganic constituents, some of which are high in water content such as… More

Advances in naval weapon and propulsion technology are requiring large increases in power production. New technologies to meet these greater power demands has lead to advanced high speed, high power density electrical generators on-board naval vessels, which require active cooling of generator… More

Currently, refrigeration and air conditioning in buildings account for approximately 8.5 quads of U.S. primary energy conception of which the primary consumption occurs with the refrigeration compressor. To alleviate this demand, thermal energy storage (TES) systems can be utilized to shift thermal… More

In a typical residential home (or small commercial building), one of the largest sources of energy consumption is the Air Conditioning or heat pump system (AC). If the AC is operating with degraded efficiency, a homeowner may be unaware of the equipment problem because the house is still cool (AC… More

Over the last decade a new breed of power generation equipment, targeted at smaller commercial-size energy users, has emerged. These systems which include microturbines, PEM fuel cells, and phosphoric acid fuel cells along with traditional internal combustion engine-driven generators produce waste… More

Cement manufacturing processes run at an average 34% efficiency. With rising fuel costs and stricter laws on plant emissions, cement manufacturers need to operate more efficiently. Due to the sheer size of the cement industry, small improvements in efficiency have drastic results on the global… More

Current microclimate system technology is not capable of meeting the Navy's requirements for cooling capacity, volume, weight, or dehumidification. For these systems to be successful, they must only require resources that are readily available and must not add excessive bulk to the items a soldier… More

The U.S. Navy is seeking a thermal management solution for the development of an advanced airborne tactical laser. Current aircraft thermal management systems are not capable of dissipating high-heat-flux thermal loads or transporting and rejecting overall thermal loads on the order of those… More

Anaerobic digesters are capable of producing methane-rich biogas from animal manure and also offer the advantages of controlling odors, reducing pathogens, and minimizing the environmental impact of the waste. The biogas produced from anaerobic digesters is a renewable, distributed source of energy… More

The U.S. Department of Energy is currently seeking technologies that can decrease the weight and thermal insulation associated with personal protective clothing/equipment (PPC/PPE). The call for this technology has stemmed from the poor working conditions associated with workers in contaminated… More

In a typical residential home (or small commercial building), one of the largest sources of energy consumption is the air conditioning or heat pump system (AC). If the AC is operating with degraded efficiency, a homeowner may be unaware of the equipment problem because the house is still cool (AC… More

As stated by DOE,

Mainstream has been developing a unique wireless Vehicle Monitoring System (VMS). As discussed in this proposal, prior internally funded efforts have already demonstrated key elements of this decentralized, low-cost, and easy-to-install system. This proposal also contains the results of extensive… More

Extended operation of exploratory systems on the surface of planets like Venus, means that techniques to cool system electronics to essentially room temperature (30ºC) while the ambient temperature is over 470ºC must be developed and demonstrated. This proposal discloses a patent-pending… More

The U.S. Department of Energy is currently seeking technologies that can decrease the weight and thermal insulation associated with personal protective clothing/equipment (PPC/PPE). The call for this technology has stemmed from the poor working conditions associated with workers in contaminated… More

ABSTRACT: The Air Force is currently seeking improvements in capacity and responsiveness of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems. Current research and development with Phase Change Materials (PCM) in carbon foam and pelletization of metal (i.e. copper) encapsulated metal hydrides seek to overcome… More

This proposal outlines a scalable, low-cost method for the addressable fabrication of arrayed nanostructures that are fabricated directly on conductive, semiconductive or non-conductive supports. The method and techniques involved have already been demonstrated and extensively investigated by the PI… More

In miniature gas turbines for UAV applications, traditional bearings exhibit a typical lifetime of only 25 hours due to excessive axial loading. Mainstream proposed a passive permanent magnet thrust bearing to alleviate this problem and increase service life to over 1000 hours. Since this type of… More

Unnecessarily high battlespace fuel consumption degrades operational capability, increases force balance problems, exposes refueling convoys to high risk, and increases operating and support costs. Currently, military shelters are cooled by vapor compression air conditioners powered by diesel… More

The proposed research plan will start at a TRL 1 and commence with the collection of dynamic recoil response field data using a firearm and ammunition chosen by the DHS for testing. Data will be collected for a firearm operator that classifies as a 90th percentile male, and an operator… More