Selected contracts
Spectrally Matched Wideband Metamaterial Emitters for High Power and Efficient Thermophotovoltaic Converters
A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system is a promising energy conversion device that generates the electric power from short wave infrared (SWIR) thermal radiation. However, it's low power throughput and poor conversion efficiency restricts the usage in practical applications. One solution for resolving these issues is to utilize a metamaterial emitter whose thermal emission band is spectrally matched to the energy conversion band of the TPV cell. However, typical frequency selective emitters (SE) emit only in a narrow frequency band, limiting the total power throughput of the TPV system. This proposal thus aims to experimentally investigate wideband metamaterial emitters, whose emission band is spectrally matched and utilizes the entire energy conversion band of the TPV cell. The innovative aspects of the proposed research are (1) to develop robust electromagnetic numerical simulation capabilities that incorporate experimentally measured material properties as a function of frequency, and device operation temperature into the design of the metamaterial emitter; (2) incorporate novel metal-nitride materials into the metamaterial structure, enabling optical property tunability through stoichiometric control, and wideband, spectrally matched thermal emission; (3) to fabricate and characterize a metamaterial emitter whose thermal emission band is spectrally matched to the energy conversion band of the target TPV cell. By improving not only the overall efficiency of TPV converters, but importantly the total power throughput, this technology will enable more efficient, compact electrical energy sources for a range of applications, which include power sources for rural and remote locations, solar power generation, waste heat recovery, and power sources for deep space exploration.
SBIR Phase I 2014 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system is a promising energy conversion device that generates the electric power from short wave infrared (SWIR) thermal radiation. However, it's low power throughput and poor conversion efficiency restricts the usage in practical applications. One solution for resolving these issues is to utilize a metamaterial emitter whose thermal emission band is spectrally matched to the energy conversion band of the TPV cell. However, typical frequency selective emitters (SE) emit only in a narrow frequency band, limiting the total power throughput of the TPV system. This proposal thus aims to experimentally investigate wideband metamaterial emitters, whose emission band is spectrally matched and utilizes the entire energy conversion band of the TPV cell. The innovative aspects of the proposed research are (1) to develop robust electromagnetic numerical simulation capabilities that incorporate experimentally measured material properties as a function of frequency, and device operation temperature into the design of the metamaterial emitter; (2) incorporate novel metal-nitride materials into the metamaterial structure, enabling optical property tunability through stoichiometric control, and wideband, spectrally matched thermal emission; (3) to fabricate and characterize a metamaterial emitter whose thermal emission band is spectrally matched to the energy conversion band of the target TPV cell. By improving not only the overall efficiency of TPV converters, but importantly the total power throughput, this technology will enable more efficient, compact electrical energy sources for a range of applications, which include power sources for rural and remote locations, solar power generation, waste heat recovery, and power sources for deep space exploration.
SBIR Phase I 2014 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Large-scale Electromagnetic Metamaterials for Shipboard Applications
SensorMetrix seeks to eliminate electromagnetic issues caused by structural obstructions on Navy topside platforms. The technical approach features the inclusion of metamaterials, which are micro-structured materials with artificially-tailored electromagnetic properties. These materials offer novel EM solutions to complex electromagnetic problems. This effort will transition these exotic capabilities to large-area applications through new methods of manufacture and assembly. In doing so, improved performance of shipboard communication systems and other relevant platforms is anticipated.
SBIR Phase II 2014 Navy Department of Defense Navy
SensorMetrix seeks to eliminate electromagnetic issues caused by structural obstructions on Navy topside platforms. The technical approach features the inclusion of metamaterials, which are micro-structured materials with artificially-tailored electromagnetic properties. These materials offer novel EM solutions to complex electromagnetic problems. This effort will transition these exotic capabilities to large-area applications through new methods of manufacture and assembly. In doing so, improved performance of shipboard communication systems and other relevant platforms is anticipated.
SBIR Phase II 2014 Navy Department of Defense Navy
Electromagnetic Metastructures for E-2 Hawkeye Rotodome
The presence of structural ribs within the E2 Hawkeye cause unwanted aberrations in the antennae patterns. It is proposed to incorporate electromagnetic metastructures tailored to reduce these effects. The metastructures are lightweight solutions compatible with the electromagnetic and physical demands of the rotodome environment. Additionally, they are retrofit capable.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Navy Department of Defense
The presence of structural ribs within the E2 Hawkeye cause unwanted aberrations in the antennae patterns. It is proposed to incorporate electromagnetic metastructures tailored to reduce these effects. The metastructures are lightweight solutions compatible with the electromagnetic and physical demands of the rotodome environment. Additionally, they are retrofit capable.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Navy Department of Defense
High Speed Direct View Infrared Displays for Panoramic Scene Generation
The team will develop a direct view infrared display utilizing an active thin film metamaterial emitter technology. Utilizing standalone thin films that are released from the substrate locally, an active device area with ultra-low thermal mass is obtained enabling high frames in excess of 100 fps. This technology will enable dynamic intra-band multispectral infrared displays capable of simulating IR scenes in the LWIR frequency band. We believe this approach is readily capable to enable simultaneous scene generation across multiple bands (i.e. SWIR, MWIR, LWIR). Direct view infrared displays will enable immersive IR simulation environments for multi-aperture sensor systems. Ultra-low thermal mass thin films technology will enable high frame rates to be obtained. Direct view infrared displays have another useful application in active IR camouflage at high dynamic rates.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Air Force Department of Defense
The team will develop a direct view infrared display utilizing an active thin film metamaterial emitter technology. Utilizing standalone thin films that are released from the substrate locally, an active device area with ultra-low thermal mass is obtained enabling high frames in excess of 100 fps. This technology will enable dynamic intra-band multispectral infrared displays capable of simulating IR scenes in the LWIR frequency band. We believe this approach is readily capable to enable simultaneous scene generation across multiple bands (i.e. SWIR, MWIR, LWIR). Direct view infrared displays will enable immersive IR simulation environments for multi-aperture sensor systems. Ultra-low thermal mass thin films technology will enable high frame rates to be obtained. Direct view infrared displays have another useful application in active IR camouflage at high dynamic rates.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Air Force Department of Defense
Directionally -Tailored Infrared Emission and/or Transmission
It is proposed to demonstrate a surface fabricated using thin film metamaterial designs that can exhibit rapidly varying angular as well as spectral emissivity profiles. The technology enables specification of desired angular pattern at design time, and can be fabricated in large area formats. The proposed technology will allow directional control of thermal radiation in applications where omnidirectional thermal radiation patterns are not desirable. This will benefit thermal management challenges of military and civilian satellites. It can also serve to enhance performance of thermal energy conversion technology.
STTR Phase II 2013 Air Force Department of Defense
It is proposed to demonstrate a surface fabricated using thin film metamaterial designs that can exhibit rapidly varying angular as well as spectral emissivity profiles. The technology enables specification of desired angular pattern at design time, and can be fabricated in large area formats. The proposed technology will allow directional control of thermal radiation in applications where omnidirectional thermal radiation patterns are not desirable. This will benefit thermal management challenges of military and civilian satellites. It can also serve to enhance performance of thermal energy conversion technology.
STTR Phase II 2013 Air Force Department of Defense
Multifunctional Electromagnetic Metamaterial Chaff
Metamaterial-based electromagnetic chaff offers new possibilities for air dispersed chaff functioning in microwave bands. During this program, the team will refine designs for several novel types of EM metamaterial chaff, fabricate, and conduct air dispersed measurements of their properties to confirm their predicted characteristics. In addition, the team will investigate methods of manufacture of chaff that is compatible with current ejection hardware.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Navy Department of Defense
Metamaterial-based electromagnetic chaff offers new possibilities for air dispersed chaff functioning in microwave bands. During this program, the team will refine designs for several novel types of EM metamaterial chaff, fabricate, and conduct air dispersed measurements of their properties to confirm their predicted characteristics. In addition, the team will investigate methods of manufacture of chaff that is compatible with current ejection hardware.
SBIR Phase II 2013 Navy Department of Defense
