A five-year ONR-sponsored initiative aims to investigate optical properties of the shallow ocean floor to enhance remote sensing and underwater imaging capabilities. The experiment will aid in mine detection and provide high-resolution maps of coral reef ecosystems, enabling easier disease spotting.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a technique to grow pure, defect-free single crystals of almost any material on any substrate by bonding thin films at a misaligned angle. The new method has the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing by overcoming current limitations.
Researchers create microscopic patterns on surfaces using microcontact printing, then build up layers of a polymer material over the pattern. The technique enables complex pattern creation and automation of the patterning process.
Researchers developed a new welding technique combining infrared sensors and predictive modeling to create the best seam possible. This approach promises to save the Navy up to $10 million per year at Ingalls shipyard alone, reducing the need for costly corrections.
A palm-sized ultrasound scanner can provide images of internal organs and detect sites of internal bleeding, assisting medics in treating battle victims according to injury severity. Prototype devices are currently under evaluation in civilian and military hospitals.
The new wavelet technique for computer noise removal from and compression of side-scan sonar images significantly reduces the number of undetected mines by at least 50%. Statistical classification combined with wavelet-based filtering dramatically decreases the number of false alarms, improving the system's detection capability.
The US Navy's USS HAWKBILL is conducting a five-week scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean as part of SCICEX 99. The mission aims to examine geophysical, chemical, and biological properties of the Arctic Ocean, including mapping its poorly-charted floor.
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated that three atom waves can be mixed together to produce a fourth matter wave, similar to combining optical laser beams. This breakthrough opens a new field of non-linear atom optics, which may lead to applications in amplifying matter waves and exploring quantum behavior.
Physicists have successfully created an atom laser from a Bose-Einstein condensate using light manipulation, building on previous research funded by the Office of Naval Research. The NIST atom laser produces a highly directional beam with improved collimation compared to earlier experiments.
U.C. San Diego researchers successfully trapped non-neutral plasma using a combination of electric and magnetic fields, forming novel vortex crystals when cooled. This breakthrough may hold the key to creating anti-hydrogen, quantum computing, and advanced atomic clocks.
A new superconducting device detects single light quanta at wavelengths longer than previously possible, detecting 25 billion photons per second. The device is capable of detecting changes in light level and has small size, making it a candidate for a superconducting computer input component.
The new gradiometer has the potential to revolutionize submarine navigation and underground structure detection, offering improved accuracy and reduced costs. Its commercial applications include geophysical mineral exploration and archaeological studies, enhancing our understanding of hidden pathways and structures.
The Office of Naval Research has developed proprietary technology to improve hearing protection devices for service personnel exposed to high-level noise. The composite material absorbs acoustical energy more effectively, resulting in better-fitting and more effective ear-protection devices.
Scientists from around the world collaborated to develop improved atmospheric aerosol models for predicting infrared propagation in coastal environments. The project aims to enhance sensor accuracy for detecting incoming threats such as missiles and submarine periscopes.
The Office of Naval Research has developed a system that uses complex mathematical steps to filter out unwanted material in surveillance images and locate land mines. This new technology can find above-ground mines in an aerial picture in less than a minute, producing results superior to existing systems.
Researchers have produced a new radio image revealing a supernova remnant and numerous pulsar candidates, showcasing the Milky Way's central region in unprecedented detail. The technique will be useful for astronomers to study the galaxy's major components.
The Navy has developed a new miniature sensor to remotely detect and monitor corrosion in inaccessible areas of ships, aircraft, submarines, and weapons containers. The sensor system reduces maintenance costs by allowing for on-demand inspection and retrieval of corrosion information.
Researchers have developed cost-effective methods for manufacturing ultralight porous metals that can be used in various applications including cooling motor drives and reinforcing aircraft parts. The new materials are lightweight, extremely heat resistant and strong in three dimensions.
Scientists have found that unusually extensive stratospheric clouds over the South Pole contributed to the near-record-size ozone hole in Antarctica. POAM III measurements provide valuable insights into how Earth's ozone layer responds to global temperature changes and decreasing atmospheric chlorine levels.
The Rice-Rutgers team developed a computer program that determines the optimal route for a salesman visiting 13,509 cities, exceeding previous limits of 2,892 cities. The program relies on sophisticated algorithms and parallel processing, with the code running to over a thousand pages if printed.
The new helicopter simulator is teaching navigation skills and saving the Navy time, fuel, and substantial maintenance costs. The simulator allows pilots to practice flying without putting them in harm's way.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology successfully teleported a quantum state of light from one end of an optical bench to the other. The process, known as quantum teleportation, enables information transmission at the speed of light without physical medium.
New gallium nitride transistors operate at microwave frequencies, delivering up to 100 times more power than current semiconductors. These devices will enable hundreds of low-orbit satellites serving cellular telephone users worldwide.
The Naval Medical Center in San Diego has successfully tested a technique that restores hearing loss if administered within hours of exposure to loud noise, and can also 'inoculate' users against hearing loss. The technique uses micro-devices to deliver antioxidant pharmaceuticals that protect hypersensitive hair cells.