AFOSR-Funded Rocket Thruster

A University of Michigan professor is developing an electric rocket thruster (NanoFET) that uses nanoparticle electric propulsion and enables spacecraft to travel faster and with less propellant than previous technology allowed. (Credit: Michael Rayle, Electrodynamic Applications, Inc.)

AFOSR-Funded Self-Healing Plastics

A singularly successful energy related program funded by AFOSR at the turn of the century was the development of self-healing plastics. This research could lead to enormous payoffs for the Air Force—as well as many commercial applications—resulting in more durable and longer lasting aircraft structures. (Credit: University of Illinois)

Advanced Appraisal of Protective Eyewear a Foreseeable Field Capability

Physical Optics Corporation worked under AFRL Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract to develop this DOUBLET (Dual Optical Ultrawide Band Laser Eyewear Transmission) device, a capability enabling field personnel to quickly, easily, and cost-effectively evaluate the protective capacity of their laser eye protection eyewear (e.g., spectacles, visors, side shields) according to rigorous LEP safety controls.

Laser Modeling With Wolfram Mathematica

Mr. Clint Zeringue, from the AFRL Directed Energy Directorate's Laser Division, and Wolfram Research developed an extensive modeling and simulation software package in Mathematica to model fiber laser amplifiers. (Photo by Jilyan Landon)

Air Force, NASCAR discuss hearing protection technology

Government and SPEAR Labs officials met at Bristol Motor Speedway to discuss hearing protection and communications technology that was successfully developed for the Warfighter to determine if it can work for NASCAR drivers who also operate in extremely noisy conditions. From left are Augustine Vu (seated), Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program manager; Mr. Dale Lott, president of SPEAR Labs; Mr. John Thornton, co-owner of SPEAR Labs; and Ms. Cynthia Gonsalves, director, Office of the Secretary of Defense/Office of Technology Transition (OSD/OTT). (Photo submitted)

Air Force, NASCAR discuss hearing protection technology

Pictured at Bristol Motor Speedway are, from left: Mr. Reed Sorenson, driver of the Air Force sponsored NASCAR racecar; John Thornton, co-owner of SPEAR Labs; Lt. Gen. Larry D. James, Commander, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command, and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command; Ms. Cynthia Gonsalves, Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense/Office of Technology Transition (OSD/OTT); and Mr. Augustine Vu, Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Manager. (Photo submitted)