Exum Massbox: semi-nondestructively material characterization of small parts to aid in reverse engineering.

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Materials The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: There is a strong demand within the AFCS to accurately and quickly perform material identification on parts, specifically with the purposes of reverse engineering and rapid prototyping. The current practices for material identification are often prohibitive due to cost, time, and need for skilled operators. The current deficit in material testing means that many projects are completed without pertinent material information, or they are simply canceled due to the inability to complete the material testing requirements. The goal of this award would be to perform a detailed trial run of Exum's novel Massbox technology alongside conventional testing methods to determine if it is a suitable replacement for conventional testing, and ultimately implementing it as a more cost/time affective solution where applicable. DESCRIPTION: To meet the AFCS material testing needs, the outcome of this SIBR should include testing a variety of common aerospace materials (i.e., aluminum, titanium, steel, nickel) with a focus on comparing the data generated by the Exum Massbox with that of conventional material testing methods. To meet the objective of implementing the Massbox as an alternative to the cost prohibitive conventional testing, the test results must show that the Massbox produces comparable data, specifically with the light elements that XRF struggles with and at a lower cost than the current methods employed. PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Government expects the applicant(s) to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior Phase I-type effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior or ongoing SBIR/STTR funding agreement. The applicant(s) must feasibility by demonstrating the ability to provide data generated from a working Massbox indicating that the instrument is currently operational and capable of deployment for a feasibility study. PHASE II: An operational Massbox will be delivered to REACT for evaluation of the capabilities. Over the course of 2 years, Exum will work jointly with REACT to develop machine parameters that allow for the material identification of a majority of all alloys regularly used in the aerospace industry (i.e. standard aluminum alloys, nickel alloys, iron, copper, cobalt, titanium, etc.). The final data output from the Massbox must be comparable or better than that generated by a standard OES machine. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The expected TRL at Phase III entry is a TRL 7 or TRL 8. If Phase II proves successful and economically viable, Phase III efforts will include technology transfer to other ALC Bases.