Manufacturing of Nitrogen Vacant (NV) Diamond Substrates for Quantum Sensors

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Microelectronics;Quantum Science;Advanced Materials OBJECTIVE: This topic seeks to mature manufacturing processes for polymer based multi-layer radiation shielding. Ideal projects would improve shield quality and drive down shield cost through increased production, improvements to layer adhesion, efficient use of consumables, and development of a manufacturing process enhancement model capable of shield composition/architecture design, predictive manufacturing processes, and long-term tracking of manufacturing process data. DESCRIPTION: The Department of the Air Force and the U.S. Space Force needs light weight and thinner radiation shields to protect our space assets from the dangers of radiation on orbit. Today, radiation shielding of electronics in space is primarily accomplished with aluminum slabs or metallic mesh. While inexpensive and easily attainable, this type of shielding adds unnecessary mass and bulk, reducing payload capacity and limiting the adoption of non-rad hardened commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics. This topic is expected to deliver space-ready, validated multi-layer radiation shields that are lighter weight and thinner than existing alternatives at an affordable cost. This effort should include manufacturing maturation techniques and software to reduce shield cost and improve yields for proliferated space. End of effort should also provide the Air Force with a trusted industrial partner for further development and procurement. PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into a Phase II. Therefore, a Phase I award is not required. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-type effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial and/or defense potential. The applicant must demonstrate that a prototype composite radiation shielding manufacturing capability already exists or provide a modeling capability to support design of composite radiation shields based upon environmental requirements. The offeror should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the AF customer. The feasibility study should have: identified the prime potential AF end user(s) for the non-Defense commercial offering to solve the AF need; describe if/how the demonstration can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. PHASE II: Eligibility for D2P2 is predicated on the offeror having performed a Phase I-type effort predominantly separate from the SBIR/STTR Programs. Under the phase II effort, the offeror shall sufficiently develop the modeling capability for design of composite radiation shields, and modeling capability for predictive and data tracking of manufacturing processes, and/or the offeror must demonstrate new manufacturing processes and demonstrate increased production rates. Phase II efforts shall conduct analysis, further Modeling & Simulation optimization and experimentation on developed products to determine efficacy and address military requirements. Specific attention shall be paid to manufacturing readiness, preliminary costing, and Air Force logisitical considerations. These Phase II awards are intended to provide a path to commercialization, not the final step for the proposed solution. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III or phase II enhancements shall include upgrades to the manufacturing process, further Modeling & Simulation test and evaluation results, and provide delivery of concepts. Phase IIE and Phase III shall provide a business and manufacturing plan including cost and further ruggedization if needed. Delivery of high-rate production is desired along with an improved manufacturing readiness. REFERENCES: 1. More, C.V., Alsayed, Z., Badawi, M.S. et al. Polymeric composite materials for radiation shielding: a review. Environ Chem Lett 19, 2057 2090 (2021). 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-021-01189-9 KEYWORDS: nano-composite; radiation shielding; high-energy particles; electromagnetic; heavy-ions; manufacturing