Advanced Projects Research, Inc.
Project Name: Wavelength Agile Spectral Harmonic (WASH) Oxygen Sensor and Cell-Level Battery Controller
Request Amount: $5.2 million
Project Recipient: Advanced Projects Research, Inc. (APRI),
Address: 1925 McKinley Avenue, Suite B, La Verne, CA 91750
Explanation of the Request:
While the Air Force today is able to regulate the oxygen/nitrogen mix in an aircraft fuel tank, there is no method to monitor the amount of dangerous oxygen in a less than full aircraft fuel tank. Any spark, initiated by faulty wiring or small arms fire, can make this condition deadly for the pilot and crew. Advanced Projects Research, Inc. (APRI) demonstrated, under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with NASA, an advanced oxygen sensor to continually measure oxygen concentration in high-performance fuel tanks and to verify and optimize the regulation system. APRI is currently working with the Air Force to develop the Wavelength Agile Spectral Harmonic (WASH) Oxygen Sensor for aircraft fuel tanks, which will save fuel and increase safety. It is my understanding that the funding would be used to continue testing of the second generation Oxygen Sensor and to flight test it in an aircraft.
As high-tech equipment is developed that can be carried into the field, battery technology must evolve to keep up. Currently, U.S. military personnel are saddled with hundreds of pounds of 1940's power technology to support 2009 electronics. APRI has demonstrated, under a SBIR contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the ability to improve battery energy storage system efficiency. APRI is currently working with the Air Force to develop the Cell-Level Battery Controller to help improve energy usage in military equipment, while reducing the cost and need for additional power sources in the field. It is my understanding that the funding would be used to continue the final development of the cell-battery controller.
