Listed below are my five (5) most recent votes:
| Date | RC# | Bill | Vote |
| 12-1 | 595 | H RES 1724 | Yea |
| 12-1 | 594 | H RES 1217 | Aye |
| 12-1 | 593 | H J RES 101 | Nay |
| 12-1 | 592 | H RES 1430 | Aye |
| 12-1 | 591 | H RES 1735 | Aye |
2010 DOD Authorization Requests
Lightweight, Battery Driven, and Battlefield Deployment Ready NG Feeding Tube Cleaner
Description: In the current Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, critically injured soldiers are given feeding tubes to assist in early enteral feeding, and as a means to remove liquids and gases from the stomach. In US hospitals, highly-effective canned liquid formula is used as the nutritional supplement, but clogging is still a significant concern, particularly when medications are fed through the tube.
It is particularly difficult to unclog NG tubes, which are approximately 1 mm diameter and 1 m long and bend several times as they enter the stomach. New NG tube placement involves significant risk to the soldier, so leaving the properly placed tube in the patient is ideal. Therefore, funding is needed for the development of the Rugged, Lightweight, Battery Driven, and Flight Qualified for Battlefield Deployment NG tube Cleaning Device. This technology will facilitate clearing clogs, without the need of additional equipment.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Medical Advanced Technology
Intended Recipient: Piezo Resonance Innovations, Inc.
Amount requested: 500,000
Genetic Algorithm Antennas
Description: This project would improve Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) technology used to obtain maximum effectiveness for improvised explosive device (IED) jammers by optimally placing the antenna to achieve maximum power on IED detonators. Genetic Algorithm Antennas technology will reduce turnaround time in development from months to days and reduce development costs from five to twenty times current levels.
U. S. Army Communications Electronic Command (CECOM), U. S. Air Force Information Operations Center (AFIOC), and the Naval Research Laboratory desire this capability to support design and placement of jamming antennas for IED defeat measures. This technology will be used by Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) to optimally place Electronic Warfare antennas on ships.
Service: Navy
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Electronic Warfare (EW) Readiness Support
Intended Recipient: Remcom, Inc.
Amount requested: 4,200,000
Advanced Light-Weight Ceramic Armor Initiative
Description: This project will be used to build on previously developed silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic technology to develop low cost materials processing and fabrication methods for the accelerated development of SiC vehicle armor applications in St. Marys and Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
The use of lightweight ceramic materials (particularly silicon carbide (SiC)) in advanced armor systems has played a major role in recent U.S. military activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world. The U.S. military has a requirement for new ground vehicles to employ lightweight, blast/ballistic resistant advanced armor materials that can be integrated into the design and operation of the vehicle. This program seeks to build upon previously developed SiC ceramic technology to develop low cost materials processing and fabrication methods for the accelerated development of SiC vehicle armor applications to meet U.S. military vehicle armor requirements.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Materials Technology
Intended Recipient: Morgan Advanced Materials and Technology
Amount Requested: 2,200,000
Smart Oil Sensor
Description: The Smart Oil Sensor is an engine lubricant quality sensor for application to Army ground vehicles, wheeled and tracked, all of which have a requirement for an oil condition sensor. The technology will leverage broadband electrochemical impedance analysis techniques developed in previous work for the U.S. Navy for shipboard applications. This project will directly support the U.S. Army requirement for oil quality sensing, and is supported by the Army vehicle development office. The core innovations of this program developed by Impact will include:
- Development of military grade oil quality sensing hardware for engine / drive-train lubricant monitoring, to include the sensing elements themselves and the necessary electronics packaging.
- Creation of a suite of analysis algorithms and electrochemical models to translate measured fluid electrical properties into fluid health information.
- Software and hardware support of the integration of the oil quality sensor into sensor data bus and vehicle information systems.
- Software support for integration of oil quality information into legacy and future maintenance support systems.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Combat Vehicle and Automotive Technology
Intended Recipient: Impact Technologies
Amount requested: 4,000,000
Superior Weapons Systems Through Castings
Description: This program will develop materials more suitable for service conditions; enhance the processes and geometries of certain critical parts; improve the casting industry’s predictive tools; and redesign existing components to capture the advantages of castings.
To increase deployed DoD weapons system’s readiness, the Superior Weapon Systems through Castings program develops metalcasting technologies and processes to improve performance, reduce weight, and streamline the procurement of critical metalcasting spare parts that support the warfighter. The effort integrates the U.S.’s top academic metalcasting researchers with industry experts, along with dozens of small-business foundry shops across the U.S. to solve the Army’s gaps in lightweight, high-performance replacement parts. The program also investigates other applications (i.e. forgings,machinings) where castings can be used to enhance strength or reduce procurement times. This unique partnership of government and industry ensures that results are rapidly integrated into industry. This Army program will work closely with the Army to obtain insight into their spare part challenges.
Superior Weapons Systems Through Castings will inject castings expertise to cut lead time, reduce backorders, and ensure cost effective, reliable cast components. It will also quantify the benefits of high performance matrix composite components, which have shown promise in holding up against abrasive and stressing conditions like those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: End Item Industrial Preparedness Activities
Intended Recipient: Donsco Incorporated
Amount requested: 2,300,000
Self Powered Prosthetic Limb Technology
Description: Current lower limb prosthetic technology has improved dramatically with the invention of computer controlled knee joints, like the Otto Bock C-Leg. The added functionality of these computer controlled knees greatly aids injured soldiers trying to get back to active duty. However, a major drawback of these prostheses is the requirement to recharge the on board battery approximately every 24 hours. The purpose of this research is to further develop an energy harvesting device as a component integrated into a lower extremity prosthetic limb. The device will automatically recharge the batteries of the C-Leg during normal walking and running activity.
Additionally, this technology will have benefits for amputees in the private sector. With increased incidence of diabetes, increasing life expectancies, more active adults and an aging population, the number of Americans receiving prosthetic limbs will increase. Advanced computer-controlled prosthetics will become more standard as the technology continues to mature. KCF Technologies’ self-powered energy harvesting device will improve the quality of life for many American amputees.
Agency: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Medical Technology
Intended Recipient: KCF Technologies
Amount requested: 3,000,000
Domestic Production of Nanodiamond for Military Applications
Description: This request proposes the establishment of a domestic production source for NanoBlox (NB) nanodiamond for military and commercial applications, including ballistics, lubricants, Teflons replacement, and lightweight armor.
NB is the smallest known diamond particle, and enables dramatic physical and chemical improvements to many materials. Nanodiamond material is produced by the controlled detonation of a high energetic material. The explosive energy of these expired materials would be harnessed to produce a domestic supply of nanodiamond. Further, this technology can significantly reduce the costs presently associated with the disposal off spent and expired military ordnance; and, can safely and efficiently convert expired explosive materials into valuable by products.
Without a secure, domestic source of nanodiamond, the United States is dependent upon the goodwill of other nations for supply. Industrialized nations, such as Russia and China, have been developing the production of nanodiamond material for military applications. The United States military will be well served by creating a domestic nanodiamond production infrastructure to produce and supply this strategic and tactical material. Additionally the U.S. and local economies would benefit from the creation of jobs resulting from the development of a domestic nanodiamond industry.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Munitions Standardization, Effectiveness and Safety
Intended Recipient: NanoBlox, Inc.
Amount requested: 4,000,000
Ferroelectric Component Technology
Description: Ferroelectric components have been developed by TRS as power sources for electromagnetic munitions designed to remotely and non-lethally disrupt electronics such as those used for improvised explosive devices (IED). Our technology provides 2 to 3 times more power than the best existing energy storage materials. This enables electromagnetic munitions to move from the laboratory to the battlefield, providing warfighters with a powerful new tool against terrorist and asymmetric threats. The effectiveness of this technology has been demonstrated in laboratory tests with field tests scheduled for 2009. TRS is seeking FY2009 funds for further research and development aimed at scaling up processes in preparation for large volume production of ferroelectric components.
IEDs, suicide bombs and other asymmetric warfare and terrorist tactics have been a major cause of casualties among our warfighters in the Middle East. Counteracting and defending against these threats with current techniques has lead to many unintended or mistaken civilian casualties. Finding ways to remotely and non-lethally defeat IEDs is a major Defense Department research activity. The technology developed by TRS enables a powerful new class of munitions that can accomplish these goals. Funding is needed to rapidly transition this technology to the warfighter enabling the military to better protect the lives of our service personnel and of innocent civilians. The requested funding will result in 7 to 10 new jobs at TRS. We anticipate that by the end of FY2010 as we increase production for initial use of this technology in the field our company will create an additional 30 to 50 jobs for the local economy. In full production by FY2011 to 2013 as many as 150 to 200 jobs will be created if all targeted Army systems are successfully transitioned.
Service: Army
Budget Appropriation: Research, Development, Test, Evaluation, Army
Identification: Munitions Standardization, Effectiveness and Safety
Intended Recipient: TRS Ceramics TRS Technologies, Inc.
Amount Requested: $1,200,000
