Once in a while we're asked to spread the word about a tech transfer program or a state fund for worthy technical startups or something similar. The most recent of these can be summed up as follows: Sensor and technology companies! The U.S. Army needs your help!
The U.S. Army has prepared a list of specific technologies in which they are interested. If your company possesses the requisite expertise, please consider getting involved. InSitech is managing a Request for Information (RFI) process to identify companies that either have experience with the listed technology areas or have technologies that would solve these particular problems. You can find out more here.
To the nitty gritty. Here's what the Army is looking for:
- Modeling methods to optimize the performance of thermal batteries used in munitions
- New devices and mechanisms for projectile guidance, navigation, and control
- Miniaturization techniques and technologies for fuze electronics
- Lasers capable of marking multiple targets
- Compact batteries for networked autonomous applications
- Disposable radios for dispersed munitions networks
- Higher-performance solid-state switches and capacitors for high-energy applications
- Energy harvesting for rifles
- Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells and capacitors to scavenge energy from in-flight heating of projectile nose cones
- Personnel detection technologies to replace mechanical trip-wires
- Focal-plane arrays sensitive to both mid- and long-wave IR
- Metal coating process that does not use Hex Chrome
The purpose of this RFI is, in part, to identify small businesses that have the right stuff but haven't contracted extensively with the U.S. Department of Defense in the past. After going through InSitech's RFI process, companies may then be specifically invited by the U.S. Government to respond to a U.S. Government issued solicitation. The deadline for responses is March 12, 2010. Good luck!