December 15, 2006
Synopsis: The overall goal for the IR&D Program is to help position the Laboratory to make critical contributions to critical challenges in current and planned business areas through research and development. The Hart Prizes were established to recognize significant contributions to the Laboratory's IR&D Program. This colloquium features the two IR&D Projects recently selected in 2006 to receive the Hart Prizes for excellence in research and development for FY2005.
Research: Data Fusion and Hypothesis Evaluation for Syndromic Surveillance - This two year IR&D project developed the mathematical framework for data fusion to classify disease outbreaks and to test hypotheses in syndromic surveillance systems, such as JHU/APL's ESSENCE system. These systems seek to provide tools for early detection of disease outbreaks by analysis of anomalies in streams of non-traditional health indicator data, such as spikes in over the counter pharmaceutical sales. APL Investigators Jeffery S. Lin, Andrew B. Feldman, Howard S. Burkom, Steven M. Babin, Sean P. Murphy and non-APL investigators Yevgeniy Elbert and Shilpa Hakre.
Development: High Temperature Structures and Thermal Management Systems - This IR&D program has specifically addressed the applicability of high temperature optical surfaces as a means of providing passive spacecraft thermal management in the near solar environment. The work has successfully addressed multiple technology issues related to the functionality of an optical surface in space including optical properties, structural integrity, radiation degradation and charging, and mass loss from thermal-vacuum and radiation effects. APL Investigators David G. Drewry, Don E. King, Dale E. Clemons, Keith S. Caruso, Jennifer L. Sample, Michael E. Thomas, Michael P. Mattix and non-APL investigator Dennis C. Nagle.
Jeffery S. Lin is a Senior Research Scientist in the System and Information Sciences Group of the Research and Technology Development Center. He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a BSE in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, and has a MS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. He joined the Aeronautics Department of the Lab in 1986, and moved to RTDC in 1996. His recent work focuses on the analysis and modeling of biological systems, with applications in, for example, tactical biometrics, bioagent detection and identification, and information fusion for syndromic surveillance. He also has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, having won two Grammy Awards as a member of The Washington Chorus.
David G. Drewry has more than 20 years of experience in the design and analysis, manufacture, and test and evaluation of developmental hardware and material systems designed for operation in highly stressing environments, including solid propulsion rocket motors, gun-launched munitions, guns, high-speed vehicles, and spacecraft. Hardware has ranged from prototype units featuring emerging technology to troubleshooting of fielded hardware. His material expertise includes polymeric composites, metallics, ceramic matrix composites, and highly energetic solid propellants. supports the DARPA/ONR HyFly program, the Solar Probe program and numerous research activities funded by DARPA, ONR and AFOSR. Mr. Drewry has a BS and an MS in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University.