SBIR Phase II: Ultrafast Self-Reactive Laser Eye Protection Devices

SBIR第二阶段：超快自反应激光护眼装置

• 批准号: 1058571
• 负责人: Ben Tang
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: Kent Optronics, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-04-01 至 2013-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1058571&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Ultrafast; Self

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop ultra-fast laser eye protection (LEP) devices from nano-composite materials. Commercial LEP eyewear can only protect against a limited number of known laser wavelengths, with users having to change eyewear for different lasers. The new LEP eyewear will be a universal solution to protect human eyes against both known and unknown lasers in the visible and infrared (IR) spectral range, promising 60% visual luminous transmittance, 4 optical density, femtosecond response time, and full compliance with industrial and military standards. The LEP eyewear is expected to have adequate optical limiting threshold so that it does not require an extra focusing lens array for assistance. The material to be developed is semi-solid and can be integrated with ballistic-proof polycarbonate (PC) substrates, and requires no electrical power. This project will also be applicable to products for laser protection of optical sensors. The Phase II research activities involve material and manufacturing process optimizations as well as environment durability tests.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is significant. It will meet the critical unmet customer demand for a universal laser eye protection device, which is key in many military and industrial fields. The LEP products will create cost savings for customers (by providing a universal solution), reduce eye injury risk, and allow ballistic and shatter-proof capability. These devices have the potential to address the entire laser eye protection market, and cumulative LEP eyewear sales for the first five years are projected to exceed $10 million. This program will also advance the state-of-the-art in science and engineering, in developing novel nanostructures from phase-transitioning materials, as well as a new device structure with superior optical characteristics. Finally, this project will have societal benefit by helping to reduce the medical, insurance and associated costs of laser eye injuries.

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将开发纳米复合材料的超快激光眼睛保护（LEP）设备。 商用LEP眼镜只能抵御有限数量的已知激光波长，用户必须更换眼镜以适应不同的激光。 新型LEP眼镜将成为保护人眼免受可见光和红外（IR）光谱范围内已知和未知激光伤害的通用解决方案，有望实现60%的可见光透射率、4光密度、飞秒响应时间，并完全符合工业和军事标准。 预期LEP眼镜具有足够的光学限制阈值，使得其不需要额外的聚焦透镜阵列来辅助。待开发的材料是半固态的，可以与防弹聚碳酸酯（PC）基板集成，并且不需要电力。 该项目也将适用于光学传感器的激光防护产品。第二阶段的研究活动涉及材料和制造工艺优化以及环境耐久性测试。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力非常重要。它将满足客户对通用激光眼睛保护设备的关键需求，这在许多军事和工业领域都是关键。 LEP产品将为客户节省成本（通过提供通用解决方案），降低眼睛受伤风险，并具有防弹和防碎能力。 这些设备有潜力解决整个激光眼睛保护市场，前五年LEP眼镜的累计销售额预计将超过1000万美元。 该计划还将推进科学和工程领域的最新技术，从相变材料开发新型纳米结构，以及具有上级光学特性的新器件结构。 最后，该项目将通过帮助减少激光眼损伤的医疗、保险和相关费用而产生社会效益。