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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将利用纳米复合材料开发超高速激光护眼(LEP)设备。商用LEP眼镜只能防护有限的已知激光波长，用户必须为不同的激光更换眼镜。新的LEP眼镜将成为一种通用的解决方案，可以在可见光和红外(IR)光谱范围内保护人眼免受已知和未知激光的伤害，承诺60%的可见光透过率、4%的光学密度、飞秒响应时间，并完全符合工业和军事标准。预计LEP眼镜将具有足够的光限幅阈值，因此它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)基材集成，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的优化以及环境耐久性测试。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是巨大的。它将满足客户对通用激光护眼设备的关键需求，这是许多军事和工业领域的关键。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，并允许防弹和防碎能力。这些设备具有满足整个激光护眼市场的潜力，预计前五年LEP眼镜的累计销售额将超过1000万美元。该计划还将推进科学和工程领域的最先进技术，从相变材料开发新型纳米结构，以及具有优异光学特性的新器件结构。最后，该项目将通过帮助降低激光眼损伤的医疗、保险和相关成本而产生社会效益。

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.