Commercial Acquisition Department, Bldg 11, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Code 59, Simonpietri Dr., Newport, RI 02841-1708

A -- CENTERWIDE BAA 98-01 PART 4 OF 5 SOL BAA 98-01(Part 4 of 5) DUE 063099 POC G. Palmer, Contracting Officer at (401) 832-1645; FAX (401) 832-4820. WEB: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/. E-MAIL: G. Palmer, Contracting Officer, palmerge@npt.nuwc.navy.mil. This solicitation can be viewed and searched on the Internet at www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract. THERMAL AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION (FOR TORPEDO, TARGET, UUV, MOBILE MINE AND COUNTERMEASURE APPLICATIONS) High energy fuels and oxidants for internal and external combustion engines, hot gas expander engines, and gas turbines for use in torpedoes, targets, mobile mines, and unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). Emphasis is on propellants and combustion products that have minimal safety restrictions, personnel hazards, and environmental impact as well as low overall system life cycle costs. Battery, semi-fuel cell, and fuel cell technology including a) high rate primary and secondary batteries for high-speed underwater vehicles and b) low rate rechargeable energy systems for long endurance missions in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Systems should be energy and power dense, safe, free of environmental impacts throughout the cycle from production to disposal, and have reduced life cycle costs. Rapidly rechargeable secondary systems and smart chargers for high and low rate applications are also desired. Analytical models to perform in-depth optimization analyses on electric propulsion systems, including secondary and primary high energy density battery systems together with permanent magnet, brushless, DC motors, and on thermal propulsion systems, including fuels, oxidizers, combustion systems, thermal engines, and heat exchangers Analytical models to evaluate the transient behavior of aluminum aqueous battery and semi-fuel cell systems applicable to high energy density torpedo and/or UUV applications. Studies and assessments of primary and rechargeable battery systems regarding, but not limited to, the energy and power density, cycle life, affordability, and safety as appropriate to torpedo, target, mobile mine, countermeasure, and UUV systems. Electric motors and controllers for undersea systems including main propulsion, auxiliary thrusters, and other functions. Systems should be compact, lightweight, efficient, low cost throughout their life cycle, and have very low torque ripple and structural vibrations. (The power ranges of interest are 10-40 hp and 100-500+hp.) Affordable propulsion systems for three-inch and six-inch countermeasure devices. Novel propulsion concepts, including hybrid power cycles Integrated motor/propulsor combinations, and quiet, efficient flooded motor concepts Flow of conducting fluids in the presence of strong electric and/or magnetic fields. Effects of electrolytic bubbles, chemical reactions, and electromagnetic forces should be considered either theoretically and/or experimentally. Applications include flow in aqueous battery systems, magnetohydrodynamic propulsion, and electromagnetic flow control. Studies and assessments of propulsion system technology on the performance of tactical scale undersea vehicles (torpedoes, targets, UUVs, and countermeasures). Micro electro magnetic system (MEMS) devices for energy conversion and micro-sensor and controller applications. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Studies and assessments of advanced torpedo, target, mobile mine, and UUV propulsion system production and life cycle costs. Novel high-power (10-50 hp) propulsion concepts for small diameter (< 12") UUVs. MATERIALS Engineered coatings. Cost engineering in composite manufacturing. High-strength, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, metallic material. High-strength, lightweight, low-cost, flame-resistant, non-metallic materials. High-strength, rare earth permanent magnet materials and fabrication processes. Lightweight, nonferrous, shielding of electromagnetic energy. Multisignature materials (e.g., radar and infrared low observable materials). Acoustic signature reduction materials. See materials requirements listed in other technological areas. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (CNS) RESEARCH AS APPLIED TO UNDERWATER SYSTEMS Applications to state-of-the-art underwater Fully Automated Systems Technology (FAST) involving: Automaticsonar detection, classification and/or localization of diverse acoustic sources. Autonomous guidance and control. Autonomous perception, data fusion, analysis and decision making. Adaptive reasoning. Applications from on-going research in: Biologically-based visual and auditory systems. Architectures involving autonomous agents. Improved computational models based on biologically accurate neurons. Sub-neuronal computations including microtubules. Network of network computing. Information transfer to/from human using multiple senses for input to human and multiple methods of human input to system (five senses for input; voice, feet, hands, eyes, etc. for input to system). HUMAN PERFORMANCE Develop computer-based intelligent displays that will accelerate training, enhance human performance and reduce clutter. Investigate the effects of information processing using a multimodal workstation. Investigate cost/benefit regarding training, performance and decision making using 3D vs. 2D display systems. Adaptation and responses of individuals and groups to living in stressful environmental conditions. Stressful environmental conditions include confined spaces; altered atmospheric composition; hypo- and hyperbaric exposures; changing work, diet, or exercise schedules; noise; light; vibration; temperature extremes; etc. Adaptations and responses include biochemical, metabolic, physiological, psychological, circadian, and physical and mental performance. Medical treatment, diagnosis, and modeling of decompression sickness following diving and sojourns to a hypobaric environment. SUBMARINE ACCIDENTS AND ESCAPE AND RESCUE Effects of inert gas narcosis, hypo- and hyperthermia, hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypercarbia, and atmospheric contaminants on crew physiology and performance. Development of a physiologically-based algorithm for guiding escape vs. rescue decisions based on a mathematical model of the interaction of the disabled submarine environment and the crew condition. Factors include internal and external submarine environment (temperature, pressure, atmosphere composition, flooding, location of supplies and equipment, etc.) and their effects on crew physiology and performance. Estimates of crew survival, mortality, and morbidity for various disabled submarine scenarios. Optimization of rescue and escape supplies and equipment. Medical requirements for treatment of survivors and supply logistics for various disabled submarine scenarios. Development and evaluation of rescue and survival equipment and procedures. Decompression sickness risk assessment and amelioration. SCREENING, QUALIFICATION, AND HEALTH EFFECTS OF SUBMARINE DUTY Psychiatric, performance and motivational screening, selection and intervention procedures to reduce attrition rates for submarine personnel during both training for and actual submarine service to include both nuclear reactor and submarine schools. Evaluation of current medical qualification standards, prevention of stress-related disorders, and determination of disqualification criteria for various medical conditions as they relate to submarine duty. Epidemiological studies of submariners and health effects of long-term exposure to the submarine environment including studies of mortality, morbidity, precipitating factors, and the long-term course of diseases and injuries. INTERACTION OF UNDERWATER SOUND AND BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Basic and applied research on the biochemical and physiological effects of underwater sound on the organ systems of humans and other organisms. Development of safe exposure guidelines and damage risk criteria for exposure to water-borne sound across all frequencies. Mathematical modeling of the mechanisms responsible for the physical effects of sound exposure. Mathematical modeling and development of methods for characterizing sound fields in hyperbaric chambers, tanks, pools, small lakes, and other confined environments. Mathematical modeling and development of methods of simulating or producing sound fields with open-water characteristics in confined environments. Development of physiological and psychological monitoring and performance tests for humans and other organisms to evaluate the effects of exposure to underwater sound. Medical diagnosis and treatment procedures for sound-related injuries. Development of underwater sound measurement techniques, methods, and equipment. SUBMARINE ATMOSPHERE AND THE HEALTH OF CREW MEMBERS Evaluation of atmospheric contaminants and factors affecting their concentrations in the vessel. Contaminants include volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, antigens, metals and other inorganic compounds, etc.. Development of specialized and routine monitoring and analysis procedures and equipment. Development of specialized and routine atmosphere sampling and analysis procedures to characterize the composition of individual submarines and fleet. Role of operational procedures, cooking, atmospheric conditioning equipment, and cigarette smoke in the production or modification of atmospheric contaminants. Effects of fires, electrical equipment, emergency procedures, compartment pressurization, escape trunk use, and use of survival supplies on submarine atmosphere composition. Monitoring and modeling of submariner exposure to contaminants including whole body and tissue uptake and elimination, means of elimination, dosage, and physiological and psycho-physiological effects. Role of equipment and supplies in the introduction and removal of contaminants. Toxicological and exposure limits and the effects of individual contaminants or contaminants in combination. AUDITION AND COMMUNICATION Develop virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition/voice command module. Develop tactical awareness module/virtual reality 3D display with voice recognition. Model human operator's tactical strategies and embed in 3D display system. Physical and psychophysical modeling of spatial hearing for use in binaural and virtual-reality displays. Psychophysical measurement and modeling of auditory performance with auditory displays for simulations orunder conditions of multiple sensor inputs and high workloads. Design and evaluation of auditory signal-attenuating headsets and communications systems. Assessment of speech communication and voice recognition. Assessment of applicability of otoacoustic emissions for use in hearing conservation programs. Assessment of hearing risk and auditory performance in diving environments. Assessment of auditory and nonauditory effects of noise. Design and assessment of passive and active noise reductions technologies; design and evaluation of automated information systems for reduced shipboard manning. Design and evaluation of auditory signal enhancement algorithms and auditory interface techniques; development of auditory models of detection and classification; design and evaluation of noise reducing medical equipment (stethoscopes, etc.); development and testing of underwater sound measurement. (End Part 4 of 5) Posted 06/26/98 (0177)

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