Advancing Scandium Use in Metal Alloys for U.S. Weapon System Production and Sustainment
ID: DLA242-003Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Advancing Scandium Use in Metal Alloys for U.S. Weapon System Production and Sustainment

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608939

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the advancement of scandium use in metal alloys for U.S. weapon system production and sustainment. Scandium has unique properties that can significantly increase the performance of aluminum alloys, allowing for reduced weight designs and increased resistance to high temperature and corrosion. The DOD is interested in exploring future defense industrial base uses for scandium, including its substitution for expensive materials and its compatibility with additive manufacturing techniques. Potential applications for scandium-aluminum alloy include missiles, aircraft, space launch vehicles, satellites, soldier systems, military ground vehicles, marine applications, and other weapon systems. The DOD is particularly interested in engaging small businesses to develop and expand expertise and production capacity in scandium-containing materials. The project duration for Phase I is 12 months with a cost of $100,000, while Phase II has a duration of 24 months with a cost of $1,000,000. Proposals should demonstrate proof of concept and include collaboration with established materials companies and DoD weapon system program offices. The goal is to develop commercially viable sources of scandium supply for transition to production in support of DoD and its supply chains. Phase III proposals will be accepted after the completion of Phase I and II projects, with no specific funding associated.

Files
No associated files provided.
Similar Opportunities
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Automated Functional Grading of Materials for Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the development of software for automated functional grading of materials in directed energy deposition additive manufacturing. This research topic aims to enable the production of complex, multi-material munitions with enhanced lethality. The software should allow for the creation of functionally graded materials (FGMs) by generating tool paths for multi-material grading in at least three directions. The software should be capable of accepting user inputted gradients for combinations of at least four metals simultaneously. In Phase I, a proof-of-concept software should be developed to print FGMs on a directed energy deposition additive manufacturing printer. The software should be able to accept user-generated gradients and demonstrate control over changing the mixing of metals. Materials characterization should be performed to verify the chemistry of the deposited gradient. In Phase II, the software should be expanded into a prototype capability, allowing for user-defined material grading using up to four metals simultaneously. Graded test coupons should be fabricated in multiple orientations, and a demonstration part containing a functionally graded material should be generated. Materials characterization should be performed for each coupon. The development of this software will greatly increase manufacturing capability and potentially help increase widespread adoption of directed energy deposition additive manufacturing technology. The military and civilian sectors, including manufacturing research, aerospace, mining, power, tool manufacturing, and medical applications, would benefit from this technology. The solicitation is open until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit the [solicitation link](https://www.sbir.gov/node/2651311).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTechScalable AI 2
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTechScalable AI 2 topic. This solicitation focuses on two main areas: 1. Scalable Tools for Automated AI Risk Management and Algorithmic Analysis: The Army is looking for automated tools to evaluate and mitigate risk against an AI Risk Management Framework (RMF) to ensure trusted and validated AI models. The tools should be able to evaluate multiple dimensions of AI risk, classify and quantify AI risk, and propose mitigation options. The Army is particularly interested in tools that can accept risk-related inputs from multiple data sources and modalities and have standardized evaluation methods and mitigation strategies. 2. Scalable Techniques for Robust Testing and Evaluation (T&E) of AI Operations Pipelines: The Army needs a robust and automated T&E approach for AI Operations Pipelines. This includes evaluating data integrity, data labeling methodologies, and model training. The Army is interested in tools that can identify and evaluate data integrity, assess the quality and accuracy of labels applied to training datasets, and evaluate model performance in terms of resource consumption, robustness, scalability, and privacy and security. The Phase I proposals can receive up to $250,000 for a 6-month period, while Direct to Phase II proposals can receive up to $2,000,000 for an 18-month period. Phase II involves producing prototype solutions that will be evaluated by soldiers, and Phase III focuses on maturing the technology and producing prototypes for further development and commercialization. The xTechScalable AI 2 prize competition will be used to identify small businesses eligible to submit proposals under this topic. The full solicitation can be found at [this link](https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Solid-State Scalable/Tileable Imaging Detector for High-Energy Neutron Radiography
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a solid-state scalable/tileable imaging detector for high-energy neutron radiography. The objective is to deliver a state-of-the-art high-energy neutron radiography imaging/detector. The technology will be used in conjunction with a source of high-energy neutrons to achieve a state-of-the-art neutron radiography system. The project will consist of three phases. In Phase I, the proposer must prove the principle through a white paper study that demonstrates strong evidence that a solid-state neutron detector can be designed and constructed on a chip. In Phase II, the proposer will build and deliver a tiled detector with minimum dimensions of 11" square that is effective for 1 MeV neutrons. The detector should provide short acquisition imaging times, high contrast, high spatial resolution, and high signal-to-noise ratio. In Phase III, the proposer will explore dual-use applications of the technology. Potential applications include accurate and fast inspections of Army ammunition, armaments, and other products for quality, safety, and lethality. The technology could also be used for compact, lightweight, self-contained scalable detectors in the detection of materials that emit gamma/beta rays or sub-atomic particles, such as radioactive isotopes, contamination, and special nuclear material. Commercial applications could include ground stationary check points, aerial applications, and underground/underwater drilling/mining applications. The project duration is not specified, but the proposal submission deadline is March 31, 2025. More information can be found on the DOD SBIR website (https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/).
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - xTechScalable AI 2
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the xTechScalable AI 2 topic. This solicitation focuses on two main areas: 1. Scalable Tools for Automated AI Risk Management and Algorithmic Analysis: The Army is looking for automated tools to evaluate and mitigate risk against an AI Risk Management Framework (RMF). The tools should be able to evaluate multiple dimensions of AI risk, classify and quantify AI risk, and propose mitigation options. The Army is particularly interested in tools that can accept risk-related inputs from multiple data sources and modalities and have standardized evaluation methods and mitigation strategies. 2. Scalable Techniques for Robust Testing and Evaluation (T&E) of AI Operations Pipelines: The Army needs a robust and automated T&E approach for AI Operations Pipelines. This includes evaluating data integrity, data labeling, and model training. The Army is interested in tools that can identify and evaluate data integrity, assess the quality and accuracy of data labels, and evaluate model performance in terms of resource consumption, robustness, scalability, and privacy and security. The Phase I proposals can receive up to $250,000 for a 6-month period, while Direct to Phase II proposals can receive up to $2,000,000 for an 18-month period. Phase II involves producing prototype solutions that will be evaluated by soldiers, and Phase III focuses on maturing the technology and producing prototypes for further development and commercialization. The xTechScalable AI 2 prize competition will be used to identify small businesses eligible to submit proposals under this topic. The full solicitation can be found at the following link: [solicitation_agency_url].
DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual - Multisystem Mobile Corrosion Unit
Active
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a research topic titled "Multisystem Mobile Corrosion Unit" as part of their SBIR program. The objective of this topic is to develop a deployable solution for the Army's major corrosion issue, allowing for repairs in austere environments while in the field. The solution should include capabilities such as laser ablation, corrosion preventative coating application, cold spray, plasma blast, welding, and more. The project will consist of two phases, with Phase I accepting proposals for up to $250,000 for a 6-month period to develop a proof-of-concept prototype. Phase II will involve developing a deployment-ready multisystem corrosion unit. The technology has potential applications in industries such as automotive, aircraft, construction, agriculture, and power and energy. The project duration is not specified, and interested parties can find more information and submit proposals on the DOD SBIR website.