January 2021 - Physical Sciences Inc.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), has been awarded a research program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a robust eye tracking technology to enhance the quality of high-resolution retinal imaging videos by significantly reducing the image artifacts induced by involuntary eye motion.

PSI’s multi-channel AO retinal imager (MAORI) is a new tool for researchers and clinicians to investigate and monitor changes of retinal microstructures due to disease progression or response to treatment. However, one of the main challenges for routine clinical application of high-resolution retinal imaging remains eye motion. The main focus of this research is to develop a universal SLO-image based eye tracking system in a stand-alone package that can be used to retrofit existing platforms. The added tracking function will stabilize high-resolution images, enable more efficient retinal imaging sessions, and help advance retinal imaging applications into routine clinic use.

PSI uses retinal tracking to improve the efficiency of an imaging session by significantly reducing the number of uncorrectable images in each data set, therefore, minimizing the time that both the patient and the medical personnel spend imaging. PSI will build on our expertise in eye tracking and high-resolution retinal imaging and leverage recent advances in real-time video image stabilization developed in vision and computer science. PSI will develop a plug-and-play solution that can be adapted to any imaging platform that requires image stabilization. A stand-alone device that can be incorporated with minimal modifications into existing platforms will help transfer high-resolution retinal imaging from research labs into routine clinical applications.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Nicusor Iftimia
Area Manager, Biomedical Optics Technology
iftimia@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with QinetiQ North America (QNA), has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground to develop a low-cost, robust system to capture a projectile in flight, decelerate it gently over a large distance, and then recover the round in a controlled manner for evaluation.

The U.S. Army needs to test advanced artillery rounds of large caliber and high total kinetic energy. A key aspect of this testing is the recovery of the round prior to impact. Existing recovery methods exert excessive loads on the rounds and cannot survive the rigors of the test environment. PSI’s system uses existing components and materials specifically designed for use in demanding outdoor environments. The system design can be scaled to meet a wide range of projectile masses, dimensions, and muzzle velocities.

The full development of the system will enable the Army to rapidly test up to ten artillery rounds in a single day. The soft catch recovery of the rounds will allow the Army investigators to fully understand the effects of the launch environment on the construction and materials of the test projectile.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sean Torrez
Group Leader, Deployable Technologies
storrez@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to demonstrate a Direct Z-Pin Insertion (DZI) process for local application of 3D reinforcements in high temperature composite structures (2000F-4500F).

The DZI process inserts rigid composite pins normal (through thickness) to a 2D composite preform prior to cure. The pins act to improve both interlaminar tension and shear strength in the final composite structure.

Successful development of DZI to implement 3D reinforcements will enable hypersonic vehicles to endure higher shear loads with reduced risk of skin failure. Localized application of 3D reinforcements will reduce the risk of delamination failure on vehicle components with small radii of curvature, free panel edges body cut outs for window insertion or through holes for fastener insertion. The process can be used on both DoD vehicles as well as commercial space systems were ceramic composites are used.

For more information, contact:
Dr. John Steinbeck
Product Manager, Advanced Composites
steinbeck@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop ultrathin (0.015”) carbon fiber reinforced, silicon carbide matrix (C/SiC) materials to construct flexible thermal protection system (TPS) structures.

The natural oxidation resistance of C/SiC makes these flexible structures suitable for use as control surfaces or morphing ducts for hypersonic vehicles. The key innovation developed by PSI to make repeatable thin C/SiC structures possible is a shape stable matrix. The thin C/SiC sheets are reinforced by unidirectional tapes in a simple 0-90 scheme.

Successful development of the flexible TPS technology will enable morphing structures including control surfaces to be seamlessly integrated into the outer mold line of a hypersonic vehicle. Flexible control surfaces will eliminate the need to cover gaps between the vehicle and surface that induce drag. The flexible TPS technology will make it possible to construct morphing inlet ducts to optimize the air flow in combined cycle engines and the transition from ram to scram operation. Commercial applications for flexible TPS include exhaust control for gas turbine engines including thrust vectoring.

For more information, contact:
Dr. John Steinbeck
Product Manager, Advanced Composites
steinbeck@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003