April 2023 - Physical Sciences Inc.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Air Force to develop a compact quantum cascade laser (QCL) module that combines the outputs from seven high power mid-wave infrared QCLs using infrared fiber in a 7×1 fiber combiner configuration.

The module will feature a fiber taper section that adiabatically reduces the fiber core diameter in order to produce a beam with the required quality factor. The module output is fiber-coupled, which is particularly convenient for distributed aperture applications or whenever the laser and its associated thermal and electrical drive infrastructure must be located apart from the optical output head, typically for size, weight, and power (SWaP) considerations.

Both the midwave-infrared (MWIR) laser and fiber technology involved in this project bring associated advancements to medical and industry processing applications.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Joel Hensley
Vice President, Photonics
hensley@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

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Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Space Force to develop the On-orbit Metrology system for Rigid Antenna array Panels (OMRAP), which uses a set of instrumented flexures to measure the out-of-plane deflections of large antenna arrays.

Future space missions that require more powerful communication capabilities will require large antenna arrays that can operate at frequencies in the X-band or above. Performance of these arrays is sensitive to small deflections of the antenna elements that may result from thermal expansion, spacecraft slewing maneuvers, or other orbital loads. PSI’s OMRAP measurement of the deflected position of the antenna allows the antenna electronics to compensate for positional errors, improving the antenna performance. Successful development of the OMRAP will loosen the mechanical constraints that are placed on existing antenna designs, allowing for a reduction in launch cost and engineering effort prior to launch.

The modular design of PSI’s OMRAP antenna structural panels and compliant connectors allows the system to be used to measure a wide range of antenna and backing structure geometries to improve antenna performance. This technology will lead to a reduction in required development time and launch costs for space based antennas. The individual components of the system, such as the connectors, can be used in land and spaced based applications that require precision angular measurements.

For more information, contact:

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

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Space Force to develop a novel thermoradiative cell to convert waste heat in space-based solar systems into useful electrical power that decreases the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of next-generation spacecraft.

PSI’s Space-borne Infrared Thermoradiative Cell (STIC) will increase the electrical power output of the spacecraft by up to 25 W/m2 when used in tandem with a conventional extraterrestrial solar panel. The additional power generation will enable next-generation spacecraft to support more technologically sophisticated payloads in the same launch vehicle.

There is a critical defense and security need for low-cost compact spacecraft with sophisticated communication and sensing capabilities. In these spacecraft, the power generation system occupies a third of the overall weight/volume of the vehicle. Decreasing the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of next-generation spacecraft, particularly compact satellites, will enable the production of spacecraft at lower cost or with more capability within the same weight/cost budget. In addition, applications are anticipated for terrestrial solar arrays by enabling power generation during nighttime.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Joel Hensley
Vice President, Photonics
hensley@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Army to develop a lightweight, low-cost cooling system that will replace the existing vapor-compression cycle with an air cycle machine.

Existing ground vehicle air conditioner systems use vapor-compression cycles with R-134a or R-1234yf refrigerant. R-134a has high global warming potential and future systems are moving to R-1234yf, which is flammable, and both are toxic to humans. The Army needs to improve crew safety and reduce global warming potential for future vehicles. To address these needs, PSI’s Air-Cycle Cabin Cooling system will provide up to 15 kWth of cooling to ground vehicle cabins and will immediately reduce risk for warfighters in tactical and combat vehicles by removing flammable materials from onboard the vehicles and provide appropriate ventilation and crew thermal management.
The air machine’s simplicity and robustness will ensure years of low-maintenance operation and crew comfort.

In this program, PSI will develop a family of air machine cooling systems for use on tactical and combat vehicles. The systems will use the same architecture with different-sized components for each application. While the initial device will focus on Army platforms, it can be easily adapted to passenger and commercial vehicles, opening up a large commercial market. Practically every new car sold in the US has a vapor-compression air conditioner system. PSI’s system could potentially replace these vapor-compression air conditioners, which will have a tremendous positive impact on global health by replacing millions of gallons of R-134a and R-1234yf refrigerants each year.

For more information, contact:

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

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop a spectral compressive sensing LiDAR (SpeCS-LiDAR).

PSI’s system is designed to support enhanced target detection and identification in a low SWaP-C package by pairing a broadband supercontinuum source with a Michelson interferometer and a high speed single pixel compressive sensing receiver. Key benefits of the SpeCS-LiDAR architecture include: enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to spatial/spectral multiplex, reduced data dynamic range as a result of background suppression and use of spatially integrated measurements, the ability to dynamically trade spatial/spectral resolution with frame rate, and the ability to perform high speed broadband imaging.

PSI’s spectral LiDAR will provide enhanced target detection against the background by providing an additional dimension of discrimination beyond imaging and ranging data. This improved capability has application to a wide range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the defense sector.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Julia Dupuis
Vice President, Tactical Systems
jdupuis@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.