Energetics Technology Analysis The accomplishment of future research imperatives that successfully transition to field use requires the Army and Navy to develop critical scientific and technical capabilities as well as a clear understanding of how to best leverage areas of emerging scientific knowledge. Consistent with these goals, this contract addresses several research areas that will enhance science and technology capabilities of the US Army and the US Navy. Three projects directly related to the activities of the Army and Navy that lay the groundwork for significant future applications are reviewed. These activities are in training-based research and technology, IED-related Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research, and finally Simulation-based Discovery and Innovation. These areas address fundamental issues that impact future S&T requirements and the necessary mission-critical capabilities. The Design Navigator
Iktara is currently developing a new search engine for the engineering design process. This new search engine allows design engineers to search by form, function and rationale. We are developing a Windows-based software application that works in conjunction with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems to provide an end-to-end design information management tool called Design Navigator. The Design Navigator archives all the relevant design information generated during the design process and provides efficient ways of searching and retrieving the information that has been archived. The retrieval process includes visualization in virtual environments. This is a customer-driven design solution, as the technology was developed to address a specific customer needs of the Navy. Concurrently Iktara is working with the UTS Corporation to commercialize various software modules. The Science and Technology Roadmap
In the management area Iktara is concerned with conducting a series of planning meetings, discussing partnership formations, legislative issues, economic development opportunities, and educational outreach programs that impact S&T Revitalization issues in the Navy. Finally, we gather information on the business base of R&D Centers, workforce trends etc. and compile this into an annual compendium. |
In the world
of engineering design, easy access to information is an
essential part of rapid product development and design.
Unlike a typical online researcher or graphic designer, the
engineering designer needs fast access to 3-D images in
addition to information about functionality and the
rationale behind various design decisions. Popular search
engines like Google and Yahoo are limited in their ability
to aid design engineers because they only support text based
search. At present there aren’t many options for a designer
to quickly conduct searches for 3-D parts and components
during the product development process.
This project
is concerned with S&T revitalization studies for the Navy.
Our work is related to both technical and management
activities. Iktara provides highly technical position papers
for journal articles, presentations for various scientific,
military and technology conferences and meetings. We review
technologies that are of interest to the Navy and have
significant local interest. Examples include energetics,
energetic manufacturing, lean manufacturing, nanotechnology,
mems technology, virtual environments and archiving and
retrieving knowledge. Additional topics include reviewing
key technologies and initiatives undertaken to revitalize
S&T capabilities with the Navy Warfare Centers and
demonstrating how linkages between them and Universities are
at the heart of the revitalization. 
