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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR
NOTE: The Solicitations and topics listed on this site are copies from the various SBIR agency solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should use the agency link listed below which will take you directly to the appropriate agency server where you can read the official version of this solicitation and download the appropriate forms and rules.
The official link for this solicitation is: http:--science.doe.gov-grants-pdf-SC_FOA_0000969.pdf
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The DOE supports research and development in a wide range of technologies essential to experiments in High Energy Physics (HEP) and to the accelerators at DOE high energy accelerator laboratories. The development of advanced technologies for particle detection and identification for use in HEP experiments or particle accelerators is desired. Broadly, the areas of interest are improvements in the sensitivity, robustness, and cost effectiveness of particle detectors. Principal areas of interest include particle detectors based on new techniques and technological developments, or detectors that can be used in novel ways as a consequence of associated technological developments in electronics (e.g., sensitivity or bandwidth). Also of interest are novel experimental systems that use new detectors, or use old ones in new ways, with significant improvement in performance, to extend basic HEP experimental research capabilities or result in less costly and less complex apparatus. Devices which exhibit insensitivity to very high radiation levels have recently become extremely important. Grant applications must clearly and specifically indicate their particular relevance to HEP programmatic activities. Although particle physics detector development is often concentrated at major national particle accelerator centers, there are many developmental endeavors, especially in collaborative efforts, where small businesses can make creative and innovative contributions that further develop the required advanced technologies. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with active high energy elementary particle physicists at universities or national laboratories to establish mutually beneficial goals. Proposed devices must be explicitly related to future high-energy physics experiments, either accelerator or non-accelerator based, or to future uses in particle accelerators. Relevant potential improvements over existing devices and techniques must be discussed explicitly. Areas of possible improvement include radiation hardness, energy, position, and timing resolution, sensitivity, rate capability, stability, dynamic range, durability, compactness, cost, etc.
The detection of photons is fundamental for many detector applications. Applications include the following: 1) High quantum efficiency visible light photon detectors. 2) Development of lower cost photo-detection technology and production methods scalable to large detectors. 3) Photo-sensors for extreme environments including cryogenic temperatures, corrosive conditions, high and low pressures, electric and magnetic fields, and radiation relevant for future HEP applications. 4) Large-area photo-sensors with significantly improved space resolution and time resolution. 5) Photosensors with improved sensitivity in new regions of wavelength such as UV including improvements in windows and coatings. 6) New sensors for light detection. 7) Vacuum technology-based photo detection techniques. 8) Solid state technology-based photo detection techniques. 9) High quantum efficiency X-ray photo-sensors.
Many experiments conducting a direct search for dark matter require that the detector elements and the surrounding support materials exhibit extreme radiological stability. The presence of trace amounts of radioactivity in or near a detector induces unwanted effects. These elements could include: 1) Ultra-low-background neutron and alpha-particle detectors. 2) Development of ultra-radio-pure material for use in detectors. 3) Manufacturing methods of ultra-low- background materials.
Many experiments must locate detectors within extreme radiation areas, e.g., at high luminosity LHC, or at a Muon Collider with muon beam decay background. For these applications radiation hardened devices are required. Applications include the following: 1) Radiation hardened-resistant optical links. 2) Radiation hardened-resistant power supplies or voltage converters, e.g. point of load converters. 3) Development of ultra-radiation hard material for use as detector elements. 4) Other radiation sensors for extreme environments.
Many detectors utilize cryogenic conditions and require cryogenic systems and devices which operate within a cryogenic environment. Applications include the following: 1) Development of the use, production and purification of cryogenic noble gases. 2) Cryogenic Liquid and Gas Particle Detectors. 3) Cryogenic Solid State Detectors.
HEP experiments frequently require high performance detector support that will not compromise the precision of the detectors. Therefore, grant applications are sought for components used to support or integrate detectors into HEP experiments. The support components must be well matched to the detectors. For many experiments the presence of excess material is detrimental. These applications typically require low-mass and extremely rigid materials. Applications include the following: 1) Development of low mass detector support materials. 2) Novel low-mass materials with high thermal conductivity and stiffness. 3) Very high thermal conductivity, radiation tolerant adhesives. 4) Conventional detectors with substantially improved performance through the use of novel material science developments. 5) Improvements to manufacturing processes for radiation sensors and photosensors relevant for high energy physics. 6) 3D printing technology for rapid prototyping of detector components. The improvements should yield better performance, cost, faster production methods, or entirely new methods that make more efficient use of equipment.
In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above.