Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Next Generation Bomber (NGB)

Request:

Fully fund Next Generation Bomber development/ include authorization
language

Applicant / Recipient Name:

N/A

Recipient Address:

N/A

Explanation of Request:

This request will maintain research and development funding for the Next Generation Bomber (NGB) while the Department of Defense (DOD) examines all strategic requirements during the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Nuclear Posture Review, and in light of Post-START arms control negotiations. This funding will help to ensure the Department of Defense continues to pursue a development program for a follow-on Air Force bomber in accordance with the strategic guidance established in the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and in support of DOD leadership that have recently advocated for the program. As laid out by the 2006 QDR and DOD leadership, this development program must continue in order to field a bomber by 2018 and ensure the Air Force maintains its capability to project power around the globe well into the future.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Gentle Medical Tapes and Dressings for Fragile, Damaged or Sensitive Skin

Request:

$3,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

3M (for their Brookings, SD plant)

Recipient Address:

St. Paul, MN

Explanation of Request:

Medical tape removal can cause skin damage on normal healthy skin and this damage can be much more severe on skin that is fragile, damaged or sensitive. This can increase the risk of infection. A gentle tape/dressing can benefit both soldiers wounded in combat and the aging population with fragile or sensitive skin. The Military Infectious Disease Research Program under the US Army Medical Research and Material Command specifically calls out the need for products that prevent wound infections and promote wound healing, including effective wound cleansing techniques that are proven not to cause tissue irritation. This project would leverage existing technology at 3M's Brookings plant and ensure continued employment there.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

HiSentinel Stratospheric Airship

Request:

$5,900,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Aerostar International

Recipient Address:

Sioux Falls, SD

Explanation of Request:

This funding will continue the HiSentinel program under development by the Army Space &Missile Defense Command (SMDC) and meet a military requirement for a low-cost lighter-than air, high-altitude platform operational by 2011. When the system is fully developed, Aerostar will be responsible for manufacturing complete operational systems, which will be purchased by the military, homeland security, science, and for industrial applications. Aerostar is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raven Industries, a U.S. manufacturer based in Sioux Falls since 1956. Raven provides employment to approximately 800 people.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Unmanned Vehicle Enhanced Operations Project

Request:

$4,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Augusta Systems, Inc.

Recipient Address:

Sioux Falls, SD

Explanation of Request:

This funding would advance a program which would be managed by the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) to augment the U.S. military's ability to optimize unmanned vehicle missions based upon unattended ground sensor events and alerts, relying on technologies from Augusta Systems to meet a current and emerging requirement for U.S. military agencies. It is anticipated that new engineering, management, and administrative positions and numerous student internship positions, as have traditionally been supported by AugustaSystems in Sioux Falls, would be established in South Dakota under the development of this program. As noted, this project could also create additional opportunities for job growth in the coming years through the development of the resident capabilities and technologies.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Exploding Foil Initiators (EFI) with Nanomaterial-Based Circuits

Request:

$5,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Black Hills Nanosystems Corporation

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

EFI devices can save numerous lives by reducing unintended detonation, while its high reliability addresses the unexploded munitions issue. The project aims to reduce cost and device size for smaller low-cost munitions. This project will demonstrate the EFI device and train the second manufacturing shift. Exploding Foil Initiator ("EFI") devices ensure personnel safety by reducing the risk of unintended detonation. There are currently 10 employees and an additional 10 employees will be added in 2009. By the end of FY10, the team anticipates creation of an additional 10 jobs, reaching a total of 30 employees, including engineers, operators, and administrative staff.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

B-1 Bomber AESA Radar Operational Utility Evaluation

Request:

$15,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

The Boeing Company

Recipient Address:

Arlington, VA

Explanation of Request:

This project will support an operational utility evaluation of an advanced targeting radar, the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, on the B-1 bomber. The AESA radar has the potential to significantly improve the combat capability of the B-1 bomber to support the warfighter on the modern battlefield. This technology is currently incorporated in the latest fighters, and the next logical step is to include the capability in the B-1 which has the ability to fly in vicinity of the battlefield for long periods of time, ready to support the warfighter when called upon.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Next Generation Lightweight Drive System for Army Weapons Systems

Request:

$2,800,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Dakota Power LLC

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will reduce the size and weight of electric drive systems to power Army weapons systems. This funding will enable the development of the capability to manufacture Dakota Power electric drive systems in South Dakota. A major objective of our research and development is to support the manufacture of high efficiency electric drive systems ranging from the small drones launched by individual soldiers to drives for heavy trucks and tanks to low priced zero emissions fuel efficient cars for civilian markets.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Optimization, and Transfer of a Reliable Testing Technology for Materials Designed to Protect War-fighters Against Toxic Chemical Warfare Agents

Request:

$650,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

EMCC

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

The technique currently being used by the Army's testing laboratories to assess the protective capabilities of different materials against permeation/penetration of chemical warfare agents is both outdated and grossly inadequate. Researchers at the Evergreen Measurement & Certification Center (EMCC) and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) are working collaboratively to develop and validate a new testing technology to replace the methodology employed by the Army for over 25 years. This novel materials testing technology will provide near-real time measurement data that can be used to precisely and accurately determine both the time of chemical agent breakthrough and the total amount of agent penetration through a test material as a function of time. As soon as this new measurement technology is formally transferred and adopted for use, its corresponding test results will contribute to risk reduction for our war-fighters and to the design and use of improved protective materials.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Printed and Conformal Electronics for Military Applications

Request:

$3,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

FlexTech Alliance -- in collaboration with South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Recipient Address:

San Jose, CA

Explanation of Request:

Under supervision from the Army Research Lab, this project will develop and manage a supply chain and prototype development program for printed and conformal electronics that address these core functions: 1) improved materials -- substrates, functional inks, barrier films; 2) integrated printing platforms with improved resolution and registration for more sophisticated functionality; 3) in-line characterization equipment for rapid manufacturing and yield improvement; and 4) integration of printed electronics with traditional silicon devices.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Airborne Dual-band Commercial IfSAR Mapping Production

Request:

$8,500,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Fugro Horizons, Inc.; Earth Data

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD; Hagerstown, MD

Explanation of Request:

Support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) need for high-resolution, up-to date airborne imagery for areas of the world that cannot be mapped using conventional airborne techniques. Geospatial data supports counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics activities as well as economic development. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) is an airborne radar mapping technology that provides imagery and map data to meet urgent military requirements for three-dimensional terrain models, high-resolution imagery maps, and detailed vector (line) maps. Fugro Horizons in Rapid City employs 92 full-time staff; it is the largest and most successful mapping company in the state and with this funding, would provide radar data processing to NGA.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Military Waste-to-Energy Project using the Hydro-Thermal Energy Conversion (Hy-TEC) Process

Request:

$7,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

General Atomics -- at Ellsworth Air Force Base

Recipient Address:

San Diego, CA

Explanation of Request:

This request was made in conjunction with the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce for its potential to bring industry and jobs to the Rapid City area while also providing a path towards domestic energy independence. A Hy-TEC project at Ellsworth AFB is proposed to commercially demonstrate the conversion of biomass wastes (cellulosic/wood, garbage, sewage, agricultural) to clean fuel gas and power. The project will focus on engineering scale-up and testing of a pilot-scale demonstration system using wastes readily available at the host site. If successful, the technology and demonstration equipment will transition into a full-scale demonstration plant that is matched to the selected waste generation capacity for the base and help the facility meet the Air Force's alternative energy commitments.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) for UH-72A Lakota Helicopter

Request:

$4,700,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Goodrich Corporation and Raven Industries

Recipient Address:

Charlotte, NC; Sioux Falls, SD

Explanation of Request:

Provide funding for an initial operational demonstration and risk reduction for the UH-72A UMS integration and installation. With the addition of the UH-72A Lakota into the utility helicopter fleet, the investments and experience garnered with the Black Hawk program in the area of IVHMS will be leveraged and should provide the same benefits and synergy to the UH-72A Lakota fleet. Funding this project will allow Raven Industries (which provides employment to approx. 800 people in South Dakota) to grow their business and add quality jobs.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Preventative Maintenance Using Kinetic Particle Deposition Technology

Request:

$3,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

H. F. Webster Inc.

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This funding will develop and qualify specific repair procedures for military equipment using kinetic particle deposition technology. Kinetic particle deposition has been demonstrated to be an effective technology for repairing corrosion and wear damage in many instances. Kinetic particle deposition is a deployable technology, so applications and procedures that are developed can be used for field repair or depot level repair. This could save millions of dollars during the reset, refurbishment and reallocation of equipment from Iraq to Afghanistan and/or back to the US. Specific applications of this technology such as the Lightweight Multipurpose Shelter, AA-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicle, B-1 and F-15 hydraulic systems, and Bradley Fighting Vehicle turret ring must be developed, qualified and implemented to realize the savings.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Aging and Battle Damaged Weapons Systems Repair

Request:

$3,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

H. F. Webster Inc.

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will attempt to insert new materials processing and joining technologies into DOD maintenance processes to reduce equipment repair and reconstitution costs. Repair requirements for Army and Marine ground vehicles returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to exceed $100B over the next several years. Upgraded repair technology is desperately needed to avert a looming crisis and save money during this equipment reset process. Costs associated with this reset and on-going operations are expected to put pressure on new weapon system acquisition programs forcing DOD to maintain existing weapons systems longer. Advanced repair technology is a key enabler needed to successfully execute this strategy.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Stabilized Hemoglobin Wound Healing Development

Request:

$1,500,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

IKOR

Recipient Address:

Aberdeen, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will study and develop new blood replacement technology that will help treat the injured war-fighter quicker and more effectively. Up to 50% of those casualties who die on the battlefield do so as a result of severe blood loss, the treatment of which currently requires organic materials that are very difficult to store in and around the battlefield. IKOR is working in conjunction with Northern State University on this project. This project is expected to make a significant contribution to medicine, the military and generate new jobs in South Dakota. IKOR's focus is to address unmet medical needs in wound healing and save lives. The company was formed in 2005 and has a research facility in Aberdeen. They are requesting funds to undertake an important study to develop a wound healing application for the military based on IKOR's patented new technology derived from bovine hemoglobin. 25 new jobs will be created during the project development stage, and once production of the wound healing products begins, 125 additional jobs will be created.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Native American Document Conversion Program (NADCP)

Request:

$100,000,000 (over next three years)

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Intertribal Information Technology Company

Recipient Address:

Nation-wide

Explanation of Request:

This funding will promote military readiness and provide employment opportunities on Native American reservations and homelands. Currently, the U.S. Military Technical Data is available in a plethora of hard copy (paper) or electronic formats. Continuing the integration of these formats into a single data format is vital for usage, dissemination and storage.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Advanced Robot and Sensor Technology for Surveillance and Energy Efficiency Applications

Request:

$2,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Lloyds Systems

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

To further develop and demonstrate specialized robots and the sensor networks required for monitoring both HVAC system efficiency and other data of interest (surveillance).
Lloyds Systems will acquire state of the art design, modeling and simulation capabilities allowing design of equipment in a virtual environment eliminating the expense of trial and error methodologies. Employment opportunities and capabilities at Lloyds Systems will significantly increase. It is expected that by the end of 2010 all current 12 employees will become full-time and that subcontracted services from eight local firms will continue to rise. By the end of 2010 the transfer of manufacturing will be complete with Electronic Systems in Sioux Falls, SD becoming an integral turn-key contract manufacturer for Lloyds Systems product lines. In 2010 a planned expansion of research and development will add two executive positions, eight high-income engineering jobs and ten medium-income technical and administrative positions expanding the current operation to at least 32 sustainable high-quality jobs that provide substantial spending power in the local economy.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Micro Electro Mechanical (MEM) Rate Integrating Gyro Development

Request:

$2,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

MEMSense

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

MEMSense is a small technology business residing in Rapid City. Formed in 2001, the company now provide high paying careers for 12 South Dakotans. MEMSense is principally engaged in the research, design, development, and manufacture of advanced inertial sensor systems, and services. The sensors produced are applied in a variety of applications that allow the end user to determine the orientation or characterize the motion of an object. The Rate Integrating Gyroscope (RIG) will introduce a new methodoloy to MEMS-based orientation sensing; measurement of angular displacement. MEMS fabrication technologies have led to the miniaturization of inertial sensors with a reduction in cost and power consumption. If the technology were completed and manufactured in Rapid City, tens (possibly hundreds) of technology sector jobs could be created.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

MLRS Trajectory Correction Kit Compensated Digital Gyro and Flight Computer Facilitization

Request:

$2,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

MEMSense

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

President Obama signed into law a ban on the sale of cluster munitions. This renders inoperable the Multiple Launch Rocket Systems of 11 partner nations and eliminates the profits from the sale of any rockets to these nations. The United States also holds nearly 400,000 such rockets in inventory and has not made clear our position on the use of these munitions. The solution to this problem is to retrofit the MLRS rockets with kinetic energy (KE) rods (flechettes) and accuracy improvements. The solution is complete and ready to begin transition into full rate production. MEMSense has been a key company in the solution realization through the development of a specialized sensor that enables the accuracy improvement. This funding request will accelerate the much-needed facilitization and non-recurring activities that will prepare MEMSense to efficiently produce sensors for the retrofit. Having this capability in Rapid City has the potential for immeasurable job growth in the area.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Freight Logistics Monitoring Demonstration Project of Perishable Goods

Request:

$3,500,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Michigan Research Institute; MCT Transportation

Recipient Address:

Ann Arbor, MI; Sioux Falls, SD

Explanation of Request:

This demonstration project will integrate advanced vehicle telematics and network sensing systems in development for the Department of Defense onto the largest perishable goods logistics company in South Dakota (MCT Transportation). The program focuses on connecting the strengths of private corporations, research institutes, and government. Specifically, the proposed wireless monitoring technology would allow for tracking perishable food transport all the way from cargo ships, through the various international ports, to the final destination (in theater operations or your local grocery store). The intent is also to monitor truck diagnostics and driver fatigue. Through such collaboration, the program participants identify technology growth areas and implementation scenarios that can positively the business aspects of companies/markets, but also offer a significantly positive impact in economic, political and policy-making matters.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

LITENING 4th Generation Advance Targeting Pod Spiral Upgrade Kits

Request:

$32,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Recipient Address:

Air National Guard --Sioux Falls, SD

Explanation of Request:

The Air National Guard needs 32 LITENING G4 Advanced Targeting pods upgrade kits to complete their requirement for precision targeting to support training and deployment schedules for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and to give them the conduit for tracking and destroying Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Self-Contained Automated Vehicle Washing Systems with Microwave Decontamination

Request:

$8,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

OctaFlex Environmental Systems, Inc.

Recipient Address:

Timber Lake, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will provide a large-vehicle washing and decontamination system with zero emissions to air or groundwater. The benefits are many: With deployment of troops and equipment to and from Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign soils the need for decontamination and wash down equipment will be of top priority. Currently the process involves fire hoses, mops and buckets and thousands of man hours. If we were to receive funding it would enable us to move from the prototype stage to full scale, portable decontamination wash down system. Our system will be able to wash four tanks in one hour, a feat that can now take over 24 hours, and will have the capacity to clean upwards of 15-20 Humvees per hour; all while recycling and decontaminating the original wash water and removing the soldier from the equation. This also will impact large vehicle maintenance operations across country. The same wash system will be deployable to first responders who are on-the-ground agents of Homeland Security/Defense programs. OctaFlex is located in a town of 435 people; the employment and the economic impact of manufacturing as a result of this project is immeasurable.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration Center (AERIC)

Request:

$5,120,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Recipient Address:

Rosebud, SD

Explanation of Request:

Rosebud Sioux Tribe and teammate Radiance Technologies, Inc., with program coordination and oversight by the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), enters into PHASE II by conducting research, development, test and demonstrations of advanced electronics integration and fabrication technology. This request it is estimated that a total of 44 personnel will be employed in South Dakota with the breakout as follows: 37 personnel to be employed on the Rosebud reservation at the AERI facility (Rosebud Sioux and Radiance); 2 personnel at Sinte Gleska University in Mission, SD; 5 personnel at SD School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, SD.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

ENergy Efficiency, Recovery and Generation (ENERGy)

Request:

$5,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will attempt to develop bioconversion technologies of biodiesel, green diesel, and biohydrogen generation from lignocellulosic biomass which will help the Air Force achieve their target of 18% biofuel production of current fuel consumption. The School of Mines will further develop its BioProcessing and BioEnergy expertise in relation to the ongoing BioInitiative. The BioInitiative will expand its technology application base to include strategic biofuel development from biomass as an alternative energy solution to deployed air-base and DOD-based military operations. The School of Mine's chemical and biochemical engineering students will have increased opportunit ies for employment in the State and nation-wide as South Dakota is home of the B1 Boeing/Rockwell Aircraft at Ellsworth Air Force Base and within close proximity of Air Force bases in Omaha, Cheyenne, and Grand Forks.. This will also spur economic development in the Black Hills Region and lead to the creation of Western South Dakota as one of the leading Science and Technology innovation centers in the United States.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Life Extension of Weapon Systems Through Advanced Materials Processing

Request:

$2,500,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This program will identify candidate components from specific high sustainment cost items in the Navy inventory and match them with repair technologies being developed at SDSM&T. SDSM&T will further develop its advanced materials processing expertise in relation to ongoing Repair, Refurbish, and Return to Service (R3S) initiatives. SDSM&T will expand its technology application base to include Navy weapon system components. SDSM&T engineering students will have increased opportunities for employment in South Dakota and other national locations as spin off companies evolve in these materials processing fields. Efforts at SDSM&T will concentrate on the Friction Stir Welding and Cold Spray technologies with possible additions of other technologies being developed. This should spur economic development in the region via the creation of repair-technology businesses and will lead to the development of Western South Dakota as one of the leading Science and Technology innovation centers in the United States.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Multi-Utility Materials (MUM) for the Army Future Combat Systems

Request:

$9,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project will support the creation of advanced technologies and processing strategies that support the needs of the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS). This request will support the creation of advanced technologies and processing strategies that support support the needs of the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS). South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T), Florida A&M University, and Iowa State University are working with the Army to develop strong and lightweight vehicles made with multi-utility materials. For South Dakota specifically, the technologies involved in the prototyping and manufacturing processes are perfectly suited for technology based economic development. It is likely that this collaboration will produce opportunities to spin off small manufacturing businesses by the 2013 timeframe when transition to production is a stated goal of the Future Combat Systems program.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Smart Integrated Systems (SIS): Materials, Manufacturing Methods, and Structures

Request:

$4,900,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Recipient Address:

Rapid City, SD

Explanation of Request:

This program will help the military acquire energy efficient, intelligent structures with multifunctional materials that can be manufactured at affordable prices. Further development of capability both in terms of infrastructure and personnel expertise to support these Smart Materials, Manufacturing Methods, and Structures (M3S) initiatives. The new and/ or improved capabilities will enable SDSMT to attract additional military, federal, and industrial funding to execute related programs which will in turn spur economic development in the Black Hills Region and lead to the creation of western South Dakota as one of the leading Science and Technology innovation centers in the United States. SDSMT engineering students will have increased opportunities for employment in South Dakota and other national locations as companies expand or spin off companies evolve. This program will lead to the development of integrated and collaborative research programs among the interdisciplinary centers, departments, and research laboratories.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Accelerated Materials Development for Army Cannon Systems

Request:

$3,700,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota State University

Recipient Address:

Brookings, SD

Explanation of Request:

Develop analytical and testing systems for composite cannon barrels. The US Army at Benet Weapons Lab is currently developing the next generation of lightweight cannon system for the Future Combat System (FCS), which utilizes an overwrap of composite material, rather than homogenous steel, to greatly reduce weight. As a result, fatigue testing and nondestructive evaluation will become critical technologies to determine the life of this new design. Nondestructive inspection is critical not only for the initial inspection at production, but also during ballistic testing to monitor the operational effects on the composite overwrap and the interface between composite and steel. Use of these technologies will result in critical time and cost savings. Consequently, SDSU has taken on the task of building laboratory space into a regional nondestructive evaluation and fatigue testing center to serve the Army and Midwestern U.S. industries.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Alternative Power Technology (APT) for Missile Defense

Request:

$6,420,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota State University

Recipient Address:

Brookings, SD

Explanation of Request:

Develops, prototypes, demonstrates, and validates advanced alternative power technology (APT) producing highly efficient, environmentally clean, less logistically constraining, and more cost effective alternative energy products for the Army's space and missile defense systems -- sensors, weapons, battle management, command, control and communications. This program is focused to replace/reduce the Army's Missile Defense Program's dependence on fossil fuels. APT leverages core energy research, laboratory experiments, and recent power programs at SDSU and Radiance Technologies, Inc., that 1) develop novel microgrid power electronics and controls, power storage, transport, and integrated power systems technologies; 2) prototype, test and validates advanced photo-voltaic, wind, and biofuel power generation enhancements; 3) conducts proof-of-principle and field demonstrations/validations with developed technology, power components, systems and products using the SDSU Alternative Power Laboratory Test-Bed; 4) employs simulation, modeling and algorithms for power product design and evaluation; and, 5) transfer and insert developed APT technology into emerging missile defense systems.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Predicting Bio-Agent Threat Profiles Using Automated Behavior Analysis

Request:

$1,600,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota State University

Recipient Address:

Brookings, SD

Explanation of Request:

This program will set up a bio-agent prediction capability which will augment existing technologies used to forecast terrorist threats. Automated Behavior Analysis has been successfully used in predicting terrorist group behaviors in multiple applications. The approach would focus on the extraction of relevant predictive indicators and threat-based behavior of specific terrorist groups from identified bio threats. The result will be an automated tool that could predict the likelihood of various bio-agent scenarios, their preconditions for such releases, and some of the consequences of the releases. The program would be correlated with and improve other risk factors including physical risks at animal health and production facilities, infrastructure improvements to modify risks, operational methods/procedures, and employee biosecurity training/hiring practices at such facilities. This program would provide the military with a capability to understand and predict the major behavioral factors that are related to the potential use of bio-agents by terrorist groups. By identifying the predictive drivers, both early warning and counter actions can be developed to reduce or eliminate the threat. Attention can be focused on those groups with the highest likelihood of threat.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Renewable Jet Fuel from Lignocellulosic Feedstocks

Request:

$4,900,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

South Dakota State University

Recipient Address:

Brookings, SD

Explanation of Request:

This project proposes to produce synthetic JP-8 (military) fuel for blending in a fast pyrolysis process using prairie cordgrass and Cuphea. Prairie cordgrass is a native grass that has recently received increased attention because of its biomass yield and its capacity to grow on marginal lands where other crops are not suitable. In the feedstock development phase of the proposed project the objective will be to modify, through traditional and molecular breeding, the composition of prairie cordgrass in order to develop an optimal synthetic fuel for blending with JP-8. Emphasis will be placed in addressing the issue of the gelatinization of the synthetic fuel blend. Use of Cuphea oils in improving the cold-flow properties of biodiesel fuels will be investigated. Cuphea possesses medium chain fatty acids that are structurally similar to the medium chain hydrocarbons found in gasoline. A commercially tested simulation code will be utilized in the computational modeling of the pyrolysis process. A prototype reactor will then be built for converting prairie cord grass to synthetic JP-8 fuel.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

Consortium on Traumatic Brain Injury and Post--Traumatic Stress Disorder

Request:

$1,000,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

The University of South Dakota

Recipient Address:

Vermillion, SD

Explanation of Request:

The University of South Dakota proposes to enhance diagnosis and treatment of TBI and PTSD in soldiers returning to rural and underserved areas.
The Consortium on Traumatic Brain Injury and Post--Traumatic Stress Disorder: Traumatic is part of a regional effort, led by the University of South Dakota, to enhance diagnosis and treatment of TBI and PTSD in soldiers returning to rural and underserved areas. The current project will: 1) pinpoint central nervous system structures and mechanisms that are adversely altered in TBI and PTSD; 2) identify spared central nervous system structures that may assist in taking over lost functions following TBI, and; 3) study the effects of specific therapeutic treatments designed to reverse the clinical deficits arising from TBI and PTSD and enhance recovery in both neurological disorders. This Army RDT&E project directly supports current military medicine research priorities as identified by the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.

Appropriation Bill:

Defense

Project Name:

The Center for Engineered Biomedical Device

Request:

$395,000

Applicant / Recipient Name:

The University of South Dakota

Recipient Address:

Vermillion, SD

Explanation of Request:

The Center for Engineered Biomedical Devices (CEBD), headquartered at the GEAR Center in Sioux Falls, develops materials and devices that improve quality of life after loss of functionality in tissues or limbs due to disease or trauma. The range of CEBD research includes biomaterials, scaffolding and prosthetic devices, and intelligent drug delivery. This Army RDT&E project directly supports current military medicine research priorities as identified by the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.