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DEPS, the Directed Energy Society, is encouraging undergraduate students to pursue capstone or senior design
projects in directed energy (DE) areas. To this end, DEPS has established a program that
funds suitable projects. This program is made possible by funding from the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office
and from DEPS.
Scope
The scope of DE projects can include high energy laser
and high power microwave components, systems and effects.
The disciplines include but are not
limited to these:
- science - physics, chemistry
- engineering - electrical, optical, chemical, mechanical, and materials
- mathematics and computer science
Sample Topics
Some sample topic areas are listed here. Many of these are titles of actual projects that
have been funded.
These do not exhaust the possibilities, but are included here to
illustrate some possible projects. Any topic within scope can be considered.
Sample Project Topics List
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Integration of a high energy laser onto military vehicle
Precision alignment station for locking laser diode bars with VBGs
Nanometer resolution full field microscopy
Laser communication system
Optically pumped semiconductor analysis in the mid-infrared
High-resolution near-field imaging system for high power diode lasers
Transient RF effects on computer chips
Solid state laser thermal management
Laser efficiency improvements
Optical materials for high energy laser applications
Tracking and pointing algorithms for long range laser beams
Laser effects on materials
DE bioeffects
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Request for Proposals
Proposals to pursue projects in areas listed within the scope defined above will be accepted from currently
enrolled junior or senior students at U.S. colleges and universities or from faculty at these schools who advise and
direct such students on capstone projects. It is not required that the subject of the
proposed project be one of the sample topics. Funded projects may have a period of up to nine months, but
students must not graduate before the end of the project.
The project must be part of the students' curriculum to include earning academic credit for the project work.
Projects will be selected for funding based on a proposal. This proposal must include these parts:
Title page
The title page will include title of the project, names, majors, and anticipated graduation date of any
project team members, if known; name, department and contact information for all faculty advisors; and name and location of the
school.
Description of the project
The description of the project is limited to three pages. The proposal will provide an overview of the project and
its pertinence to directed energy. It will describe the project, including an objective, background, methods, and
expected results. Methods can include analysis, experimentation, theoretical exploration, applications of
engineering design principles, simulation and other approaches. Projects can be pursued by individuals or by teams.
If teams, roles for each team member should be identified.
The description should provide a justification for the expenditures in the project budget. The production
of a final report by the students should be included in the project.
Schedule and budget
This portion of the proposal will include a schedule for the project and a proposed budget. The schedule cannot
exceed nine months, and the project must conclude before any participating student's anticipated graduation date.
The expected start date and end date should be specified.
The proposal schedule must include a period of time to produce a final report of at least three pages,
which must be approved by the faculty advisor and submitted to DEPS by the end date. The report must be the work
of the students who work on the project. The report will summarize
the technical achievements and account for the expenditure of funds.
Funds can be requested for
equipment, supplies, services, or other requirements to support the project as outlined in the description of the project.
The total budget cannot exceed $2,500. The funding is intended as a supplement to enhance the educational experience.
Salaries and honoraria will not be funded. No overhead charges of any kind will be allowed.
Proposal Submission
Proposals are due by 1 July for projects to begin in the fall and by 1 November for projects to begin in the spring.
Proposals should be sent as an email attachment
to Mark Neice at mark@deps.org.
Proposals may be submitted by faculty or students. If submitted by students, a copy of the email must be
sent to the main faculty advisor.
Proposals will be judged
by their pertinence to directed energy, the clarity of the explication, and the likelihood of success. Faculty
advisors and students may be contacted for
clarification of issues during the evaluation process.
Questions?
If you have questions about any of this, contact Melissa McCrary at
melissa@deps.org or 505-998-4910.
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