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SDL, EnteraTech, and University of Cincinnati Collaborate on NIH Islet Cell Transplantation Research
Islet cell transplantation has become a clinically viable option for treating unstable forms of diabetes and now offers hope for a cure for all patients with insulin dependent diabetes. As a part of a Phase I study funded by the National Institutes of Health, SDL is establishing robust computer vision algorithms which will serve to characterize and classify islet cell properties, specifically the degree of islet cell enzymatic digestion. The digestion property quantification is crucial in the success of the transplantation. SDL will use image analysis, image processing, and web portal interfaces as means of processing and evaluating this essential information.

Misfire Detection in Internal Combustion Engines

The importance of reliably detecting misfire in internal combustion engines is becoming more prominent. Misfiring cylinders increase emissions, decrease fuel economy, and can cause or be indicative of faulty or deteriorating mechanical condition, even possible impending catastrophic failure. Particularly on high cylinder count engines, a misfire is often not apparent to the operator. Even when an operator perceives that the engine is misfiring, the offending cylinder must still be identified for repairs. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) is funding SDL to develop an innovative robust approach to detect misfire.

SDL's misfire detection technology is effective on small and large cylinder count engines over the entire speed and load range. The approach uses inexpensive and reliable sensors to measure torsional vibration at the crank nose and flywheel. Crankshaft flexibility and resonant dynamics are accommodated by utilizing a full dynamic torsional model of the engine. SDL's technology is able to accurately predict both the combustion and compression pressures of each individual cylinder.
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SDL Selected for Phase II SBIR Award by Air Force Research Laboratories
SDL was recently awarded a Phase II SBIR contract by the AFRL to develop improved hearing protection equipment with integral communication for high-noise military environments such as flight lines and aircraft carrier flight decks. This innovative study will account for both the acoustic and bone conduction pathway contributions to cochlear response, and evaluate the feasibility of actively attenuating the cochlear response attributable to both mechanisms.
	Deep insertion, communication earplugs (Attenuating Custom Communication Earplug - ACCES) combined with earmuffs are the current, state-of-the-art equipment. Through a separate Program Research and Development Announcement (NR:01-01-HE, "Active Noise Reduction Earplug System") the Air Force solicited approaches to add active noise reduction capability to the ACCES earplugs to improve the low frequency noise reduction. Regardless of the reduction in acoustic pressure that can be achieved near the eardrum by any means, the factor limiting the reduction in perceived loudness (cochlear response) is bone conduction of acoustic energy directly to the cochlea.

National Science Foundation Awards Phase II SBIR to SDL
SDL's SBIR Phase II project will develop a high-level graphical programming environment for distributed measurement and control networks commonly used in industrial settings. Using this environment, Industrial Control Engineers will be able to describe the desired behavior of their system at a high level of abstraction (e.g., 'control motor speed', 'monitor bearing', 'monitor pump') and then "click a button" for the executable distributed application to be generated. In addition, they will be able to monitor the behavior of the executing system at the graphical level to help identify problems.

This system will automatically partition the graphical description into components targeted at specific processors on the network based on the resources required by the algorithm. This functionality will greatly benefit the industrial control engineer, who will be able to focus on algorithm and application development rather than details of hardware and networking realizations.

SDL Builds Acoustic Testing Facility
February 2004: SDL has completed construction of a low-cost, reconfigurable test facility that can be assembled into various anechoic and semi-anechoic configurations. The chamber consists of seven, 4 foot by 4 foot squares built from Tecnifoam acoustic wedges. The new facility will enable SDL to make sound measurements in an acoustically dead environment, so that the data will not be corrupted by reflections or standing waves.

SDL Test Structure Aboard Space Station
The Space Shuttle Atlantis, designated STS-106, was launched on September 8, 2000, 8:31 a.m. EDT. The flight experiment entitled MACE (Middeck Active Control Experiment) is evaluating a model structure in zero gravity conditions, and test alignment control technology on model fixture appendages. Using sophisticated computer algorithms, engineers from SDL and AFRL are investigating active vibration control of the model structure, demonstrating an adaptive or "self-learning" vibration control system.
The flight test is addressing the needs for state of the art vibration control technology in both the Defense Department and commercial engineering realms.

Visit NASA's website for more information.

Click here to view photo of launch.

SDL Receives 2001 Technology Action Fund Award
On June 5, 2001, SDL was awarded a Technology Action Fund from the State of Ohio for SDL's creation of novel software development tools for Digital Signal Processors.
Governor Bob Taft created the Ohio Technology Action Board in September 1999 and gave it a variety of responsibilities in the fields of science and technology. Among these is the direction that the Board, "…shall provide annually to the Governor and the General Assembly a report which identifies and assesses the status of science and technology programs within Ohio and recommends appropriate action by both the private and public sector to assure that such programs are structured, supported and managed in a manner that enhances Ohio's economic development objectives in this area.The Board intends with this report to help securely establish the State as a world leader in technology-based economic growth and the world leader in applied value-added manufacturing.

SDL Selected for Phase I SBIR Award by Air Force Research Laboratories
On March 6, 2002 SDL was selected for award of a Phase I SBIR contract by the AFRL, Human Effectiveness Directorate at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to evaluate the feasibility of using active control of both acoustic and bone conducted sound pathways to improve hearing protection for very high noise environments.
There is a great need for improved hearing protection equipment with integral communication for high noise military environments such as flight lines and aircraft carrier flight decks. The Air Force is interested in developing active noise reduction capability to enhance current earplug technology and to improve the low frequency noise reduction. SDL has proposed an innovative study that accounts for both the acoustic and bone conduction pathway contributions to cochlear response, and the evaluation of the feasibility of actively attenuating the cochlear response attributable to both mechanisms.

SDL In The News...Ann Thompson of WVXU Interviews SDL- Listen to their discussions of...

SDL Named "Business Center Tenant of the Year" The Hamilton County Development Company held its annual meeting and awards ceremony on November 7, 2001. Several companies were honored with business development awards and an individual entrepreneurship award was given. SDL,awarded the Business Center Tenant of the Year, has based their business in the Hamilton County Development Center since 1997.
SDL Presented Emerging Technology Award Eight of Ohio's outstanding, technology-oriented firms were recently presented Emerging Technology and Excellence in Small Manufacturing Awards. Among the eight, SDL was awarded an Emerging Technology Award for developing and applying control system technology that enables unprecedented monitoring and control of the motion and vibration of a broad range of systems. Specifically addressed was SDL's Spatio-Temporal Filtering technology. Principals Stuart Shelley and Tom Sharp were honored by Govenor Bob Taft at a ceremony Sept. 8 in the Ohio Statehouse atrium during the 1999 Edison Award Program.
Air Force Honors SDL SDL Principal Stuart Shelley and Senior Engineer Ken Moore were recently recognized as winning team members for the Outstanding Team Award for 1999. The two SDL engineers were a part of the 30 member UltraLITE team who were honored. The mission of the UltraLITE project is to control mirror vibration on a high-resolution deployable optical space telescope (DOT).
SDL Wins NSF SBIR Award SDL's newest Phase I SBIR research project will focus on the measurement and control of rolling mill chatter. Nearly all metal rolling operations are limited by vibration problems caused by rolling mill chatter, leading to costly maintenance programs. SDL has identfied overlooked aspects of sheet metal behavior which have a paramount influence on chatter.
SDL Honored by Visit from Ohio Congressman Steve Chabot Congressman Steve Chabot recently toured the Hamilton County Business Center, visiting SBIR businesses. As a member of the committee which promotes SBIR grants, Congressman Chabot is especially interested in speaking with business owners to understand the effectiveness of the SBIR program. Congressman Chabot is pictured above with SDL principal Stu Shelley (right).
SDL to Demonstrate Active Vibration Control Aboard International Space Station -- Noise and Vibration Worldwide, Jan. 2000 Shuttle to Test New Idea -- SDL's Technology Controls Vibrations -- The Post -- Monday, May 24, 1999 High Tech in Real Places- Norwood Firm is Honored -- The Enquirer Who Says that Rust Never Sleeps? -- BMDO Update -- Summer, 1999 Good Vibes from Space -- PTDesign -- August, 1999 MathWorks Tools Help Control Spacecraft Vibration -- The MathWorks, Inc. -- November, 1999