August 2003:

Techno-Sciences, Inc., under sponsorship by the United States Army Research Office is working to develop a next generation Active Pitch Link (APL) technology for helicopters based on revolutionary smart materials. This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project features a collaboration with the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland and exploits advanced Magnetorheological (MR) fluids and Magnetostrictive materials. The APL system will significantly improve Army rotorcraft systems by improving the rotor performance over a wide range of flight conditions, including elimination of the swashplate, reductions of rotor vibration and noise, and improved low-speed transition flight performance for Nap-of-the-earth (NOE) operations.

In addition, Techno-Sciences, Inc. won a Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) award from the State of Maryland to conduct systems refinement of the Active Pitch Link (APL) technology. The MIPS program provides cash matching for Maryland-base small businesses working with the University of Maryland school system. The goal of the MIPS program is to promote university/industry partnerships in Maryland and to increase the viability of businesses and technology in the region.