Technical Inquiries (TIs)

The core function of DSIAC is to answer technical questions using our in-house technical personnel, vast DoD information resources, and our extensive network of subject matter experts (SMEs). DSIAC has technical staff available to conduct technical research in order to give you a head start on your analysis or study in any of our technical focus areas. We offer a free 4-hour TI research service or, for slightly larger research efforts, we offer an extended technical inquiry (ETI) service.

Technical Inquiry Features

Our TIs include the following to help you with your research:

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Literature Searches

A curated bibliography given a technical topic

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Document Requests

Dissemination of technical reports to authorized users

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SME Referrals

Contacts and connections with relevant, technical SMEs

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Free Technical Inquiry Services

DSIAC's free TI service offers 4 hours of free research per inquiry on any topic within our technical focus areas. Typical TI efforts may include answering technical questions, literature searches, document requests, or referrals to SMEs. Completed responses are compiled and delivered to the inquirer in less than 10 business days. Registered users can submit TIs online through the provided form or by phone.

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Extended Technical Inquiry (ETI) Services

ETIs are externally funded research efforts that go slightly beyond 4 research hours. ETIs require between 5 and 160 technical hours of research, with a $50K maximum ceiling and period of performance up to 2 months.

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Notable Inquiries

Notable TIs are findings and/or summaries of responses to the most recent and impactful technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support.

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Filter by Technical Focus Areas

By default, only content within your selected technical focus areas is displayed throughout the site. You can update your technical focus areas in your profile or temporarily filter the content here.

Overview of U.S. Additively Manufactured Energetic and Explosive Materials Research

What is the current state of energetic and explosive additive manufacturing research and processes?

Energetic materials additive manufacturing (EMAM) is a growing research field of particular…

Pulsed Power System Cooling

What cooling methods are available for a silicon photoconductive semiconductor switch used in a pulsed power system?

DSIAC received a request for information on methods to better cool a…

Nitromethane Use in Rocket Propulsion

What information is available on the use of nitromethane for freezing point depression in Army rocket propulsion, specifically gun-launched rockets?

DSIAC was asked for information on the use of nitromethane for freezing-point…

Ground Deployed UAV for Persistent ISR

What COTS/GOTS technologies exist for ground deployed persistent ISR?

DSIAC received a request for commercial and government off-the-shelf (COTS/GOTS) technologies that…

Over-the-Horizon (OTH) Communications for Missile Integration

What small form factor systems exist or are in development to OTH communications in a satellite-denied environment?

  The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) received a technical inquiry…

Potential Applications for Negative Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Metals

Would a metal with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion be of interest in advanced materials, and, if so, what design areas would the metal benefit?

  The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) received an inquiry asking…

Example Inquiries

Example TIs are samples of the wide range of technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support. They are intended to show the breadth of information requests we receive.

Can live-fire-like training for research and development be provided for the engineers working on weapons platforms at U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal, NJ?

July 18, 2024

How many "gate runner" (intentional or unintentional vehicle that passes through a secure access point without authorized access) incidents have occurred at U.S. military installations (including U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates) in the past 2–3 years?

July 18, 2024

Can information be provided to explain beamforming techniques used for active, electronically scanned array radar/beam form/beam steer?

July 18, 2024

What test data/information exists on ullage overpressures for fuel tanks greater than 100 gallons?

July 9, 2024

What work has been done on using active illumination to image through blast events?

July 9, 2024

What information exists on aerial-based datasets of maritime vessels for training deep-learning artificial intelligence models to perform various tasks?

July 9, 2024