Abstract: A wavelength converter comprising an arsenic sulfide (As—S) chalcogenide glass fiber coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal and a laser system using an OPO crystal coupled to an As—S fiber are provided. The OPO receives pump laser radiation from a pump laser and emits laser radiation at a wavelength that is longer than the pump laser radiation. The laser radiation that is emitted from the OPO is input into the As—S fiber, which in turn converts the input wavelength from the OPO to a desired wavelength, for example, a wavelength beyond about 4.4 ?m. In an exemplary embodiment, the OPO comprises a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal. The As—S fiber can include any suitable type of optical fiber, such as a conventional core clad fiber, a photonic crystal fiber, or a microstructured fiber.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of lasers comprising a plurality of laser paths. The apparatus further includes an incoherent combining beam director in the plurality of laser paths. The apparatus also includes a plurality of optical elements in the plurality of laser paths between the plurality of lasers and the beam director.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing a single crystal KPb2Cl5 material using a device including a plug including an axis. The plug includes a first portion defining a cylindrical hole about the axis. The plug includes a second portion defining a first conical hole about the axis. The first conical hole has a first angle. The plug includes a third portion defining a second conical hole about the axis. The second conical hole has a second angle opposite in sign relative to the first angle. The plug includes a fourth portion defining a third conical hole about the axis. The third conical hole has a third angle, the third angle having a same sign as the second angle and being greater than the second angle. The device further includes an ampoule including the plug fused therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for passive location of transmitters in which two or more receivers time stamp received signals from target transmitters and the time stamped data for each target signal of interest is isolated to identify a peak power time of arrival for the signal at each transmitter from which differential scan observation values are derived, and for each signal of interest a line of position curve is computed based on the differential scan observation value and corresponding receiver locations, and for each signal of interest an estimated target transmitter location is determined based on an intersection of two corresponding line of position curves.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method for generating functional neural networks using neural progenitor cells on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). The method involves dissociating neural progenitor cells from an embryo, propagating the neural progenitor cells, passaging the neural progenitor cells and seeding the neural progenitor cells on MEAs to produce a functional neural network. The neural progenitor cells may be continuously passaged to propagate an endless supply of neural progenitor cells. The resultant passaged progenitor cell derived neural network MEA may be used to detect and/or quantify various biological or chemical toxins.

Abstract: A Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for operation in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (about 2-15 micron wavelengths) is disclosed. The FTIR spectrometer is composed of IR-transmitting fiber and uses a broadband IR source. A fiber stretcher is provided to provide a path difference between a first path and a second path having a sample associated therewith. Stretching of the fiber provides a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram that can subsequently be analyzed to obtain information about a sample. A method for use of the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed. The method involves stretching of an IR-transmitting fiber to create a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram. Various aspects of these features enable the construction of compact, portable spectrometers.

Abstract: Body armor for ballistic protection of a user's extremities preferably comprising right and left arm protection units and/or right and left leg protection units. The units include a ballistic protection material which preferably covers most of the user's upper arm, elbow region, lower arm, shoulder, upper leg, knee region, and lower leg except for ventilation zones preferably located on the inner portion of the upper arm and the inner part of the upper leg. The back of the knee is preferably covered by a protective flap.

Abstract: A method of making a nanoclusters functionalized with a single DNA strand comprising the steps of providing nanoclusters, combining said nanoclusters with thiolated DNA, incubating said nanoclusters and thiolated DNA mixture, combining said mixture with a solution comprising ethanol and dichloromethane; separating said mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, mixing said aqueous phase with a solution comprising dicholormethane and NaCl, and separating the mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase; wherein said organic phase comprises said nanoclusters functionalized with a single DNA strand. Further, provided is a nanocluster functionalized with a single DNA strand comprising a nanocluster, said nanocluster being functionalized with a single DNA strand, said DNA strand having a length of about 10 to about 50 bases.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a composite of AlON and a germanate glass, and to a process for bonding AlON to the glass. The composite includes AlON and glass bonded together and having transmission in the visible and mid-infrared wavelength region. The process includes the step of heating them together above the softening temperature of the glass, the composite having excellent, i.e., typically in excess of about 60%, transmission in the 0.4-5 wavelength region.

Abstract: The biosensor comprises a modular biorecognition element and a modular flexible arm element. The biorecognition element and the flexible arm element are each labeled with a signaling element. The flexible arm contains an analog of an analyte of interest that binds with the biorecognition element, bringing the two signaling elements in close proximity, which establishes a baseline fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). When an analyte of interest is provided to the biosensor, the analyte will displace the analyte analog, and with it, the signaling module of the modular flexible arm, causing a measurable change in the FRET signal in a analyte concentration dependent manner. The modularity of different portions of the biosensor allows functional flexibility. The biosensor operates without additional development reagents, requiring only the presence of analyte or target for function.

Abstract: A method of making an integrally gated carbon nanotube field ionization device comprising forming a first insulator layer on a first side of a substrate, depositing a conductive gate layer on the first insulator layer, forming a cavity in the substrate by etching a second side of the substrate to near the first insulator layer, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and wherein a portion of the first insulator is over the cavity, etching an aperture in the portion of the first insulator layer and the conductive gate layer to form an aperture sidewall, depositing a second insulator layer removing the second insulator layer from the top surface, depositing a metallization layer over the second insulator layer, depositing a catalyst layer on the metallization layer and growing a carbon nanotube from the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely imaging a magnetic field within an atom cloud is provided. An atom sample held in a magneto-optical trap is released, and the released atom cloud is illuminated by a Raman beam. Resonant atoms having certain velocities will absorb photon momenta from the Raman beam. The velocities of those resonant atoms will change in response to the absorbed momenta, causing a change in the travel distance of those atoms as compared with non-resonant atoms. The atom cloud is imaged by an imaging device such as a CCD camera and the presence of the resonant atoms is shown in the images as bright lines in the atom cloud. The distance traveled by the resonant atoms and therefore the separation of the lines in the image is a function of the magnetic fields in the atom cloud.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a positioner. The apparatus includes a striker axially movable in the positioner. The striker includes a striker inner end. The apparatus includes a force gauge axially movable in the positioner. The force gauge includes a force gauge inner end. The force gauge inner end is in communication with the striker inner end. Optionally, the striker defines at least one fluid passage axially therethrough.

Abstract: A method and system for determining damage prediction of a component. The component may be critical component used in an aircraft or other vehicle experiencing cyclic loading. The method and system determines the ?K, Kmax and Kinternal values for the component and utilizes these values in order to predict damage and/or failure of the component.

Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber and method of making thereof is provided. The fiber is made of a germanate glass comprising at least 30 mol % of a germanium oxide and has a longitudinal central opening, a microstructured region having a plurality of longitudinal surrounding openings, and a jacket. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is at least about 90%. The fiber may be made by drawing a preform into a fiber, while applying gas pressure to the microstructured region. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is changed during the drawing.

Abstract: A system for evaluation of optical quality of an optical device includes a light source configured to generate light, the generated light be received by an optical device. An interferometric lens apparatus is removably mounted to the optical device to generate interference fringes. A camera device is configured to receive and display the interference fringes, and a computer configured to analyze the interference fringes received from the camera device to determine aberrations of the optical device and generate a recommendation to correct the determined aberrations. Methods for evaluating the optical quality of an optical device are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controllably activating a surface for stable amine-reactive chemistries. A surface containing nitride is exposed to a plasma having a reactive species containing hydrogen for a period of time sufficient to activate the substrate for amine-reactive chemistries. Amine-reactive chemical processes can then be applied to the activated surface to reliably and controllably bond molecules directly to said surface. The method is designed to create stable primary amines on the nitride substrate, so that any subsequent amine-reactive chemistry may proceed in a controlled manner that is directly proportional to the density of surface amines so created.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured electrode comprising depositing a self-assembled monolayer on a substrate, depositing a catalyst nanoparticle covalently bonded to a ligand, and depositing a material capable of binding to the self-assembled monolayer. The method includes depositing on a conductive electrode substrate a catalytic nanoparticle stabilized by a covalently-bound ligand bearing a peripheral functional group and depositing a material capable of binding to the peripheral functional group, wherein the conductive electrode substrate is chemically modified to create a surface functional group capable of supporting multilayer deposition. The method can include covalent grafting of a functional group to create an initial layer of positive charge on the surface, depositing a platinum nanoparticle stabilized by negatively-charged ligands onto the functional group, and providing a polymer component.

Abstract: A method of controllably changing an intrinsic property of a quantum dot by using a biological entity, either attached or in close proximity to the quantum dot, and changing the state of biological entity with a controllable mechanism. The change in state of the biological entity controllably changes the intrinsic property of the quantum dot. The photoluminescence emission of quantum dots can be controlled by the present method. The methods disclosed include controlling the magnitude of QD photoluminescence as well as turning the photoluminescence on/off. The methods disclosed include using the same biological control architecture to control other intrinsic QD properties such as charge state, magnetic or other property.

Abstract: A composite material includes lithium hydride particles dispersed within lithium to form a lithium-lithium hydride composite. The lithium-lithium hydride composite has increased strength over pure lithium and similar soft X-ray transmission characteristics as pure lithium. A soft X-ray blast window may be made from the lithium-lithium hydride composite with increased reliability and cost effectiveness. A method for making a composite material includes dispersing lithium hydride into lithium metal using a variety of dispersion techniques.