Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high temperature superconductor is disclosed. The method includes depositing, by pulsed laser deposition, alternating layers of YBa2Cu3O7-x (Y123) and Y2BaCuO5-y (Y211). The Y211 layers are characterized by a multiplicity of nanosized globular inclusions, effectively enhancing flux pinning and thus increasing current transport.

Abstract: A low power consuming dough-making machine is provided that includes sources of liquid and dry ingredients for the dough, a movable conveyor for receiving thereon layers of liquid and dry ingredients from the sources thereof to form a cake of ingredients of the desired dough composition, and a plurality of high speed rollers for kneading the cake of ingredients to the desired consistency for the dough product.

Abstract: A method of controlling the resistivity of gallium nitride is disclosed. The method incorporates an MBE system and utilizes solid source gallium, gaseous source nitrogen and solid source Buckminster Fullerene C60 as a carbon dopant for the GaN film. A desired, predetermined GaN film resistivity can be created during the growth process by selecting the temperature of the effusion cell containing the C60 within a predetermined range so as to impart the desired resistivity in the GaN film.

Abstract: A method of repairing cracked aircraft structures is disclosed. The method includes determining the net loading of an area to be repaired and then identifying a repair patch layup including a low CTE composite layer and a high CTE metal layer that will impart a loading effect opposite thereto.

Abstract: A aircraft weapons bay acoustic resonance suppression system for reducing undesirable acoustic resonances within an open weapons bay of an aircraft in flight is described. The system includes a rod mounted upon and spaced a distance from an extensible aircraft spoiler. The rod has a hollow core and includes a multiplicity of apertures axially aligned into two groups, placed at the point of fluid separation. A multiplicity of synthetic jets are received within the rod, each jet in fluid communication with a corresponding aperture. The jets combine to form first and second perturbation elements. The perturbation elements are sinusoidally driven out of phase at high frequencies by an actuator. This effectively creates a high frequency forcing of the airstream which is amplified by the airflow, creating a violent shedding. Advantageously, this violent shedding dramatically reduces acoustic resonance within the weapons bay of the aircraft.

Abstract: A passive thermal spreader and method of fabrication are disclosed. The passive thermal spreader includes a heat transfer plate formed from laminated plates including an internal sealed thermosyphon defined within the interface of the plates. The preferred embodiment of the passive thermal spreader selected to illustrate the invention includes a pair of distinct thermosyphons defined within the interface of three laminated, stacked plates. Each thermosyphon includes a plurality of channels arranged boustrophedonically. Each of the channels includes an elongate straight portion and an end turn portion for connection to the adjacent channel elongate straight portion. Each elongate straight portion includes a channel divider. The channel divider directly contributes to the high performance of the thermal spreader of the present invention by assisting the transport of the working fluid.

Abstract: A method of depositing nanoparticles for flux pinning into a superconducting material is described. According to the method of the present invention, a target made of superconducting material and a substrate are placed in the deposition chamber of a pulsed laser deposition apparatus. A first, moderate vacuum level is established in the chamber and the target is irradiated with light from a pulsed, high energy laser. By virtue of the moderate vacuum level, the material ejected from the target is slowed sufficiently to agglomerate into nanoparticles having the same composition as the target material. These nanoparticles are deposited upon the substrate. A uniform layer of superconducting material is deposited on the substrate by evacuating the deposition chamber to a second, high vacuum level and performing the pulsed laser deposition process again. The nanoparticles thus deposited within the superconducting material act as a flux pinning mechanism.

Abstract: An aircraft including a fuselage, a compound tilting wing (CTW) and aircraft engines mounted on the aircraft. The CTW includes a leading edge wing portion and a tilting main wing portion. The leading edge wing portion and the tilting main wing portion each include a leading edge, a trailing edge, a chord, a lower surface and an upper surface. The tilting main wing portion is pivotally mounted on the fuselage for rotation from a cruise flight position to various low flight speed positions. In the cruise flight position, the tilting main wing portion fits conformably with the leading edge wing portion forming an aerodynamically single wing. In one embodiment, two aircraft engines are mounted on a fixed leading edge wing portion and two aircraft engines are mounted on the tilting main wing portion.

Abstract: An impact resistant structure is described which comprises a substantially sinusoidally shaped elastically collapsible open-celled fluted layer disposed between but not bonded to constraining layers, whereby in an impact event, the flutes are free to move between the constraining layers and stress concentrations in the collapsing flutes immediately beneath the impacting object are minimized by the absorption of impact forces by neighboring flutes that resiliently collapse in an accordion-like fashion, and return substantially to the original shape after impact without permanent damage to the structure.

Abstract: A method for selecting alloying elements for complex, multi-component amorphous metal alloys is provided in which the solvent element is the largest atom with a concentration of 40-80 at %, the second most concentrated element has a radius of 65-83 % the radius of the solvent atom and a concentration of 10-40 at % in the alloy, with other elements selected at lower concentrations. For ternary alloys specified by this invention, the third element must have an atomic radius within 70-92 % of the solvent atom radius. In the preferred embodiment, alloys with four or more elements are specified, where the third elements must have an atomic radius within 70-80 %, the fourth element must have an atomic radius within 80-92 % of the solvent atom radius, and all other solute elements must have atomic radii within 70-92 % of the solvent atom radius.

Abstract: A spectropolarimetric reflectometer for measuring polarimetric reflection properties of materials over broad spectral wavelength regions is described wherein radiation from a Fourier transform spectrometer passes through a set of polarization elements that serve as a polarization state generator and is reflected off the sample and collected by optics that includes a polarization state analyzer, focusing mirror and detector.

Abstract: A high frequency pulsed fuel injector is disclosed. The fuel injector incorporates a resonance tube in outlet fluid communication with a fuel nozzle. During operation the resonance tube provides a pulsating output which is directed into the fuel nozzle. The pulsating output of the resonance tube perturbs the flow of fuel in the fuel nozzle, effectively breaking it up into discrete slugs or chunks for subsequent combustion in a combustion chamber. The combustion process is greatly enhanced by this breakup of the fuel jet, improving combustion efficiency as well as reducing undesirable emissions.

Abstract: System and method for pressurizing and dispersing fire retardant from an aircraft, particularly aircraft structured and equipped for retarding or extinguishing forest fires, that includes a small power pack having a plenum operatively interconnecting a plurality of individual solid propellant gas generator devices each containing solid propellant materials that react pyrotechnically when initiated electrically to generate large quantities of high-pressure gas in a few seconds for discharging a liquid retardant reservoir.

Abstract: A jet noise suppressor is disclosed. The jet noise suppressor includes first and second high frequency pulse injection units located exteriorly of the turbine engine exhaust nozzle. The pulse injection units are located oppositely, diametrically across the exhaust nozzle. The pulse injection units include a resonance tube in outlet fluid communication with an injector nozzle. High pressure gas is supplied to the resonance tubes. A second source of high pressure gas includes a switch for supplying an alternating flow of high pressure gas to the injector nozzles. The combination of the high frequency pulses emitted from the injection units with the alternating low frequency, high amplitude mode of injection across the exhaust nozzle, provides a dramatic reduction of noise as well as exhaust temperature.

Abstract: A monocoque fiber reinforced plastic composite modular bridge structure and fabrication method are described in which, in a preferred embodiment, one or more bridge modules of selected length and cross-section are fabricated by applying composite fabric over a mandrel of substantially the intended shape of the module, enclosing the mandrel and composite in a vacuum bag, infusing the fabric with resin, preferably utilizing the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process, allowing the resin and fabric to cure, and applying finishing operations to the module for installation at a bridge site.

Abstract: Aerodynamic performance parameters for aircraft configurations are calculated using an aerodynamic performance system and method. The aerodynamic performance system in a workstation includes a processor circuit having a processor and a memory. Additionally, the system includes aerodynamic performance logic stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The aerodynamic performance logic includes logic that calculates a number of aerodynamic performance parameters for a configuration. Further, the logic generates an aerodynamic performance report to be sent to a client via a network. The aerodynamic performance report lists at least one of the aerodynamic performance parameters.

Abstract: A process for producing flat or parabolic mirrors for visible wavelength applications is described and includes the steps of casting onto a substrate of substantially the selected mirror shape a liquid polymer resin in multiple cured layers whereby the last applied layer has the selected mirror shape unaffected by topography flaws in the surface of the substrate. A reflective coating may then be applied to the last applied and cured resin layer.

Abstract: A durable, lightweight carbon composite forearm crutch is described that in its essential components includes three graphite/epoxy composite tubes consisting of a main support tube, a handle tube and a cuff support tube, all adhesively bonded to a single central substantially T-shaped metallic, preferably aluminum, fitting configured to dispose the handle and cuff support tubes at a comfortable angle for the user greater than 90° and preferably about 101° to 103°, a cuff attached to the upper end of the cuff support tube for receiving the arm of a user, and a slip resistant foot member at the distal end of the main support tube.

Abstract: A platform, housing, conduit, exhaust duct or other structural element that encloses or supports a hot operating engine or other machinery is described wherein a pattern of micro-cavities is defined on the outer surface of the structure for mitigating ignition of a flammable liquid that comes into contact with the structure, the micro-cavities being sized to minimize seepage into the cavities of the liquid because of its surface tension, thereby preventing wetting of the interior of the cavities by the liquid.

Abstract: An environmentally sealable plastic shipping container is provided that includes a main container cover and body portion fabricated of a set of plastic extrusions and end caps, connected by tenon-type joints facilitating construction using commercially available adhesives and optional aluminum extrusions with commercially available mechanical fasteners where desirable for rapid opening or closing.