Abstract: A micro aerial vehicle can be converted during flight between a fixed wing flight mode and a rotary wing flight mode. The canard design micro aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, two tiltable propellers and airfoils arranged at a forward portion of fuselage, a pair of coaxial drive shafts positioned aft of the tiltable propeller and airfoil arranged for contra-rotation, a stop rotor mechanism, and a pair of wing panels, each of the wing panels attached to one of the coaxial drive shafts. The wing panels act as contra-rotating rotor blades in the rotary wing flight mode, and act as fixed wing panels in the fixed wing mode.

Abstract: A boosting—based method and system for fusing a set of classifiers that performs classification using weak learners trained on different views of the training data. The final ensemble contains learners that are trained on examples sampled with a shared sampling distribution. The combination weights for the final weighting rule are obtained at each iteration based on the lowest training error among the views. Weights are updated in each iteration based on the lowest training error among all views at that iteration to form the shared sampling distribution used at the next iteration. In each iteration, a weak learner is selected from the pool of weak learners trained on disjoint views based on the lowest training error among all views, resulting in a lower training and generalization error bound of the final hypothesis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method as follows. Providing a list of target sequences associated with one or more organisms. Providing a list of candidate prototype sequences suspected of hybridizing to one or more of the target sequences. Generating a collection of probes corresponding to each candidate prototype sequence, each collection of probes having a set of probes for every subsequence. The sets consist of the corresponding subsequence and every variation of the corresponding subsequence formed by varying a center nucleotide of the corresponding subsequence. Generating a set of fragments corresponding to each target sequence. Calculating the binding free energy of each fragment with a perfect complimentary sequence of the fragment. Determining which extended fragments are perfect matches to any of the probes. Assembling a base call sequence corresponding to each candidate prototype sequence.

Abstract: A ridge-waveguide filter with a signal input port at a first end and a signal output port at a second end contains a cascade assembly of metal-bounded ridge-waveguide sections with interspersed metal-bounded evanescent-mode coupling regions, and also contains low-loss ridge-waveguide port coupling networks to impedance-match the ends of the assembly to respective signal-port reference impedances. A frequency multiplexer with a composite-signal port and a plurality of channeled-signal ports is composed of a plurality of ridge-waveguide filters that are series-connected through a ridge-waveguide manifold containing a multiplicity of three-way waveguide junctions and quasi-lumped waveguide elements.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an image buffer, a graphics buffer, a memory, a router, and a sensor interface. The apparatus further includes a memory controller for controlling transfer of image data from the image buffer to the memory via the router and for controlling transfer of graphics data from the memory to the graphics buffer via the router. The apparatus also includes an image controller simultaneously operable with the memory controller for controlling transfer of the image data from the sensor interface to the image buffer. Optionally, the sensor interface comprises a receiver and a transmitter. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a header buffer, and a header controller simultaneously operable with the memory controller for controlling transfer of header data from the sensor interface to the header buffer. The apparatus optionally further includes a sensor for communicating with the header controller via the sensor interface.

Abstract: A method for electronically scanning a predetermined geostationary orbital arc segment around the earth with an antenna system. The antenna system includes a planar array. A number of fixed electronic squints is selected. Lengths of the total plurality of fixed delay line lengths are generated for the planar array based on the number of fixed electronic squints. All of the antenna elements in the planar array for the mobile earth station are fitted with the generated lengths. The orbital arc segment is electronically scanned with a single linear scan with the planar array. This method is extendable to the case of multiple beams by adding additional phase shifters at each column and keeping the number of fixed line lengths the same, regardless of the number of additional beams.

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: A thermoset and method of making such by crosslinking a mixture of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane having pendent siloxane groups or unsaturated carbon bonds and a siloxylcarborane compound having unsaturated carbon bonds.

Abstract: A device for use in energy storage comprising a nanostructured mesoporous electrically conductive substrate coated with a metal oxide and an ultrathin conformal polymer coating on the metal oxide wherein said electrode has a mesoporous structure. Also disclosed is the related method for making an electrode for use in energy storage.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a surface ligand; preparation of the ligand; colloidal nanoparticle, such as quantum dot bearing one or more of the ligand; and a bioconjugate characterized by a nanoparticle bearing one or more of the ligand conjugated to a biomolecule. The ligand is characterized by the presence of a first module containing atoms that can attach to an inorganic surface; a second module that imparts water-solubility to the ligand and to the inorganic surface that may be attached to the ligand; and a third module that contains a functional group that can, directly or indirectly, conjugate to a biomolecule. Order of the modules can be different and other modules and groups can be on the ligand. Preparation of the ligand includes the steps of reacting a compound having atoms that can attach to an inorganic surface with a water-solubilizing compound that imparts the property of water-solubility to the ligand and the inorganic surface to which it may be attached and purification thereof.

Abstract: A linear polymer comprising carborane, siloxane, and acetylene units, which may be cross-linked to a cured polymer and/or pyrolyzed to a ceramic.

Abstract: Materials and structures whose index of refraction can be tuned over a broad range of negative and positive values by applying above band-gap photons to a structure with a strip line element, a split ring resonator element, and a substrate, at least one of which is a photoconductive semiconductor material. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include applying above band-gap photons to different numbers of elements. In another embodiment, a structure includes a photoconductive semiconductor wafer, the wafer operable to receive above band-gap photons at an excitation frequency in an excitation pattern on a surface of the wafer, the excitation patterns generating an effective negative index of refraction. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include projecting different numbers of elements on the wafer. The resonant frequency of the structure is tuned by changing the size of the split ring resonator excitation patterns.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes an optical fiber with at least one optical fiber, a reflector body with a reflective surface, a housing affixed to the optical fiber probe and to the reflector body. The reflective surface is spaced apart at a distance d from the ends of the probe's fibers and receives light from the end of the fiber and to reflect at least a portion of the light into the end of the fiber. The housing is attached to the fiber probe at a first end of the housing and attached to the reflector body at a second end of the housing. The housing is affixed to the material to be measured, and in the material causes a change in gap between the fiber end and the reflective surface, modulating the amount of light received in the receiving fiber, detectable by a photodetector connected to the receiving fiber.

Abstract: Metal foams are impregnated with resins. The metal foam/polymer composite formed upon curing has excellent acoustic dampening and structural properties. Foams of various metals, such as aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, iron, zinc, lead, silver, gold, platinum, tantalum, and alloys based on these metals, may be used. The polymer component may be any polymeric resin, for example, epoxy, natural rubber, acrylic, or phenolic.

Abstract: The invention describes shape changing membranes that can be precisely controlled using the unique approach of smectic liquid-crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with patterned electrodes and a process of preparing and creating the elastomers. The methods to create the shape changing membranes is based on the electroclinic effect of smectic layers in a polymer network and provides a novel material for actuators.

Abstract: In conventional phased array antennas, multiple signals that perform different functions, such as radar, electronic warfare (EW) and telecommunications, can each be simultaneously transmitted only through a different sub-aperture of the array. For maximum power and efficiency in conventional phased array antennas, the power amplifiers operate on one signal at a time. The present invention forms a common waveform from multiple signals for transmission through a common aperture of a phased array antenna. In wideband operations, waveform-shaping and amplitude-to-phase-modulation are used to transmit high-power diverse waveforms through every element of the array.

Abstract: A method of: submitting reference sequences to a taxonomic database to produce taxonomic results; and reporting a taxonomic identification based on the taxonomic results. The reference sequences are the output of genetic database queries that return a score for each reference sequence. A method for processing a biological sequence obtained from an assay by: converting base calls located in a predetermined list of positions within the biological sequence to N; and determining the ratio of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the biological sequence relative to a reference sequence. Each entry in the predetermined list of positions represents the capability of a substance hybridizing to a microarray used to generate the biological sequence. The substance is not the nucleic acid of a target pathogen.

Abstract: A polyurethane coating made by: applying to a surface a polyol composition and an isocyanate composition, such that a mixture of the polyol composition and the isocyanate composition is formed during the application; and allowing the mixture to cure to the polyurethane coating. The polyol composition has a polyol monomer having the chemical formula: R1 is a divalent radical selected from aliphatic, aromatic, and ether-containing group. R2 is a monovalent radical selected from aliphatic, aromatic, ester-containing group, ether-containing group, and acrylic-containing group. R2 is free of —O—CH2—CH(OH)— groups, and the polyol monomer is free of epoxy groups and amino hydrogens. The isocyanate composition comprises an isocyanate compound having at least two isocyanate groups. The polyol composition or the isocyanate composition comprises a water scavenger. The polyol composition or the isocyanate composition comprises a polyurethane catalyst.

Abstract: A hand-held portable drug monitoring system to detect and quantitate cocaine and other organic drugs in saliva, sweat, and surface wipes by using an ion selective electrode or an array of ion selective electrodes. The ion selective electrode has a cast membrane reference electrode and a sensing electrode with a hydrophobic polymer, a plasticizer, and an ionophore selective for the organic drug to be tested. The ion selective electrode can be connected to a converter that coverts a voltage reading from the ion selective electrode to a quantitative drug concentration level. Also disclosed is the related method of using an ion selective electrode to detect an organic drug in saliva, sweat, and surface wipes, the method of testing electrical contact in an ion selective electrode, and the method of making a cast membrane reference electrode.

Abstract: Increased lithium capacity of defective oxide materials and methods for preparation are described herein. Point defects may be introduced into a metal oxide to increase its lithium ion capacity. Defective metal oxides can be prepared by heating the metal oxide under O2/H2O at elevated temperatures. These increased lithium capacity metal oxides may be suitable for use as high specific energy cathodes in lithium metal and lithium ion batteries.