Abstract: The invention discloses the utilization of various transmission lines that entail a ferroelectric material as dielectric substrate to introduce an impedance shift by means of an externally applied d.c. bias, which alters the effective length between the input and output signals of the transmission lines of microwave couplers.

Abstract: A valve-less fluid control circuit for controlling rhythmic action devices, such as circulatory assist devices. The fluid control circuit has a plurality of pressure sensitive fluid oscillators for circulating a fluid. Each fluid oscillator includes a capacitance chamber unit for peristaltic pumping of fluid after being filled via an input conduit and a resistance conduit. A first control conduit provides an outlet of fluid from the capacitance unit during peristaltic pumping, and when the pressure of the fluid in the first control conduit reaches a certain level relative to the pressure of fluid in the input conduit, the fluid is directed through an interactive region and exits the first fluid oscillator through an exhaust conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for locating flaws in cable shields and electromagnetic tubing (shield conduit) without disconnection of the cable or conduit under test is described. The fault location method, using a unique sensor array and fault detection circuit, supplements capabilities of earlier inductance/resistance tester. Previous inductance/resistance testers allow the user to measure very small resistances at cable/connector joints, usually without disconnecting the circuit under test.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of uncooled infrared (IR) detector technology, and it particularly demonstrates the use of thin film structures on oxidized silicon consisting of Guanine Cytosine (GC)—rich double-stranded DNAs and peptide nucleic acid (PNAs) helices and the current CMOS electronic circuits for optimizing the IR detector performance of uncooled microbolometer technology. PNAs are a new class of DNA mimics in which the regular nucleotide bases of adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine are connected via a peptide-like backbone (Ref. 1). PNA molecules retain the same Watson-Crick base pairing as regular oligonucleotides, with the added benefits of resistance to enzyme digestion.

Abstract: Electrostatic actuation arrangements are disclosed comprising of at least two wafers and having electrodes formed on their facing surfaces. One of the wafers has holes in it while the other wafer has posts extending therefrom. The holes and the posts are arranged so as to face each other and a voltage is applied to the electrodes across the wafers so that they can be moved toward and away from each other allowing such a movement to control fluid or optical parameters.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that remotely activates one or more explosive charge by sympathetic detonation (i.e., not requiring explosives to be interconnected by wire). The system includes electronics that control the activation of each explosive charge and which are responsive to an acoustic sensor, a seismic sensor and a hydrophone sensor. In one embodiment an RF transmitter, which prior to detonation of an explosive charge, sends a wake-up signal to another system for a sequentially controlled sympathetic detonation of one or more explosive charges.

Abstract: Methanol tolerant catalyst materials and a method of making the same are provided. These novel catalyst materials are obtained by mixing together and heat-treating at least two different transition-metal-containing nitrogen chelates. In preferred embodiments, the nitrogen chelates comprise metalloporphyrins such as transition-metal-containing tetraphenylporphins. Preferred transition metals are iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, ruthenium, vanadium, and zinc, but could be any transition metal other than platinum or palladium. These materials offer improved catalytic oxygen reduction in the presence of methanol, as may occur at a fuel cell cathode after methanol crossover.

Abstract: A device for simultaneous measurement of two polarization states of scattered light includes an illumination unit having first and second lasers for providing first and second beams of polarized light &lgr;1 and &lgr;2, which have different wavelengths and different polarization states. A first beamsplitter is positioned for receiving the first and second polarized beams. After exiting the first beamsplitter, the light beams are coincident with each other and pass through an aperture to illuminate a sample. A measuring unit includes a second polarization beamsplitter for receiving at least a portion of each of the first and second light beams after illuminating the sample.

Abstract: This invention identifies a process for determining the performance of radio frequency (RF) links in the Army's Enhanced Position Reporting System (EPLRS) with a high level of statistical confidence. The method includes determining a statistical difference between a mean propagation loss for an EPLRS RF link based on measured RF propagation loss and TIREM calculated RF propagation loss, establishing a margin of error based on said statistical difference to arrive at a confidence level of the RF propagation loss, determining a computed S/N based on the confidence level, for the benign and jamming case, and determining a PCOM value based on the computed S/N value.

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent which is a composite composition of matter comprising a metal or metal-containing compound distributed on or in a dendritic polymer, and a method of treating wounds comprising applying to the wounds said antimicrobial agent. In a most preferred embodiment, said antimicrobial agent comprises discrete nanosized silver or silver containing compounds distributed on or in dendritic polymers.

Abstract: A window assembly for transmitting light into and from a vessel containing a high pressure, high temperature, highly reactive environment includes a truncated conical window which is substantially transparent to radiation, a truncated conical metal seal which circumferentially engages the window, and a case to which the window and the seal are secured. To facilitate automatic cleaning of the window, the surface of the window which is exposed to the high-pressure environment is seated substantially flush with the high-pressure surface of the case. By initially seating the window assembly by means of mechanical pressing, then subjecting the window assembly to a series of successively higher transient combustion pressures, a window assembly can be fabricated which can withstand prolonged service in a harsh environment such as that encountered in a large caliber artillery cannon or equivalent scientific and industrial applications.

Abstract: A method and system for extending the life cycle of an circuit including the positioning of a circuit on an an elevated pedestal in a container, filling the container with a hydrophobic fluid sufficiently to form a bubble at the top of the package, and sealing the package. On the contamination of the container by a condensate, the pedestal segregates the circuit from the condensate regardless of the containers orientation.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising both a material capable of reversibly incorporating an alkali metal, and a copper current collector, a cathode capable of reversibly incorporating an alkali metal, and an electrolyte which includes a solution of an alkali metal salt dissolved in a polar organic solvent. A method of preventing the electrochemical dissolution of the copper current collector in the lithium ion battery electrolyte includes charging the lithium ion cell immediately after its assembly. By immediately charging the freshly assembled lithium ion cell, lithium will be intercalated into carbon. The copper current collector, therefore, will be at the lithium-carbon potential and thus will be cathodically protected, and will not electrochemically dissolve in the lithium ion battery electrolyte.

Abstract: A small, portable, low cost, battery operated, radio-controlled decoy simulates the sound of small arms fire. The units may be deployed remotely in the field to distract and confuse defending forces when attacked by advancing or infiltrating forces.

Abstract: The microwave properties of numerous perovskite antimonates like A2MeSbO6 where A=Ba or Sr, Me=a rare earth, Y, Sc, Ga, or In and A4MeSb3O12 where A=Ba or Sr and M=Li, Na or K were measured at 10 Ghz and 300 K. Using the microwave properties and lattice parameters of these materials, the Clausius-Mossotti relationship and a nonlinear regression fitting program, the polarizability of Sb5+ was investigated and determined to be 1.18±0.49 A3. This low polarizability and the low loss of antimonates in general indicate that Sb5+ is an excellent candidate for use as a constituent in the fabrication of low dielectric constant, low loss, lattice matching perovskite oxide microwave substrates.

Abstract: A method for improving images of surface features of a sample, constructed by a scanning probe microscope, includes constructing images of surface features of a sample with a scanning probe microscope; measuring a displacement of the sample that occurs during the constructing step; and correcting the images using the measured displacement. An apparatus for improving images of surface features of a sample, constructed by a scanning probe microscope, includes a vacuum chamber; a sample holder disposed in the vacuum chamber; at least one spring connected between the vacuum chamber and the sample holder; at least one magnet disposed in the vacuum chamber for damping vibrations of the sample holder; a probe and piezo tube assembly disposed in the vacuum chamber for scanning surface features of a sample; and an interferometer disposed in the vacuum chamber wherein the interferometer measures a distance between the sample and a point fixed with respect to the sample.

Abstract: The stability of HAN, HAN derivatives or hydroxylamine, and compositions comprising these is considerably enhanced by employing a stabilizing effective amount of a stabilizer selected from (a) a pyridine or pyridone salt, or an acid thereof; (b) a diphosphonate or methylenephosphonate salt, or an acid thereof; or (c) a mixture of two or more stabilizers, wherein at least one is selected from (a) and at least one is selected from (b). Stabilized HAN, HAN derivatives, or hydroxylamine or compositions comprising HAN, an HAN derivative or hydroxylamine, along with a process for providing these stabilized compositions is described. A stabilizer mixture having enhanced, synergistic stabilizing properties is described as well.

Abstract: A GaN epilayaer grown on a lattice mismatched saphire substrate is subjected to rapid thermal processing in order the reduce the defect density especially in the proximate the top (device) surface of the GaN epilayer.

Abstract: A secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having improved properties and a method for providing a secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having the same. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for reducing and/or preventing the exfoliation of the graphitic carbonaceous electrode of a lithium-ion cell, wherein the exfoliation is caused by the intercalation of electrolyte solvent along with lithium ion into the graphitic carbonaceous electrode. This method is accomplished by adding one or more chelating polyamines to the electrolyte solution of the lithium-ion cell. The novel method and the improved lithium-ion cell are claimed herein.

Abstract: Kinetic energy projectiles including sabots having stiffened bourrelets which tune and improve shot performance. Shot dispersion for the projectiles is decreased by reducing adverse dynamic perturbations imparted to the projectiles during projectile launch. Reducing dynamic perturbations is accomplished by better controlling interior ballistics by changing the stiffness of the sabot bourrelets.