Abstract: Thin films of ferroelectric composite material comprising barium strontium titanate (BSTO) combined with magnesium oxide additive are produced by metalorganic decomposition. The barium strontium titanate magnesium oxide ferroelectric composite comprises Ba.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x TiO.sub.3 /MgO, wherein x is greater than 0.0 but less than or equal to 0.75 and preferably is 0.4, and wherein the weight ratio of BSTO to magnesium oxide may range from 99 to 40 weight percent BSTO to 1 to 60 weight percent magnesium oxide. These films have desirable electronic properties and may have application to both active microwave and dynamic random access memory devices, including low dielectric constant, low loss factor, high tunability, and high resistivity. The films produced are uniformly thick and impurity free, with thicknesses of only 0.4 microns.

Abstract: A miniature, planar, inertially-damped, inertially-actuated delay slider uator is micromachined on a substrate and consists of a "slider", with zig-zag or stair-step-like patterns on the side edges, interacting with similar vertical-edged zig-zag patterns on "racks" which are positioned across a small gap on each side. The slider has been released from the substrate, and is captured vertically in its track by a non-interfering lattice or cover or other feature that bridges across from the top of one rack to the other. The racks are fixed to the substrate and the slider is forced axially down the "track" by an inertial load in the slider's axial direction. The slider is drawn along the track such that the "teeth" on the right edge of the slider engage with the teeth on the right rack. The slider is forced to move to the left as it slides down the faces on the right rack, until it is thrown clear of the right rack and goes across to engage similarly with the left rack.

Abstract: A novel ceramic ferrite/ferroelectric composite material having a low dissipation factor, voltage tunability, and proper impedance matching for the incident medium. The material comprises ferrites doped with the ferroelectric Barium Strontium Titanate (BSTO) or ferrites doped with the ferroelectric Barium Strontium Titanate (BSTO)/MgO. Preferred composites are magnesium ferrites doped with BSTO and magnesium ferrites doped with BSTO/MgO. Most particularly, the inventive composites are comprised of magnesium ferrites doped with Ba.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x TiO.sub.3 and magnesium ferrites doped with Ba.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x TiO.sub.3 /MgO, wherein x is greater than 0.00, but less than or equal to 0.75, and wherein the percent weight ratio of magnesium ferrite to BSTO or BSTO/MgO is 60 to 95 percent ferrite to 40 to 5 percent BSTO or 60 to 95 percent ferrite to 40 to 5 percent BSTO/MgO ferroelectric. A particularly well suited composite, i.e., one having a .mu./.di-elect cons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein a Genetic Algorithm is used as an intelligent search technique addresses the problem of assigning sensor reports in multi-target tracking with one or more sensors. The inventive technique of tracking objects includes receiving sensor reports from at least one sensor over multiple time scans; formulating individuals in a GA population as permutations of the sensor reports; using each permutation to construct a hypothesis containing at least one track by a process of taking each sensor report in turn (in the order determined by the permutation) and making the best assignment available (either to an existing track or as the start of a new track); scoring each of the hypotheses; searching through a portion of the possible hypotheses, using a GA, to find a good hypothesis; and determining the state of the tracked object.

Abstract: A tridirectional inverter is disclosed which converts power from the single source into two different widely types of power outputs. This conversion s done by utilizing a magnetic element, i.e., a transformer, alternatively as a filter and as a voltage changing transformer. The function that the magnetic element provides is accomplished by selecting the frequency of the signal that is applied to the magnetic element.

Abstract: The present invention, an Electromagnetic Locomotion Platform (ELP) system, is an electronically powered device which allows human-like activities to be performed in all three axes: x, y, & z, in a confined and localized a for the purpose of attaining total immersion (both visual and physical) into Virtual Environments. The ELP system allows humans the ability to walk, jog, run, crawl, etc. in a stationary position, thus the user can "walk forever to nowhere", similar to the basic function of a treadmill. This feature can be enhanced by having the user wear a helmet mounted display (HMD) which is coupled to a computer generated Virtual Reality (VR) system. The VR system provides external environments to the HMD and when synchronized with the movements of the individual on the ELP, it displays visual changes in the surrounding environment according to the movements generated by the user.

Abstract: A high brightness optical parametric amplifier array uses energy--scaleable optical parametric amplifiers that provide high brightness output. The leability in energy is achieved by using an array of parallel crystal amplifiers to handle high laser energies. High brightness is obtained by using an optical phase conjugator to keep the phase front of the array coherent.

Abstract: Mesh susceptors for use in induction heating and bonding processes are tailored to obtain more uniform heating across the susceptor and hence, the bondline, when bonding composite parts. The susceptors are tailored by cutting and removing segments from the mesh areas where the induced current and hence, heat generation, is highest. An algorithm is employed to predict the induced current patterns throughout the mesh so that areas of high heat generation can be identified and then cut and removed. In this way, essentially uniform temperatures in metal mesh susceptors may be achieved by specifically designed cut patterns within the mesh even though the mesh susceptor is subject to non-uniform magnetic fields.

Abstract: The invention is a bimetallic actuator for heat-transfer applications where the source of energy is provided by a temperature difference between two eservoirs or the temperature change of the ambient. The actuator requires no external source of power for actuation. The actuator can be made with a separate heating resistor and connected to an external power source for operation in the active mode. The actuator could be a flap, a gate, a valve, or a cooling tunnel used to regulate flow anytime there is temperature difference between two environments or a change in the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system is described that uses chopped laser illumination, chopped and fered wide baseline stereo imaging, specular reflectors along the path to navigated, comparison of the two stereo images collected to determine and subtract from the images the magnitude of the backscatter field, inverse point spread filtering based on the fusion of the specular reflector pattern, and stereoscopic display for the pilot to allow navigation through fog and other aerosols. In particular, aircraft pilots will be able to land their aircraft in fog and other aerosols.

Abstract: A disk-shaped projectile can be launched in a variety of orientations incing face-on and edge-on orientations. The launcher includes two spinning disks for receiving the projectile between them and imparting a force to the projectile. The angle between the axes of the disks can be set to zero or a non-zero value. The angle and the spin rates of the disks control the linear velocity and the spin rate of the projectile.

Abstract: An improved, liquid, explosive composition comprising nitromethane, a nitethane sensitizer and an energetic compound. The energetic compound is selected from the group consisting of 4,5-dihyro-3-nitroisoxazole, 1,3-dinitropropane, trans1,2-dinitrocyclopropane and 1,1-dinitroethane.

Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) employs non-orthogonal quantum states to distribute a random bit sequence between two users for use as a provably secure key for encryption and authentication. The key generation procedure involves the transmission, interception, and reception of two nonorthogonal photon polarization states. At the receiving end, a positive-operator-valued measure (POVM) is employed in the measurement process. The invention is a receiver that is an all-optical realization of the POVM and includes a Wollaston prism, a mirror, two beam splitters, a polarization rotator, and three photodetectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating high density monolithic metal and oy billets. The process requires preheating precursor materials of metal or alloy billets by means of a combustion synthesis called Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). The reaction takes place in an insulated reaction vessel where the precursors, in a powder form, are heated to high temperatures. The precursors are then compacted to high density by means of pressure waves generated by detonation of an explosive. The method is capable of producing high purity tungsten and tungsten-based alloys of greater than 90% theoretical density.

Abstract: A harness for wearing by a person allows the weight of a stretcher with a casualty to be carried on the shoulders, hips, or hands of the person. The harness has two padded shoulder straps which are vertically adjustable. The shoulder straps are connected by a horizontal piece of fabric which is horizontally adjustable, bringing the shoulder straps closer together or farther apart. The shoulder straps are attached to a padded hip belt. The hip belt is horizontally adjustable and has four fabric loops, two on each side. The loops are used for the stretcher arms. The two arms of a stretcher are placed in the loops, one arm in two loops. The weight of the stretcher is thus carried on the loops and the harness allows the weight of the stretcher to be transferred to the shoulders, hips, or hands.

Abstract: A test specimen holder for positioning a test specimen while protecting the hands and fingers of the user. In accordance with the present invention, a test specimen holder is provided having a main body with a handle portion located to the side of the main body. An adjustable fixed block and a spring-biased slidable blocking are provided in the main body. A pair of legs are disposed on opposite sides of the slidable and fixed blocks. A free space is provided between the two legs into which the test specimen fits and is engaged by the slidable and fixed blocks. The slidable and fixed blocks are provided with a variety of engagement surfaces, such as flat surfaces for planar specimens and notched surfaces having V-shaped grooves for cylindrical specimens. In operation, a test specimen is placed between the slidable and fixed blocks and held in place by the spring-biased slidable block holding the specimen against the fixed block.

Abstract: Binary alloys of uranium and vanadium having high hardness and strength prepared by selectively adjusting both the composition of the alloy and the solutionization temperature between the gamma-eutectoid and the eutectic points.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser is formed by eutectically bonding a laser cavity, defined by an active layer disposed between first and second, stacked mirror assemblies, to a host substrate which has a predetermined anisotropic coefficient of thermal expansion. During the forming process, a uniaxial strain is induced within the laser cavity. With this arrangement, large arrays of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers can be formed with predetermined polarization states that are based on the selected anisotropic host substrate.

Abstract: A balun structure is formed by stripline or square coaxial transmission ls and stacked dielectric substrates. The invention provides a technique for building a balun that maintaines low insertion loss and good balance for DC-to-GHz applications. The impedance ratio of the balanced transmission line to the unbalanced transmission line is N.sup.2 :1, where N is the number of microstrip transmission lines in the balun. This will prevent the signal loss that occurs when ferrite cores are placed around the transmission lines.

Abstract: The invention reduces the amount of force and acceleration transmitted to the vehicle occupant in a vehicle subject to the shock of a land mine explosion. In the invention, a set of crushable composite tubes are placed between the vehicle floor and the seat of the vehicle. As the floor moves due to the blast loading, the crushable tubes deform, absorbing the energy of the blast and reducing the acceleration transmitted to the seated occupant.