Abstract: A catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and apparatus for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers (CNTs) on a substrate involves selectively heating a catalyst for CNT synthesis on or near the surface of the substrate. Selective heating of the catalyst is achieved using inductive heating from a radio frequency source. Selective heating of the catalyst prevents heating of the substrate and enables the synthesis of CNTs on temperature sensitive substrates.

Abstract: The present invention is a constant volume rocket motor that uses a non-detonating constant-volume, bipropellant combustion process in pulse-mode operation. Opening and closing of the combustion chamber exhaust outlet is controlled by an actuated reciprocating thrust valve (RTV). Fuel enters the combustion chamber at low pressure with the RTV closed. The valve opens after or during combustion when combustion chamber pressure is at or near maximum. The motor has applications in reaction control systems and attitude control systems in spacecraft.

Abstract: A synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network and associated methods mimic the structure, fluid flow characteristics, and physiological behavior of physiological microvasculature networks. Computational methods for simulating flow and particle adherence in synthetic and physiological microvascular systems and methods for determining parameters influencing particle adhesion and drug delivery are described with applications in the optimization of drug delivery and microvascular treatments and in describing disease mechanisms that affect the microvasculature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mixing and self-cleaning elements in microfluidic systems based on electrothermally induced fluid flow. The apparatus and methods provide for the control of fluid flow in and between components in a microfluidic system to cause the removal of unwanted liquids and particulates or mixing of liquids. The geometry and position of electrodes is adjusted to generate a temperature gradient in the liquid, thereby causing a non-uniform distribution of dielectric properties within the liquid. The dielectric non-uniformity produces a body force and flow in the solution, which is controlled by element and electrode geometries, electrode placement, and the frequency and waveform of the applied voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pseudospark switch that overcomes the aforementioned limitations of existing pseudospark switches and proved e-beams for applications such as FELs, pulsed lasers, X-ray machines, and radar. The improvement in e-beam quality is obtained by inductively ionizing gas inside the hollow cathode chamber (HCC), prior to main gap breakdown using a HCC that incorporates a spiral induction coil. The gas in the hollow cathode chamber is ionized by the discharge of an auxiliary capacitor bank through the spiral coil that forms the back surface of the HCC.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus is disclosed for the removal of metals from jet fuel at high flow rates and limited pressure drops. The filter comprises a monolayer of immobilized chelating agent on packed silica gel. The filtration apparatus is particularly useful for the removal of copper from jet fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pseudospark switch that overcomes the aforementioned limitations of existing pseudospark switches and proved e-beams for applications such as FELs, pulsed lasers, X-ray machines, and radar. The improvement in e-beam quality is obtained by inductively ionizing gas inside the hollow cathode chamber (HCC), prior to main gap breadkown using a HCC that incorporates a spiral induction coil. The gas in the hollow cathode chamber is ionized by the discharge of an auxiliary capacitor bank through the spiral coil that forms the back surface of the HCC.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrostatic collector for low cost, high throughput, high efficiency sampling and concentration of bioaerosols. The device is small enough to be portable and can be contained within or placed on the wall of a typical office or hospital building. The collector comprises one or more collector modules, each having an ionizing electrode, a conical outer electrode, a wet collection electrode, and a liquid collection system. Airflow through a collector module may be partially blocked to enhance the collection of smaller particles and the collection electrode may comprise multiple, programmable electrodes to focus particle deposition onto a smaller area. Particles are collected into a small volume of liquid to facilitate subsequent analysis by an attached analyzer or at a remote site.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexible hybrid biofuel cell power strip for use in low power applications (less than one Watt) such as trickle charging to extend the charge of conventional batteries or to power devices such as microsensors, micropumps and miniaturized medial devices. The power strip anode comprises carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that transfer electrons directly from the active center of an oxidation-reduction (redox) enzyme to a flexible, conductive anode substrate. This allows the building of surface architectures with pore structures customized for specific applications and enzyme substrate-containing media. The cathode comprises a catalytic layer of transition metal nanoparticle catalyst in contact with air or other source of oxygen. The flexibility of the power strip allows it to be shaped into a wide variety of conformations and applications, including attachment to or implantation within living organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a group of tertiary amine azides useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH.

Abstract: The present invention is a catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and apparatus for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers (CNTs) on a substrate by selectively heating a catalyst for CNT synthesis on or near the surface of the substrate. Selective heating of the catalyst is achieved using an exothermic oxidation reaction on the surface of the catalyst, inductive heating from a radio frequency source, or both. Selective heating of the catalyst prevents heating of the substrate and enables the synthesis of CNTs on temperature sensitive substrates.

Abstract: The present invention is an ultrasonic thrombectomy catheter that produces physical forces (shear rates) strong enough to emulsify obstructions such as thrombi and emboli without causing damage to arterial walls. This is accomplished by properly arranging piezoelectric transducers within a catheter and a tubular catheter head separated by a gap to generate acoustic streaming that simultaneously emulsifies the obstruction and sweeps resulting debris into a catheter lumen for removal. The open gap may be formed by supporting struts that connect the catheter to the catheter head. The design of the catheter tip allows the fabrication of catheters capable of removing partial or complete blockages from arteries and other vessels having diameters as small as 2 mm.

Abstract: The present invention is a constant volume rocket motor that uses a non-detonating constant-volume, bipropellant combustion process in pulse-mode operation. Opening and closing of the combustion chamber exhaust outlet is controlled by an actuated reciprocating thrust valve (RTV). Fuel enters the combustion chamber at low pressure with the RTV closed. The valve opens after or during combustion when combustion chamber pressure is at or near maximum. The motor has applications in reaction control systems and attitude control systems in spacecraft.

Abstract: A spacer for delivering a medication spray from an inhaler includes a first conical body joined to a second conical body, forming a continuous spray conduit through first and second internal chambers of the respective first and second conical bodies. A mouthpiece is formed in the proximal end of the first conical body. A spray inlet for attachment to the inhaler is formed at the distal end of the second conical body. A plurality of air inlets are placed downstream of the medication inlet proximate to, or in, the large diameter distal end surface of the first conical body. Recirculation zones are created in the first and second chambers, to force the medication spray into a central airflow path through the spray conduit, minimizing particle deposition by contract with the walls of the spacer.

Abstract: A single circuit fuel injector apparatus having a bifurcated recirculation zone is provided. The single circuit injector includes an injector tip having an aft facing tapered surface which is communicated with a plurality of fuel injector ports. A radially inward tapered conical air splitter directs sweep air over the tapered injector tip. An air blast atomizer filmer lip is disposed concentrically outward from the tapered tip. In a low power operating mode, fuel exiting the fuel injector ports is entrained within a centralized sweep air stream. In a high power operating mode, the majority of the fuel exiting the fuel injection ports has sufficient momentum to carry it across the sweep air stream so that it falls upon the main fuel filmer lip and is entrained in an outer main air stream.

Abstract: Blood is withdrawn from a vein by a double lumen catheter that has an elongated tube with unitary outer walls. A longitudinal planar septum divides the interior of the tube into an inlet lumen and a longer return lumen. The inlet lumen extends from a proximal end of the tube to an end terminating in a distally forward facing aperture. The return lumen extends contiguously with the inlet lumen from the proximal end of the tube to an end terminating in a distally forward facing aperture spaced in the longitudinal direction distally forward of the inlet lumen aperture. A diverting structure extends from an outer wall of the return lumen distally forward of the aperture of the inlet lumen. The diverting structure diverts flow of treated fluid discharged from the return lumen away from the distally forward facing aperture of the inlet lumen. The blood withdrawn via the catheter is circulated for treatment in a blood purification system.

Abstract: A gas turbine fuel injection system of the lean direct injector type designed to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions is provided. The configuration includes a pilot fuel injector for injecting a pilot fuel stream, and a pilot swirler for providing a swirling pilot air stream to atomize and entrain the pilot fuel stream. A main airblast fuel injector is located concentrically about the pilot fuel injector, for injecting a main fuel stream concentrically about the pilot fuel stream. Inner and outer main swirlers provide a swirling main air stream to atomize and entrain the main fuel stream. An air splitter is located between the pilot swirler and the main swirler. The air splitter is so arranged and constructed as to divide the pilot air stream exiting the pilot swirler and the air splitter, from the main air stream exiting the inner main swirler, whereby a bifurcated recirculation zone is created.