Abstract: Microbolometers with regionally thinned microbridges are produced by depositing a thin film (0.6 ?m) of silicon nitride on a silicon substrate, forming microbridges on the substrate, etching the thin film to define windows in a pixel area, thinning the windows, releasing the silicon nitride, depositing a conductive YBaCuO film on the bridges, depositing a conductive film (Au) on the YBaCuO film, and removing selected areas of the YBaCuO and conductive films.

Abstract: An infrared imager for detecting infrared (IR) radiation of a scene in a field of view (FOV) of an optical system and converting the IR into a visible image wherein the imager consists of an array of uncooled microbolometers in a focal plane of the optical system and a array of light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) elements. The IR radiation collected by the microbolometer produces a change in an electrical output applied to electronic circuitry connected to the array of LEDs or LCDs. The electronic circuitry controls the intensity of a LED element or the reflectance of an LCD element. As a result, the imager converts the infrared radiation from the scene into visible light. The light reflected from the LCD or produced by LEDs in an array constitutes the scene image.

Abstract: A feedhorn driving method and apparatus allows the establishment of multiple phase centers using only a single multimode feedhorn. At least two higher-order modes are extracted from the feedhorn and weighted in amplitude and phase. The phase center separation is established in accordance with an assigned weights. The feedhorn has application in i.a. moving target indication systems.

Abstract: A guidance system for a missile with a laser beam source located at a distance from the missile generating a modulated laser beam that is directed towards the missile. A group of backward looking sensors on the body of the missile detect any radiation scattered from the laser beam along with a group of forward looking sensors located on the missile. Both groups look at an angle to the missile's longitudinal axis. Signals from the sensors are applied to processing electronics in the missile that determine the phase shift in signals derived from when a backward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from a laser beam and a forward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from that beam. The processing electronics can then accurately determine the distance between the missile and the beam from the phase shift and correct the missile's trajectory to maintain its position with respect to the beam.

Abstract: An image projector comprises a plurality of flexible reflective analog modulators (FRAMs), an illumination optics for focusing at least one light source thereon, a conversion optics for converting the variations in divergence of the beams reflected therefrom into variations in intensity, and a scanning mechanism coupled to a projection optics for displaying an image, constructed of intensity modulated light dots or pixels, on a screen. FRAM curvatures, responsible for determining the divergence of the reflected beams, and ultimately the intensity of each pixel, are varied by an actuation voltage that can be modulated using waveforms that minimize the FRAM response times. For multicolour images, three laser light sources operating at different wavelengths are used in conjunction with three linear FRAM arrays.

Abstract: A guidance system for a missile utilitizes a laser beam source at a missile launch pad to generate a laser beam that is directed towards a target. A sensor on the body of a spinning missile detects radiation scattered from the laser beam, the sensor looking sideways and backward at an angle to the missile's longitudinal axis. Signals generated by that sensor are applied to a missile's guidance system's processing electronics that then determines the distance from the missile to the beam from the width of the signal generated by the sensor due to detecting scattered radiation from that laser beam. Once the distance between the missile and the beam is determined, the missile's guidance system corrects the missile's trajectory to maintain its position at a predetermined distance from the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus to determine the three-dimensional shape of an array under water using a CCD camera with a field-of-view directed towards the array and a plurality of LED light sources attached to the array which emit light near the attenuation minimum of the water and towards the camera. The camera obtains images of each light source individually from which the x and y co-ordinates of the images of each light source can be determined. Pressure sensors on each light source and camera determine the difference in depth between the camera and the light sources and, with the x and y co-ordinates, the apparatus determines the three-dimensional position of each light source.

Abstract: An adaptive receiver for determining parameters of an incoming signal is provided.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are formed on carbon paper by first depositing a metal catalyst on the carbon paper, and passing a feedstock gas containing a source of carbon over the substrate while applying an electrical current thereto to heat the substrate sufficiently to generate a reaction between the catalyst and the feedstock gas. Alternatively, inert gas under pressure is passed through a tubular metal cathode while passing an electric current through the cathode to produce a plasma of fine catalyst particles which are deposited on a porous carbon substrate, and a feedstock gas containing a source of carbon is passed over the substrate to cause a reaction between the catalyst and the carbon source resulting in the formation of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing method and system for correcting organ motion artifacts for cardiac and brain imaging. A plurality of sets of MRI measurement data indicative of at least an image of an object is received. Each set corresponds to one row kx of a k-space matrix of at least a k-space matrix. For each set a k-space matrix of the at least a k-space matrix is determined for allocation thereto based on motion information of the object occurring during acquisition of the plurality of sets of the MRI measurement data. In a following step a location within the allocated k-space matrix corresponding to a row of the k-space matrix allocated thereto is determined for each set. At least a k-space matrix is then generated by re-arranging the plurality of sets. Each of the at least a k-space matrix comprises the sets of the plurality of sets of the MRI measurement data allocated thereto.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are produced using a silane procedure, in which a substrate such as carbon paper or stainless steel mesh is immersed in a silane solution of a metal catalyst, preferable Co:Ni in a 1:1 ratio; and a feedstock gas containing a carbon source such as ethylene is fed through the substrate and the catalyst deposited thereon while the substrate is heated by applying an electrical current thereto. Thus, a reaction occurs between the catalyst and the gas to yield carbon nanotubes supported on the conductive substrate. These composite electrodes may be used in electrochemistry or in field emitting applications.

Abstract: A speed of a motor is estimated by determining a correlation between a current wave sensed at the motor and frequency pairs from a set of weighted frequency pairs representing the current wave. Components of a motor control signal are fit to a corresponding number of first orthogonal pairs in a set of weighted orthogonal pairs. The orthogonal pairs being orthogonal to the frequency pairs. Each of the frequency pairs are fit as the orthogonal pair subsequent to the first orthogonal pairs. The frequency pairs that provide a reduction in the mean squared error between the current wave and the set of weighted orthogonal pairs that satisfies a criteria are identified. Desired frequencies from the identified frequency pairs are then compared with a motor speed harmonic model to determine an estimation of the speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a D/A converter including a DC processing circuit, an analog switching device, a bootstrap circuit, and a third order low-pass filter. The boots trap circuit substantially reduces loading created by the low-pass filter circuit and acting on the switching device. Cross-over discontinuities in the continuous analog signal are reduced by interposing between each two successive pulses a cross-over correction pulse having opposite polarity and a predetermined fixed pulse-width. The D/A converter provides fast and accurate response over a long period of time.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detection of viable and potentially hazardous biological particles in a population which may be dispersed in fluid flow. The particles are characterized as biological and viable by contacting particles with laser light from a laser diode and then looking for the emission of fluorescence which is typically emitted from bacteria or bacterial spore. Biomolecules which are representative of viability are now known to be excited in range of 320 nm and longer. The resulting apparatus is economical, compact and has low-power requirements enabling portable operation. Preferably, the laser diode is combined with an aerodynamic particle sizer to separate particles for sequential contacts, or with additional timing lasers for establishing particle size.

Abstract: A single chain variable fragment (ScFv) antibody from a monoclonal antibody (Mab) against Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus, is generated by cloning linked variable regions of the heavy (VH) and the light (VL) chain antibody genes. Mab clone 1A4A1 in E. coli strain TG-1 was successfully cloned as ScFv. Results were reproduced in E. coli strain HB2151, expressing the same clone, A116, though displaying weak binding specificity to VEE due to a frame shift in the N-terminal region of the VL domain, upstream to the complementarity-determining region 1. A PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis approach was adopted to re-introduce the three single-base deletions in the 5 prime region of the VL gene of A116, corresponding to framework-1 region, producing mutant MA116, correcting a localized frame-shift in framework-1 region to consensus framework-1 amino acid sequence. A MA116 clone, MA116-15, shows comparable reactivity to the parental Mab in recognizing VEE antigen.

Abstract: Construction and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies against western equine encephalitis virus (WEE) for potential use in detection, diagnosis, and immunotherapy are disclosed. Antibodies were prepared from hybridoma cells and further characterized by ELISAs, Western blotting, isotyping, and immunoprecipitation. The antibodies were also tested for cross-reactivity to other alphaviruses, such as Sindbis virus (SIN), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). All antibodies bound to WEE antigen in ELISAs, whereas only a subgroup of antibodies was found to be active in Western blotting and immunoprecipitations. A subset of antibodies was found to cross-react with other alphaviruses, such as SIN, VEE, and EEE.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring blood pressure and heart rate in an environment comprising extreme levels of noise and vibrations is disclosed. Blood pressure signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are detected using an array of primary acoustic sensors, placed on the patient's skin over the brachial artery. A secondary acoustic transducer is placed on the outside of a pressure cuff the patient away for detecting noise and vibrations. Pressure is applied to the artery using the pressure cuff forcing the artery to close. The pressure is then reduced and while reducing the pressure the acoustic signals detected by the first and second acoustic sensor as well as a signal indicative of the pressure applied to the artery are provided to a processor. The signals provided by the primary acoustic sensors are then processed using a combination of focused beamforming and planar wave beamforming.

Abstract: An apparatus to neutralize landmines using high power microwaves has a blast hardened dish antenna mounted on a vehicle along with a microwave generator and power generator A waveguide from the microwave generator feeds microwaves to a feed horn for the antenna. Plugs that are transparent to microwaves are located in the waveguide to prevent the blast wave generated by a detonated landmine from propagating inside of the waveguide and damaging the microwave generator. Flexible sections in the waveguide dampen any shock wave produced by a detonated mine from traveling along the waveguide towards the microwave generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to the development of a mammalian expression vector, under which expression of the structural genes of western equine encephalitis virus have been placed under the control of an eucaryotic promoter. When the recombinant vector is administered to mammalian cell culture or using a cell-free transcription/translation system, in vitro, authentic structural proteins of western equine encephalitis virus are produced as verified by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies developed to western equine encephalitis virus. When the recombinant DNA molecule is administered in vivo, a protective immune response is induced, thereby enhancing protection of the individual against subsequent infection by western equine encephalitis virus. In a similar manner, DNA vaccines to related alphaviruses (Venezuelan and eastern equine encephalitis viruses) could also be developed.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a camouflage material having a camouflage pattern applied thereto and comprising a granitic aspect made of intermixed colored grains exhibiting the colors: light green having a dominant wavelength of 566.70 nm; a luminance factor of 13.10% and a saturation factor of 44.70%; brown having a dominant wavelength of 583.0 nm; a luminance factor of 9.30%, and a saturation factor of 31.60%; average green having a dominant wavelength of 569.36 nm; a luminance factor of 5.24%, and a saturation factor of 38.50%; and black having a dominant wavelength of 582.34 nm; a luminance factor of 2.68%, and a saturation factor of 4.01%. The granitic aspect is composed of about 21% colored grains exhibiting the color light green; about 6% colored grains exhibiting the color brown; about 48% colored grains exhibiting the color average green, and about 25% colored grains exhibiting the color black.