Abstract: An anti-fouling coating is provided, containing a continuous matrix comprising a first component; a plurality of inclusions comprising a second component, wherein the first component is a low-surface-energy polymer having a surface energy, and the second component is a hygroscopic material containing one or more ionic species. The low-surface-energy polymer and the hygroscopic material are chemically connected ionically or covalently, such as in a segmented copolymer composition comprising fluoropolymer soft segments and ionic species contained within the soft segments. The continuous matrix and the inclusions form a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. Coefficient-of-friction experimental data is presented for various sample coatings. The incorporation of ionic species into the polymer chain backbone increases the hygroscopic behavior of the overall structure.

Abstract: Described is a system for transferring learned knowledge from an electro-optical (EO) domain to a synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) domain. The system uses a measured similarity between the EO domain and the SAR domain to train a model for classifying SAR images using knowledge previously learned from the electro-optical (EO) domain. Using the trained model, a SAR image is processed to determine regions of interest in the SAR image. A region of interest is classified to determine whether the region of interest corresponds to an object of interest, and classified regions of interest that contain the object of interest are output. The object of interest is displayed on a visualization map, and the visualization map is automatically updated to reflect a change in position of the object of interest.

Abstract: Described is a system for computing conditional probabilities of random variables for Bayesian inference. The system implements a spiking neural network of neurons to compute the conditional probability of two random variables X and Y. The spiking neural network includes an increment path for a synaptic weight that is proportional to a product of the synaptic weight and a probability of X, a decrement path for the synaptic weight that is proportional to a probability of X, Y, and delay and spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) parameters such that the synaptic weight increases and decreases with the same magnitude for a single firing event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are surface-functionalized powders which alter the solidification of the melted powders. Some variations provide a powdered material comprising a plurality of particles fabricated from a first material, wherein each of the particles has a particle surface area that is continuously or intermittently surface-functionalized with nanoparticles and/or microparticles selected to control solidification of the powdered material from a liquid state to a solid state. Other variations provide a method of controlling solidification of a powdered material, comprising melting at least a portion of the powdered material to a liquid state, and semi-passively controlling solidification of the powdered material from the liquid state to a solid state. Several techniques for semi-passive control are described in detail.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a methodology in which nanoparticle-coated microparticles are rapidly quality-checked for verification of surface functionalization of a commercial quantities of hierarchical powder. Some variations provide a method for inspecting surface-functionalized microparticles, comprising: selecting samples of hierarchical powders comprising microparticles and surface-coated nanoparticles; subjecting the hierarchical powders to a sample particle-size measurement; comparing the sample particle-size measurement to a baseline measurement; and determining the relative concentration of free nanoparticles, based on particle-size distributions. If the sample particle-size measurement is statistically equivalent to the baseline measurement, that is verification of complete surface functionalization.

Abstract: Some variations provide a magnetically anisotropic structure comprising a magnetically anisotropic film on a substrate, wherein the magnetically anisotropic film contains a plurality of discrete magnetic hexaferrite particles, wherein the film is characterized by an average film thickness from 1 micron to 5 millimeters, and wherein the magnetically anisotropic film contains from 2 wt % to 75 wt % organic matter. Some variations provide a magnetically anisotropic structure comprising an out-of-plane magnetically anisotropic film on a substrate, wherein the magnetically anisotropic film contains a plurality of discrete magnetic hexaferrite particles, wherein the film is characterized by an average film thickness from 1 micron to 5 millimeters, and wherein the magnetically anisotropic film contains a concentration of hexaferrite particles of at least 40 vol %.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) link includes a link transmitter that includes a data modulator for modulating a data waveform together with an RF carrier, a photonic encoder coupled to the data modulator, and a transmitter antenna for transmitting an RF signal, wherein the RF signal comprises an output of the photonic encoder, and a link receiver including a receiver antenna for receiving the RF signal, a first laser source, a photonic limiter coupled to the first laser source and to the receiving antenna, a photonic decoder coupled to the photonic limiter, a photo-receiver coupled to the photonic decoder, and a demodulator coupled to the photo-receiver for demodulating an output of the photo-receiver with the RF carrier to form a data output.

Abstract: A field effect transistor having at least a gate, source, and drain electrodes and a semiconductor channel for controlling transport of charge carriers between the source and drain electrodes, the gate being insulated from the channel by an dielectric, at least a portion of the dielectric disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor channel being doped or imbued with the an element which if doped or imbued into a semiconductor material would cause the semiconductor to be p-type. The p-type element used to dope or imbue the gate dielectric is preferably Mg.

Abstract: Some variations provide a metal matrix nanocomposite composition comprising metal-containing microparticles and nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are chemically and/or physically disposed on surfaces of the microparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles are consolidated in a three-dimensional architecture throughout the composition. The composition may serve as an ingot for producing a metal matrix nanocomposite. Other variations provide a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a metal-matrix phase and a reinforcement phase containing nanoparticles, wherein the nanocomposite contains a gradient in concentration of the nanoparticles. This nanocomposite may be or be converted into a master alloy. Other variations provide methods of making a metal matrix nanocomposite, methods of making a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite, and methods of making a master alloy metal matrix nanocomposite. The metal matrix nanocomposite may have a cast microstructure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of phononic comb teeth generated by a non-linear resonator. The method comprises generating a drive signal; applying the drive signal to the non-linear resonator with sufficient gain to generate the phononic comb teeth; and filtering the drive signal before applying it to the non-linear resonator to thereby increase the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of phononic comb teeth generated by the non-linear resonator. The apparatus may comprise a circuit including a filter disposed between an oscillator generating the drive signal and the non-linear resonator, the filter preferably having a 3 db passband width which is less than a spacing of the phononic comb teeth generated by the non-linear resonator.

Abstract: A wireless access system including a wireless transceiver configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and a wireless coverage control thin film. The wireless coverage control thin film includes a thin film and a plurality of conductive patterns on the thin film. The conductive patterns are configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Some variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; and second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic thiol molecule. Other variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; and second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic unsaturated molecule, wherein the polysulfide-based copolymer has a total sulfur concentration of about 10 wt % or greater. Other variations provide a polysulfide-based copolymer containing first repeat units comprising S8-derived sulfur atoms bonded via sulfur-sulfur bonds; second repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic thiol molecule; and third repeat units comprising an organic, non-aromatic unsaturated molecule.

Abstract: Low-friction fluorinated coatings are disclosed herein. A preferred low-friction material contains a low-surface-energy fluoropolymer having a surface energy between about 5 mJ/m2 to about 50 mJ/m2, and a hygroscopic material that is covalently connected to the fluoropolymer in a triblock copolymer, such as PEG-PFPE-PEG. The material forms a lubricating surface layer in the presence of humidity. An exemplary copolymer comprises fluoropolymers with average molecular weight from 500 g/mol to 20,000 g/mol, wherein the fluoropolymers are (?,?)-hydroxyl-terminated and/or (?,?)-amine-terminated, and wherein the fluoropolymers are present in the triblock structure T-(CH2—CH2—O)—CH2—CF2—O—(CF2—CF2—O)m(CF2—O)n—CF2—CH2—(O—CH2—CH2)p-T where T is a hydroxyl or amine terminal group, p=1 to 50, m=1 to 100, and n=1 to 100. The copolymer also contains isocyanate species and polyol or polyamine chain extenders or crosslinkers possessing a functionality of preferably 3 or greater.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for accurate image and/or video scene classification. More specifically, described is a system that makes use of a specialized convolutional-neural network (hereafter CNN) based technique for the fusion of bottom-up whole-image features and top-down entity classification. When the two parallel and independent processing paths are fused, the system provides an accurate classification of the scene as depicted in the image or video.

Abstract: Described is a system for competency assessment of an autonomous system. The system extracts semantic concepts representing a situation. Actions taken by the autonomous system are associated with semantic concepts that are activated when the actions are taken in the situation. The system measures an outcome of the actions taken in the situation and generates a reward metric. The semantic concepts representing the situation are stored as a memory with the actions taken in the situation and the reward metric as a memory. A prospective simulation is generated based on recall of the memory. A competency metric and an experience metric are determined. Competent operational control of the autonomous system is maintained when at least one of the competency metric and the experience metric is above a minimum value. An alert is generated when at least one of the competency metric and the experience metric falls below the minimum value.

Abstract: A HEMT comprising: a substrate; a channel layer coupled to the substrate; a source electrode coupled to the channel layer; a drain electrode coupled to the channel layer; and a gate electrode coupled to the channel layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode; wherein the channel layer comprises: at least a first GaN layer; and a first graded AlGaN layer on the first GaN layer, the Al proportion of the first graded AlGaN layer increasing with the distance from the first GaN layer.

Abstract: Infrared-transparent and damage-resistant polymer optics with LWIR and/or MWIR transparency are provided. Some variations provide an optic containing at least 50 wt % of an infrared-transparent polymer, wherein the infrared-transparent polymer has a carbon-free polymer backbone, wherein the optic is characterized by at least 80% average transmission of radiation over a wavenumber band with cumulative wavenumber width of at least 1000 cm?1 contained within wavelengths from 3.1 ?m to 5 ?m and/or from 8.1 ?m to 12 ?m, and wherein the average transmission is defined as the percentage ratio of radiation intensity through an optic thickness of 25 microns divided by incident radiation intensity. Many polymer compositions and pendant groups are disclosed for use in the polymer optics.

Abstract: This invention provides durable, low-ice-adhesion coatings with excellent performance in terms of ice-adhesion reduction. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion coating comprising a microstructure with a first-material phase and a second-material phase that are microphase-separated on an average length scale of phase inhomogeneity from 1 micron to 100 microns. Some variations provide a low-ice-adhesion material comprising a continuous matrix containing a first component; and a plurality of discrete inclusions containing a second component, wherein the inclusions are dispersed within the matrix to form a phase-separated microstructure that is inhomogeneous on an average length scale from 1 micron to 100 microns, wherein one of the first component or the second component is a low-surface-energy polymer, and the other is a hygroscopic material. The coatings are characterized by an AMIL Centrifuge Ice Adhesion Reduction Factor up to 100 or more.

Abstract: Some variations provide a method of making an additively manufactured metal component, comprising: providing a feedstock that includes a high-vapor-pressure metal; exposing a first amount of the feedstock to an energy source for melting; and solidifying the melt layer, thereby generating a solid layer of an additively manufactured metal component. The metal-containing feedstock is enriched with a higher concentration of the high-vapor-pressure metal compared to its concentration in the additively manufactured metal component. The high-vapor-pressure metal may be selected from Mg, Zn, Li, Al, Cd, Hg, K, Na, Rb, Cs, Mn, Be, Ca, Sr, or Ba, for example. Additively manufactured metal components are provided.

Abstract: Described is a system for network threat detection. The system identifies a targeted sub-network representing a threat within a multi-layer network having members. The targeted sub-network is identified with differential privacy protection, such that privacy of individuals that are not in the targeted sub-network is protected. The system causes an action to be generated, the action being one of generating an alert of a threat, initiating monitoring of the non-benign persons, or disabling network access of the non-benign persons.