Abstract: A shock consolidation material manufacturing method involves combining a nanoscale additive and ceramic nanoparticles to create a nano-powder, compacting the nano-powder mechanically, and performing shock-wave consolidation on the compacted nano-powder. The ceramic nanoparticles may be Yttria-stabilized tetragonal Zirconia (YSZ) or Samarium doped Ceria (SDC). The nanopowder may be CNT-YSZ or SDC-Na2CO3. The shock-wave consolidation may be performed with a laser, and may involve positioning the nano-powder on a support material, placing an ablative layer over the support material and nano-powder, placing a transparent re-usable capping layer over the ablative layer, and directing laser energy at the capping layer, turning an area of the ablative layer below the capping layer into plasma and generating shock waves through the nano-powder and support material.

Abstract: Super absorbent material used for drying that integrates super absorbent non-woven fibrous mats with other material, as for example wicking material, are described. The fibrous mats consist of polymeric material embedded with particles of super absorbent polymer. The wicking material may be lightweight knitted fabric that actively absorbs and wicks liquid across the fabric surface. The materials are fabricated as single layer or multiple layers and demonstrate a variety of form factors suitable to the intended use. The super absorbent materials may incorporate additional functionalities, such as antifungal or antibacterial, for biomedical uses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for displaying information from a three dimensional imaging data cube, having particular application in ophthalmology, are disclosed. The method of the present invention slices 3D imaging data along curved surfaces that match anatomical layers, and comprising four steps: a locating step in which anatomical layers are located; a selecting step in which a slicing surface is selected based on the locations of the anatomical layers; an extracting step, wherein the user extracts data values that fall on the slicing surface selected; and a displaying step in which the data values extracted are displayed as a three dimensional image. The apparatus of the subject invention comprises hardware and software that employ the method of the subject invention to display improved anatomical 3D images.

Abstract: A multifunctional coating method involves cleaning a surface, applying a layer of corrosion-resistant alloy coating to the surface, and applying an oleo-hydrophobic composite coating over the corrosion-resistant alloy coating. An oil and gas pipe has an inner surface with a multifunctional coating applied using the multifunctional coating method, and has an inner oleo-hydrophobic composite coating, beneath the inner oleo-hydrophobic composite coating a corrosion-resistant alloy coating, and beneath the corrosion-resistant alloy coating untreated pipe or any other metallic substrate.

Abstract: Noise reduction in face masks and helmets reduces ear damage and improves communication by reducing noise in demand regulators with air diffuser perforated plates, screens or open cell foam and by providing muffling chambers. Insertable earmuffs are slid into voids formed in interior padding. Oral-nasal masks are isolated from helmet padding. Various layered helmets shells and padding reduce internal noise.

Abstract: Acoustic particle metamaterials in Smart Proppants reflect sound waves at distinct frequency ranges when receiving sounds from an above ground or in-ground source. Sound receivers at separated locations receive the reflected sound waves at distinct times, providing information on location of the Smart Proppants, which are mixed with conventional proppants. The Smart Proppants prevent transmission of waves at precise ranges of frequencies and reflect those waves.

Abstract: A new cement formulation includes a base cement slurry and an admixture of acoustic metamaterial particles, the acoustic metamaterial particles each having a dense inner core and compliant surrounding matrix. The cement formulation exhibits a substantial increase in transmission loss over the base cement slurry at a first frequency, and does not exhibit a substantial increase in transmission loss over the base cement slurry at a second frequency. A new cement interrogation technique involves transmitting acoustic energy at and near the band-gap frequency of an acoustic metamaterial, detecting an acoustic response and analyzing it for band-gap performance involving substantially elevated transmission loss at or near a given first frequency that rapidly falls off at nearby frequencies, determining that the cement formulation is present in regions exhibiting band-gap performance, and determining that the cement formulation is not present and/or has been compromised in regions not exhibiting band-gap performance.

Abstract: Electroless plating is accomplished by forming a metal salt and a polymer solution as a binder into a solid electrolyte block and depositing metal on the surface by rubbing or brushing the solid electrolyte block onto a surface with minimal or no water and without an electric potential/power source. The solid electrolyte block is also conformable/moldable and can be used to deposit metal on to both conductive and nonconductive surface through electroless deposition process.

Abstract: A new system has a plurality of modular segments flexibly attached to one other and a source of electrical power and plating and coating solutions at the rear of the plurality of modular segments. The plurality of modular segments include a drive stage configured to push the plurality of modular segments along a surface, a plating stage configured to apply the plating solution to the surface under a pre-set operating current density to deposit metal or metal alloy onto the surface, a surface treatment application stage configured to apply the coating solution to the surface, and a curing stage configured to cure the coating solution to form a final coating on the surface that is resistant to corrosion, chemical attacks and chemical buildup.

Abstract: Reduced noise abrasive blasting assemblies and systems are described. The new assemblies and systems are comprised of standard blast hose, accelerator hose, couplings and nozzle. The improved abrasive blasting system maintains abrasive particle velocity while decreasing the exit gas velocity and consequently decreasing sound production. This is accomplished through an acceleration section with reduced inner diameter and sufficient length to provide the necessary abrasive particle velocity. The new system maintains the productivity and efficiency of conventional abrasive blasting systems but with greatly reduced acoustic noise production and reduces operator fatigue due to the lower weight of the carried portion of the system.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte is formed by blending a coating chemical with metal ions and fatty acid. Filling molds and drying the material in the molds forms the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is mounted on an electrode and attached to a handle. The solid electrolyte is moved over a surface of a substrate with the handle. DC current is passed between the electrode and substrate and ions are transferred to the wetted substrate from the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A high temperature composite includes a binder, cement or geopolymer and ceramic filler, negative coefficient of thermal expansion materials of AM2O8 or A2(MO4)3 family or ZrV2O7. The material is compatible with concrete, any ceramics or metals or metal alloy. The material is heat shock resistant and stable in harsh chemical environments and is impermeable to most solvents. The new sealant materials can be used as sealants, heat shock resistant structural materials and coatings.

Abstract: GEO satellites and other space objects are studied in daylight, twilight and at night using IR cameras in clusters of no more than three with programs for pointing the instruments at known locations of the GEO objects and satellites and receiving weak near IR signals. Detection instruments have minimal optical surfaces and simple optical paths directing IR through Kshort and combined Kshort and H near IR band filters in cryogenic assemblies. Large focal ratios and large apertures reduce the effect of sky brightness, lower noise and improve the target signal, increasing the noise to signal ratio. Sky background noise is reduced by co-adding hundreds of pixels, allowing for the faint IR signal integration of one second or more. Results are read after integration.

Abstract: Electronic printing devices ink has nanoparticles of semiconducting materials with desired composition, size and band gap and modified with a volatile capping agent. Mercury cadmium telluride is synthesized by refluxing a mixture of metal salt and telluride precursor. Mercury (II) acetate and cadmium (II) acetate are reacted with a tellurium precursor (e.g. tri-n-octylphosphine telluride or telluric acid) in presence of a ligand (e.g. 1-dodecanethiol or oleylamine). This protocol yields nanoparticles of diameter ˜2-1000 nm range. The desired composition of nanoparticles is obtained by varying the relative concentration of the metal precursor. The ink is formulated by modifying the nanoparticles with volatile capping agent and dispersing the modified nanoparticles in a solvent.

Abstract: Wave energy is directed into a body. A condition within the body is observed by reflection from effects within the body. An internal target is located. Wave energy is focused on the target within the body and is increased in intensity to treat the target. A hand held instrument passivates or moves scalp from a skull, and converges, diverges or collimates near infrared laser beams through a skull and into interior tissue. Reflected energy reveals vessels edema or bleeding. Vessel targets are identified. Infrared laser beams are directed, triggered and intensified to coagulate or constrict the vessel. The hand held instrument is a wand connected to a laser source, processor, display and power source. The power supply, processor, infrared laser, display and laser director are mounted on a hand held unit for field use by technicians and medics to prevent time delay and further injury.

Abstract: A first set of carbon nanotubes is functionalized with streptavidin and co-functionalized with a cell treatment payload material. A second set of carbon nanotubes is functionalized with biotin and co-functionalized with specific cell targeting material. Mixing the first and second sets causes four carbon nanotubes from the second set to attach to each carbon nanotube from the first set. Multiple replicated virus-like particles result. The pharmaceutical composition seeks out and attaches to target cells. The carbon nanotubes from the first set penetrate the targeted cells and deliver their cell treatment payloads into the targeted cells. Near infrared energy is transmitted through tissue heating the carbon nanotubes for targeted cell treatment.

Abstract: Lithium compound functionalized carbonaceous materials are dispersed in a homogenous aqueous mixture. The mixture is dispersed in water used to mix cement and aggregate and remain dispersed in the cement. Spraying the aqueous mixture over cracked or damaged concrete surfaces fill the cracks or damages with the functionalized nanotubes. The solution solves problems of concrete permeability, eliminates alkali-silica reactions, avoids shrinkage and thermal stress and improves durability of concrete.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte is formed by blending a coating chemical with metal ions and fatty acid. Filling molds and drying the material in the molds forms the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is mounted on an electrode and attached to a handle. The solid electrolyte is moved over a surface of a substrate with the handle. DC current is passed between the electrode and substrate and ions are transferred to the wetted substrate from the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A self-healing polymer additive includes diene (e.g. butadiene, cyclohexadiene, pentadiene, tetrahydrofuron or their derivatives) and dienophile (e.g. maleic anhydride, maleamide, conjugated carbonyls or their derivatives etc.). One polymer includes tetrahydrofuron and maleimide. Furfurylamine 12 (1-10 gm) is diluted in acetone. Under an inert atmosphere an equivalent amount of granular maleic acid is added slowly, and the reaction is allowed to take place. Resulting maleamic acid precipitates. The maleamic acid product is separated, dried and purified by re-crystallization. The maleamic (1-5 gm) acid is dissolved in acetic anhydride along with a catalytic amount of sodium acetate. The resulting solution is heated for a few hours in 80-120° C. The precipitated final product is separated, purified and dried in a vacuum.

Abstract: A worldwide network of Autonomous Robotic Telescope Systems (ARTS) tracks and analyzes space objects (satellites, shuttle, space debris, etc.) and astronomical objects (asteroids, comets, supernovas, etc.), and includes the ability to automatically schedule observations using remote, programmable or Internet controllable information networks. The system works with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items that include telescopes, mounts, cameras (e.g. CCD), software and computers. The telescope systems operate autonomously and remotely over Internet lines. Automatic scheduling is achieved by programming the slave telescope control computer. Satellite propagators and two line elements necessary for satellite tracking are provided on several Internet sites. Strategically placing these small portable telescope systems around the world enables users to acquire worldwide space object coverage and to be geographically diverse. This is also a cost effective way to provide necessary data to users.