Abstract: A technique to assist guidance techniques for a free-flying inspection vehicle for inspecting a host satellite. The method solves analytically in closed form for relative motion about a circular primary for solutions that are non-drifting, i.e., the orbital periods of the two vehicles are equal, computes the impulsive maneuvers in the primary radial and cross-track directions, and parameterizes these maneuvers and obtain solutions that satisfy constraints, for example collision avoidance or direction of coverage, or optimize quantities, such as time or fuel usage. Apocentral coordinates and a set of four relative orbital parameters are used. The method separates the change in relative velocity (maneuvers) into radial and crosstrack components and uses a waypoint technique to plan the maneuvers.

Abstract: A method of introducing a bandgap in single layer graphite on a SiO2 substrate comprising the steps of preparing graphene flakes and CVD grown graphene films on a SiO2/Si substrate and performing hydrogenation of the graphene. Additionally, controlling the majority carrier type via surface adsorbates.

Abstract: An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. Optical sensors can be arranged on parallel flow conduits, with each sensor configured to image a different particle size range.

Abstract: A method and system for determining bending angle and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting on a moving vehicle, including receiving a first GPS signal from a first GPS satellite having an apparent position less than 10 degrees above the horizon; determining a true position of the first GPS satellite from information encoded in the first GPS signal; the first and second antennae receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites located more than 15 degrees above the horizon; determining an orientation of a baseline between the first and second antennae based on a phase difference of a carrier frequency of the GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites positioned at least 15 degrees above the horizon; determining an apparent position of the first GPS satellite from the first GPS signal and the baseline orientation; and determining the bending angle by calculating the difference between the elevation angle of the apparent position and the elevation angle of the true position of the first GPS satelli

Abstract: A waveguide device for frequency mixing or conversion through birefringent phase matching, having a horizontal waveguide suspended above a substrate. The waveguide is formed of a zinc blende type III-V semiconductor material with a high nonlinear susceptibility.

Abstract: A space solar power system that has sun-tracking curved reflectors, such as off-axis parabolic reflectors, a secondary reflector, and a power conversion module for converting the sunlight into microwave energy and transmit the energy to remote locations. The power conversion module can have a modular stepped conical shape, with additional radiator area configured in vertical sidewalls, horizontal radiator panels, or both. Hinged, fold-out units can house the microwave conversion electronics and the antenna for transmitting the microwave radiation to the remote ground station.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the span-wise rotational twist of a hollow beam along its longitudinal axis, including a hollow beam structure having a leading edge and a trailing edge region, the beam being split along its length, an actuator arranged between split surfaces of the beam, the actuator adapted to move the split surfaces in a longitudinal direction relative to each other, inducing a twist in the beam. The hollow beam is affixed to an external structure at one or both ends, with only the zero warping displacement points of the beam being attached to the external structure, material or device. In one embodiment, the actuator is a plurality of solid blocks with high thermal expansion coefficients arranged between frames of the split surfaces of the beam, with alternating blocks being heated by resistance heaters to cause expansion in the spanwise longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A recursive hexapod testing machine for mechanical testing of deformable material specimens under six degrees of freedom multiaxial loading. The machine includes a fixed base, a movable base connected to the fixed base at by a hexapod arrangement of six linearly extendable actuator linkages, with an end of each linkages attached to the movable base and the other end of the linkage attached to the fixed base. Each actuator linkage includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston, a digitally-controlled electro-hydraulic servo-valve for actuating the hydraulic cylinder in response to a digital command string, a load cell in line between the piston and the universal joint attached to the movable base, a linear variable displacement transducer for measuring extension of the piston, and a magneto-resistive position transducer for measuring a position of the piston. The servo-valves extend each hydraulic cylinder a predetermined amount to effect a desired motion of the material specimen.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a photonic bad gap fiber and/or fiber preform with a central structured region comprising a first non-silica based glass and a jacket comprising a second non-silica based glass surrounding the central structured region, where the Littleton softening temperature of the second glass is at least one but no more than ten degrees Celsius lower than the Littleton softening temperature of the first glass, or where the base ten logarithm of the glass viscosity in poise of the second glass is at least 0.01 but no more than 2 lower than the base ten logarithm of the glass viscosity in poise of the first glass at a fiber draw temperature. Also disclosed is a method of making a photonic bad gap fiber and/or fiber preform.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of making a hollow-core photonic band gap preform from a specialty glass by pressing a specialty glass through a die to form a tube wherein the outer transverse shape of the tube is a hexagon, triangle, quadrilateral, or other polygon; stretching the tube to form a micro-tube with approximately the same outer transverse shape as the tube; stacking a plurality of micro-tubes into a bundle minimizing voids between adjacent micro-tubes and forming a central longitudinal void wherein the plurality of micro-tubes within the bundle comprise an inner structured region of the preform and the central void of the bundle comprises a hollow core in the preform; and inserting the bundle into a jacket tube. Also disclosed are the hollow-core photonic band gap preform and fiber formed by this method.

Abstract: Improved orbit/covariance estimation and analysis (OCEAN) system and method are presented utilizing ground station observations collected from satellites passing overhead to estimate the positions, velocities, and other parameters of multiple satellites using weighted least squares (WLS) batch and/or Kalman filter smoothing (KFS) estimation algorithms to estimate each parameter, with or without a priori knowledge of the errors involved with each observed parameter.

Abstract: A composite material formulated for slow release of a small molecule in seawater includes a porous inorganic oxide framework and micelles embedded within the pores of the framework. The micelles include a surfactant and a small molecule, the surfactant being present in the composite material at no more than 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight inorganic oxide, the composite material being stable in seawater for releasing the small molecule over at least 20 days.

Abstract: A modulating retroreflector system includes a modulating retroreflector having a plurality of multiple quantum well modulator pixels and at least one transimpedance amplifier. The transimpedance amplifier receives a photocurrent generated by at least one of the plurality of modulator pixels. Each pixel is capacitively coupled to a current driver, which applies a high frequency digital electrical signal to the pixel when the voltage at the output of the transimpedance amplifier exceeds a threshold value. The modulated output of the retroreflector is reflected toward the source of the received optical beam. The system activates high frequency current drivers for only the illuminated pixels, eliminating the need for a separate angle of incidence sensor and reducing power requirements.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of navigation. In on embodiment, a plurality of position and motion states of a vehicle are estimated. The states may be estimated based on information received from a satellite receiver and an inertial measurement sensor. Estimating the states comprises performing one or more of a plurality of update steps at the rate that information is received from the satellite receiver. The states are estimated at a rate greater than the rate at which the update steps are performed. In one embodiment, the states are estimated using a stepped extended Kalman filter.

Abstract: A method for covalent attachment of peptides to luminescent quantum dots or other inorganic nanoparticles. The first step in the method involves functionalizing at least a portion of a surface of the quantum dot or nanoparticle with one or more materials having at least one reactive functional group therein. Subsequently, a peptide having a reactive functional group is reacted with at least some of the quantum dot or nanoparticle reactive functional groups to covalently bond at least some of the peptide to the quantum dots or nanoparticles. Modifications of the basic method are disclosed which provide methods allowing customized fabrication of quantum dots having a variety of different functional properties and combinations of functional properties. Also disclosed are quantum dots and nanoparticles made by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: An electro-optic device with a doped semiconductor base and a plurality of pixels on the semiconductor base. Pixels include oppositely doped semiconductor layer and a top electrode formed on the oppositely doped semiconductor layer. The top electrode has a grid pattern with at least one busbar and a plurality of fingers extending from the busbar, and spacing between the fingers decreases with distance from the bondpad along the busbar. Each pixel can also include a multiple quantum well formed on the semiconductor base. The top electrode shape produces an approximately uniform lateral resistance in the pixel. An embodiment is a large area modulator for modulating retro-reflector systems, which typically use large area surface-normal modulators with large lateral current flow. Uniform resistance to each part of the modulator decreases location dependence of frequency response. A chirped grid electrode balances semiconductor sheet resistance and metal line resistance components of the series resistance.

Abstract: A hexafluorodimethylcarbinol terminated compound, method of making it, and a composition of matter are disclosed. The compound may have the formula (CF3)2C(OH)-L-M-R. The substructure L may be selected from an optionally substituted propenylene group (—CH2CH?CH—) and trimethylene group (—CH2CH2CH2—). The substructure M may be selected from a substituted or unsubstituted methylene chain, a substituted or unsubstituted oxyalkylene chain, and a silicon-containing chain or combination thereof. In one embodiment, M may be selected from —(CH2)n—, —(OCH2CH2)m—, and —(Si(CH3)2O)p—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)q—, wherein n is at least 1, e.g., n is up to 10, m can be at least 1, e.g., m is up to 10, p can be 0 and in one embodiment is from 1 to 10, and wherein q can be 1 and in one embodiment is from 1 to 12. The substructure R represents one of a halogen, —SH, —SZ, —S—S-M-L-C(CF3)2(OH), wherein Z represents a thiol protecting group.

Abstract: An intensity-based fiber optic temperature sensor having a fiber probe with a multimode transmit/receive fiber, a reflector spaced apart from the end of the fiber, and a housing affixed at its ends to the fiber probe and reflector, the housing having a larger or smaller thermal expansion coefficient than those of the fiber probe and reflector. Temperature changes cause a change in the gap distance between the fiber end and the reflector, changing the amount of reflected light coupled into the optical fiber. Temperature sensors can also have a fiber probe with two or more multimode receiving fibers surrounding a transmitting fiber. Other temperature sensors include a fiber probe with a multimode transmitting fiber, a reference multimode receiving fiber and a sensing multimode receiving fiber for reducing noise effects.

Abstract: Peptide nanotube polymers and methods of making such are disclosed. The peptide nanotube polymers comprise of alternating monomers of the first peptide ring and monomers of the second peptide ring covalently bonded to one another via a linker, and can be functionalized. The described peptide nanotube polymers can enjoy the combined properties of healing and toughness, self-reporting, and tunability and actuation.

Abstract: Hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride, also called Cohex, reduces the extent of viral infection, including difficult to treat infections caused by Ebola virus and HIV. Disclosed are methods for treating a viral infection, comprising administering to a patient a cobalt(III) hexammine compound in an amount effective to reduce an extent of a viral infection. Also disclosed are kits for delivery of a cobalt(III) hexammine compound by injection.