Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and system for particle entrained fluid sampling. The invention is specifically directed to a system capable of sampling a high pressure and/or high flow rate fluid flow system using a means for applying pressure or suction to the fluid sample in the fluid sampling system operatively connected to a sample extractor and a sample analysis device. The means for applying pressure or suction is adjustable to provide control over the sample flow in the fluid sampling system. The fluid sampling system of the present invention may be particularly applicable to monitoring the condition of hydraulic and lubrication systems.

Abstract: A sheath flow system having a channel with at least one fluid transporting structure located in the top and bottom surfaces situated so as to transport the sheath fluid laterally across the channel to provide sheath fluid fully surrounding the core solution. At the point of introduction into the channel, the sheath fluid and core solutions flow side by side within the channel or the core solution may be bounded on either side by the sheath fluid. The system is functional over a broad channel size range and with liquids of high or low viscosity. The design can be readily incorporated into microfluidic chips without the need for special manufacturing protocols.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, computer-readable medium, and apparatus for identifying a boundary of a cluster in a bitmap, the bitmap having at least one initially set bit, for applying an expansion shape to each of the initially set bits in the bitmap and identifying vertex bits on the boundary of the cluster formed by at least one expansion shape.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for detecting acceleration or displacement includes a fiber optic probe with a multimode transmitting optical fiber, a multimode receiving optical fiber and a edge reflector spaced apart from the fiber probe. The reflector moves in a transverse direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic probe, so the amount of light received by the receiving fiber indicates a relative acceleration or a relative displacement of the reflective surface with respect to the fiber probe in the transverse direction of motion of the edge of the reflector. The reflector can be mounted on a cantilever beam. The sensor can have one transmitting fiber, two receiving fiber, and a reflector with two edges, each edge partially covering one of the receiving fibers. A triaxial sensor system has at least two two-fiber sensors.

Abstract: A miniature, lightweight, inexpensive, environmental monitoring system containing a number of sensors that can simultaneously and continuously monitor fluorescence, absorbance, conductivity, temperature, and several ions. Sensors that monitor similar parameters can cross-check data to increase the likelihood that a problem with the water will be discovered.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a bending angle and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting. An array of antennas is used in order to form an interferometer. The interferometer receives signals from GPS satellites and uses the index of infraction in order to determine a bending angle of the GPS signals and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for interconnecting multiple fluid conduits in a microfluidic environment. The device is typically used to make a low-pressure fluidic connector system for microfluidic applications. A male connector component containing an array of conical nozzles having through holes is connected to fluidic tubing. A female connector component supports an elastomer membrane having an array of receptacles complementary to the nozzles. Through holes through the female connector and membrane are also connected to fluidic tubing. The conical nozzles are aligned with membrane receptacles and a connecting mechanism evenly distributes a compressive force between the male and female components to establish a fluid-tight seal between the nozzles and the membrane.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulas below. R is an aromatic-containing group. Each M is an alkali metal. Each m is a positive integer. The value of n is a positive integer. The value p is 0 or 1. If p is 0 then n is 1. A thermoset made by curing a composition containing the below phthalonitrile monomers. A method of reacting a diphenyl acetylene compound with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the above oligomer. A method of reacting a phenoxyphthalonitrile with an acetylene compound to form the phthalonitrile monomer below.

Abstract: The biosensor comprises a modular biorecognition element and a modular flexible arm element. The biorecognition element and the flexible arm element are each labeled with a signaling element. The flexible arm contains an analog of an analyte of interest that binds with the biorecognition element, bringing the two signaling elements in close proximity, which establishes a baseline fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). When an analyte of interest is provided to the biosensor, the analyte will displace the analyte analog, and with it, the signaling module of the modular flexible arm, causing a measurable change in the FRET signal in a analyte concentration dependent manner. The modularity of different portions of the biosensor allows functional flexibility. The biosensor operates without additional development reagents, requiring only the presence of analyte or target for function.

Abstract: A thermoset and method of making such by crosslinking a mixture of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane having pendent siloxane groups or unsaturated carbon bonds and a siloxylcarborane compound having unsaturated carbon bonds.

Abstract: A computer based system and method for real-time display of co-registered historical and current side scan sonar imagery during a side scan sonar survey. Embodiments also include modules for detection of clutter in the current imagery, identification of features, extraction of snippets, filtering based on predetermined size and shape parameters, and determination if a current feature is the same as a previously identified contact from historical imagery.

Abstract: A micro aerial vehicle can be converted during flight between a fixed wing flight mode and a rotary wing flight mode. The canard design micro aerial vehicle includes a fuselage, two tiltable propellers and airfoils arranged at a forward portion of fuselage, a pair of coaxial drive shafts positioned aft of the tiltable propeller and airfoil arranged for contra-rotation, a stop rotor mechanism, and a pair of wing panels, each of the wing panels attached to one of the coaxial drive shafts. The wing panels act as contra-rotating rotor blades in the rotary wing flight mode, and act as fixed wing panels in the fixed wing mode.

Abstract: Materials and structures whose index of refraction can be tuned over a broad range of negative and positive values by applying above band-gap photons to a structure with a strip line element, a split ring resonator element, and a substrate, at least one of which is a photoconductive semiconductor material. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include applying above band-gap photons to different numbers of elements. In another embodiment, a structure includes a photoconductive semiconductor wafer, the wafer operable to receive above band-gap photons at an excitation frequency in an excitation pattern on a surface of the wafer, the excitation patterns generating an effective negative index of refraction. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include projecting different numbers of elements on the wafer. The resonant frequency of the structure is tuned by changing the size of the split ring resonator excitation patterns.

Abstract: Body armor for ballistic protection of a user's extremities preferably comprising right and left arm protection units and/or right and left leg protection units. The units include a ballistic protection material which preferably covers most of the user's upper arm, elbow region, lower arm, shoulder, upper leg, knee region, and lower leg except for ventilation zones preferably located on the inner portion of the upper arm and the inner part of the upper leg. The back of the knee is preferably covered by a protective flap.

Abstract: Materials and structures whose index of refraction can be tuned over a broad range of negative and positive values by applying above band-gap photons to a structure with a strip line element, a split ring resonator element, and a substrate, at least one of which is a photoconductive semiconductor material. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include applying above band-gap photons to different numbers of elements. In another embodiment, a structure includes a photoconductive semiconductor wafer, the wafer operable to receive above band-gap photons at an excitation frequency in an excitation pattern on a surface of the wafer, the excitation patterns generating an effective negative index of refraction. Methods for switching between positive and negative values of n include projecting different numbers of elements on the wafer. The resonant frequency of the structure is tuned by changing the size of the split ring resonator excitation patterns.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube composition and method of making the same. The composition is made by: heating a precursor composition under a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere to form a carbon composition of carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon; and calcining the carbon composition in the presence of oxygen to oxidize and vaporize the amorphous carbon without oxidizing the carbon nanotubes. The precursor composition includes a mixture or complex of a transition metal compound and an organic compound that chars at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of prophylaxis against viral infection of a cell or subject or a method of treating a subject infected with a virus including administering an antiviral composition having the general Structure III, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is the same or different and includes an N-based ligand donor atom selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amine or secondary amine, or salt thereof. The present invention is also generally directed to a method of preparing an antiviral agent including providing a cobalt pentammine salt having a non-amine coordination site and mono-substituting the non-amine coordination site with a functional group incorporating a strong coordinator atom to cobalt to form a CoHex structure of Structure III, in which R1 incorporates the functional group having the strong coordinator atom coordinated with the cobalt atom, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A composition having proanthocyanidin compounds having an average degree of polymerization of at least about 6. A method of administering to an immunosuppressed patient or a patient diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock a composition having a proanthocyanidin. A method of administering to a patient diagnosed with a gram negative bacterial infection a composition having proanthocyanidin compounds having an average degree of polymerization of at least about 6.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: Each R1 is C1-C3 alkyl group or fluoridated C1-C3 alkyl group. The value n is a positive integer. Each R2 is alkylene group or polyethylene glycol group. Y1 is hydrogen, quaternary ammonium-containing group, or phenol-containing group. Y2 is quaternary ammonium-containing group or phenol-containing group. The quaternary ammonium-containing group is non-aromatic and contains no more than one quaternary ammonium.

Abstract: A composition having: a proanthocyanidin; and a macromolecule, an assembly of macromolecules, a semi-solid, or a solid surface to which the proanthocyanidini is immobilized.