Abstract: An active matching network for impedance matching to a miniature antenna, comprising a cross-coupled transistor pair, where each transistor has an emitter, base and collector, the emitter of a first transistor forms an input terminal, the emitter of a second transistor forms on output terminal, the collector of the first transistor coupled to the base of the second transistor, the collector of the second transistor coupled to the base of the first transistor, and a matching circuit coupled between the collectors of the first and second transistors. The matching network is configured to match an impendence near resonance of the high Q miniature antenna to an input impedance using a complex negative impedance comprising resistance, inductance and capacitance.

Abstract: A solid particulate reactive sorbent for decontaminating toxic chemical and biological agents and its method of making. The reactive sorbent comprising a plurality of aggregates formed from linked hydrophilic nanoparticles and individual nanoparticles that bind at least one detoxifier, such that the sorbent absorbs the agents, allowing the detoxifier to oxidize and decontaminate the agents for removal. More preferably, the hydrophilic nanoparticles comprise fumed silica and the detoxifier comprises hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A small lightweight weapon system for integration into an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a weapon operating group which utilizes blowback operation to fire a full-powered centerfire rifle ammunition. An operating rod of the weapon operating group has an axis of translation offset from the longitudinal axis of the barrel thereby creating a moment couple on the system. A motor assembly controls the operation of the weapon operating group. Through a gear train, actuation of the motor assembly lifts a sear against a return torsion spring, which holds the operating group back when not firing. The gear train comprises a one way flywheel disconnect to increase the torque of the direct current motor and overcome the force of the torsion spring. Intelligent motor commutation and burst control are achieved through an encoder and software package.

Abstract: A cold-tunnel system is disclosed for recovery of thermal emissivity of extended targets. The cold-tunnel system is comprised of an infrared camera having a thermal imaging lens; an aperture plate having a hole aligned with the thermal imaging lens; four cold-wall panels assembled in a box pattern as a cold-tunnel assembly to form a cold tunnel; an air-blowing desiccator affixed to each cold-wall panel; an external liquid chiller to chill a reservoir of working fluid; a target under test; and an extended source blackbody reference disposed directly behind the target under test.

Abstract: An inductive driver circuit with improved speed of clamping down a powered solenoid element, which solenoid exhibits inductive properties, for purposes of rapid shut down of the solenoid.

Abstract: A composition having the structure of formula I: [R—Ar—(COOH)2]x[Ar—(COOH)3]2-xM32+??(I) is provided where M is Mn, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn, Cd, Ni, or Pt; R is a bromine, nitro, a primary amine, C1-C4 alkyl secondary amine, C1-C4 alkyl oxy, Br—(C1-C4 alkyl), NO2—(C1-C4 alkyl), a mercaptan, and reaction products of any of the aforementioned with acyl chlorides of the formulas: CH3(CH2)mC(O)Cl, or CH3(CH(C1-C4 alkyl)CH2)mC(O)Cl, or CH3(CH2)m-Ph-(CH2)pC(O)Cl, where Ph is a C6 phenyl or C6 phenyl with one or more hydrogens replaced with F, C1-C4 fluoroalkyl, or C1-C4 perfluoroalkyl; m is independently in each occurrence an integer of 0 to 12 inclusive; p is an integer of 0 to 36 inclusive, to form an amide, a thioamide, or an ester; Ar is a 1,3,5-modified phenyl, and 1.4>x>0. A process of synthesis thereof and the use to chemically modify a gaseous reactant are also provided.

Abstract: Time delay devices for producing tunable time delays in optical signals. Cascades of the time delay devices can be used for beam steering in phased-array antennas. The time delay may be produced by selecting a time delay between an input and output of the time delay device from any of the time delay obtained by all four-port switches of the time delay device being in an OFF state and time delays obtainable by switching any one of the four-port switches to an ON state; and producing the selected time delay between the input and output of the time delay device by performing any of avoiding an application of an electrical control signal to any of electro-optic switch elements of the time delay device and applying the electrical control signal to one of the electro-optic switch elements that corresponds to a four-port coupler corresponding to the selected time delay.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) useful, for example, for gas adsorption, storage, and/or separation. Also provided are methods of making the MOFs, articles of manufacture incorporating the MOFs and methods for making these, as well as methods of using the MOFs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for predicting the future magnetic alignment of a runway. Extrapolating from previous historical records, the future trajectory of the Earth's eccentric geomagnetic axial pole (“ED”) is predicted. With that predicted trajectory as the basis, the future azimuthal change between the location of the ED and the location of an airfield is calculated. At the location of the airfield, a future change in the declination between true north and geomagnetic north is then calculated based on the predicted azimuthal change. The predicted change in declination then becomes the predicted change in magnetic alignment of any runway at the airfield. By predicting future changes in the magnetic alignment of a runway, preparations for changing the name of the runway can be made.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical cell, which may be used for advanced rechargeable batteries. The electrochemical cell comprises two or more electrodes within an electrolyte solution, where the electrolyte solution containing (i) an aliphatic or cyclic sulfone and (ii) a metal perfluoroalkylsulfonylimide salt.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna includes an S-band substrate; an S-band annular ring on the S-band substrate; an X-band substrate in the S-band substrate; and an X-band patch located in a center of the S-band annular ring and on the X-band substrate. The S-band annular ring includes a first upper surface, the X-band patch includes a second upper surface, and the first upper surface is planar with the second upper surface. The multi-band antenna includes a second pair of concentric patch antennas arranged in an annular configuration and stacked on the first pair of antennas. The second pair of antennas are placed on the same substrate and are electromagnetically coupled to the first pair of antennas to provide an extended bandwidth capability.

Abstract: A maskless, patterned graphene film is produced through use of a tunable metal as a catalyst for graphene growth. The metal layer contains precisely defined textures that control the formation of the graphene film. Specifically, graphene growth can be controlled from F-LG (few layer graphene) down to 2-LG (2-layer graphene) and 1-LG (1-layer graphene). More than one texture can be created to form maskless patterns of graphene. Once the graphene layer(s) are grown, the film can be released from the metal and applied to any form and shape of rigid or flexible substrate for a variety of different applications where graphene cannot be normally grown directly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring antenna radiation patterns comprising: an array of test antennas coupled to at least one transmitter; an antenna under test located proximate to the array of test antennas and a compressive sensing processor coupled to the antenna under test and the array of test antennas to control signals emitted and received by the antenna under test and the array of test antennas and processing the signals using compressive sensing.

Abstract: A dog respirator including a mask adapted to surround the dog's head and a positive pressure air supply and filter separate from the mask and adapted to be placed on the dog's body away from the dog's head. The air supply and filter may be attached to the dog's back using a harness. The respirator/mask surrounding the dog's head is connected to and receives positive-pressure filtered air from the filtered air supply so that the interior of the mask is maintained at positive pressure relative to atmospheric pressure with filtered air.

Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.

Abstract: In one embodiment employing a vertical draw apparatus, a method of crystallization growth on a substrate surface of a substrate having a substrate material includes: mounting the substrate to a sample holder with the substrate surface facing a liquid surface of a reservoir disposed in a chamber that provides an ambient temperature; seeding the substrate surface with seed droplets; lowering the substrate surface to the liquid surface of the reservoir; independently controlling a temperature of the substrate and a temperature of the reservoir to produce a temperature difference between the substrate and the reservoir over a period of time for crystallization growth; and retracting the substrate surface from the liquid surface of the reservoir at a draw rate. The draw rate and the temperature difference are selected to grow polycrystalline laminate on the substrate surface. Consistent polycrystalline columnar microstructures are formed with appropriate seeding of the substrate surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating energy and a method of operating the apparatus to generate energy, where the apparatus comprises a coil assembly of a pair of coils circumscribing a magnet assembly that is held in a first position until, upon an acceleration event, the magnet moves from the first position to a second position, which imparts inductive energy into the coils.

Abstract: This invention outlines a method for synthesizing a blended resin system in a one pot reaction that may utilize, for example, bio-based anhydrosugars such as isosorbide as a principle component to produce isosorbide dimethacrylate and other monomeric materials for thermosetting applications. This invention establishes a one-pot procedure for reacting a hydroxy group containing compound with methacrylic anhydride in the first step and using the by-product methacrylic acid to react with glycidyl ethers to form additional methacrylate compounds in the second step. This methodology can be formulated to produce a wide array of resin systems that have controlled ratios of hydroxy group containing compound/cross-linker/reactive diluent. Additionally, the novel resin systems may be partially to fully bio-based, promoting global sustainability and reducing costs, and when free radically polymerized have properties that meet or exceed their petroleum derived counterparts.

Abstract: A two piece aerodynamic pusher consisting of a body and tailpiece. This pusher fits into a standard 40 mm cartridge case by means of three sabots. After the cartridge case is functioned, the combustion gases push the projectile forward and ignite a delay column located in the rear of the pusher. Upon muzzle exit, the sabots discard and the pusher continues down range as the delay column burns. Once the delay has burned, a charge located in the pusher body is ignited, pushing the payload out of the front of the projectile. The cap pops off, and the pellets are dispersed. This effectively moves the payload release point from the muzzle until a designated point down range based on the delay length.

Abstract: Processes, compositions, and sensors for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals based on colorimetric changes. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical includes contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide or a porous mixed-metal oxide/hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent is determined to thereby detect exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.