Abstract: Systems and methods for growth of silicon carbide over a layer comprising graphene and/or hexagonal boron nitride, and related articles, are generally described. In some embodiments, a SiC film is fabricated over a layer comprising graphene and/or hexagonal boron nitride, which in turn is disposed over a substrate. The layer and/or the substrate may be lattice-matched with the SiC film to reduce defect density in the SiC film. The fabricated SiC film may then be removed from the substrate via, for example, a stressor attached to the SiC film. In certain cases, the layer serves as a reusable platform for growing SiC films and also serves a release layer that allows fast, precise, and repeatable release at the layer surface.

Abstract: A compact modular mount is provided for mechanically compensating for focal distance change on a table due to thermal expansion. The mount includes first and second rings, a plurality of spacers and a plurality of bolts. The second material has a multi-factor higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first material. Each of the first and second rings has a plurality of holes for receiving the bolts. The spacers each include symmetrically arranged plates hinging to adjacent segments. The bolts maintain angular alignment of the rings.

Abstract: A test fixture is provided for containing a pair of test samples (i.e., sample pair) that contact each other along an interface. The fixture receives exposure to laser emission for radiative heating while providing compression to the sample pair. The text fixture includes a housing, an isolation container, and a compressor. The housing has an axial cavity with annular cross-sections including an internal helical thread portion and a window for receiving the laser emission. The isolation container receives the sample pair. The container inserts into the axial cavity and including an opening for disposition adjacent to the window. The compressor has circular cross-sections for insertion into the axial cavity and includes an external helical thread portion for engaging the internal helical thread portion of the housing. Axial pressure applies to the isolation container by turning the compressor inside the axial cavity. The isolation container provides thermal insulation from the housing and the compressor.

Abstract: A method for improving performance of a superconducting, flux-quantizing analog to digital converter (SFADC), comprising the following steps. The first step involves providing a known digitally-modulated signal as an input to the SFADC. Another step provides for generating an output with the SFADC based on the known digitally-modulated signal. Another step provides for comparing the characteristics of the output with ideal characteristics to identify an individual rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) element of the SFADC that is contributing one or more of noise and error to the output. Another step provides for altering one or more of a bias, a delay, and a temperature of the individual RSFQ element to reduce one or more of the noise and the error.

Abstract: Disclosed is a natural language processing pipeline that analyzes and processes a corpus of textual data to automatically create a knowledge graph containing the corpus entities such as subjects and object and their relationships such as predicates or verbs. The pipeline is configured as an end-to-end neural Open Schema Construction pipeline having a coreference resolution module, an open information extraction (OIE) module, and an entity canonicalization module. The processed textual data is input to a graph database to create the knowledge graph displayable through a graphical user interface. In operation, the pipeline modules serve to create a single term for all entity mentions in the corpus that reference the same entity through coreference resolution, extract all subject-predicate-object triplets from the coreference resolved corpus through OIE, and then canonicalize the corpus by clustering each entity mention to a canonical form for mapping to the knowledge graph and display.

Abstract: Provided is a blast-free alternative tool for breaching operations for the intended purpose of cutting metal, including rebar, steel cables, I-beams, thin walled containers, welding doors, and the like. The apparatus includes a flexible and cuttable tube containing metal oxide/metal (thermite) mixture, capable of being formed around a target material and of NONEL ignition. The apparatus can be used to cut, weld, or ignite target material. Protective caps are included with provisions to insert shock tube or time fuse to transmit ignition to first fire mix. A fire proof or flame retardant flexible outerwrap with adhesive (such as hydrogel) or malleable retention wires covers the cutting ribbon for heat and slag retention. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is issued/manufactured in rolls or precut lengths.

Abstract: Provided is a gyroscope stabilized gimbal assembly for collecting and timestamping video data and laser measurement data. The assembly can be used on multiple platforms and provides an ISR video camera system and one or more laser measurement devices, including photodetectors, thermopiles, filters, and analog to digital converters. The components are mounted to a bracket that can be installed and removed from the assembly to collect/record measurement data from the devices interacting with the laser beam. A processor collects and records measurement data from the devices interacting with the laser beam and calculates optical power data, irradiance data, and wavelength data. A storage device stores a first set of data comprising video data from said camera system and a second set of data comprising optical power data, irradiance data, and wavelength data, wherein said first and second set of data are timestamped, separated, and not comingled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a firearm projectile capable of releasing a secondary payload mid-flight through a pyrotechnic timing mechanism. Once the firearm is fired, the powder in the casing pushes out the projectile as a typical round. In addition, the powder ignites the delay column. The formulation and amount of delay pyrotechnics determines the delay time. When the delay column is burned, the final portion ignites an expelling charge. The expelling charge builds pressure in the projectile casing and separates the base plug from the main projectile housing. The expelling assembly pushes out the secondary payload out the rear of the projectile. Although the payload exits the rear of the projectile at minimum velocity, the net velocity of the payload is still in the forward direction.

Abstract: Provided is an ammunition canister system that includes a can with an open interior and a mounting plate. A first and a second interior divider form three interior ammunition storage bays, while a three-to-one transition feed tray transitions belted ammunition contained in the bays to a single feed chute. The base of the can further includes loading pins, quick release locks, and lock pins, while the mounting plate includes mounting apertures, loading guides, quick release lock pin receiving apertures, and pin accepting apertures on the second side. The loading pins interface with the loading guides, the quick release locks interface with the quick release lock pin receiving apertures, and the lock pins interface with the pin accepting apertures to secure the ammunition canister to the mounting plate. The mounting plate enables the can to be mounted to the deck of helicopter or another vehicle.

Abstract: Magnon excitation and detection systems, apparatus, and methods are provided. The systems and apparatus may include magnon exciters and magnon detectors. The systems and apparatus are used in accordance with methods for exciting and detecting magnons.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic classification of information in an adversarial machine learning setting. For example, a learner that includes multiple classifiers may perform data classification automatically. Each classifier may be trained with adversarial data of a different strength. For a given query to be classified, the learner is configured to intelligently select a classifier that is commensurate with the adversarial strength of the data inside the query, without explicit knowledge of that data or its adversarial strength.

Abstract: A water submersion detection system that may include a buoyant device having a conductive surface, and a housing enclosing the buoyant device and having conductive elements. The conductive elements may include a first set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected, and a second set of one or more nonadjacent conductive elements that are electrically connected. The system may include a submersion alert device that activates responsive to the buoyant device contacting the housing.

Abstract: An in-situ bollard tester. The in-situ bollard tester may comprise: a frame, cable, and tensioner. The frame is preferably adapted to mount onto a pier or wharf and around a bollard to provide structural support for the cable and tensioner. The frame may comprise a rectangular frame, pair of hanging columns, pair of jacks and pair of legs. The pair of jacks are coupled near proximal corners of the rectangular frame and are vertically disposed. The hanging columns are coupled near distal corners of the rectangular frame. The pair of legs are coupled at the lower ends of the hanging columns and are disposed in a horizontal manner. The tensioner may be coupled above the rectangular frame. The cable may fasten to the bollard, and the tensioner may apply tension to the cable at various load angles in order to test the integrity of the bollard.

Abstract: A tera-sample-per-second waveform generator comprising: a first transmission line having a terminated end and an output end; an anti-reflection load coupled to the terminated end of the first transmission line; a plurality of current sources, wherein each current source is configured to inject current into the first transmission line; and a second transmission line configured to feed the first transmission line with a seed signal through the plurality of current sources such that the second transmission line has a different time delay between current sources than the first transmission line, wherein the seed signal triggers the current sources to inject current into the first transmission line in order to generate an output waveform.

Abstract: Provided is a radar and communications enhanced sail for a sailboat, sail ship, or sail drone. The sail includes a first sail section comprising an active communication system, a second sail section comprising a passive communication system, or a combination thereof. The active communication system includes an antenna array (transceiver) and a software-defined radio (SDR), while the passive communication system comprises a reflective panel or sections and/or array of reflector panels or sections. The active system utilizes its SDR and transceiver to communicate back and forth with an onshore SDR and transceiver to provide information as necessary. The passive system receives a radar signal via the reflective material on the sail and reflects the signal back at the radar, which produces a radar cross section indicating that there is an object (in this case the sailboat) in the ocean.

Abstract: A method for growing nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) on Ga2O3 to provide thermal management in Ga2O3-based devices. A protective SiNx interlayer is deposited on the Ga2O3 before growth of the NCD layer to protect the Ga2O3 from damage caused during growth of the NCD layer. The presence of the NCD provides thermal management and enables improved performance of the Ga2O3-based device.

Abstract: An in-situ method for changing surface features of a metal workpiece. An electrically conductive workpiece is immersed in a bath containing an electrolyte solution devoid of ions corresponding to the workpiece. A counter electrode is immersed in the bath. An electric power supply is connected to the workpiece and the counter electrode. An electric current is passed in a first direction between the workpiece and the counter electrode, while the workpiece serves as an anode. The electric current polarity is reversed to pass the electric current in a second direction between the metallic workpiece and the electrode, while the workpiece serves as a cathode. The electric current polarity in the first direction drives ions from the workpiece into the electrolyte solution, and the electric current polarity in the second direction plates the ions onto the workpiece in the same bath.

Abstract: Provided is a tool for providing long distance shooters with the ability to receive information from others in the field to adjust their weapon system for the best advantage based on distance, location, and range. The tool may implemented as an application on a mobile device such as a smart phone, for example, making the tool light weight, space efficient, and portable for use in the field. The communication ability allows for tracking shooting partners as well as on-the-spot coordination. The tool further provides range markings, yard lines, and topographic data that allow the shooter to make decisions based on real time data. Shooters are therefore afforded a tool that is portable, easy to use, and flexible enough to use in high-pressure environments.

Abstract: A sandwich cable fairing designed for attachment to cables that are towed at operational speeds by marine vessels. The sandwich cable fairing has a design that combines layers of elastic and damping materials. The fairing dampens the vibration caused when the cable is towed at operational speeds. The outer layers (“bread”) of the fairing are made from a material with a modulus of elasticity that provides a desired amount of stiffness. In the middle of the sandwich cable fairing is damping layer made from a viscoelastic material. The layering of materials allows the fairing to have the flexibility to be crushed by cable equipment while maintaining the requisite stiffness to reducing flapping and the resulting vibration.

Abstract: A system for supplying hydrogen gas to a lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicle includes a manifold having multiple vessels. Each vessel has a first chamber that is separated from a second chamber by a barrier. A trigger assembly integrated with the barrier allows a liquid to be combined with a reactant and a catalyst in the second chamber to form a chemical reaction to generate hydrogen gas. A pressure relief valve located on each vessel opens to allow the hydrogen gas to exit when a predetermined pressure is reached, and the hydrogen gas is supplied to the LTA vehicle connected to the manifold.