Abstract: A method and apparatus for cognitive non-linear radar processing comprising identifying one or more frequency bands of interest, passively scanning, using a non-linear radar (NR), the one or more frequency bands of interest to determine whether interference signals are occupying the one or more bands, transmitting radar waveforms and receiving radar waveform responses at one or more frequency bands determined to be free of interference, determining a likelihood of a target being present or not based on whether the received waveform responses match stored waveform responses for non-linear targets, and modifying waveform parameters of the transmitted radar waveform when the received waveform responses match the stored waveform responses, so as to transmit a modified radar waveform.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator comprising at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; first and second conductors operatively connected to the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal adapted to be connected to a voltage source to modulate light passing there through; whereby light is modulated by passing through the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal. A method for modulating light comprising providing at least one at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; providing first and second conductors operatively connected to the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal adapted to be connected to a voltage source to modulate light passing there through; providing an interrogating light beam striking at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; modulating light passing through the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; and receiving a modulated light beam.

Abstract: Methods of adjusting the mechanical properties of a polymeric material may include forming a polymer network having a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links, wherein the polymer network has a shear storage modulus of greater than about 4×104 Pa; and heating the polymer network using a heat source to dissociate the reversible cross-links, wherein heating the polymer network reduces the shear storage modulus to less than about 4×104 Pa. In some embodiments, a polymeric material may include a polymer network comprising a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links that are dissociable with the application of a stimulus and associable with the removal of the stimulus, wherein the shear storage modulus of the polymer network is less than about 4×104 Pa in the presence of the stimulus and greater than about 4×104 Pa in the absence of the stimulus.

Abstract: A binary or higher order high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-tantalum based metallic system according to embodiments of the invention may be formed of: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal that comprises 70 to 100 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; and a solute of tantalum (Ta) metal dispersed in the solvent metal, that comprises 0.01 to 15 at. % of the metallic system. The metallic system is thermally stable, with the absence of substantial gross grain growth, such that the internal grain size of the solvent metal is substantially suppressed to no more than about 250 nm at approximately 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent metal and the solute metal remains substantially uniformly dispersed in the solvent metal at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems may include: subjecting powder metals of solvent and the solute to a high-energy milling process using a high-energy milling device to impart high impact energies to its contents.

Abstract: A method of substantially offsetting polarization charges in an electronic device having a heterobarrier comprising providing a substrate; providing at least one pair of stacks of semiconductor materials; one of the pair of stacks having one or more of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarity where the total polarization charge is opposite to the other of the pair of stacks; whereby due to the opposing polarities, the polarization is balanced and the pair of stacks operate to store electrical energy.

Abstract: A method of making and a photodetector comprising a substrate; a p-type or n-type layer; first and second region each having polarizations, a first interface therebetween, the magnitudes and directions of the first and second polarizations being such that a scalar projection of second polarization on the growth direction relative to the scalar projection of the first polarization projected onto the growth direction is sufficient to create a first interface charge; and a third region suitable for forming one of an n-metal or p-metal contact thereon having a third polarization, a second interface between the second and third regions, the third polarization having a scalar projection on the growth direction that, relative to scalar projection of the second polarization onto the growth direction, is sufficient to create a second interface charge; the first and second interface charges creating an electrostatic potential barrier to carriers defining a predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a tunable inductor having a magnetic core which has an air gap. In order to vary the inductance of the inductor, the inductor includes a tuner that is moveable relative to the magnetic core in the vicinity of the air gap. An actuator is attached to the tuner which, upon actuation, moves the tuner relative to the magnetic core to thereby vary the spacing between the tuner and the core in the vicinity of the air gap. The variation of the spacing between the tuner and the magnetic core varies the effective air gap of the overall inductor in the desired fashion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include various airfoils constructions, such as airfoils and rotor blades having a continuous trailing-edge flap. According to an embodiment, an airfoil is comprised of a load-bearing structure in the forward portion of the airfoil; a skin to maintain the airfoil shape; a tapered composite structure having one or more actuators extending from the load-bearing structure toward the trailing edge, and joining the skin in the vicinity of the trailing edge; and a core extending from the load-bearing structure connecting the tapered composite structure to the load-bearing structure. In this airfoil, the tapered composite structure tapers from being relatively thick near the core to being relatively thin near the trailing edge. And the one or more actuators are configured to deflect the trailing edge so as to deform the shape of the airfoil cross-section.

Abstract: A composite laser gain medium is comprised of a first rare-earth element doped core; and a second rare-earth element doped cladding, at least partially, adjacent to the core. A portion of the lasing by the cladding at one wavelength within the composite laser gain medium is absorbed by the core so as to cause lasing of the core at a different wavelength. At least two distinct rare earth element pairs may be used in embodiments: (1) thulium (Tm) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and holmium (Ho) as the core rare-earth dopant; and (2) ytterbium (Yb) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and erbium (Er) as the core rare-earth dopant. Other rare earth element pairs are also believed possible. The laser composite gain medium may be configured to have a slab, or a cylindrical geometry.

Abstract: Processes of specifically and effectively labeling an organism are provided. Processes involve the incorporation of a plurality of phenotype neutral tags that are differentially detected where the presence or absence of the tag is represented by a digital readout. The incorporation of stealth tags or insertion tags provides a rapid and population maintaining labeling of an organism that can be readily identified by digital PCR techniques.

Abstract: A method for image processing comprising providing an opening for entrance of light; the light being capable of being formed into an image; providing at least one optical element in an optical train configured to focus light; providing a variable aperture operatively associated with the at least one optical element; the variable aperture being placed in the optical train at an image plane and comprising mask settings for shielding portions of the light; providing an imager; providing at least one processor operatively connected to the variable aperture and imager; the at least one processor configured to control the passage of the light through the variable aperture; selectively masking portions of light using the mask settings of the variable aperture; obtaining image results using the settings; comparing image results obtained by the mask settings, and determining the phase correction that provides the optimal image results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell having an anode; a cathode opposing the anode; a first electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; a second electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an A/C junction electrode disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane, the A/C junction electrode comprising a first gas diffusion layer; a second gas diffusion layer; a current collector disposed between the first gas diffusion layer and the second gas diffusion layer; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the first gas diffusion layer; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second electrolyte membrane and the second gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A system comprising a laser for transmitting a beam of light towards a target area; a controller for controlling the output of the laser; a receiver for collecting reflected pulses of light reflected from the target area, the receiver comprising a plurality of receive elements, each of the receive elements having a different field of view; a combiner for combining the outputs of the receive elements into one composite signal of the target area; an interface circuitry for converting the composite signal into an image; display unit displaying output from interface circuitry.

Abstract: A positive electrode material having a nominal stoichiometry Li1+y/2Co1?x?y?z?dSizFexMyM?d(PO4)1+y/2 where M is a trivalent cation selected from at least one of Cr, Ti, Al, Mn, Ni, V, Sc, La and/or Ga, M? is a divalent cation selected from at least one of Mn, Ni, Zn, Sr, Cu, Ca and/or Mg, y is within a range of 0<y?0.10 and x is within a range of 0?x?0.2. The use of double compositional modification to LiCoPO4 increases the discharge capacity from ˜100 mAh/g to about 130 mAh/g while retaining the discharge capacity retention of the singly Fe-substituted LiCoPO4.

Abstract: This application generally relates to deformable elastomeric conductors and differential signaling transmission techniques. According to one embodiment, a deformable elastomeric conductor is configured to transmit electrical signals. It comprises: an elastomeric polymer matrix; and conductive filler material uniformly dispersed in the elastomeric polymer matrix sufficient to render the material electrically conductive. The conductive filler material may include substantially non-entangled particles having an aspect ratio sufficiently large to enable the particles to substantially remain in contact and/or in close proximity with adjacent particles so as to maintain conductive pathways in the material when the material is subjected to deformation up to and exceeding 10% strain. Thus, over a transmission distance of an electrical signal through the conductor, the transmission does not suffer greater than about 3 dB of signal attenuation when subjected to the deformation.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to deformable polymer composites, and more particularly to, deformable polymer composites with controlled electrical performance during deformation through tailored strain-dependent conductive filler contact. According to embodiments, a deformable elastomeric conductive material includes: an elastomeric polymer matrix; and conductive filler material uniformly dispersed in the elastomeric polymer matrix sufficient to render the material electrically or thermally conductive. The conductive filler material comprises a plurality of substantially non-entangled particles having an aspect ratio sufficiently large to enable the particles to substantially remain in contact and/or in close proximity with adjacent particles so as to maintain conductive pathways in the material when the material is subjected to deformation up to and exceeding 10% strain.

Abstract: Electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composites and methods of preparing same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for preparing an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite may include (1) mixing a polymer, a conductive particulate filler, and a solvent compatible with the polymer to form a non-conductive polymer solution or melt; (2) processing, the non-conductive polymer solution or melt to form a non-conductive polymer network composition; wherein the presence of solvent during three-dimensional network formation manipulates the polymer network structure; and (3) removing the solvent from the non-conductive polymer network composition to form an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite. The altered polymer chain structure present in the non-conductive polymer network composition is maintained in the composite, and offsets the impact of particulate filler addition including increased modulus, decreased elasticity, and decreased elongation at break.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating low pressure hydrogen gas from fuel solutions (i.e., alcohols) without the use of an external power source or external heat source. The apparatus comprises (a) a first chamber for fuel storage having an aperture, (b) a second chamber for the temporary storage of hydrogen gas generated having an aperture, (c) a first electrochemical cell (Cell-1) and (d) a second electrochemical cell (Cell-2). Cell-2 is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber so that its anode is in fluid communication with the first chamber and its cathode is in fluid communication with the second chamber. Cell-1 is disposed on the opposite side of the first chamber from Cell-2 so that the anode therein is in fluid communication with the first chamber, and the cathode therein is in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent. The first chamber is sandwiched between Cell-1 and Cell-2.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to matrix composites comprising high strain-rate sensitive elastomers in a multi-layer construct which provide ballistic-resistant material systems with enhanced protection against blast damage as well as ballistic impact. According to one embodiment, a matrix composite for impact resistance and blast mitigation formed in a multi-layer configuration may include: (a) one or more outer layers comprising poly(urethane urea) having a strain-rate sensitivity characteristic in the range of 1,000/sec to 1,000,000/sec; and (b) one or more inner layers comprising poly(urethane urea) having a strain-rate sensitivity characteristic in the range of 10,000/sec to 1,000,000/sec.

Abstract: A transparent armor construction having a laminate structure with at least two layers. The layers are constructed of two different materials selected from the group of glass, ceramic, resin, polymeric material, and plastic and in which the at least two layers include different coefficients of thermal expansion. The layers are bonded together and a planar frame having an open central section and an outer border is then bonded to the laminate structure. The material for the planar frame is selected so that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the laminate layer to which it is bonded.