Abstract: An energy efficient window includes a plate of glass having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A polymer aerogel thermal barrier having a first side and a second side is further provided. One of the first side and the second side of the polymer aerogel thermal barrier is located on one of the first side and the second side of the plate glass.

Abstract: Nanofiltration of aqueous solutions or other water-based fluids in various applications, such as desalination, dialysis, seawater purification, for example, may be enhanced through precisely controlling a filtration cutoff within graphene oxide nanofilters. By initially compressing and constraining the stacked thickness of multiple graphene oxide layers deposited between porous substrates, the interlayer gap size, and thus, the filtration cutoff may be adjusted and optimized.

Abstract: An apparatus including an antenna, a first split ring resonator, and a second split ring resonator disclosed. The first split ring resonator located on a first side of the antenna, wherein the first split ring resonator is magnetically coupled to the antenna. The second split ring resonator located on a second side of the antenna, wherein the second split ring resonator is magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: A method of creating a three-dimensional object includes generating a spray from a fluid by stretching the fluid between two diverging surfaces into a fluid filament until the fluid filament breaks into a plurality of droplets and forms the spray, entraining the spray in a carrier gas flow, directing the carrier gas flow toward a target surface through a multi-nozzle array, and repeatedly applying the carrier gas flow on a target surface to form the three-dimensional object by controlling the direction of the carrier gas flow toward the target surface.

Abstract: A metamaterial-based phase shifting element utilizes a variable capacitor (varicap) to control the effective capacitance of a metamaterial structure in order to control the phase of a radio frequency output signal generated by the metamaterial structure. The metamaterial structure is configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby the metamaterial structure emits the output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance applied on metamaterial structure by the varicap is adjustable by way of a control voltage, whereby the output phase is adjusted by way of adjusting the control voltage. The metamaterial structure is constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology including an upper metal “island” structure, a lower metal backplane layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus with structures in a conductive film that let a selected set of RF frequency bands pass through, while blocking the passage of all other frequencies is disclosed. The film may include a first portion of the film and a second portion of the film circumscribing the first portion. The second portion is separated from the first portion by a first gap along a periphery of the first portion of the film and wherein a width of the first gap is associated with a wavelength of a first radio signal.

Abstract: A metamaterials-enhanced solar receiver for a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant includes spectrally-selective metamaterials-enhanced surface features engineered into the sunlight-receiving (upward-facing) surface of a high melting point sunlight absorbing material. The spectrally-selective features include substantially cube-shaped microcavities surrounded by associated interlaced walls disposed in a periodic (waffle-like) array having a grating period in the range of 0.5 to 2 microns, thereby forming a metamaterial structure exhibiting high absorptance efficiency (i.e., above 95%) of incident solar radiation having wavelengths in the visible light spectrum through induced coupling of visible light to the interlaced walls by way of generating surface plasmonic waves that resonate at visible light frequencies, whereby thermal energy is efficiently absorbed into the solar receiver to heat a transfer fluid.

Abstract: Hydrodynamic separation of suspended particles using curved channels offers advantages in many applications, since it is a fast continuous flow technology that can handle neutrally and near neutrally buoyant particles without the need of a physical barrier or the addition of chemical aids. Designs are provided for a flow splitter at the end of the separation channel, to maintain smooth, counter-vortex-free laminar flow and improve particle separation efficiency while reducing clogging and fouling propensities.

Abstract: A desalination and energy storage system comprises at least one water reservoir, at least one negative-ion redox electrode, at least one positive-ion redox electrode, a cation-exchange membrane disposed between the at least one negative-ion redox electrode and the water reservoir, and an anion-exchange membrane disposed between the at least one positive-ion redox electrode and the water reservoir. The at least one water reservoir comprises an input and an output, wherein water in the at least one water reservoir is reduced below a threshold concentration during a desalination operation mode. The at least one negative-ion electrode comprises a first solution and is configured to accept, and have, a reversible redox reaction with at least one negative ion in the water, and the at least one positive-ion electrode comprises a second solution and is configured to accept, and have, a reversible redox reaction with at least one positive ion in the water.

Abstract: A porous material including polymerized units containing pores is provided, which can be employed for desalination applications. Each of the units includes at least one aromatic amino group and at least one hydroxyl group. The aromatic amino groups and the hydroxyl groups are arranged on surfaces of the pores in geometries configured to capture sodium chloride from an aqueous environment. The porous material can be provided as particles or a sponge. The porous material can be manufactured from a solution including monomers, a porogen, and an initiator by a polymerization process. The porous material can be reused after a desalination process by treatment with deionized water. A steam generation apparatus can be employed to facilitate removal of sodium chloride from the porous material in which sodium chloride is captured.

Abstract: An apparatus including an antenna, a first split ring resonator, and a second split ring resonator disclosed. The first split ring resonator located on a first side of the antenna, wherein the first split ring resonator is magnetically coupled to the antenna. The second split ring resonator located on a second side of the antenna, wherein the second split ring resonator is magnetically coupled to the antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus with structures in a conductive film that let a selected set of RF frequency bands pass through, while blocking the passage of all other frequencies is disclosed. The film may include a first portion of the film and a second portion of the film circumscribing the first portion. The second portion is separated from the first portion by a first gap along a periphery of the first portion of the film and wherein a width of the first gap is associated with a wavelength of a first radio signal.

Abstract: A method of creating a three-dimensional object includes generating a spray from a fluid by stretching the fluid between two diverging surfaces into a fluid filament until the fluid filament breaks into a plurality of droplets and forms the spray, entraining the spray in a carrier gas flow, directing the carrier gas flow toward a target surface through a multi-nozzle array, and repeatedly applying the carrier gas flow on a target surface to form the three-dimensional object by controlling the direction of the carrier gas flow toward the target surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a charge pattern on a microchip includes depositing a material on the surface of the microchip, and immersing the microchip in a fluid to develop charge in or on the material through interaction with the surrounding fluid.

Abstract: A lightweight deployable antenna assembly for, e.g., microsatellites including multifilar (e.g., quadrifilar) antenna (MHA) structures rigidly maintained in an array pattern by a lightweight linkage and collectively controlled by a central antenna feed circuit and local antenna feed circuits to perform phased array antenna operations. The linkage is preferably an expandable (e.g., flexural-scissor-grid) linkage capable of collapsing into a retracted/stowage state in which the MHA elements are maintained in a closely-spaced (e.g., hexagonal lattice close-packed) configuration optimized for payload storage. To deploy the antenna for operation, the linkage unfolds (expands) such that the MHA elements are moved away from each other and into an evenly spaced (e.g., wide-spaced hexagonal) pattern optimized for phased array operations. The MHA structures utilize modified helical filar elements including metal plated/printed on polymer/plastic beams/ribbons, or thin-walled metal tubes.

Abstract: A passive radiative cooling system in which an ultra-black emitter includes metamaterial nanostructures disposed on the top surface of a metal sheet, and a conduit structure channels the flow of coolant against a bottom surface of the metal sheet. The metamaterial nanostructures (e.g., tapered nanopores) are configured to dissipate heat from the coolant in the form of emitted radiant energy having wavelengths/frequencies that fall within known atmospheric transparency windows (e.g., 8-13 ?m or 16-28 ?m), the emitted radiant energy being transmitted through a reflective layer into cold near-space. The ultra-black emitter is formed using a modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique followed by electroless plating that forms metal-plated tapered nanopores, and the reflective layer includes a distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: Polymer spray deposition systems and methods are disclosed that can be used with a wide range of thermoplastic materials to produce high resolution objects having the complexity and structural integrity typically only achieved using more traditional manufacturing techniques, like injection molding processes. The polymeric spray deposition systems and methods use a spray generator that stretches the fluid between two diverging surfaces, such as two rollers or between two pistons. The stretched fluid breaks apart into a plurality of droplets and is guided through a delivery system, that can include an optional droplet size selector, and into a multi-nozzle array. The multi-nozzle array is controlled and directs the spray onto a target surface, thereby creating a three-dimensional object. The disclosed polymer spray deposition systems and methods can be used in three-dimensional print heads and printing techniques.

Abstract: A method of forming a charge pattern on a microchip includes depositing a material on the surface of the microchip, and immersing the microchip in a fluid to develop charge in or on the material through interaction with the surrounding fluid.

Abstract: An electrocoagulation system including a dosing unit, a mixing unit and a buffer tank is provided. The dosing unit receives a fluid from an external source and injects an electrochemically generated coagulant into the fluid using one or more pairs of electrodes. The mixing unit mixes the coagulant with the fluid and is separate from the dosing unit. The buffer tank holds the fluid until particles contained in the fluid grow to a predetermined size.

Abstract: A porous material including polymerized units containing pores is provided, which can be employed for desalination applications. Each of the units includes at least one aromatic amino group and at least one hydroxyl group. The aromatic amino groups and the hydroxyl groups are arranged on surfaces of the pores in geometries configured to capture sodium chloride from an aqueous environment. The porous material can be provided as particles or a sponge. The porous material can be manufactured from a solution including monomers, a porogen, and an initiator by a polymerization process. The porous material can be reused after a desalination process by treatment with deionized water. A steam generation apparatus can be employed to facilitate removal of sodium chloride from the porous material in which sodium chloride is captured.