Abstract: An athlete in any athletic event generates forces on and subjects their lower extremities to forces which are unique to that athlete's mass, speed and strength. These forces are also affected by the composition of the playing field surface, shoe design and construction and other factors. It is possible to determine, according to these factors, the level of force above which injury to the athlete's lower extremities is inevitable—the pre-injury force threshold. This pre-injury force threshold is then used to design and build an athletic shoe which will provide a force-mitigating deformation induced by forces equal to the particular athlete's pre-injury force threshold. This deformation of the athletic shoe prevents injury to the athlete's lower extremities. This deformation may be induced by designing the sole of an athletic shoe with specifically engineered incised cut-outs or channels in the athletic shoe sole.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing of a pipe is disclosed. A lowering mechanism is configured to be coupled with respect to a platform and to lower a pipe through an opening in the platform. An extrusion head is configured to receive material and selectively extrude the material via a nozzle. A gantry is coupled to the extrusion head and is configured to move the extrusion head to an identified location. A controller is coupled to the gantry and configured to direct the gantry to move the extrusion head based on pipe data that identifies a geometry of the pipe. A stabilizer mechanism is configured to maintain the pipe in a desired position during the extrusion of the material.

Abstract: A UAV capture system including a cable array comprising at least two laterally-spaced cables carried by a first cable support structure. Catches disposed on respective port and starboard wings of a UAV are positioned to engage the cables when the UAV flies into them. A payout device pays out the engaged cables after they have been engaged by the UAV and a brake decelerates the UAV by resisting the pay out of the cables.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing of a pipe is disclosed. A lowering mechanism is configured to be coupled with respect to a platform and to lower a pipe through an opening in the platform. An extrusion head is configured to receive material and selectively extrude the material via a nozzle. A gantry is coupled to the extrusion head and is configured to move the extrusion head to an identified location. A controller is coupled to the gantry and configured to direct the gantry to move the extrusion head based on pipe data that identifies a geometry of the pipe. A stabilizer mechanism is configured to maintain the pipe in a desired position during the extrusion of the material.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing of a pipe is disclosed. A lowering mechanism is configured to be coupled with respect to a platform and to lower a pipe through an opening in the platform. An extrusion head is configured to receive material and selectively extrude the material via a nozzle. A gantry is coupled to the extrusion head and is configured to move the extrusion head to an identified location. A controller is coupled to the gantry and configured to direct the gantry to move the extrusion head based on pipe data that identifies a geometry of the pipe. A stabilizer mechanism is configured to maintain the pipe in a desired position during the extrusion of the material.

Abstract: Each year in North America there are approximately 175,000 non-contact ACL injuries. One of the main causes of these injuries is the rotational and translational forces created when a player makes a sudden change in direction or stops. Every athlete subjects their lower extremities to various forces that are unique to his or her mass, speed, and strength. These forces are affected by composition of the playing field surface, shoe sole design and construction, and other factors. Using these and other factors, the level of force at which injury is inevitable (pre-injury force) is determined and an athletic shoe is created which will provide a mitigating deformation induced by a particular athlete's pre-determined, pre-injury force threshold. A mitigating deformation of as little as 2 degrees can significantly reduce injurious forces. After the athlete has progressed through that particular force-generating movement, the shoe's sole instantly returns to its original shape.

Abstract: A UAV capture system including a cable array comprising at least two laterally-spaced cables carried by a first cable support structure. Catches disposed on respective port and starboard wings of a UAV are positioned to engage the cables when the UAV flies into them. A payout device pays out the engaged cables after they have been engaged by the UAV and a brake decelerates the UAV by resisting the pay out of the cables.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic control system that may arrest the motion of attached devices in the event of loss of electrical or hydraulic power or in the event of an emergency. Gangways from a ship to a platform and ladders on fire trucks may have hydraulic control systems that allow for free motion in several different directions in order to keep stability in rough waters or shifting ground. If the gangway or ladder begins to fall due to loss of hydraulic power or a failure in the securing of one end, the closed-loop control system may detect these situations and actuate the closing of valves to limit or stop the falling motion of the gangway or ladder. Various control or damping algorithms may be employed to yield a desired and controlled arresting of motion.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a thermal insulation material is provided, comprising a first insulation layer having a cellular structure, wherein cells of the cellular structure comprise an inorganic insulator in a powder form and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers. According to some aspects, a fire protection thermal insulation system is provided, comprising a first insulation layer having a cellular structure, wherein cells of the cellular structure comprise an inorganic insulator in a powder form, the first insulation layer on a fire facing side of the thermal insulation system, and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers, the second insulation layer on a non-fire facing side of the thermal insulation system.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A cold water pipe assembly, and mechanisms for generating a cold water pipe assembly, are provided. A plurality of mooring lines are secured to a pipe end member. A pipe segment of a plurality of pipe segments is slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a pipe wall of the pipe segment. The plurality of pipe segments is iteratively extended to form a pipe assembly of a desired length by joining a next pipe segment to a previous pipe segment to extend the pipe assembly, and lowering the pipe end member and the pipe assembly by extending the mooring lines. At least some of the next pipe segments are slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a respective pipe wall of the at least some of the next pipe segments.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A cold water pipe assembly, and mechanisms for generating a cold water pipe assembly, are provided. A plurality of mooring lines are secured to a pipe end member. A pipe segment of a plurality of pipe segments is slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a pipe wall of the pipe segment. The plurality of pipe segments is iteratively extended to form a pipe assembly of a desired length by joining a next pipe segment to a previous pipe segment to extend the pipe assembly, and lowering the pipe end member and the pipe assembly by extending the mooring lines. At least some of the next pipe segments are slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a respective pipe wall of the at least some of the next pipe segments.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing of a pipe is disclosed. A lowering mechanism is configured to be coupled with respect to a platform and to lower a pipe through an opening in the platform. An extrusion head is configured to receive material and selectively extrude the material via a nozzle. A gantry is coupled to the extrusion head and is configured to move the extrusion head to an identified location. A controller is coupled to the gantry and configured to direct the gantry to move the extrusion head based on pipe data that identifies a geometry of the pipe. A stabilizer mechanism is configured to maintain the pipe in a desired position during the extrusion of the material.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic control system that may arrest the motion of attached devices in the event of loss of electrical or hydraulic power or in the event of an emergency. Gangways from a ship to a platform and ladders on fire trucks may have hydraulic control systems that allow for free motion in several different directions in order to keep stability in rough waters or shifting ground. If the gangway or ladder begins to fall due to loss of hydraulic power or a failure in the securing of one end, the closed-loop control system may detect these situations and actuate the closing of valves to limit or stop the falling motion of the gangway or ladder. Various control or damping algorithms may be employed to yield a desired and controlled arresting of motion so as to prevent injury and damage.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a thermal insulation material is provided, comprising a first insulation layer having a cellular structure, wherein cells of the cellular structure comprise an inorganic insulator in a powder form and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers. According to some aspects, a fire protection thermal insulation system is provided, comprising a first insulation layer having a cellular structure, wherein cells of the cellular structure comprise an inorganic insulator in a powder form, the first insulation layer on a fire facing side of the thermal insulation system, and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers, the second insulation layer on a non-fire facing side of the thermal insulation system.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a thermal insulation material is provided, comprising a first insulation layer comprising an aerogel, and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers, wherein a thickness of the second insulation layer is greater than a thickness of the first insulation layer. According to some aspects, a fire protection thermal insulation system is provided, comprising a first insulation layer comprising an aerogel, the first insulation layer on a fire facing side of the thermal insulation system, and a second insulation layer comprising inorganic fibers, the second insulation layer on a non-fire facing side of the thermal insulation system, wherein a thickness of the second insulation layer is greater than a thickness of the first insulation layer.

Abstract: A quality control system for the manufacture of carbon nanostructure-laden substrates includes a resistance measurement module for continuously measuring resistance of the carbon nanostructure (CNS)-laden substrate.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures free of an adhered growth substrate can include a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are branched, crosslinked, and share common walls with one another. Under applied shear, crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes in carbon nanostructures can break to form fractured carbon nanotubes that are branched and share common walls. Methods for making polymer composites from carbon nanostructures can include combining a polymer matrix and a plurality of carbon nanostructures that are free of an adhered growth substrate, and dispersing the carbon nanostructures in the polymer matrix under applied shear. The applied shear breaks crosslinks between the carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes that are dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix. Polymer composites can include a polymer matrix and a plurality of fractured carbon nanotubes dispersed as individuals in the polymer matrix.