Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a fuel storage tank for aviation fuel, and avionics systems interconnected by an avionics bus. The fuel storage tank receives aviation fuel during a fuel uplift for a flight according to a flight plan that includes and depends on a predicted fuel burn determined based on a reference lower heating value (LHV) of the aviation fuel. The avionics systems include temperature and density sensors, and a flight management system (FMS). The temperature and density sensors measure respectively the temperature and density of the aviation fuel. The FMS receives the measurements, estimates an actual LHV that is different from the reference LHV based on the measurements, and determines an adjusted predicted fuel burn for the flight based on the predicted fuel burn and the actual LHV. The FMS displays the adjusted predicted fuel burn and enable adjustment of the flight plan based thereon.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a fuel storage tank for aviation fuel, and avionics systems interconnected by an avionics bus. The fuel storage tank receives aviation fuel during a fuel uplift for a flight according to a flight plan that includes and depends on a predicted fuel burn determined based on a reference lower heating value (LHV) of the aviation fuel. The avionics systems include temperature and density sensors, and a flight management system (FMS). The temperature and density sensors measure respectively the temperature and density of the aviation fuel. The FMS receives the measurements, estimates an actual LHV that is different from the reference LHV based on the measurements, and determines an adjusted predicted fuel burn for the flight based on the predicted fuel burn and the actual LHV. The FMS displays the adjusted predicted fuel burn and enable adjustment of the flight plan based thereon.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is externally heated to induce thermal runaway, and material expelled from the battery is analyzed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of organic/inorganic hybrid polymers that are easy to fabricate into dimensionally stable films with good ion-conductivity over a wide range of temperatures for use in a variety of applications. The polymers are prepared by the reaction of amines, preferably diamines and mixtures thereof with monoamines with epoxy-functionalized alkoxysilanes. The products of the reaction are polymerized by hydrolysis of the alkoxysilane groups to produce an organic-containing silica network. Suitable functionality introduced into the amine and alkoxysilane groups produce solid polymeric membranes which conduct ions for use in fuel cells, high-performance solid state batteries, chemical sensors, electrochemical capacitors, electro-chromic windows or displays, analog memory devices and the like.

Abstract: This invention is a series of rod-coil block polyimide copolymers that are easy to fabricate into mechanically resilient films with acceptable ionic or protonic conductivity at a variety of temperatures. The copolymers consist of short-rigid polyimide rod segments alternating with polyether coil segments. The rods and coil segments can be linear, branched or mixtures of linear and branched segments. The highly incompatible rods and coil segments phase separate, providing nanoscale channels for ion conduction. The polyimide segments provide dimensional and mechanical stability and can be functionalized in a number of ways to provide specialized functions for a given application. These rod-coil black polyimide copolymers are particularly useful in the preparation of ion conductive membranes for use in the manufacture of fuel cells and lithium based polymer batteries.

Abstract: This invention is a series of mechanically resilient polymeric films, comprising rod-coil block polyimide copolymers, which are doped with a lithium compound providing lithium ion conductivity, that are easy to fabricate into mechanically resilient films with acceptable ionic or protonic conductivity at a variety of temperatures. The copolymers consists of short-rigid polyimide rod segments alternating with polyether coil segments. The rods and coil segments can be linear, branched or mixtures of linear and branched segments. The highly incompatible rods and coil segments phase separate, providing nanoscale channels for ion conduction. The polyimide segments provide dimensional and mechanical stability and can be functionalized in a number of ways to provide specialized functions for a given application. These rod-coil black polyimide copolymers are particularly useful in the preparation of ion conductive membranes for use in the manufacture of fuel cells and lithium based polymer batteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method of producing halogen-free oligomeric olefin monoamines which avoids the use of costly high-pressure and high-temperature equipment. In one embodiment the method comprises epoxidizing a specific class of oligomeric olefins to provide an epoxidized oligomeric olefin, converting the epoxidized oligomeric olefin to an aldehyde, converting the aldehyde to an oxime and then converting the oxime to an amine. Alternatively, the aldehyde may be formed directly from the oligomeric olefin. In an alternative embodiment, the method comprises converting the aldehyde to a formamide intermediate, and then using hydrolysis to convert the formamide to the oligomeric olefin monoamine. In another preferred embodiment the method includes converting an oligomeric olefin directly to an aldehyde, converting the aldehyde to an oxime and then reducing the oxime to provide the oligomeric olefin monoamine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel oligomeric olefin monoamine for use as an additive in fuel and related products and a method of producing the same. The oligomeric olefin monoamine is free of any undesirable halogens. The method of making the oligomeric olefin includes the steps of forming an oligomeric olefin epoxide, converting the epoxide to an alcohol and then converting the alcohol through the use of ammonia to an oligomeric olefin monoamine.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide detecting sensor of a derivative of Ni(TBC) which reacts with carbon monoxide to form a carbon monoxide adduct with a concomitant change in color.