Abstract: A heated hand garment includes a body having a wrist section, and a plurality of digit sections extending therefrom. The heated hand garment further includes a heating element positioned on the body and operable to heat at least a portion of a hand of a user. The heating element includes a connecting portion configured to be positioned on the wrist section, a first digit portion extending from one end of the connecting portion, and a second digit portion extending from an opposite end of the connecting portion. The first digit portion is positioned on a first digit section of the plurality of digit sections, and the second digit portion is positioned on a second digit section of the plurality of digit sections.

Abstract: A heated hand garment includes a body having a wrist section, and a plurality of digit sections extending therefrom. The heated hand garment further includes a heating element positioned on the body and operable to heat at least a portion of a hand of a user. The heating element includes a connecting portion configured to be positioned on the wrist section, a first digit portion extending from one end of the connecting portion, and a second digit portion extending from an opposite end of the connecting portion. The first digit portion is positioned on a first digit section of the plurality of digit sections, and the second digit portion is positioned on a second digit section of the plurality of digit sections.

Abstract: A heated hand garment includes a body having a wrist section, and a plurality of digit sections extending therefrom. The heated hand garment further includes a heating element positioned on the body and operable to heat at least a portion of a hand of a user. The heating element includes a connecting portion configured to be positioned on the wrist section, a first digit portion extending from one end of the connecting portion, and a second digit portion extending from an opposite end of the connecting portion. The first digit portion is positioned on a first digit section of the plurality of digit sections, and the second digit portion is positioned on a second digit section of the plurality of digit sections.

Abstract: Modular attachment systems comprising an interwoven material matrix which comprises a plurality of loops and one or more modular attachment accessories, each of which comprises a coupling mechanism for attaching the modular attachment accessory to one or more of the plurality of loops of the interwoven material matrix, are disclosed.

Abstract: A deltoid arm protection system for a ballistic vest including an asymmetrical anatomically shaped deltoid cover having fasteners for attachment to a ballistic vest. The deltoid cover is connected to the vest and prevents any gaps forming between the deltoid cover and the vest during arm movement of the wearer. The deltoid cover includes a weapon gripping pad and attachment loops on an outer surface of the deltoid cover.

Abstract: Modular attachment systems comprising an interwoven material matrix which comprises a plurality of loops and one or more modular attachment accessories, each of which comprises a coupling mechanism for attaching the modular attachment accessory to one or more of the plurality of loops of the interwoven material matrix, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are micropurification cards, systems, systems and methods, backspace. A micropurification cards include a plurality of fluidic components capable of extracting molecules from samples. Samples include biological cells and the extracted molecules include nucleic acids.

Abstract: A hip belt (100) is disclosed having split left (130) and right (150) portions. The upper legs (131, 151) and lower legs (132,152) of the split portions are attached to adjustable straps (180, 184) such that the belt tension is distributed to both the upper and lower portions to facilitate a snug fit to the user. Transverse members (200) interconnect the respective upper and lower legs, maintaining the desired leg spacing. The transverse members are semi-rigid, flexible members, allowing the split belt to readily conform to the user's profile. Fastening the transverse members along the outer edges of the belt permits the legs to rotate to better conform to the user. In an embodiment of the hip belt (300) a plurality of transverse members are distributed along the length of the split portion of the belt.

Abstract: A hip belt (100) is disclosed having split left (130) and right (150) portions. The upper legs (131, 151) and lower legs (132,152) of the split portions are attached to adjustable straps (180, 184) such that the belt tension is distributed to both the upper and lower portions to facilitate a snug fit to the user. Transverse members (200) interconnect the respective upper and lower legs, maintaining the desired leg spacing. The transverse members are semi-rigid, flexible members, allowing the split belt to readily conform to the user's profile. Fastening the transverse members along the outer edges of the belt permits the legs to rotate to better conform to the user. In an embodiment of the hip belt (300) a plurality of transverse members are distributed along the length of the split portion of the belt.

Abstract: Electrical interconnects for solar cells or other electronic components using a silver-silicone paste or a lead-tin (Pb—Sn) no-clean fluxless solder cream, whereby the high breakage of thin (<6 mil thick) solar cells using conventional solder interconnect is eliminated. The interconnects of this invention employs copper strips which are secured to the solar cells by a silver-silicone conductive paste which can be used at room temperature, or by a Pb—Sn solder cream which eliminates undesired residue on the active surfaces of the solar cells. Electrical testing using the interconnects of this invention has shown that no degradation of the interconnects developed under high current testing, while providing a very low contact resistance value.

Abstract: A solar cell module lamination process using fluoropolymers to provide protection from adverse environmental conditions and thus enable more extended use of solar cells, particularly in space applications. A laminate of fluoropolymer material provides a hermetically sealed solar cell module structure that is flexible and very durable. The laminate is virtually chemically inert, highly transmissive in the visible spectrum, dimensionally stable at temperatures up to about 200° C. highly abrasion resistant, and exhibits very little ultra-violet degradation.

Abstract: A backpack (100) including a carrying compartment (110) with a pair of shoulder straps (120) and a hip belt (128) attached thereto, for carrying the backpack on a user's back. The back portion of the backpack includes a porous outer panel (130) disposed adjacent the user's back, and an inner panel (132) that cooperatively with the outer panel, forms a pocket (131). A stiffening panel (150), generally X-shaped, is disposed in the pocket, and adapted to bow, with the center portion of the stiffening panel urged away from the user's back, creating a cooling gap (160) between the user and the carrying compartment. Air inlet ports (140) are provided near the top portion (112) of the backpack, that fluidly connect to the cooling gap. Inverted U-shaped stiffening members (142) hold the inlet ports open against gravity and aerodynamic forces. Air enters the inlet ports to the cooling gap, and exits through the porous outer panel, thereby cooling the user's back.

Abstract: A pack for holding articles and providing fluid hydration is provided. The pack includes a bladder compartment having an opening for securing a fluid bladder therein for hydration with a hose attached thereto. The bladder has a front side adapted to be positioned against the user's back and a back side opposite the front side. The pack bag is sewn onto the back of the bladder compartment and is larger than the bladder compartment. The bladder compartment provides a cushion between the pack bag and the user and contours the back of the user. Shoulder straps are attached from the top of the bladder compartment to the bottom of the pack bag. A hip belt also extends from the bottom of the pack bag around the hips of the user. The top of the bladder compartment is at least partially separated from the top of the pack bag to allow the contouring of the bladder compartment along the upper portion of the back of the user. A lift strap extends between the top of the shoulder pad and the top of the pack bag.

Abstract: Load distribution shoulder pads (12, 14) for a backpack (10). Each shoulder pad is constructed from a first cushioned layer (16) and a second cushioned layer (18). Each cushioned layer is covered by a corresponding fabric layer (20, 22). The cushioned layers are contoured by the formation of a skived longitudinal recess (66) cut into the interior surface (62) of each cushioned layer along the perimeter edge (64) of the cushioned layer, defining a reduced thickness perimeter lip (70) around each cushioned layer. For assembly, the cushioned layers are placed exterior fabric side against exterior fabric side and a cushioned layer/fabric seam allowance (74) is sewn with stitching (76). The shoulder pad is then reversed inside-out, such that the seam allowances are received between the cushioned layers within a cavity (78) defined by the opposing skived recesses. The shoulder pad has a uniform thickness and density across the entire width, and uncomfortable pressure ridges are avoided.

Abstract: An internal frame backpack (10) includes a pack (12) having an anterior side (14) that contacts a user's back, and left and right shoulder straps (10, 18) attached at an upper end to an upper portion (20) of the pack and at a lower end to left and right lower portions (44, 46) of the pack. The pack includes an internal frame formed from an elastomeric pad (24) integrated into the anterior side of the pack, and resilient left and right rods (26, 28) mounted within the pack and secured to the elastomeric pad. The resilient rods act as coil springs which support loads in the pack with a degree of flexibility that varies in response to the magnitude of the load.

Abstract: A pack (10) for selectively carrying either relatively wide elongate articles, or relatively narrow elongate articles. The pack includes a bag (14) for carrying smaller articles internally. Near the top forward edge of the bag, shoulder straps (16a, 16b) are attached, extending downwardly to attachment points adjacent the lower sides of the bag. A waistband (22) extends forwardly from each side of the pack. The waistband extends continuously around the rearwardly facing surface of the pack, forming webs (28, 30) that are attached to cuffs (32, 34). The cuffs are tapered, each having a slot (36,38) formed at its wider end where the cuff attaches to the bag. Similar cuffs (54, 56) are attached at their wider ends at opposite sides of the bag, near its top, and webs (46, 48) are attached to these cuffs.

Abstract: Electrical interconnects for solar cells or other electronic components using a silver-silicone paste or a lead-tin (Pb-Sn) no-clean fluxless solder cream, whereby the high breakage of thin (<6 mil thick) solar cells using conventional solder interconnect is eliminated. The interconnects of this invention employs copper strips which are secured to the solar cells by a silver-silicone conductive paste which can be used at room temperature, or by a Pb-Sn solder cream which eliminates undesired residue on the active surfaces of the solar cells. Electrical testing using the interconnects of this invention has shown that no degradation of the interconnects developed under high current testing, while providing a very low contact resistance value.

Abstract: A method for producing beta silicon carbide thin films by co-depositing thin films of amorphous silicon and carbon onto a substrate, whereafter the films are irradiated by exposure to a pulsed energy source (e.g. excimer laser) to cause formation of the beta-SiC compound. Doped beta-SiC may be produced by introducing dopant gases during irradiation. Single layers up to a thickness of 0.5-1 micron have been produced, with thicker layers being produced by multiple processing steps. Since the electron transport properties of beta silicon carbide over a wide temperature range of 27.degree.-730.degree. C. is better than these properties of alpha silicon carbide, they have wide application, such as in high temperature semiconductors, including hetero-junction bipolar transistors and power devices, as well as in high bandgap solar arrays, ultra-hard coatings, light emitting diodes, sensors, etc.

Abstract: A polycrystalline beta-silicon carbide film or coating and method for forming same on components, such as the top of solar cells, to act as an extremely hard protective surface, and as an anti-reflective coating. This is achieved by DC magnetron co-sputtering of amorphous silicon and carbon to form a SiC thin film onto a surface, such as a solar cell. The thin film is then irradiated by a pulsed energy source, such as an excimer laser, to synthesize the poly- or .mu.c-SiC film on the surface and produce .beta.--SiC. While the method of this invention has primary application in solar cell manufacturing, it has application wherever there is a requirement for an extremely hard surface.