Abstract: A hydropower system comprised of prefabricated modules. The system includes an assembly having a first plurality of modules forming a first vertical stack and a second plurality of modules forming a second vertical stack. Each of the vertical stacks also includes at least one of: a first plurality of horizontal seals between the first plurality of modules, and a second plurality of horizontal seals between the second plurality of modules. Each of the vertical stacks further includes a plurality of vertical seals installed between the first plurality of modules and the second plurality of modules.

Abstract: A fish passage system having flexible textile materials forming a conduit to transport fish across river barriers encountered during migration. The system can include modular support structures that can be independently secured to riverbeds to form conduit supports, dams, hydropower structures, and the like.

Abstract: A fish passage system having flexible textile materials forming a conduit to transport fish across river barriers encountered during migration. The system can include modular support structures that can be independently secured to riverbeds to form conduit supports, dams, hydropower structures, and the like.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes a front section, a rear section, and a middle section securing the front and rear sections to one another with a gap therebetween. The front section has a strike face formed of an impact resistant layer and a polymer backing layer bonded to the impact resistant layer by an interlayer. The rear section has a forward face comprising at least one polymer layer. The front and middle sections can form an integral subassembly.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. In certain embodiments, a bonding layer is provided to bond the backing to the hard face. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact.

Abstract: A multilayer armor is provided that includes a first rigid layer, a second rigid layer, and an interlayer securing the first and second rigid layers to one another. At least one of the first and second rigid layers can include a plurality of regions with a physical or material property that varies between the regions. The interlayer can have a force-extension ratio of 5,600 psi/in or less. The interlayer can have a physical or material property that varies within the interlayer.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes two transparent layers, a transparent interlayer, and an inorganic barrier layer. The two transparent layers each have an inner face and a side edge. The transparent interlayer is between and laminates the inner faces of the two transparent layers to one another. The transparent interlayer also extends over the side edges of the two transparent layers and laminates the inorganic barrier layer to at least the side edges of the two transparent layers.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. In certain embodiments, a bonding layer is provided to bond the backing to the hard face. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact.

Abstract: A multilayer armor is provided that includes a first rigid layer, a second rigid layer, and an interlayer securing the first and second rigid layers to one another. At least one of the first and second rigid layers can include a plurality of regions with a physical or material property that varies between the regions. The interlayer can have a force-extension ratio of 5,600 psi/in or less. The interlayer can have a physical or material property that varies within the interlayer.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes a front section, a rear section, and a middle section securing the front and rear sections to one another with a gap therebetween. The front section has a strike face formed of an impact resistant layer and a polymer backing layer bonded to the impact resistant layer by an interlayer. The rear section has a forward face comprising at least one polymer layer. The front and middle sections can form an integral subassembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic material product. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a selected shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.

Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes two transparent layers, a transparent interlayer, and an inorganic barrier layer. The two transparent layers each have an inner face and a side edge. The transparent interlayer is between and laminates the inner faces of the two transparent layers to one another. The transparent interlayer also extends over the side edges of the two transparent layers and laminates the inorganic barrier layer to at least the side edges of the two transparent layers.

Abstract: An armor system includes a hard face and at least one reinforcing layer covering a rear surface of the hard face. The reinforcing layer is fabricated from a glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material. At least one resilient layer forms a rearward outer layer of the armor system. The hard face and cooperating reinforcing layers serve to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the armor system, while the resilient layer serves to retain any pieces of the hard face and reinforcing layers fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces, each with cooperating reinforcing and resilient layers, are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: An armor system includes a hard face and at least one reinforcing layer covering a rear surface of the hard face. The reinforcing layer is fabricated from a glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material. At least one resilient layer forms a rearward outer layer of the armor system. The hard face and cooperating reinforcing layers serve to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the armor system, while the resilient layer serves to retain any pieces of the hard face and reinforcing layers fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces, each with cooperating reinforcing and resilient layers, are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: A ceramic ballistic material and method of manufacture is disclosed. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a ballistic armor shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.

Abstract: A ceramic ballistic material and method of manufacture is disclosed. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a ballistic armor shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.

Abstract: A portable protection system including a selectively collapsible truss for supporting a protection member. The truss is movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The protection member includes at least one layer of ballistic armor material for disrupting a projectile. The truss includes suitable connectors for releasably connecting the protection member to the truss, and also suitable connectors for releasably connecting the truss to an adjoining truss so as to form a protection wall.

Abstract: A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic material product. A filler material is provided. The filler material is divided into filler granules collectively having a median diameter approximately 10 microns or less. An amount of carbon is provided. The carbon is divided into carbon particles and the carbon particles are allowed to coat the filler granules. The mixture of carbon-coated filler granules is formed into a selected shape. The formed mixture is placed in a substantial vacuum. The mixture is introduced to a pre-selected amount of silicon and the mixture of carbon-coated filler granules and silicon is heated to a temperature at or above the melting point of the silicon.