Abstract: A structural assembly of an aircraft which includes a structural element constructed of a composite material which includes a matrix material and plurality of fibers positioned to extend through the matrix material, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers are accessible from a surface of the structural element. A fastener secures the structural element to a structural component. A metal structure comprising gallium is positioned in contact with a surface of the fastener. The metal structure extends from the surface of the fastener and contacts at least a portion of the at least a portion of the plurality of fibers. Also included is a method for assembling a structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital communication utilizing entangled qubits are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods exploit selective entanglement swapping to transfer an entangled state between a sending device and a receiving device. Each device includes pairs of qubits that are independently entangled with pairs of qubits in the other device. By selectively entangling the qubits within a pair in the sending device, the qubits of the corresponding pair in the receiving device also are selectively entangled. When the qubits are entangled, they are projected onto a particular entangled state type. Though no information may be transferred through selective entanglement of one qubit pair, systems and methods of the present disclosure determine whether a set of pairs of qubits are entangled by determining whether the distribution of pairs is a correlated or uncorrelated distribution (a probabilistic approach) and transform the distribution type to a classical bit of data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital communication utilizing entangled qubits are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods exploit selective entanglement swapping to transfer an entangled state between sites. Each site includes pairs of qubits that are independently entangled with pairs of qubits at the other site. By selectively entangling the qubits within a pair at one site, the qubits of the corresponding pair at the other site also are selectively entangled. When the qubits are entangled, they are projected onto a particular entangled state type. Though no information may be transferred through selective entanglement of one qubit pair, systems and methods of the present disclosure determine whether a set of pairs of qubits are entangled by determining whether the distribution of pairs is a correlated or uncorrelated distribution (a probabilistic approach) and transform the distribution type to a classical bit of data.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant self-indicating surge protector system and methods are presented. An unwanted surge of electrical energy induced by a lightning strike is directed away from a sensitive electrical or electronic component, and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is directed through series connected pairs of varistors. A voltage signal is extracted from a center tap point between the series connected pairs of the varistors, and the voltage signal is monitored for a health of the varistors. A high impedance in a varistor among the varistors is provided for a low voltage across the varistor, and a low impedance in the varistor is provided and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is diverted through the varistor in response to a high voltage across the varistor.

Abstract: A system and method for creating an optimized composite laminate structure containing a plurality of plies. The system has a processor and a memory, including an application interface. The application interface, when executed by the processor, is configured to operably: receive an input file having one or more of a maximum number of plies, design variables, material properties, and design constraints; determine an initial layup sequence defining parameters of a fiber orientation angle for each ply, and a total percentage of plies at a given fiber orientation angle; iteratively adjust the parameters, until an optimum set of parameters is obtained that achieves one or more predetermined margins of safety, and that achieves optimization of the composite laminate structure; and generate an output file for creating a layup, according to the parameters. The system further has a layup system for creating the optimized composite laminate structure.

Abstract: A method includes applying a current to a specimen to deposit a material on the specimen. The method also includes determining a quantity of the material deposited at multiple locations of the specimen and determining anisotropic conductive characteristics of the specimen based on the quantity of the material deposited at the multiple locations on the specimen.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant self-indicating surge protector system and methods are presented. An unwanted surge of electrical energy induced by a lightning strike is directed away from a sensitive electrical or electronic component, and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is directed through series connected pairs of varistors. A voltage signal is extracted from a center tap point between the series connected pairs of the varistors, and the voltage signal is monitored for a health of the varistors. A high impedance in a varistor among the varistors is provided for a low voltage across the varistor, and a low impedance in the varistor is provided and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is diverted through the varistor in response to a high voltage across the varistor.