Abstract: A method of testing a convex mirror surface figure in which an optical quality substrate material is used having a convex front surface and a rear surface polished to a precise optical figure to create a lens. The lens is then tested by a standard interferometric or wavefront lens-testing method and the convex surface coated once a desired curvature is obtained. Null testing may be attained by passing a collimated interferometer beam through a focusing lens shaped to counter the predicted spherical aberration introduced by a perfect convex mirror/lens.

Abstract: A method of testing figure quality of a convex mirror in which an optical quality substrate material is used. The substrate has a front convex surface that has to be polished and figured to high accuracy, typically ?/10 (HeNe), and a rear concave surface which only needs to be polished and figured to moderate surface figure accuracy, typically about 1-? (HeNe). Three separate interferometric null tests are then carried out to produce three independent sets of optical path difference (OPD) data. Null lenses, or nulling computer generated holograms (CGHs), are designed and used as needed in each test setup so that spherical aberration is corrected. All three separate interferometric tests are either ideal null tests, or near null tests. From the three sets of OPD data, surface figure errors on the rear and front surfaces of the test optic, h1(xi,yj) and h2(xi,yj), are calculated as well as the OPD error OPDI(xi,yj) introduced by refractive index inhomogeneity in the substrate material.

Abstract: A method of parsing a natural language phrase to retrieve data associated with a power monitoring system. An input receives a natural language phrase including terms, one of which indicates a data manipulation action for manipulating data of the power monitoring system. A parser component parses the phrase to extract the terms and maps those terms to corresponding category items. The parser component constructs a structured query based on the category items and provides the query to a processor component that retrieves the data from a data source specified in the submitted phrase. The processor component also manipulates the data according to the data manipulation action. The output from the processor component is provided to a presentation component that formats the manipulated data for presentation on a video display, and the formatted manipulated data is displayed on the video display.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine rotor assembly utilizes rotor blades having the aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect ratio lifting bodies. The aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect ratio lifting bodies at typical operating wind velocities permits high energy conversion efficiencies throughout a wide range of wind speeds.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy sensor integrated with an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) includes a UGV having a robot arm and a camera mounted on the robot arm. A laser and telescope associated with a Raman sensor are mounted on the robot arm in such a way as to point in substantially the same direction in which the camera is pointed. A Raman spectral data acquisition and control module is mounted on the UGV and is configured to receive Raman spectral data from the telescope. A remote base station having a display and a data processing and analysis module is configured to receive data from the data acquisition and control module and to display for an operator images from the camera and information related to the Raman sensor. An autofocus system is preferably employed to automatically control telescope focus and thereby enable the Raman sensor to operate over a wide range, e.g., 0.5 m to 10 m.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a vehicle having a diesel engine and a method of operation are disclosed. The exhaust system may include a diesel particulate filter, a pipe located downstream of the diesel particulate filter and an exhaust gas cooling assembly. The exhaust gas cooling assembly may have an air pump and a connecting pipe connected to the pipe and configured to direct air from the air pump into the pipe. During particulate filter regeneration, the air pump may be activated to push air into the exhaust in order to reduce the temperature of exhaust gasses exiting the vehicle.

Abstract: Substitution of a single Ga-atom or single Ge-atom (GaAl12 and GeAl12 respectively) into the center of an aluminum Keggin polycation (Al13) produces an optimal water-treatment product for neutralization and coagulation of anionic contaminants in water. GaAl12 consistently shows ˜1 order of magnitude increase in pathogen reduction, compared to Al13. At a concentration of 2 ppm, GaAl12 performs equivalently to 40 ppm alum, removing ˜90% of the dissolved organic material. The substituted GaAl12 product also offers extended shelf-life and consistent performance. We also synthesized a related polyaluminum chloride compound made of pre-hydrolyzed dissolved alumina clusters of [GaO4Al12(OH)24(H2O)12]7+.

Abstract: A method of testing a convex mirror surface figure in which an optical quality substrate material is used having a convex front surface and a rear surface polished to a precise optical figure to create a lens. The lens is then tested by a standard interferometric or wavefront lens-testing method and the convex surface coated once a desired curvature is obtained. Null testing may be attained by passing a collimated interferometer beam through a focusing lens shaped to counter the predicted spherical aberration introduced by a perfect convex mirror/lens. A nominal rear surface figure of the mirror/lens may be used if a precisely figured test window is contacted with the rear surface using a refractive index-matching substance with an index of refraction closely matching the index of refraction of the test optic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the quantum efficiency of a photocathode used in an intensified an intensified array detector with a photocathode, such as a charge-coupled device (ICCD) are presented. A quantum efficiency enhancement device is disposed in front of an ICCD and is configured to enable or facilitate an increase in the angle of incidence of incoming rays incident on the photocathode. The ICCD itself may be tilted to achieve an increased angle of incidence, and such tilting is preferably only in a direction in which pixel columns of the ICCD extend such that a plane of incidence of incoming light to the ICCD is perpendicular to a direction of wavelength dispersion. The quantum efficiency enhancement device may include re-imaging optics, an optical tilt compensator and optical coupler.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine rotor assembly utilizes rotor blades having the aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect ratio lifting bodies. The aerodynamic characteristics of low aspect ratio lifting bodies at typical operating wind velocities permits high energy conversion efficiencies throughout a wide range of wind speeds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the quantum efficiency of a photocathode used in an intensified an intensified array detector with a photocathode, such as a charge-coupled device (ICCD) are presented. A quantum efficiency enhancement device is disposed in front of an ICCD and is configured to enable or facilitate an increase in the angle of incidence of incoming rays incident on the photocathode. The ICCD itself may be tilted to achieve an increased angle of incidence, and such tilting is preferably only in a direction in which pixel columns of the ICCD extend such that a plane of incidence of incoming light to the ICCD is perpendicular to a direction of wavelength dispersion. The quantum efficiency enhancement device may include re-imaging optics, an optical tilt compensator and optical coupler.

Abstract: A method of parsing a natural language phrase to retrieve data associated with a power monitoring system. An input receives a natural language phrase including terms, one of which indicates a data manipulation action for manipulating data of the power monitoring system. A parser component parses the phrase to extract the terms and maps those terms to corresponding category items. The parser component constructs a structured query based on the category items and provides the query to a processor component that retrieves the data from a data source specified in the submitted phrase. The processor component also manipulates the data according to the data manipulation action. The output from the processor component is provided to a presentation component that formats the manipulated data for presentation on a video display, and the formatted manipulated data is displayed on the video display.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopy sensor integrated with an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) includes a UGV having a robot arm and a camera mounted on the robot arm. A laser and telescope associated with a Raman sensor are mounted on the robot arm in such a way as to point in substantially the same direction in which the camera is pointed. A Raman spectral data acquisition and control module is mounted on the UGV and is configured to receive Raman spectral data from the telescope. A remote base station having a display and a data processing and analysis module is configured to receive data from the data acquisition and control module and to display for an operator images from the camera and information related to the Raman sensor. An autofocus system is preferably employed to automatically control telescope focus and thereby enable the Raman sensor to operate over a wide range, e.g., 0.5 m to 10 m.

Abstract: A method of testing a convex mirror surface figure in which an optical quality substrate material is used having a convex front surface and a rear surface polished to a precise optical figure to create a lens. The lens is then tested by a standard interferometric or wavefront lens-testing method and the convex surface coated once a desired curvature is obtained. Null testing may be attained by passing a collimated interferometer beam through a focusing lens shaped to counter the predicted spherical aberration introduced by a perfect convex mirror/lens. A nominal rear surface figure of the mirror/lens may be used if a precisely figured test window is contacted with the rear surface using a refractive index-matching substance with an index of refraction closely matching the index of refraction of the test optic.

Abstract: A method of testing a convex mirror surface figure in which an optical quality substrate material is used having a convex front surface and a rear surface polished to a precise optical figure to create a lens. The lens is then tested by a standard interferometric or wavefront lens-testing method and the convex surface coated once a desired curvature is obtained. Null testing may be attained by passing a collimated interferometer beam through a focusing lens shaped to counter the predicted spherical aberration introduced by a perfect convex mirror/lens.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for designing a product using technology readiness levels for materials. Entries identifying materials and technology readiness levels for the materials are stored in a database. A first design is developed using a first material selected from the database, wherein the first material has a first technology readiness level identified from the database. A second design is developed using a second material selected from the database, wherein the second material has a second technology readiness level identified from the database. The first design is compared to the second design using the first technology readiness level and the second technology readiness level to form a comparison. A selection is made between the first design and the second design using the comparison.

Abstract: A fluid entrainment apparatus is provided which operates to mix a first fluid stream with a second fluid stream. The apparatus includes first and second fluid flow conduits. The first fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore through which the first fluid is accelerated. Additionally, the second fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore, a duct portion having a generally cylindrical bore, and a diffuser portion having a diverging bore. The nozzle portion of the second fluid flow conduit is mounted with respect to the nozzle portion of the first fluid flow conduit such that an annular port is formed through which the second fluid passes to mix with the first fluid. Additional fluid mixing occurs in the duct portion and the diffuser portion. The fluid entrainment apparatus may be configured for use within a vehicle exhaust system.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electromagnetic transducers, and more specifically, to devices that convert the mechanical vibrations of a magnetically permeable object, such as a ferromagnetic instrument string, into an electrical signal using electromagnetism.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a vehicle having a diesel engine and a method of operation are disclosed. The exhaust system may include a diesel particulate filter, a pipe located downstream of the diesel particulate filter and an exhaust gas cooling assembly. The exhaust gas cooling assembly may have an air pump and a connecting pipe connected to the pipe and configured to direct air from the air pump into the pipe. During particulate filter regeneration, the air pump may be activated to push air into the exhaust in order to reduce the temperature of exhaust gasses exiting the vehicle.