Abstract: A binary or higher order high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-tantalum based metallic system according to embodiments of the invention may be formed of: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal that comprises 70 to 100 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; and a solute of tantalum (Ta) metal dispersed in the solvent metal, that comprises 0.01 to 15 at. % of the metallic system. The metallic system is thermally stable, with the absence of substantial gross grain growth, such that the internal grain size of the solvent metal is substantially suppressed to no more than about 250 nm at approximately 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent metal and the solute metal remains substantially uniformly dispersed in the solvent metal at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems may include: subjecting powder metals of solvent and the solute to a high-energy milling process using a high-energy milling device to impart high impact energies to its contents.

Abstract: A multitone nonlinear radar system (and a method of operating such a system) comprising a transmitter that transmits a signal comprising at least two predetermined frequency components; a receiver operating to receive return signals comprising harmonics of at least two predetermined frequencies, combinations of the at least two predetermined frequency components, and combinations of the harmonics of the at least two predetermined frequency components that are within a predetermined selected frequency range that has been predetermined to enable detection and/or classification of an electronic device; at least one antenna operating to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation operatively connected to the transmitter and receiver; the receiver comprising at least one high pass filter for attenuating linear reflections at the two predetermined frequencies, and an analyzer; whereby electronic devices may be detected and identified by analyzing return signals within a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: Methods for vaporizing hydrocarbon fuel and delivering the hydrocarbon fuel in either a vaporized phase or a supercritical phase to, for example, a combustion chamber are provided herein. A method of vaporizing a hydrocarbon fuel, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is in a liquid phase at a first temperature and a first pressure, and wherein the first temperature of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel is less than its intrinsic oxidation or endothermic reaction temperature, the method may include lowering a pressure of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first pressure to a second pressure; and heating the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first temperature to a second temperature, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel at the second temperature and the second pressure is in a substantially completely vaporized phase substantially without thermally oxidizing the hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein the hydrocarbon fuel in the substantially completely vaporized phase does not form carbonaceous contaminants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting vehicle speed during an indirect vision driving task. A further method and apparatus for optimizing the display of a camera return during an indirect vision driving task based on operator perceived vehicle speed as set by the display characteristics and the field-of-view of the camera. A further method and apparatus for using the perceived speed as a driving task aid, in particular, as an electronic aider for optimizing the driving scene display characteristics of scene compression and camera field-of view. In this manner, the invention adjusts the perceived speed in order to match the operator's cognitive flow to the control dynamics needed from the operator for the task. The invention has application to autonomous driving where manual intervention is incorporated during critical events for particular tasks; and with limited display space within the vehicle, the display format is adjusted by the invention according to the operator's task needs.

Abstract: A preferred method of optimizing a Ga-nitride device material structure for a frequency multiplication device comprises: determining the amplitude and frequency of the input signal being multiplied in frequency; providing a Ga-nitride region on a substrate; determining the Al percentage composition and impurity doping in an AlGaN region positioned on the Ga-nitride region based upon the power level and waveform of the input signal and the desired frequency range in order to optimize power input/output efficiency; and selecting an orientation of N-face polar GaN or Ga-face polar GaN material relative to the AlGaN/GaN interface so as to orient the face of the GaN so as to optimize charge at the AlGaN/GaN interface. A preferred embodiment comprises an anti-serial Schottky varactor comprising: two Schottky diodes in anti-serial connection; each comprising at least one GaN layer designed based upon doping and thickness to improve the conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlled displacement, rotation and deformation of parts of a fiber optic collimator so as to provide multiple degrees of adjustment freedom that are decoupled one from another, for adjusting the path of a light beam, comprising: an output elongate hollow node for passing a light beam therethrough and towards a lens, and an elongate hollow base node having separate top and bottom parts connected to each other by opposed ends of a plurality of flexible rods that restrict the relative movement between the top and bottom parts of the base node to substantially only translational parallel movement. Opposed portions of the top and bottom parts of the base node each include a respective screw and an opposed slanted surface, which upon interaction, develop a shearing force which is applied to the top and bottom parts of the base node and cause a translational parallel relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An RF system comprising of outputs to an electronically scanning antenna for radiating electromagnetic energy; at least one waveform generator; two multiphase phase-locked loops integrated with the waveform generator, the phase locked loops operating to provide multiple shifted phases to a waveform. Optionally, the two multiphase phase-locked loops may each be divided down by a bank of frequency dividers to further increase the number of phase shifts. The phases generated from each multiphase phase-locked loops are selected with multiplexers then mixed together. These upper or lower sidebands are then mixed with the up converted waveform which results in a phase shift for the waveform associated with each antenna element.

Abstract: A ring-shaped transistor includes a set of gates. Each gate of the set is disposed between a corresponding source and a corresponding drain. The set of gates are arranged such that all of the set of gates cannot be aligned with fewer than three imaginary straight lines drawn through the gates, with one of the imaginary straight lines passing only once though each of the set of gates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a magnetic object comprising detecting change in a total magnetic field of an area along a first path and a second path of a magnetic sensor, fitting data points of the detected change from the first path and the second path to a curve by varying a first plurality of variables and a second plurality of variables until a best fit is achieved, calculating a first circle based on the first plurality of variables and a second circle based on the second plurality of variables and determining a position of the magnetic object at the intersection of the first and second circle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of autonomously self-righting a maneuverable robot. In one embodiment, an autonomous method for self-righting a maneuverable robot to affect recovery from an overturned state to its nominal upright configuration may include: defining a convex hull and center of mass of each link of the robot; determining the convex hull and overall robot center of mass for each joint configuration of the robot; analyzing each convex hull face to determine its stability or instability; grouping continuously stable orientations of the robot and joint configurations together defining nodes and transitions there between; assigning a cost to transitions between nodes; computing an overall cost for each potential set of transition costs resulting in achievement of the goal; and determining a sequence of one or more actions to self-right the robot such that the sequence of actions minimizes the overall cost of self-righting the robot.

Abstract: Embodiments of present invention are directed to near infrared (IR) laser-induced vibrational absorption systems and methods for material detection. According to one embodiment, a system for detecting materials may include: at least one laser configured to output light in the near IR spectrum so as to excite at least one vibrational overtone frequency, at least one combination band frequency, or a combination thereof, of a sample comprised of one or more of materials; a detector configured to detect a physical phenomenon of the sample in response to laser excitation; and an analyzer configured to the analyze the detected physical phenomenon and to identify the one or more materials based comparison of the detected signatures with known signatures of one more materials.

Abstract: A method and system for improving picture quality of images by providing a series of frames of a given region of interest.

Abstract: An electromagnetic bandgap structure comprising a progressive cascade of a plurality of patterns of cells. The cells of each pattern are dimensioned so that each pattern has a reflection phase response centered at a different, but closely-spaced, frequency compared with the reflection phase response of an adjacently positioned pattern, so that the combined reflection phase response of the plurality of patterns provides a continuous wideband operational range.

Abstract: A probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) to provide an image of a sample comprising: a magnetic field source adapted to orient the spin of the nuclei in a sample; a detector capable of detecting a magnetic field comprising an oscillator; at least one conductor substantially surrounding the oscillator for forming a RF antenna for transmitting a radio frequency electromagnetic field; whereby the at least one conductor transmits a radio frequency electromagnetic field that influences the nuclei in the sample, and whereby the detector detects how the nuclei are influenced through the oscillations of the oscillator to provide identification information concerning the content of the sample. Also included is a method for magnetic resonance force microscopy of a sample.

Abstract: A molecular biosensor is provided including a lipid vesicle and a housing wherein the vesicle is contained on or within the housing and where the housing has a portion capable of transmitting a force generated, external to the housing to the vesicle. The biosensor is used in processes of detecting the presence or absence of an event force such as a blast or blunt force sufficient to produce a medical complication such as traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: Porous silicon (PS) films composed of pores with diameters less than 3 nm are fabricated using a galvanic etching approach that does not require an external power supply. A highly reactive, nanoenergetic composite is then created by impregnating the nanoscale pores with the strong oxidizer, sodium perchlorate (NaClO4). The combustion propagation velocity of the energetic composite is measured using microfabricated diagnostic devices in conjunction with high-speed optical imaging up to 930,000 frames per second. Combustion velocities averaging 3,050 m/s are observed for PS films with specific areas of ˜840 m2/g and porosities of about 65-67%. Galvanic etching may also be used to fabricate other porous silicon morphologies and also strong oxidizers other than NaClO4 could be used to create a nanoenergetic porous silicon composite.