Abstract: Provided herein are novel methods for providing an enhanced audio signal adapter. The invention provides an in-line audio adapter that digitally enhances bi-directional radio communication for dismounted and mounted operators. The adapter may be customizable to the hearing ability of the radio user, and compatible with both standard military audio connectors and commercial audio connectors enhancing the operator's in-field capabilities to process, record, share, replay, and operate radio communications.

Abstract: A drone for delivering plural repeaters in a hostile environment and method of delivering plural repeaters from the drone. The drone is controllable from a remote base station and carries a payload of repeaters on a round tray. The tray has a dispensing hole, complementary to the geometry of the repeater for dispensing the repeaters as needed. Repeaters are consecutively dispensed at stations as determined by an operator. A central radial arm sweeps each repeater around the tray, in turn, until the hole is encountered and the repeater gravity drops to a surface below. The drone may have two or more vertically stacked trays to increase payload without increasing footprint.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for designing combinational logics with resistance to hardware Trojan induced data leakage. The invention solves the untrustworthy fabrication risk problem by introducing a design method such that even when the design is entirely known to an attacker and a data leakage Trojan is injected subsequently, no useful information can be obtained. This invention contains several methods as shown in several embodiments. The methods include randomized encoding of binary logic, converting any combinational binary logic into one with randomized encoding, and partitioning a randomized encoded logic for split manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of precoding the power of a channel of a ground terminal in communication with a satellite. The ground terminal is subject to limitations in terrestrial mobile network rates and other congestion conditions. An actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is calculated and adjusted according to a desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio for a predetermined time epoch. The actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is adjusted while considering the competing requirements of both: the energy of the difference between the successive actual/desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio levels and the energy of the control sequences. The actual signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is autonomously converged with the desired with the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, subject to the limitations in terrestrial mobile network rates and other congestion conditions, by dynamically minimizing covariance error and predicting gain for the epoch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for selective reshaping of nanoparticles in three dimensional articles, three dimensional articles produced by such processes, and methods of using such three dimensional articles. As a result of the aforementioned process, such three dimensional articles can have selective tuning that arises, at least in part, from the reshaped nanoparticles found in such articles. Such tuning provides the aforementioned articles with superior performance that can be advantageous in the areas including such as optical filters, multi-functional composites and sensing elements.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPS, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP mechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

Abstract: Single-domain antibodies (SAbs) against three Yersinia pestis surface proteins (LcrV, YscF, and F1), nucleic acid sequences encoding the SAbs, and polypeptides comprising two or more SAbs capable of recognizing two or more epitopes and/or antigens. The present invention further includes methods for preventing or treating Y. pestis infections in a patient; methods for detecting and/or diagnosing Y. pestis infections; and devices and methods for identifying and/or detecting Y. pestis on a surface and/or in an environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuous real-time sweat sampling and analysis are disclosed. A sweat collection article and method of collecting sweat from a person's skin using the sweat collection article are provided. The sweat collection article includes: a sweat collecting tube placed adjacent to the person's skin, and at least one piece of flexible material that has an adhesive that adheres the article to the person's skin and is positioned to overlie one end of the tube. The second end of the sweat collecting tube is in fluid communication with an instrument such as a mass spectrometer that analyzes the sweat on a real-time basis. The systems and methods may further include a device for removing salt from the sweat that is arranged so that the sweat is transported to the device prior to being transported to the instrument for analyzing the sweat.

Abstract: A method of classifying terrain, terrain activity and materials through panchromatic imagery a module programmed to provide such classification and aerospace vehicles comprising such module is provided. Panchromatic images of known materials terrains and terrain activities are taken and processed to form a multiband texture cube, that due it amount of data, is stored as a computer data base. New panchromatic images of unclassified materials, terrains and/or terrain activities are processed and compared via computer with such database that allows for inexpensive, quick and efficient classification of such new images.

Abstract: A method forming a composite electrolyte by preparing a suspension. The suspension includes a solvent (comprising 90 wt % to 95 wt % of a total weight of liquids); a non-solvent (comprising 5 wt % to 50 wt % of a total weight of liquids); a binder (comprising 20 wt % to 50 wt % of a total weight of the composite electrolyte) and selected from the group consisting of PVDF, PVDF-HFP, PFTE, PEO, PMMA, PAN, CNC, SBR, and combinations thereof; and a ceramic filler (comprising 50 wt % to 80 wt % of the total weight of the composite electrolyte) having a cross-section diameter ranging from 50 nm to 150 nm and being selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, MgO, Li2O, LiAlO2, BaTiO3, LaGP, LATP, LLTO, and combinations thereof. The suspension is cast or printed and dried.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to shape memory films that are tri-functionally crosslinked and that comprise multiple, non-terminal, phenylethynyl moieties. In addition, the present invention relates methods of fabricating such films. Due to the improved properties of such SMPs, the SMP designer can program in to the SMP thermomechanical property enhancements that make the SMP suitable, among other things, for advanced sensors, high temperature actuators, responder matrix materials and heat responsive packaging.

Abstract: A system for solventless calibration of volatile or semi-volatile compounds and methods thereof. The system includes a fluid path having a first end configured to be operably coupled to a fluid source and a second end configured to be operably coupled to the analytical instrument. A solid sorbent is disposed along the fluid path and is configured to absorb an analyte. The flow of fluid along the fluid path from the first end to the second end causes absorbed analyte to be desorbed from the solid sorbent at a desired concentration to the instrument.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus related to a multijunction solar cell. The apparatus comprises a first sub-solar cell, a second sub-solar cell in series with the first sub-solar cell and one or more quantum wells. At least some of the quantum wells are disposed in a region of the first sub-solar cell, and have a thickness and a bandgap sized such that a bandgap in selected quantum wells are less than a bandgap of a material of the first sub-solar cell and greater than a bandgap of a material of the second sub-solar cell resulting in radiative coupling between the first sub-solar cell and the second sub-solar cell.

Abstract: An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.

Abstract: A family of low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline co-polyimides (TLC-CoPI) that are crosslinkable, and based on a unique, liquid-crystallinity (LC)-enabling diamine, namely, 1,3-bis[4-(4?-aminophenoxy)cumyl]benzene (BACB) and two or more mesogenic dianhydrides, at least one of which is a diphthalic dianhydride (DPA) that contains one or more thermally reactive and crosslinkable moieties similar to that of phenylethynyl (PE) is disclosed. Processes of making and using such low-molecular-weight, main-chain thermotropic liquid-crystalline co-polyimides are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-gateway multi-beam satellite communication system. The system has a satellite a plurality of gateways for providing broadband services to users and being in bilateral communication with the satellite by a like plurality of feeder links and a second plurality of clusters of coverage areas in bilateral communication with the satellite by a like plurality of service links. The system has a precoder for allocating power to either or both of the feeder links and service links. Precoding can be based on signal to noise plus interference ratio or interference temperature. Precoding can be based on discrete-time dynamical feedback system frameworks with real-time feedback signaling comprised of signal-to-noise plus interference ratio, signal-to-leakage-plus-noise ratio, interference temperatures and/or tracking errors.

Abstract: An air deployable buoyant device for transmitting data on its location and the conditions in the air as it descends to the surface of a body of water, and on conditions on a body of water on a real-time basis is disclosed. The device includes a buoy and a plurality of sensors and a transmitter associated with the buoy. The transmitter transmits data on the location of the device and the conditions in the air and on a body of water on a real-time basis to at least one receiver. The receiver may be located over the horizon or in line of sight with the device. The sensors are in communication with the transmitter, and each sensor measures at least one condition in the air and/or on a body of water to assist in locating a person in the water and provide information on the water conditions to a rescue team. Methods of deploying and using the buoyant device are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanochemical based synthesis of perfluoropyridine monomers, polymers made using such monomers and methods of making and using articles comprising such polymers. Such perfluoropyridine monomers are easily chemically tuned have the strength needed for high temperature applications and the flexibility needed for low temperature applications. In addition, to the aforementioned monomers, a mechanochemical based synthesis for such perfluoropyridine monomers is provided. All of the aforementioned performance application advantages are also found in polymers comprising Applicants' perfluoropyridine monomers.

Abstract: The emergency egress apparatus includes a protuberance mated to a first portion of the door barricade and a keeper mated to a second portion of the door barricade. A retainer is selectively disposed between one of two positions. A first position defines the placement of the retainer that establishes an interference fit between the protuberance and the keeper. A second position defines the placement of the retainer such that it is not in contact with the protuberance or the keeper. The first position secures the first portion of the door barricaded with respect to the second portion of the door barricade, and the second position decouples the first portion of the door barricade with respect to the second portion of the door barricade.