Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating vapor extraction from the headspace of a septum-sealed vial containing a sample to be analyzed. The vial is heated, driving dissolved volatile organics out of solution and into the vapor headspace. A first end of a hollow probe penetrates the septum of the sample vial and is submerged within the sample. The second end of the probe is connected to the first port of a two-port gas-tight valve. A first end of a flexible tube is connected to the second port of the valve. The second end of the tube is submerged in a heated liquid source. In one embodiment, the vapor is extracted from the vial through the septum by a vapor extraction means. During vapor extraction, the valve is opened, thereby connecting the vial to the heated liquid via the tube, thereby allowing the liquid to replace the vapor as it is extracted for analysis from the otherwise closed headspace volume. In an alternate embodiment, the heated liquid source is pressurized.

Abstract: A configurable aerial vehicle aerosurface is disclosed, The configurable aerial vehicle aerosurface includes first and second airfoil surfaces in sliding engagement. A plurality of apertures pass transversely through the airfoil surfaces and are disposed in such a relationship so as to define a first position wherein the apertures are in substantial alignment and a second position wherein the apertures are in substantial non-alignment. In this way, the configurable aerial vehicle aerosurface of the present invention can be configured from a first, low drag transport position, to a second, aerodynamic position to provide missile lift and control.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine utilizing hydrogen, natural gas or other alternate fuel is described which includes a pressure vessel for containing liquid fuel in a first compartment and gaseous fuel in a second compartment, the compartments separated by a movable piston configured to maintain the fuel in liquid and gaseous phases by maintaining constant, but different pressures, respectively, in the two compartments regardless of fuel quantity in either compartment. A thermal expansion system interconnecting the two compartments draws fuel from the first compartment and expands the fuel to a superheated gas into the second compartment for transfer to the engine.

Abstract: A oxygen generation system comprising a plurality of cells arranged in a stack. Each cell is comprised of a BICUVOX electrolyte and a pair of Inconel® electrodes placed in electrical contact with the BICUVOX electrolyte to produce a flow of oxygen therethrough. The BICUVOX electrolyte is comprised of a square thin plate. The electrodes are plates having the same dimensions as the electrolyte. The electrode plates are machined with gas flow channels oriented to separate high purity oxygen gas flow from oxygen-depleted gas flow. The stack is enclosed in a tubular manifold composed of magnesium oxide and has a diameter slightly larger than the diagonal length of the electrolyte and electrode plates. The stack is sealed at its four corners to the inside surface of the manifold creating four separate passages for flow of oxygen-containing gas, high purity oxygen gas, and oxygen-depleted gas.

Abstract: A three-dimensional waveguiding structure for a microcavity surface-emitting laser is described in which native aluminum oxide layers provide control of intracavity waveguiding and the laser optical mode structure of the emitted beam. Microcavity lasers described herein account for the blueshift of the emission wavelength as the laser lateral dimensions are reduced to or below the emission wavelength.

Abstract: A forced air aircraft de-icing system is described, which in a preferred embodiment includes a vehicle having a articulable aerial boom mounted thereon with an operator platform disposed on the distal end of the boom, a compressed air source including a compressor and power source operatively attached to the distal end of the boom at or below the operator platform, and a high speed air jet nozzle operatively attached to the outlet of the compressor for directing a high speed air jet against the surface of an aircraft in the removal of snow and ice therefrom.

Abstract: A wearable life support system integrates an antigravity compensation apparatus for providing counter-pressures on the human body in response to antigravity conditions with an environmental defense apparatus for providing operational conditions to a human within the life support system. A filtration apparatus removes harmful conditions from breathable gas provided to a human within the system. A temperature control apparatus maintains operational conditions to a human within system. A vision maintenance and protection apparatus is kept clear through use of a demisting apparatus that prevents visual distortion of a visor covering the human visual field. The Demisting apparatus is integratable with a wearable life support system that provides environmental defense and/or antigravity compensation to the human user. A portable environmental apparatus provides ground and back-up life sustaining conditions to a human within wearable life support systems.

Abstract: A method for predicting process parameters for optimization and control of microstructure in metal and alloy products of hot working fabrication processes is described. The method uses state-space material behavior models and hot deformation process models for calculating optimal strain, strain rate and temperature trajectories for processing the material. Using the optimal trajectories and appropriate optimality criteria, suitable process parameters such as ram velocity and die profile for processing the material are determined to achieve prescribed strain, strain rate and temperature trajectories.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing visualization of veins, arteries or other subcutaneous natural or foreign structures of the body and for facilitating intravenous insertion or extraction of fluids, medication or the like in the administration of medical treatment to human or animal subjects are described which comprise a light source (11) for illuminating or transilluminating the corresponding portion of the body with light of selected wavelengths and a low-level light detector (12) such as an image intensifier tube (including night vision goggles), a photomultiplier tube, photodiode or charge coupled device, for generating an image of the illuminated body portion, and optical filter(s) (17) of selected spectral transmittance which can be located at the light source(s) (11), detector (12), or both.

Abstract: A corrugated fin heat pipe and method of fabrication. The micro channel heat pipe includes a tubular housing split longitudinally into two halves. A pair of corrugated fin elements defining a plurality of adjacent closed and open micro capillary channels are attached to the inner surface of the housing halves. Material is removed from the closed micro capillary channels along a portion of the longitudinal axis to create regions consisting entirely of open micro capillary channels, maximizing heat flux in those regions. The housing halves are reattached and the heat pipe housing is enclosed by a pair of end caps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively enhancing aircraft weapon separation by actively modifying the flowfield characteristics of an open, shallow weapons bay during flight is disclosed. The apparatus includes a source of high pressure gas in fluid communication with an injector located on the aircraft. A control valve controls the introduction of a flow of high pressure gas from the source into the injector. The injector is placed ahead of the nose of the weapon and directs the flow of the high pressure gas externally into the airstream of the aircraft in flight. The injection of the high pressure gas into the airstream initiates a flowfield in the open weapons bay similar to that which occurs in a deep bay, encouraging a flat, even weapons separation.

Abstract: Device and method are described for measuring transmissivity and haze in transparencies as detected through night vision goggles, including an emitter portion and a sensor portion, the emitter portion including a first light source for presenting an image to the sensor portion through the transparency and a second light source for projecting a haze producing light onto the transparency, the sensor portion including a light intensifier tube and a photometer for measuring the luminance output of the light intensifier tube and quantifying attenuation (transmissivity) and haze (light scatter) characteristics of the transparency as viewed through night vision goggles.

Abstract: A high power density alkaline electrochemical capacitor cell includes a pair of titanium nitride powder electrodes fabricated by subjecting titanium hydride powder to a controlled flow of ammonia vapor. A porous separating membrane for containing an electrolyte is attached to a first surface of the pair of powder electrodes. A conductive termination is attached to the second side of each of the powder electrodes. The electrodes have a high surface area and are electrochemically stable in strong alkaline electrolyte. The capacitor cell can be hermetically sealed and is capable of long-term cyclical operation over a wide range of operating temperatures (−55° C. to +100° C.) while providing high-density energy storage.

Abstract: A linear fire extinguisher system is described that includes a flexible, substantially closed plastic tube containing an extinguishant, the tube containing a multiplicity of selectively weakened pre-scored orifices at preselected spacing along the tube length, whereby sufficient heat from a fire contacting the tube will weaken and rupture the tube predictably and facilitate efficient discharge of the extinguishant directly onto the fire. The structure of the invention may include two coaxial inner and outer tubes, each tube containing extinguishant wherein the outer tube may initially rupture upon heating and discharge extinguishant onto the fire, the inner tube being available for rupture and discharge onto the fire upon re-ignition or if the discharge of the outer tube is insufficient to extinguish the fire.

Abstract: A turbine blade having an extensible tail is described. The extensible tail is selectively positionable during engine operation, enabling fine-tuning for maximum power and efficiency during engine operation. During periods of operation exhibiting low Reynolds number flows, the extensible tail is projected out from the trailing edge of the turbine blade, into the gas path. As Reynolds number flows increase, the extensible tail is retracted back into the turbine blade, maximizing turbine engine efficiency.

Abstract: System and method for high vacuum sputtering combining magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser plasma deposition are described wherein simultaneous or sequential magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition operations in a single ultra-high vacuum system provides high deposition rates with precise control of film morphology, stoichiometry, microstructure, composition gradient, and uniformity, in the deposition of high performance coatings of various metal, ceramic and diamond-like carbon materials.

Abstract: An electronic streak camera is described which includes a housing enclosing an objective lens disposed along an optical axis for forming an image of optical radiation from an emissive body, a pinhole field stop at the focal point of the objective lens, a collimating lens for collimating radiation passing the pinhole field stop, a prism for splitting the radiation from the collimating lens into a characteristic optical spectrum of the radiation, an imaging lens for forming an image of the radiation from the prism.

Abstract: A process for treating industrial waste water containing hexavalent chromium (Cr.sup.+6) and other heavy metals is disclosed which comprises reduction of Cr.sup.+6 to trivalent chromium (Cr.sup.+3) and the precipitation thereof with other heavy metals by addition of sulfide ion and ferrous ion to the waste stream at a pH of about 7 to 9 under conditions such that sludge production by the process of the invention is substantially less than that characteristic of prior art processes. Polymers are added to the solution to assist flocculation and clarification of the waste stream. More specifically, the invention comprises adding sulfide ion in a sulfide to hexavalent chromium ratio of about 0.7-2.5:1 and adding ferrous ion in a ferrous to hexavalent chromium ratio of about 0.5-5.0:1. The waste stream pH is preferably maintained in the range of about 7.2 to 7.5.

Abstract: A method for curing an optically sensitive material or for fabricating an optical filter is described which comprises the steps of disposing a thin film of optically sensitive material within a plane optical cavity capable of resonating at selected optical frequencies having boundary reflectivities greater than 50 percent at some wavelength, polarization and angle of incidence and being capable of resonating at selected optical frequencies and exposing cavity and material to sensitizing light, such as a laser, of preselected wavelength or wavelengths suitable for initiating cure within the material and optionally for establishing one or more specified sets of resonant standing wave patterns within the material when the cavity is oriented at a suitable angle to the incident light.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline carbide/diamond-like carbon composite films and synthesis method near room temperature are described wherein combined magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser ablation produce plasma fluxes intersecting on a substrate surface to form metal carbide and diamond-like carbon composite films of about 10 to 50 nm carbide crystallites encapsulated in a sp.sup.3 bonded amorphous diamond-like carbon matrix having a hardness of about 32 GPa and high plasticity, high toughness in contact loading and low friction coefficient.