Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a carrier structure and an optical coupling arrangement. The carrier structure is made of a silicon material and allows for the packaging and integrating of microphotonic devices onto a single chip. The optical coupling mechanism enables laser light to be coupled into and out of a microphotonic resonant disk integrated on the carrier. The carrier provides first, second and third cavities that are dimensioned so as to accommodate the insertion and snug fitting of the microphotonic resonant disk and first and second prisms that are implemented by the optical coupling arrangement to accommodate the laser coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing cones and pillars on polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) optical fibers for glucose monitoring. The method, in one embodiment, consists of using electron beam evaporation to deposit a non-contiguous thin film of aluminum on the distal ends of the PMMA fibers. The partial coverage of aluminum on the fibers is randomly, but rather uniformly distributed across the end of the optical fibers. After the aluminum deposition, the ends of the fibers are then exposed to hyperthermal atomic oxygen, which oxidizes the areas that are not protected by aluminum. The resulting PMMA fibers have a greatly increased surface area and the cones or pillars are sufficiently close together that the cellular components in blood are excluded from passing into the valleys between the cones and pillars. The optical fibers are then coated with appropriated surface chemistry so that they can optically sense the glucose level in the blood sample than that with conventional glucose monitoring.

Abstract: Centrifugal compressor flow stabilizing devices and methods of operation thereof are disclosed that act upon the flow field discharging from the impeller of a centrifugal compressor and modify the flow field ahead of the diffuser vanes such that flow conditions contributing to rotating stall and surge are reduced or even eliminated. In some embodiments, shaped rods and methods of operation thereof are disclosed, whereas in other embodiments reverse-tangent air injection devices and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and the resulting product thereof comprising a solid light-conducting fiber with a point of attachment and having a textured surface site consisting a textured distal end prepared by being placed in a vacuum and then subjected to directed hyperthermal beams comprising oxygen ions or atoms. The textured distal end comprises cones or pillars that are spaced upon from each other by less than 1 micron and are extremely suitable to prevent cellular components of blood from entering the valleys between the cones or pillars so as to effectively separate the cellular components in the blood from interfering with optical sensing of the glucose concentration for diabetic patients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and the resulting product thereof comprising a solid light-conducting fiber with a point of attachment and having a textured surface site consisting a textured distal end prepared by being placed in a vacuum and then subjected to directed hyperthermal beams comprising oxygen ions or atoms. The textured distal end comprises cones or pillars that are spaced upon from each other by less than 1 micron and are extremely suitable to prevent cellular components of blood from entering the valleys between the cones or pillars so as to effectively separate the cellular components in the blood from interfering with optical sensing of the glucose concentration for diabetic patients.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method of its use for evaluating various performance aspects of a test specimen is disclosed. A chamber within a housing contains a cold mass tank with a contact surface in contact with a first surface of a test specimen. The first surface of the test specimen is spaced from the second surface of the test specimen by a thickness. The second surface of the test specimen is maintained at a desired warm temperature. The first surface is maintained at a constant temperature by a liquid disposed within the cold mass tank. A boil-off flow rate of the gas is monitored and provided to a processor along with the temperature of the first and second surfaces of the test specimen. The processor calculates thermal insulation values of the test specimen including comparative values for heat flux and apparent thermal conductivity (k-value). The test specimen may be placed in any vacuum pressure level ranging from about 0.01 millitorr to 1,000,000 millitorr with different residual gases as desired.

Abstract: A signal conditioning amplifier receives an input signal from an input such as a transducer. The signal is amplified and processed through an analog to digital converter and sent to a processor. The processor estimates the input signal provided by the transducer to the amplifier via a multiplexer. The estimated input signal is provided as a calibration voltage to the amplifier immediately following the receipt of the amplified input signal. The calibration voltage is amplified by the amplifier and provided to the processor as an amplified calibration voltage. The amplified calibration voltage is compared to the amplified input signal, and if a significant error exists, the gain and/or offset of the amplifier may be adjusted as necessary.

Abstract: A method for increasing the effectiveness of a permeable treatment wall is described. The method includes the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall. A permeable treatment wall is also described which has an ultrasonic radiation generating transducer in or near the wall. Permeable treatment walls are described as having either a well vertically extending into the wall, or a rod vertically extending into the treatment wall. Additionally, a method for adapting a permeable treatment wall to allow for the introduction of ultrasonic radiation in or near the wall is described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to means, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed at speeds below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight barrier and armor materials and, ore particularly, to a method of using a syntactic foam for protecting a desired portion of a fixed structure (e.g., building) or movable structure (e.g., armored vehicle or ship) from ballistic impact. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: (1) providing a mold defining therein a predetermined shape or an enclosed space in a fixed or movable structure; (2) providing a mixture of between about 40 percent and about 80 percent by volume of microspheres and between about 60 percent and about 20 percent by volume of an uncured binder material; (3) pouring the mixture into the mold; (4) curing the mixture to form a syntactic foam barrier material in the form of the predetermined shape; and (5) placing the barrier material in a relationship with the structure to be protected wherein the desired portion of the structure is protected from ballistic impact.

Abstract: An integrated thermal protection system (TPS) for a spacecraft includes a grid that is bonded to skin of the spacecraft, e.g., to support the structural loads of the spacecraft. A plurality of thermally insulative, relatively large panels are positioned on the grid to cover the skin of the spacecraft to which the grid has been bonded. Each panel includes a rounded front edge and a front flange depending downwardly from the front edge. Also, each panel includes a rear edge formed with a rounded socket for receiving the rounded front edge of another panel therein, and a respective rear flange depends downwardly from each rear edge. Pins are formed on the front flanges, and pin receptacles are formed on the rear flanges, such that the pins of a panel mechanically interlock with the receptacles of the immediately forward panel. To reduce the transfer to the skin of heat which happens to leak through the panels to the grid, the grid includes stringers that are chair-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method, utilizing a neural network, for estimating helicopter airspeed in the low airspeed flight range of below about 50 knots using only fixed system parameters as inputs to the neural network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding thermal protection system (TPS) tiles for spacecraft includes a bottom mold member defining a mold surface shaped like a surface of the spacecraft, e.g., the nose cap or wing leading edge, sought to be thermally protected. A flat billet of TPS material is positioned over the periphery of the mold surface, and a hollow weight element that has a periphery configured like the periphery of the mold surface is positioned on the billet. The billet is then heated in accordance with a predetermined heating regime, and during the heating process the weight of the weight element causes the billet to deform to assume the shape of the mold surface. If desired, a TUFI coating is impregnated into the billet prior to heating, and the coating is sintered to the billet during heating. After heating, a composite matrix material, e.g., a graphite or fiberglass cloth which is impregnated with epoxy or polimide, is bonded to the now-shaped tile to support the tile.

Abstract: An environmental protective suit used for hazardous clean-up or space applications includes a suitlock docking mechanism that allows for easy egress and ingress of a crew member between a sealed vessel and a possibly contaminated environment. The suitlock docking mechanism comprises a single actuator that controls latches which, in turn, respectfully control rack and pinion assemblies that allow for easy removal and attachment of a life support equipment enclosure shell to the environmental protective suit or to the vehicle from which the operator performs his/her duties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved acoustic sensor system for detering the direction of underwater sound signals relative to a user is disclosed. The sensor system includes first and second sensing means for sensing incoming acoustic energy and for providing first and second acoustic energy signals in response thereto; separation means for separating the first and second sensing means a distance S=E(C.sub.W /C.sub.A) where E is substantially equal to the separation distance between the users ears, C.sub.W is the speed of sound in water, and C.sub.A is the speed of sound in air; detector means, operatively connected with the first and second sensing means, for providing first and second output signals in response to the first and second acoustic energy signals; and audio means, operatively connected with the detector means, for providing an audio output to the user in response to the first and second output signals.

Abstract: An Operating At Sea Island Station (OASIS) for deployment in an area of wr a preselected distance from a body of land includes a plurality of discrete, self-sufficient operating units. Each operating unit being operable to perform a specialized function and operable in combination with other units to perform an overall task or mission. The plurality of operating units are dispersed in an area of the open sea measuring up to ten nautical (10) miles on a side. Each of the operating units includes mooring and dynamic positioning systems for maintaining the plurality of operating units in spaced apart relation within the OASIS so that any activity taking place relative to one of the operating units may progress without interference from any of the other operating units. If utilized for naval applications, the OASIS may serve as an advanced logistics support base, a critical node base or a forward operating base.

Abstract: An air cushion displacement hull water vehicle has a novel construction so s to defrictionize water flowing under the hull as the vehicle is propelled through the water. The hull includes a forward bow portion, an opposing aft end portion, a pair of sidewalls spaced from each other and extending between the forward bow portion and the aft end portion, and a bottom wall extending between the forward bow portion and the aft end portion and between the pair of sidewalls. The bottom wall of the hull is recessed to define an air cushion region. An air supply device positioned within the interior of the hull communicates with the air cushion region and is operable to supply pressurized air to the air cushion region to defrictionize water flow under the air cushion region.