Abstract: This invention is a lightweight, portable, quickly assembled, wide band, discone antenna for high frequency ground wave communication. The disk portion of the antenna is formed of telescoping spokes and the cone portion is formed of separate retractable wire elements. Disassembled, the antenna can be carried in a backpack. It can be assembled in less than ten minutes to achieve non-fading, non-line-of-sight communication.

Abstract: The invention is a process for making sharp tips. A computer controlled instrument and process characterizes the tip while in formation and reliably produces tips having a radius of curvature of approximately 100 nm. In the invention, the position of the wire during the etching operation is mechanically controlled while the etching current is monitored. When the current reaches a predetermined level, the process is halted.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention allow a neovascular membrane in the ocular vasculature of the fundus of the eye to be identified and treated while minimizing damage to the sensory retina. First a bolus of fluorescent dye is injected and allowed to circulate through the ocular vasculature. When the fundus is diffusely irradiated with laser energy, dye present in the vasculature fluoresces. A neovascular membrane is identified when a particular area of fluorescence differs from the fluorescence of the surrounding normal vasculature. To treat the neovascular membrane, a second laser is focused on the site of the membrane and a second bolus of fluorescent dye is injected. When the presence of the second injection of dye is detected, energy from the focused laser is applied to damage or destroy the neovascular membrane.

Abstract: The invention is an inlet system for a variable geometry transatmospheric air breathing engine. It incorporates a rotatably translatable cowl provided with a rotating lip used in combination with insertable and propellant injection struts.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device providing very high density information storage on an organomellic DCNQI charge transfer data storage medium. The medium is switched from one state to another through the application of an electric field to the medium by the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope resulting in an observable change in the electron density of the surface of the medium.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device providing very high density information storage on an organometallic charge transfer data storage medium. The medium is switched from one state to another through the application of an electric field to the medium by the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope resulting in an observable change in the electron density of the surface of the medium. A STM tip is used to write, read and erase data via the organometallic charge transfer medium (e.g. TCNQ, or derivatives thereof).

Abstract: The system is a fixture used to nondestructively support electrical circuits for testing. It is particularly useful for physically and electrically mounting circuits which are edge accessed. Support, positioning and contact elements are used in conjunction with a base plate grid and adjustably cooperate through a system of T slots and T shaped projections.

Abstract: The invention is a propellant utilization system for flight vehicles operating in both the subsonic and supersonic speed ranges. In particular, the invention uses steam and water produced in the system to replace hydrogen as a coolant and for power generation. It also provides for the utilization or oxygen obtained from air captured by the air inlet instead of oxygen stored in the vehicle.

Abstract: Weak links in superconductors are detected by observing the effect of magnetic field modulation on the microwave resistance of superconductors. The phase detected response to the magnetic modulation can show a peak at T.sub.c. The presence of peak(s) at temperatures below T.sub.c indicates the presence of weak links in the superconductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow competitive assay system for the detection and measurement of chemical and biochemical analytes. It is a time-based, continuous on-line measurement of analyte concentrations comprising three functional assemblies connected in series: a sampler, a reactor and a detector. Tagged immunochemical discharged from the reactor is detected in the detector which contains a model of system response with the tagged immunochemical and keeps track of the amount of tagged immunochemical lost during the course of the operation of the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method to detect a magnetic field by measuring the magnetically modulated resistance of a superconductor maintained at its phase transition temperature (T.sub.c).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for laser direct writing of materials onto a receiving substrate using a high power pulsed laser. The invention includes a pulsed laser light source, a receiving substrate, disposed opposite the pulsed laser light source, and an optically transparent source support substrate positioned between the receiving substrate and the pulsed laser light source, wherein a surface of the optically transparent source support substrate facing the receiving substrate has coated thereon a thin film of material to be deposited on the receiving substrate. Laser direct writing using the invention is accomplished by impinging the thin film of material with a pulsed laser light from the pulsed laser light source causing material to be selectively "blown off" the optically transparent source support substrate and deposited onto the surface of the receiving substrate.

Abstract: Vanadium dioxide thin films have been prepared from tetrravalent vanadium organic compounds via the sol gel process. The vanadium dioxide was deposited from an alcoholic solution. Films were annealed between 200.degree.-700.degree. C. under nitrogen to achieve complete dehydration and crystallization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus to detect the superconductive state by measuring the change in the resistance of a sample. A dc magnetic field is imposed on the sample while the temperature is swept. The strength of the magnetic field is held below the critical value and is frequency modulated by the application of an ac field in such a way that total magnetic field is always positive. The resistance of the sample is measured incrementally as the temperature is swept and is phase detected at the modulation frequency. According to this embodiment, only magnetic field dependent changes demonstrating a precipitous drop in resistance identify a composition as superconductive.

Abstract: The charge transfer apparatus of the present invention comprises an optical storage medium of either a mixture of several charge transfer compounds of varying redox potential or a single amphoteric organic charge transfer compound capable of undergoing a multistage charge transfer reaction, and a source of optical energy, typically a laser. When the optical energy illuminates a spot on the optical storage medium, the spot switches to one of a plurality of optically detectable states.

Abstract: An enhanced optically sensitive medium is disclosed which uses an organic charge transfer complex as the switching material. The organic charge transfer complex includes at least one moiety in an oxidized state. An enhancement mechanism is taught which provides a secondary source of neutral molecules of said at least one constituent moiety in the neutral or altered oxidation state. For example, with CuTCNQ used as the switching material, the erasing characteristics can be improved by using a covering dispersion having a matrix polymer interspersed with neutral molecules of TCNQ.degree..

Abstract: A current-controlled, bistable threshold or memory switch comprises a polycrystalline metal-organic semiconductor sandwiched between netallic electrodes. Films of either copper or silver complexed with TNAP, DDQ, TCNE, TCNQ, derivative TCNQ molecules, or other such electron acceptors provide switching between high and low impedance states with combined delay and switching times on the order of 1 nanosecond. Switching behavior of a complex of the present invention is related to the reduction potential of the acceptor molecule.

Abstract: The invention concerns a releasing means for a prosthetic elbow locking mechanism. When an elbow unlocking cable is tensed by the amputee, a switch is closed, triggering a one-shot circuit. The one-shot circuit emits a single pulse which drives the motor of the prosthetic elbow, turning the motor a few degrees and lifting the arm such that any frictional engagement between an elbow locking pawl and an elbow gear is relaxed. The locking pawl is readily withdrawn from engagement with the gear, once the motor is pulsed, upon continued application of further tension to the elbow unlocking cable.

Abstract: An electrodialysis desalination process for seawater comprising the steps of collecting seawater and heating same by solar heat; subjecting seawater thus heated to electrodialysis; and separating same into two portions of a diluted solution and a concentrated brine, is provided, as well as the same system comprising a preheater utilizing solar heat for preheating seawater, an electrodialyser for separating seawater thus preheated by said preheater into said two portions, and means for supplying seawater to the preheater and then from the preheater to the electrodialyser. Various modifications of the above process and system are disclosed. According to the present inventions, electric power consumption in the electrodialysis is saved and solar heat is utilized effectively.

Abstract: An electrodialysis desalination process for seawater comprising the steps of collecting seawater and heating same by solar heat; subjecting seawater thus heated to electrodialysis; and separating same into two portions of a diluted solution and a concentrated brine, is provided, as well as the same system comprising a preheater utilizing solar heat for preheating seawater, an electrodialyser for separating seawater thus preheated by said preheater into said two portions, and means for supplying seawater to the preheater and then from the preheater to the electrodialyser. Various modifications of the above process and system are disclosed. According to the present inventions, electric power consumption in the electrodialysis is saved and solar heat is utilized effectively.