Abstract: A method of fiber core material band gap engineering for artificially modifying fiber material properties is provided. The method includes doping the fiber core material with one or more atoms for enhancing photosensitivity to the fiber material. The method also includes co-doping the fiber core material with one or more ions for enhancing an amorphous network crosslink mean coordination number. The method further includes thermally annealing the fiber core material for widening the band gap of the fiber core material.

Abstract: A method for making a doped magnesium diboride powder is provided. The method includes coating a polymeric precursor on at least one of a plurality of particles of a first phase, where the first phase includes a magnesium diboride powder, where the polymeric precursor includes chemical elements yielding a second phase. The second phase includes one or more of a boride, a nitride, a carbide, an oxide, an oxy-boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof. The method further includes forming a second phase coating onto at least one of the plurality of particles of the magnesium diboride powder.

Abstract: A differential pressure sensing system is provided. The sensing system includes a membrane layer having a channel extending diametrically therein, and including one or more cavities provided radially outbound of the channel and at least one resonant beam disposed in the channel and configured to oscillate at a desired frequency. The system further includes sensing circuitry configured to detect oscillation of the at least one resonant beam indicative of deformation in the membrane layer.

Abstract: A system for lightning detection is provided. The lightning detection system includes a conductor configured to receive a lightning strike and transmit a lightning induced current. The system also includes a fiber optic current sensor configured to detect multiple lightning parameters from the lightning induced current and to modulate a beam of radiation in response thereto. The system further includes an electro-optic module configured to receive and convert the beam of radiation from the fiber optic current sensor to an electrical signal.

Abstract: A phase shifting imaging module in a handheld imager is provided. The phase shifting imaging module includes a first beam splitter configured to split an image radiation beam into first and second image radiation beams. It also includes a first prism configured to align the first and second image radiation beams, and a second beam splitter configured to split the first and second image radiation beams into four image radiation beams. A second prism aligns the four image radiation beams. A phase mask introduces phase retardation between the four image radiation beams, resulting in four phase shifted image radiation beams. A pixilated sensor generates image data based upon each of the four phase shifted image radiation beams.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising heating helium in a core of a nuclear reactor; extracting heat from the helium; superheating water to steam using the heat extracted from the helium; expanding the helium in a turbine; wherein the turbine is in operative communication with an electrical generator; and generating electricity in the electrical generator.

Abstract: An icemaker assembly is disposed within a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and respective freezer and fresh food door assemblies. The icemaker assembly comprises a conveyor assembly positioned within the freezer compartment having a flexible conveyor belt with a multiplicity of individual ice cube molds for creation of individual ice cubes. An ice cube storage bin is positioned below the conveyor assembly for storing the ice cubes and a fullness sensor is positioned for determining the fill level of ice cubes within the ice cube storage bin.

Abstract: An oxidant distribution system for a fuel cell assembly includes a fuel cell having at least one oxidant inlet and at least one oxidant outlet, a housing surrounding the fuel cell and an insulation layer positioned between the housing and the fuel cell. The insulation layer defines a cavity adjacent to the oxidant inlet for channeling oxidant flow to the oxidant inlet. A fuel distribution system for a fuel cell assembly including similar features is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen reforming system includes a cyclical compression chamber having an entry port for receiving hydrogen-containing gas and an exit port for delivering reformed hydrogen-containing gas, an arrangement for heating the hydrogen-containing gas to a non-combustible temperature, and a drive system for cycling the cyclical compression chamber. The cyclical compression chamber has an operational cycle with an internal pressure and temperature absent combustion effective for reforming the hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A multi-gas sensor device for the detection of dissolved hydrocarbon gases in oil-filled electrical equipment. The device comprising a semiconductor substrate, one or more catalytic metal gate-electrodes deposited on the surface of the semiconductor substrate operable for sensing various gases, and an ohmic contact deposited on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate comprises one of GaN, SiC, AlN, InN, AlGaN, InGaN and AlInGaN. A method for sensing gas in an oil-filled reservoir of electrical equipment, comprising providing a sensor device, immersing the sensor device in the oil-filled reservoir, allowing the gases emitted from the oil to interact with the one or more catalytic metal gate-electrodes, altering the gas as it contacts the catalytic metal gate-electrodes and altering the sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes a fiber core having a plurality of Bragg grating elements wherein, the grating elements comprise a periodic or a quasiperiodic modulated microcrystalline and rigid silicon dioxide tetrahedral structure and a cladding disposed about the fiber core.

Abstract: The gas turbines of the present invention have multiple combustion chambers, and within each chamber are multiple fuel nozzles. Each nozzle has its own fuel control valve to control the fuel flowing to the nozzles. To minimize the pressure drop through the fuel control valves, multiple manifolds are employed. Each manifold supplies at least one fuel nozzle in multiple combustion chambers with fuel. The fuel control valves are mounted on the manifolds such that the weight of the fuel control valves and nozzles are carried by the manifolds, not the multiple combustion chambers. A plurality of thermocouples for measuring exhaust gas from said multiple combustion chambers are employed to sense gas exhaust temperature. In carrying out the methods of the present invention for tuning a gas turbine, it is essential to note that the most efficient gas turbine is one which has the least nitrous oxides, the least amount of unburned hydrocarbons, and the least amount of carbon monoxide for a specified energy output.

Abstract: A combustion engine system comprises a plurality of cylinders configured to combust a mixed fuel to produce an exhaust gas and at least one reforming cylinder configured to receive a first portion of a fuel and deliver a reformed hydrogen-containing gas. The hydrogen-containing gas is introduced into a second portion of the fuel to form the mixed fuel to reduce emission from the combustion engine system.

Abstract: The gas turbines of the present invention have multiple combustion chambers, and within each chamber are multiple fuel nozzles. Each nozzle has its own fuel control valve to control the fuel flowing to the nozzles. To minimize the pressure drop through the fuel control valves, multiple manifolds are employed. Each manifold supplies at least one fuel nozzle in multiple combustion chambers with fuel. The fuel control valves are mounted on the manifolds such that the weight of the fuel control valves and nozzles are carried by the manifolds, not the multiple combustion chambers. A plurality of thermocouples for measuring exhaust gas from said multiple combustion chambers are employed to sense gas exhaust temperature. In carrying out the methods of the present invention for tuning a gas turbine, it is essential to note that the most efficient gas turbine is one which has the least nitrous oxides, the least amount of unburned hydrocarbons, and the least amount of carbon monoxide for a specified energy output.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell assembly comprising at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and a electrolyte interposed therebetween; at least one fluid flow channel disposed within the fuel cell for delivering a fluid to the fuel cell and at least one array of flow disruptors in contact with at least one of the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte. The flow disruptors protrude into the fluid flow channel so as to disrupt a fluid flow and enhance a heat transfer rate between the fluid and the fuel cell assembly when the fluid is introduced into the fluid flow channel.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is provided wherein the solid oxide fuel cell comprises a thermal management section and an electrolytic section disposed adjacent the thermal management section wherein a plurality of concavities are disposed on at least one of the thermal management and electrolytic sections so as to cause hydrodynamic interactions and affect the heat transfer rate between a fluid and the concavities when the fluid is disposed over the concavities.

Abstract: A mold is provided for enabling casting of single crystal metallic articles including a part-defining cavity, a sorter passage positioned vertically beneath and in fluid communication with the part-defining cavity, and a seed cavity positioned vertically beneath and in fluid communication with the sorter passage. The sorter passage includes a shape suitable for encouraging a single crystal structure in solidifying molten metal. Additionally, a portion of the mold between the sorter passage and the part-defining cavity includes a notch for facilitating breakage of a cast article proximate the notch during thermal stress build-up, so as to prevent mold breakage or the inclusion of part defects.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly includes a sensor coil, an electrostatic shield coil, a core, a housing, and a magnetic shield. The sensing coil, electrostatic shield coil, core, housing, and magnetic shield can be of toroidal symmetry and arranged coaxially about a pair of primary current conductors. The conductors can be either asymmetric or symmetric with respect to the geometric center of the remaining sensor assembly. The core and a secondary winding make up a current sensor. The core is cylindrically shaped and fabricated of non-magnetic material. The secondary winding is wound over the cylindrical core to form a toroidally shaped winding. When assembled into the current sensor assembly, the core and windings are disposed around two single turn primary windings through which AC currents to be measured flow. Alternatively, the conductor can be flat and the sensor can be a solid state sensor that includes an electrostatic shield.

Abstract: Fuel cells for example solid oxide fuel cells require cooling to maintain temperature levels and remove thermal energy generated by the fuel cells. The present invention provides a fuel cell assembly comprising at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte interposed therebetween, an interconnect which is in intimate contact with at least one of the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte; at least one fluid flow channel which is disposed within the fuel cell, and at least one fiber which is disposed within the fluid flow channel. The fiber disposed within the fluid flow channel disrupts a fluid flow during travel of the fluid within the fluid flow channel to generate unsteady wakes. These unsteady wakes enhance the local heat transfer characteristics adjacent to at least one fiber. A higher Reynolds number enhances the heat transfer characteristics proportionately.

Abstract: An X-ray tube comprises a cathode, an anode target assembly and an axial flux motor having a rotor and a stator. The stator is positioned along a transverse axis parallel to the rotor axis. The rotor and the stator are configured to be coupled to the anode target assembly. A cathode generates an electron beam for impingement upon the anode target assembly and a vacuum housing surrounds the anode target assembly, the cathode and the rotor to enable the electron beam impingement.