Abstract: The present invention is a passive sensor to detect ionizing radiation over time. It employs a SAW sensor that incorporates a polymer film that deforms based on the chain-scission reaction as described upon irradiation. The polymer film coats the piezoelectric substrate and reflectors on the SAW sensor and, as it reacts to radiation, the film deforms due to the fracturing of the polymer molecules resulting in a loss of overall mass. As the SAW sensor is interrogated by an electrical signal, the wavelength of the response will change as the overall rigidity of the polymer film changes allowing for the detection of the level of radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments provide ice adhesion mitigating surface coatings and methods for generating the same. Embodiments may provide anti-icing coating with at least one monomeric species exhibiting molecular flexibility. The molecular flexibility in the monomeric species may be imparted through an aliphatic or heteroaliphatic chain that may exist as a portion of the monomer backbone, as a pendant group, or as both the portion of the monomer backbone and the pendant group. In various embodiments epoxy coatings including an epoxy resin and an amine-terminated hardener may be generated. At least a portion of the amine-terminated hardener may include at least a monomeric species that exhibits molecular flexibility arising from an aliphatic chain or heteroaliphatic chain that may be within the polymer backbone and/or may persist as a pendant group.

Abstract: Described herein are membrane permeabilizing peptides, polynucelotides encoding the peptides, and lipid vesicles comprising the peptides. Furthermore, described herein are methods for using the peptides, polynucleotides, and lipid vesicles for research, diagnosis, disease prevention, and therapeutic treatment.

Abstract: A passive receiver system includes a first cross-dipole antenna on a platform, a second cross-dipole antenna on the platform, a passive receiver, and beam steering logic for the first and second cross-dipole antennas. The beam steering logic steers a radiation beam of the passive receiver in a first direction and steers the radiation beam of the passive receiver in a second direction. The first direction is aligned with a direct signal path and the second direction aligned with a reflect signal path. The platform is of a first satellite and the direct signal path is aligned with a second satellite.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a microneedle probe device for measuring a sap flow rate of a plant includes: a substrate, of which at least a part is inserted into a plant, and a thickness and a width are microscales; a single metal wire provided on the substrate; a power source, which applies a current to the metal wire for a predetermined time and heats the metal wire; and a processor, which calculates a flow rate of sap through a movement of heat generated in the metal wire according to a flow of the sap within the plant.

Abstract: A scalable plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements are configured to provide a continuous rotation actuator system. The plurality of SMA elements are coupled to a Ring Gear element, as well as to a Sun Gear element and a provision for thermal cycle return assist of the SMA elements. A plurality of Transmission elements provide for controlled rotary actuation in a desired direction with lock capability that provides for continuous rotary motion even as the SMA elements undergo reciprocating rotary action during their thermal cycling without running into system component rotation limits. The innovation distinguishes over other innovative approaches by way of at least the Ring Gear element, the manner of lock control, and the return assist element.

Abstract: Copoly(imide oxetane) materials are disclosed that can exhibit a low surface energy while possessing the mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical properties associated with polyimides. The copoly(imide oxetane)s are prepared using a minor amount of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer with sufficient fluorine-containing segments of the copoly(imide oxetane)s migrate to the exterior surface of the polymeric material to yield low surface energies. Thus the coatings and articles of manufacture made with the copoly(imide oxetane)s of this invention are characterized as having an anisotropic fluorine composition. The low surface energies can be achieved with very low content of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer. The copolymers of this invention can enhance the viability of polyimides for many applications and may be acceptable where homopolyimide materials have been unacceptable.

Abstract: A portable unit for metabolic analysis includes a manifold in fluid communication with a mouth of a test subject. A conduit extends from the manifold and defines a flow channel through which the breaths of the test subject travels. A carbon dioxide sensor is attached to the conduit. The carbon dioxide sensor includes an intermediate support housing enclosing a volume disposed along the flow channel to define a first part of the flow channel, an inner support housing attached to a first side of the intermediate support housing, a plurality of IR LEDs mounted to an interior surface of the inner support housing, an outer support housing attached to a second side of the intermediate support housing, and a photodetector attached to the outer support housing. The photodetector faces the flow channel and receives IR radiation emitted by the plurality of LEDs.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for compensating for device property variations across a wafer. The method comprises determining an output of a first device based on an input and determining an output of a second device based on the input. The second device is located at a different position with respect to a center of the wafer than a position of the first device with respect to the center of the wafer. The method further comprises determining a difference between the output of the first device and the output of the second device, the difference arising at least in part from the difference in position of the first and second devices. The method further comprises altering the first device such that the output of the first device based on the input substantially matches the output of the second device based on the input.

Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a beam steering system configured to direct an optical beam through a first optical element towards a second optical element. The beam steering system includes an adjustable optical element. The second optical element is susceptible to thermal and vibrational loads that disrupt an alignment between the first and second optical elements. The second optical element includes a main portion configured to direct the optical beam down a propagation path including a communications target. The second optical element also includes a reflective portion configured to direct an alignment portion of the optical beam back to the beam steering system through the first optical element. A detector is configured to receive the alignment portion and generate an alignment signal. A controller is configured to adjust the adjustable optical element based on the alignment signal to counteract the loads.

Abstract: A ruggedized camera system provides high-quality optical data signals while operating in harsh environments and includes a housing having an electronics housing section and a lens housing section. A light-ring circuit is attached to the lens housing section. A diffuser ring is attached to the lens housing section and covers the light-ring circuit. The camera system includes camera electronics that process optical data captured by the camera optical lens. The camera electronics are secured within a camera electronics holder that is located within and attached to the electronic housing section and which minimizes vibrations to the camera electronics. A power circuit is inside and attached to the electronic housing section and provides power to the camera electronics and the light-ring circuit and receives serial command data being transmitted to the camera electronics. The housing tightly integrates the camera optical lens, the camera electronics holder, the light-ring circuit and power circuit.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for simultaneous simulation of one-dimensional flow and multi-dimensional flow in a fluid flow network. Processes define meshes of nodes for both one-dimensional and multi-dimensional flow components in a fluid flow network. Another process defines a relational data structure for each adjacent node pair in each multi-dimensional flow component. A flow analysis code is executed to model fluid flow throughout the fluid flow network using the one-dimensional and multi-dimensional meshes of nodes, and each relational data structure.

Abstract: A unidirectional damping system includes a shaft and unidirectional damping modules. Each module is fixedly coupled to the shaft. Each module includes a fluid-filled variable-volume chamber and spring(s). The chamber has at least one port through which fluid flows based on changes in volume of the chamber wherein, when the shaft is adapted to have a unidirectional force applied thereto, the chamber decreases in volume. The spring(s) is coupled to the chamber for increasing volume of the chamber when the unidirectional force is not applied to the shaft. A fluid-filled spacer chamber is coupled between adjacent modules and is uncoupled from the shaft. The spacer chamber includes at least one venting port through which fluid flows based on pressure in the spacer chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single board computer system with an improved memory and layout. The unique layout of the printed circuit board of the present invention allows for different parts to be placed in a back-to-back configuration to minimize the dimensions of the printed circuit board. This includes a high-performance radiation-hardened reconfigurable FPGA, for processing computation-intensive space systems, disposed on both sides of the printed circuit board. Four dual double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memories (DDR2 SDRAMs) disposed on both the top side and on the bottom side of the printed circuit board reduce an operating voltage of said printed circuit board. A layout stack-up of the printed circuit board includes twenty-two symmetrical layers including ten ground layers, four power layers, six signal layers, a top layer, and a bottom layer.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to techniques, laminates and devices used to fabricate thin dielectric or semiconductor membranes including a handling substrate including a photoresist material on a first surface thereof, a semiconductor wafer having a circuit pattern on a first surface and a second surface to be processed and a temporary adhesive layer temporarily bonding the first surface of the semiconductor wafer to the first surface of the handling substrate including the photoresist material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for detecting a potato virus Y including an M13KO7 bacteriophage and a kit including the same. Since the M13KO7 bacteriophage of the present disclosure may be easily produced using E. coli and is a large aggregate of proteins, the M13KO7 bacteriophage is more stable than antibodies even when exposed to external physical or chemical factors. Therefore, the composition of the present disclosure has an effect of diagnosing only the PVY specifically and accurately and may be usefully used in related industries.

Abstract: A radiation hardened, digital to analog converter includes first and second serial communication circuits, a common bus interface configured to connect the first and second serial communication circuits to first and second digital serial communication buses, respectively, and a digital to analog converter circuit, where the first and second serial communication circuits are configured to receive data over the first and second digital serial communication buses, respectively, for use by the digital to analog converter circuit.

Abstract: A magnetically damped check valve having a non-magnetic metal sleeve and a spring-biased poppet disposed within the check valve. The spring-biased poppet is operably supported by the sleeve. A poppet guide is attached to the sleeve. The poppet includes a shaft that is slidably attached to the poppet guide. A portion of the shaft extends into the sleeve. At least one magnet is attached to the portion of the shaft that extends into the sleeve. The magnet therefore moves with the shaft as the poppet moves in response to changes in differential pressure across the check valve. The magnet produces a magnetic field. As the magnet moves within the sleeve, the magnetic field changes thereby inducing an electrical current in the sleeve which produces another magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field of the magnet thereby damping the movement of the magnet and hence, damping the movement of the poppet.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of providing carbon nanotubes decorated with polymer coated metal nanoparticles. Then, annealing the metal coated carbon nanotubes to reduce a quantity of hydrophilic components of the polymer coating.

Abstract: A method and system for using a wavelength tunable semiconductor laser as an excitation source of a fiber optics sensing system (FOSS) based on a thermoelectric control of a laser sweep. A device can include an optical fiber; a set of fiber Bragg gratings disposed within the optical fiber; a single-frequency laser (SFL) operatively connected to the optical fiber; a thermoelectric cooler operatively connected to the SFL; a controller comprising a processor in communication with the thermoelectric cooler; and a nontransitory, computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor. The nontransitory, computer-readable storage medium can store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including determining a strain value at a first fiber Bragg grating of the set of fiber Bragg gratings based on a second laser signal received at the device that is reflected from an interaction of a first laser signal with the first fiber Bragg grating.