Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system (and concomitant methods and computer software embodied in non-transitory computer readable media) providing formations of satellites and a method of modeling and analyzing inter-satellite relative motion of more than one satellites. These extensions include factoring in spacecraft flight dynamics for achieving real-life and/or simulated objectives.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one patch antenna; and at least one feed line configured for feeding the signal to the corresponding at least one patch antenna. In another exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one transmission line; and a diplexer coupling the RFID interrogator and the transmission lines and configured for distributing the RFID signal to each of the antennas or transmission lines, respectively, depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal generated. The antennas or transmission lines are configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal distributed thereto.

Abstract: Provided is a blood spatter simulation head model including a housing having the shape of a human head; a reservoir inside the housing and capable of storing blood; an injection tube connected to the reservoir and extending to a lower portion of the housing, the injection tube including an injection opening through which blood is injected; and a weight unit in a lower portion of the housing and supporting the housing.

Abstract: An electrocaloric-based cooling system includes a solid electrolyte, which includes a silver conducting electrolyte sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid electrolyte when biased shows an electrocaloric effect.

Abstract: A quick disconnect apparatus including a first end configured to interface with a legacy fill and drain valve (FDV) of a satellite to be serviced, a second end configured to interface with a refueling tool, and a middle portion including at least one redundant seal to prevent unwanted fuel transfer during connection of the FDV and refueling tool.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are used to determine the presence of human fecal contamination. These relate to detection of human crAssphage, a bacteriophage present in Bacteroides.

Abstract: A healthcare charge capture and prioritization system for assisting healthcare providers with capturing their procedures and prioritizing code selection for claim submission is presented. The system can analyze healthcare claim-related data for ranking and ordering Current Procedural Technology (CPT) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codes to reduce the utilization of additional processing resources and network utilization from repeated system denials. Additionally, the present disclosure can generate and track analytics relevant to a patient encounters and provider action. It is an object of the invention to provide a system for processing and managing patient interactions, processing and managing healthcare-related charge entry, processing and prioritizing healthcare-related procedure technology codes, and processing and prioritizing disease and related health problem codes.

Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft having a multi-functional flight control surface. The aircraft has at least one multi-functional flight control surface formed by a sequence of flaps. The shape of each multi-functional flight control surface may be configured by a flight control to simultaneously adjust a trajectory of the aircraft in two or more of a pitch direction, a roll direction, and a yaw direction. The flight control for operating said the multi-functional flight control surface responds to both pilot commands and machine-generated commands. The machine-generated commands configure the shape of the surface of each multi-functional flight control surface in real-time based, at least in part, upon a set of flight objectives comprising: (a) minimizing drag of the aircraft, (b) aeroelastic modal suppression for the aircraft, and (c) maneuver load alleviation in the aircraft.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags including a first RFID tag. The first RFID tag is configured to perform RFID tag operations that include acquiring one or more samples using a sensor of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include writing the one or more samples in a memory of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include transferring custody of the one or more samples to a first RFID reader on request. The system also includes a plurality of RFID readers including the first RFID reader. The first RFID reader is configured to perform RFID reader operations including reading an identifier from each of the plurality of RFID tags in view of the first RFID reader during an inventory management mode.

Abstract: A system and method for removing one or more predetermined gases from an environment is herein disclosed. An embodiment of the system and method will now be described. A means for conveying a fluid and a means for flowing the fluid is combined with adsorber and desorber sections. The fluid flows in the means for conveying the fluid by the means for flowing the fluid. Comparably, the fluid flows in the adsorber and desorber sections not by the means for flowing the fluid, but rather by capillary action. In the adsorber section, the environment is in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid is capable for adsorbing one or more gases from the environment. The fluid exits the adsorber section and subsequently flows into the desorber section. The desorber section is self-contained wherein an inner portion of the desorber section is not in direct contact with the environment. In the desorber section, the one or more gases are desorbed from the fluid into the inner portion of the desorber section.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the flight safety of fixed- and rotary-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating in complex dynamic environments, including urban cityscapes. Sensors and computations are integrated to predict local winds and promote safe operations in dynamic urban regions where GNSS and other network communications may be unavailable. The system can be implemented onboard a UAS and does not require in-flight communication with external networks. Predictions of local winds (speed and direction) are created using inputs from sensors that scan the local environment. These predictions are then used by the UAS guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system to determine safe trajectories for operations in urban environments.

Abstract: Oxide coatings deposited by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) can be processed to be mechanically tough (erosion resistant) and electrically conductive at room temperature. The electrically conductive phase contained within the oxide (MO2) coatings is a metastable suboxide (MO) that has not been formed in significant volume under any other known methods. Content of the electrically conductive phase can be varied in addition to the microstructure, which can be columnar, planar, or a combination of the two depending on the processing conditions. Upon exposing the material to moderate temperatures (>300° C.), the metastable phase is further oxidized (to MO2), and the material becomes insulating, but retains its high toughness and microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the morphology of hollow, double-shelled submicrometer particles generated through a rapid aerosol-based process. The inner shell is an essentially hydrophobic carbon layer of nanoscale dimension (5-20 nm), and the outer shell is a hydrophilic silica layer of approximately 5-40 nm, with the shell thickness being a function of the particle size. The particles are synthesized by exploiting concepts of salt bridging to lock in a surfactant (CTAB) and carbon precursors together with iron species in the interior of a droplet. This deliberate negation of surfactant templating allows a silica shell to form extremely rapidly, sealing in the organic species in the particle interior. Subsequent pyrolysis results in a buildup of internal pressure, forcing carbonaceous species against the silica wall to form an inner shell of carbon. The incorporation of magnetic iron oxide into the shells opens up applications in external stimuli-responsive nanomaterials.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reducing symptoms of inflammation by administering therapeutically effective amounts of (a) (1) enterotoxic E. coli heat labile detoxified toxin A subunit that interferes with the function of ADP-ribosylation factor and inhibits ADP-ribosylation, or (2) A1 subunit that interferes with the function of ADP-ribosylation factor and inhibits ADP-ribosylation, or both (1) and (2), and (b) a carrier that causes internalization of the A subunit or A1 subunit, or both, into cells.

Abstract: A bi-directional damping system generates damping forces in two opposing directions. A shaft has a plurality of bi-directional damping modules fixedly coupled thereto. Each module includes a fluid-filled variable-volume first chamber including at least one port through which fluid can flow based on changes in volume of the first chamber, and a fluid-filled variable-volume second chamber including at least one port through which fluid can flow based on changes in volume of the second chamber. The first chamber and second chamber are fluidically isolated from one another. A fluid-filled spacer chamber is coupled to adjacent ones of the modules. The spacer chamber includes at least one venting port through which fluid can flow based on pressure in the spacer chamber.

Abstract: A method for making small diameter NiTi metal alloy components, including balls, comprising providing a metal powder comprising nickel, titanium, and a transition metal, consolidating the metal powder into cylindrical rods, and cutting the cylindrical rods into segments. The segments are then machined into spheres slightly larger than the finished ball size diameter. The spheres are heat treated to solutionize and dissolve all phases and subsequently cooled without the need for rapid quenching due to the influence of the transition metal to suppresses the formation of soft phases in the spheres, wherein such soft phases prevent hardening, to achieve a Rockwell hardness of HRC 58-62. Finally, the hardened spheres are polished until the desired finished ball size diameter and surface finish is achieved.

Abstract: Adaptive wind estimation, trajectory generation, and flight control for aerial systems using motion data is provided. The adaptive wind estimation approach may be implemented using onboard computing power, may rapidly converge to true values, may be computationally inexpensive, and may not require any specific hardware or specific vehicle maneuvers for the convergence. There may be no prior knowledge of the wind field, using the motion of the aircraft itself rather than wind sensors. The algorithm may include three blocks. An identification/estimation block may identify aerodynamic drag coefficients in still-air flight and estimate the wind components in moving and variable air flight. A navigation block may generate feasible trajectories, taking into account the estimated wind field. A control block may generate motor/engine thrust commands necessary to track the generated trajectories while compensating for the wind disturbance.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for a wearable robotic upper body garment. In an embodiment, an upper body garment or apparatus comprises a shoulder saddle, one or more actuators, one or more flexible tendons, back torso section, front, torso section, torso wrap, and upper arm cuff. The shoulder saddle may be comprised of a yoke and one or more elevated shoulder sections. The one or more elevated should sections may be comprised of a first elevated shoulder section. In an embodiment, the back torso and front torso sections may be structurally connected to the yoke. In an embodiment, the one or more actuators may be structurally connected to either said back torso section or front torso section. In an embodiment, the one or more flexible tendons may be operationally connected to a predetermined one or more actuators and an upper arm cuff.

Abstract: Outer membrane vesicles from bacteria of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex can be 5 used as adjuvants in compositions and methods to potentiate the immune response to immunogens.

Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove, finger saddles attached to a respective glove finger, one or more tendon actuators, and artificial tendons. The saddles have a rectangular body partially circumscribing a respective glove finger. Each saddle includes end lobes at opposite distal ends of the body. A first end of each tendon is secured to one of the tendon actuators. A second end forms a triple Brummel loop defining a main loop and two anchor loops. The anchor loops are disposed around the lobes. The saddles may form a rounded, double-headed arrow shape that is at least double the thickness of the body. The finger saddles are anisotropic, with different bending strengths depending on the axis, and may be constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane-coated nylon. Flexion and/or contact sensors and a controller, may be used. A method of connecting the tendon actuator to the finger is also disclosed.