Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a database and systems associated therewith for space weather data (code name DONKI for Database of Notification, Knowledge, Information) relating to various space weather phenomena or phenomenon, such as, for example, solar flare, solar energetic particle, coronal mass ejection, interplanetary shock, magnetopause crossing, geomagnetic storm, radiation belt enhancement and high speed stream.

Abstract: A software-defined radiometer includes dual RF front end channels. One RF front end channel processes the horizontal polarization signals and the other RF front end channel processes the vertical polarization signals. Each RF front end channel includes a power splitter for splitting the polarization signals into a plurality of identical polarization signals, a filter bank of N-bandpass filters that have the same bandwidth but different center frequencies and a multi-input switch. The bandpass filters filter the horizontal and vertical polarization signals and provide a plurality of filtered horizontal and vertical polarization signals. A control circuit issues a control signal to the multi-input switch so as to route a desired one of the plurality of filtered horizontal and vertical polarization signals to a programmable frequency converter.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibitor materials are provided that release active corrosion inhibitor compounds when they are most needed—in response to changes in conditions, including acid or basic pH, that cause corrosion or occur at the early stages of corrosion. The materials comprise particles that can be dispersed in paints and coatings for metals. The particles in some cases include ionic water-soluble anti-corrosion agents complexed to oppositely charged surfactants and entrapped in silica oxide or metal oxide gels.

Abstract: A polymer matrix composite includes layers that alternate between a thin carbon fiber veil layer and a thicker base carbon fiber reinforcement layer. Each veil is coated with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prior to being added as a laminate layer. Epoxy resin fixes CNTs extended into adjacent reinforcement layers, which results in a composite improved in interlaminar strength, fracture toughness, and impact resistance. Thermal and electrical conductivity are also improved due to the conductive CNTs bridging the resin-insulating interlayer region. As the fuzzy fiber veil is not relied on to provide strength or stiffness to the composite structure, any damage to the veil will not affect composite integrity. Also, as the CNT growth is not on a replacement section of reinforcement layer, the composite avoids pitfalls of strength degradation, reinforcing phase continuity disruption, and residual stress introduction.

Abstract: A flat reverse vortex ring is sized and shaped to either attach to or be formed as part of a distal end of a sleeve bearing or seal. The ring has a series of evenly spaced radial channels that extend from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the ring. The channels have a depth. The ring has an upper surface with an alternating series of planar surfaces and openings located at an upper end of the channels. The ring may have an interior diameter equal to an interior diameter of the sleeve bearing or seal. The ring may have an exterior diameter equal to an exterior diameter the sleeve bearing or seal. The channels may be semi-cylindrical. The channels have a diameter and the depth is a predetermined portion of the diameter. The channels may be rectangular in cross-section with a height-to-width ratio of between 0.5 and 1.5.

Abstract: Methods for producing a flexible, fibrous ablator thermal protection material, for use in association with a space vehicle that passes through an atmosphere in which severe heating is experienced. A phenolic resin and/or a silicone resin can be used. The elastic modulus of the resulting material is low, in a preferred range of about 200-5000 kPa, and can be controlled by choice of a curing temperature and/or a time interval length for curing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a new and improved solenoid-controlled, liquid cryogenic-hydraulically actuated valve assembly wherein, in addition to the valve assembly controlling the flow of liquid cryogenic fluid therethrough, a portion of the liquid cryogenic fluid is effectively utilized to hydraulically actuate and control OPEN and CLOSED valves to predetermined positions such that the flow of cryogenic fluid, through the valve assembly from an inlet flange to an outlet flange of the valve assembly, is permitted or prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus include one or more DACs and a resistor divider are configured to generate a variable bias voltage VBIAS with respect to a CM voltage VCM. The CM voltage VCM is applied to a cathode of one or more thermopiles or a negative input of one or more amplifiers to prevent saturation and over range of one or more low voltage readout amplifiers and one or more ADCs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus including a self-regulating current source, which utilizes a switching regulator to provide high efficiency power conversion and a high-side current monitor, but instead of driving the feedback input with a voltage divider to set the output voltage, the self-regulating current source utilizes a high-side current sense resistor with an operational amplifier optimized for current sensing, to drive the feedback input to the switching regulator, thereby creating a self-regulating constant current source. By adjusting the gain of the operational amplifier, the user can directly set the optimized current needed for using the apparatus in a variety of deployment devices, including satellite and pyrotechnic applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating shapes (e.g., letters, numbers, characters, symbols, or a combination thereof) using shape memory alloy (SMAs) component. The SMA components shaped into formed shapes that can then be distorted to obscure the original formed shaped. The original formed shape can be restored upon exposure to a heat source, magnetic field, or upon load removal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including an oxidizer nozzle tool having a first end, a rotary drive and a linear drive mechanism. A component, such as a quick disconnect valve, is attached to the first end of the oxidizer nozzle. The rotary drive actuates the component to engage and seal to a drain valve on a device (such as a satellite) such that the component can open and close the drain value while maintaining the seal, wherein the linear drive mechanism is operable to lock and release the component from the oxidizer nozzle tool. A hose is mated to the oxidizer nozzle tool, wherein upon actuation, fluid flows through the hose to the oxidizer nozzle tool and through the component into the drain valve.

Abstract: Advanced ultra high temperature ceramic (UHTC) systems with higher temperature capabilities, particularly an integrated ceramic coating and ceramic matrix composite (ICC-CMC). Also disclosed are coating and/or ceramic matrix composites and architecture arrangements to achieve ultra-high temperature and heat flux capability, resistance to oxidation, combustion, and a wide range of spectrum wavelength and charged particle radiation environments.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.

Abstract: The invention is a method for obtaining the curved displacement of a flexible structure by using strain measurements obtained by strain sensors. By obtaining the displacement of structures in this manner, one may accurately construct the deformed shape of the structure under large geometric nonlinear deformations and display said deformed shape in real-time, enabling active control of the structure shape if desired.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing and processing digital data comprising a plurality of infra-red (IR) video images acquired by a pulse thermography system are used to compute video data from the raw and smoothed video data acquired for the performance of non-destructive evaluation. New video data types computed may include but are not limited to contrast evolution data such as normalized contrast, converted contrast and normalized temperature contrast. Additionally, video data types computed comprise surface temperature, surface temperature rise and temperature simple contrast.

Abstract: A horizontal vacuum channel transistor is provided. The horizontal transistor includes a substrate, horizontal emitter and collector electrodes formed in a layer of semiconductor material of the substrate, and a horizontal insulated gate located between the emitter and collector electrodes. The emitter electrode includes multiple horizontally-aligned emitter tips connected to a planar common portion, and the collector electrode includes a planar portion. The gate includes multiple horizontally-aligned gate apertures passing through the gate that each correspond to one of the emitter tips of the emitter electrode. The minimum distance between the emitter and collector electrodes is less than about 180 nm. Also provided are a vertical vacuum channel transistor having vertically-stacked emitter and collector electrodes, and methods for fabricating vacuum channel transistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for delivering a time-varying stimulation field to a subject. In the system, a power source, a control component and a transmission component operate as a stimulation field generator to provide a predetermined time-varying stimulation field to up-regulate or down-regulate an expression level of human genes. The present invention also provides a wearable apparatus for delivering the time-varying magnetic field to mammalian cells associated with bone formation in a subject. The wearable apparatus contains the stimulation field generator in a housing. The resulted modification on gene regulation of these genes and mammalian cells promotes the retention, repair of and reduction of compromised mammalian cartilage, bone, and associated tissue.

Abstract: A polyimide aerogel and method of making the aerogel is disclosed. The polymer backbone of the aerogel includes a cardo-diamine. The disclosed polyimide aerogel is less susceptible to temperature induced shrinkage than a polyimide aerogel that does not include a cardo-diamine.

Abstract: Thermal protective materials suitable for use in a spacecraft include a substrate, such as carbon fibers or carbon felt, and cyanate ester resin or phthalonitrile resin, and cross-linkers. These thermal protective materials have a density of about 0.2 to about 0.35 g/cm3. Methods of making the thermal protective materials include mixing a cyanate ester resin or a phthalonitrile resin and a cross-linker to result in a resin solution, infusing the resin solution into a substrate, and curing the resin to result in the thermal protective material.

Abstract: A deployable multi-section boom comprising a first hinge assembly including a base section adapted to be attached to a structure, a movable section that is pivotably attached to the base section and a first boom attached to the movable section. The first hinge assembly is configured to allow the first boom to pivot in a first direction to a first predetermined maximum angle with respect to the base section. A first constant torque assembly constantly urges the first boom to pivot in the first direction and includes a component attached to the base section of the first hinge assembly. The multi-section boom includes a second hinge assembly that includes a first section attached to the first boom and a second section that is pivotably attached to the first section. A second boom is attached to the second section of the second hinge assembly wherein the second hinge assembly allows the second boom to pivot in a second direction to a second predetermined maximum angle with respect to the first boom.