Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pyrophoric pellets that break apart into individual particulates or agglomerates when exposed to air and emit infrared radiation. The pyrophoric pellets include: (a) about 35 to about 95 wt. % of pyrophoric particles; (b) about 0.05 to about 30 wt. % of one or more thermally expandable particles; (c) about 1 to about 40 wt. % of one or more additives that modify IR signature; and (d) optionally, one or more additives that produce smoke at a temperature of 150° C. or greater. The pyrophoric pellets are particularly useful as countermeasures to protect against incoming missiles.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for an autonomous and fully automated method of validating multi-signature decoys that are configured to release infrared flares at multiple points after launch. In one aspect, a method includes capturing, using at least one image capturing device, raw image data of a launched decoy, the decoy having one or more segments configured to be released after launch and automatically processing the raw image data to (1) identify a release point for each of the one or more segments and (2) identify an infrared signature associated with each release point. The method further includes generating a visual display of the release point(s) of the one or more segments and the infrared signature(s) originating from the release point(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing metal-supported thin layer skeletal catalyst structures, to methods for producing catalyst support structures without separately applying an intermediate washcoat layer, and to novel catalyst compositions produced by these methods. Catalyst precursors may be interdiffused with the underlying metal support then activated to create catalytically active skeletal alloy surfaces. The resulting metal-anchored skeletal layers provide increased conversion per geometric area compared to conversions from other types of supported alloy catalysts of similar bulk compositions, and provide resistance to activity loss when used under severe on-stream conditions. Particular compositions of the metal-supported skeletal catalyst alloy structures can be used for conventional steam methane reforming to produce syngas from natural gas and steam, for hydrodeoxygenation of pyrolysis bio-oils, and for other metal-catalyzed reactions inter alia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing metal-supported thin layer skeletal catalyst structures, to methods for producing catalyst support structures without separately applying an intermediate washcoat layer, and to novel catalyst compositions produced by these methods. Catalyst precursors may be interdiffused with the underlying metal support then activated to create catalytically active skeletal alloy surfaces. The resulting metal-anchored skeletal layers provide increased conversion per geometric area compared to conversions from other types of supported alloy catalysts of similar bulk compositions, and provide resistance to activity loss when used under severe on-stream conditions. Particular compositions of the metal-supported skeletal catalyst alloy structures can be used for conventional steam methane reforming to produce syngas from natural gas and steam, for hydrodeoxygenation of pyrolysis bio-oils, and for other metal-catalyzed reactions inter alia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys axe designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys axe designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to munitions employed for training and tactical purposes. Specifically, the present invention relates to training munitions (e.g., training rounds) used with various weapons (e.g., grenade launchers), wherein each training round includes a projectile that contains a pyrophoric payload that is released into the environment and reacts with air, upon impact of the projectile with an impact site. The reaction of the pyrophoric payload with air creates a signal that can be observed from a distance, thereby marking the landing or impact site of the projectile after it has been fired from a weapon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing metal-supported thin layer skeletal catalyst structures, to methods for producing catalyst support structures without separately applying an intermediate washcoat layer, and to novel catalyst compositions produced by these methods. Catalyst precursors may be interdiffused with the underlying metal support then activated to create catalytically active skeletal alloy surfaces. The resulting metal-anchored skeletal layers provide increased conversion per geometric area compared to conversions from other types of supported alloy catalysts of similar bulk compositions, and provide resistance to activity loss when used under severe on-stream conditions. Particular compositions of the metal-supported skeletal catalyst alloy structures can be used for conventional steam methane reforming to produce syngas from natural gas and steam, for hydrodeoxygenation of pyrolysis bio-oils, and for other metal-catalyzed reactions inter alia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to munitions employed for training and tactical purposes. Specifically, the present invention relates to training munitions (e.g., training rounds) used with various weapons (e.g., grenade launchers), wherein each training round includes a projectile that contains a pyrophoric payload that is released into the environment and reacts with air, upon impact of the projectile with an impact site. The reaction of the pyrophoric payload with air creates a signal that can be observed from a distance, thereby marking the landing or impact site of the projectile after it has been fired from a weapon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of hydrogen gas. More particularly, the present invention relates to: (1) a composition and process for the displacement of hydrogen from water under standard temperature and pressure conditions; (2) a hydrogen fuel system; (3) a method for using the hydrogen fuel system in conjunction with a feedstock composition to produce hydrogen gas (e.g., onboard a vehicle); and (4) a method of using the hydrogen fuel system at a reduced cost (e.g., by providing a consumer rebate in exchange for the return of byproduct(s) collected after using the hydrogen fuel system). The composition (e.g., a feedstock composition) comprises finely divided metal powders (e.g., magnesium, or magnesium and aluminum) and can also contain a chloride salt (e.g., sodium chloride or potassium chloride).

Abstract: A thermogenerator system includes a sustained-heat source with a plurality of pyrophoric material elements each having a same geometric shape and in an encasement having openings, a thermal power generator for converting thermal energy from the sustained-heat source into electricity, and an electrical control system for regulating the electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.

Abstract: Very good masking of pack diffusion aluminizing or chromizing on any metal to keep portions from being diffusion coated, is effected by localized coating the lowest layer of which is depletion-reducing masking powder the metal portion of which can have same composition as substrates, mixed with inert refractory diluent and non-contaminating film-former such as acrylic resin. The upper coating layer can be of non-contaminating particles like nickel or Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 that upon aluminizing or chromizing become coherently held together to form a secure sheath. Such sheath can also be used for holding localized diffusion-coating layer in place. Film-former can be dissolved in volatile solvent, preferably methyl chloroform, in which masking powder or sheath-forming powder is suspended. Chromizing can be performed before aluminizing for greater effects. Aluminizing of metals like iron and nickel followed by leaching out much of the diffused-in aluminum, gives these substrates a pyrophoric and catalytic surface.

Abstract: Diffusion coating can be speeded by high heat input. Diffusion coating packs can be made with chemically reduced metal content of sludges. Diffusion aluminizing followed by caustic leaching to remove much of the diffused-in aluminum, yields catalytically and pyrophorically active porous surface that also accepts top coatings. Mixtures of aluminum powder with nickel and/or iron powders react when heated to form Raney-like product that can be leached to become pyrophoric, and when held on a metal foil or gauze web will adhere to the web so that leached product can be used as pyrophoric foil for decoying heat-seeking missiles. Such adhesion is improved by addition of small amount of copper.

Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy is subjected to a diffusion chromizing that supplies a chromized diffusion case, the outer surface of which contains excess alphachrome phase, and then contacting the diffusion case with an aqueous solution of alkali metal permanganate and alkali metal hydroxide until the desired amount of alphachrome phase is eliminated.

Abstract: Pyrophorically activated aluminides of iron, nickel and cobalt, or mixtures thereof, are formed as discs or as coatings on substrates such as thin foils. The aluminide can be formed in situ by reacting aluminum powder with the aluminide-forming metal. Mixtures of these reactants can be applied to a substrate as such or suspended in a liquid like water or volatilizable organic liquids. Water is preferably used with a little binder such as an alkali metal silicate. An inhibitor is used to keep the water from reacting with finely-divided aluminum, and those silicates also perform such function. The pyrophoric products can be discharged to decoy heat-seeking missiles, or they can have their pyrophoricity destroyed to make catalysts. Pyrophoric action can be heightened by additives such as boron, and by post treatment with mild acid.

Abstract: Workpieces are very rapidly diffusion coated by heating the packed workpieces at a rate that brings the workpieces to diffusion-coating temperature and then completing the diffusion coating, all in less than 50 minutes, then cooling. Workpiece can have top coating layer of aluminum flake covered by a layer of extremely fine alumina or silica in a magnesium chromate binder, to provide surface having roughness at least about 10 micro-inches smoother than before the top coating. Used aluminized jet engine hot section members can be reconditioned by a fluoridizing treatment that deoxidizes and also removes residual aluminizing, so that the members can then be repaired if necessary and re-aluminized.