Abstract: A polymer composite composition for use in high temperature applications such as furnaces, heat shields and aeronautical jet and rocket motors. In a particular application, the disclosed composition is applied to the manufacture of rocket motor cases, or parts thereof, to provide rigid thermal protection (RTP). The polymer composite composition comprises cyanate ester resin, fine lengths of carbon fibre and refractory filler material.

Abstract: Described is a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array microchip comprising: a plurality of SPAD sensors; and a triggering circuit configured to detect and read out the triggering order of SPAD sensors over a timing interval wherein the timing interval comprises one or more frames. An event based neuromorphic SPAD array microchip is also described. The chip architecture and triggering methodology takes a local group of SPAD sensors connected in a certain way and by using simple digital circuits emulating how neurons behave, patterns within a local receptive field are identified. Only when these unique patterns or features are identified are “events” triggered for each receptive field in the order they occur, or in an asynchronous manner. Each neuromorphic circuit (or collection of silicon neurons) act over overlapping receptive fields, and are tiled across the entire visual spatial field of the SPAD array to a form a convolution layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor arrangement is disclosed that includes a plurality of optical fiber based sensor elements, the sensor elements configured to modify an associated optical carrier signal in accordance with changes in a sensed quantity at a location of the sensor element and a phase modulation arrangement for phase modulating each optical carrier signal in accordance with respective uncorrelated pseudorandom binary sequence signals.

Abstract: Compact Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array structures are described. An on board common trigger circuit is used for two or more SPAD structures. The common trigger includes a compact counter and flash memory constructed adjacent two or more SPAD structures. Triggering of a SPAD latches the value of the counter and the value is stored in the memory along with the ID of the triggering SPAD. The counter continues counting, and if another SPAD subsequently triggers, the counter is again latched and the value is stored in the memory along with the ID of the subsequently triggering SPAD. The memory can be read and the triggering circuit reset. Methods for designing compact SPAD structures, a compact active quenching circuit and a compact 16 bit counter are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Cross Domain Desktop Compositor (CDDC) that allows separate graphical user interfaces (GUIs) from independent computing domains to be combined and accessed from a single physical use interface. The CDDC provides a unified desktop experience, whilst preventing data leakage between isolated domains, compositing application windows from each separate GUI and providing natural keyboard and mouse interaction with every displayed window.

Abstract: An active optical fibre, including: a core; an inner cladding substantially surrounding the core, whereby the core and the inner cladding form an area configured to propagate pump radiation; an outer cladding comprised of at least a third material with at least a third refractive index substantially surrounding the inner cladding, the third refractive index being smaller than the second refractive index, whereby the outer cladding confines pump radiation to the core and the inner cladding; and a coating comprised of a thermally conductive material substantially surrounding the outer cladding, wherein the inner cladding is configured to reduce impact of spatial hole-burning on absorption of the pump radiation as the pump radiation propagates through the active optical fibre, and wherein the thermally conductive material of the coating supports a reduced temperature increase between the area and an outer surface of the coating.

Abstract: A rescue package is disclosed which is sized for launching from a moving platform such as an aircraft. The platform having a chute adapted to launch a rescue package which in an embodiment uses a container the same size as a container used to house a convention sonobuoy. The rescue package arrangement includes a container body externally sized and shaped to be launched from a moving platform using a launch tube and contains a main parachute located within the container; a drogue chute associated with the container deployed after deployment from the moving platform and connected to the main parachute by a drogue chute tether; a decelerator chute connected to the container and arranged to deploy with or after the drogue chute is deployed, and a delay mechanism arranged to delay deployment of the main parachute for a period of time after the drogue chute is deployed from the container.

Abstract: A balance device comprises first, second and third components. The first, second and third components include substantially cylindrical first, second and third central portions, respectively, and which are coaxial with one another. The balance device further comprises a first set of connectors for coupling the first component to the third component and a second set of connectors for coupling the second component to the third component. The connectors accommodate axial movement in response to relative axial forces between the first and second components and minimise rotational movement about the axial direction in response to relative axial torque between the first and second components.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods, systems, devices and applications for use in relation to the detection of chemical vapours. A particular embodiment relates to a device for chemical vapour sensing. The device comprises a housing of a size to be manually portable, the housing defining a plurality of receptors adapted to receive a respective plurality of manually replaceable chemical vapour sensing components. The device further comprises at least one signal receiver to receive data signals from each chemical vapour sensing component when the chemical vapour sensing component is positioned in one of the receptors.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exoskeleton system to be worn by a user. The system includes a load carriage arrangement configured to carry an applied load. The load carriage arrangement includes a frame, for example a frame for a backpack, and at least one non-rigid member. The at least one-non rigid member is arranged to transfer at least a first part of the applied load carried by the load carriage arrangement to the ground bypassing the user's musculoskeletal system. The system may further include a load sharing arrangement configured to transfer a second part of the applied load to the user's musculoskeletal system.

Abstract: A positioning system comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device.

Abstract: A positioning system comprising a mounting assembly arranged to move a positioning device via a magnetic coupling interaction between the mounting assembly and the positioning device. The positioning device is configured to limit the spread of flux away from the device.

Abstract: A process for producing an aluminum-scandium based alloy from aluminum and scandium chloride, the process also producing aluminum chloride as a by-product and including the step of reducing scandium chloride in the presence of aluminum in a reaction zone and under reaction conditions which favor production of the aluminum-scandium based alloy.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to an alignment device to assist in drilling or reaming an opening in a structure. The device comprises: a base element, the base element having at least one first fixation element to allow fixation of the device relative to the structure; a positioning element coupled to the base element, wherein a position of the positioning element relative to the base element is adjustable; an alignment element mounted to the positioning element and rotatable in at least two dimensions to allow precise alignment for a drilling or reaming tool with a drilling or reaming site on the structure; at least one second fixation element to allow fixation of the positioning element relative to the base element; and at least one third fixation element to allow fixation of the alignment element relative to the positioning element.

Abstract: A rescue package arrangement for launching from a moving platform such as an aircraft includes a container body externally sized and shaped to be launched from a moving platform using a launch tube and contains a main parachute located within the container; a drogue chute associated with the container deployed after deployment from the moving platform and connected to the main parachute by a drogue chute tether; a decelerator chute connected to the container and arranged to deploy with or after the drogue chute is deployed, and a delay mechanism arranged to delay deployment of the main parachute for a period of time after the drogue chute is deployed from the container. The container is adapted to contain a payload including at least one item for life support, and wherein the decelerator chute assists the stabilisation of the container during at least a portion of the flight of the container.

Abstract: A weapon system includes a cartridge and a fire control apparatus have been developed for generating a projectile with a selectable launch velocity. The cartridge includes multiple primers and propellant chambers which may be individually selected by the fire controller so as to fire the projectile at a selected launch velocity. Additionally after firing the selected primers and propellant charges, the fire controller sends a second firing signal to all remaining primers after a suitable delay. The second firing signal ensures that all remaining propellant is initiated and consumed, thus rendering the cartridge safe to eject. The delay between the first firing signal and the second firing signal is sufficient to allow the projectile to be expelled from the cartridge so that the launch velocity is not affected by the combustion of the remaining propellant.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an energy conversion device, comprising: a casing; an electromagnetic (EM) transducer disposed at one side of the casing; a round magnet disposed in the casing and free to move relative to the casing and the EM transducer in at least two degrees of freedom; and a ferromagnetic object fixed relative to the casing at an opposite side of the casing to the EM transducer and arranged to attract the magnet toward a rest position within the casing. The EM transducer is positioned so that movement of the magnet relative to the EM transducer varies the magnetic field through the EM transducer, thereby generating electrical potential across at least a part of the EM transducer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and composition for testing the wear on mechanical hardware. During the testing method a metal oxidant is applied the mechanical hardware being tested which deposits onto the mechanical and can be visually detected. One of the properties of the metal oxidant is that it is a substantially non-flow or non-drip medium that can be applied in situ with reduced risk to surrounding hardware.

Abstract: An X-ray fluorescence analyzer is provided which comprises: (1) an X-ray source selected to produce an intense X-ray beam, (2) a first optical element that focuses the X-ray beam produced by the X-ray source onto a sample and selects X-rays of a desired energy, (3) an energy resolving detector, and (4) a second optical element that receives fluorescent X-rays emitted from elements in the sample and focuses a selected energy range of said fluorescent X-rays onto said energy resolving detector. Each of the first and second optical elements includes a crystal component. The X-ray fluorescence analyzer is configured such that: (i) the X-ray source has a spot size dimensioned so that it is substantially in a field of view of the first optical element, and (ii) the first optical element focuses the X-ray beam emitted by the X-ray source onto an area of the sample that corresponds to a field-of-view of the second optical element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for fiber positioning in wide-field astronomy. In one form the method and system of the present invention relate to anchoring fiber end points adjacent or against the field plate of a telescope. In one embodiment the positioning system for anchoring a fiber end point at a location on a telescope field plate collocated with a telescope focal plane, the positioning system comprising a piezoelectric positioning device for positioning the fiber end point, the positioning device comprising a chamber having an opening, the opening lying against the field plate in use defining a substantially enclosed volume inside the chamber, a pump for reducing pressure inside the enclosed volume; and a path connecting the pump and the enclosed volume so that, in use, the pump effects a reduction in pressure in the chamber thereby anchoring the fiber end point on the field plate.