Abstract: A pluggable OTDR is disclosed that is utilizes a specific architecture that separates its passive optical elements from the remaining active optical and electrical elements. The set of active elements (i.e., laser, photodetector, and control/processing electronics) can arranged in a manner similar to a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver and assembled within a housing that meets these requirements. The passive optics may be incorporated into a separate optical fiber pigtailed component that is attached between the active OTDR module and a fiber span under test.

Abstract: A display includes a stack that includes, from top to bottom: a display layer including an array of spaced pixels and/or spaced subpixels and an array of spaced transmission spaces, wherein each transmission space is defined by a spacing between a subset of the spaced pixels and/or spaced subpixels; a micro-lens array (MLA) layer including an array of micro-lenses, wherein each micro-lens includes a curved surface in alignment with a corresponding one of the transmission spaces; and a laser light emitting (LLE) layer including an array laser diodes, wherein each laser diode is positioned in alignment with one micro-lens of the MLA layer and the corresponding one of the transmission spaces of the display layer and the curved surfaces of the micro-lenses face the LLE layer.

Abstract: A reconfigurable polarization rotator is formed of an array of very small liquid crystal (LC) cells (e.g., cells of less than 10 ?m in width, termed “microcells”), referred to hereinafter as “microcells”. Each LC microcell is addressable by a separate electrical voltage input that independently controls the polarization rotation performed by the associated LC microcell. By defining a set of adjacent microcells to be held at the same voltage level, that group may be used to form a polarization rotator window of a proper size for a first fiber array configuration. When a fiber array of a different configuration (say, an array with twice the pitch) is used, a different-sized group of adjacent LC microcells is held at a common voltage level so as to form a reconfigured “window” of a new dimension.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous conversion of isotropic carbonaceous materials into anisotropic mesophase pitch is disclosed. The invention disclosed herein addresses the need for lower production costs compared with traditional batch mesophase conversion of isotropic pitch. A unique thermal processing and in-process separation of reacted mesophase from the continuous matrix of fresh or partially reacted isotropic pitch is provided. Potential uses are for further continuous processing into carbon fibers or carbon form densification.

Abstract: A process for additive manufacturing of a thermoset resin fiber reinforced composite comprises depositing a fiber material along a path having a direction; heating the fiber material using a heater to generate a moving thermal gradient in the fiber material trailing the heater relative to the path direction; and dispensing a thermosetting polymer material on the heated fiber material at a trailing distance the from the heater along the path. The thermosetting polymer dynamically wicks into the fiber material along the thermal gradient in the path direction.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to an apparatus for large-scale external pressure storage, and more particularly for large-scale storage of liquid hydrogen and other products that require evacuated insulation. In some examples, a plate for a storage apparatus is provided. The plate a body that includes a beveled joint with the body having a nominal thickness at the beveled joint. The beveled joint is configured to be welded to a corresponding beveled joint of an adjacent plate.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical solutions. A controller receives a signal from a pressure sensor indicative of a pressure of a diluent. The controller determines an expected flow rate of the diluent through an eductor based at least in part on the pressure of the diluent. The controller may further determine an expected concentration of a chemical product in the solution dispensed from a discharge port of the eductor. Based on the expected flow rated and concentration of the chemical product, the controller determines a duration of a dispense stage of a dispensing operation required to dispense a predetermined dose of the chemical product. The controller then causes the diluent to flow through the eductor for the determined duration of the dispense stage. A check valve on the output of the eductor prevents dissimilar chemicals from mixing and reduces a response time of the eductor.

Abstract: A system for providing advanced characterization of an optical fiber span is based upon the use of a pair of optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), located at opposing end terminations of the span being characterized. Each OTDR performs standard reflectometry measurements and transmits the resulting OTDR trace to monitoring equipment in a typical manner. The pair of OTDR traces is thereafter combined in a particular manner (“stitched together”) to create an OTDR trace of the entire fiber span (essentially doubling the operational range of prior art OTDR measurement capabilities). The transmit portion of one OTDR may be paired with the receive portion of the other OTDR, with time-of-light measurements (or signal loss measurements) used to determine optical path length and/or optical signal loss of the span. Using a multi-wavelength light source in the paired transmit/receive arrangement allows for a characterization of chromatic dispersion of the span.

Abstract: A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for vaccinating one or more avians in need thereof. The vaccination method comprises administering to the one or more avians a stable foam in an amount effective for inducing a neutralizing immune response against an infectious pathogen in the one or more avians. The foam comprises a gas and a liquid, and the liquid comprises a vaccine and a foaming agent. The avian may be a chick. Also provided is a method for preparing the stable foam.

Abstract: A rock bolt dolly (10) which connects a self-drilling rock bolt (300), to a rock bolting apparatus and transfers percussive energy applied to the dolly (10) by the rock bolting apparatus (50) to the rock bolt during installation of the rock bolt in strata and rock is disclosed. The dolly includes coupling means (30a, 30b) for coupling the dolly to the output shaft of the rock bolting apparatus and a percussion plate (42) comprising an end plate (44) and integral side walls (47) defining an internally threaded recess for receiving the threaded end of the rock bolt, for applying percussive loading to the elongate hollow rod of the rock bolt (300) via the end plate and threaded side walls. The dolly also includes a body portion extending between the coupling means and the percussion plate transmitting forces from the output shaft to the percussion plate; which defines at least one passageway (136) for the passage of grout or resin from a reservoir through the rock bolt dolly and into the rock bolt.

Abstract: A mesa structure for a VCSEL device is particularly configured to compensate for variations in the shape of the created oxide aperture that result from anisotropic oxidation. In particular, a suitable mesa shape is derived by determining the shape of an as-created aperture formed by oxidizing a circular mesa structure, and then ascertaining the compensation required to convert the as-created shape into a desired (“target”) shaped aperture opening. The compensation value is then used to modify the shape of the mesa itself such that a following anisotropic oxidation yields a target-shaped oxide aperture.

Abstract: A spectral beam combiner is based upon a specialized diffraction grating that is intentionally configured to create output signals along two separate paths, each path supporting a spectrally-combined beam. One path supports the propagation of a majority of the spectrally-combined beam (e.g., 80-95%) and is defined as the output path from the beam combiner. The remainder of the spectrally-combined beam is directed along a separate path and into an external cavity arrangement used to perform wavelength stabilization. Either reflective or transmissive diffraction gratings may be used, with different diffraction orders and/or polarization states of the spectrally-combined optical beam used to create the output beam and the separate wavelength stabilization feedback beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable non-naturally occurring cellular membrane vesicle for delivering an active agent into a target cell. The cellular membrane vesicle comprises a biological membrane from a parent cell and a liquid medium encapsulated by the biological membrane. The liquid medium comprises an active agent and does not comprise a native cytoplasmic component of the parent cell. The biological membrane is specific for the target cell, and the active agent remains active upon delivery into the target cell. Also provided are methods for delivering the active agent with the cellular membrane vesicle and methods of preparing the cellular membrane vesicles.

Abstract: Poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups are provided which have an alkaline-stable cation, such as imidazolium, introduced into a rigid aromatic polymer backbone free of ether bonds. Hydroxide exchange membranes or hydroxide exchange ionomers formed from these polymers exhibit superior chemical stability, hydroxide conductivity, decreased water uptake, good solubility in selected solvents, and improved mechanical properties in an ambient dry state as compared to conventional hydroxide exchange membranes or ionomers. Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells and hydroxide exchange membrane electrolyzers comprising the poly(aryl alkylene) polymers or poly(aryl-crown ether-alkylene) polymers with pendant cationic groups exhibit enhanced performance and durability at relatively high temperatures.

Abstract: A high-power electro-optic modulator (EOM) is formed to use specialized electrodes of a material selected to have a CTE that matches the CTE of the modulator's crystal. Providing CTE matching reduces the presence of stress-induced birefringence, which is known to cause unwanted modulation of the propagating optical signal. The specialized electrodes are preferably formed of a CuW metal matrix composite having a W/Cu ratio selected to create the matching CTE value. Advantageously, the CuW-based electrodes also exhibit a thermal conductivity about an order of magnitude greater than conventional electrode material (brass, Kovar) and thus provide additional thermal stability to the EOM's performance.

Abstract: There is a system and method for gamification of real-life events over a computerized network. The system includes an observer module configured to generate real-life data in response to observation of a real-life event. The system includes an interface engine module configured to operate an ongoing computerized game that includes game objects. The system includes an implementation module configured to receive an implementation instruction and automatically effect a real-world occurrence associated with the implementation instruction. The system includes a control module, including a processor, configured to convert real-life data from the observer module into a game object, provide the created game object to the interface engine module for injection into an ongoing computer game, and convert a player interaction into an implementation instruction and provide the same to the implementation module. The system includes a player module configured to permit a player to play the ongoing game.

Abstract: A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a polyethylene (“PE”) pipe servicing system of this disclosure may include a fusible PE fitting (F) providing a branch connection to a PE pipeline section or run (P), a valve (10) connected to the fitting and including quick connect/disconnect means, and a machine connectable to the valve including complementary quick connect/disconnect means. The quick connect means provide for full scope of operation, including cleaning, fusion, cool down, hot tap, plugging, and completion. No squeezing is used. The quick connect/disconnect means may include a first portion 20 of a cam profile and a second portion 40 of the cam profile complementary to that of the first. The machine may be a drilling or hot tapping machine (30T), a plugging machine (30P), or a completion machine (30C), and their associated tools. The valve and machine are more lightweight and faster and easier to use than the prior art.

Abstract: A unitary adapter for attaching a cutting nozzle to a laser cutting head includes an inner cylinder made of ceramic, a conductive shield sintered to the outer sidewall of the ceramic cylinder, a threaded conductive holder (for accepting the cutting nozzle) mounted in an opening at one end of the ceramic cylinder, and a coaxial connector (for connection to external measuring equipment) attached to an opposite end of the ceramic cylinder. A pair of wires is formed to be embedded within the ceramic material and provide separate electrical connections between the coaxial connector and: (1) the threaded holder, and (2) the conductive shield. The various components are sintered to the ceramic body to form permanent attachments, creating a unitary structure less susceptible to the high levels of acceleration and elevated temperatures associated with the laser cutting process.