Abstract: A system comprising an orbiting transponder in bilateral communication with a hub and a plurality of terminals. The hub automatically allocates power to the transponder based upon prequalification criteria, then dynamically adjusts an uplink carrier to noise ratio to prevent loss of weak signals. The system, and method of operation may further minimize variance in uplink adjustments according to a predictive algorithm.

Abstract: A photoconductive infrared detector comprising a substrate, an electrode geometry, and a layer of intrinsically conductive or photoconductive donor-acceptor conjugated polymer.

Abstract: An endovascular occlusion device. The endovascular occlusion device (300) has a balloon (306) and a catheter (304). The catheter (304) has a distal end (308), a proximal end, and a lumen (318) extending therebetween. The balloon (306) is positioned proximate to the distal end (308) of the catheter (304) and has a deflated state and an inflated state. The catheter (304) further includes a plurality of ports (314) proximate to a proximal end of the balloon (306). Each port (314) extends through a wall of the catheter (304) such that surface (316) of the catheter (304) is in fluid communication with the lumen (318) of the catheter (304). A flow restrictor (324) is positioned within, and is in sliding relation with, the lumen (318) of the catheter (304). Movement of the flow restrictor (324) is configured to close one or more ports (314) of the plurality so as to limit blood flow through the lumen (318) of the catheter (304).

Abstract: Durable superhydrophobic components have a superhydrophobic material disposed (e.g., disposed) thereon that exhibits an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of about ?15° for water after at least 100 abrasion cycles. The superhydrophobic material may comprise a low surface energy material and a polymeric material. The superhydrophobic material may be self-healing and capable of recovering its wettability after damage. In yet other aspects, a component comprises a surface that is superhydrophobic and reduces drag in turbulent flow conditions. The surface has an apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of ?about 150° and a roll-off angle of ?about 15° for water, and a product of dimensionless roughness (k+) and a higher-pressure contact angle hysteresis of less than or equal to about 5.8. Methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: A shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer. The elastomer comprising cross-linked and polymerized nematic, isotropic monomers with carbon nanotubes that are organized into a plurality of voxels. Each voxel has a director orientation such that each voxel of the plurality has a first state according to the director orientation and a second state according to cross-linkages of the polymerized nematic monomers. The elastomer transitions between the first and second states with exposure to an electric field.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting/optimizing physical performance for a future event including selecting performance parameters indicative of performance for the future event, collecting data for the performance parameters and training parameters for past events, comparing the collected data for determining which training parameters are statistically significant to the performance parameters, and providing a training program for manipulating the training parameters to optimize performance for the future event.

Abstract: A self-timing, passive, chemical dosimeter. The dosimeter includes a sampling media and electronics supported by a cassette. The sampling media is configured to absorb volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both, while the electronics are configured to record a time of exposure. The dosimeter further includes an actuator having a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the actuator resists exposure of the sampling media to volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both, and in the open position, the actuator permits exposure of the sampling media to volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, or both. The actuator is configured to operate the electronics for recording time of exposure.

Abstract: An endovascular occlusion device. The endovascular occlusion device (300) has a balloon (306) and a catheter (304). The catheter (304) has a distal end (308), a proximal end, and a lumen (318) extending therebetween. The balloon (306) is positioned proximate to the distal end (308) of the catheter (304) and has a deflated state and an inflated state. The catheter (304) further includes a plurality of ports (314) proximate to a proximal end of the balloon (306). Each port (314) extends through a wall of the catheter (304) such that surface (316) of the catheter (304) is in fluid communication with the lumen (318) of the catheter (304). A flow restrictor (324) is positioned within, and is in sliding relation with, the lumen (318) of the catheter (304). Movement of the flow restrictor (324) is configured to close one or more ports (314) of the plurality so as to limit blood flow through the lumen (318) of the catheter (304).

Abstract: A negative pressure surgical apparatus. The apparatus includes a mask configured to cover a portion of the face of a patient and including a first port and an instrument port. The first port is configured to draw negative pressure from between the mask and the face of the patient. The instrument port is configured to receive a medical instrument therethrough and form a seal therewith. The instrument port is positioned on the mask so as to permit surgery at a surgical site.

Abstract: A system for solventless calibration of volatile or semi-volatile compounds and methods thereof. The system includes a fluid path having a first end configured to be operably coupled to a fluid source and a second end configured to be operably coupled to the analytical instrument. A solid sorbent is disposed along the fluid path and is configured to absorb an analyte. The flow of fluid along the fluid path from the first end to the second end causes absorbed analyte to be desorbed from the solid sorbent at a desired concentration to the instrument.

Abstract: A system for solventless calibration of volatile or semi-volatile compounds and methods thereof. The system includes a fluid path having a first end configured to be operably coupled to a fluid source and a second end configured to be operably coupled to the analytical instrument. A solid sorbent is disposed along the fluid path and is configured to absorb an analyte. The flow of fluid along the fluid path from the first end to the second end causes absorbed analyte to be desorbed from the solid sorbent at a desired concentration to the instrument.

Abstract: A method of detecting hypoxia. Detecting hypoxia includes detecting, in exhaled breath, at least one indicator for hypoxia. The at least one indicator is selected from the group consisting of pentanal, 2-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 2-cyclopenten-1-one, and 4-butyrolactone.

Abstract: A system for detecting medical audio alarms. The system includes a detector and a server. The detector further comprises a microphone that is configured to receive a sound of the alarm; a microcontroller configured to determine an alarm pattern from the sound and to compare the determined alarm pattern to a plurality of patterns stored in a memory to identify a cause of the alarm; and a network interface configured to transmit the cause of the alarm. The server is configured receive the cause of the alarm and provide notification of the cause of the alarm.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft and method of using same are provided. The system includes a fuel reservoir, a fuel recirculation loop, a fuel mixing valve, and a control module. The fuel recirculation loop includes a fuel recirculation tank, heat exchanger that transfers waste thermal energy to the fuel, and another heat exchanger that transfers waste thermal energy out of the heated fuel. The fuel recirculation loop supplies heated fuel to a combustion engine and is configured to return a portion of the heated fuel to the recirculation tank via a return line. The fuel mixing valve fluidly couples the fuel reservoir and the fuel recirculation tank to provide a mixture of the two fuel sources based on the temperature of the heated fuel. The thermal management system increases an aircraft thermal endurance over that which can be attained by a single tank fuel flow topology.

Abstract: A vascular access disassembling needle assembly is provided that enables rapid insertion of a guide wire into the needle and subsequent rapid removal of the access needle off the guide wire by facile disassembly of the needle. The disassembling needle assembly includes a needle portion wherein the needle breaks apart by splitting along at least one seam that extends from the proximal to the distal end to allow removal of the guide wire. Various mechanical features are described that can facilitate the separation of the needle body along at least one seam. Once one or more seams are separated, the needle body may be removed from the guide wire without the need to withdraw the needle along the length of the guide wire, which permits preloading of expanders and other medical devices onto the guidewire.

Abstract: Articles, electronic devices and related methods of fabrication interfacing graphene with a gallium liquid metal alloy.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for utilizing an artificial hair sensor to gather fluid flow data sensed on a surface. The artificial hair sensors are disposed on a surface to acquire flow sensory data in approximately real-time and for a plurality of dynamic flow parameters on the surface. The sensory data is based on a quantity of the artificial hair sensors that can be configured in an array of sensors. A mapping module, such as a neural network, is operatively coupled to the artificial hair sensor array and receives the sensory data acquired by the artificial hair sensors and generates a time-varying signal, which is based on the quantity of dynamic parameters. A real-time representation of the time-varying signal is generated.

Abstract: A transparent device for use in optical applications, and methods for using and manufacturing the device are disclosed. The device generally requires several layers, including (i) a first layer comprising a transparent conductive oxide (such as indium tin oxide (ITO)), (ii) a second layer comprising a transparent semiconductor (e.g., a pn-heterojunction or a pn-homojunction), the second layer having a surface facing the first layer, (iii) a third layer comprising a liquid crystal (such as E7), the third layer having a surface facing the second layer, and (iv) a fourth layer comprising either a second transparent conductive oxide or a second transparent semiconductor, the fourth layer having a surface facing the third layer. When light illuminates a surface of the transparent metal oxide pn-heterojunction or transparent metal oxide pn-homojunction, it induces photoconductivity, modifying the surface charges.

Abstract: A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.

Abstract: Single-domain antibodies (SAbs) against three Yersinia pestis surface proteins (LcrV, YscF, and F1), nucleic acid sequences encoding the SAbs, and polypeptides comprising two or more SAbs capable of recognizing two or more epitopes and/or antigens. The present invention further includes methods for preventing or treating Y. pestis infections in a patient; methods for detecting and/or diagnosing Y. pestis infections; and devices and methods for identifying and/or detecting Y. pestis on a surface and/or in an environment.