Abstract: A microwave oven for warming food, the microwave oven comprising an enclosure, a microwave generator, a chemical sensor, and a controller. The enclosure forms a heating chamber in which the food is warmed. The microwave generator is configured to propagate microwaves into the heating chamber to warm the food. The chemical sensor is in fluid communication with the heating chamber and configured to detect a chemical indicative of a completed warming state of the food and transmit a detection signal indicating the completed warming state has been achieved upon detection of the chemical. The controller is configured to generate an output alteration signal representing an instruction to alter an output of the microwave generator upon receiving the detection signal from the first sensor to minimize release of the chemical.

Abstract: An air bearing for calibrating a force measurement device comprises an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, an internal chamber, an object retention opening, and a plurality of air outlets. The inner wall and outer wall each have a cylindrical shape with the outer wall being concentric with the inner wall. The upper wall and lower wall each have an annular shape and are attached to the inner wall and the outer wall. The internal chamber is formed by inner surfaces of the four walls, and is configured to retain compressed air. The object retention opening is formed by an outer surface of the inner wall and is configured to receive and retain an object. The air outlets are positioned along the inner wall and are configured to allow compressed air to flow from the internal chamber to the object retention opening.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for compressing video data comprises receiving a sequence of video data values, each video data value being a digital value from a successive one of a plurality of pixels that form a video sensor, the sequence of video data values resulting from successive frames of video captured by the video sensor; extracting the video data values for each pixel in turn to create a plurality of pixel data streams, each pixel data stream including the video data value for each frame of captured video for the pixel; and applying data compression to each pixel data stream to create compressed data for each pixel data stream.

Abstract: A method for tuning a resonant frequency of wireless communication circuitry on a multichip module including a plurality of chips includes applying an electrical insulator to an upper surface of the multichip module; creating a plurality of openings in the electrical insulator, each opening being positioned at a successive one of the bond pads to be electrically connected to create a plurality of exposed bond pads; applying metal to each exposed bond pad to form a successive one of a plurality of interconnect bases; removing a portion of the layer of photoresist to create a plurality of bridge supports, each bridge support positioned between a successive pair of interconnect bases; applying metal to each bridge support and associated interconnect bases to form a successive one of the interconnect traces; removing the bridge supports; and disconnecting one or more of the interconnect traces as necessary to obtain a target resonant frequency.

Abstract: Systems, methods, components, and parts are provided for improving casting and electroplating performance of a plated cast part by doping a semiconductor material with an electrically active dopant before mixing the semiconductor material into a base material. The doped semiconductor material improves the castability of the base material and has an improved electrical conductivity which is closer to that of the base material such that a consistency of a subsequent plating on the part is improved.

Abstract: A multichip module comprises a carrier, a plurality of chips, an electrical insulating layer, and an electrical interconnect structure. The carrier includes a bottom wall and four side walls defining an internal cavity. The chips are positioned in the internal cavity, with each chip including a plurality of bond pads. The electrical insulating layer is formed from electrically insulating material and is positioned on an upper surface of the carrier and the chips. The electrical interconnect structure includes a plurality of interconnect traces, with each interconnect trace formed from electrically conductive material and electrically connected to a first bond pad on a first chip and a second bond pad on a second chip. Each interconnect trace includes a bridge having a segment that is spaced apart from, and positioned above, the electrical insulating layer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system is provided. The system comprises first and second pluralities of stator coils wound about first and second axes, a plurality of support structures, first and second couplers that surround portions of the first and second pluralities of stator coils, and first and second pluralities of sets of rotor coils wound about axes that are parallel to the first and second axes. The stator coils are configured to receive electric current through an outside controller selecting appropriately coupled stator sections or through a sliding electrical contact system or bearing system to induce at least a first magnetic field. The plurality of support structures supports the first and second plurality of stator coils. The first and second couplers include notches and are oriented so that their notches pass over the plurality of support structures when the couplers move along the stator coils. The couplers may have an adjustable segment to close the notch.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for compressing video data comprises receiving a sequence of video data values, each video data value being a digital value from a successive one of a plurality of pixels that form a video sensor, the sequence of video data values resulting from successive frames of video captured by the video sensor; extracting the video data values for each pixel in turn to create a plurality of pixel data streams, each pixel data stream including the video data value for each frame of captured video for the pixel; and applying data compression to each pixel data stream to create compressed data for each pixel data stream.

Abstract: A conductive trace interconnect tape for use with a printed circuit board or a flexible circuit substrate comprises a top insulating layer, an electrically conductive layer, and a bottom insulating layer. The top insulating layer is formed from electrically insulating material and is configured to provide electrical isolation from electrically conductive objects that are positioned on top of the conductive trace interconnect tape. The electrically conductive layer is positioned underneath the top insulating layer. The electrically conductive layer is formed from electrically conductive material and includes electrical interconnect traces, electrical component pads, or electrically conductive planar portions. The bottom insulating layer is positioned underneath the electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the removal of layers from a die for an integrated circuit while maintaining the planarity of the surface of the die by avoiding rounding the corners and other edges of the die. A pocket is created in a sacrificial material, such that when the die is inserted into the pocket the edges of the die are contiguous with the walls of the pocket and a top surface of the die is coplanar with a top surface of the pocket. The sacrificial material may be the same material as the die. An adhesive substance is placed in the pocket, and the die is inserted into the pocket and against the adhesive substance which aids in retaining the die in the pocket. The layers may then be removed from the die and the sacrificial material around the die without rounding the edges of the die.

Abstract: A locking power cord receptacle configured to receive an electric power cord plug that includes a ground pin comprises a base receptacle and a locking assembly. The base receptacle includes a first female connector, a second female connector, and a ground female connector positioned on an upper surface and arranged to receive the power cord plug. The base receptacle further includes a body cavity on the upper surface. The locking assembly has a locked state in which the locking assembly blocks access to the base receptacle and an unlocked state in which the power cord plug can be plugged in to the base receptacle. The locking assembly includes a locking cover and a locking component. The locking cover includes a disc and a sleeve coupled to the disc and the base receptacle. The locking component is retained in the body cavity and has a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.

Abstract: A spiral antenna assembly with an integrated feed network and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The spiral antenna assembly may comprise a supporting structure integrally formed with a feed network structure, thereby presenting a monolithic structure. A spiral antenna element may be disposed on a bottom surface or a top surface of the supporting structure. The feed network structure may comprise the feed network and project from a center of the top surface of the supporting structure. The feed network may comprise a microstrip balun architecture. The spiral antenna assembly may be formed by additively manufacturing the supporting structure and the feed network structure. A laser direct structuring process may write and activate the spiral antenna element on the supporting structure and the feed network on the feed network structure.

Abstract: Provided herein are polysiloxane-based composite materials comprising a high weight percentage of elemental components (e.g., elemental boron, elemental copper, elemental bismuth, elemental lead) and low levels of carbon nanofibers. The elemental components may be present in the composite materials at levels greater than 25% by weight. Also provided herein are methods of forming the composite materials that have desirable flexibility and shielding properties. The invention provides a versatile composite material that is compliant and moldable, while still comprising high levels of the elemental shielding components. The materials are particularly useful for applications in which radiation shielding or neutron capture are desired.

Abstract: A multi-layer body armor plate includes a strike plate; a mesh layer positioned over the strike plate, the mesh layer having a number of open cells; and an outer skin layer positioned over the mesh layer so as to encapsulate the open cells of the mesh layer between the strike plate and the outer skin layer. The open cells of the mesh layer may entrap air or may be filled with expandable, buoyant foam.

Abstract: A lattice structure and system for absorbing energy, damping vibration, and reducing shock. The lattice structure comprises a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell comprising a plurality of rib elements with at least a portion of the rib elements including a solid bendable hinge portion for converting energy into linear motion along a longitudinal axis of the respective rib element.

Abstract: An article transport case comprising an outer shell including opposing sections, first and second pinscreen assemblies, and first and second securement mechanisms. The pinscreen assemblies each include a frame, a securement plate, and a number of pins. The first and second securement mechanisms are configured to be in a secured configuration to retain the first and second sections in a closed configuration and keep the securement plates in a secured position thereby restraining the pins against the article in an article conforming arrangement. The securement plates are in an unsecured position so that the pins are free to translate longitudinally when the securement mechanisms are in an unsecured configuration such that the pins are not restrained in the article conforming arrangement when the shell is open.

Abstract: A simulation system for use in testing a radar system comprises a coarse delay module, a fine delay module, and a doppler shift module. The coarse delay module is configured to receive a first stream of digital data samples that are sampled from a radar signal at a sample time period or a second stream of digital data samples that are processed by another simulation system component and delay the digital data samples by a selectable first delay time that is greater than or equal to the sample time period. The fine delay module is configured to receive the digital data samples and filter the digital data samples to represent delay by a selectable second delay time that is less than the sample time period. The doppler shift module is configured to receive the digital data samples and adjust a value of a frequency content of the fine delayed samples.

Abstract: A system and method of additively manufacturing a part including electrically conductive or static dissipating fluorine-containing polymers. The method includes depositing fluorine-containing polymer additive manufacturing material onto a build platform, selectively cross-linking portions of the deposited additive manufacturing material, and curing the selectively cross-linked portions such that the part is at least one of electrically conductive and static dissipating.

Abstract: A method of testing a PIN diode for a power limiter circuit comprises measuring a reverse bias current of the PIN diode; applying a reverse bias voltage to the PIN diode; increasing the reverse bias voltage until the reverse bias current of the PIN diode reaches a threshold current indicative of a reverse voltage breakdown; and determining whether the reverse bias breakdown voltage of the PIN diode is within an acceptable range of reverse bias breakdown voltages corresponding to a power range at which the power limiter circuit would enter power limiting mode with the PIN diode.

Abstract: A method of testing a sensing device with a sensing mass includes accelerating the sensing device along a circular path about a central axis. The sensing mass of the sensing device may be movable relative to the central axis. The method includes determining a position of the sensing mass of the sensing device via a sensor and shifting the sensing device radially relative to the central axis based at least in part on the position of the sensing mass during acceleration.