Abstract: A copolymer comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene units and vinylidene fluoride units, and methods of making the same. A method of preventing biofouling on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such copolymer to the article of manufacture. A process of preparing a surface having a surface energy of between about 20 and about 30 mJ/m2, comprising applying such a copolymer to a support. A method of preventing accumulation of ice on an article of manufacture, comprising applying such a copolymer to an article of manufacture. A method of preparing a polymer, comprising a step of adding trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene/vinylidene fluoride copolymer as a polymer processing additive/aid to said polymer.

Abstract: An ion trap apparatus is provided. The ion trap apparatus comprises two or more radio frequency (RF) rails formed with substantially parallel longitudinal axes and with substantially coplanar upper surfaces; and two or more sequences of trapping and/or transport (TT) electrodes with each sequence formed to extend substantially parallel to the substantially parallel longitudinal axes of the RF rails. The two or more RF rails and the two or more sequences of TT electrodes define an ion trap. The two or more sequences of TT electrodes are arranged into a number of zones. Each zone comprises wide matched groups of TT electrodes and at least one narrow matched group of TT electrodes. A wide TT electrode is longer and/or wider in a direction substantially parallel to the substantially parallel longitudinal axes of the RF rails than a narrow TT electrode.

Abstract: An industrial automation system employing a mesh topology of input/output allows flexibility in pairing field devices and controllers though the I/O mesh. Field devices can be connected to the geographically closest I/O module channel without regard to the location of the necessary controller. Modular prefabrication and deployment of the I/O modules becomes less complex and less time consuming thereby reducing costs.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a receiver configured to receive signals encoding first, second, and third messages in first, second, and third frequency bands. The system also includes a mixer configured to down-convert the received signals to intermediate-frequency (IF) signals based on a local oscillator signal. The system further includes at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to sample the IF signals at a sampling rate. A frequency band of the IF signals encoding the first message falls within a first Nyquist region, and a frequency band of the IF signals encoding the second message falls within a second Nyquist region. The first and second Nyquist regions are frequency ranges bounded by multiples of one-half of the sampling rate, and the second Nyquist region is different from the first Nyquist region. The system includes processing circuitry configured to determine data in the first, second, and third messages based on an output of the at least one analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: A particle separator includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. A flow stream is directed from the inlet to the outlet. A number of dividers are disposed in the housing and separate flow channels from each other. The flow channels extend from the inlet to the outlet. The dividers each have a profile so that the flow channels follow the profile. The dividers each include a plurality of cavities that open to each of the flow channels and that have blind ends. The cavities each have an aspect ratio greater than one, and are configured to collect particles from the flow stream.

Abstract: An integrated photonics chip for thermal imaging comprises a photonics substrate including a plurality of receiver elements. Each receiver element comprises a first grating coupler optically coupled to a first waveguide filter and configured to receive a first wavelength of light at a given angle, with the first waveguide filter configured to pass the first wavelength of light; and a second grating coupler optically coupled to a second waveguide filter and configured to receive a second wavelength of light at the given angle, with second waveguide filter configured to pass the second wavelength of light. Each receiver element receives the wavelengths of light from an object of interest that emits the light due to blackbody radiation, and receives the wavelengths of light at respectively different angles. Each grating coupler receives a unique wavelength of light with respect to the other wavelengths of light received by the other grating couplers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the concentration of a second target gas while in the presence of a first target gas. A method may comprise operating a first sensor (202, 302) under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor (202, 302) is part of a sensor assembly (200); operating a second sensor (204, 304) under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor (204, 304) is part of the sensor assembly (200), and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one target gas by the first sensor (202, 302); detecting at least one target gas by the second sensor (204, 304); processing a signal output from the first sensor (202, 302) with a signal output from the second sensor (204, 304); and determining a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide conversion system for an environment includes a first gas-liquid contactor-separator downstream of the environment; an electrochemical conversion cell downstream of the first gas-liquid contactor-separator; and a cleaned ionic liquid storage intermediate the first gas-liquid contactor-separator and the electrochemical conversion cell.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide conversion system for an environment includes a first gas-liquid contactor-separator downstream of the environment; an electrochemical conversion cell downstream of the first gas-liquid contactor-separator; and a cleaned ionic liquid storage intermediate the first gas-liquid contactor-separator and the electrochemical conversion cell.

Abstract: A turbine vane includes an airfoil that extends from an inner diameter to an outer diameter, and from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The turbine vane includes an inner platform coupled to the airfoil at the inner diameter. The turbine vane includes a cooling system defined in the airfoil including a first conduit in proximity to the leading edge to cool the leading edge and a second conduit to cool the trailing edge. The first conduit has an inlet at the outer diameter to receive a cooling fluid and an outlet portion that is defined at least partially through the inner platform. The first conduit includes a plurality of cooling features that extend from a first surface of the first conduit, and the first surface of the first conduit is opposite the leading edge.

Abstract: Aircraft fly-by-wire systems and related vehicle electrical systems are provided. A vehicle electrical system includes a bus arrangement having a plurality of buses, a first control module coupled to a first subset of the buses, a second control module coupled to a second subset of the buses, and a third control module coupled to a third subset of the buses. The first subset includes a first bus, a second bus, a third bus, and a fourth bus, the second subset includes the third bus, the fourth bus, a fifth bus, and a sixth bus, and the third subset includes the first bus, the second bus, the fifth bus and the sixth bus.

Abstract: A turbine vane includes an airfoil that extends from an inner diameter to an outer diameter, and from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The turbine vane includes an inner platform coupled to the airfoil at the inner diameter. The turbine vane includes a cooling system defined in the airfoil including a first conduit in proximity to the leading edge to cool the leading edge and a second conduit to cool the trailing edge. The first conduit has an inlet at the outer diameter to receive a cooling fluid and an outlet portion that is defined at least partially through the inner platform. The first conduit includes a plurality of cooling features that extend between a first surface and a second surface of the first conduit, and the first surface of the first conduit is opposite the leading edge.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide alerts when a rotorcraft is in a low airspeed condition. During takeoff or go-around, an aural alert is provided to the pilot before the aircraft slows to less than the effective translational lift speed. The aural, visual, and/or tactile alert gets the pilot's attention to manage the aircraft's airspeed before it is too late in this critical flight phase.

Abstract: Fan coil thermostats can provide energy savings by, for example, operating a fan coil system more efficiently. Fan coil systems employing such a fan coil thermostat may be more energy efficient. A fan coil system may include a fan coil that is configured for fluid communication with a source of heated fluid and/or a source of cooled fluid, a valve that controls fluid flow through the fan coil and a fan that blows air across the fan coil. The fan coil thermostat may include a controller that implements a control algorithm that calculates an error percentage value relating to a temperature difference between the current temperature and the temperature set point. The error percentage value may include a proportional term related to the temperature difference and an integral term related to the temperature difference. The controller may regulate the fan speed in accordance with the calculated error percentage.

Abstract: A video management system may send time-stamped metadata corresponding to a video stream across a communication path having a limited bandwidth. Time-stamped metadata for a first reference video frame which identifies objects in the reference frame may be generated, and sent across the communication path. Time-stamped metadata for each of a plurality of first delta video frames following the first reference video frame may be generated, the time-stamped metadata for each of the plurality of first delta video frames may identify changes in detected objects relative to the objects identified in the time-stamped metadata for the first reference video frame. The time-stamped metadata for each of the plurality of first delta video frames may be sent across the communication path.

Abstract: Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties. More particularly, ballistic resistant fibrous composites having high interlaminar lap shear strength between component fiber plies or fiber layers, which correlates to low composite backface signature. The high lap shear strength, low backface signature composites are useful for the production of hard armor articles, including helmet armor.

Abstract: A shotgun stick for use with grounding devices is provided. An example shotgun stick includes a housing and a drive shaft supported within the housing. The shotgun stick further includes a torque connector coupled with a first end of the drive shaft that receives a grounding clamp assembly. The shotgun stick includes a motor assembly operably connected to a second end of the drive shaft. In an automatic mode, the motor assembly drives the drive shaft so as to actuate the grounding clamp assembly received by the torque connector. The shotgun stick also includes a manual locking mechanism. In a manual mode, the manual locking assembly locks the drive shaft to at least a portion of the housing so as to preclude rotation of the drive shaft and allow manual actuation of the grounding clamp assembly received by the torque connector.