Abstract: A method for making a nanoporous membrane is disclosed. The method provides a composite film comprising an atomically thin material layer and a polymer layer, and then bombarding the composite film with energetic particles to form a plurality of pores through at least the atomically thin material layer. The nanoporous membrane also has a atomically thin material layer with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a polymer film layer adjacent one side of the graphene layer. The polymer film layer has a plurality of enlarged pores therethrough, which are aligned with the plurality of apertures. All of the enlarged pores may be concentrically aligned with all the apertures. In one embodiment the atomically thin material layer is graphene.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles by: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution (e.g., hydrofluoric acid solution) to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. The methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN). The methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of preparing porous silicon particles and anode materials that may be derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles of the present invention.

Abstract: Various systems and methods relating to two-dimensional materials such as graphene. A membrane include a cross-linked graphene platelet polymer that includes a plurality of cross-linked graphene platelets. The cross-linked graphene platelets include a graphene portion and a cross-linking portion. The cross-linking portion contains a 4 to 10 atom link. The cross-linked graphene platelet polymer is produced by reaction of an epoxide functionalized graphene platelet and a (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide functionalized cross-linker.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to safing logic and fire set systems with a dual-mode pulse gate driver device and method of use. An aspect includes a device for a circuit having a switch, the device comprising: a gate driver including a trigger input to receive a trigger signal to initiate a test of the circuit in a first mode or a pulse through the circuit to cause a pyrotechnic chain reaction in a second mode, a power supply input and an output for driving the switch in response to receiving the signal. The device includes a trickle charge capacitor coupled to the power supply input. The device includes a high impedance coupled to the capacitor and input power circuitry, the high impedance trickle charging the capacitor and preventing a high voltage through the switch from being applied to the power circuitry in the first mode for subsequent operation in the second mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a coherent matterwave beam are provided. In some aspects, a system includes a plurality of beam generating units. Each of the plurality of beam generating units is configured to generate a stream of charged particles. The system also includes a magnetic field generator configured to expose the plurality of streams to a magnetic field such that (i) the charged particles of the plurality of streams undergo phase synchronization with one another in response to a vector potential associated with the magnetic field and (ii) the plurality of streams is directed along one or more channels to combine with one another and produce a coherent matterwave beam.

Abstract: A flexible condition-based maintenance (CBM) device is disclosed. A CBM device receives a plurality of sensor signals generated by corresponding sensors. The sensor signals indicate real-time conditions of components. The sensor signals are processed to generate sensor data that quantifies the real-time conditions of the components. The CBM device loads a CBM module that implements a plurality of externally invokable functions. The CBM device receives an analytics script. The first analytics script comprises a plurality of interpretable commands, and some of the plurality of interpretable commands are configured to invoke some of the plurality of externally invokable functions. The CBM module invokes a command interpreter module to interpret at least one interpretable command and generate command executable bytecodes. The command executable bytecodes are executed to generate a notification identifying a real-time condition of a component for presentation on a display device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable media for route re-planning including generating enemy force movement predictions to be used during mission planning. During a mission, enemy force movements can be compared to the predictions. By using enemy force movement predictions for an initial comparison, the enemy force movements may only need to be compared to the own force mission plan if the enemy forces deviate from the predictions. When enemy force movement deviates from the predictions, new enemy force movement predictions can be generated. The new enemy force movement predictions can then be compared to the own force mission plan to determine if a route re-plan is needed. The route can be re-planned to determine a route that reduces or eliminates the chance of a lethal encounter with an enemy or threat.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-planar conforming circuit on a non-planar surface includes creating a first set of conforming layers. The first set of conforming layers is created by applying an oxide dielectric layer to the surface, applying a conductive material layer to the oxide dielectric layer, applying a resist layer to the conductive material layer, patterning the resist layer according to a desired circuit layout, etching the surface to remove exposed conductive material, and stripping the resist layer. The process may be repeated to form multiple layers of conforming circuits with electrical connections between layers formed by blind microvias. The resulting set of conforming layers can be sealed.

Abstract: A hurricane-proof solar tracker and related method of operation includes a solar panel array assembly having one end coupled to a ballast and a tilting assembly supporting a solar panel assembly. The tilting assembly tilts the solar panel array assembly to track with the sun in a first position, and retracts the solar panel array to a substantially flat second position.

Abstract: An environmental protective coating (“EPC”) for protecting a surface subjected to high temperature environments of more than 3000 degree F. The coating includes a dense platelet lamellar microstructure with a self-sealing, compliant binder material for holding the platelets together. The platelets may be formed from materials that are resistant to high temperatures and impermeable, such as ceramics. The lamellar microstructure creates a tortuous path for oxygen to reach the surface. The binder material includes engineered free internal volume, which increases the elastic strain of the EPC. The binder is softer than the platelets, which in combination with its free volume increases pliability of the EPC. The binder may have sufficient glass content and glass-forming content for initial and long-term sealing purposes.

Abstract: A method for forming a lattice with precisely sized holes includes disposing cutter molecules with species attached about the periphery of each molecule on to the lattice. The method continues with the species cutting molecular bonds of the lattice so as to form precisely sized holes in the lattice. The edges of the holes may then be functionalized.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for tracking object clusters that reduces the complexity of isotropic scaling and conformal transformations that are used with current methods of tracking clusters. The method and system comprise obtaining a first sensor image and a second sensor image. Then, angular measurements between objects of the first sensor image are determined. Next, the second sensor image is rotated to align it with the first sensor image, and then angular measurements between objects of the second sensor image are determined. Then angular measurements from the first sensor image are compared to angular measurements of the second image, and correlated object clusters are identified.

Abstract: A method of operating a pulse-Doppler radar system includes the steps of generating a plurality waveforms, with each waveform comprising a plurality of pulses generated with a staggered pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from pulse to pulse. Received reflected return signals from the generated plurality of waveforms are filtered by a plurality of Doppler filters that span an entire required Doppler visibility range.

Abstract: Nanostructured compositions containing carbon nanotubes and at least one other type of nanoparticle can display the beneficial properties of both substances. Nanostructured compositions can contain a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a plurality of nanoparticles, and a plurality of linker moieties, where at least a portion of the linker moieties connect at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes to the nanoparticles. The nanostructured compositions can form a substrate coating. The nanostructured compositions can contain two or more different types or sizes of nanoparticles. Methods for forming a nanostructured composition can include forming a non-covalent bond between a linker moiety and a carbon nanotube, forming a covalent bond between a linker moiety and a nanoparticle or a surfactant coating thereon, and applying a plurality of carbon nanotubes to a substrate. The linker moiety can be non-covalently bonded to the carbon nanotube before or after applying the carbon nanotubes to the substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for sensor fusion. The method includes receiving, by a processor, track reports of at least a first sensor and a second sensor for sensor fusion, selecting a best track from at least the first sensor and the second sensor to reduce track error, determining a fused track that combines at least the first sensor and the second sensor and selecting one of the fused track and the best track as a system track of sensor fusion to minimize a system error.

Abstract: A cold water pipe assembly, and mechanisms for generating a cold water pipe assembly, are provided. A plurality of mooring lines are secured to a pipe end member. A pipe segment of a plurality of pipe segments is slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a pipe wall of the pipe segment. The plurality of pipe segments is iteratively extended to form a pipe assembly of a desired length by joining a next pipe segment to a previous pipe segment to extend the pipe assembly, and lowering the pipe end member and the pipe assembly by extending the mooring lines. At least some of the next pipe segments are slidably coupled with respect to the mooring lines at a plurality of locations on a respective pipe wall of the at least some of the next pipe segments.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining geoposition of an observer. The system includes a sensor such as a wide field of view camera or telescope that can capture an image of the sky. The image of the sky is used to compile a table or list of the stars in the sky along with their positions. This table or list is pattern-matched with a predetermined list or table of stars to identify each star. In one embodiment, the distances between all stars in the image are computed and compared to star images from an atmospheric refraction model. A comparison of the measured table or list and the refraction model, using an optimization algorithm, is performed to determine the geoposition of the observer. In an alternative embodiment, a sensor capable of measuring two different frequency bands obtains two images of each star in the sky simultaneously.

Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting and receiving data using audio devices but without being detectable by a human ear are disclosed. For example, a device for transmitting data can include a modulator configured to transform digital data into a modulated signal having a frequency no less than about 20 kHz, and an audio transmitter coupled to an output of the modulator configured to transmit the modulated signal into a sound propagating medium without being detected by a human ear. The methods and systems can be used to perform two-factor authentication for permitting a user to access a remote server or other device.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising helically wound tube bundles is disclosed. The helically wound tube bundles are joined with tube sheets to define a primary working fluid system that is fluidically isolated from a secondary working fluid system. The tube sheets and tubes are formed of the same material, which facilitates their joining by means of joints that are substantially galvanic corrosion-resistant joints.