Abstract: A multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket with enhanced contamination inhibiting properties and a method for inhibiting the formation of organic residues on the outer surface of a MLI blanket are provided. In one embodiment, a MLI blanket (10) attachable to a spacecraft or other structure includes a plurality of metallized layers (20, 30, 40, 50) separated by mesh layers (60, 62, 64). An anti-contamination coating (80) comprised of a photocatalytic material is disposed between a high emittance layer (70) that overlies the outer surface (20A) of the outer metallized layer (20) and an outer electrically conductive layer (90).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems, device, and methods of providing optical sensing. Various embodiment include an optical transmitting and receiving apparatus that can include an optical fiber bundle having an end located proximate to a lens and an aperture through which optical energy is received by the optical fiber bundle, and a sensor array, where the optical fiber bundle receives optical energy and passes the optical energy through the bundle to the sensor array, and where the sensor array is located remotely from the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a radome and an evanescent wave-coupled windowing system in the radome. In operation, the apparatus receives radiation reflected from an object that is incident upon a windowing system; emits evanescent waves from the windowing system whose amplitudes are proportional to the angle of incidence of the radiation; and non-coherent, Fresnel direction finds the object.

Abstract: An electric pulse generator includes a driver having an outer surface, a receiver, and one or more piezoelectric elements disposed between and in electrical contact with the driver and the receiver. The electric pulse generator further includes an explosive material disposed on the outer surface of the driver. A method of making an electrical pulse generator includes providing one or more piezoelectric elements, a driver, a receiver, and an explosive material and operably associating the explosive material with an outer surface of the driver. The method further includes electrically coupling the one or more piezoelectric elements between the driver and the receiver.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter device including: an input to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; a plurality of delay elements coupled in series to the input, wherein each element has an output configured to provide the RF signal with a temporal delay corresponding to a different number of the delay elements; a sample rate reduction system having a plurality of inputs each being coupled to a corresponding one of the delay element outputs, and configured to sample the delayed RF signals and provide M-sample outputs, each of the M-sample outputs being sampled at a reduced sampling rate equal to the sampling rate divided by M, M being an integer sample rate reduction value; and an Nth order complex bandpass filter coupled to the sample rate reduction system, the complex bandpass filter being configured to filter each of the M-sample outputs to obtain a plurality of complex baseband signals.

Abstract: A structural lug comprising a metallic base, composite middle layers, and outer layers of metallic material is disclosed. The metallic base of the structure is machined to accommodate the composite plies, which are located on each lateral side of the base and bonded to the base with adhesive. The composite material may comprise an adhesive-based resin with embedded fibers. The metallic base may be formed to minimize peel stresses in the composite layers. The top metallic layers are fitted over and bonded to the composite plies and act as the outermost layers of the lug. The lateral ends of the lug where the top layers come into contact with the machined base may be joined together with friction stir welding or mechanical fasteners to form the completed structure.

Abstract: A spiral planar antenna includes more than two spiral arms. Each arm includes at least a portion that is coiled. The antenna may operate from approximately 50 MHz to upwards of several GHz within a payload space of only about 5.75 inches in diameter and less than one inch in height, with approximately 5 dBi or less of measured axial ratio. The broad frequency response in conjunction with a small space-profile improves space limitations and payload for deployable and non-deployable platforms while reducing opportunities for electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery include radiating electromagnetic energy in the form of focused electromagnetic pulses into a permeable formation containing the crude oil and/or fluid via an array of antennae transmitting immediately in the far field. The electromagnetic pulses are focused at the depth of the fluid reservoir. Pulses will be reflected by the fluid according to the fluid material (e.g. oil vs. water) and/or the strata (e.g. rock, sand, etc.). An array of receiver antennae may be used to initially establish a reference of the reflected electromagnetic pattern, and then operated in conjunction with the transmit array to monitor the relative horizontal movement of oil and/or water within the subterranean reservoir.

Abstract: Exemplary methods of producing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are disclosed. A plurality of seed cap molecules having a same diameter and a same chirality are prepared. The plurality of seed cap molecules are attached to a plurality of catalyst particles to form a plurality of catalyst-cap composites. Carbon atoms are provided to the catalyst-cap composites. Carbon nanotubes having the same diameter and the same chirality are grown on the plurality of catalyst-cap composited by exposing the composites to the carbon atoms.

Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure provide low index metamaterials. The low index metamaterials may be used to form soft and/or hard electromagnetic (EM) boundaries to facilitate desired EM performance or propagation in applications including feed horns, spatial feed/combiners, isolation barriers between antennas or RF modules, and reduced radar cross-section applications. In one aspect, a low index metamaterial comprises a dielectric layer and a plurality of conductors on a surface of the dielectric layer, embedded in the dielectric layer or both, wherein the low index metamaterial appears as a medium having a dielectric constant less than one with respect to electromagnetic waves at predetermined frequencies and propagating at grazing angles with respect to a surface of the low index metamaterial.

Abstract: A dual-band feed assembly is configured to be coupled to a satellite repeater payload. The dual-band feed assembly includes a transmit filter assembly comprising a transmit pass-band filter configured to reject frequencies outside of a transmit frequency band and a low-pass and harmonic filter configured to reject receive band frequencies and harmonics of the transmit frequency band. The dual-band feed assembly further includes a receive filter assembly comprising a receive pass-band filter configured to reject frequencies outside of a receive frequency band and a high-pass filter configured to reject transmit band frequencies. A multi-port junction couples the transmit and receive waveguide assemblies to a dual-band horn. The dual-band feed assembly also may include receive and transmit test couplers.

Abstract: Methods of making multilayered, hydrogen-containing intermetallic structures including at least two adjacent metal layers are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced into the metal by plasma hydrogenation. The intermetallic structures can have high hydrogen contents and micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides flow field control techniques that adapt the aft body region flow field to eliminate or mitigate the development of massive separated flow field zones and associated unsteady vortical flow field structures. Embodiments of the present invention use one or more distributed arrays of flow control devices (submerged in the boundary layer) to create disturbances in the flow field that inhibit the growth of larger vortical structures and/or to energize the aft body shear layer to keep the shear layer attached the aft body surface. These undesirable aerodynamic phenomena produce increased vehicle drag which harms vehicle range, persistence, and loiter capabilities. Additionally, the unsteady nature of the turbulent vortical structures shed in the aft body wake region may produce increased dynamic buffeting and aft body heating by entraining nozzle jet exhaust (a.k.a. jet wash) —requiring additional structural support, shielding, and vehicle weight.

Abstract: A splice seam for joining various sections of fabric together is disclosed, wherein the fabric sections are initially delaminated into their constituent plies. The plies associated with each fabric section are then interleaved with each other, and bonded together. The amount of surface area between each interleaved plies can be adjusted as so as to achieve a desired level of load carrying strength between the fabric sections. Additionally, the splice seam may utilize an external and/or internal seam tape to increase the strength of the resultant seam.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiment of the present invention is a launch system that includes a closure that, in use, is attached to one or both ends of a missile canister. The closure is blown off of the canister before there is any contact between it and the nose of the missile. The closure incorporates an actuation mechanism that releases the closure when there is a rapid increase in pressure within the canister, such as when the booster of a canistered missile fires. The actuation mechanism is not, however, responsive to the magnitude of the pressure within the canister. As a consequence, the closure will not release if there is a slow build-up of pressure within the missile canister.

Abstract: A system for distributing a substance includes a chamber configured to accommodate a mold surface and an inlet port in the chamber. The substance is introduced into the chamber through the inlet port. Flexible tubing is coupled between the inlet port and a reservoir containing the substance. A pump is used to compress a portion of the flexible tubing to move the substance through the tubing and inject the substance into the chamber.

Abstract: A ship has interchangeable mission modules. For example, a ship has a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling between the mission-module system and the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities. Each mission-module is generally self-contained such that all the equipment necessary to perform the specific mission is contained within the single mission-module. Each mission-module is either a single unit or multiple units combined together to form an integrated unit. Thus, the ship is capable of transitioning from one mission to another simply by ejecting one mission module and replacing with another mission module.

Abstract: A multi-access laser communications terminal is disclosed. The communications terminal includes a deformable mirror whose surface contour is deformable by one or more actuators. The communications terminal further includes a closed-loop tracking system which controls the one or more actuators to change the surface contour of the deformable mirror in accordance with detected movement of an optical beam in order to keep the optical beam optimally locked on a receiver.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a synthetic jet actuator(s) operable to produce an oscillatory flow, and fluidic jet(s) operable to provide a continuous fluid flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) and the continuous fluid flow of the fluidic jet(s) combine or mix to produce the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.

Abstract: A system for transporting fuel exhibits increased safety. The system includes a fuel leak detector including: a colorimetric chemical monitor configured to change color in response to presence of a fuel or fuel component, an optical reader configured to monitor a color of the chemical monitor, and an alarm system configured to provide an alarm when a color of the chemical monitor changes by a predetermined amount.