Abstract: An effective sensor for indicating exposure to a toxic gas includes a non-conductive, inert substrate such as glass or polyethylene, a two-dimensional film of nanoparticles of a conductive metal such as silver or copper on the substrate and an electrode connected to each end of the film. When an electrical current passes through the film and the sensor is exposed to a toxic gas, changes in the electrical resistance of the film provides an indication of the presence of the toxic gas.

Abstract: An end-of-service life indicator for a sorbent filter includes a tube containing a noble metal nanoparticle film on an optically transparent substrate, the substrate being perpendicular to the axis of the tube. An opening in the tube adjacent to the film allows chemical vapor to accumulate in the tube and be absorbed by the film. A light source located at one end of the tube and a light detector at the other end determines the amount of light absorbed by the nanoparticle film due to exposure to chemical vapor. A signal from the light detector is applied to an electronic processor that determines attenuation of light by the film, and the processor is connected to an indicator to provide an indication of the exposure of the film to the vapor.

Abstract: A method of eddy current testing without the need for lift-off compensation. Signal response features similar to those used in pulsed eddy current techniques are applied to conventional (harmonic) eddy current methods. The described method provides advantages in terms of data storage, since only two response parameters, the amplitude and phase, are sufficient to reconstruct any sinusoidal signal, therefore allowing for scanning of large surfaces.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for identifying Francisella tularensis vaccine candidates. It enables identification of novel vaccine candidates and quality assurance for vaccine batches, assessment of protection in vaccinates and identification of the infecting agent in vaccinates. Mice were first vaccinated with Brucella abortus O-polysaccharide (OPS) vaccine. These animals were then given 10 LD50s of F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). Sixty percent (60%) of the vaccinated mice survived the multiple lethal doses. Sera were collected from these surviving mice and the antibodies were used to probe supernatant and cell lysates of live F. tularensis LVS cultures. Several F. tularensis components were identified only by the noted “survivor” antisera. Of these identified proteins, enzyme digestions and chemical oxidation suggest post-translational modifications of some proteins e.g. a 52 kDa glycoprotein, a 45 kDa lipoprotein and a 19 kDa nucleoprotein.

Abstract: A hybrid drive (HD) multi-mode pipe projector (MMPP) for use in underwater acoustic applications is provided. The HD MMPP is formed with an inner magnetostrictive drive motor nested within an outer drive motor. The inner motor is surrounded by a magnetic field generating coil winding. Preferably the inner drive motor is a Terfenol-D motor and the outer drive motor is a radially-poled piezoceramic drive motor. This nested configuration provides increased bandwidth and low-frequency extension to the MMPP design.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures for use as catalyst supports in hydrogen fuel cells are produced by mixing a carbon material with at least one transition metal such as iron and cobalt, subjecting the mixture thus produced to mechanical grinding, e.g. ball milling in a hydrogen atmosphere for a time sufficient for hydrogen to be absorbed into the mixture, and heating the mixture in an inert atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to crystallize at least one of the carbon material and carbide nanocrystals.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for identifying Francisella tularensis vaccine candidates. It enables identification of novel vaccine candidates and quality assurance for vaccine batches, assessment of protection in vaccinates and identification of the infecting agent in vaccinates. Mice were first vaccinated with Brucella abortus O-polysaccharide (OPS) vaccine. These animals were then given 10 LD50s of F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). Sixty percent (60%) of the vaccinated mice survived the multiple lethal doses. Sera were collected from these surviving mice and the antibodies were used to probe supernatant and cell lysates of live F. tularensis LVS cultures. Several F. tularensis components were identified only by the noted “survivor” antisera. Of these identified proteins, enzyme digestions and chemical oxidation suggest post-translational modifications of some proteins e.g. a 52 kDa glycoprotein, a 45 kDa lipoprotein and a 19 kDa nucleoprotein.

Abstract: An apparatus to obtain images of a target by an underwater video camera in a waterproof container wherein the target is illuminated by a laser beam. The shutter of the video camera is kept closed until a laser pulse has covered the distance to the target and nearly back to reduce the effect of reflection of the laser pulse by particles in the water. A holographic beam shaper in the path of the laser beam before a diverging lens is used to provide a 4 by 3 aspect ratio the same as the camera to illuminate the target.

Abstract: An acoustic projector with a thin walled shell extending between flanges having helicoidal corrugations extending between the flanges. A shear mode motor is coupled to the thin walled shell to provide a torque to the thin walled shell.

Abstract: A laser warning receiver (LWR) to detect a very low power laser beam for a laser beam rider and provide a high angular resolution in determining the angle-of-arrival of that beam. An aperture having a fixed field-of-view (FOV) is located in a detection channel followed by a narrow-band filter and a detector whose output is applied to a pulse analyzer circuit. A localization channel with the same FOV has a similar narrow-band filter and a lens to focus light from that FOV onto a detector through a N×M element LCD matrix, an output of that detector being applied to the pulse analyzer circuit whose output is applied to a LCD pattern selector connected to the matrix which controls elements in the matrix to provide a transparent window of variable size and position. The size and position of that window allows a laser beam to reach the detector, the window being iterative reduced in size when a beam is detected to provide the location of its source.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods for identifying Francisella tularensis vaccine candidates. It enables identification of novel vaccine candidates and quality assurance for vaccine batches, assessment of protection in vaccinates and identification of the infecting agent in vaccinates. Mice were first vaccinated with Brucella abortus O-polysaccharide (OPS) vaccine. These animals were then given 10 LD50s of F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). Sixty percent (60%) of the vaccinated mice survived the multiple lethal doses. Sera were collected from these surviving mice and the antibodies were used to probe supernatant and cell lysates of live F. tularensis LVS cultures. Several F. tularensis components were identified only by the noted “survivor” antisera. Of these identified proteins, enzyme digestions and chemical oxidation suggest post-translational modifications of some proteins e.g. a 52 kDa glycoprotein, a 45 kDa lipoprotein and a 19 kDa nucleoprotein.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the radio-luminescence created by radioactive sources includes a telescope, a plurality of UV sensitive cameras, and an optical system in the optical path of the telescope for directing images to the cameras. The cameras simultaneously obtain images from a plurality of spectral bands covering strong transitions of N2 molecule created by the radioactive source and at least one spectral band containing very little transition strength (a background band). The background image is used to assess the background level for the other spectral bands. The images are then fused digitally to create one image of the radio-luminescence.

Abstract: Microbolometers with regionally thinned microbridges are produced by depositing a thin film (0.6 ?m) of silicon nitride on a silicon substrate, forming microbridges on the substrate, etching the thin film to define windows in a pixel area, thinning the windows, releasing the silicon nitride, depositing a conductive YBaCuO film on the bridges, depositing a conductive film (Au) on the YBaCuO film, and removing selected areas of the YBaCuO and conductive films.

Abstract: An infrared imager for detecting infrared (IR) radiation of a scene in a field of view (FOV) of an optical system and converting the IR into a visible image wherein the imager consists of an array of uncooled microbolometers in a focal plane of the optical system and a array of light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) elements. The IR radiation collected by the microbolometer produces a change in an electrical output applied to electronic circuitry connected to the array of LEDs or LCDs. The electronic circuitry controls the intensity of a LED element or the reflectance of an LCD element. As a result, the imager converts the infrared radiation from the scene into visible light. The light reflected from the LCD or produced by LEDs in an array constitutes the scene image.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive camouflage with independent control of both temperature and apparent color. The apparatus has cells or individual pixels behind a transparent outer layer. The temperature of the outer layer is controlled by a heat transfer fluid flowing in a closed circuit in each cell, the fluid being cooled or heated by Pelletier elements located behind the assembly. Color changes can be activated separately at the back of the transparent layer by the rotation of metallic triangles whose sides are covered with various color paints, the triangles being located behind the transparent layer. Radar absorption is obtained by the transparent layer and heat transfer fluid and by the selective orientation of the metallic triangles in various directions. The apparent signature of the assembly can then be varied by adapting the signature of the various cells to current environmental conditions when background conditions alter.

Abstract: A feedhorn driving method and apparatus allows the establishment of multiple phase centers using only a single multimode feedhorn. At least two higher-order modes are extracted from the feedhorn and weighted in amplitude and phase. The phase center separation is established in accordance with an assigned weights. The feedhorn has application in i.a. moving target indication systems.

Abstract: A guidance system for a missile with a laser beam source located at a distance from the missile generating a modulated laser beam that is directed towards the missile. A group of backward looking sensors on the body of the missile detect any radiation scattered from the laser beam along with a group of forward looking sensors located on the missile. Both groups look at an angle to the missile's longitudinal axis. Signals from the sensors are applied to processing electronics in the missile that determine the phase shift in signals derived from when a backward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from a laser beam and a forward looking sensor detects scattered radiation from that beam. The processing electronics can then accurately determine the distance between the missile and the beam from the phase shift and correct the missile's trajectory to maintain its position with respect to the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus to determine the three-dimensional shape of an array under water using a CCD camera with a field-of-view directed towards the array and a plurality of LED light sources attached to the array which emit light near the attenuation minimum of the water and towards the camera. The camera obtains images of each light source individually from which the x and y co-ordinates of the images of each light source can be determined. Pressure sensors on each light source and camera determine the difference in depth between the camera and the light sources and, with the x and y co-ordinates, the apparatus determines the three-dimensional position of each light source.

Abstract: A biofidelic lower leg surrogate includes a latex skin containing tissue simulating gelatin and a simulative bone assembly. The bone assembly is defined by a hollow, cylindrical, polymeric tibia body connected to an ankle piece in the shape of a section of a solid cylinder; a pair of heel blocks bonded to each other and to the ankle piece with a triangular bottom opening therebetween defining an arch; a nylon tendon strip mounted in grooves in the bottom of the heel blocks; and a heel pad extending across the bottom of the blocks.

Abstract: A thin, stretchable chemical vapor protective garment worn next-to-skin is disclosed. The protective undergarment is made of material that stretches and is capable of efficient elimination of air spaces between the undergarment and the user's body, thus enabling the user to wear other operational clothing over top.