Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine that produces mechanical torque is provided. The engine includes an annular planar housing, a rotor, and first and second valves. The planar housing has a substantially circular annulus flanked by first and second cavities and an axial shaft disposed between the cavities. The rotor is disposed on the shaft and rotates within the annulus; The first and second valves are disposed within respective the cavities. Each valve has an arc wedge having outer convex surface and an inner concave surface, a shaft hole between and parallel to the surfaces along a rocking axis, and a pivot shaft that passes through the shaft hole to enable the wedge to rock back and forth within the cavity.

Abstract: Devices including graphene quantum dots yield extremely high performance THz bolometers, by measuring the current of hot electrons formed in the graphene source and drain electrodes of the device and propagating through the graphene quantum dot connected thereto. Devices may also include additional materials such as MoS2, as well as one or more gate electrodes to alter performance as needed.

Abstract: A method of simulating 3-degrees of freedom spacecraft rotational dynamics is provided that includes attaching a payload, using a spherical air bearing, to an inner gimbal of a 3-axis gimbal, where the 3-axis gimbal includes an outer gimbal, a mid-gimbal and the inner gimbal, using a motion controller to control motion of each the gimbal of the 3-axis gimbal, where the motion controller includes an appropriately programmed computer and a motion control motor, sensing limits of free travel of the spherical air bearing, using a position sensor, and changing a position of the 3-axis gimbal away from the limit of free travel of the spherical air bearing when the spherical air bearing approaches the limit of free travel, wherein the position change effects travel of the spherical bearing to be unbounded by the limit of free travel, wherein 4? steradians spacecraft dynamics of the payload are simulated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting nuclear material concealed within an enclosure are provided. An ionized air density is measured at one or more locations outside of the enclosure. The presence of the concealed nuclear material is detected, for each of the one or more locations, based on a characteristic of the measured ionized air density indicative of concealed nuclear materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing ultra-high melting point nonoxide ceramics with low porosity based on sintering at low temperatures of below about 1000° C. with low DC electric fields of less than about 100 V/cm.

Abstract: An interleaving hexagonal tile (AHT) is provided for incorporation onto a liner in an array for a personnel armor clothing article. The AHT includes a hexagonally-symmetric solid object composed of a homogeneous material. The object includes a geometry that has obverse and reverse planar surfaces parallel to each other. Each planar surface has triangularly disposed terminals. First and second triple sets of oblique surfaces are disposed between the obverse and reverse planar surfaces. A plurality of facets is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar surfaces. The facets connect between edges of the planar surfaces and adjacent edges of the oblique surfaces. The first and second triple sets of oblique surfaces are disposed to alternate with each other.

Abstract: A missile launcher is provided for ship integration. In particular, the missile launcher affords a simple and safe integration onto a surface, such as a deck of a naval vessel, for example. The missile launcher includes a box launcher to house and launch the missiles and a pedestal to support and orient the box launcher. The box launcher provides protection from the natural environment as well as protection from other threats to the system. The box launcher is designed to enable missiles not normally designed for use in a harsh environment to be used in such an environment. The missile launcher also enables loading of missiles while at sea. The missile launcher can be integrated into naval vessels, land vehicles, fixed locations and other installations, as needed.

Abstract: A fatigue analysis technique is provided for optimizing task scheduling to minimize cumulative fatigue. Fatigue analysis applies to a crew member's task schedule to minimize or mitigate the likelihood of failure during the performance of tasks which may be associated with hazardous events. A fatigue value is associated with each task and the projected amount of fatigue expended by a crew member over the course of a shift may be evaluated in determining whether the performance of some tasks should be prioritized over other tasks. A failure severity level associated with performance of tasks may be used in prioritizing the order of tasks. Thus, the occurrence of potentially catastrophic or critical events due to error caused by human fatigue may be avoided.

Abstract: A design and process are provided for thermal management of electrical batteries. The potted case-cooled battery fixture operates for a plurality of batteries disposed in holes bored in a thermally conductive housing. The batteries are disposed in each of the holes of a case and a thermal epoxy is disposed in the space between the inside of the hole and the outer case of the batteries. The resulting fixture creates a thermally conductive casing that encapsulates the battery's circumference and minimizes the thermal resistance between the battery and the thermally conductive housing, thus maximizing heat transfer from the battery through the housing. The potted case-cooled battery fixture is capable of being sufficiently rugged, both electrically and mechanically, capable of being easily manufactured and mass produced, and proficient of effectively cooling heated batteries to a prescribed temperature within an allotted time.

Abstract: A medium strength, liquid solvent, spray brush station system gently cleans surfaces of components during nano- and microtronics processing in cleanroom facilities. This system includes intermediate strength, yet effective surface cleaning with minimal damage to subject nano and microtronics components. Moreover, the instrument is compatible with a cleanroom environment, and provides self contained, easily manageable disposition of the peripheral mess and waste resulting from the cleaning process.

Abstract: A spectral radiometer system, measures incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands. An additional data storage device allows recording of the measured data. The inclusive sensor system yields very high sensitivity to incoming light. Furthermore, outstanding linearity of the detector response over several orders of magnitude of incoming light is achieved. Additional benefits are ultra low power consumption and minimum size. The sensor system can be used in remote solar radiation monitoring applications like mobile solar power units as well as in long-term environmental monitoring systems where high precision and low power consumption is a necessity.

Abstract: A robotic mechanical fin, having a motor housing containing a plurality of rib rotation motors, rib spars, and a plurality of ribs, mechanically movable and communicatively coupled to the plurality of rib rotation motors and shafts, where the plurality of ribs are rotationally coupled to and actuated by the plurality of rib rotation motors and shafts. The mechanical fin further includes a flexible fin casing, within which the ribs reside, forming the complete actively controlled curvature robotic propulsion and steering apparatus. The mechanical fin, is connected to a plurality of control electronics circuits and a computer processor programmed with actuation code that when executed by the computer processor causes automated actuation of simultaneous propulsion and steering maneuverability of the actively controlled curvature, robotic, mechanical fin.

Abstract: Optical devices that include one or more structures fabricated from polar-dielectric materials that exhibit surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs), where the SPhPs alter the optical properties of the structure. The optical properties lent to these structures by the SPhPs are altered by introducing charge carriers directly into the structures. The carriers can be introduced into these structures, and the carrier concentration thereby controlled, through optical pumping or the application of an appropriate electrical bias.

Abstract: A training apparatus composed of pvc pipe used to train scent dogs to detect complex hazardous substances from an odor mixture having at least two separated component odors housed in at least two ventilated containers. At least two elbow shaped pipes having compartments, in which the containers reside. The apparatus further includes end caps securing the containers in the compartments. A two way clean out adapter pipe, having three openings, is connected to the elbow pipes, where separate odors, from separate explosive components situated in the separated containers, mix by diffusion and provide an odor mixture developed from the separated components. A drain assembly, having a drain cover, with holes is affixed on top of the drain assembly; allowing odor mixtures to rise up and out of the drain assembly, where the scent detecting dogs are trained to identify the explosive components.

Abstract: A method of singulating semiconductor devices in the close proximity to active structures by controlling interface charge of semiconductor device sidewalls is provided that includes forming a scribe on a surface of a semiconductor devices, where the scribe is within 5 degrees of a crystal lattice direction of the semiconductor device, cleaving the semiconductor device along the scribe, where the devices are separated, using a coating process to coat the sidewalls of the cleaved semiconductor device with a passivation material, where the passivation material is disposed to provide a fixed charge density at a semiconductor interface of the sidewalls, and where the fixed charge density interacts with charge carriers in the bulk of the material.

Abstract: Sampling of a broad range of chemicals using a handheld sampler body, having a sample screen in a sampling cassette; where a sample screen housing further consists of a locking arm arrestor body, where, the locking arm arrestor body including a draw tube, and where the sampling screen can be positioned in either a retracted or extended positioned regarding a sample access face. When activated, the system executes collecting and sampling operations of chemicals, by exposing the extended sampling screen to a sampling environment, drawing through the draw tube, air from the sampling environment, further collecting, onto the surface of the sample screen solid particles and/or pressing the sample screen against the surface(s) of object in the sampling environment. Then, removing the sampling screen from the sampling environment and isolating the plurality of airborne chemical contaminants, by retracting a sample screen into the sample screen housing.

Abstract: An electromagnetic vector sensor (EMVS) system, having a plurality of EMVS devices consisting of a plurality of loop antenna elements spatiatally orthogonally integrated with and electrically isolated from a plurality of dipole antenna elements, mounted on a rotatably adjustable platform having a true north orientation, including active circuitry residing in antenna housings, and external executing software programs causing the active circuitry in cooperation with the EMVS device and receivers to determine angle of arrival and resolution of incoming wave vectors and polarization of incoming signals and to perform accurate high frequency geolocation signal processing; the programs which perform calibration and antenna element placement determination operations, also cause the system to collect data of known transmitted high frequency skywave signals, and estimate direction of arrival of unknown signals by detecting, resolving and measuring components of an electric field and a magnetic field at a single point.

Abstract: An electrical conduit ground assembly is provided for electrically and environmentally shielding an electric cable that inserts into a junction box via a through-hole. The assembly includes an adapter flange, first and second annular gaskets, first and second annular washers, a slip-ring, a ground adapter, first and second lock-nuts and a gland nut. The adapter flange has an internally threaded proximate end, an externally threaded mezzanine, a hexagonal seat, and an externally threaded distal end insertable into the through-hole. The first annular gasket inserts into the proximate end and includes frustum and cylinder portions. The first annular washer inserts into the proximate end and disposal on the first gasket. The slip-ring inserts into the proximate end and disposal on the first washer. The second annular washer inserts into the proximate end and disposal on the slip-ring.

Abstract: A method of immersing an electrode in an electroplating solution while under vacuum, to substantially eliminate air and/or other gas from microscopic holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. A method of electroplating an electrode in an electroplating solution including the application of a vacuum to the electrode while it is immersed in the electroplating solution to thereby substantially eliminate air and/or other gas from microscopic holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. The electroplating liquid may be applied to only one side of the electrode (“the wet side”) in which case, sufficient time is allowed to pass for the immersion liquid to fill the microscopic through-holes, cavities or indentations in the electrode. An enhancement of this mode is to force liquid through the microscopic holes from the wet side. A highly penetrating solvent may be used as an immersion liquid.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically retrieving information regarding optical properties of a scattering medium including receiving a first digital image and a first image quality value associated with the first digital image and sharpness of an edge of the first digital image, producing an optimized image, transforming the optimized image into an optimized optical transfer function, receiving a second digital image and a second image quality value associated with the second digital image and sharpness of an edge of the second digital image, identifying either the first or second digital image as an optimized digital image, and transforming the optimized optical transfer function into an optimized value of the optical parameter.