Abstract: The present disclosure provides distributed drive systems and methods of use thereof. A distributed drive system may comprise one or more coils, one or more magnets, and at least one tread. A method for a distributed drive system may comprise the utilization of a plurality of voltage phases. The coils may comprise conductive wiring wrapped in a predefined form. In some embodiments, the coils may alternate in polarity. In some implementations, the coils may be attached directly to the frame of a larger machine or vehicle for uniform heat distribution. The magnets may comprise composite materials with ferrous portions. When the system comprises at least one tread, magnets may be embedded within the tread. In some aspects, the distributed drive system may be contained within a motive system of a machine or vehicle, thereby limiting the need for a transmission between a power source and the motive components of the machine or vehicle.

Abstract: The system comprises an enclosed centrifuge furnace with a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber all of which include and share a tilt axis. The third chamber is concentric with the first chamber and operable at a first temperature to melt a material within the first chamber. The second chamber is concentric with the first chamber and operable at a second temperature lower than the first temperature to cool the material within the first chamber. The system includes a first mechanism to rotate the first, second and third chambers, simultaneously, to create a centrifugal force to maintain the material within the third chamber as the centrifugal force is applied. The system includes a second mechanism to position the tilt axis at an angle which causes the melted material to pour from the third chamber into the second chamber where the material is cooled.

Abstract: An outer space-based reusable manufacturing and assembly system including at least one joint that comprises at least one receiver component, at least one strut that engages the at least one receiver component on the at least one joint and a joining element that provides for engaging and disengaging the at least one joint with at least the at least one strut so that either the at least one joint and the at least one strut are usable for another mission. Two other systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, is disclosed having a polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem, a metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, an exchanger to place at least one of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem into a position to provide a manufacturing process, a build area where a part is created with the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem, and an environmental control unit to collect debris produced during operation of the polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and the metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An environmental control unit including a particulate filter located within an airstream, the filter created with an additive manufacturing device that creates at least one of randomly sized layering of the filter and randomly oriented layering of the filter to provide for impeding varying sized particulates from passing through the filter.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of space-based satellites is disclosed where each satellite has at least one of an energy capture component and an energy generator component, an energy conversion component to convert the at least one of captured energy and generated energy into a power beam for wireless transmission, and a communication system to provide for each satellite in the plurality of space-based satellites to communicate between each other. The system also includes a controller to control power beam generation from at least one satellite of the plurality of satellites. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for precoating a preform for drawing optical fiber including a diameter sensor to determine a diameter of pulled optical fiber, a cooling system to cool the optical fiber once it is pulled from a furnace, a coating system to apply a coating to the optical fiber once it has cooled and an ultra-violet lamp to cure the coating.

Abstract: Methods of collecting in-situ materials on a celestial body for return to Earth or another location and associated devices are described. These devices and methods facilitate collection of samples and creation of portions of the return spacecraft via an additive manufacturing device contained within the lander craft. The additive manufacturing device is configured to produce portions of the return spacecraft (e.g., sample return container, spacecraft structure, heat shield) and may also be configured to place samples within the spacecraft for return and analysis.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device build platform is disclosed having a build area having an initial build surface, the initial build surface further having an outer area that is separable from the initial build area for use as a secondary build surface, the outer area having a rotation mechanism wherein the secondary build surface is locatable in a different plane away from the initial build surface by placement of the outer area with the rotation mechanism. Another system and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system to create a consumable good utilizing interchangeable ingredients is disclosed in which the system includes an ingredient storage location to hold a plurality of ingredients usable in the consumable good, a selector to gather ingredients selected for inclusion in the consumable good, a mixing device to prepare the ingredients, a processing device to convert the ingredients into the consumable good, and a completion location to at least one of store the consumable good and deliver the consumable good to a user. A method and another system are also disclosed.