Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for frequency multiplexing includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time within an operating bandwidth; and one or more electromagnetic transmissive elements each extending between a first end thereof and a second end thereof, each of the electromagnetic transmissive elements electrically coupled with the RFID interrogator at the first end thereof, each of the electromagnetic transmissive elements comprising a frequency dependent load at the second end thereof and configured for transmitting the RFID signal from the RFID interrogator to the frequency dependent load, wherein the frequency dependent load presents different electromagnetic characteristics to the RFID signal transmitted to the frequency dependent load depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal.

Abstract: A high-voltage DC voltage unit with a first DC voltage apparatus providing a first high-voltage DC voltage between a first output connection and a second output connection of the DC voltage apparatus or can be fed with a first high-voltage DC voltage. A second DC voltage apparatus provides a second high-voltage DC voltage or can be fed with a second high-voltage DC voltage. A first DC voltage connection is coupled with the first output connection of the first DC voltage apparatus. A second DC voltage connection is coupled with the second output connection of the second DC voltage apparatus. A reference potential connection is coupled with the second output connection of the first DC voltage apparatus, with the first output connection of the second DC voltage apparatus and with an earth potential, the first and second high-voltage DC voltages realizing a bipolar power supply.

Abstract: An infrared LED having a monolithic and stacked structure, having an n-doped base substrate, which includes GaAs, a lower cladding layer, an active layer for generating infrared radiation, an upper cladding layer, a current distribution layer and an upper contact layer. The layers being preferably disposed in the specified order. A first tunnel diode is disposed between the upper cladding layer and the current distribution layer, and the current distribution layer predominantly including an n-doped, Ga-containing layer having a Ga content>1%.

Abstract: A component includes at least first and second plastics component parts which are interconnected in a connection zone. A reinforcing element includes at least one wire which bridges the connection zone. The first and second plastics component parts are welded together and/or are fused together in the connection zone. The plastics component parts may be bonded to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is a space vehicle, such as a satellite, the vehicle including: at least one equipment-carrying module for carrying equipment of the vehicle; at least three posts extending at least partially in the same longitudinal direction and on the periphery of the equipment-carrying module, each post being provided with at least one releasable locking device; and a reinforcing structure which rigidly connects each post transversely to at least two other posts.

Abstract: A device for machining workpieces has a machining tool, a first workpiece-guiding element and a second workpiece-guiding element. The first workpiece-guiding element and the second workpiece-guiding element are designed to guide a workpiece, in a defined way, relative to the machining tool. The machining tool has an axis of rotation and a co-axial opening. The machining tool rotates about the axis of rotation for machining the workpiece. The first workpiece-guiding element is arranged in the opening of the machining tool co-axially to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is an auto tracking antenna platform upon which multiple antenna elements can be mounted to track a common moving object. The antenna tracking platform generally comprises a bottom pedestal enclosing a rotary azimuth actuator for controlled-rotary motion about the single vertical (z) axis, and an upper multi-tier framework housing a horizontal antenna-mounting beam pivotally supported for rotation about a horizontal (x) axis, and a drive assembly for direct-drive rotation of the antenna-mounting bar. Antenna elements are mounted along the horizontal mounting bar and the feeds routed through the azimuth actuator. This enables the use of fiber optic rotary joints or slip rings to pass data and video, instead of RF (waveguide) rotary joints which are required to pass high power RF signals.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method of compressing terrain data to be used to render a three-dimensional map representation of the terrain data. In general, the invention operates by first selecting the boundaries of the terrain data and to be compressed and dividing the terrain data into regular geometric areas. Next, a type of free-edged, planar geometric surface is defined which is used to approximate the terrain data for each regular geometric area. The approximations are checked to determine if they fall within user selected tolerances. If the approximation for a specific regular geometric area is within the user specified tolerances, the data is saved for that specific regular geometric area. If the approximation for a specific regular geometric area falls outside the user specified tolerances, the regular geometric area is divided and a free-edged, planar geometric surface approximation is made for each of the divided areas.

Abstract: Polyamide aerogels and methods of making the same are discussed. One example method can include the act of creating a mixture of at least one diamine with at least one diacid chloride in a first solvent. The mixture can comprise a plurality of amine capped polyamide oligomers. Such a method can also include the acts of adding a cross-linking agent to the mixture to create a gel and performing one or more solvent exchanges to remove the first solvent. Additionally, such a method can include the act of subjecting the gel to supercritical drying to polyamide aerogel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improving communication among people at remote locations, accomplished at low cost, by communication schemes involving “portal” structures, “channels” and “phonos.” The portal structures are mobile and easily deployed to the remote locations, for quick assembly and use, creating an audio-visual immersive communication experience for its users. A portal network architecture includes a plurality of portals located in different remote locations, configured to provide identical spaces that facilitate audio-video, immersive conferencing among users at the various portal sites. The portal interiors include favorable lighting and camera configurations to facilitate display of life-size, realistic, and planar images of the users while maintaining eye contact between them.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing and fabricating contact-free support structures for overhang geometries of parts fabricated using electron beam additive manufacturing. One or more layers of un-melted metallic powder are disposed in an elongate gap between an upper horizontal surface of the support structure and a lower surface of the overhang geometry. The powder conducts heat from the overhang geometry to the support structure. The support structure acts as a heat sink to enhance heat transfer and reduce the temperature and severe thermal gradients due to poor thermal conductivity of metallic powders underneath the overhang. Because the support structure is minimally or not connected to the part, the support structure can be removed with minimal or no post-processing step.

Abstract: A BiBlade sampler may include a first blade and a second blade in a retracted position. The BiBlade sampler may also include a gripper, which is driven by an actuator. The gripper may include a plurality of fingers to force the first blade and the second blade to remain in a retracted position. When the fingers are unhooked, the first blade and the second blade penetrate a surface of an object.

Abstract: Methods that facilitate exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), exfoliated hBN, and associated intermediate products are disclosed. Such a method can include the acts of mixing a sample of hBN with an activation agent (e.g., NaF, etc.) and a selected set of chemicals (e.g., a metal chloride) and intercalating the set of chemicals into the hBN to obtain intercalated hBN. Additionally, such a method can include the acts of hydrating the set of chemicals (i.e., the intercalates), and converting the set of chemicals to a set of oxide nanoparticles when exfoliating the intercalated hBN. The exfoliated hBN can be washed (e.g., with HCl, etc.) to remove remaining nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of detecting internal defects in composites or other multilayer materials includes generating a wavefield on a surface of the material. Wavefield data is collected from the wavefield on the surface, and the measured wavefield data is processed to provide measured energy data. The method may include generating simulated or predicted energy data for the multilayer material that is compared to the simulated energy data to determine if the multilayer material has internal defects or damage below the surface. The method can be utilized to detect and/or quantify damage or other defects that are “hidden” by damage that is closer to the surface of the material.

Abstract: A system is designed to increase diver safety in a high-risk environment containing one or more hazardous materials. The system includes chemically-hardened surface-supplied diving equipment designed to provide full environment isolation for the diver. The system also includes a dive helmet and a surface-return exhaust system, where the surface-return exhaust system includes a demand exhaust regulator that serves as a pressure-actuated valve to enable exhausting to a breathable atmosphere outside of a dive helmet instead of exhausting into the environment containing one or more hazardous materials. The system also includes retrofittable kits enabling the upgrading of contaminant-vulnerable materials of an existing dive helmet. The system also includes fluoroelastomeric materials and components to implement in a closed circuit dive system.

Abstract: A small scale, high speed turbomachine is described, as well as a process for manufacturing the turbomachine. The turbomachine is manufactured by diffusion bonding stacked sheets of metal foil, each of which has been pre-formed to correspond to a cross section of the turbomachine structure. The turbomachines include rotating elements as well as static structures. Using this process, turbomachines may be manufactured with rotating elements that have outer diameters of less than four inches in size, and/or blading heights of less than 0.1 inches. The rotating elements of the turbomachines are capable of rotating at speeds in excess of 150 feet per second. In addition, cooling features may be added internally to blading to facilitate cooling in high temperature operations.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for a polyphase motor includes five phase terminals for connecting of in each case one phase of the polyphase motor, a high terminal for applying a supply voltage (UB), a low terminal for applying a reference potential of the supply voltage (UB), a control device, wherein the control device is adapted, in four of the five phase terminals, to impress a pulse-width-modulated voltage pattern by connecting the phase terminals to the high terminal or the low terminal so that in the first phase terminal, an evaluation signal which is dependent on the angle of rotation of the polyphase motor is produced, and wherein the control device is adapted to determine the angle of rotation and/or a commutation condition of the polyphase motor from the evaluation signal.

Abstract: A device for the layer-wise additive production of a complex three-dimensional component has a measuring mechanism for continuously monitoring quality indicators during the production of the component, wherein the measuring mechanism and a bed with a material powder are surrounded, at least in regions, by a processing cell filled with a protective gas atmosphere and the material powder of an uppermost layer can be melted in a locally limited manner in a melting zone by means of at least one laser. The measuring mechanism has the at least one laser and at least one optical sensor for the priority detection of the quality indicators in the region of the melting zone, in particular by means of Raman spectroscopy. Consequently, any construction errors in the component can be recognised, evaluated and, if necessary, corrected in a resource-saving manner without delay.

Abstract: A clinker for use in cement manufacturing includes a cement clinker mixture having crystals of an element that is less electronegative than carbon and carbon bonded to at least a portion of the crystals.

Abstract: Compositions and methods associated with intercalating and exfoliating a sample are described herein. For example, of a method may include mixing the sample with intercalation materials. The intercalation materials are then intercalated into the sample to obtain a sample intercalated with the intercalation materials. The intercalated sample can then be exfoliated to produce an exfoliated sample.