Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing error in data compression and decompression when data is transmitted over low bandwidth communication links, such as satellite links. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for variable block size compression for gridded data, efficiently storing null values in gridded data, and eliminating growth of error in compressed time series data.

Abstract: A method for mapping and analyzing a GaN substrate to identify areas of the substrate suitable for fabrication of electronic devices thereon. Raman spectroscopy is performed over the surface of a GaN substrate to produce maps of the E2 and A1 peaks at a plurality of areas on the substrate surface, the E2 and A1 peaks being associated with known concentrations of defects and charge carriers, so that areas of the GaN substrate having relatively high resistivity or conductivity which make those areas suitable or unsuitable for fabrication of electronic devices can be identified. The devices can then be fabricated only on suitable areas of the substrate, or the size of the devices can be tailored to maximize the yield of devices fabricated thereon. Substrates not meeting a threshold level of defect and/or charge carrier concentration can be discarded without fabrication of poor-quality devices thereon.

Abstract: A method for activating implanted dopants and repairing damage to dopant-implanted GaN to form n-type or p-type GaN. A GaN substrate is implanted with n- or p-type ions and is subjected to a high-temperature anneal to activate the implanted dopants and to produce planar n- or p-type doped areas within the GaN having an activated dopant concentration of about 1018-1022 cm?3. An initial annealing at a temperature at which the GaN is stable at a predetermined process temperature for a predetermined time can be conducted before the high-temperature anneal. A thermally stable cap can be applied to the GaN substrate to suppress nitrogen evolution from the GaN surface during the high-temperature annealing step. The high-temperature annealing can be conducted under N2 pressure to increase the stability of the GaN. The annealing can be conducted using laser annealing or rapid thermal annealing (RTA).

Abstract: An article having: an elastomeric jacket; a gel within the jacket; and a plurality of gas-filled, polymerically-encapsulated microbubbles suspended in the gel. The microbubbles have a Gaussian particle size distribution. The largest microbubble has a diameter at least 10 times the diameter of the smallest microbubble. The article may exhibit Anderson localization at at least one frequency of sound waves impacting the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing with an RF/microwave subsystem is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board that includes: a controller, and a connector constructed to provide control signals and power signals to a subsystem in accordance with instructions from the controller, and a mechanical interface constructed to provide a mechanical connection between the subsystem and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sensing acoustic signals using a floating base vector sensor. A vector sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used to detect and characterize low frequency sound wave(s) in a viscous medium (e.g., air, water, etc.) by detecting a periodic motion of the media particles associated with the sound wave(s). The orientation of the particle velocity deduced from such measurements can provide information regarding the wave vector of the sound wave(s), can define the direction of arrival (DOA) for the acoustic signal, and can assist locating the source of the sound of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus having: a vessel for containing a suspension of a liquid and solid particles; a tube having a narrowed portion to draw the suspension from the vessel into the tube when a gas flows through the tube; an aerosol generator coupled to the tube for forming an aerosol from the suspension; a dehydrator coupled to the aerosol generator for removing the liquid from the aerosol forming a dried aerosol; a multiple-pass spectroscopic absorption cell coupled to the dehydrator to pass the dried aerosol into the absorption cell; and a Fourier transform spectrometer coupled to the absorption cell to measure an absorption spectrum of the dried aerosol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the production of HF in an electron-beam generated plasma. A gas containing fluorine, hydrogen, and an inert gas such as argon, e.g., Ar/SF6/H2O or Ar/SF6/NH3 flows into a plasma treatment chamber to produce a low pressure gas in the chamber. An electron beam directed into the gas forms a plasma from the gas, with energy from the electron beam dissociating the F-containing molecules, which react with H-containing gas to produce HF in the plasma. Although the concentration of the gas phase HF in the plasma is a very small fraction of the total gas in the chamber, due to its highly reactive nature, the low concentration of HF produced by the method of the present invention is enough to modify the surfaces of materials, performing the same function as aqueous HF solutions to remove oxygen from an exposed material.

Abstract: An infrared detector and a method for forming it are provided. The detector includes absorber, barrier, and contact regions. The absorber region includes a first semiconductor material, with a first lattice constant, that produces charge carriers in response to infrared light. The barrier region is disposed on the absorber region and comprises a superlatice that includes (i) first barrier region layers comprising the first semiconductor material, and (ii) second barrier region layers comprising a second semiconductor material, different from, but lattice matched to, the first semiconductor material. The first and second barrier region layers are alternatingly arranged. The contact region is disposed on the barrier region and comprises a superlattice that includes (i) first contact region layers comprising the first semiconductor material, and (ii) second contact region layers comprising the second semiconductor material layer. The first and second contact region layers are alternatingly arranged.

Abstract: A process of: providing a polyfunctional compound selected from polyisocyanate, polyacrylate, and polyepoxy; and reacting the polyfunctional compound with a hydroxyl- or amine-terminated silyl-containing compound. The polyfunctional compound and the silyl-containing compound are at least difunctional. A thermoset made by this process.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of making a ligand for Quantum Dot functionalization, a method of making a functionalized Quantum Dot (QD) with a ligand, and a method of making a transparent luminescent quantum dot thiol-yne nanocomposite with tailorable optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The prepolymer solution and functionalized Quantum Dot can be used in additive manufacturing.

Abstract: Described herein is the preparation of carbon phosphonitride pre-polymers that are soluble in organic solvents and can be further thermoset into carbon phosphonitride extended solids (i.e. films, monoliths, etc.) with an approximate empirical formula of C3N3P.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an adaptive retro-reflector device. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes a standard retro-reflector. In operation, the retro-reflector receives an incident optical signal and outputs a returned optical signal. The returned optical signal exhibits a divergence. The adaptive retro-reflector device includes an elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface is in optical communication with the retro-reflector such that the incident optical signal passes through the elastomeric interface to the retro-reflector and such that the returned optical signal from the retro-reflector passes through the elastomeric interface. The elastomeric interface includes an interface surface. The apparatus includes a standard actuator. The actuator in operation communicates with the elastomeric interface so as to deform the interface surface, thereby controlling the divergence.

Abstract: A method for producing a sputtered stoichiometric a-Al2O3 thin film. A substrate is placed into a chamber containing an Al target to be sputtered. The chamber is evacuated to a base pressure of about 7×10?8 Torr or lower and the temperature of the substrate is maintained. With a sputtering shutter in the chamber closed, Ar gas is flowed into the chamber to backsputter the Al target and Ar and O2 gases are flowed into the chamber to presputter the target. The shutter is opened and Al is sputtered onto the substrate in the presence of the Ar and O2 gases to obtain a sputtered a-Al2O3 film on the substrate.

Abstract: A composition having water and first and second surfactants having the formulas below. The values m and y are non-negative integers, and n and x are positive integers. R is a zwitterionic group. R? is a siloxane group. A foam of the composition may be used to extinguish a fire.

Abstract: A method of: forming an aerosol of an aqueous liquid, and directing the aerosol into a plasma. The method can be used to degrade a polyfluoroalkyl substance.

Abstract: A method of: forming an aerosol of a powder comprising one or more of lithium, germanium, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, aluminum, nitrogen, arsenic, niobium, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, hafnium, and nickel and directing the aerosol at a substrate at a velocity that forms a film of the powder on the substrate. The method makes an article having an ionic conductor in the form of a film at most 0.5 mm thick.

Abstract: Time-resolved nucleic acids include a long-lifetime FRET donor with an emission lifetime of at least one millisecond (such as a terbium complex), configured as a donor in a first FRET process, and at least one fluorescent dye with an emission lifetime of less than 100 nanoseconds configured as an acceptor in the FRET process. They can be configured as photonic wires, hybridization probes or beacons, and/or systems for computing logical operations.

Abstract: Centralized controllers for a photovoltaic-enabled distribution grid are described herein. Photovoltaic cells may generate electricity that may be supplied to the distribution grid, which may experience unexpected abnormal power loads. The controllers utilize photovoltaic inverters connected to the photovoltaic cells to optimize the performance of the grid by absorbing or injecting reactive power. These controllers are particularly efficient in handling unexpected abnormal power loads.

Abstract: Time-resolved nucleic acids include a long-lifetime FRET donor with an emission lifetime of at least one millisecond (such as a terbium complex), configured as a donor in a first FRET process, and at least one fluorescent dye with an emission lifetime of less than 100 nanoseconds configured as an acceptor in the FRET process. They can be configured as photonic wires, hybridization probes or beacons, and/or systems for computing logical operations.