Abstract: A method for non-invasively imaging plasma parameters has been invented. Crossed dipole pairs are used to differentiate changes in the measured complex self- and mutual impedances due to plasma density and magnetic field. Measurements of the complex self-impedance and mutual impedance between pairs of antennas over a wide range of frequencies provide spatial information to create an image of the plasma density and magnetic field. The spectral information is acquired simultaneously using a Gaussian monopulse as the driver signal.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for mixed-mode signal processing that achieves unprecedented levels of out-of-band and in-band interference suppression. Embodiments of the present disclosure mitigate the effects of blockers and jammers, which have surfaced as issues in emerging cognitive radio systems as those networks struggle to co-exist with licensed and unlicensed users.

Abstract: A device for directly electrically generating and detecting the current-generated spin polarization in topological insulators, comprising a first and fourth contact on a layer of Bi2Se3 and a second contact comprising a ferromagnet/oxide tunnel barrier contact as a detector, and a third contact comprising nonmagnetic metal as a reference contact, a current to the first and fourth contact to produce a net spin polarization, and the spin polarization manifesting as a voltage between the second (magnetic) and third (reference) contacts.

Abstract: A nano-indent process for creating a single photon emitter in a two-dimensional materials platform comprising the steps of providing a substrate, providing a layer of polymer, providing a layer of two-dimensional material, utilizing a proximal probe, applying mechanical stress to the layer of two-dimensional material and to the layer of polymer, deforming the layer of two-dimensional material and the layer of polymer, and forming a nano-indent in the two-dimensional material. A single photon emitter in a two-dimensional materials platform comprising a substrate, a deformable polymer film, a two-dimensional material, and a nano-indent in the two-dimensional material.

Abstract: A method for making high optical quality multicomponent chalcogenide glasses without refractive index perturbations due to striae, phase separation or crystal formation using a sealed ampoule with chemical components enclosed inside, a two-zone furnace, a convection heating/mixing step, and multiple fining steps. Initially, the sealed ampoule is oriented vertically within the two-zone furnace and heated to melt the chemical components contained within, and a temperature gradient is created between the top zone and the bottom zone such that the bottom zone has a higher temperature. This temperature gradient causes convection currents within the viscous liquid until it is sufficiently mixed due to the convective flow. Then the temperature gradient is reversed such that the top zone now has a higher temperature and the convective flow ceases. The furnace temperatures are then reduced over a period of time, with holds at multiple temperatures for fining and cooling to form a solid glass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

Abstract: A sensitive and selective, in-line method to measure and validate the sulfur content at ppb levels in both the liquid and gas phase of fuel. The method includes etching graphene, for example to form a mesa structure comprising horizontal or vertical lines or an array of multidentate star features; functionalizing the etched graphene and attaching metal oxide nanoparticles to the functionalized graphene to form a device; exposing the device to a fuel in the gas or liquid phase; detecting a change in conductivity when sulfur is present in the fuel; and recovering the device for future use. Also disclosed is the related in-line graphene-based ppb level sulfur detector for fuels.

Abstract: An alloy having the formula Ti1-xMx. M is Co, Sn, Cr, or a combination. The value x is from 0.001 to 0.02. A method of combining titanium metal and a dopant metal to form the alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a fiber having propylene oxide adsorbed thereon; exposing the fiber to a gaseous sample; allowing the propylene oxide to react with any chlorine in the sample to form chloro-2-propanol. The method can be used to detect potassium chlorate.

Abstract: A microwave photonic filter is provided. The filter includes an optical source, an electro-optic modulator, a single mode optical fiber, a few-mode optical fiber, and a photodiode. The electro-optic modulator is configured to receive an optical carrier from the optical source and an input electrical signal. The electro-optic modulator modulates the optical carrier based on the input electrical signal. The single mode optical fiber is configured to receive the modulated optical carrier from the electro-optic modulator. The few-mode optical fiber is configured to receive the modulated optical carrier from the single mode optical fiber. The filter includes one of a plurality of methods for causing higher order mode excitation in the few-mode fiber. The photodiode is configured to receive an output from the few-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: A copper-doped glass formed by placing a target glass in a container, surrounding the target glass with a powder mixture comprised of SiO2 powder and Cu2S powder, wherein the SiO2 powder and the Cu2S powder are mixed according to the formula (SiO2)(1-x)(Cu2S)x, where 0.01<x<0.1, and heated to a temperature of between 800° C. and 1150° C. for a duration of between 1 and 10 hours.

Abstract: Acoustic wave devices based on epitaxially grown heterostructures comprising appropriate combinations of epitaxially grown metallic transition metal nitride (TMN) layers, epitaxially grown Group III-nitride (III-N) piezoelectric semiconductor thin film layers, and epitaxially grown perovskite oxide (PO) layers. The devices can include bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices, surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, high overtone bulk acoustic resonator (HBAR) devices, and composite devices comprising HBAR devices integrated with high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs).

Abstract: A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

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: Optical and electronic detection of chemicals, and particularly strong electron-donors, by 2H to 1T phase-based transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films, detection apparatus incorporating the TMD films, methods for forming the detection apparatus, and detection systems and methods based on the TMD films are provided. The detection apparatus includes a 2H phase TMD film that transitions to the 1T phase under exposure to strong electron donors. After exposure, the phase state can be determined to assess whether all or a portion of the TMD has undergone a transition from the 2H phase to the 1T phase. Following detection, TMD films in the 1T phase can be converted back to the 2H phase, resulting in a reusable chemical sensor that is selective for strong electron donors.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a device comprising multiple specialty glass optical fibers that combines several different mid-infrared optical signals from multiple optical fibers into one signal in a single optical fiber. In addition, the present invention provides for a method of making the device.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns electrically conducting poly(pyrazoles). The concept of oligomerizing and polymerizing substituted aminopyrazole derivatives combined with a monomer activation procedure involving base-mediated conversion of the protonated pyrazole ring nitrogen to amine salt was developed. This disclosure concerns the specific chemistries needed for the synthesis of a pyrazole monomer used in the polymer synthesis. The procedure used for blending the novel polypyrazoles with other compounds needed for construction of solar cells for testing was developed. This disclosure concerns the concept of using these types of heteroatom-rich, electron-deficient oligomers or polymers as n-dopable or p-dopable electron acceptors in photovoltaic cells. This disclosure concerns synthesizing the starting monomer compounds and polypyrazoles.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for growing InN, GaN, and AlN materials, the method comprising alternate growth of GaN and either InN or AlN to obtain a film of InxGa1?xN, AlxGa1?xN, AlxIn1?xN, or AlxInyGa1?(x+y)N.

Abstract: A technique for finding and estimating the locations of atmospheric thermals for the purpose of exploiting the updraft energy to enable the aircraft to remain aloft while reducing or eliminating the need to expend fuel or energy and operational regardless of whether the aircraft is under powered flight or is gliding.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, cause the at least computer to carry out a method for estimating a time-varying energy balance of a power system. A mission plan for a mission is received. The mission plan includes at least one activity and at least one route. Each route of the at least one route includes at least one time and at least one location. A plurality of power load identifications is received for at least one time-varying power load for use in the mission plan. A time-varying power requirement to complete the mission plan is determined. A baseline plurality of energy storage devices required to satisfy the time-varying power requirement is determined by the energy analysis code. The baseline plurality of energy storage devices includes a baseline number and type of energy storage devices.