Abstract: Projectile launch apparatus (20) for use in a fluid environment. The apparatus (20) comprises a launch tube (21) having a supercavitating projectile (24) with cavitator (29) received within the launch tube (21). A means for generating expulsion gas (not visible) is arranged to provide expulsion gas to propel the projectile (24) from the launch tube (21), with means for bleeding expulsion gas (31, 32) being provided to bleed a portion of expulsion gas around the projectile (24). This allows expulsion gases to contribute to the formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile (24) as the projectile (24) is launched from the launch tube (21). Particularly suited to the deployment of supercavitating projectiles underwater, such as in underwater mine disposal applications.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of decoding a signal. The method includes receiving a signal (which may be an electromagnetic signal), sampling the received signal to generate an input waveform having magnitude and phase components, applying a transform operation to the input waveform to generate a first decoded signal, and outputting the first decoded signal. The transform operation includes pre-processing the input waveform to generate a mirrored inverted waveform and applying a continuous wavelet transform to the mirrored inverted waveform to generate the first decoded signal. This allows inversion of the frequency and temporal resolution of the continuous wavelet transform, thereby enabling improved temporal and frequency decoding of a signal. The method is particularly suitable for signal filters and filtering units.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with self-immolative recognition and/or responsive systems for electrophilic compounds, especially alkylating agents, which systems may comprise disclosure or detection of the alkylating agent. The present invention is especially concerned with non-protic triggered self-immolative systems, molecules, and methods, and in particular for detection of non-protic electrophilic agents, and especially alkylating agents, for example alkyl or benzylic halides, which may be found in pesticides or fumigants, or chemical warfare agents.

Abstract: A vehicle antenna apparatus, including directional antenna elements arranged to be mountable in a distributed array around and pointing away from a vehicle, a powering means configured to power the directional antenna elements in phase with each other, and a method of use and manufacture of the same. The antenna apparatus further includes an omnidirectional antenna arranged to be mountable with the vehicle, with the powering means being further configured to power the omnidirectional antenna in-phase with the directional antenna elements. This provides a combined radiative performance radiating away from the vehicle suitable for communications applications.

Abstract: A projectile for piercing a casing of a mine containing an explosive material. The projectile includes a projectile body having a nose portion and a tail portion and a longitudinal axis, a switch, and electrodes separated such that in use an electrical discharge can flow between them through an explosive material contained within a mine, or to initiate an energetic material provided between the electrodes to detonate an explosive material contained within a mine. Also provided is a method of mine disposal.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting pulsed radiation. A CMOS sensor array being irradiated across at least a portion of the array with pulsed radiation is addressed using a rolling shutter operation. The sensor array is read to extract the integrated energy from each sensor element and convert the integrated energy into a pixel value for a pixel in a radiation image. A pulse detection operation is then applied to the radiation image to obtain a pulse repetition frequency of the pulsed radiation. The pulse detection operation includes extracting a beat signal, calculating a beat frequency and peak to trough ratio from the beat signal, and determining the pulse repetition frequency therefrom. Particularly suited to the technical field of pulsed laser detection. Also relates to a pulse detector for the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of a metal halide adduct of S4N4, in particular a specific copper adduct of S4N4, for the visualisation of a print on an object, in particular a fingerprint on a metal object. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for visualising a print on an object, using S2N2 obtained from a metal halide adduct of S4N4.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the visualisation of a print on an object, the apparatus comprising: a base comprising a heating element in thermal communication with a receptacle for storing an agent, a housing to provide a sealed chamber; and a port for applying a vacuum to, or releasing a vacuum from, the sealed chamber. The invention is particularly for the visualisation of a fingerprint such as a latent fingerprint. The invention also relates to a system incorporating the apparatus with a cartridge and agent, and associated methods and uses for visualising a print on an object.

Abstract: A method of detecting pulsed radiation comprising the steps of irradiating at least a portion of an array of sensor elements with pulsed radiation (71); addressing the array using a rolling shutter operation (72); reading the array to obtain a radiation image (73); and then applying a pulse detection operation (74) to the radiation image. The rolling shutter operation (72) is configured to address each element line of the array for a predetermined integration period. The predetermined integration period being calculated using an integration period function, itself a function of an anticipated pulse repetition interval of the pulsed radiation. The method and apparatus for the same enable low cost camera arrays to be used for pulse detection and for wider application in the field of low cost communications.

Abstract: An electronic stun grenade (10) comprising a casing (11) and a means for generating light (13), wherein the means for generating light (13) is mounted onto an exterior surface of the casing (11). This allows the interior volume defined by the casing (11) to be more effectively used for containing a means for powering the means for generating light (13). Particularly suited to applications requiring compact stun grenades, such as man portable or weapon launched devices.

Abstract: Techniques for determining the directional frequency response of an arrangement of transducer elements are disclosed. In an example, a method includes providing a simulation of locations of the transducer elements, in the spatial domain; providing a beamforming direction and a frequency range; converting the simulation of locations from the spatial domain into corresponding frequency response values in a spatial frequency domain, such that, for each frequency of a plurality of frequencies in the frequency range, a spatial frequency contour is defined, each of the spatial frequency contours intersecting at the origin; determining the frequency response by applying a transformation to the frequency response values for the provided beamforming direction and frequency range and translating the spatial frequency domain into a modified frequency domain; and outputting the frequency response.

Abstract: A method and tracker for determining the location of an object, such as a parcel or luggage. The tracker periodically transmits a wireless access point beacon comprising SSID (network name) and a MAC address, in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 standard, has a power storage device, and an energy harvesting module. A server monitors data from 3rd party mobile devices regarding the locations of wifi beacons, and the user is informed of the relevant location if the beacon of the tracker is uploaded to the server. When the tracker is moved and/or it comes into range of one of the wireless portable devices, the user is informed of its location. This enables indefinite tracking especially in urban areas, worldwide.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of determining a fact matching a user requirement. The method involves providing an ontology and a semantic database, controlling a computer processor to perform the steps of accepting a query defining a template for a statement regarding a fact, identifying matching patterns in the semantic database, and outputting either a matching statement or information supporting the user to locate corresponding information. A formula is provided that defines a maximum semantic distance that a class or instance may be broadened to. In identifying the patterns, for each instance/class having a non-zero divergence value, one or more broader classes is accordingly treated as a match.

Abstract: Video camera or video camera module, comprising an RGB image sensor, a computer processor adapted to perform pre-processing followed by video compression, and a dazzle detector, characterised in responding to dazzle in one colour channel by reducing values in that colour channel prior to compressing the video data. This has the advantage that in the event of laser dazzle that is specific to a colour channel, the compressed video data generated will retain more detail from the other colour channels compared to a conventional camera.

Abstract: A method, computer system and computer-readable medium for determining a surface pattern for a target object using an evolutionary algorithm such as a genetic algorithm, a parameterized texture-generating function, a 3D renderer for rendering images of a 3D model of the target object with a texture obtained from the parameterized texture generating function, and an object recognition model to process the images and predict whether or not the image contains an object of the target object's type or category. Sets of parameters are generated using the evolutionary algorithm and the accuracy of the object recognition model's prediction of the images with the 3D model textured according to each set of parameters is used to determine a fitness score, by which sets of parameters are scored for the purpose of obtaining future further generations of sets of parameters, such as by genetic algorithm operations such as mutation and crossover operations.

Abstract: A sensing element is provided for use in a system for measuring fluid flow, such as, turbulent air flow. The sensing element comprises a sensor body and a first load cell arrangement connected to the sensor body. The sensor body has a three dimensional shape which is rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis passing through the first load cell arrangement and the sensor body. The first load cell arrangement is configured to measure the force exerted on the sensor body by fluid flow in at least an xy plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A system for measuring fluid flow comprising the sensing element and a method for measuring fluid flow using the sensing element and the system are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein biomarkers representing protein biomarker signatures to assess a patient who may develop sepsis, or who may have developed sepsis. The invention relates in particular to methods for assessment or monitoring with respect to diagnosis, prediction or progression of sepsis in a patient, as well as the responsiveness to, or selection of suitable agents for, the treatment of sepsis. The invention also relates to the use of protein biomarkers representing protein biomarker signatures for sepsis, and associated kits and system.

Abstract: An aerial reconnaissance drone having a dragonfly format (elongate fuselage and flapping wings) with two cameras having respective diagonal fields of view, arranged at respective ends of the fuselage, both pointing forwards, wherein the second camera has a diagonal fielder of view that is at most half that of the first camera. This has the advantage of providing a drone that can capture enhanced imagery when required, by performing a half turn and switching which camera is being used. Since this avoids placing two cameras in the same location both can have a clear view of surroundings yet it helps avoid off balance caused by placing too much mass in any particular off-centre location.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods of characterising a single unknown pulse signal. They create multiple replica of the original that may be more reliably measured, by dividing the signal through nodes and using different signal pathways that may apply a temporal delay. The device and methods have multiple fields of application, most notably with the internal confinement fusion industry.

Abstract: A projectile for piercing a casing of a mine containing an explosive material. The projectile includes a projectile body having a nose portion and a tail portion and a longitudinal axis, a switch, and electrodes separated such that in use an electrical discharge can flow between them through an explosive material contained within a mine, or to initiate an energetic material provided between the electrodes to detonate an explosive material contained within a mine. Also provided is a method of mine disposal.