Abstract: The present invention relates to a metamaterial focal plane array for broad spectrum imaging. Electromagnetic energy in the form of light is absorbed in or on a metamaterial absorber and a subsequent hot carriers are collected either in a semiconductor space charge region (e.g. P-N junction), or in some other modern collection scheme. Following the accumulation of photogenerated charge (electrons or holes), the signal is then converted to a digital signal using conventional or slightly modified ROIC modules.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices having conductive floating gates superimposed on and/or embedded within a conducting channel for managing electromagnetic radiation in the device. The conductive floating gates can comprise a one- or two-dimensional array of asymmetric structures superimposed on and/or embedded within the conducting channel. The conductive floating gates can comprise Nb2N, Ta2N, TaNx, NbNx, WNx, or MoNx or any transition metal nitride compound. The device can include a plurality of conductive floating gates on a rear surface of a barrier layer, wherein each of the conductive floating gates might be separately biased for individual tuning. Antennas for capturing or emitting THz or sub-THz radiation could be attached to the device contacts. Terahertz or infrared radiation could be manipulated by driving a current through the conducting channel into a plasmonic boom regime. Additional manipulation of the electromagnetic radiation could be achieved by having antennas with an appropriate phase angle shift.

Abstract: Peptides that form adhesive bonds, even in aqueous and/or saline environments, are disclosed. When aggregated, the peptides may be used in methods for producing hydrogels and/or adhesive materials. Synthetic peptide analogs are provided that are designed based on protein sequences found in barnacle adhesive, and may optionally be augmented with chemistry from other organisms that secrete proteins that adhere to substrates. The peptides may be used, for example, in biomedical and aqueous applications. Methods of using the aggregated peptides as adhesives are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for rapid, label free nanoscale chemical imaging and tomography (3D) with multiplexing for speed, and engineered coherent illumination and detection to achieve 3-D resolution at twice the Abbe limit. A sample undergoes photo-thermal heating using a modulated infrared light source and the resulting probe beam modulation is measured with one or more visible laser probes. Varying the infrared wavelength results in a spectrum which characterizes the chemical composition of the sample. Optionally, inelastically scattered light generated as a result of the probe beam interacting with the sample is collected simultaneously to yield additional chemical information.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a working electrode in contact with an aqueous electrolyte solution, a counter electrode in contact with the aqueous electrolyte solution, and a reference electrode in contact with the aqueous electrolyte solution. The working electrode comprises a plasma modified epitaxial synthesized graphene surface fabricated on SiC.

Abstract: A novel dearmer enables EOD technicians to propel dearmer projectiles using conventional electric .50 caliber blank cartridges or conventional non-electric 12 gauge blank cartridges. The dearmer projectiles may render energetic threats safe without requiring an opposing force to offset the recoil. The conventional blank cartridge functions as a rocket motor that supplies gas to a converging/diverging nozzle. Alternatively, liquid is loaded into the dearmer (creating a liquid rocket effect) and the EOD projectile is propelled toward a target from the end of the dearmer opposite the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a radio frequency (“RF”) translational joint. The RF translational joint includes a first coaxial line. The RF translational joint includes a first constant impedance coaxial transition connected to the first initial coaxial line. The RF translational joint includes a coax-to-stripline transition. The RF translational joint includes a stripline section connected to the first constant impedance coaxial transition via the coax-to-stripline transition. The RF translational joint includes a stripline-to-coax transition. The RF translational joint includes a second constant impedance coaxial transition connected to the stripline section via the stripline-to-coax transition. The RF translation joint includes a second coaxial line connected to the second constant impedance coaxial transition.

Abstract: Imposing a priori knowledge to estimate turbulence. The method includes receiving, at a memory, an original input image from an imaging instrument having an imaging wavelength and an optical aperture; and receiving, via a user input device and a graphical user interface, input of two or more points configured to substantially represent at least one feature. A processor estimates an atmospheric correlation length based on the received input of the two or more points, the imaging wavelength, and a size of the optical aperture. The processor mitigates turbulence in the original input image; and calculates a strength of the at least one feature based on the received input of the two or more points; until the atmospheric correlation length is optimal. If the atmospheric correlation length is not optimal, repeating the mitigation and calculation steps. The method also includes generating a turbulence-mitigated image based on the optimal atmospheric correlation length.

Abstract: Nano-structures of Aluminum Nitride and a method of producing nano-structures of Aluminum Nitride from nut shells comprising milling agricultural nuts into a fine nut powder, milling nanocrystalline Al2O3 into a powder, mixing, pressing the fine nut powder and the powder of nanocrystalline Al2O3, heating the pellet, maintaining the temperature of the pellet at about 1400° C., cooling the pellet, eliminating the residual carbon, and forming nano-structures of AlN. An Aluminum Nitride (AlN) product made from the steps of preparing powders of agricultural nuts using ball milling, preparing powders of nanocrystalline Al2O3, mixing the powders of agricultural nuts and the powders of nanocrystalline Al2O3 forming a homogenous sample powder of agricultural nuts and Al2O3, pressurizing, pyrolyzing the disk, and reacting the disk and the nitrogen atmosphere and forming AlN.

Abstract: A lower element ground plane apparatus for maximizing ground plane surface area in an antenna system, the apparatus involving a lower element of a bi-element antenna and an array of monopole antennas coupled with the lower element of the bi-element antenna, the lower element of the bi-element antenna operable as a ground plane for the array of monopole antennas, whereby ground plane surface area is maximized.

Abstract: A lens apparatus for improving antenna performance, the apparatus involving a lens configured to at least one of focus, refocus, and refract electromagnetic energy for constructively adding gain in a far-field, the lens configured to operably couple with an antenna, whereby electromagnetic energy is omnidirectionally concentrated, whereby antenna gain and directivity are improved, whereby antenna efficiency and antenna frequency range are maintained, and whereby antenna complexity is minimized.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compression of 3 dimensional (3D) geophysical (e.g., air temp, water temp, wind, current, humidity, salinity, etc.) datasets that contain regions of NaNs (IEEE standard representation for Not a Number) that represent land, i.e. geographic positions that do not have valid data. Embodiments of the present disclosure allow constraint of the error magnitude by a user specified threshold, where compression and error are inherent tradeoffs.

Abstract: Emission frequency of quantum dots in a photonic crystal membrane can be tuned by laser light treatment. For example, a focused laser can heat InAs quantum dots embedded within a <200 nm photonic crystal GaAs membrane. At temperatures above about 600° C., indium atoms from the quantum dots and gallium atoms from the membrane interdiffuse, alloying the quantum dots with the surrounding membrane. This causes the quantum dots to become more gallium rich, which shifts the emission to higher frequencies.

Abstract: An electric field detecting system is provided that comprises a first metal plate, a second metal plate, a sensor and a detector. The sensor has a first metal layer, a second metal layer and a non-linear permittivity dielectric material disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The first metal layer is electrically connected to the first metal plate, whereas the second metal layer is electrically connected to the second metal plate. The detector can detect a voltage between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and can determine a magnitude of the electric field based on the detected voltage and a priori information related to a variable capacitance of the non-linear permittivity dielectric material.

Abstract: A radar pulse generator includes a multiplexer, a polyphase synthesizer, a first signal channel and a second signal channel. The multiplexer has a baseband radar pulse input, a multiplexer control input, a first channel output and a second channel output. The baseband radar pulse input signal is a single channel baseband radar pulse signal. The multiplexer control input signal selects one of the group consisting of the first channel output and the second channel output. The polyphase synthesizer synthesizes the first channel output signal, synthesizes the second channel output signal and outputs a desired radar pulse signal based on the synthesized first channel output signal and the synthesized second channel output signal. The first signal channel provides the first channel output signal from the first channel output to the polyphase synthesizer. The second signal channel provides the second channel output signal from the second channel output to the polyphase synthesizer.

Abstract: A concentrated solution of a metal salt in a non-aqueous solvent system. A product of the process of making a concentrated solution of a metal salt in a non-aqueous solvent system.

Abstract: Pulsating radio star (PULSAR) navigation systems and methods can include a plurality of PULSARs that can emit PULSAR radiation pulses in the millisecond range, and a plurality of Josephson Junctions (JJs) that can be arranged as an array of microantennas. The systems and methods can include a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the JJs to an operating temperature based on the JJ materials, and a thermal management system for maintaining the operating temperature. An oscillator can determine times of arrival (TOAs) of magnetic field components of the PULSAR pulses. A processor can compute the terrestrial position of the navigation system using the TOAs and the known celestial position of the PULSARs. A GPS sub-system can be included for navigation using GPS signals. The processor can be configured to compute terrestrial location using the PULSAR magnetic field components when GPS signal strength falls below a predetermined level or is lost.

Abstract: A route planning system and methods involving: a processor operable by executable instructions, the instructions having cooperating algorithms, the cooperating algorithms having an A* algorithm, an IA* algorithm cooperatively communicating with the A* algorithm; and a Dijkstra algorithm cooperatively communicating with the IA* algorithm, the IA* algorithm configured to iteratively and recursively call the A* algorithm to generate directed arcs, the IA* algorithm configured to call the Dijkstra algorithm and to transmit the directed arcs to the Dijkstra algorithm, and the A* algorithm and the Dijkstra algorithm being non-interacting; and an automatic identifications systems transceiver disposed in relation to a vessel, the transceiver configured to receive global positioning system signals and calculate a current position of the vessel in relation to Earth, the AIS transceiver configured to communicate with the processor.

Abstract: Solid-state devices including a layer of a superconductor material epitaxially grown on a crystalline high thermal conductivity substrate, the superconductor material being one of TiNx, ZrNx, HfNx, VNx, NbNx, TaNx, MoNx, WNx, or alloys thereof, and one or more layers of a semiconducting or insulating or metallic material epitaxially grown on the layer of superconductor material, the semiconducting or insulating material being one of a Group III N material or alloys thereof or a Group 4b N material or SiC or ScN or alloys thereof.

Abstract: An argon fluoride (ArF) laser system for inertial nuclear fusion energy production with lower required laser energy than other laser drivers. An Argon fluoride laser system uniformly illuminates a spherical capsule comprising an outer ablator wall surrounding an inner shell comprising the fusion fuel. The laser beams are adjusted spectrally to achieve a bandwidth of up to 12 THz and a coherence time as low as 80 femtoseconds that in combination with the short wavelength (193 nm) suppress laser plasma instabilities. Uniform spherical acceleration causes the inner shell of the target capsule to form a spherical assembly of compressed fuel surrounding a “hot spot” that has sufficient temperature, density and size to ignite and initiate a thermonuclear burn.