Abstract: A method and system for measuring strain in a 3D printed part is disclosed herein. The printed part can be formed with internal features that can be analyzed with a digital image correlation system to determine strain levels in internal regions of the part. The features are visually identifiable due to a different color, shape, design or other visually distinguishable characteristics relative to that of the base structural material. The features can be the formed from the same material or a different material from that of the base structure material.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for towing an aircraft mid-flight are disclosed. The apparatuses include a tow line receiver that is configured for releasably mechanically joining to an aircraft connector on an aircraft to be towed. The aerial vehicle towing system includes an aircraft connector on the aircraft to be towed, a tow line receiver, a tow line, and a winch. Several methods are also provided. These include: a method of towing or retrieving an aircraft in flight; a method of recharging an electrically-powered aircraft in flight; methods of towing and refueling aircraft in flight; a method of communicating between a tow aircraft and an aircraft being towed; and combinations of these methods.

Abstract: A voice communication relay device for use in combination with a protective face mask having an embedded microphone, a headset, a radio, and a push-to-talk (PTT) device that is connected to a radio. The voice communication relay device includes: a housing; a device speaker associated with the housing; an amplifier in the housing, the amplifier being electrically connected to the device speaker; a circuit board located inside of the housing; and a power source. At least one function of the circuit board is to serve as an Impedance dependent auto switch (IDAS) that is electrically connected to the device speaker and an output connector for selectively sending signals to the device speaker or to a radio that is connected to the PTT device.

Abstract: A finger strengthening device (FSD) includes a plurality of finger strengthening elements formed therewith. The FSD is attachable to a structure in a plurality of different orientations to permit a variation in finger exercise techniques.

Abstract: A system comprising an orbiting transponder in bilateral communication with a hub and a plurality of terminals. The hub automatically allocates power to the transponder based upon prequalification criteria, then dynamically adjusts an uplink carrier to noise ratio to prevent loss of weak signals. The system, and method of operation may further minimize variance in uplink adjustments according to a predictive algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gels and processes for making bundles of aligned ceramic nanofibers, ceramic nanostructures made by such processes, and methods of using such ceramic nanostructures. Such process is templated via block copolymer self-assembly but does not require any post processing thermal and/or solvent annealing steps. As a result, such process is significantly more efficient and scalable than other processes that are templated via block copolymer self-assembly. The resulting fibers are aligned according to the direction of deposition, making steps where individual fibers are bundled unnecessary.

Abstract: A photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) comprises a plurality of planar semiconductor layers, adjacent semiconductor layers separated by an insulation layer, forming a thin-film stack; a pair electrical contacts fixed to a perimeter of each of the semiconductor layers; an optical source arranged to project light of a predetermined wavelength through the plurality of semiconductor layers. The thin-film stack may comprise at least 10 layers of alternating semiconductor and insulating layers. The semiconductor and insulator layers consist of at least one of GaAs, GaN, GaP, AlN, GaSe, ZnSe, ZnTe, GaSb, InAs, GaN, AlAs, InP, CdS, InSe, CdTe, HgTe, InSb, AlSb, and AlGaN. The contacts consist of at least one of a doped semiconductor material. The optical source illuminates the thin-film stack from at least one of their edges, i.e. parallel to the thin-film layers, or straight through the thin-film stack, i.e. perpendicular to the thin-film layers, or any angle in between.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing authentication and secure cryptographic communication between a client and server are described. The client includes an addressable array of PUF devices. The client receives or generates a set of instructions usable to determine a range of PUF addresses. The client measures the PUF addresses and generates a first set of responses. The responses are used to encrypt a session key, which is stored, along with the instructions and a hash of the responses, at the client. Later, the client may recover the session key by using the instructions to measure the PUF again, resulting in a second set of responses. Using a response-based cryptography search engine, the client may then iteratively modify and hash the second set of responses until a response set is uncovered that matches the first response set. This modified response set may then be used to uncover the session key.

Abstract: A threat emitter system comprising a threat emitter comprising a main power supply, an external power source, a first sequencer, a driver amp, a second sequencer, a main amp, and a radio; a three-way power supply; a mixer, synthesizer, pre-amp, and cooling fans receiving electrical power from the three-way power supply; and an antenna in communication with the main amp; a user interface in communication with radio; the radio in communication with the mixer; the mixer in communication with the synthesizer; a filter in communication between the mixer and the pre-amp; the driver amp in communication with the pre-amp; the first sequencer in communication with the driver amp; the driver amp in communication with the main amp; a second sequencer in communication with the main amp; and a processor with access to a memory storing instructions executable by the processor.

Abstract: A flexible multi-material structure comprises a spring skeleton comprising a plurality of repeating cells, the cells filled with an infill material, wherein the spring skeleton is one of a machined spring structure and a wave spring structure. The spring skeleton may comprise one of steel and polycarbonate blends, and the infill material may consist of one or more of foamed and monolithic elastomers. The foamed and monolithic elastomers consist of one or more of silicones, polyether, and polyurethane. The Poisson ratio of the infill material is about 0.1 to 0.3. The repeating cells of the spring skeleton have a predetermined wall thickness (t), wall height (h), and revolution symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles comprising crosslinked polymer network comprising thioether crosslinks and process of making and using same. Such thiol-ene crosslinking reactions not only make the isocyanate crosslinking reaction unnecessary, but they also improve the article's strength due to chemical crosslinking between the article's resin layers, and reduce or eliminate post curing. Thus resulting in a sufficiently cured article in a much shorter time.

Abstract: An electrically conductive, flexible, strain resilient product is produced by mixing metal coated carbon nanotube networks with a liquid polymeric resin to produce a liquid mixture, and the mixture is cured to produce the product. The networks may include welded junctions between nanotubes formed by depositing and melting metal nanoparticles on the nanotubes to form the metal coating. After the mixing step the liquid mixture may be deposited on a flexible substrate in the form of an electrical circuit. The mixing step may further include mixing the composite with a volatile solvent to produce a selected viscosity. Then, a three-dimensional printer may be used to print the product, such as an electrical circuit, on a substrate. The product is cured in an atmosphere that absorbs the solvent. The conductivity of the mixture may be adjusted by adjusting the weight percentage of the metal coated carbon nanotube networks from 50% to 90%, but a preferred range is between 75% and 85%.

Abstract: A method of performing HVPE heteroepitaxy comprises exposing a substrate to a carrier gas, a first precursor gas, a Group II/III element, and ternary-forming gasses (V/VI group precursor), to form a heteroepitaxial growth of a binary, ternary, and/or quaternary compound on the substrate; wherein the carrier gas is H2, wherein the first precursor gas is HCl, the Group II/III element comprises at least one of Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Ga, and In; and wherein the ternary-forming gasses comprise at least two or more of AsH3 (arsine), PH3 (phosphine), H2Se (hydrogen selenide), H2Te (hydrogen telluride), SbH3 (hydrogen antimonide, or antimony tri-hydride, or stibine), H2S (hydrogen sulfide), NH3 (ammonia), and HF (hydrogen fluoride); flowing the carrier gas over the Group II/III element; exposing the substrate to the ternary-forming gasses in a predetermined ratio of first ternary-forming gas to second ternary-forming gas (1tf:2tf ratio); and changing the 1tf:2tf ratio over time.

Abstract: A unique rotor assembly for an electrical machine is disclosed herein. The rotor assembly includes a shaft having an axis of rotation extending within the electrical machine. A central support is connected to the shaft at an intermediate position and a pair of opposing end plates are configured to clamp a plurality of laminate plates therebetween. The laminate plates and a sidewall of the end plates have a non-linear cross-sectional shape such that radial loading due to centrifugal force is transmitted from the laminate plates to the end plates during operation.

Abstract: Endovascular variable aortic control catheters (EVACC) are provided that are adapted to augment upstream blood pressure and regulate downstream blood flow for patients in shock. The EVACC devices provide improved treatment for truncal wounds, which may be used for example on a battlefield, thereby increasing survivability of injured soldiers. The devices are a catheter-based system having a proximal hand piece for controlled deployment of the device through a delivery sheath. A collapsible, wire framework supports an expandable and collapsible occlusion barrier. The wire basket and occlusion barrier expand to fit within the lumen of the aorta. Various movable elements are used to adjust an adjustable passageway to regulate controlled anterograde blood flow.

Abstract: A hypersonic missile defense system for protecting a target from a hypersonic weapon, wherein the system includes a plurality of globule spheres in a defensive formation between the target and the hypersonic weapon. The globule sphere may include a proximity fuse; a plurality of fission spheres; a capacitor capsule; and a membrane separating a first formation material from a second formation material, both contained within the globule sphere.

Abstract: An automated aerial formation (AAF) system includes an imaging device mounted on an imaging first aircraft that receives reflected energy from an imaged second aircraft. A controller is communicatively coupled to the imaging device and a flight control system of one of the first and the second aircraft. The controller generates a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud based on the reflected energy and identifies a target 3D model in the 3D point cloud. The controller rotates and scales one of a pre-defined 3D model and the target 3D model to find a 3D point registration between the target 3D model and the pre-defined 3D model. The controller steers the flight control system of the one of first and the second aircraft into formation based on the distance and the relative pose determined from the rotating and scaling.

Abstract: A method of establishing a system for gathering surveillance data in a hostile environment. The method comprises the steps of providing a movable tractor for ground hauling a trailer, and providing a drone which can be operated independently from the tractor. The trailer has a floor pan for supporting a relay sensor dispensing mechanism and a platform above the floor pan, with a hole for dispensing relay sensors therethrough. The relay sensor dispensing mechanism has an elevator for holding a stockpile of relay sensors, and elevating the relay sensors through the hole. The method comprises disposing at least one relay sensor in the elevator, elevating the relay sensor to a pickup position at or above the platform and retrieving the relay sensor with a drone for subsequent deposition in the hostile environment. The relay sensor then gathers and transceives surveillance data for use and interpretation by an operator. Optional a conveyor chute may replenish the elevator when it is depleted of relay sensors.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure configured to implement an optically controlled field effect transistor (FET). In one embodiment, a normally-off, optically controlled FET is realized as a semiconductor structure comprising various regions configured to implement a voltage controlled, normally on, high voltage FET region having integrated thereon a photoconductive region configured to reduce a gate-to-source voltage of the FET in response to light incident upon the photoconductive region so as to turn the FET on.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spacecraft shielding, articles comprising such shielding as well as processes of making and using spacecraft shielding and articles comprising such shielding. Such shields are made by a 3D process that provides significant shield geometry and composition flexibility and yields shields that have significantly improved shield performance. Such shields may be efficiently be manufactured in space.