Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a rivet to a plate having a frontside and opposed backside with tight clearance. A ductile rivet is inserted through a hole in the plate. The apparatus has a driver with a cone which intercepts a hollow, internally threaded shank of a rivet. An externally threaded fastener is inserted through the diver and threadably engaged with the rivet. The threaded fastener is rotated, compressively drawing the driver into and deforming the rivet circumferentially around the hole. A wrench may be inserted against the backside to hold the hat of the rivet in nonrotatable engagement, thereby enabling the threaded fastener to be axially drawn into the rivet in response to rotation of the threaded fastener relative to the rivet.

Abstract: A method for determining the likelihood that a pixel in a video image sequence represents true motion in the image. Light from a scene is captured to yield an original image having a sequence of frames. A prototype image is created from the original image as a geometrically accurate representation of the scene which is substantially free of contamination. A tilt variance-Gaussian mixture model and/or multi-variate Gaussian model, based upon optical turbulence statistics associated with the scene, is developed. Each pixel in the original image sequence of frames is evaluated against the prototype image using a probability density function, to yield a likelihood that the respective pixel represents true motion.

Abstract: A trailer for moving pallets on and off cargo aircraft is disclosed. The trailer includes a deck having a top surface that defines a top plane. The top of the deck has at least one pair of spaced apart forklift clearance channels therein that are disposed below the top plane of the deck and extend inward from at least one of the sides of the deck. Methods for loading and unloading pallets on and off cargo aircraft are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a presence of Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis). The method includes amplifying a first nucleic acid from said specimen using a first plurality of primers, said first plurality of primers comprising SEQ ID NO 4 and SEQ ID NO 5. When the first nucleic acid is detected, then the presence of F. tularensis is determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an alignment mount for electrode device used to measure transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) for cell culture models of endothelial and epithelial monolayers. The TEER electrode alignment mount includes a base having a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall shaped to fit within a culture tray chamber. An extension arm projects from a top wall of the base. A pair of through apertures are formed in the base on opposing sides of the arm to receive first and second electrodes therethrough, respectively. An optional adjustable sliding sleeve for changing the height of the arm can be selectively coupled to the extension arm.

Abstract: A unique seal for a wave rotor disk engine is disclosed herein. The seal is operable for sealing a region between a rotor and a rotor casing. The seal is spring loaded and will engage with the tip of the rotor to reduce pressure loss within the wave rotor disk engine.

Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying and quantifying information loss in a system due to uncertainty and analyzing the impact on the reliability of system performance. Models and methods join Fano's equality with the Data Processing Inequality in a Markovian channel construct in order to characterize information flow within a multi-component nonlinear system and allow the determination of risk and characterization of system performance upper bounds based on the information loss attributed to each component. The present disclosure additionally includes methods for estimating the sampling requirements and for relating sampling uncertainty to sensing uncertainty. The present disclosure further includes methods for determining the optimal design of components of a nonlinear system in order to minimize information loss, while maximizing information flow and mutual information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deployable origami structures and methods of making and using same. Such deployable origami structures can be folded into a compact state utilizing origami, yet easily deployed as the structures comprise pseudo-elastic connectors. Additive manufacturing techniques can be used to make such deployable origami structures as such techniques can lower cost and structure weight.

Abstract: A magazine for loading projectiles into a launch assembly by gravity feed. The magazine has a plurality blades radially extending from a central axis and defining a like plurality of compartments in an axially rotatable ring. The ring rests upon a stationary deck plate having a hole for gravity feed of the projectile into the launch assembly below. Projectiles having different fight characteristics are deposited into the compartments at a safe location, supported by the deck plate and the launch assembly with an associated device are transported to a hostile environment. A first projectile is launched by the launch assembly in a longitudinal direction. The launch assembly is retracted, automatically indexing the rotatable ring and dropping the next projectile through the hole and into the launch assembly for subsequent launch.

Abstract: A system for solventless calibration of volatile or semi-volatile compounds and methods thereof. The system includes a fluid path having a first end configured to be operably coupled to a fluid source and a second end configured to be operably coupled to the analytical instrument. A solid sorbent is disposed along the fluid path and is configured to absorb an analyte. The flow of fluid along the fluid path from the first end to the second end causes absorbed analyte to be desorbed from the solid sorbent at a desired concentration to the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic device for the characterization of electromagnetic material properties and a method of making and using same. Unlike current diagnostic devices, the diagnostic device comprises a novel waveguide system and is suitable for the characterization of electromagnetic material properties such as permittivity, permeability, and the loss tangent of materials over a broad temperature and pressure range.

Abstract: A mounting system is provided for mounting a forward package on the front of a munition. The front of the munition has a plate joined thereto with a beveled aft peripheral surface. The forward package includes a housing that has an aft portion defined by side walls that provides an opening at the rear of the housing. The aft portion of the housing is configured to fit around the periphery of the plate. Fasteners are provided that are engageable with the beveled surface, and are configured to temporarily hold the housing adjacent the forward surface of the plate while permitting rotational adjustment of the housing relative to the plate.

Abstract: A rotating detonation combustor (RDC) and an associated system is disclosed herein. The RDC can be operably coupled with a vehicle to provide additional power capability over the primary motive power source. The RDC can be operated on demand to provide power to a turbine connected to an electrical power generator in some forms. The RDC can be used in stationary systems as well as moving vehicle systems.

Abstract: A buoy, and systems and methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water are disclosed. The buoy includes a remotely activatable device that is activatable when a signal is received from a remote source. The activatable device may be a signaling device, or an assistance device that is deployable by the buoy to assist in rescuing a person. A marine communication system formed by a number of spaced apart rescue buoys is also provided. A message or key other information can be transmitted to every buoy in the network via communication with just one buoy. The methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water involve providing the network of communication buoys that can receive communications from the isolated person's personal communication device, and then transmit a signal to remotely activate an activatable device in a buoy to assist in the rescue of the person.

Abstract: A doped substrate having a substrate comprising at least one of a glass material, a single crystal material, a poly-crystalline material, a ceramic material, or a semiconductor material. The doped substrate includes a dopant comprising one or more transition metals, one or more rare earth elements, or a combination of both, the doped substrate characterized in that a spectral laser output of the doped substrate exhibits a nominally single frequency having a linewidth less than about 5 nm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles and as well as methods of making and using same. Advantages of such preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles include, reduced out gassing, desired morphology control and desirable, distinct rheological properties that are not found in simple mixtures. As a result, Applicants' preceramic polymer grafted nanoparticles can be used to provide significantly improved, items including but not limited to hypersonic vehicles, jets, rockets, mirrors, signal apertures, furnaces, glow plugs, brakes, and armor.

Abstract: Valves, the components used to create valves and, more particularly, to piston-activated cartridge valves. The valves include cartridge valve assemblies having a housing and a slidable member. One end of the slidable member extends outward beyond the second end of the cartridge housing, and can be contacted by an actuator piston to open the valve. The interior surface of the cartridge housing and the sides of the slidable member are configured so that when the slidable member is in the open position, at least one fluid flow path is provided between the first and second openings of the cartridge housing so that fluid can flow either: (a) from the first opening to the second opening; or (b) from the second opening to the first opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state battery that is based on a phthalocyanine solid-state electrolyte/anode connection that is chemically obtained. Such chemical connection process yields a solid electrolyte interphase that connects the solid-state battery's phthalocyanine solid-state electrolyte and anode. Unlike other processes for forming solid-state electrolyte/anode connections, the present chemical process does not require that solid-state electrolyte be ductile and flow under high pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for a microprocessor computer system and method for configuring the same where said microprocessor computer system comprises a processor core and at least one hardware buffer FIFO with memory-mapped head and tail that handles data movement among the processor cores, networks, raw data input and outputs, and memory. The method for configuring said microprocessor computer system comprises utilizing a FIFO auxiliary processor to process said data traversing said hardware FIFO; utilizing said hardware FIFOs to efficiently pipe data through functional blocks; and utilizing a FIFO controller to perform DMA operations that include non-unit-stride access patterns and transfers among processor cores, networks, raw data input and outputs, memory, and other memory-mapped hardware FIFOs.

Abstract: A method of analyzing one or ejecta, specifically kinematic properties, resulting from a dynamic event. The method comprising using a single trigger, single image sensor three dimensional photography system comprising a first plurality of pulsed laser beams, a stage for the dynamic event to occur and be observed and where the first plurality of pulsed laser beams converge. The laser beams are recombined into a single pulsed laser beam after the stage for capture on the single image sensor to a subframe for each pulsed laser beam, the subframes being combined into a unique frame for each time step. The frames are analyzed with respect to time to determine the displacement, velocity and/or acceleration thereof.