Abstract: Methods providing distributed temperature and strain measurements are disclosed. Brillouin pump laser pulses having a Brillouin pump frequency are coupled into a first end of an optical fiber. Brillouin Stokes and Anti-Stokes probe laser beams are coupled into a second end of the fiber. The Stokes probe laser beam has a Stokes probe frequency. The Anti-Stokes probe laser beam has an Anti-Stokes probe frequency. The Stokes and Anti-Stokes probe frequencies and the pump frequency are included in a Brillouin frequency band. A train of Rayleigh seed pulses are coupled into the fiber. Each of the seed pulses of the train has a respective different frequency included in a Rayleigh frequency band. Frequencies of the Brillouin frequency band are coupled to a Brillouin detector, and Rayleigh backscatter signals are coupled to a Rayleigh detector. Brillouin and Rayleigh detector outputs are used to calculate the measurements. Related sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining ocean state. The method may include receiving, by a processing device, data associated with a prior ocean forecast state, and receiving, by the processing device, data associated with a first set of ocean temperature and salinity observations. The method may include receiving, by the processing device, data associated with a first set of ocean acoustic pressure observations. The method may include determining, by the processing device, a correction to the prior ocean forecast state based on a forward acoustic model, on an adjoint acoustic model, on the data associated with a first set of ocean temperature and ocean salinity observations, and on the data associated with a first set of ocean acoustic pressure observations, and generating, by the processing device, a current ocean state based on the determined correction.

Abstract: A recoil device is provided for a gun having a barrel with a breech. The device includes a breech nut, a brake assembly, a pneumatic spring and a counter-recoil buffer. The breech nut has first and second adjacent sides. The brake assembly includes a brake cylinder that mounts to the breech nut on the first side. The pneumatic spring mounts to the breech nut on the second side. The counter-recoil buffer attaches to the pneumatic spring. The brake cylinder and the pneumatic spring internally push fluids for recoil absorption and return in response to firing the gun.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to protecting objects having sensitive electronics from high power radio frequency (HPRF) interference signals. An object with the sensitive electronics has a thin film applied to the object's outer surface. The thin film conforms to the object's outer surface contours. The thin film has a substrate foundation, an array in intimate adjacent contact with the substrate foundation. The array has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) witness films overlain on the substrate foundation. Each RF witness film in the plurality of RF witness films is equally-spaced from adjacent RF witness films.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for sensing and measurement of magnetic fields that are insensitive to temperature, and respond linearly to the magnitude of the magnetic field. In particular, the apparatus and methods include the use of a resistance network including at least one fluorinated graphene foam (FGF) magnetoresistive device. Measurement of a voltage drop across at least one FGF magnetoresistive device is correlated to either merely the presence of a magnetic field or for measurement of at least a scalar magnitude value of the magnetic field. The use of FGF affords both temperature-insensitivity and linear magnetic field responsivity.

Abstract: Provided are methods and associated apparatus for determining the integrity of a hermetically sealed electronic component. The method and associated apparatus includes the use of an evacuation chamber configured to placing the hermetically sealed electronic component within. The evacuation chamber is then evacuated of atmosphere to then determine an atmospheric pressure evacuation relationship or curve occurring inside the chamber that is, in turn, used to determine the integrity of the hermetically sealed electronic component. Further aspects may include evacuating the chamber through a mass spectrometer coupled to the evacuation chamber for chemical analysis of at least one of the evacuated atmosphere for making further determinations of the integrity of the hermetically sealed electronic component.

Abstract: A flow control device for constraining fluid flow between axial flow turbomachines in series has a flow constrainer which constrains the fluid flow downstream of the first turbomachine in the series to the blades region of the second turbomachine, preventing fluid flow from impacting the hub or nosecone of the second turbomachine and providing more uniform fluid flow to the second turbomachine. The flow control device includes connective elements for positioning between the downstream region of the first turbomachine and the upstream region of the second turbomachine. The device may be equipped with stator vanes having a variety of optional configurations to further improve the uniformity of the fluid flow load on the second turbomachine.

Abstract: A single body multi-mode mechanical resonator includes two or more spring-mass devices, one or more anchor springs, a phase 1 parallel plate electrode and a phase 2 parallel plate electrode, a plurality of interdigitated shaped combs, a plurality of interdigitated drive combs, and a plurality of interdigitated sense combs. The spring-mass devices further include two or more lumped masses and one or more anchor springs. The coupling springs couple the motion of the two or more lumped masses. The parallel plate electrodes apply forces to the in-phase mode that yield equal in magnitude but opposite in sign frequency shifts of the anti-phase mode. The shaped combs compensate for a frequency drift of the anti-phase mode and cancels first-order displacement effects. The drive combs are aligned to the anti-phase mode, with a frequency selective excitation. The sense combs are aligned to the anti-phase mode and capable of cancelling common-mode noise effects.

Abstract: Thermoelectric (TE) nanocomposite material that includes at least one component consisting of nanocrystals. A TE nanocomposite material in accordance with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, multiple nanocrystalline structures, nanocrystal networks or partial networks, or multi-component materials, with some components forming connected interpenetrating networks including nanocrystalline networks. The TE nanocomposite material can be in the form of a bulk solid having semiconductor nanocrystallites that form an electrically conductive network within the material.

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: A rapidly deployable structure that includes a first and second hub, a plurality of legs and a rod connected to the first hub. The first hub includes first recesses. The second hub includes second recesses and an alignment guide. Each leg is connected to the first hub and the second hub. The rod connected is to the first hub and includes pins that are movable between an extended state, where pins protrude from the rod, and a retracted state where the pins are retracted within the rod. The first hub is movable relative to the second hub between a first state in which the rod is disposed above the alignment guide in an axial direction defined by an opening in the alignment guide and a second state in which a portion of the rod comprising the pins is below the alignment guide in the axial direction.

Abstract: A dunnage assembly has a plurality of dunnage sections removably attached to each other and includes a forwardmost dunnage section and an aftmost dunnage section. The forwardmost dunnage section has the longest length and the aftmost dunnage section has the shortest length. Each dunnage section has a plurality of tubes and a plurality of tube collars that support the tubes such that the tubes are substantially parallel to each other. Each tube of each dunnage section has an interior region sized to receive a longitudinally extending item and is substantially coaxially aligned with a tube of an adjacent dunnage section. Each tube collar has a plurality of thru-holes therein where each thru-hole is sized to receive a portion of a tube. Each dunnage section includes a tube collar removably attached to a tube collar of an adjacent dunnage section.

Abstract: A detector for detecting optically undetectable sub-cm orbital debris. A ring detector comprising a current pulse transformer (CPT) in which a conducting wire coil is wrapped around a loop of high permeability material having a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) core. Debris objects in low earth orbit become charged as they pass through local plasma. As each charged debris object passes through the coil-wrapped loop, its current generates an induced voltage pulse, which can be used to detect the presence of the debris object. By fielding such a detector on a satellite, a long duration survey of the debris distribution in the LEO region can be made as the satellite's altitude is systematically varied.

Abstract: A junctional tourniquet apparatus and related methods of use. An exemplary tourniquet has an inverted cone shape, wherein a narrower end has a mushroom shaped base that is pressed against a compression target and a broader end has a plurality of pass-through slots for straps. Another exemplary tourniquet has a broad plate component and a handle component. The handle component has a mushroom shaped base on a first end and a handle on a second end. The handle component passes through the center of the plate component with threads that allow the handle component to compress a target by twisting the handle.

Abstract: An optically-monitored and/or optically-controlled electronic device is described. The device includes at least one of a semiconductor transistor or a semiconductor diode. An optical detector is configured to detect light emitted by the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation. A signal processor is configured to communicate with the optical detector to receive information regarding the light detected. The signal processor is further configured to provide information concerning at least one of an electrical current flowing in, a temperature of, or a condition of the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation.

Abstract: A junctional tourniquet apparatus and related methods of use. An exemplary tourniquet has an inverted cone shape, wherein a narrower end has a mushroom shaped base that is pressed against a compression target and a broader end has a plurality of pass-through slots for straps. Another exemplary tourniquet has a broad plate component and a handle component. The handle component has a mushroom shaped base on a first end and a handle on a second end. The handle component passes through the center of the plate component with threads that allow the handle component to compress a target by twisting the handle.

Abstract: A cathode emitter assembly includes a cathode tube having a gas feed portion and a plasma outflow portion; an outer annular cathode insert in the plasma outflow portion of the cathode tube; an inner cathode insert in the plasma outflow section of the cathode tube; and an annular plasma emission portion defined between an inner surface of the outer annular cathode insert and an outer surface of the inner cathode insert.

Abstract: A novel family of cycloalkanes compounds having one or more allylidene functionalities which can be used to create cross-linked thermosets and thermoplastics having thermal stability. An example heptacyclo [6.6.0.02,6.03,13.04,11.05,9.010,14] tetradecane (HCTD) complex with terminal allylidene groups at the 7- and 12-positions (HCTD-7,12-diallylidene) was generated from norbornadiene via an efficient six-step synthesis. Thermal polymerization at temperatures ranging from 160 to 240° C. yielded a robust cross-linked material with thermal stability up to 485° C. in air, a glass transition temperature of 377° C., and a char yield (600° C.) of 56% in air. Applications include heat resistant composites utilized in the aerospace, electronic, automotive and textile industries.

Abstract: Provided is an interchangeable modular chamber system for a firearm. The system includes a firearm receiver, a barrel comprising lands and grooves, a chamber insert sleeve comprising lands and grooves, an index pin, a locking collar, and a recoil lug. The barrel is threaded into the receiver with the chamber insert sleeve positioned within the barrel. The chamber insert sleeve is indexed to align the lands and grooves of the chamber insert sleeve with those of the barrel. The locking collar and recoil lug are threaded onto the external threads of the barrel and are adjustable to optimize the headspace for different cartridges of the same caliber and to allow for the sacrificial replacement of the throat area of a barrel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of irradiating a composition having water and hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds with light that generates water-solvated electrons from the nanodiamonds. The method can be used to degrade fluoroalkyl compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate.