Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system and method for performing radio frequency interferometry using optical fiber sensing. Optical fiber sensing is performed as a reference signal is defined and compared, in the optical domain, to incoming signals to obtain interference fringe patterns that can be used to decode phase shift offsets with respect to the designated reference signal. The phase shift offsets can be determined by first optically modulating the reference and incoming signals using a laser source as the carrier. In the optical domain, the reference and incoming signals are combined using an optical coupler and then converted back to the electrical domain for processing.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus and method to combine unequal powers. The apparatus includes a first input port, a second input port, and a combiner. The first input port is operably connected to a first power amplifier and is configured to receive a first power from the first power amplifier. The second input port is operably connected to a second power amplifier and is configured to receive a second power from the second power amplifier. The combiner is configured to simultaneously receive the first power from the first input port and the second power from the second input port. The combiner is also configured to combine the first power and second power to produce a maximized power. The first power and second power are unequal.

Abstract: A navigation system includes an image acquisition device for acquiring a range image of a target vehicle, at least one processor, a memory including a target vehicle model and computer readable program code, where the processor and the computer readable program code are configured to cause the navigation system to convert the range image to a point cloud having three dimensions, compute a transform from the target vehicle model to the point cloud, and use the transform to estimate the target vehicle's attitude and position for capturing the target vehicle.

Abstract: A simulation and verification system and method. An interoperability server provides a communications hub for communications between communicating nodes. Nodes connected to a first protocol data bus communicate in a first protocol, e.g., a half-duplex bus protocol. Nodes connected to a second protocol data bus communicate in a second protocol, e.g., a full-duplex bus protocol. A time synchronization bus provides time-frames for synchronizing operation of connected nodes. Interceptors optionally intercept communications between nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is an auto tracking antenna platform upon which multiple antenna elements can be mounted to track a common moving object. The antenna tracking platform generally comprises a bottom pedestal enclosing a rotary azimuth actuator for controlled-rotary motion about the single vertical (z) axis, and an upper multi-tier framework housing a horizontal antenna-mounting beam pivotally supported for rotation about a horizontal (x) axis, and a drive assembly for direct-drive rotation of the antenna-mounting bar. Antenna elements are mounted along the horizontal mounting bar and the feeds routed through the azimuth actuator. This enables the use of fiber optic rotary joints or slip rings to pass data and video, instead of RF (waveguide) rotary joints which are required to pass high power RF signals.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method of compressing terrain data to be used to render a three-dimensional map representation of the terrain data. In general, the invention operates by first selecting the boundaries of the terrain data and to be compressed and dividing the terrain data into regular geometric areas. Next, a type of free-edged, planar geometric surface is defined which is used to approximate the terrain data for each regular geometric area. The approximations are checked to determine if they fall within user selected tolerances. If the approximation for a specific regular geometric area is within the user specified tolerances, the data is saved for that specific regular geometric area. If the approximation for a specific regular geometric area falls outside the user specified tolerances, the regular geometric area is divided and a free-edged, planar geometric surface approximation is made for each of the divided areas.

Abstract: Polyamide aerogels and methods of making the same are discussed. One example method can include the act of creating a mixture of at least one diamine with at least one diacid chloride in a first solvent. The mixture can comprise a plurality of amine capped polyamide oligomers. Such a method can also include the acts of adding a cross-linking agent to the mixture to create a gel and performing one or more solvent exchanges to remove the first solvent. Additionally, such a method can include the act of subjecting the gel to supercritical drying to polyamide aerogel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing and fabricating contact-free support structures for overhang geometries of parts fabricated using electron beam additive manufacturing. One or more layers of un-melted metallic powder are disposed in an elongate gap between an upper horizontal surface of the support structure and a lower surface of the overhang geometry. The powder conducts heat from the overhang geometry to the support structure. The support structure acts as a heat sink to enhance heat transfer and reduce the temperature and severe thermal gradients due to poor thermal conductivity of metallic powders underneath the overhang. Because the support structure is minimally or not connected to the part, the support structure can be removed with minimal or no post-processing step.

Abstract: A BiBlade sampler may include a first blade and a second blade in a retracted position. The BiBlade sampler may also include a gripper, which is driven by an actuator. The gripper may include a plurality of fingers to force the first blade and the second blade to remain in a retracted position. When the fingers are unhooked, the first blade and the second blade penetrate a surface of an object.

Abstract: A method of detecting internal defects in composites or other multilayer materials includes generating a wavefield on a surface of the material. Wavefield data is collected from the wavefield on the surface, and the measured wavefield data is processed to provide measured energy data. The method may include generating simulated or predicted energy data for the multilayer material that is compared to the simulated energy data to determine if the multilayer material has internal defects or damage below the surface. The method can be utilized to detect and/or quantify damage or other defects that are “hidden” by damage that is closer to the surface of the material.

Abstract: Methods that facilitate exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), exfoliated hBN, and associated intermediate products are disclosed. Such a method can include the acts of mixing a sample of hBN with an activation agent (e.g., NaF, etc.) and a selected set of chemicals (e.g., a metal chloride) and intercalating the set of chemicals into the hBN to obtain intercalated hBN. Additionally, such a method can include the acts of hydrating the set of chemicals (i.e., the intercalates), and converting the set of chemicals to a set of oxide nanoparticles when exfoliating the intercalated hBN. The exfoliated hBN can be washed (e.g., with HCl, etc.) to remove remaining nanoparticles.

Abstract: Compositions and methods associated with intercalating and exfoliating a sample are described herein. For example, of a method may include mixing the sample with intercalation materials. The intercalation materials are then intercalated into the sample to obtain a sample intercalated with the intercalation materials. The intercalated sample can then be exfoliated to produce an exfoliated sample.

Abstract: A clinker for use in cement manufacturing includes a cement clinker mixture having crystals of an element that is less electronegative than carbon and carbon bonded to at least a portion of the crystals.

Abstract: A method of providing transformed target points for integrating a component into an assembly includes collecting a set of component target points, collecting a set of assembly target points, identifying target points common to the set of component target points and the set of assembly target points; performing a specified number of Monte Carlo transformations of selected ones of the common target points to yield a set of transformed target points and vectors and an associated uncertainty value for each transformed target point and vector, and using certain ones of the transformed target points for integrating the component into the assembly based on the associated uncertainty value for each of the transformed target points.

Abstract: A Gated CDS Integrator (GCI) may amplify low-level signals without introducing excessive offset and noise. The GCI may also amplify the low level signals with accurate and variable gain. The GCI may include a modulator preceding a linear amplifier such that offset or noise present in a signal path between the modulator and a demodulator input is translated to a higher out of band frequency.

Abstract: A process for fabricating relatively thin SiC diaphragms may include fast Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) followed by Dopant Selective Reactive Ion Etching (DSRIE). The process may produce silicon carbide (SiC) diaphragms thinner than 10 microns. These thinner, more sensitive diaphragms may then be used to effectively resolve sub-psi pressures in jet engines, for example.

Abstract: A process of fabrication and the resulting integrated circuit device is made of patterned metal electrical interconnections between semiconductor devices residing on and forming extremely harsh environment integrated circuit chips. The process enables more complicated wide band gap semiconductor integrated circuits with more than one level of interconnect to function for prolonged time periods (over 1000 hours) at much higher temperatures (500 C).

Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are performed at time increments using structural properties of the nozzle and flow properties of combustion products flowing through the nozzle. Each CFD computation accounts for movement of the wall geometry of the rocket nozzle due to the flowfield. Structural dynamics computations are performed at each time increment using the CFD computations in order to describe the movement of the wall geometry. Mesh dynamics computations at each time increment redefine the flowfield to account for the movement of the wall geometry. The mesh dynamics computations are based on a spring analogy process. The computations are iterated to solution convergence at each time increment with results being output to an output device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag having a plurality of information sources and a beamforming network. The tag receives electromagnetic radiation from the interrogator. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic radiation to a subset of the plurality of information sources. The RFID tag transmits a response to the received electromagnetic radiation, based on the subset of the plurality of information sources to which the received electromagnetic radiation was directed. Method and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.