Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft is provided that includes thermo-acoustic engines that remove and capture waste heat from the aircraft engines, heat pumps powered by the acoustic waves generated from the waste heat that remove and capture electrical component waste heat from electrical components in the aircraft, and hollow tubes disposed in the aircraft configured to propagate mechanical energy to locations throughout the aircraft and to transfer the electrical component waste heat back to the aircraft engines to reduce overall aircraft mass and improve propulsive efficiency.

Abstract: A contactless radio frequency (RF) probe. The RF probe includes a dielectric substrate, at least one waveguide comprising an electric field configured to increase the coupling between the dielectric substrate and the at least one waveguide, and an air gap separating the dielectric substrate and the at least one waveguide to prevent thermal loading, thermal expansion, and material deformity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with multi-phase ceramic composites are described herein. Specifically, a multi-phase ceramic composite having a microstructure having at least one solid-state lubricant phase and at least one wear resistant material phase.

Abstract: A process of fabrication and the resulting microelectronic device that realizes metal features with larger lateral areas to maintain damage-free integrity over larger temperature ranges. The process and device enable the realization of highly durable extreme-environment microelectronic integrated circuits with increased functional capability, including realization of larger-area on-chip integrated metal-insulator-metal capacitor devices.

Abstract: An electro hydrodynamic pump apparatus includes a cartridge body member that includes an interior cavity portion and openings on either end of the cartridge body member. A first electrode member is disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member. The first electrode member includes a conductive bar member which has a plurality of spaced apart elements extending therefrom. A second electrode member is also disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member. The second electrode member also includes a conductive bar with a plurality of spaced apart elements extending therefrom. The elements of the first electrode member are configure to be interspersed with the elements of the second electrode member when the first electrode member and the second electrode member are disposed within the interior cavity portion of the cartridge body member.

Abstract: Broadband acoustic absorbers may be capable providing good absorption performance between 0 and 3,000 Hz, and particularly below 1,000 Hz. Reeds may be incorporated in a single layer, multiple layers, or bundles. Such broadband acoustic absorbers may be applied for acoustic absorption in aircraft, spacecraft, residential and commercial buildings, vehicles, industrial environments, wind tunnels, or any other suitable environment or application where noise reduction is desired.

Abstract: A tire includes a plurality of SMA springs. Each SMA spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA spring is interlaced with at least one other SMA spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft is provided that includes a turbine engine, a first electric machine assembly connected to the turbine engine, a second electric machine assembly driven by the first electric machine assembly, and multiple third electric machine assemblies driven by the first electric machine assembly, wherein the multiple third electric machines provide a thrust output to propel the aircraft.

Abstract: A robust ground traction (drive) assembly for remotely controlled vehicles, which not only operates smoothly on surfaces that are flat, but also upon surfaces that include rugged terrain, snow, mud, and sand, is provided. The assembly includes a sun gear and a braking gear. The sun gear is configured to cause rotational force to be applied to second planetary gears through a coupling of first planetary gears. The braking gear is configured to cause the assembly (or the second planetary gears) to rotate around the braking gear when an obstacle or braking force is applied.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte-based sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive polymer electrolyte film including water-retaining components. The water-retaining components facilitate operational conductivity of the conductive polymer electrolyte film in lower humidity environments than would be possible without the water-retaining components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lightweight, customizable antenna with improved performance and mechanical properties are disclosed. In some aspects, aerogels can be used, for example, as a substrate for antenna fabrication. The reduced weight and expense, as well as the increased ability to adapt antenna designs, permits a systems to mitigate a variety of burdens associated with antennas while providing added benefits.

Abstract: A sensor network may be configured to operate in extreme temperature environments. A sensor may be configured to generate a frequency carrier, and transmit the frequency carrier to a node. The node may be configured to amplitude modulate the frequency carrier, and transmit the amplitude modulated frequency carrier to a receiver.

Abstract: A small, low power, solid state particle counter may be configured to detect radiation. A scintillator may be doped to emit light in a predetermined energy range when impacted by radiation particles. A photodiode attached to or held against the scintillator may be configured to detect the emitted light in the predetermined energy range and output a current proportional to an amount of the emitted light.

Abstract: A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved propeller blade design by modifying a classic propeller blade design by changing the twist distribution across the propeller blade(s). This is accomplished by increasing the twist of each propeller blade on the inboard portion of the blade compared to a classic propeller design. At a break point, the twist provided across the propeller blade from the break point to the tip of the blade decreases so that the attack angle at the tip of the propeller blade is less than that of a classic propeller blade design.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.

Abstract: A diffusion barrier system may prevent migration of gold, oxygen, or both on a plurality of ohmic contacts. The diffusion barrier system may include a first barrier system or a second barrier system. Each barrier system may include a first metallization layer, a second metallization layer, and a third metallization layer.

Abstract: A microthruster system may include a substrate and a source film. The substrate may include a plurality of emitter tips, and a source film deposited on the substrate. The source film may include silver. The microthruster system may also include a solid electrolyte film, which may include chalcogenide film, deposited over the source film. The solid electrolyte film may cause ions of the source film to move to the plurality of emitter tips.

Abstract: Pressure sensors are disclosed that may perform health monitoring in-situ in harsh operating environments. The pressure sensors may be based on a Clapp-type oscillator that includes one or more resistors, one or more inductors, capacitors, a sensor, and a transistor. Such pressure sensors may be particularly well-suited various applications, such as gas turbine engines, oil and gas extraction, vehicle engines, and exhaust monitoring.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a blackbody calibration target having a textured silicon substrate comprising a base comprising a plurality of needle like structures extending away from the base and having a total emissivity of greater than 99.5% from an electromagnetic radiation source having a wavelength greater than or equal to about 400 nanometers and less than or equal to about 1 mm. The disclosure is further directed to a blackbody calibration target system, and instrument which includes the blackbody calibration target, and a method of calibrating an instrument.