Abstract: The subject invention provides a grenade which comprises a means of indicating, to a user, that the grenade's striker assembly has been activated, and thus provides an indication that the grenade has been initiated. Specifically, the subject invention provides such indication of striker activation, and thus grenade initiation, which is evident to the user by touch and feel, without the need for purposeful inspection of the grenade by said user. More specifically, the subject invention modifies the grenade's striker assembly to create a means to obstruct the safety lever from returning to its original position.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier apparatus includes a horizontal barrier component, a vertical barrier component, at least one rigid stabilizer beam having two end surfaces and at least one elongated side surface. One end of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the vertical barrier component. The elongated side surface of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the horizontal barrier component to prevent rotational movement of the vertical barrier component. A lower surface of the horizontal barrier component is a friction-enhanced surface which creates a sliding friction interface upon contact of a moving vehicle with the vertical barrier component.

Abstract: Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) indium (In), tin (Sn) or a mixture thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator comprising at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; first and second conductors operatively connected to the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal adapted to be connected to a voltage source to modulate light passing there through; whereby light is modulated by passing through the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal. A method for modulating light comprising providing at least one at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; providing first and second conductors operatively connected to the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal adapted to be connected to a voltage source to modulate light passing there through; providing an interrogating light beam striking at least one nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; modulating light passing through the nanodisordered potassium tantalate niobate crystal; and receiving a modulated light beam.

Abstract: A novel methodology for automatically linearizing a harmonic radar transmitter—termed Feed-Forward Filter Reflection (FFFR)—is disclosed. The method combines the reflected second harmonic from a filter with the signal passing directly through the filter. The second harmonic from these two paths are combined with equal and opposite amplitudes to reduce the second harmonic beyond filtering alone. This methodology has been experimentally verified at transmit frequencies between 800 and 1000 MHz. Implemented properly, the technique provides greater than 100 dB rejection between 1.6 and 2.0 GHz. Although the tuning has been automated, further optimization is possible. Automated tuning is demonstrated over 400 MHz of bandwidth with a minimum cancellation of 110 dB. One application for the harmonic cancellation is to create a linear radar transmitter for the remote detection of non-linear targets.

Abstract: A radar system for detecting a target containing electronic components. The radar system includes a radiofrequency transmitter which generates a radar signal at a fundamental frequency. A modulator modulates the radar signal at a modulation frequency and the modulated radar signal is coupled to a transmission antenna. A receiver receives an echo from the radar signal. A filter isolates the harmonics of the fundamental frequency from the echo and a demodulator then compares the phase of the harmonics of the echo with the phase of the harmonics of the radar signal and generates an output signal representative thereof. An imaging algorithm receives the output signal and creates a two-dimensional image of the received echo and then displays that image on a display.

Abstract: A radio frequency patch antenna having a radiator patch constructed of an anisotropic material, such as carbon nanotube sheet material. Such material is flexible so that the antenna may be wearable and/or integrated into a textile substrate. A feed line couples the radio signal to the patch. Furthermore, the efficiency of radiation from the patch is directly related to the orientation of the fibers or carbon nanotubes in the anisotropic material relative to the orientation of the feed line. Dual polarized radiators can be constructed from two orthogonal layers of CNT patches fed with correspondingly orthogonal feed lines.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for activating parachutes are provided. For example, in an embodiment an apparatus includes a flexible concave shaped member between at least two layers of outer material. The outer layers are secured to each other. A first tuck flap and a second tuck flap are formed from portions of the outer layers of material. A plurality of locking tabs is secured to the outer layers of material. A handle and lanyard are secured to the outer layers and flexible material. A first locking pin is secured to one end of the lanyard and a second locking pin is secure to the other end of the lanyard.

Abstract: An apparatus (18) for mounting surgical rails (40, 42) to a litter (10) having a pair of parallel poles (12) includes a pair of longitudinal members (20, 22) fixed to outboard sides of respective ones of the pair of poles (12). A pair of surgical rails (40, 42) is fixed to outboard surfaces of respective ones of the pair of longitudinal members (20, 22). Clamps (24, 26, 28, 30) at each end of each longitudinal member (20, 22) fix the longitudinal members (20, 22) to the pair of poles (12). A pair of cross bars (36, 38) extend between and are fixed to opposing clamps (24, 26, 28, 30) at each end of each longitudinal member (20, 22).

Abstract: A multiple field of view dual band optical device with integrated calibration source is disclosed. Such an optical device is modular, and has a rotating electro-mechanical “tumbler” which houses two orthogonal Galilean afocal optical assemblies as well as at least one uniform temperature source. This modular device is intended to be inserted in front of a camera system which already has an imager optical assembly mated to a detector focal plane array. The disclosed modular device thus serves the purpose of providing to an existing dual-band camera imager up to four new optical fields of view as well as an integral calibration source, all of which can be electro-mechanically selected for viewing by a host camera imager.

Abstract: A high-frequency electromagnetic induction system includes a frequency generator coupled to a transmitter coil, a receiver coil coupled to a processor and a high frequency and polarizability data profile for an object of interest. The high frequency and polarizability data profile includes a data object having an array of frequency values and magnetic polarizability values, which are obtained from the object of interest and processed by the processor. Also described is a method for populating the high frequency and polarizability data profile.

Abstract: A method for image processing comprising providing an opening for entrance of light; the light being capable of being formed into an image; providing at least one optical element in an optical train configured to focus light; providing a variable aperture operatively associated with the at least one optical element; the variable aperture being placed in the optical train at an image plane and comprising mask settings for shielding portions of the light; providing an imager; providing at least one processor operatively connected to the variable aperture and imager; the at least one processor configured to control the passage of the light through the variable aperture; selectively masking portions of light using the mask settings of the variable aperture; obtaining image results using the settings; comparing image results obtained by the mask settings, and determining the phase correction that provides the optimal image results.

Abstract: A laboratory system has demonstrated the measurement of three degrees of vibrational freedom simultaneously using a single beam through heterodyne speckle imaging. The random interference pattern generated by the illumination of a rough surface with coherent light can be exploited to extract information about the surface motion. The optical speckle pattern is heterodyne mixed with a coherent reference. The recorded optical data is then processed to extract three dimensions of surface motion. Axial velocity is measured by demodulating the received time-varying intensity of high amplitude pixels. Tilt, a gradient of surface velocity, is calculated by measuring speckle translation following reconstruction of the speckle pattern from the mixed signal.

Abstract: A method and compound includes mixing a salt compound to 2-butyne-1,4-diol in an alcohol to create a mixture; adding a solution of dichloroglyoxime in an alcohol to the mixture to create 3,3?-bis-isoxazole-4,4?,5,5?-tetryltetramethanol; and nitrating the 3,3?-bis-isoxazole-4,4?,5,5?-tetryltetramethanol to create 3,3?-bis-isoxazole-4,4?,5,5?-tetrylbis(methylene) tetranitrate, which has the structural formula: The alcohol may include ethanol, wherein the adding may occur at 60° C., or alternatively the adding may occur at 80° C. The alcohol may include n-butanol, wherein the adding may occur at 100° C., or alternatively the adding may occur at 120° C. The mixing may occur at 120° C. The method may further include cooling the nitrated 3,3?-bis-isoxazole-4,4?,5,5?-tetryltetramethanol to 0° C.

Abstract: In this application is described a method for rapidly and accurately identifying B. anthracis in a sample by simultaneously detecting the presence of cell wall antigen and capsule antigen in the same sample culture grown under capsule inducing conditions. Other uses and advantages of the method of the invention are described herein.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier apparatus includes a horizontal barrier component, a vertical barrier component, at least one rigid stabilizer beam having two end surfaces and at least one elongated side surface. One end of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the vertical barrier component. The elongated side surface of the stabilizer beam is affixed to the horizontal barrier component to prevent rotational movement of the vertical barrier component. A lower surface of the horizontal barrier component is a friction-enhanced surface which creates a sliding friction interface upon contact of a moving vehicle with the vertical barrier component. The horizontal barrier is made up of panel components interconnected by link components.

Abstract: An optical system that images a scene at two different fields of view, with switching between fields of view enabled by switchable mirrored surface is disclosed. A voltage change across the switchable mirror element generates a change in the reflection and transmission properties of the element, such that the element switches between a mirror state and a lens state. When nested in an annular reflective optic system of a given field of view, the switching element enables the opening of an additional optical path through the center of the reflective optics where a set of refractive optics are assembled into an imaging system for a second field of view. This dual field-of-view system changes field of view with no mechanical movement.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating high quality one- or two-dimensional diffractive waveplates and arrays that exhibit high diffraction efficiency and capable of inexpensive large volume production. A generally non-holographic and aperiodic polarization converter for converting the polarization of a coherent input light beam of a visible wavelength into a pattern of continuous spatial modulation at the output of the polarization converter. A photoresponsive material characterized by an anisotropy axis according to polarization of the light beam is exposed to a polarization modulation pattern and coated subsequently with an anisotropic material overlayer with ability of producing an optical axis orientation according to and under the influence of the anisotropy axis of the photoresponsive material layer.

Abstract: A method on a first mobile node for facilitating exchange of pertinent data between mobile nodes over a wireless communications network can be provided. The method can include establishing, by the first mobile node, a wireless network connection with at least one other mobile node inside a predefined geospatial area, wherein the wireless network connection is established over the wireless communications network. The method can further include determining that a future position of the first mobile node is outside the predefined geospatial area and transmitting pertinent data residing on the first mobile node over the wireless communications network exclusively to the at least one other mobile node inside the predefined geospatial area, wherein the pertinent data is associated with the predefined geospatial area.

Abstract: A method of preparing a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material is provided. Furthermore, a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material is provided. In addition, a lithium or lithium ion rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided incorporating a homogeneously dispersed chlorine-modified lithium manganese-based AB2O4 spinel cathode material in a positive electrode.