Abstract: The present invention relates to single thread composite fibers comprising at least one binder and at least one active catalyst for the capture and degradation of chemical threats such as chemical warfare agents (CWA), biological warfare agents, and toxic industrial chemicals (TIC) and a method for producing the same. The invention fibers are applicable to the fields of protective garments, filtration materials, and decontamination materials.

Abstract: A method of producing chemicals includes providing fermentative cells; co-feeding any of galacturonate and galacturonate polymers with carbohydrates to the fermentative cells; and producing a chemical from the fermentative cells. The fermentative cells may include any of Clostridium acetobutylicum and Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum. The carbohydrates may include any of glucose, mannose, galactose, fructose, arabinose, xylose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, cellobiose, and starch. The method may include providing a substantially equal proportion of the any of galacturonate and galacturonate polymers and the carbohydrates for co-feeding to the fermentative cells. The method may include altering a proportion of the any of galacturonate and galacturonate polymers to the carbohydrates. The method may include modulating a production of the chemical by altering the proportion of the any of galacturonate and galacturonate polymers to the carbohydrates. The chemical may include any of acetate and butyrate.

Abstract: The current invention describes an objective lens assembly and its optical function somewhat based on commercial cell phone camera lens forms, but adapted and optimized as a compact objective lens for use in near-infrared night imaging applications. An exemplary compact objective lens for near-infrared imaging comprises a first lens element which is bi-convex, aspheric, and has positive optical power; a second lens element which is of a general meniscus shape to provide a net negative optical power; a third element which is generally bi-convex with aspheres to provide positive optical power; a positive powered fourth optical element bi-convex in general form with aspheric curvatures; a negative field corrector lens which is generally of meniscus shape with strong, high order aspheric curvatures; and a windowed detector assembly where an image is focused.

Abstract: A kit is provided that includes a protective material having opposite first and second surfaces, a contaminant for application to the first surface of the protective material, a sorbent pad for placement in contact with the second surface of the protective material, and a multi-point pin technology (MPPT) device configured to press the protective material against the sorbent pad in order to permit the sorbent pad to detect any permeation of the contaminant through the protective material. The MPPT device includes at least one plate having a plurality of apertures, and pins inserted in and slidably displaceable along the apertures independently of one another to press the protective material against the sorbent pad. Also provided are an apparatus made from the kit and methods of using the kit and apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bendable projectile having a forebody unit, a rearbody unit and an articulating joint unit connecting the two units. The articulating joint unit is composed of a spherical shape body, a receiving socket and a sphere-gear assembly. The spherical shape body is fitted into the receiving socket whereby movement of the spherical shape body about the receiving socket is permitted without release of the spherical shape body from the socket. Movement of the spherical shape body inside the receiving socket is effectuated by the sphere gear assembly. The sphere-gear assembly engages the concentric grooves along the surface of the spherical shape body or the concave surface of the receiving socket. Such sphere-gear assembly is comprised of electric board, powersource, powertrain, guidance control system and gears having teeth and grooves that complement the plurality of concentric grooves on the spherical shape body.

Abstract: The system includes a forward clamping assembly, steady rests and compression assembly upon which the fuselage of a rocket is secured. The forward clamping assembly secures the forward fuselage of the rocket and the steady rests secure the middle fuselage of the rocket. The compression assembly includes a fluted nozzle rotator which engages the flutes of the nozzle of the rocket. Rotation of the nozzle rotator results in torque being applied to the joint connecting the rocket nozzle with the motor casing of the rocket so as to allow insertion or removal of an Ortman key that secures the motor casing and nozzle.

Abstract: The method and system disclosed herein allow pressure profile data to be collected remotely from multiple autonomous sensors without entering the blast radius. The system obtains a GPS synchronized time value for detonation and obtains subsequent synchronized pressure data sets overtime from multiple independently functioning remote and correlates that data from each transducer with the initial detonation event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an infrared camera generates thermal images and a computer generates track trees for volant targets (e.g., bats) detected in the images using an HKUF technique and detection filtering. The computer extends each track tree by adding new branches for each target detected in a subsequent image, generates motion metrics for each new branch, applies biologically informed motion constraints to the motion metrics to delete branches from the track trees, selects a track in each terminated track tree as a most likely track for the corresponding detected target using a track-scoring system based on a combination of track tortuosity and Kalman prediction errors, automatically generates a counting box based on density plots generated using the selected tracks, and calculates a census of the volant targets based on the selected tracks relative to the counting box. The technique handles targets that may be occluded for one or more images.

Abstract: An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process forms a radioluminescent phosphor and radioisotope composite layer on a conductive surface of a substrate. In the composite layer formed, the particles of radioisotope are homogeneously dispersed with the radioluminescent phosphor. The radioisotope may be a beta-emitter, such as Ni-63, H-3, Pm-147, or Sr-90/Y-90. By applying the composite layer using the EPD process, the electrode can be configured for betavoltaic, beta-photovoltaic and photovoltaic cells according to further embodiments. A direct bandgap semiconductor device can convert betas and/or photons emitted from composite layer. Methods and choice of materials and components produces a hybrid radioisotope battery, conversion of photons and nuclear decay products, or radioluminescent surfaces.

Abstract: Conventional gas turbine engines are generally optimized to operate at nearly a fixed speed with fixed blade geometries for the design operating condition. When the operating condition of the engine changes, the flow incidence angles may not be optimum with the blade geometries resulting in reduced off-design performance. By contrast, according to embodiments of the present invention, articulating the pitch angle of turbine blades in coordination with adjustable nozzle vanes improves performance by maintaining flow incidence angles within the optimum range at all operating conditions of a gas turbine engine. Maintaining flow incidence angles within the optimum range can prevent the likelihood of flow separation in the blade passage and also reduce the thermal stresses developed due to aerothermal loads for variable speed gas turbine applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving interfacial adhesion of an adhesive to unprimed substrates and an improved adhesive composition, involving admixing an adhesive with an adhesive modifier, where the modifier is at least partially soluble in the at least one adhesive and includes either a non-aromatic polyol or a molecule having at least one ortho-hydroxyl substitution on a benzene ring.

Abstract: A method for determining an estimate of an overall bedload transport rate by using bedload transport rates for a plurality of subswaths involves, generally, performing a bathymetry survey in areas at multiple times, calculating an amount of erosion and deposition and their ratio, and calculating an erosion and a deposition transport rate using the provided equations.

Abstract: An accessory rail kit removably mountable on a weapon. The accessory rail kit includes an upper accessory rail extending parallel to a round of the weapon. The upper accessory rail has a front end, a back end, and an upper accessory mounting surface. A base supports the upper accessory rail. A front structural support extends downwardly from the base, proximate to the front end of the upper accessory rail, and engages the weapon. A back structural support extends downwardly from the base, proximate to the back end of the upper accessory rail, and engages the weapon. A side rail support extends downwardly from a right side of the base that engages the weapon. A stabilizer arm extends downwardly from a left side of the base, with a contoured foot attached to a lower end of the stabilizer arm, and engages the weapon.

Abstract: A method for generating an augmented set of images involves data collection, data processing, and data augmentation processing performed to merge images. The data collection comprises the steps of choosing objects as selected objects, choosing configurations for imaging of the selected objects, and taking pictures with a second camera to create a set of raw object images. The data processing comprises the steps of performing dynamic range adjustment on the raw object image, performing color correction for corrected images, and removing uniform background from the corrected images to result in object images. The data augmentation processing performed to merge images comprises the steps of performing range simulation or magnification for resampled images, adding blur to the resampled images, adding noise to create final object images, and merging the final object images to the field images of a first camera to create a set of augmented images.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems, apparatus and methods for guiding flame within a device such as a thermal battery, wherein a first energetic produces a flame that is guided toward each of a plurality of secondary energetics via respective paths within the device.

Abstract: Determining a distribution of carrier mobilities in a material of an electronic device includes acquiring a magnetic field-dependent Hall measurement of the material exposed to a finite number of magnetic fields, wherein the magnetic field-dependent Hall measurement includes an electrical signal generated in response to the finite number of magnetic fields being applied perpendicular to a current through the material; and processing the magnetic field-dependent Hall measurement, using a computer, to determine a continuous, least-biased distribution of carrier mobilities that match the magnetic field-dependent Hall measurement by determining, using the magnetic field-dependent Hall measurement, a probability density function of a conductance of the material; approximating the mobility spectrum to a maximum-entropy spectrum of the material; and determining an energy dependence of carrier scattering in the material based on the maximum-entropy spectrum.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an Aerodynamic Automated Biological Assay Device (“AABAD”) comprising an aerodynamic substrate having a microfluidic cassette and an electronic module, and a system and a method of deploying the same to detect biological agents and hazards suspended in an atmosphere. The AABAD may be in the form/shape of a maple seed/fruit to induce autorotation. A plurality of AABADs are dispersed into the atmosphere from an aircraft or drone. The AABADs rotate via centrifugal forces without motor or active propulsion system while descending to the ground, wherein during the descent, the AABADs microfluidic cassettes collect and process the air samples via a centrifugal force formed from the autorotation generated by the airborne carrier, and to analyze and transmits the results to a remote location.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing pyrophoric decoy particulates where the device is comprised of at least one payload vessel having a structural wall that forms a cavity for housing a plurality of pyrophoric particles. The structural wall has at least one opening to facilitate dispersal of the pyrophoric particles. The payload vessels are inserted inside a tubular sleeve and hermetically sealed inside the sleeve. Within the sleeve the at least one payload vessel is also in direct contact with an expulsion assembly that upon activation pushes the payload vessels and its pyrophoric contents out of the sleeve to react with the air.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rigid filtration apparatus comprising a filter support and filter membrane. Such filter support is comprised of a central core. Radiating from the central core are a plurality of pleats composed of two angled walls terminating at a contact point. Such longitudinal walls circumscribe a longitudinal channel situated between the walls wherein the longitudinal channel is in communication with the central core. The longitudinal walls are comprised of a plurality of openings along the walls. A filter membrane having biocidal components may be utilized with the filter support to effectively treat contaminated fluid, gas or air. Alternatively, the composition of the rigid central core and the rigid pleats may be composed of different materials to selectively remove chemicals, biological components or pharmaceuticals in a multi-stage treatment process.

Abstract: A photo detection device comprising a contact layer through which light enters; an absorbing region positioned such that light admitted through the contact layer passes into the absorbing region; at least one diffractive element operatively associated with the absorbing region operating to diffract light into the absorbing region; the configuration of the at least one diffractive element being determined by computer simulation to determine an optimal diffractive element (or elements) and absorbing region configuration for optimal quantum efficiency for at least one predetermined wavelength detection range, the at least one diffractive element operating to diffract light entering through the contact layer such that phases of diffracted waves from locations within the photo detection device or waves reflected by sidewalls and waves reflected by the at least one diffractive element form a constructive interference pattern inside the absorbing region.