Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an energetic compound and methods of making and using the same. Energetic compound embodiments disclosed herein exhibit physical and chemical properties that facilitate their use in various applications, such as high energy propellant plasticizers, melt-castable explosives, and the like. Efficient and safe method embodiments for making the disclosed energetic compound embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

Abstract: A device includes a frame including a first end and a second end; a mechanism including a first side that faces the first end of the frame, and a second side that faces the second end of the frame; a first buckling member attached to the first side of the mechanism and the first end of the frame; a second buckling member attached to the second side of the mechanism and the second end of the frame; and at least one actuator that engages the mechanism, the first buckling member, and the second buckling member in a selective sequence causing the mechanism to articulate between the first end and the second end of the frame. Engagement of the first buckling member and the second buckling member by the at least one actuator causes the first buckling member and the second buckling member to buckle and unbuckle in the selective sequence.

Abstract: An electronic assembly including a thermal capacitor. An electronic substrate of the electronic assembly includes one or more insulating layers and one or more conductor layers provided along the one or more insulating layers. The one or more conductor layers including a conductive material. A shape memory thermal capacitor is received in the electronic substrate. The shape memory thermal capacitor includes a shape memory core including a shape memory material.

Abstract: An acoustic metamaterial structure acts as a sound reducing filter in that the level of sound that exits the structure is much less than the magnitude of sound that enters the structure. In forming the structure, modular stages of a given geometry are stacked upon one another to create a cell. Each stage of the cell is provided with a nozzle that is acoustically connected to the nozzles of other stages of the cell. The stages have chambers that are positioned radially or laterally outside of the respective nozzles, with the chambers of the cell being acoustically connected to one another. An amalgamation of cells are arranged in an adjacent formation, with chambers of the cells being acoustically connected to one another for purposes of protecting items, components and people from destructive levels of sound. The geometry of the nozzles and chambers are designed for economical additive manufacture with acoustic infills.

Abstract: An acoustic-metamaterial acts as a sound reducing filter in that the level of sound that exits the structure is much less than the magnitude of sound that enters the structure. In forming the structure, modular stages of a given geometry are stacked upon one another to create a cell. Each stage of the cell is provided with a nozzle that is acoustically connected to the nozzles of other stages of the cell. The stages have chambers that are positioned radially or laterally outside of the respective nozzles, with the chambers of the cell being acoustically connected to one another. An amalgamation of cells are arranged in an adjacent formation, with chambers of the cells being acoustically connected to one another for purposes of protecting items, components and people from destructive levels of sound.

Abstract: An interferometric synthetic aperture acoustic imager is disclosed. Specifically, an acoustic imaging system includes an acoustic transmitter, an acoustic receiver array, a signal processing system, a navigation data system, and a meteorological data system. The acoustic transmitter and the acoustic receiver array are mounted on transceiver array. The navigation data system includes a Position and Orientation System for Land Vehicles system which receives data from two Global Positioning System antennas, an inertial measurement unit, and a wheel encoder mounted on a vehicle wheel. The system also includes meteorological data system that records temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure. The meteorological data may be used to adjust the received acoustic data based on atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing light curable energetic polymeric binders. The process for preparing such binder comprises the steps of mixing a pre-polymer such as PGN or GAP having a terminal hydroxyl group with a solvent and adding reactants wherein the reactant has a light curable moiety and a pre-polymer reactive moiety. Catalysts such as carbodiimide and DMAP may be further added to the mixture.

Abstract: A laser ignition assembly comprises first and second mounting surfaces opposed to each other. A central cavity is formed through the surfaces and sized to receive energetic material therein. A vertical solder bridge is formed between the surfaces and an edge emitting laser diode disposed between the surfaces. The laser diode is oriented such that a light fluence therefrom is directed in a radial direction into the central cavity. The surfaces can be circuit boards, e.g., copper clad, rigid circuit boards, and have an annular shape. The central cavity can be further defined by an interboard gap between the surfaces. The ignition assembly can fit within a primer cup of a munition.

Abstract: A projectile enables axial assembly and precise angular alignment of cylindrical or ogival sections of the projectile without interfering with internal parts spanning those sections. The projectile includes a turnbuckle design that minimizes Outer Mold Line (OML) transitions and maintains structural integrity. Advantageously, the turnbuckle allows surface mounted antennas and internal electronics to span structural sections of the projectile. The minimal OML produces less turbulence and drag. Finally, the turnbuckle is structurally robust for gun launched applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser system including a first laser and a second laser. The first laser includes a laser cavity, and a gas phase molecular gain medium disposed in the laser cavity, the gain medium having an absorption band. The second laser is a solid state laser configured to be continuously tunable, with respect to an emission wavelength of the second laser, over the absorption band of the gain medium, and the second laser is tuned to pump rotational vibrational transitions in the gain medium to achieve a rotational population inversion.

Abstract: A composite material is provided comprising a porous polymeric matrix having metal-organic framework (MOF) domains dispersed within the porous polymeric matrix, each of said MOF domains in fluid communication with the external environment through the pores in the porous polymeric matrix. A process of using the composite material to chemically modify or detoxify a chemical warfare agent or a toxic industrial chemical is also provided. The chemical warfare agent or the toxic industrial chemical is brought into contact with a MOF domain within the porous polymeric matrix so that the MOFs adsorb and chemically modify the chemical warfare agent or the toxic industrial chemical. A process for producing such a composite material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to transport a common load attached by slings by two or more Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft using synchronized maneuvering and load feedback control.

Abstract: A circuit assembly with an electrical connection between two individual Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) or Circuit Card Assemblies (CCAs) that are vertically stacked with a connection formed entirely of solder and with a gap in between surfaces that components may occupy. Coalescing solder paste merges between the surfaces when it is in a liquid state to form a solder bridge. The resultant assembly can be encapsulated to form a solid monolithic electronic assembly to improve robustness and allow the assembly to better withstand compressive forces.

Abstract: An active matching network for impedance matching to a miniature antenna, comprising a cross-coupled transistor pair, where each transistor has an emitter, base and collector, the emitter of a first transistor forms an input terminal, the emitter of a second transistor forms on output terminal, the collector of the first transistor coupled to the base of the second transistor, the collector of the second transistor coupled to the base of the first transistor, and a matching circuit coupled between the collectors of the first and second transistors. The matching network is configured to match an impendence near resonance of the high Q miniature antenna to an input impedance using a complex negative impedance comprising resistance, inductance and capacitance.

Abstract: A solid particulate reactive sorbent for decontaminating toxic chemical and biological agents and its method of making. The reactive sorbent comprising a plurality of aggregates formed from linked hydrophilic nanoparticles and individual nanoparticles that bind at least one detoxifier, such that the sorbent absorbs the agents, allowing the detoxifier to oxidize and decontaminate the agents for removal. More preferably, the hydrophilic nanoparticles comprise fumed silica and the detoxifier comprises hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A small lightweight weapon system for integration into an unmanned aerial vehicle comprises a weapon operating group which utilizes blowback operation to fire a full-powered centerfire rifle ammunition. An operating rod of the weapon operating group has an axis of translation offset from the longitudinal axis of the barrel thereby creating a moment couple on the system. A motor assembly controls the operation of the weapon operating group. Through a gear train, actuation of the motor assembly lifts a sear against a return torsion spring, which holds the operating group back when not firing. The gear train comprises a one way flywheel disconnect to increase the torque of the direct current motor and overcome the force of the torsion spring. Intelligent motor commutation and burst control are achieved through an encoder and software package.

Abstract: A cold-tunnel system is disclosed for recovery of thermal emissivity of extended targets. The cold-tunnel system is comprised of an infrared camera having a thermal imaging lens; an aperture plate having a hole aligned with the thermal imaging lens; four cold-wall panels assembled in a box pattern as a cold-tunnel assembly to form a cold tunnel; an air-blowing desiccator affixed to each cold-wall panel; an external liquid chiller to chill a reservoir of working fluid; a target under test; and an extended source blackbody reference disposed directly behind the target under test.

Abstract: An inductive driver circuit with improved speed of clamping down a powered solenoid element, which solenoid exhibits inductive properties, for purposes of rapid shut down of the solenoid.

Abstract: A composition having the structure of formula I: [R—Ar—(COOH)2]x[Ar—(COOH)3]2-xM32+??(I) is provided where M is Mn, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn, Cd, Ni, or Pt; R is a bromine, nitro, a primary amine, C1-C4 alkyl secondary amine, C1-C4 alkyl oxy, Br—(C1-C4 alkyl), NO2—(C1-C4 alkyl), a mercaptan, and reaction products of any of the aforementioned with acyl chlorides of the formulas: CH3(CH2)mC(O)Cl, or CH3(CH(C1-C4 alkyl)CH2)mC(O)Cl, or CH3(CH2)m-Ph-(CH2)pC(O)Cl, where Ph is a C6 phenyl or C6 phenyl with one or more hydrogens replaced with F, C1-C4 fluoroalkyl, or C1-C4 perfluoroalkyl; m is independently in each occurrence an integer of 0 to 12 inclusive; p is an integer of 0 to 36 inclusive, to form an amide, a thioamide, or an ester; Ar is a 1,3,5-modified phenyl, and 1.4>x>0. A process of synthesis thereof and the use to chemically modify a gaseous reactant are also provided.