Abstract: A hybrid ferroelectric/non-ferroelectric piezoelectric microresonator is disclosed. The hybrid microresonator uses a ferroelectric layer as the actuator as ferroelectric materials typically have higher actuation coefficients than non-ferroelectric piezoelectric materials. The hybrid microresonator uses a non-ferroelectric piezoelectric layer as the sensor layer as non-ferroelectric piezoelectric materials typically have higher sensing coefficients than ferroelectric materials. This hybrid microresonator design allows the independent optimization of actuator and sensor materials. This hybrid microresonator design may be used for bulk acoustic wave contour mode resonators, bulk acoustic wave solidly mounted resonators, free-standing bulk acoustic resonators, and piezoelectric transformers.

Abstract: A modular constructed, standardized test device for simulating a spin stabilized projectile which is fired from a barrel having rifling grooves, comprised of the bolted together, keyed to transfer spin, modular components of replaceable rotating band, replaceable front end and back end, and filler sections for further simulation of other components. The front end has an interior recessed area which allows for a selective integration of a threaded fuze or an aerodynamic, electronic, or other structure and the rear end has a crimp groove for selective attachment of a cartridge case, and aerodynamic or other structure to mimic the rear geometry of a projectile for testing purposes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, tie-down assembly is provided for securing a parked aircraft to a slab of an aircraft mooring area. The assembly includes a support structure having a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end cover coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second end cover coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall. The assembly also includes a connector rod coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, a talon pivot rod coupled with the first side wall and the second side wall, a first talon rotatably coupled with the talon pivot rod, a second talon rotatably coupled with the talon pivot rod, a first depth adjustment mechanism coupled with the first talon, and a second depth adjustment mechanism coupled with the second talon.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for 30 mm×173 mm ammunition rounds. The packaging arrangement has a heavy duty standoff device of defined height, which standoff device mounts a very high strength support plate and a heavy duty restraining plate. The support plate has through holes (of diameter slightly less than the rounds defined maximum diameter) to hold the rounds of in an upside down position and from sliding/moving. The height of the standoff device keeps the rounds from being able to touch the bottom of the metal box. The restraining plate has multiple recessed areas sized to accommodate the back ends of the said rounds. The packaging arrangement is lowered into a metal box with handles for carriage purposes. On top, there are Homosite filler pads, and the box accommodates a top lid.

Abstract: An apparatus for passive sampling of airborne particles such as those found in an aerosol is disclosed. The passive sampler is designed to take advantage of natural air flow to collect airborne particles, such as those contained in an aerosol, for subsequent analysis. The passive sampler increases the sampling efficiency for diffusion and electrostatic collection of particles by using natural airflow or movement to bring particles closer to the deposition surface. Alternately charged electret filters further increase the sampling efficiency.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a method of cutting and folding a planar substrate with a focused laser beam, directed from above the substrate, to form a shape with features in 3-dimensions, the method comprising: (a) executing from above laser cuts to the planar substrate so as to provide one or more a releasable segments; (b) executing from above one or more laser-executed upward folds to bend all or a portion of a releasable segment; and (c) executing from above one or more laser-executed downward folds to bend all or a portion of a releasable segment; wherein the cuts and folds are structured so that precursors to the 3D shape remain attached to the substrate while sufficient cuts and folds are made to form the 3D shape, and wherein the planar substrate is immobile during said steps (a) through (c), or is only moved in the plane of the substrate.

Abstract: Cold spray devices and systems are disclosed. They include a flowpath having an inlet adapted for receiving communication with two or more inputs and an outlet adapted to discharge the two or more inputs. A discharge nozzle may be included in the flowpath of the outlet and a confluence may be included in the flowpath at the inlet for combining the two or more inputs. A nozzle body houses the discharge nozzle separate and downstream from the confluence of the two inputs.

Abstract: The current invention describes a compact objective lens with enhanced distortion for near-infrared imaging, comprising a positively powered, aspheric, and meniscus first lens element; a negatively powered, aspheric, and meniscus second lens element; a positively powered, aspheric, and biconvex third lens element; a negatively powered, aspheric, and meniscus fourth lens element; a negatively powered, aspheric, and meniscus field corrector element; and a detector assembly comprising a window and a detector plane where the light rays come to focus.

Abstract: A device includes a filter that enhances a beam profile of a received pulsed laser; a first optical element to direct the pulsed laser as a reference wave towards an optical sensor; an open cavity positioned between the first optical element and the optical sensor. The open cavity receives an aerosol particle, which enters the open cavity from any direction. The reference wave illuminates the aerosol particle. An illuminated particle generates and directs an object wave towards the optical sensor. A pixel array is connected to the optical sensor. The pixel array receives the reference wave and the object wave. The optical sensor creates a contrast hologram comprising an interference pattern of the illuminated particle. A processor creates an image of the illuminated particle based on the contrast hologram.

Abstract: A distributed and buoy tracking and mesh network communication system includes buoy node devices having critical, designated placement determined navigational guidance criteria. Each buoy node apparatus serves a dual navigation and data transmission function.

Abstract: Novel voltage converter circuits are provided which step-up very low DC input voltages to higher voltages capable of supporting low-power loads. According to embodiments, a voltage step-up power converter circuit may be formed of an oscillator sub-circuit which receives a DC voltage and outputs an AC voltage; a voltage doubler sub-circuit which receives the AC voltage and outputs an augmented AC voltage; and a voltage step-up converter sub-circuit which receives the augmented AC voltage, as a control voltage, and the initial DC voltage and outputs a voltage which is more than the initial DC voltage. These circuits allow electrical energy to be harvested from very low voltage sources and to convert it as efficiently as possible to run a load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor-liquid junction based photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for the unassisted solar splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, the solar-driven reduction of CO2 to higher-order hydrocarbons, and the solar-driven synthesis of NH3. The disclosed system can employ a photocathode based upon wurtzite hexagonal semiconductors that can be tailored with proper band alignment for the redox potentials for water, CO2 reduction, and NH3 production, and with bandgap energy for maximum solar absorption. The design maximizes the carrier collection efficiency by leveraging spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in these materials systems to generate hot electrons within the photocathode. These electrons have sufficient excess energy, preserved at a designed energy capture region, to overcome the kinetic overpotential (surface chemistry limitation) required for the reactions to occur at a high rate.

Abstract: A rear slip base plate for a round carrying a guidance and control unit payload, which round is launched from a rifled launch tube. To prevent the guidance and control unit payload from also being rapidly spun with the round, the slip base plate unit mechanically isolates the guidance and control unit payload from the round spin rate.

Abstract: A fin deployment mechanism for a projectile to release the fins laterally or radially. This pop-out type of mechanism therefore avoids need for a sabot for projectile launching purposes. By avoiding the weight and space usage of a sabot, there can be increased length and volume for the warhead and projectile, at the same weight burden.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for continuous production of copper (I) nitrotetrazolate (DBX-1) by reacting aqueous copper salt with aqueous 5-nitrotetrazolate salt in the presence of a reducing agent. All the reactants are introduced into a continuous flow reactor system, which is composed of a temperature controlled tubular reactor and a mixer that allows for radial mixing. An optional stirred tank reactor may also be incorporated into the process to complete the reaction and allow for crystal growth.

Abstract: A rear slip base plate for a round carrying a guidance and control unit payload, which round is launched from a rifled launch tube. To prevent the guidance and control unit payload from also being rapidly spun with the round, the slip base plate unit mechanically isolates the guidance and control unit payload from the round spin rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat transfer. In some embodiments, a heat transfer apparatus includes a body defining an inner volume; an inlet coupled to a vapor source; a coolant channel extending through the heat transfer apparatus; a condensing surface on which a vapor condenses, wherein the condensing surface is configured to cause the vapor to form as one or more drops on the condensing surface; and an actuator configured to excite the one or more drops at a resonant frequency of the one or more drops to remove the one or more drops from the condensing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are various combinations of three different metal-oxide photocatalysts with three different bandgaps that can be used to harvest multiple wavelengths of incident solar radiation and to thus efficiently degrade recalcitrant contaminants. The photocatalysts are from the class of transition metal oxides and are non-toxic compounds based on earth-abundant materials. In some embodiments, particles of the photocatalysts are formed to be greater in diameter than about 0.1 ?m in order to make them easier to filter out after treating the contaminant. In some embodiments, the metal-oxide photocatalysts are zinc oxide which is ultraviolet active, hematite which is active in the visible spectrum, and copper oxide which is active in the near infrared spectrum. Various combinations in various embodiments achieve measured contaminant degradation rates greater than the sum of the degradation rates of the individual photocatalysts that make up the combination.

Abstract: Enclosed structures, such as guard towers, are provided which are designed to be easily transportable, constructed easily onsite and erected in a manner which produces an exceptionally blast resistant structure that is also advantageously designed for positioning within a perimeter wall. In particular, in some embodiments, the guard towers have a pentagon shape and are comprised of a plurality of composite panels. Each panel is able to be constructed onsite. The panels typically have a rectangular shape with at least one half of the panel constructed as a solid composite of concrete and metal. Once the panels are constructed, the panels are erected and arranged in a pentagon shape. The panels are bolted together with the use of vertical face connections. These connections provide better structural integrity, retained over time, particularly after subjection to a blast. In addition, the pentagon shape provides improved safety when positioned along a perimeter wall.

Abstract: Cold spray devices and systems are disclosed. They include a flowpath having an inlet adapted for receiving communication with two or more inputs and an outlet adapted to discharge the two or more inputs. A discharge nozzle may be included in the flowpath of the outlet and a confluence may be included in the flowpath at the inlet for combining the two or more inputs. A nozzle body houses the discharge nozzle separate and downstream from the confluence of the two inputs.