Abstract: In one embodiment, a deployable barrier container apparatus includes: in folded position, a container and, in unfolded position, a vertical barrier component is deployable on a base placed on the ground to oppose vehicle traffic approaching from an upstream side. A second side wall and a ceiling top are disposed on the downstream side of the base. A first side wall and a stowed top are disposed on the upstream side of the base and on which approaching vehicles move. The horizontal barrier component is disposed upstream of the stowed top and on which the approaching vehicles move, and the horizontal barrier component comprises an elongated sliding friction mat which creates a sliding friction interface with the ground upon contact of a moving vehicle with the deployed vertical barrier component in the deployed position. The base, side walls, and tops are rotatably connected to unfold to form the barrier apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for securing wireless data communication. The system includes a launcher and a projectile. The launcher has a random number generator, a launcher memory, a launcher encryption/decryption module, and a launcher transceiver. The projectile has a projectile memory, a projectile encryption/decryption module, and a projectile transceiver. Both the launcher encryption/decryption module and the projectile encryption/decryption module are configured to use the one-time pad to encrypt and to decrypt data. The system is configured to establish a temporary datalink at a point in time in which the projectile and the launcher are substantially collocated so that the one-time pad can be transmitted from random number generator located in the launcher to the projectile memory using the temporary datalink.

Abstract: A composition of five parts by mass of chitosan and one part graphene oxide is suspended in water. The composition may be used to form filtration layers of any size or shape and may be reinforced by additional layers. The composition may be used to construct a large filtration apparatus of any size or shape and may be used to form highly resilient, antimicrobial structures and surfaces for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting, analyzing, and identifying chemical and biological samples in solid or liquid form is disclosed. The analysis compares the color change of Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs) over time with images for known materials/compounds contained in a library. The device can be used as a handheld or standalone device and integrates the sampling and detecting functions of the prior art into a single device that analyzes and identifies the sample without destroying it. The inventive volatile organic compound (VOC) technology device is also unique in that it relies on a comparison to a proprietary compound library that is supported by lab data. This compound library identifies the unique dye signature combinations that provide very accurate classification of a wide variety of chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: Impact energy absorbing devices, in some embodiments, may be configured as a helmet having suspension elements employing “rate activated tethers” (RATs), a speed-sensitive flexible strapping material. The RATs are configured to suspend a helmet shell on the head of a wearer, so that impact to the helmet causes extension of the RATs. The RATs provide for: (1) steady force over long strokes, and (2) a stroke force that increases with increasing impact velocity. Standard impact testing of a helmeted headform shows that the RAT suspension decreases head accelerations by 50% relative to a standard suspension system. This decrease in head acceleration is expected to lead to a reduced likelihood of brain and head injury. Because the RATs absorb energy during tensile extension, they offer increases in energy absorption efficiency. These RAT suspensions can potentially replace or complement existing helmet pad and suspension systems in military, sports, and industrial safety-wear.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the time constant of microbolometer-type uncooled thermal imaging camera pixels on a per-pixel basis has been developed. The apparatus utilizes a longwave infrared laser and acousto-optic modulator as a periodic light source to excite the pixels of the camera's focal plane array. The image frames captured by the camera during excitation are then processed and the data fit using the algorithms developed to find the time constant for each pixel in the array.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fibers having a polymer, such as a textile polymer, and an insect repellant, such as picaridin. The fiber may have a core of the polymer and repellant surrounded by a sheath of the polymer. The fiber may be made by electrospinning a solution of the polymer and the repellant.

Abstract: A system for controlled motion of circuit components to create reconfigurable circuits comprising: a support; a substrate operatively associated with the support; actuators operatively associated with the support configured to physically move circuit components and to move the circuit components into physical and electrical contact with the substrate; the substrate comprising at least one conductive segment arranged to electrically connect circuit components when electrical contacts of circuit components are placed in contact with at least one conductive segment; and control circuitry configured to control the first and second actuators to thereby position the circuit components relative to the substrate; whereby circuit function is determined by the selection of circuit components and the location and orientation of circuit components relative to the substrate and conductive segments to create a reconfigurable circuit.

Abstract: The subject matter of the instant invention relates to methods of enhancing harvesting of phages against a targeted host bacteria, as well as methods of identifying phages likely to have an enhanced propensity to infect and kill an infectious pathogenic bacteria in vivo, from samples comprising phages. The invention also relates to phage libraries, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, and phage-based diagnostic methods and methods of detecting bacteria related thereto.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting, analyzing, and identifying chemical and biological samples in solid or liquid form is disclosed. The analysis compares the color change of Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs) over time with images for known materials/compounds contained in a library. The device can be used as a handheld or standalone device and integrates the sampling and detecting functions of the prior art into a single device that analyzes and identifies the sample without destroying it. The inventive volatile organic compound (VOC) technology device is also unique in that it relies on a comparison to a proprietary compound library that is supported by lab data. This compound library identifies the unique dye signature combinations that provide very accurate classification of a wide variety of chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: An in-weapon sensor enables electronic measurement of the firing pin indent force of a weapon system. The in-weapon sensor measures, either directly or indirectly, the indent force of the firing pin and communicates the information outside of the weapon to a data capture device. The data capture device provides a visual indication as to whether the firing pin indent force is sufficient or insufficient.

Abstract: Method of fabricating a dummy practice ammunition round to dynamically match behavior of an existing live ammunition round during manually cycling of the action, or other demonstration. A dummy practice ammunition round of identical contour is formed, having a center of gravity (mass) in the same position as on the existing live ammunition round. Weight is matched by removing or omitting material through coring into the case head of the round or by hollowing it out.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that, by not physically touching a material being measured, can measure the material's differential response quite accurately. A collimated light shines on the material under test, is reflected off it, and is then captured by a device that records the position where the reflected light is captured. This process is done both before and after the material is processed in some way (e.g., by applying a coat of paint). The change in position where the reflected light is captured is used in calculating the deflection of the material as induced by the process. This measured induced deflection is then used to accurately determinate the stress introduced into the material by the process. Other characteristics of the material under test, such as aspects of the material composition of a bi-metallic strip, for example, may also be determined from a deflection measurement.

Abstract: An improved process provides high-density pre-form billets that meet dimensional limitations required for case-load tooling. Previous isostatic fill procedures were improved in two ways to accommodate varying bulk densities or powder compositions. First, during the isostatic fill procedure, the powder fill is subject to both a high frequency vibration and a high amplitude, low frequency impulse. The combination of these two inputs is critical to ensure polymer bonded explosives pack to consistent densities. Second, unlike in conventional practices, the fill rate is kept constant throughout the entire fill process and the mold is completely filled by the time the required powder mass has been dispensed.

Abstract: This invention outlines a method for synthesizing a blended resin system in a one pot reaction that may utilize, for example, bio-based anhydrosugars such as isosorbide as a principle component to produce isosorbide dimethacrylate and other monomeric materials for thermosetting applications. This invention establishes a one-pot procedure for reacting a hydroxy group containing compound with methacrylic anhydride in the first step and using the by-product methacrylic acid to react with glycidyl ethers to form additional methacrylate compounds in the second step. This methodology can be formulated to produce a wide array of resin systems that have controlled ratios of hydroxy group containing compound/crosslinker/reactive diluent. Additionally, the novel resin systems may be partially to fully biobased, promoting global sustainability and reducing costs, and when free radically polymerized have properties that meet or exceed their petroleum derived counterparts.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer modeling system for creating a comprehensive environmental impact model. The system performs a series of novel functions to reflect the impact of multiple emissions on all species of interest within an environment at designated concentration levels. The system can be further utilized as a repository to update environmental data received from scientific researchers and to update existing models accordingly. The system integrates new data and updates calculations to create increasingly complex, comprehensive and reliable predictive models for users, which include US and foreign entities charged with developing emissions standards.

Abstract: A method of cooling includes providing an elastocaloric material; continuously applying a force on the elastocaloric material to cause a continuous mechanical deformation of the elastocaloric material for a predetermined period of time, such that the continuous mechanical deformation creates a solid-to-solid phase transformation in the elastocaloric material; emitting exothermic latent heat from the elastocaloric material to increase a temperature of the elastocaloric material; removing the force from the elastocaloric material upon expiration of the predetermined period of time; and absorbing endothermic latent heat into the elastocaloric material to decrease the temperature of the elastocaloric material and/or an environment adjacent to the elastocaloric material or an electronic/phononic device, etc.

Abstract: Alloys comprised of a refined microstructure, ultrafine or nano scaled, that when reacted with water or any liquid containing water will spontaneously and rapidly produce hydrogen at ambient or elevated temperature are described. These metals, termed here as aluminum based nanogalvanic alloys will have applications that include but are not limited to energy generation on demand. The alloys may be composed of primarily aluminum and other metals e.g. tin bismuth, indium, gallium, lead, etc. and/or carbon, and mixtures and alloys thereof. The alloys may be processed by ball milling for the purpose of synthesizing powder feed stocks, in which each powder particle will have the above mentioned characteristics. These powders can be used in their inherent form or consolidated using commercially available techniques for the purpose of manufacturing useful functional components.

Abstract: One example is a shock gauge system for measuring an external blast to a hull. The shock gauge system includes at least one accelerometer to produce acceleration data in response to the external blast, a mass with an accelerometer affixed to it, a crush block, a linear displacement potentiometer (LDP), a camera, and a processor logic. The LDP device generates displacement data of a mass being pushed into the crush block when reacting to the external blast. The camera captures images of movement of the mass. The processor logic verifies if the acceleration data is valid by correlating the acceleration data to the displacement data, the images, and/or an amount of displacement into the crush block by the mass. When the acceleration data is valid, the acceleration data may be used to create a more blast resistant hull.

Abstract: A noise abatement system including at least one fluid circulation chamber to receive at least one flow of fluid; at least one vorticity-inducing component adjacent to the at least one fluid circulation chamber, the at least one vorticity-inducing component to redirect the at least one flow of fluid tangentially to an inside perimeter wall of the at least one fluid circulation chamber to create fluctuations in a flow and pressure of the fluid causing increased and variable vorticity within the at least one fluid circulation chamber; and at least one vorticity-interaction region in communication with the at least one vorticity-inducing component to attenuate acoustics caused by the at least one flow of fluid.