Abstract: A method of evaluating camouflage for a specified area of responsibility, the method includes calculating an apparent spectrum of the camouflage at far field with respect to an observer; calculating an apparent spectrum of the specified area of responsibility at far field with respect to the observer; calculating a difference between the apparent spectrum of the camouflage with the apparent spectrum of the area of responsibility; and comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold, thereby determining suitability of the camouflage for the specified area of responsibility.

Abstract: A method of making a polysilylether (PSE) polymer includes: cooling a solution of diethylamine to 0° C. under argon; adding cold dialkyldichlorosilane to form a first mixture; slowly warming the first mixture to form dialkylbis(diethylamino)silane; diluting the first mixture with hexane then filtering via cannula; evaporating the hexane and excess diethylamine; purifying the dialkylbis(diethylamino)silane under vacuum distillation; adding the dialkylbis(diethylamino)silane to a solution of diol dissolved in tetrahydrofuran to form a second mixture; heating the second mixture to 60° C. while reflux condensing, and cooling and concentrating the second mixture under vacuum to form a resultant mixture containing the polysilylether (PSE) polymer.

Abstract: A release system for a tether line includes a housing having a side that is at least partially open. A tether lead within the housing is adjacent to the side of the housing. A release mechanism in the housing includes a shackle having a closed end and an open end. The shackle is disposed in the housing at a portion therein that is lower than that of the tether lead. The release mechanism also includes a hinge for mounting the shackle within the housing. In a tether-retention mode, the open end of the shackle faces the top of the housing and the shackle is prevented from rotation about the hinge. In a tether-release mode, the shackle is free to rotate about the hinge under gravity wherein the open end of the shackle rotates to face the side of the housing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include at least one modular container that can be assembled to emulate a desired atmosphere. Each container includes apertures on opposing ends of the container to allow EMR to enter and exit the container. Each container can include temperature control systems, humidity control systems, fan arrays to emulate wind/turbulence, and a plurality of sensors to measure the current conditions within the container, all of which can be installed within the containers walls.

Abstract: Building blocks are provided for on-chip chemical sensors and other highly-compact photonic integrated circuits combining interband or quantum cascade lasers and detectors with passive waveguides and other components integrated on a III-V or silicon. A MWIR or LWIR laser source is evanescently coupled into a passive extended or resonant-cavity waveguide that provides evanescent coupling to a sample gas (or liquid) for spectroscopic chemical sensing. In the case of an ICL, the uppermost layer of this passive waveguide has a relatively high index of refraction that enables it to form the core of the waveguide, while the ambient air, consisting of the sample gas, functions as the top cladding layer. A fraction of the propagating light beam is absorbed by the sample gas if it contains a chemical species having a fingerprint absorption feature within the spectral linewidth of the laser emission.

Abstract: Provided is a tool for providing long distance shooters with the ability to receive information from others in the field to adjust their weapon system for the best advantage based on distance, location, and range. The tool may implemented as an application on a mobile device such as a smart phone, for example, making the tool light weight, space efficient, and portable for use in the field. The communication ability allows for tracking shooting partners as well as on-the-spot coordination. The tool further provides range markings, yard lines, and topographic data that allow the shooter to make decisions based on real time data. Shooters are therefore afforded a tool that is portable, easy to use, and flexible enough to use in high-pressure environments.

Abstract: A mixed acrylate-siloxane polymer can be used to create three-dimensional (3D) structures of arbitrary shape via nanolithography. Treatment of such structures with amine (such as diamine) makes them permissive for neuronal cell adhesion and growth without need of additional modification such as poly-lysine (D or L) nor laminin.

Abstract: An active apparatus includes a pressure sensor array. The pressure sensor array includes at least one transducer and a standard optical fiber mechanically coupled thereto. The active apparatus includes a distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser located within the optical fiber. The fiber laser emits a wavelength. The fiber laser consists of two fiber Bragg gratings, which define a linear cavity. The linear cavity is mechanically coupled to the at least one transducer. A pressure change detected by the at least one transducer causes at least one property change in the optical fiber. For example, the at least one property change in the optical fiber causes a change in the cavity length. The change in the cavity length causes a wavelength shift relative to the wavelength emitted by the fiber laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.

Abstract: A method for jamming a target includes aiming a pulsed laser at the target using a tracking system. The pulsed laser emits a pulsed laser beam at the target, thereby generating plasma that causes sound waves equal to or less than 5 ft from the target. The pulsed laser beam is swept with a frequency range to find a target frequency, thereby jamming the target.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is provided for disposing a plurality of filters into and out of a camera line-of-sight. The mechanism includes a base, a pair of frames, an axial shaft, a plurality of filter housings and a plurality of pivotable drivers. The base includes an auxiliary platform. The frames flank the base, and the shaft is disposed between the frames. Each filter housing holds a corresponding optical filter and is disposable in a deployment position in the line-of-sight and a withdrawn position out of the line-of-sight. The drivers are disposed on the platform. Each driver corresponds to an associated housing and is rotatable along the shaft to swing at least one housing between deployment and withdrawn positions upon command.

Abstract: A spinning flat plate calorimeter device is provided for receiving and measuring laser energy. The device includes a circular disk, a shaft, a structure and a motor. The circular disk has temperature-detection instrumentation for measuring temperature from the laser energy. The shaft is supported by distal and proximal bearings. The structure supports the disk, shaft and its bearings. The motor turns the shaft and the disk. Additionally, the disk further includes a flat plate, a yoke wheel and a plurality of spacers. The plate has an obverse face for receiving the laser energy and a reverse face with a spiral groove for attaching the instrumentation. The yoke wheel attaches to the shaft. The thermal isolator spacers mechanically attach the yoke wheel to the flat plate.

Abstract: A snubber gap measurement tool and a method for measuring snubber gaps in resilient mounts are provided. The tool has a handle, a stem, and a flag, and is sufficiently thin to fit within a resilient mount's inspection window. Upon rotation by 90 degrees the tool's flag extends within the snubber gap and thereby allows measurement of the snubber gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: A data collection method uses a receiver having data collection sensitivity to signals originating from objects dispersed in a field that is subject to distortion. The sensitivity of the receiver is swept along a first arc. For each of the objects detected during the sweeping step, two of the signals are collected at two different points in time. A difference between the two signals is compared to a threshold. When the difference exceeds the threshold, the sensitivity of the receiver is re-swept along a second arc that is angularly less than the first arc. When the difference is less than the threshold, the signals are captured.

Abstract: A sensor for spectroscopic measurement of alpha and beta particles includes first and second layers, a photomultiplier, and an analyzer. A first material of the first layer scintillates a first stream of photons for each of the alpha particles. However, the beta particles pass through the first layer. A second material of the second layer scintillates a second stream of photons for each of the beta particles, but passes the first stream of photons for each alpha particle. The photomultiplier amplifies the first and second streams of photons for the alpha and beta particles into an electrical signal. The electrical signal includes a respective pulse for each of the alpha and beta particles. From the electrical signal, the analyzer determines a respective energy of each of the alpha and/or beta particles from a shape of the respective pulse for each of the alpha and beta particles.

Abstract: Inertial actuators are provided, which use a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional voice coil array to achieve the same force output performance as a monolithic actuator. The voice coil arrays use less permanent magnet and flux conducting material, and have a lower inductance, while achieving increased frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: A technique for determining armor weight requirements for a specific set of ballistic threats at specific stand-offs or velocities allows for the selection of armor that is not excessively heavy, thus improving mobility, comfort, and survivability.

Abstract: A system for electromagnetic communication with a vortex beam concurrently conveys multiple topological charges of orbital angular momentum. The system includes a source, at least one vortex-sensing diffraction grating, and an array of photodetectors. The source generates the vortex beam concurrently conveying a respective number of selected topological charges during each of the time intervals. The selected topological charges for each time interval are selected from a set of available topological charges. The selected topological charges for each time interval encode a symbol of data. The vortex-sensing diffraction grating combines a vortex phase pattern and a linear phase pattern. The vortex sensing diffraction grating produces a diffraction pattern from diffracting the vortex beam received from the source. The array of photodetectors detects portions of the diffraction pattern and from the detected portions recovers the selected topological charges encoding the symbol of each time interval.