Abstract: The claimed invention provides a fusion polypeptide comprising a fibrous protein domain and a mineralization domain. The fusion is used to form an organic-inorganic composite. These organic-inorganic composites can be constructed from the nano- to the macro-scale depending on the size of the fibrous protein fusion domain used. In one embodiment, the composites can also be loaded with other compounds (e.g., dyes, drugs, enzymes) depending on the goal for the materials, to further enhance function. This can be achieved during assembly of the material or during the mineralization step in materials formation.

Abstract: A series of taps are created within an acousto-optic cell by imaging an array of LEDs within the cell. The illuminated tap regions are selectively changed by energizing selected LEDs. The electrical input signal produces a travelling acoustic wave within the cell and when the wave crosses illuminated tap regions, electrical output signals are produced having delays proportional to the positions of illuminated LEDs in the array. The magnitude of the output signal is proportional to the LED light intensity which is varied to produce a weighted output signal.

Abstract: A dispenser retains a hermetically sealed metal canister which holds a pyrophoric fluid, radar chaff, other electronic countermeasure materials or a combination thereof for ejection from an aircraft. Several openings in the canister are sealed with Pyrofuze foil material closures and a Pyrofuze wire braid is interconnected between each of the closures and the canister in close proximity to a Pyrofuze delay braid having one end thereof fixedly attached to the canister. A safety tab on one corner of the canister extends downward between the delay braid and the wire braid to prevent cross ignition until the canister is fully ejected from the dispenser. When a gas producing squib on the dispenser is fired, the Pyrofuze delay braid is ignited by the flame front from the squib and the canister is forced from the dispenser causing the safety tab to be automatically removed from the canister.

Abstract: A composite structure is fabricated from fiber-reinforced tape, segments of the tape being stacked one upon another so as to form a plurality of plies. A boron fiber is positioned adjacent to or along an edge of each of the tape segments. Because of the X-ray opacity of the boron fiber's tungsten boride core and because the boron fiber will break when a ply is damaged, damage to the composite structure can be detected by radiographic examination.