Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to devices and methods for determining propellant mass based on average measurements irrespective of the fluid orientation in a fuel tank. The device is useful in detecting fuel levels in tanks where the fuel is in motion, for instance in aircraft (i.e., undergoing varying acceleration maneuvers) or spacecraft (i.e., a microgravity environment). The devices and methods can also be used for determining the liquid in a surface tension screen liquid acquisition device (LAD), and particularly, the incipient breakdown as gas bubbles enter or are formed inside the LAD as the screen dries or heat transfer induces vaporization. The same basic electrode configuration can be used to stir the liquid to reduce thermal stratification and condense vapor bubbles.

Abstract: A radiation detection system may include a mobile device having a flash memory. The device may monitor various characteristics of the flash memory to determine when damage to the flash memory has occurred from radiation exposure. The device may associate damage to the flash memory with a radiation dose, and determine a level of radiation to which the memory, and thus the device, has been exposed. The device also may determine a length of time and locations where the radiation exposure has occurred. If the device determines that the level of radiation exposure exceeds a threshold associated with a safe level of radiation exposure for a human user, the device may generate an alert to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of preparing ionic polyamides. Also disclosed are compositions and methods of preparing ionic polyamide-imides. Additionally, disclosed herein are compositions comprising the ionic polyamides or polyamide-imides. The compositions comprising the ionic polyamides or polyamide-imides can include an ionic liquid. The disclosed polyamides and polyamide-imides can be utilized for three-dimensional printing or to capture gases.

Abstract: The exemplified systems and methods provides a low-profile stacked patch multi-frequency antenna (e.g., a dual-frequency antenna). A design is disclosed which is configured to operate at the 5.9-GHz band (e.g., for Dedicated Short Range Communications) and the 28-GHz band (e.g., for 5G communications). With a low-profile, the exemplified systems and methods can be integrated into existing microelectronic packaging systems as well as readily integrated into communication systems having smaller form factor.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to devices and methods for determining propellant mass based on average measurements irrespective of the fluid orientation in a fuel tank. The device is useful in detecting fuel levels in tanks where the fuel is in motion, for instance in aircraft (i.e., undergoing varying acceleration maneuvers) or spacecraft (i.e., a microgravity environment). The devices and methods can also be used for determining the liquid in a surface tension screen liquid acquisition device (LAD), and particularly, the incipient breakdown as gas bubbles enter or are formed inside the LAD as the screen dries or heat transfer induces vaporization. The same basic electrode configuration can be used to stir the liquid to reduce thermal stratification and condense vapor bubbles.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to signal analysis systems and methods for measuring and characterizing signal attributes, such as noise. A signal analysis system comprises an optical receiver that receives an optical signal and converts the received signal into an electrical signal. A programmable frequency divider divides the frequency of the incoming electrical signal at different division ratios, and a signal analyzer analyzes the resulting signal. In this regard, by increasing the division ratio of the frequency divider and measuring the power spectral density with the signal analyzer at different division ratios, a suitable signal for determining different parameters (e.g., modulation frequency and modulation index) may be found.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for measuring impedance spectrum, power or energy density, and/or spectral density using frequency component analysis of power converter voltage and current ripple are described herein. An example method for measuring impedance spectrum, power spectrum, or spectral density can include measuring an alternating current (AC) ripple associated with a power converter, where the AC ripple includes an AC current ripple and an AC voltage ripple. The method can also include performing a frequency analysis to obtain respective frequency components of the AC current ripple and the AC voltage ripple, and calculating an impedance spectrum, a power spectrum, or a spectral density of an electrical component based on the respective frequency components of the AC current ripple and the AC voltage ripple.

Abstract: A weather forecasting system has weather forecasting logic that receives weather data from a satellite or other source, such as radar. The weather forecasting logic processes such data to identify cumulus clouds. For each cumulus cloud identified, the weather forecasting logic applies interest field tests and feeds the results into formulas derived based on measurements from current and past weather events. The model determines a score indicating the likelihood of the cumulus cloud forming precipitation and a score indicating the likelihood of the cumulus cloud forming lightning in the future within a certain time period. Based on such scores, the weather forecasting logic predicts in which geographic regions the identified cumulus cloud will produce precipitation and/or lightning during the time period. The predictions of the weather forecasting logic may then be used to provide a weather map thereby providing users with a graphical illustration of the areas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring food intake include an air pressure sensor for detecting ear canal deformation, according to some implementations. For example, the air pressure sensor detects a change in air pressure in the ear canal resulting from mandible movement. Other implementations include systems and methods for monitoring food intake that include a temporalis muscle activity sensor for detecting temporalis muscle activity, wherein at least a portion of the temporalis muscle activity sensor is coupled adjacent a temple portion of eyeglasses and disposed between the temple tip and the frame end piece. The temporalis muscle activity sensor may include an accelerometer, for example, for detecting movement of the temple portion due to mandibular movement from chewing.

Abstract: A weather forecasting system has memory for storing satellite image data and numerical weather prediction (NWP) model data, which indicates predicted atmospheric conditions for a geographic region. At least one processor is programmed to identify a cumulus cloud within the satellite image data and to define a zone of influence around the cumulus cloud. The zone of influence represents a boundary for the NWP model data to be used by the processor for predicting whether the cumulus cloud will produce a weather event (e.g., precipitation, convective storm, etc.) in the future.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of killing tumor cells are provided. The methods may include contacting the tumor cell with a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule. In another embodiment, methods of treating cancer are provided. The methods may include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical composition includes a tropic cell that carries a modified oncolytic virus, wherein the virus comprises a tumor selective promoter element and/or a capsid protein that binds a tumor-specific cell surface molecule.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to combine multiple stimulation modalities to significantly increase the effectiveness of non-invasive stimulation. Multiple sensor and stimulation devices and modalities can be combined into a single, compact unit that minimizes the need for additional sensors or stimulation devices. The system features several subunits, referred to as sensory and stimulation devices (SSD), that are integrated into a headphone setup. The system is controlled by a centralized controller that communicates with all of the SSDs and with an external computer system that delivers learning material synchronized with the delivery of stimulations and the collection of user responses based on physiological signals.

Abstract: A sound system for broadcasting audio is disclosed. The sound system utilizes speaker unit carried by a lighter-than-air airship that is connected to a base station using a tether. The airship elevates the speaker unit to a height much larger than the height of the largest ground obstruction. Accordingly, more listeners may hear and understand the message because multipath reflections and shadow regions are reduced.

Abstract: An integrated magnetic inductor is provided with an inductor coil, magnetic film, and a substrate. The magnetic film can be placed between the neighboring inductor coils, and the thickness of the magnetic film is greater than the coil thickness. In addition, the magnetic film includes exchange-coupled magnetic materials. The exchange-coupled magnetic materials provide improved permeability and fFMR at the frequency of interest for the integrated magnetic inductor.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic reactor may comprise a photosensitive glass substrate with a plurality of features produced by etching. The features may include micro-channels, micro-lenses, and slots for receiving optical fibers. During operation of the micro-fluidic reactor, the optical fibers may transmit optical signals for measuring characteristics of fluid reagents and reactions taking place. The micro-lenses may focus optical signals from the optical fibers to create an approximately collimated optical path for the optical signals, reducing optical spread and enhancing fiber-to-fiber optical power coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed and described herein are smart, high-speed UV communication protocols, inspired by the biological principles. The disclosed and described protocols use a ‘pipe’ routing topology to deliver large amount of data among the UVs equipped with multi-beam antennas. The disclosed and described embodiments include bio-inspired pipe routing and adaptive batch coding (ABC) based congestion control. In regard to bio-inspired pipe routing, a human's brain uses highly cooperative neuro cells to memorize everything. Inspired by neuro networks, a pipe architecture with high-throughput node-to-node data delivery is disclosed and described herein. The pipe routing uses multi-beam antennas to achieve parallel data transmission. In regard to ABC based congestion control, a new network coding called ABC is disclosed, which can minimize traffic congestion occurrences in the above pipe routing. The disclosed and described transport layer protocol includes both end-to-end reliability and congestion control.

Abstract: Implementations of a combustor assembly yield low emissions, require low power, are suitable for alternate liquid fuels, including highly viscous fuels, and are scalable for various heat release rates. The combustor assembly includes a fuel injector and a swirler. The fuel injector may include a choke portion and a spacer. The choke portion is disposed just upstream of an outlet of a liquid fuel conduit and prevents atomizing gas from interrupting continuous flow of the liquid fuel through the liquid fuel conduit. The spacer is disposed downstream of the outlet to precisely control the gap and thus, bifurcation of atomizing gas flow, between the outlet of liquid fuel conduit and an inlet of an orifice plate. The swirler is disposed radially outwardly and adjacent the fuel injector and includes a plurality of angled vanes.

Abstract: A motorized robotic walker is capable of moving automatically with the user through an algorithmic process using a 3D camera image processing system. The image processing system can measure relative motion of the user versus the robotic walker and a microprocessor can generate PWM signal to drive motors of the robotic walker so that the robotic walker can follow the user's motion automatically and provide assistance if needed.

Abstract: A weather forecasting system may receive satellite image samples and identify an updraft and components of the updraft within a cloud. These satellite image samples are collected over time (e.g., at 30 second to 1 minute time intervals). The system may identify an area of rotation and/or divergence at cloud top in a cumulus cloud or mature convective storm over time by comparing the samples and determine a parameter indicative of the updraft based on the area of rotation and divergence. The system may estimate aspects of the environment related to storm development and predict the occurrence of a weather event in the future based on the parameter and generate an output indicative of the occurrence.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement an anti-censorship framework that includes moving target defense systems and methods. The framework can be implemented at a web server hosting content that is intended to be accessed by one or more users. The web server can utilize dynamically changing IP addresses to avoid filtering and blocking (and also from being attacked) by censors. Users can be assigned to random groups and provided with a dynamic IP address of the web server that is unique for that group. After some time interval (called a shuffling interval), the web server can generate new sets of dynamic IP addresses and re-randomize the user groups and update the users with new IP addresses for the web server.