Abstract: Polymers derived from a metallocene comprising a group IV element and at least one cyclopentadienyl group are described. Methods for preparing refractory ceramics comprising group IV carbides and/or borides using such polymer are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method for fabricating the refractory ceramic comprises infiltrating a fiber preform with such polymer and pyrolyzing the polymeric fiber preform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a group anchor system, subsea installation tool and method of install such group anchor systems. The group anchor system includes a template through which a plurality of vertical piles, such as helical piles, are passed, drilled into the seabed at one end and secured to the template at the other to provide a mooring anchor for an offshore asset. The installation tool is a modular tool designed to mate with the group anchor system. Each module including drive mechanism for engaging and driving a pile. The piles may be driven simultaneously, individually, or in groups as required for proper placement and leveling. Methods of using the installation tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically conductive filler comprises particles having a base substrate and a conductive coating. In some embodiments, the base substrate is a metal, plastic, glass, natural or synthetic graphite, carbon, ceramics, fiber or fabric. In some embodiments, the coating provides improved electrical conductivity, and the coated particle has lower electrical resistance than the uncoated base particle. Other embodiments and methods of making and using the electrically conductive filler are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a group anchor system, subsea installation tool and method of install such group anchor systems. The group anchor system includes a template through which a plurality of vertical piles, such as helical piles, are passed, drilled into the seabed at one end and secured to the template at the other to provide a mooring anchor for an offshore asset. The installation tool is a modular tool designed to mate with the group anchor system. Each module including drive mechanism for engaging and driving a pile. The piles may be driven simultaneously, individually, or in groups as required for proper placement and leveling. Methods of using the installation tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A haptic device includes a housing, a first motor configured to rotationally drive a first lead screw, a second motor configured to rotationally drive a second lead screw, and a touch point configured to contact the skin on a distal end. The rotation of the first lead screw is configured to move the touch point along a first axis and the rotation of the second lead screw is configured to move the touch point along a second axis The second axis can be perpendicular to the first axis. The haptic device can be configured to be worn on a user's arm via a wrist band or compression sleeve.

Abstract: An endoscope may include a needle and a scope, which may optionally be contained in an elongated shaft. The endoscope may further include a handle comprising at least one button, a visualization component, a reservoir configured to contain a composition, and a dispensing mechanism. The at least one button, the needle, the reservoir, and the dispensing mechanism may be operably linked to cause the composition to be dispensed from the reservoir through the needle to a portion of an ear. A method for using such an endoscope may include inserting the endoscope into a portion of an ear, using the visualization component to visualize the portion of the ear, and pressing the at least one button to dispense the composition from the reservoir through the needle to the portion of the ear.

Abstract: A device may include a shaft with a dispensing channel, an evacuating channel, a proximal end, and a distal end. The device may further include an enclosure attached to the distal portion of the shaft, the enclosure having a first portion and a second portion that form a bore when the enclosure is closed. The device may further include a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft, which is configured to open and close the enclosure. A method of delivering a solution to a nerve repair site may include obtaining such a device, closing its enclosure around the nerve repair site, delivering one or more solutions through the dispensing channel to the nerve repair site, removing one or more solutions through the evacuating channel from the nerve repair site, and opening the enclosure to remove it from the nerve repair site.

Abstract: Conductive, lightweight, corrosion-resistant fiber mats are described herein. More particularly a metalized fiber mat of non-woven fibers has a conductive metal coating of a uniform thickness and a corrosion-resistant metal coating of a uniform thickness. Methods of producing such fiber mats are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are bearing assemblies including a compliant layer within a mounting socket for reducing wear of the bearing.

Abstract: An electrically conductive filler comprises particles having a base substrate and a conductive coating. In some embodiments, the base substrate is a metal, plastic, glass, natural or synthetic graphite, carbon, ceramics, fiber or fabric. In some embodiments, the coating provides improved electrical conductivity, and the coated particle has lower electrical resistance than the uncoated base particle. Other embodiments and methods of making and using the electrically conductive filler are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical sensing system includes a substrate material, a detector capable of indicating a presence of a target compound, gas, or vapor, and a heater for rapidly releasing compounds, gases and vapors from the substrate material. The substrate material acts to concentrate the compounds, gases, and vapors from a sample area for improved detection by the detector.

Abstract: Discontinuous fiber preforms, fiber-reinforced metal matrix composites, and methods of making same are disclosed. A fiber preform includes a milled fiber material having a weighted average fiber length of about 0.03 mm to 0.12 mm and/or a percent fiber volume fraction of the fiber preform of about 15% to about 55%. The milled fiber material is at least substantially free of a binder material. A fiber-reinforced MMC includes a milled fiber material having a weighted-average fiber length of about 0.03 mm to 0.12 mm and/or a percent fiber volume fraction of the fiber preform of about 15% to about 55%. The fiber-reinforced MMC further includes a metal infiltrated into the milled fiber material. The milled fiber material is at least substantially free of a binder material. The milled fiber can be substantially uniformly oriented and/or randomly oriented in the fiber preform and/or the fiber-reinforced MMC.

Abstract: Nanoimprinted films, devices including nanoimprinted films, methods for making such films, and devices and apparatuses for making such films are described herein. The nanoimprinted films can be used to provide an antireflective coating for windows, windshields, visors, lenses, and other devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are bearing assemblies including a compliant layer within a mounting socket for reducing wear of the bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer nanocomposites including either silica or non-platelet metal oxide particle and the use of these polymer noncomposites in the core layer of multilayer barrier films and laminates. The polymer nanocomposites provide high-barrier properties and low gas permeation.

Abstract: Sensors for the detection of free radicals and free radical forming compounds including, for example, peroxides, as well as energetic radiation, UV light, plasma or heat each such sensor including a functional component are described herein. In addition, this disclosure includes methods for making such sensors and methods for using sensors including a functional component and devices incorporating such sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a device are described. A device agent may receive device information associated with a device, such as information concerning operation of the device. The device agent may be configured to maintain a device model or operating protocol associated with the operation of the device, such as various operational parameters, operating characteristics and/or programs. The device agent may monitor the device based on the device information streamed, for example, in substantially real time from the device. A central management system may be in communication with the device agent and may operate to verify and/or update the device model based on the device information. The device information may be presented to client devices, for instance, through a graphical user interface. The client devices may also be able to transmit control signals to the central management system for controlling various aspects of the device.

Abstract: Optical filters capable of operating in the infra-red spectrum are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter may be dynamically switched to provide one of two optical responses. One optical response may include the filter reflecting infra-red radiation across a range of wavelengths except at one or more wavelengths at which the filter absorbs the radiation. A second optical response may include the filter reflecting infra-red radiation across the entire range of wavelengths. In one embodiment, the switching may be caused by the physical displacement of a first filter component with respect to a second filter component. A method of switching the response of such a filter is also disclosed. Another embodiment of the filter may include one in which the optical response of the filter is effectively independent of either the incidence angle of the radiation impinging on it, or the polarization of the incident radiation.

Abstract: Apparatuses such as inserts for radomes are described herein. The apparatuses and inserts including a metal layer having a frequency selective surface.

Abstract: An armor repair kit including repair putty and a scrim having a plurality of ceramic constituents attached thereto and methods for using a repair putty, scrims and kits to repair damaged armor are described herein.