Abstract: An electrically-fired round includes a case sized to fit in a conventional large caliber gun; a launch tube disposed in the case; a plurality of projectiles axially stacked in the launch tube; each projectile comprising a cylindrical body having a circular lid that closes the forward end and a circular base that closes the rear end, the circular lid and the circular base defining a payload volume therebetween, the circular base including a cavity formed therein, a propellant charge disposed in the cavity, and an igniter disposed in the propellant charge; a case base plate that closes a rear end of the case; and electrical connections between the case base plate and each igniter.

Abstract: An explosive fragmentation munition having a longitudinal axis which includes a cylindrical shell portion having a thickness and an interior; a rounded shell portion having a thickness and an interior, the rounded shell portion being disposed at a front end of the cylindrical shell portion; an explosive disposed in the interiors of the cylindrical shell portion and the rounded shell portion; wherein the thickness of the rounded shell portion equals the thickness of the cylindrical shell portion where the rounded shell portion joins the cylindrical shell portion, and wherein the thickness of the rounded shell portion increases in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An automatic pallet to platform locking system enables pallets of supplies or cargoes to automatically be locked down onto the top of a transportation platform, thus avoiding the use of tie down straps and allowing for automated material handling equipment (MHE) such as a forklift. The present system replaces older, difficult to reconfigure, mostly manual loading and unloading systems and methods with a mechanical interface that allows for relatively easy reconfiguration for different pallet sizes, and that can simplify the task of loading and unloading pallets. The mechanical interface between a pallet and a transportation platform or flatbed is a metal to metal interface. It eliminates the need to tie and secure a strap, which is a time consuming and manual process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to test the abrasion resistance of materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a conduit network, a primary air stream generating device to generate a primary air stream in the conduit network, a secondary air stream generating device to produce a secondary air stream in the conduit network, and a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit network so that the particulate enters the secondary air stream. The conduit network merges the secondary air stream into the primary air stream to allow the particulate to enter the primary air stream, and allow the primary air stream to blow the particulate at a test sample positioned within the conduit network.

Abstract: A more efficient LiPF6 lithium-ion electrochemical system composed of a phosphate free, borate lithium salt electrolyte LiTPTB composed of LiBC32F24H12 in a ternary mixed organic solvent containing a 1:1:1 volume ratio of EC, DMC and EMC is provided. The borate salt of the LiTPTB electrolyte decomposes at temperatures above 110° C. and does not react with water and also has an oxidation potential of about 4.4 V versus lithium, making it suitable for use in high voltage lithium-ion cells and batteries. A 0.3 to 1.0 M molar concentration of LiTPTB composed of LiBC32F24H12 in a ternary mixed organic solvent containing a 1:1:1 volume ratio of EC, DMC and EMC is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissipating shock load in a parachute delivery system has at least one strip of material having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a predetermined length. The apparatus also has a piercing member having a first portion for piercing through the strip of material and a second portion that defines an opening. The strip of material passes through the opening in the piercing member. The first end of the strip of material is configured to be attached to parachute suspension lines. In a preferred embodiment, the strip of material is a strip of woven webbing. When a predetermined tensile force acts upon the strip of material and the piercing member such that the first end of the strip of woven webbing is pulled in one direction and the piercing member is pulled in an opposite direction, tension is produced which causes the piercing member to stretch and break the lateral fibers of the strip of woven webbing.

Abstract: Multi-modal vinyl ester resins having one or more of good fracture toughness, good processing viscosity, and low volatile organic compound emissions are provided. The multi-modal vinyl ester resins are the reaction product of a liquid or crystalline epoxy and an amorphous, solid epoxy, as determined at 25° C., with a vinyl carboxylic acid. The multi-modal vinyl ester resins may contain a reactive diluent, though generally, lower reactive diluent contents are required for such resins than for similar, commercially available vinyl ester resins.

Abstract: An automated ampoule breaking device includes a carriage having an opening for receiving and securely retaining a substrate in a substantially upright position, wherein the substrate includes at least one flexible compartment each having an outlet at the lower end and at least one ampoule contained therein; and at least one movable projection operatively associated with the carriage, wherein each of the at least one projection adapted for applying sufficient pressure progressing from the upper to the lower end of the corresponding flexible compartment to crush the at least one ampoule and direct the contents of the crushed ampoule out of the respective flexible compartment through the outlet.

Abstract: A waste stream is treated in a pre-filter having media, preferably sand, connected below a zero-valent metal column reactor incorporating a metal with reducing potential, preferably elemental iron (Fe0); the combination preferably configured as a single unit. The waste stream is pumped through the pre-filter to trap solids and deoxygenate it, then enters the reactor and is subjected to a reducing process. Most of the Fe0 is transformed to the ferrous ion (Fe+2), mixed with the reduced product, and fed to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which Fenton oxidation occurs. The output is then sent to a sedimentation tank and pH-neutralized using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The aqueous portion is drawn off and the sludge pumped from the sedimentation tank. The system is monitored and controlled to optimize required additives, while monitoring of pressure drop across the pre-filter and column reactor establishes replacement requirements.

Abstract: A band track for a tracked vehicle having enhanced resistance to mines includes a plurality of track pad units disposed on the bearing surface of the track band. The track pad units have extended end walls of sufficient height to distance the vulnerable portion of the band track from the shearing force of an exploding mine. These end walls are sufficiently strong to support the vehicle as it traverses terrain, but are configured to collapse in controlled manner under the force of an exploding mine. Such explosion forces a specifically configured front end wall of a trailing track pad to engage the matingly configured end wall of the leading track pad. The resulting mating juxtaposition of the adjacent end walls forms a relatively continuous physical barrier protecting the vulnerable section of the band track from shrapnel and other entrained ejecta of the explosion.

Abstract: A method of detecting oxidants in a biological sample comprising: adding a source of ferrous ions to said sample, whereby the presence of oxidants in said sample oxidize at least a portion of said ferrous ions to ferric ions; adding a chromogenic compound to said sample, whereby said chromogenic compound reacts with at least a portion of any ferric ions present in said sample; and detecting for the product of said chromogenic compound-ferric ion reaction; whereby the detection of said chromogenic compound-ferric ion reaction product indicates the presence of oxidants in said sample. The method of detecting adulteration of a urine sample also comprises adding a source of ferrous ions to a urine sample; adding a chromogenic compound to said urine sample; detecting the presence or absence of a chromogenic reaction product; determining a concentration of said chromogenic reaction product; and determining if said concentration signifies adulteration of said urine sample.

Abstract: Shigella vaccine strains whose primary attenuating feature is deletion of the virG(icsA) gene and additional two or more deletions in setAB(shET1), senA(shET2), senB(shET2-2), stxAB, and msbB2 genes. Thus, the vaccine strain will have three or more deletions in the identified genes, will be safer, and will reduce or eliminate symptoms of fever and diarrhea in humans. The following specific vaccine strains have been constructed: WRSS3 (?senA, ?senB, ?virG, ?msbB2), WRSf2G15 (?virG, ?setAB, ?senA, ?senB, ?msbB2), and WRSd5 (?virG, ?stxAB, ?senA, ?senB, ?msbB2).

Abstract: An end-of-service-life-indicator for a multi-agent respirator filter that is safe, reliable, and easy to read and may be configured to cover a broad range of threats, including chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals, is achieved by positioning an array of chemically reactive calorimetric indicators substantially next to a sorbent bed behind a viewing window that may be integrated into the filter housing. Each colorimetric indicator in the array may be configured to produce a color change in responsive to a different target threat or threat category and may be calibrated to display easily identifiable colors, symbols or patterns to indicate an optimum time to exchange a filter.

Abstract: A mortar munition includes a mortar tube; first and second openings in the wall of the mortar tube, the first opening being closer to a breech end of the mortar tube than the second opening; a spring loaded valve assembly disposed in the first opening in the wall of the mortar tube; and a shoe assembly disposed in the second opening in the wall of the mortar tube. The spring loaded valve assembly is connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the mortar bomb rearward in the tube. The shoe assembly includes a shoe that bears on the mortar bomb to hold it in place when the tube is in an elevated position.

Abstract: For use in a vehicular trailer hitch system, a vehicular trailer hitch lunette assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one “U” shaped outer laminate plate having two legs with a semi-circular region therebetween, and at least one substantially flat inner laminate plate positioned between the legs of the U-shape of the outer laminate plate to provide support, stiffness, and additional mechanical strength to the assembly. The outer laminate plate and the inner laminate plate have cooperating apertures that are traversely positioned therethrough and the apertures are aligned and sized such that fasteners may be snugly inserted therein to mechanically couple the laminate plates together as a sandwich structure having first and second ends.

Abstract: An eccentric adjustment and mounting system is useful for belt engaging engine components such as alternators or water pumps. The system includes a housing fixed to the engine, a socket rotatable in pawl-and-ratchet fashion within the housing, and a socket aperture eccentrically disposed relative to the socket's axis. The aperture receives the belt engaging component, whereby rotation of the socket moves the component to adjust belt tension.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution for lithium or a lithium ion cell, which improves lithium ion cell capacity retention and enhances storage life thereof. The non-aqueous solution can be implemented in the context of an electrolyte system that includes a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent formed from a mixture of one or more cyclic esters, and/or one or more chain esters, and at least one lactam based solvent. Such a system is suited for use with electrochemical energy storage devices, which are based on non-aqueous electrolytes, such as high energy density batteries and/or high power electrochemical capacitors. Such an electrochemical storage devices is generally based on non-aqueous electrolytes that include lithium salt dissolved in a solvent system.

Abstract: A chemical solution and process for the decontamination of chemical warfare agents. More particularly, a process for the decontamination of the vesicant HD by oxidation to its corresponding sulfoxide and nerve agents VX and GD by perhydrolysis to their non-toxic phosphonic acids using environmentally safe reactants, specifically a citrate/bicarbonate/molybdate peroxide solution.

Abstract: The device performs the function of opening and/or closing lids attached to containers, and more particularly child-proof lids in at least some embodiments. The device preferably includes a base, a post, a lever, a plate to engage the lid of a container, and a mechanism that coverts movement of the lever to rotational movement of the plate against a lid. The conversion mechanism in at least some embodiments includes a spring.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing polarized light back-scattered from a sample are provided. An exemplary system comprises an optical beamsplitter, a polarization separator and an array of light detectors. The optical beamsplitter is operative to receive an incident ray of light, to direct at least a portion of the incident ray to a sample, to receive a back-scattered ray from the sample, and to reflect at least a portion of the back-scattered ray as a reflected back-scattered ray. The polarization separator is located to receive the reflected back-scattered ray and is operative to divide the reflected back-scattered ray into a transverse-electric (TE) component and a transverse-magnetic (TM) component. The array of light detectors is located to receive the TE component and the TM component and is operative to acquire information corresponding to the respective intensities of the TE component and the TM component simultaneously. Methods and other systems also are provided.