Abstract: A system and method for performing high-resolution imagery of a target are provided. One embodiment is a method of performing high-resolution imagery of a target comprising: generating a chirped waveform that modulates a light signal transmitted toward a target for performing active LADAR of the target; generating a low-frequency local oscillator waveform for performing active imaging; and simultaneously performing passive imaging and active LADAR.

Abstract: A waveguide has upper and lower cladding regions. A core of the waveguide made of a non-linear optical polymer is positioned between the upper and lower cladding regions. A first electrode is connected to the upper cladding region and a second electrode is connected to the lower cladding region. The upper cladding region and the lower cladding region are made of photonic band gap materials and have multiple periods of cladding layers with each period having a first layer having a linear refractive index of n1 and each period having a second layer having a linear refractive index of n2. The waveguide allows for minimal distances to exist between the electrodes while allowing for virtual lossless cm-long transmission of propagating light. By applying a voltage to the electrodes, the propagated light can be modulated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting particles entrained in a gaseous stream are disclosed. A representative system, among others, includes a particle scanner, a sorter, which is in pneumatic communication with the particle scanner, and a controller, which is in electrical communication with the particle scanner and sorter. The particle scanner is adapted to receive a gaseous stream and measure a characteristic of a particle entrained in the gaseous stream. The controller is adapted to classify the scanned particle according to the measured characteristic of the particle. The sorter includes an electrically controlled valve. Responsive to the particle being classified as belonging to a first category, the controller signals the valve to deflect the trajectory of the particle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing electrostatic platform noise in electric-field sensors due to various self-charging and discharging processes are provided. A representative method includes: identifying avoidance regions of an electrostatically-floating sensor platform that have a propensity for self-induced charging and discharging; locating a first electrode and a second electrode on the electrostatically-floating sensor platform, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned and dimensioned to receive substantially equal amounts of distributed charge via self-charging; and obtaining a differential signal from these two electrodes that is proportional to an external ambient E-field of interest, while at the same time nulling out the common-mode signal that results from sensor platform self-charging and/or discharging.

Abstract: An image analysis and enhancement system is provided with an image processor, imaging metrics, an image storage depository, and a reconfigurable sensor device that can be present at the same location. A remote reconfigurable sensor device is connected to the image processor via a communication link. Both the reconfigurable sensor device and the remote reconfigurable sensor device are equipped with selectable optical elements and imaging elements that are selected in a desired combination and orientation to capture desired image frames from a target scene or object. The selectable optical and imaging elements are provided with actuating devices to move and translate the selected optical and imaging elements into a desired orientation with one another, so that a desired imaging technique can be employed to obtain an enhanced image. The system is applicable to industrial, medical and military use.

Abstract: A one-piece metal cartridge loop has no welds and no overlapping parts. The cartridge loop includes a plurality of locking tabs for positioning a cartridge therein. One end of the cartridge loop includes a coupling interface and another end of the cartridge loop includes a coupling support. A method of making the non-welded cartridge loop is disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) to optical converter for RF imaging, wherein the converter comprises an array of RF antenna pixels adapted to receive RF signals, wherein the RF antenna pixels are adapted to facilitate RF resonance of the received RF signals; a photonic band gap (PBG) layer connected to the array of RF antenna pixels, the PBG layer comprising at least two materials, arranged in a photonic crystal (PC), wherein at least one of the materials comprises an electro-optic (EO) material, wherein the EO material is adapted to use the RF resonant signals to produce changes in optical properties of the EO material, and wherein the PC is adapted to use changes in optical properties of the EO material to produce enhanced changes in optical properties of the PBG layer; and an RF ground plane connected to the PBG layer.

Abstract: A method for discriminating between explosive events having their origins in High Explosive or Chemical/Biological detonation employing multiresolution analysis provided by a discrete wavelet transform. Original signatures of explosive events are broken down into subband components thereby removing higher frequency noise features and creating two sets of coefficients at varying levels of decomposition. These coefficients are obtained each time the signal is passed through a lowpass and highpass filter bank whose impulse response is derived from Daubechies db5 wavelet. Distinct features are obtained through the process of isolating the details of the high oscillatory components of the signature. The ratio of energy contained within the details at varying levels of decomposition is sufficient to discriminate between explosive events such as High Explosive and Chemical/Biological.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the on-demand production of small quantities of lead azide. First, a metered quantity of sodium azide solution and a metered quantity of a solution of a lead salt sufficient to react with the sodium azide are introduced into a T-mixer or Y-mixer. Then, the sodium azide and lead salt solutions are conveyed into a static mixer and the azide and lead compounds are permitted to react together, forming insoluble crystals of lead azide as a slurry in an aqueous medium. The lead azide crystals are then separated from the aqueous medium. The process is carried out within an explosion-proof chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a cartridge loop, the cartridge loop having a coupling interface with an opening defined in part by a pair of substantially parallel lines separated by a distance; and a coupling comprising first and second ends and a link that connects the first and second ends, the first end connecting with the coupling interface of the cartridge loop wherein a portion of the link adjacent the first end has a first thickness that is greater than the distance between the substantially parallel lines and a second thickness that is less than the distance between the substantially parallel lines.

Abstract: A through-optical bench is the optical equivalent of a folded-optical system. Folded optics is generally found in cannon launched guided projectiles and always includes a mirror mounted on a gimbal. Inside the projectile the optical image is hidden behind the mirror and is not easily accessible by measurement instrument. In the through-optical bench the image is repositioned to where it is easily viewed; hence enabling a much finer process to improve manufacturing accuracy and throughput. The through-optical bench uses a collimated beam of light which passes through the seeker nose optical cluster, then through a mask which mimics the mirror, then through an identical optical cluster which substitutes for the reflection, and finally onto a screen to form a focused image directly viewable by a microscope. The clusters and mask simultaneously step through various yaw angles made possible by a reversing linkage that moves them as mirror images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polypeptides and variants thereof comprising a polypeptide sequence having substantial identity to ricin A chain (RTA) that lack detectable N-glycosidase-rRNA activity or exhibit reduced N-glycosidase-rRNA activity as compared to controls and methods of making and using thereof. The polypeptides and variants have a greater solubility in aqueous solutions of physiological pH and ionic strength than RTA and also retain the integrity of the neutralizing immunological epitope of wild type RTA. Also disclosed are immunogenic compositions that may be used to immunize a subject against ricin intoxication. Methods of immunizing against, treating, and preventing ricin intoxication are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to amino acid sequences from within a consensus peptide of the formula: VEKNITVTASVDPTIDLLQADGSALPSAVALTYSPA (SEQ ID. NO: 1) Eight mer peptides from within the consensus peptide were tested against an antibody raised to the consensus peptide. Studies relating to antibody raised to denatured proteins from the natural organisms producing the family of proteins were also useful and showed particular value of some sequences. A sequence of the formula ASVDPTIDLLQA (SEQ ID NO: 2) was identified thereby. An enlarge sequence of the formula TVTASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 3) is also especially interesting as are intermediate sequences such as sequences VTASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 4), TASVDPTIDLLQAD (SEQ ID NO: 5), and TASVDPTIDLLQA (SEQ ID NO: 6) as being binding sites for antibodies raised to the denatured proteins.

Abstract: A mortar cartridge generates effective white or colored smoke obscuration with reduced adverse environmental impact and collateral damage and provides an improved drag assembly that reduces drift during projectile descent and improves targeting.

Abstract: A method for rapidly extracting data file samples with an a signal monitor and an automatically adjusted decimation ratio is provided to solve the long-standing problems caused by large data files and small buffers by reducing a large data segment to a smaller, more manageable size automatically so that a lower resolution version of the data segment will be loaded into a fixed-size small buffer in the computer's working space buffer for further data editing. In accordance with the methods of this invention, the segment size will vary during the operation of a means for zooming-in and the decimation ratio is updated and adjusted automatically based on the variation of segment size. The present invention insures that the best resolution of the data segment will be achieved when fitting the varying large size data segment into the fixed small size buffer.

Abstract: Magnetic field structures composed of nested cylindrical magnetic laminae that are magnetically oriented perpendicular to their planes and configured to cause a volume charge density and cancel the field effects of unwanted surface negative charges are provided by arranging nested thin magnetic laminae into various configurations. This arrangement causes a uniform volume magnetic charge density, which results in a magnetic field normal to the laminae. The invention's nested cylindrical magnetic laminae magnetic field structures and methods cancel the field effects of the deleterious unwanted surface charges because these surface charges are so situated that their contributions to the internal magnetic field mutually cancel each other, and thus they are no longer detrimental to the magnetic field created by the volume charge density. One embodiment provides a cylindrical magnetic field gradient source structure.

Abstract: The Variable-Force Payload Ejecting System, residing within an air vehicle, utilizes multiple pressure generators, one or more of which may be activated, to produce variable levels of force. A controlling computer within the air vehicle determines when and how much pressure needs to be generated to eject a given item, such as a submunition, from the vehicle. In its determination, the computer factors in the vehicle's forward velocity and height over the intended target at the time of ejection and the characteristics of the particular submunition to be ejected. An activating mechanism activates one or more pressure generators to produce the determined amount of pressure. The pressure thusly generated acts on an inflatable tube that inflates and expels the selected submunition. The result is a more precise delivery of the submunitions onto the intended targets.

Abstract: A restrained surface wave resonator with reduced or abated acceleration sensitivity is provided with a stiffening layer, adhesive layers and subsurface horizontal indentations on the substrate to achieve reduced acceleration sensitivity, increased structural rigidity, decreased sensitivity to in-plane deformations, a lightweight device and reduced deleterious effects from environmental shocks and vibration. The substrate of the restrained surface wave resonators features multiple subsurface horizontal indentations in one major substrate surface deposited on a stiffening layer to provide improved structural rigidity against flexure caused by normal acceleration based upon the diminished mass and reduced weight resulting from removal of portions of the substrate subsurface through micro-machining, and it also tends to improve excessive sensitivity to other flexural deformations. The present invention encompasses a restrained surface wave resonator device and a restrained surface wave resonator system.

Abstract: A grenade container includes a box having a bottom and four sides; a first foam layer disposed on the bottom of the box; a second foam layer disposed on the first foam layer and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving grenades; a plurality of grenades placed in the openings in the second foam layer; a first partition disposed on the grenades placed in the openings in the second foam layer; a third foam layer disposed above the first partition and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving grenades; a plurality of grenades placed in the openings in the third foam layer; a second partition disposed on the grenades placed in the openings in the third foam layer; a fourth foam layer disposed above the second partition; and a lid and a latch for closing the box.

Abstract: A self-contained, leak-proof sampling device and kit employing said device for collecting chemical and biological samples from various surfaces. The invention provides a sampling device and kit that may be employed to easily collect chemical and biological samples, safely transport the collected samples, safely dispense collected samples for analysis and provide optimum sample recovery. The sampling device is in the form of a leak proof container that comprises a lid and base. The lid contains a sterile absorbent collection means integrated into and positioned on the inside surface of the lid. The base contains a means to facilitate sample recovery from the absorbent collection means via compression and/or scraping of the absorbent collections means. Methods for employing the present invention are described herein.