Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lidar surveying instrument, which is capable of detecting and discriminating laser-induced particle fluorescence of any biological or non-biological atmospheric particles. The present astrobiology sensing instrument can remotely sense and discriminate, in real-time, the bio-indicator aerosol material signatures and environmental interferents that exist in an extraterrestrial environment, such as Mars, in order to expand the search for signatures of extraterrestrial life from the planetary soil to the planetary ground level atmosphere, by performing atmospheric volume scans of hundreds of meters in a radial direction around a planetary vehicle or a spacecraft. The Lidar instrument technology of the present invention employs real-time aerosol particle detection and discrimination based on two physical variables: particle fluorescence and particle size in the bio-discrimination space.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided that includes a protective shroud to protect a sealing element from hazardous elements and/or a hazardous environment.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to Frequency Diversity Pulse Pair (FDPP) methods and technology implemented by, alternating the order of the pulse pair transmitted or order of the group of multiple pulses transmitted, the pulses differentiated based on the center frequency of each transmitted pulse. For example, where a pair of transmitted pulses have center frequencies f1 and f2, the pulses transmitted in pairs such that the first pair may be f1 followed by f2 and the second pair are a different order, such as f2 followed by f1.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with fuel cell power management. According to one embodiment, a fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells producing electric potentials. An electric potential of a fuel cell is measured as a fuel cell voltage. The fuel cell stack further includes a plurality of connection points including a ground, a first connection point, and a second connection point. The first connection point draws a first voltage based on combined fuel cell voltages of a first set of fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells. The second connection point draws a second voltage based on the combined fuel cell voltages of a second set of fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells.

Abstract: A thermo-acoustic engine and/or cooler is provided and includes an elongated tubular body, multiple regenerators disposed within the body, multiple heat exchangers disposed within the body, where at least one heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to each of the multiple regenerators, multiple transducers axially disposed at each end of the body, and an acoustic wave source generating acoustic waves. At least one of the acoustic waves is amplified by one of the regenerators and at least another acoustic wave is amplified by a second one of regenerators.

Abstract: A dual band infrared imaging system self-contained to fit within a small spacecraft is provided. The imaging system uses a detector array cooled by a mini cryocooler, and includes telescope optics and two bandpass filters for fire detection and thermal and evapotranspiration Earth science.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) architecture and process, in which priority aircraft and ADS-B IN and radar traffic information are included in the transmission of data through the telemetry communications to a remote ground control station. The present invention further proposes methods for displaying general aviation traffic information in three and/or four dimension trajectories using an industry standard Earth browser for increased situation awareness and enhanced visual acquisition of traffic for conflict detection. The present invention enable the applications of enhanced visual acquisition of traffic, traffic alerts, and en-route and terminal surveillance used to augment pilot situational awareness through ADS-B IN display and information in three or four dimensions for self-separation awareness.

Abstract: A microsensor and its method of manufacture are disclosed based on templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures. The microsensor includes an electrode that in one embodiment may be configured as a first sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of first peaks and first valleys and a second electrode that by be configured as a second sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of second peaks and second valleys where the second peaks generally align with the first peaks of the first electrode. A plurality of templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures connect on one side to the first electrode and on another side to the second electrode, where an electrical property of the microsensor changes in response to exposure to an environment to be monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of wirelessly powering an aerospace vehicle while the vehicle is on the ground is provided to solve a problem of supplying electric power for aircraft while idling on taxiways. Present systems typically require fuel-driven auxiliary power units (APU's) to generate electricity. Running APU's to power aircraft while idling requires over 443 million gallons of jet fuel annually at a cost of $1.3 billion dollars. This results in an estimated 4.7 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. At the gate, shore power is provided via hardline connection.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a relative deflection detector may include at least two structural arcs, and a predetermined number of means for measuring position capable of determining the relative deflection in a first component. The at least two structural arcs may be for example, comprised of a first and second structural arc whereby the first and second structural arcs are attached to the first component at respective first and second predetermined locations and whereby each arc is comprised of a respective sequence of indicators, such as, for example, codes inscribed on the outer circumference of each arc. The first and second structural arcs may be positioned in concentric and coplanar relationship with each other.

Abstract: A propellant distributor or anode includes a plenum chamber and a plurality of outlets. The at least one plenum chamber is configured to receive a flow of propellant from an inlet, and the plurality of outlets are configured to distribute the flow of propellant into an inner channel wall and an outer channel wall of a discharge channel.

Abstract: A high efficiency secondary signal combiner may include a frequency division multiplexer that is configured to receive two or more signals and produce a combined signal. The combined signal may include the two or more signals, and each of the two or more signals may be in different Nyquist zones. The combiner may also include a wideband analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that is configured to frequency shift the combined signal by sub-sampling the two or more signals to produce a sub-sampled signal in a Nyquist zone that is different from the Nyquist zones of the two or more signals.

Abstract: A durable bond pad structure is described that facilitates highly durable electrical connections to semiconductor microelectronics chips (e.g., silicon carbide (SiC) chips) to enable prolonged operation over very extreme temperature ranges.

Abstract: A piezoelectric field disturbance sensing system includes a piezoelectric element for generating mechanical energy when electrically excited and for generating electrical energy when mechanically deformed. A mass is coupled to the piezoelectric element. A signal generator is coupled to the piezoelectric element for applying electrical energy thereto for a fixed period of time. As a result, the piezoelectric element undergoes mechanical deformation and the mass reverberates in response to such mechanical deformation. A charge monitor is coupled to the piezoelectric element for monitoring electrical energy generated thereby during a time period subsequent to the fixed period of time.

Abstract: A multimode directional coupler is provided. In some embodiments, the multimode directional coupler is configured to receive a primary signal and a secondary signal at a first port of a primary waveguide. The primary signal is configured to propagate through the primary waveguide and be outputted at a second port of the primary waveguide. The multimode directional coupler also includes a secondary waveguide configured to couple the secondary signal from the primary waveguide with no coupling of the primary signal into the secondary waveguide. The secondary signal is configured to propagate through the secondary waveguide and be outputted from a port of the secondary waveguide.

Abstract: A passive beamforming rectenna includes a plurality of antennas, a plurality of terminal port rectifying circuits, and a beamforming network. The beamforming network includes (a) a plurality of antenna ports connecting to the plurality of antennas, and (b) a plurality of terminal ports connecting to the plurality of terminal port rectifying circuits. The beamforming network further includes a microwave lens or any of a variety of other structures. The beamforming rectenna is characterized by a plurality of radiation distribution patterns. Electromagnetic power is received through the plurality of antennas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing and processing digital data comprising a plurality of infra-red (IR) video images acquired by a pulse thermography system are used to compute video data from the raw and smoothed video data acquired for the performance of non-destructive evaluation. New video data types computed may include but are not limited to contrast evolution data such as normalized contrast, converted contrast and normalized temperature contrast. Additionally, video data types computed comprise surface temperature, surface temperature rise and temperature simple contrast.

Abstract: A two-way microwave power divider (the “power divider”) may include an input port and two output ports. The power divider may also include a junction that is configured to split a feedline from the input port into a first transmission line and a second transmission line. One or more resistors may be placed along the first transmission line and the second transmission line to provide isolation between the two output ports.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe a battery including a plurality of master-less controllers. Each controller is operatively connected to a corresponding cell in a string of cells, and each controller is configured to bypass a fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a greater charge than one or more other cells in the string of cells.

Abstract: A lenslet based integral field spectrograph (IFS) may have a design that makes better use of the detector pixels by placing adjacent spectra next to each other rather than staggering the spectra. Such a design maintains the main compactness and simplicity of prior lenslet array based IFSs, but improves the detector efficiency, which is rather low in conventional lenslet array based IFSs.