Abstract: This disclosure concerns a method of making a ligand for Quantum Dot functionalization, a method of making a functionalized Quantum Dot (QD) with a ligand, and a method of making a transparent luminescent quantum dot thiol-yne nanocomposite with tailorable optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The prepolymer solution and functionalized Quantum Dot can be used in additive manufacturing.

Abstract: A magnetic induction device is provided for triggering an electric spark discharge in response to a variable voltage. The device includes an inductor; a resistor series having first and second resistors; and a discharge device. These are arranged in a receiver circuit in which the inductor, the resistor series and the spark gap are disposed in parallel. The inductor connects between the first and second resistors to a gate electrode of the discharge device. Magnetic flux induces a current into the electrode responsive to the receiver circuit temporarily overlapping the inductor, thereby inducing the spark.

Abstract: An exemplary inventive molding device includes two mold components characterized by matching rounded-star shapes. Each mold component includes eight congruent rounded-tip projections and eight congruent apertured sections separated from each other by the projections and describing a ring shape. The projections correspond to the equiangular points of a star. Each section has a medial hole and is interposed between and connects two projections. The mold components are joined so that their respective projections and holes are even with each other and fasteners are installed through the holes. Appropriate introduction and curing of a castable material inside the joined mold components produces a flexible device suitable for use as part of a biomimicking soft robot.

Abstract: The present invention includes fan near vertical incident skywave (NVIS) antennas, communication systems and method of use. Fan NVIS antennas may be configured in either base station or remote station for use with transceivers. Fan NVIS base station antennas may be in configurations of either 3 or 4 dipoles and include waist wires connecting adjacent vertices and skirt wires connecting dipole end points. Fan NVIS remote station antennas may be in a 2-dipole configuration and also include skirt wires connecting adjacent dipole end points.

Abstract: A method for increasing validity of digital signatures comprising: receiving a request from a browser to have a user apply a digital signature to a document; verifying that the document complies with a predefined ruleset (e.g., prescribing font colors); presenting the user with the document on a user-computer interface in such a way that the document's entire content is completely reviewable by the user only if the document complies with the predefined ruleset; upon receiving instruction from the user to sign the document, generating a digital signature according to Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) public key infrastructure (PKI) that protects the document in its entirety, as presented to the user in the previous step; enabling the user to perform one or more of printing, sharing, and saving the digitally-signed document in a memory store; and sending the digitally-signed document with the newly-generated signature to the browser.

Abstract: A sub-surface sensor housing for remote underwater vehicle deployment and recovery. Moreover, a housing for a sub-surface sensor, comprising a housing body, having a top side, a bottom side, and a sensor cavity in which a sub-surface sensor is placed, wherein the housing body further comprises a plurality of slots through its walls slightly larger than a clamp tie; an attachment hoop coupled to the top side of the housing body, configured to receive a gripping hook from an aquatic vehicle, wherein the attachment hoop has a vertical height that extend above an interference zone; and a plurality of outriggers, coupled to the bottom side of the housing body, configured to disperse the weight of the housing the subsurface sensor.

Abstract: A communication method including emitting laser pulses as a signal using one or more transmitters at an atmospheric point. Plasma is generated at the atmospheric point to radiate omnidirectional light. The plasma from the atmospheric point is detected using one or more receivers. The one or more receivers have a direct line-of-sight to the atmospheric point to receive the signal from the one or more transmitters via the omnidirectional light generated by the plasma. The signal is demodulated from the transmitted plasma at each receiver, thereby transmitting information encoded on the signal.

Abstract: A method of making an erasable nanocellulose electronic structure comprising the steps of providing a nanocellulose sheet, adhering metal contacts onto the nanocellulose sheet, applying solder to the metal contacts, and attaching surface mount devices to the contacts. An erasable nanocellulose electronic structure comprising a nanocellulose sheet, a metal contact on the nanocellulose sheet, a layer of solder on the metal contact, and a surface mount device to the contact.

Abstract: Thermoelectric (TE) nanocomposite material that includes at least one component consisting of nanocrystals. A TE nanocomposite material in accordance with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, multiple nanocrystalline structures, nanocrystal networks or partial networks, or multi-component materials, with some components forming connected interpenetrating networks including nanocrystalline networks. The TE nanocomposite material can be in the form of a bulk solid having semiconductor nanocrystallites that form an electrically conductive network within the material.

Abstract: An article having: an elastomeric jacket; a gel within the jacket; and a plurality of gas-filled, polymerically-encapsulated microbubbles suspended in the gel. The microbubbles have a Gaussian particle size distribution. The largest microbubble has a diameter at least 10 times the diameter of the smallest microbubble. The article may exhibit Anderson localization at at least one frequency of sound waves impacting the article.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions containing nanoparticles of a metal nitride, boride, silicide, or carbide, a filler material, and a carbonaceous matrix. The precursor to this material contains nanoparticles or particles of boron, silicon, iron, a refractory metal, or a refractory metal hydride, an organic compound having carbon and hydrogen, and a filler material. Multilayered materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include free-space optical communication systems and methods employing homodyne encoding on the receiver sides of the terminals that are configured to mitigate optical degradation due to atmospheric turbulence.

Abstract: A data pod release system includes a base frame with a mooring weight, a central column with one or more central pod attachments and an electronic pod, one or more data pod attachments, and one or more electrical connections. The electronic pod encases a master electronic underwater housing unit with master electronics to control the data pod release system. The one or more data pod attachments attach one or more data pods to the central column, have a data pod release mechanism, and include electrical connections from master electronics to each data pod attachment. The data pod release system also includes data pods, underwater housing units, electronic storage devices, and sensors. The data pods are attached to the base frame via the data pod attachment. Each underwater housing unit is encased in the data pod. Each electronic storage device is enclosed within the underwater housing unit.

Abstract: A magnetic field detector includes a substrate, two or more Josephson junctions, and one or more heater elements. The two or more of Josephson junctions are connected to each other by superconducting interconnected paths via a superconducting material and are arranged in an array. The one or more heater elements directly or indirectly adjust the temperature of at least one Josephson junction via a tunable power source.

Abstract: A rendering system that includes at least one processor configured to receive a plurality of data points, receive at least one priority assignment, assign at least one priority value to the plurality of data points based on the at least one priority assignment, and render the plurality of data points based on the at least one priority value.

Abstract: A method and system for generating laser induced plasma targets for use as an electromagnetic testbed. A method comprising the steps of propagating an intense laser pulse in a media, dividing the laser pulse into a plurality of lasers, focusing each of the plurality of lasers, directing each of the plurality of lasers into a testbed and rastering a plasma-based array, wherein the array is reflective of incident frequencies. Additionally, a plasma target system comprising: a laser source, a focus lens, a steering system, a plasma-based array, and an interrogation system. The laser source generates a short laser pulse. The focus lens focuses the laser pulse. The steering system directs the laser pulse into a test bed. The plasma-based array serves as a target for the testbed. The interrogation system utilizes an incident frequency for tracking the plasma-based array.

Abstract: Described herein are ultra-thin nanocellulose flexible electronic device on which SU-8, an epoxy material which can become highly stressed upon UV exposure, is printed on desired areas. Upon UV exposure and then release from the surface it is anchored on, the nanocellulose device will spontaneously self-mold into a desired form due to stress differences between the SU-8 and the nanocellulose sheet. The flexible electronics can be manufactured using standard printed circuit board processing techniques, including electroless metallization and soldering of surface mount components.

Abstract: Multiplexed fiber optic sensors are able to monitor a multitude of sensor positions along an optical fiber from a single interrogation point. A long-standing goal is to increase the length of fiber and the number of multiplexed sensors without significantly compromising performance or increasing the size, weight, power and cost of the fiber and interrogation system. A technique is provided for performing extremely long-range, multiplexed fiber optic strain sensing in an efficient manner. This technique utilizes a serial optical frequency comb based interrogation system to probe an array of sensors placed along a single optical fiber.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated tool adapted to remove coatings and surfaces from a substrate. The tool may comprise a robotic machine that includes a surface removal tool, a manipulator arm, and a rotation assembly. The manipulator arm may position the surface removal tool to a location along the substrate. The rotation assembly may adjust an angular position of the surface removal tool. A first end of the manipulator arm may be coupled to the surface removal tool, and a second end of the manipulator arm may be coupled to the rotation assembly. The manipulator arm may be hydraulically extended and retracted. The rotation assembly may comprise a spindle, and may be attached to a hinge pin and an air bladder. The rotation assembly may comprise a worm drive.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated tool adapted to remove coatings and surfaces from a substrate. The tool may comprise a robotic machine that includes a surface removal tool, a manipulator arm, and a rotation assembly. The manipulator arm may position the surface removal tool to a location along the substrate. The rotation assembly may adjust an angular position of the surface removal tool. A first end of the manipulator arm may be coupled to the surface removal tool, and a second end of the manipulator arm may be coupled to the rotation assembly. The manipulator arm may be hydraulically extended and retracted. The rotation assembly may comprise a spindle, and may be attached to a hinge pin and an air bladder. The rotation assembly may comprise a worm drive.