Abstract: The present invention relates to a backpack system for transporting items and an accompanying device. In exemplary embodiments, carried items are kept secure within a plurality of item holders to prevent the items from moving. The item holders can be rigid structures like cylinders or flexible canvas pouches. In exemplary embodiments, the backpack system can have configurations for carrying either a device or additional items.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a fully integrated broadband interconnect. The system comprises a first integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit, and a coupler structure to connect the first and second integrated circuits, where the coupler structure includes a base portion and a top portion that are connected by two vertical walls. The top portion has a gap that increases a strength of a transverse electric field across the gap when the coupler structure is operating in an odd higher order mode that is horizontally polarized, where the coupler structure is full of a dielectric material, and where the cross-sectional width of the coupler structure is tapered in a direction of wave propagation. The system further comprises a dielectric waveguide attached to the top portion of the coupler structure, where the dielectric waveguide supports the odd higher order mode and an even higher order mode.

Abstract: A connector sealing plug for sealing openings on a connector. The plug includes a rod with a first end and a second end, with the first end having a first diameter, and the second end having a second diameter. The rod has a first bevel at the first end and a second bevel between the first end and the second end. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter, and the rod is adaptable to tool-lessly press fit into and out of the sealing openings such that a fluid resistant seal is formed and contacts within the connector are protected, wherein the sealing plug does not engage existing mechanical locks within the connector. The first end has a first fossa and the second end has a second fossa. The rod has a defined configuration identifiable by size, color, and fossae, and the rod is manufactured from electrically insulating material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for determining the distance between two positions are disclosed. The system includes a correlator, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The first and second receivers each include: an antenna, a steering mechanism, and a processor. The steering mechanism steers the antenna in an azimuthal direction and an elevation direction. The processor is configured to (i) control the steering mechanism, (ii) receive data recorded by the antenna from a plurality of sources, (iii) time-stamp the data recorded by the antenna, and (iv) control the transmission of the time-stamped data to the correlator. The correlator is configured to receive the time-stamped recorded data from the first receiver and the second receiver, and calculate a distance between the first receiver and the second receiver based thereon.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to estimating river discharge and depth. Initially, observed velocities are used to generate a maximum velocity streamline for a river section, which is then used with an observed shoreline to construct a streamline curvilinear grid. The grid is used to interpolate scattered velocity data points, which are used with a bottom friction of the river section to approximate mean total head slope values. A least squares minimization scheme is applied to a velocity-slope relationship to estimate a bottom friction and discharge coefficient by fitting a difference in the predicted mean total head elevation values between upstream and downstream ends of the river section to a respective ?-average of the measured total head values of the river section. Discharge of the river section is determined based on the coefficient and a velocity-depth relationship and then used to generate a river forecast.

Abstract: Various embodiments can include artificial learning counter surveillance (ALCS) or self-protection surveillance systems (SPSS) and related methods. Apparatuses and methods can include non-destructive electro-optic interference or protection systems as well non-destructive directed energy systems, a control system, and an analysis system for determining an optical system of interest and generating degradation or disruption effects using various equipment items and machine learning systems. Additionally, methods are also provided for determining degree of severity of degradation or disruption based on threshold definitions related to ability to use the optical system of interest for one or more specified applications.

Abstract: An exemplary inventive acoustic wall panel includes a pair of congruent flat rectangular plates and a housing. The two plates adjoin at their respective vertical edges to form an angle Ø between the two plates, wherein 90°?Ø<180°. Each plate has a material characteristic relating to acoustic reduction through the plate. Design of an inventive wall panel includes selection of the angle Ø and the respective plate materials, with an objective of producing counteractive acoustic vibratory motions in the two plates in response to sound waves impinging upon the inventive wall panel. Acoustic vibratory motion is induced in each plate whereby the respective vibratory motions tend to oppose each other, thereby reducing sound transmission across the inventive wall panel. The housing lends support to the two attached plates and facilitates connection of the inventive wall panel to another inventive wall panel or to a different structure.

Abstract: A nucleic acid encodes a single-domain antibody (sdAb) is produced by causing a bacteria to express the sdAb into cytoplasm of the bacteria, wherein the sdAb is expressed as a fusion protein with the acid tail of ?-synuclein. In embodiments, the protein is free of a periplasmic location tag. Such antibodies have the unexpected ability to refold after thermal denaturation.

Abstract: Exemplary practice of the present invention provides an air vehicle and at least one interferometric double-path fiber optic sensor connected with the air vehicle. Each fiber optic sensor includes a pair of optical fibers, viz., an optical sensing fiber and an optical reference fiber, in a parallel and propinquus relationship. The paired optical fibers of each fiber optic sensor are attached to the air vehicle either (i) circumferentially around the fuselage or (ii) lengthwise along the fuselage or (iii) span-wise along the wings and across the fuselage, and are configured whereby the sensing fiber is exposed to the atmosphere and the reference fiber is not. Each fiber optic sensor senses atmospheric infrasound but does not sense atmospheric wind noise, which is negated by incoherency associated with design lengthiness of the optical fiber pair. Noise and strain due to temperature, vibration, and propulsion are neutralized via interferometric common mode rejection.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a microelectromechanical system device. Submerging a microelectromechanical system device in water. The microelectromechanical system devices include a sacrificial layer deposited on the surface of a substrate between the portion of a structural layer to be freed for movement and a base. Anodically etching the sacrificial layer from the microelectromechanical device to free the portion of the structural layer for movement. A system comprising a solution of water, a microelectromechanical system device including a sacrificial layer of chromium deposited on the surface of a substrate between a portion of a structural layer and a base. The microelectromechanical system device is submerged in the solution of water. An electrode is submerged in the water. The electrode provides a negative bias. A voltage source provides a positive bias to the sacrificial layer of chromium, anodically etching the sacrificial layer of chromium and freeing the portion of the structural layer.

Abstract: Systems and related methods are provided for improving cognitive function of a wireless power system designer and simulate various aspects of a wireless power system as an aid in making design selections in a tradeoff environment. Various embodiment enable such improved cognitive function by providing machine instructions that generate various graphical user interfaces which enable the wireless power system designer to visualize, compare, select, and change a variety of independent and dependent variables pertaining to a plurality of potential wireless power systems, a plurality of potential diodes, and a plurality of potential coplanar striplines for use in a plurality of operational environments as desired by the wireless power system designer. Aspects of various embodiments display design constraint warnings thereby providing visual display of design space solutions that do not violate various design constraints.

Abstract: A device for detecting frequency modulated continuous wave radar includes an antenna connected to a bandpass filter. The antenna is configured to receive frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) pulses within a predetermined frequency range. A frequency mixer is connected to the bandpass filter and a synthesizer and is configured to mix a signal from the synthesizer with an output of the bandpass filter to produce basebanded data. A high-pass filter is configured to isolate short pulses pertaining to the basebanded data, and a low-pass filter is configured to isolate long pulses pertaining to the basebanded data. A microprocessor is configured to set thresholds for comparison with the outputs of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter.

Abstract: A buoy, comprising a body, an inflatable bladder, a bladder cover, a pressure vessel, a variable-volume, gas-filled chamber, a controller, a compressor, and a ballast. The bladder cover surrounds the inflatable bladder. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, the bladder cover is configured to compress the inflatable bladder so as to conform to an exterior contour of the body. The variable-volume, gas-filled chamber provides passive, variable buoyancy to the buoy. The controller is configured to control a transfer of compressible gas between the inflatable bladder and the first pressure vessel. The compressor is configured to remove gas from the inflatable bladder, compress the removed gas, and introduce the compressed gas to the first pressure vessel for storage. The ballast maintains a substantially vertical orientation of the buoy when the buoy is in water.

Abstract: A process that uses a lodged projectile removal charge (LPRC) apparatus to remove a projectile jammed in a cannon's gun tube. The LPRC is positioned coaxially and offset from the projectile, and the gun tube is filled with water. The charge is detonated producing a shock wave that disintegrates the LPRC apparatus and pressurizes the water. The pressurized water produces a radial hydraulic force against an interior wall of the gun tube, an axial hydraulic force against the projectile pushing the projectile toward the chamber, and produces an opposing expansion of explosive gases that blasts out most of the water in the gun tube. The process is less likely to damage the gun tube. The LPRC may be made using a 3D printer.

Abstract: A target spar. A left jaw member. The left guidance portion has a left spiral curve. The left arm portion has a left arm profile, a left arm gear, and a left arm protrusion. A right jaw member. The right guidance portion has a right spiral curve. The right arm portion comprises a right arm gear and a right arm protrusion. A top plate member. A bottom plate member. A drive unit comprising an electric motor within a pressure housing. A drive shaft on the electric motor. The bottom plate member abuts the left jaw member, the right jaw member, and the top plate member. The left jaw member and the right jaw member opened and closed. At the closed position, the target spar is slidably received in the left and right jaw members, the top and bottom plate members, and abuts the left and right arm profiles.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the proportional gain value of a proportional controller for use in an unmanned underwater vehicle. The invention includes the steps of: recording at an unmanned underwater vehicle a captured image in the direction of travel; applying a first filter to the captured image; calculating a first distance from each pixel in the captured image to a specified target color; finding the selected pixel from the captured image with the minimum distance from the specified target color, normalizing the image coordinates of the selected pixel into normalized image coordinates; passing the normalized image coordinates as an error value to the proportional controller; calculating a rate of error at the proportional controller; updating the proportional gain according at the proportional controller; and applying a control signal at the proportional controller.

Abstract: A waveguide and methods for manufacture can include a silicon wafer and a silicon substrate on the wafer that can be patterned into a silicon waveguide. A cladding can be deposited on the wafer and that waveguide using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. When a PECVD process is used, the cladding portions that are in contact with that waveguide and in the immediate vicinity can have a lower density, and a lower refractive index n of less than (n<1.3). The lower uniform cladding refractive index can be uniform from the waveguide surfaces out to approximately one micrometer from the waveguide. This can further in result in an increased difference between the refractive index of the silicon waveguide and the adjacent lower refractive index cladding portions, which can further result in greater light confinement within the waveguide (i.e. reduced losses during transmission).

Abstract: A process for producing metastable nanocrystalline alpha-alumina (?-Al2O3) having particle sizes smaller than 12 nm. Starting crystallites of ?-Al2O3 having a particle size larger than 12 nm, typically on the order of about 50 nm, are ball-milled at low temperatures to produce a nanocrystalline ?-Al2O3 powder having a particle size of less than 12 nm, i.e., below the theoretical room temperature thermodynamic size limit at which ?-Al2O3 changes phase to ?-Al2O3, wherein the powder remains in the ?-Al2O3 phase at all times.

Abstract: A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A method of making a graphene and liquid crystal device comprising the steps of providing a substrate, depositing a layer of graphene on the substrate, and depositing a layer of liquid crystals on the layer of graphene.

Abstract: A method for interacting with a communications asset survey and mapping tool via a graphical user interface (GUI) includes capability to view and modify data types overlaid on a map interface displayed in the GUI. The data types include at least two of fixed asset information, mobile asset information, public safety agencies, communications unit personnel, radio channel sharing and usage, radio system coverage data, event-incident common operation picture (COP), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) information. Display of the data types on the map interface can be filtered based on at least one of an asset-owning organization and selected geographical areas including states and counties. Reports can be generated about the data-type information, and the reports can include analytics information that is filterable by at least one of an objects summary, fixed assets, and mobile assets. Data-type information can be exported to a third-party software application and formatted into tables.