Abstract: A system and method for optical communication between multiple UUVs, more specifically, for leader-follower formations between UUVs. The system focuses on the characterization and modeling of a 1-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional light field produced from a light source mounted on a Leader UUV, which is detected by one or more follower UUVs. Communication algorithms are used to monitor the UUV's motion and orientation utilizing simulators, look up tables, and the like. A variety of detectors arrays can be used in a variety of wavelengths depending on the desired application.

Abstract: The system and method for modifying the output beam parameters of a plurality of laser diode array sources comprises scalable pump sources for use with diode pumped alkali lasers. The present invention optimizes a diode laser pump source by spectrally-narrowing stacks of diode laser array bars using a single external cavity outfitted with a proprietary step-mirror and cylindrical optical elements. The system and method of the present invention multiplies by one-hundred fold the number of stacks that can be narrowed, vastly increasing the attainable power output by utilizing beam-splitters.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for preserving optical surfaces (e.g., windows, coatings, etc.) in a flowing gas amplifier laser system, such as a diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) system. In some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used, for example, to protect optical surfaces in a DPAL system from: (1) chemical attack by pump-bleached alkali vapor atoms and/or ions; and/or (2) fouling by adherence thereto of reaction products/soot produced in the DPAL. Also, in some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to substantially match the geometry of the pumping volume with that of the lasing volume, thereby minimizing or otherwise reducing the effects of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) on DPAL output power. Furthermore, in some cases, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to provide a DPAL system capable of producing a beam output power in the range of about 20 kW to 10 MW, or greater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Compounds such as terrylene or quaterrylene may now be prepared in relatively high yield by reaction of naphthalene or perylene via Scholl-type coupling in the presence of a superacid and an oxidant in an inert solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of incorporating lithium into a coating. One may supply a substrate having a coating containing aluminum ions and immersing the substrate including the coating containing aluminum ions in a water-soluble diketone including lithium for exchange where the ketone carbonyls are separated by at least one carbon atom. This may then be followed by exchanging a portion of the aluminum ions with lithium ions from the diketone solution. Such coatings may have improved chemical resistance.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for managing alkali vapor concentration in a lasing gas at non-condensing levels. In some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to control and/or stabilize the concentration of alkali vapor in a lasing gas volume to any desired fraction of its saturation value under dynamically changing thermal loads. In some such instances, the concentration of alkali vapor in a given lasing gas volume can be maintained at a value which is sufficiently far from the saturation point to prevent or otherwise reduce condensation of the alkali vapor, for example, upon accelerating the lasing gas through a pressure drop into an optical pumping cavity of an alkali vapor laser system (e.g., such as a diode-pumped alkali laser, or DPAL, system). In some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to establish a temperature gradient and/or an alkali vapor concentration gradient in the flowing lasing gas volume.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for preserving optical surfaces (e.g., windows, coatings, etc.) in a flowing gas amplifier laser system, such as a diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) system. In some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used, for example, to protect optical surfaces in a DPAL system from: (1) chemical attack by pump-bleached alkali vapor atoms and/or ions; and/or (2) fouling by adherence thereto of reaction products/soot produced in the DPAL. Also, in some instances, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to substantially match the geometry of the pumping volume with that of the lasing volume, thereby minimizing or otherwise reducing the effects of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) on DPAL output power. Furthermore, in some cases, the disclosed techniques/architecture can be used to provide a DPAL system capable of producing a beam output power in the range of about 20 kW to 10 MW, or greater.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing one or more data transfer parameters. A network map of a network is stored, and input data regarding a desired data transfer is received. The input data includes a sender identifier associated with a sender node in the network, a receiver identifier associated with a receiver node in the network, and a performance metric. A time for initiating the desired data transfer is determined based on the network map, the sender identifier, the receiver identifier, and the performance metric, and the determined time is provided as a recommendation for initiating the data transfer.

Abstract: A system and method using an Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD)-based energy detector for spectrum sensing in a communication system. The EMD energy detector needs no prior information of the received signal, has relatively low computational complexity, operates on non-stationary and non-linear signals, and performs well at low SNR.

Abstract: A system of the present invention is capable of detecting, imaging and measuring both neutrons and gamma rays. In some cases, the system has a plurality of parallel plates each containing a plurality of detectors. The plates comprise non-PSD organic scintillation detectors, scintillation detectors having pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) properties, and inorganic scintillation detectors. In some other cases, the system has a plurality of scintillation rods radially distributed about a central axis, and the scintillation rods comprise non-PSD organic scintillation detectors, scintillation detectors having pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) properties, and inorganic scintillation detectors. A first plate or rod and a second plate or rod are used in connection to detect, image and measure neutrons and/or gamma rays.

Abstract: Optical detectors and methods of optical detection for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are disclosed. The disclosed optical detectors and may be used to dynamically position UUVs in both static-dynamic systems (e.g., a fixed light source as a guiding beacon and a UUV) and dynamic-dynamic systems (e.g., a moving light source mounted on the crest of a leader UUV and a follower UUV).

Abstract: A redundant disk array method includes allocating identically sized logical blocks of storage units together to form a stripe on each of several data storage devices, at least two of the logical blocks in the stripe being located on different data storage devices, generating a lookup table representing a mapping between a logical location of each logical block in the stripe and a physical location of the respective logical block on the corresponding data storage device, and electronically writing data to the physical locations of each logical block in the stripe, the physical locations being obtained from the lookup table. In some cases, at least two of the data storage devices are heterogeneous, and at least two of the data storage devices have a different total number of logical blocks.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for producing a drop of a viscoelastic fluid. A separation volume of viscoelastic fluid that is to form a drop from a larger remnant volume of viscoelastic fluid is moved from through an interface and into a cross-channel. Movement subjects the viscoelastic fluid to shear that may cause a reduction in viscosity. Movement of the viscoelastic fluid is then reduced or stopped (i.e., the rate at which shear is applied is reduced), such that the viscosity of the viscoelastic fluid may increase as the viscoelastic fluid experiences relaxation. The separation volume of viscoelastic fluid is then moved down the cross-channel in a first direction by the flow of an immiscible fluid, which separates the separation volume from a remnant volume. The separation volume may then be dispensed from the cross-channel as a drop.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods to identify compounds to treat a phytoparasitic nematode infection and/or reduce phytoparasitic nematode contamination, and to methods and compositions to treat phytoparasitic nematode infections and to reduce phytoparasitic nematode contamination of a substrate such as, but not limited to: a plant, agricultural medium, or soil.

Abstract: An antenna system including a loop antenna including a conductor; and a magnetic gain element positioned in an aperture defined by the loop antenna, the magnetic gain element including a magnetic material that has a relative permeability greater than one for an operating frequency range, the magnetic gain element configured to increase a magnetic flux density associated with a received magnetic-field component of an incident electromagnetic wave wherein a loop output voltage induced in the loop antenna is based, at least in part, on the increased magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing boron nitride nanotubes and continuous boron nitride nanotube yarn or tapes is provided. The apparatus includes rotating reaction tubes that allow for continuous chemical vapor deposition of boron nitride nanotubes. The rotation of the reaction tubes allows the boron nitride nanotubes to be spun into yarns or made into tapes, without post process or external rotation or spinning of the gathered nanotubes. Boron nitride nanotube yarns or tapes of great length can be produced as a result, thereby providing industry with a readily useable format for this type of material. Dopants such as carbon can be added to engineer the band gap of the nanotubes. Catalysts may be formed outside or inside the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is a radially symmetric imaging detector that measures an incident neutron's or gamma-ray's energy and identifies its source on an event-by-event basis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a new class of semi-conducting nonacene derivatives. These compounds are all soluble species and they all possess superior resistance to oxidation as compared to their counterparts that lack the substitution patterns disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for recovering a vinyl acid monomer by providing an aqueous fermentation broth which undergoes microbial fermentation of a nutrient medium containing a carbon source including at least one microorganism to produce a vinyl acid monomer. The method provides a direct overall route to bio-based polymers of the vinyl acid monomer, and in particular, polymers of polyitaconic acid.

Abstract: A system of the present invention is capable of detecting, imaging and measuring both neutrons and gamma rays. The system has three parallel plates each containing a plurality of detectors. Each plate has different detectors. The first plate has plastic scintillation detectors. The second plate has a plurality of stilbene scintillation detectors having pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) properties. The third plate has a plurality of inorganic detectors. The first plate and the second plate are used in connection to detect, image and measure neutrons. The second plate and the third plate are used in connection to detect, image, and measure gamma rays.