Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for midair deployment of an aerostat may include an inflatable structure including a balloon at least partially defining a volume, a reaction vessel defining a chamber in fluid communication with the volume, a fuel package disposed in the chamber, the fuel package including a container and water-reactive aluminum, the container fluidically isolating the water-reactive aluminum from an environment of the chamber, and an actuator actuatable to release the water-reactive aluminum from the container into the environment of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell includes transferring an anode semi-solid suspension to an anode compartment defined at least in part by an anode current collector and an separator spaced apart from the anode collector. The method also includes transferring a cathode semi-solid suspension to a cathode compartment defined at least in part by a cathode current collector and the separator spaced apart from the cathode collector. The transferring of the anode semi-solid suspension to the anode compartment and the cathode semi-solid to the cathode compartment is such that a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance between the anode current collector and the separator is maintained within a predetermined tolerance. The method includes sealing the anode compartment and the cathode compartment.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with biomass decomposition are generally described. Certain embodiments are related to adjusting a flow rate of a fluid comprising oxygen into a reactor in which biomass is decomposed. The adjustment may be made, at least in part, based upon a measurement of a characteristic of the reactor and/or a characteristic of the biomass. Certain embodiments are related to cooling at least partially decomposed biomass. The biomass may be cooled by flowing a gas over an outlet conduit in which the biomass is cooled, and then directing the gas to a reactor after it has flowed over the outlet conduit. Certain embodiments are related to systems comprising a reactor and an outlet conduit configured such that greater than or equal to 75% of its axially projected cross-sectional area is occupied by a conveyor.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for midair deployment of payload may include an aerostat including an inflatable structure, at least one tether, and a trigger, the at least one tether extending between the inflatable structure and the trigger, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including wings, the at least one tether mechanically coupling the at least one UAV to the inflatable structure, and the trigger actuatable to release mechanical coupling of the at least one tether between the at least one UAV and the inflatable structure in midair.

Abstract: Materials, kits, and methods are directed to controlling reactability of activated aluminum to produce hydrogen when exposed to water. For example, a moisture-stabilized material may be treatable with one or more additives to form a water-reactive source of hydrogen. The moisture-stabilized material may include a bulk volume including aluminum, at least one activation metal disposed along the aluminum within the bulk volume, the at least one activation metal more noble than the aluminum, and a salt along at least an outer surface of the bulk volume, the salt dissolvable in water to form an ion-containing solution at a rate faster than a reaction rate of water with the aluminum of the bulk volume.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that are coated on only one side of a current collector. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a semi-solid positive electrode coated on only one side of a positive current collector and a semi-solid negative electrode coated on only one side of a negative current collector. A separator is disposed between the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode. At least one of the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode can have a thickness of at least about 250 ?m.

Abstract: A method for creating a tapered spiral welded conical structure where the overall shape of the cone is first graphically slit axially and unwrapped, and then a series of construction arcs and lines are created to form the edge lines of a strip that can then be wrapped (rolled) to form a tapered conical structure. The edges of the spirally wound strip can be welded together, and a very large conical structure can thus be achieved. Various construction options are presented from a constant width strip to strip made from straight segments. Equations are given for the formation of the strips to enable those skilled in the art of spiral welded tubing to practice the invention.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for midair deployment of payload may include an aerostat including an inflatable structure, at least one tether, and a trigger, the at least one tether extending between the inflatable structure and the trigger, and at least one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including wings, the at least one tether mechanically coupling the at least one UAV to the inflatable structure, and the trigger actuatable to release mechanical coupling of the at least one tether between the at least one UAV and the inflatable structure in midair.

Abstract: A system for controlling contamination in hydrogen production from water-reactive aluminum includes at least one reaction vessel. For example, each reaction vessel may include a container, a conduit, and a plurality of baffles. The container may define a volume, and the conduit may define an orifice outside of the container and spaced away from the container. The plurality of baffles may be disposed in the volume to form a tortuous flow path through the volume to the orifice of the conduit to facilitate rapid production of a large quantity of hydrogen from water-reactive aluminum while reducing the likelihood that ejecta, aerosols, or a combination thereof, may escape the reaction vessel to interfere with end-use of the hydrogen produced.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

Abstract: A method of packaging water-reactive aluminum may include directing at least one discrete object into a container, the at least one discrete object including an aluminum alloy, the aluminum alloy plastically deformed and non-recrystallized, introducing, into the container, a liquid metal alloy including one or more activation metals, enclosing the at least one discrete object and the liquid metal alloy with one another in the container to form a kit, for a predetermined period, exposing the kit to a heating environment, and agitating the at least one discrete object and the liquid metal alloy in the container in the heating environment during the predetermined period to form the kit into a packaged unit of water-reactive aluminum.

Abstract: A system for deploying an inflatable structure may include a balloon defining an envelope having a first stiffness, a valve assembly including a control valve, and a reactor defining a chamber having a second stiffness, the valve assembly disposed in fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the control valve selectively actuatable to control fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the second stiffness of the chamber greater than the first stiffness of the envelope, and the reactor foldable onto itself along the chamber and elastically deformable to unfold in response to an increase in pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: Braille writing devices and systems, and corresponding methods of writing braille characters on a tape medium are described herein. The devices and systems emboss tactile dots on different types of tape medium to enable braille character writing and advance the tape medium to create accurate and repeatable spacing of the braille characters. The devices and systems may be comprised of simply molded plastic parts that snap together using elastically averaging precision alignment features.

Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.

Abstract: Centrifugal pump systems and related methods are disclosed herein that can shift a best efficiency point of a pump based on one or more operating conditions to operate more efficiently across and/or adjust to a broader range of conditions. Pumps provided for herein can include an adaptive volute in which a geometry of the volute can be adjusted to shift an operating efficiency of the pump. In some embodiments, a height or radial dimension of the adaptive volute can be adjusted based on one or more operating condition. A geometry of the adaptive volute can be adjusted during operation of the pump and/or while an impeller is disposed within the volute. In some embodiments, a first and second collar can be disposed within the adaptive volute. Rotation of the first component can move the second component axially, which can expand or contract an axial dimension of the adaptive volute.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to magnetically moveable displacement devices or robotic devices. Particular embodiments provide systems and corresponding methods for magnetically moving multiple movable robots relative to one or more working surfaces of respective one or more work bodies, and for moving robots between the one or more work bodies via transfer devices. Robots can carry one or more objects among different locations, manipulate carried objects, and/or interact with their surroundings for particular functionality including but not limited to assembly, packaging, inspection, 3D printing, test, laboratory automation, etc. A mechanical link may be mounted on planar motion units such as said robots.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that are coated on only one side of a current collector. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a semi-solid positive electrode coated on only one side of a positive current collector and a semi-solid negative electrode coated on only one side of a negative current collector. A separator is disposed between the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode. At least one of the semi-solid positive electrode and the semi-solid negative electrode can have a thickness of at least about 250 ?m.