Abstract: A “meet me” model of collaboration among autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and human workers (pickers) to execute picking and putting within a logistics facility. The AMRs include an intelligent platform having an array of indicator elements that illuminate subsets of the indicator elements to indicate tote locations and numbers of items to be received therein. The pickers receive instructions from a central server on a user device that they hold or wear, and the AMRs receive a list of stop locations within the logistics facility. Selection of the picker to provide an item to an AMR as it approaches one of the stop locations may be dynamic as each picker instruction includes a single item type to be delivered to/from an AMR. Moreover, the central server determines timing for sending the instructions to a user device based on a location of the robot designated to collect an item, thus streamlining workflows for each of the AMR and picker.

Abstract: Acoustic particle metamaterials in Smart Proppants reflect sound waves at distinct frequency ranges when receiving sounds from an above ground or in-ground source. Sound receivers at separated locations receive the reflected sound waves at distinct times, providing information on location of the Smart Proppants, which are mixed with conventional proppants. The Smart Proppants prevent transmission of waves at precise ranges of frequencies and reflect those waves.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: A firefighter's emergency boot light that has a built-in LED light generator position to cast a beam of light out of the bottom of a heel or sole of a fireman's boot. The light source can cast a very bright, blinking beam of light out of the bottom of the boot in a backwards direction to allow a firefighter crawling behind another to see the feet one crawling ahead inside a dark, smoky structure. The LEDs typically are white for maximum visibility, and typically blink at a rate of several times a second. The LEDs are electronically activated either from a radio unit located at a control point for example, on the fire engine. Activation signals can be coded to turn on specific boots, or general to turn on all boots at a scene. The boots can use rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A missile component such as a rocket motor case, of an initial transverse cross-sectional shape flexible into another, different cross-section responsive to application of internal pressure from ignition of a propellant grain within the component. A missile launch assembly including at least one missile of a non-circular cross-section disposed within a segment of a partitioned circular launch tube. A multi-stage missile comprising at least a first stage and a second stage having rocket motor cases of non-circular transverse cross-section, the rocket motor case of at least one of the stages being deformable into another, different cross-section. A method of launching a missile including igniting a rocket motor of a missile component having a first cross-section, internally pressurizing the missile component substantially concurrently with motor ignition and flexing the component rocket motor into a second, different cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film. The film converts mechanical energy into voltage signals. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data from the sensor for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. The sensor may be an array of sensors provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other patient support for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

Abstract: A real-time in-situ sensor system is provided for measurement of bioluminescence and determination of bioluminescence surface signature. The system measures bioluminescence in the wake of a submerged moving object as well as ambient light levels outside of the wake. Along with measurements of depth and water-quality parameters including turbidity, temperature and salinity, the surface signature of the induced underwater bioluminescence can be calculated by considering light transmission and attenuation through water. With this real-time information, the operator of the submerged moving object can employ tactical maneuvers to affect the resultant surface signature.

Abstract: Passive physiological monitoring apparatus and method has a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. A converter converts sensed data into electrical signals and a computer receives and computes the signals and outputs computed data for real-time interactive display. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A band-pass filter filters out noise and isolates the signals to reflect data from the body. A pre-amplifier amplifies signals. Signals detected include mechanical, thermal and acoustic signatures reflecting cardiac output, cardiac function, internal bleeding, respiratory, pulse, apnea, and temperature. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film and may be fluid-filled. The film converts mechanical energy into analog voltage signals. Analog signals are fed through the band-pass filter and the amplifier. A converter converts the analog signals to digital signals. A Fourier transform routine is used to transform into the frequency domain.

Abstract: A method for achieving optimum coaxial lidar configuration using optical fibers. Optical fibers are used with mirrors or lenses to create light paths that can achieve an optimum lidar configuration while employing fewer components than that of prior art for a more simplified, lightweight, and less expensive system to produce. The lidar components, including the laser source and the light detector unit, may be placed in a separate housing. A separate housing eliminates unnecessary weight in the optical telescope assembly, makes scanning of the system easier, and enables a better omni-directional cloud height indicator.

Abstract: A missile component such as a rocket motor case, of an initial transverse cross-sectional shape flexible into another, different cross-section responsive to application of internal pressure from ignition of a propellant grain within the component. A missile launch assembly including at least one missile of a non-circular cross-section disposed within a segment of a partitioned circular launch tube. A multi-stage missile comprising at least a first stage and a second stage having rocket motor cases of non-circular transverse cross-section, the rocket motor case of at least one of the stages being deformable into another, different cross-section. A method of launching a missile including igniting a rocket motor of a component having a first cross-section, internally pressurizing the missile component substantially concurrently with motor ignition and flexing the component rocket motor into a second, different cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Conductive silver ink is reinforced using carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanomaterials are stabilized and uniformly dispersed in a solvent and mechanically mixed with conductive silver ink. The reinforcement material bridges the gap between separated silver flakes in the conductive silver ink. The carbon nanotubes reinforced conductive silver ink exhibits superior performance over unreinforced silver ink in its mechanical, electrical and thermal properties without significantly greater weight.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide passive patient monitoring of such parameters as body motion, body position, respiratory rate and/or heart rate. Passive monitoring generally involves a sensor device having at least two piezoelectric sensors, provided on a surface, such as a bed, chair, operating table or the like, so that a patient may be coupled with the device by simply allowing the patient to lie, sit, lean, stand on or wear the surface. In one embodiment, multiple patients in a general care area of a hospital may be continuously monitored via multiple passive monitoring devices. If a patient fails to meet one or more predefined threshold criteria or has a negative physiological trend, the system may activate an alarm.

Abstract: Conformable skin elements provide active vortex control. The skin element is mounted on a surface and acts like a pressure transducer and flow modifier. A micro-processor is coupled to the skin element and a feedback loop for controlling activation of the skin-element corresponding to surface pressures detected on the skin element. Additional pressure transducers may be provided for communicating with the feedback loop. These may include surface mounted taps or manometers and the like. Wires connect the skin elements, the feedback loop, and the micro-processor for conducting voltage to the skin elements and for transmitting pressure signals from the skin element via the feedback loop to the micro-processor. The skin element may be mounted on the surface by any known mounting system. Perimeter mounts on the skin element allow bulge deflection while cantilevered mounts allow cantilever deflection of the skin element.

Abstract: A lightweight, low-cost, and highly sensitive aerosol sensor measures aerosol concentrations remotely. A fiber laser sends pulses outward toward the target area from a carbon-fiber telescope using ultra-lightweight optical elements. Light is received back in the same telescope or in another similar telescope depending on the aerosol concentration or other contents of the atmosphere. The sensor is lightweight, low-cost and has high performance. The system also measures aerosol profiles over a hemispherical volume to produce a three-dimensional measurement within the range of the laser.

Abstract: Passive Physiological monitoring apparatus and method have a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. A converter converts sensed data into electrical signals and a computer receives and computes the signals, and outputs computed data for real-time interactive display. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A band-pass filter filters out noise and isolates the signals to reflect data from the body. A pre-amplifier amplifies signals. Signals detected include mechanical, thermal and acoustic signatures reflecting cardiac output, cardiac function, internal bleeding, respiratory, pulse, apnea, and temperature. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film and may be fluid-filled. The film converts mechanical energy into analog voltage signals. Analog signals are fed through the band-pass filter and the amplifier. A converter converts the analog signals to digital signals. A Fourier transform routine is used to transform into the frequency domain.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide passive patient monitoring of such parameters as body motion, body position, respiratory rate and/or heart rate. Passive monitoring generally involves a sensor device having at least two piezoelectric sensors, provided on a surface, such as a bed, chair, operating table or the like, so that a patient may be coupled with the device by simply allowing the patient to lie, sit, lean, stand on or wear the surface. In one embodiment, multiple patients in a general care area of a hospital may be continuously monitored via multiple passive monitoring devices. If a patient fails to meet one or more predefined threshold criteria or has a negative physiological trend, the system may activate an alarm.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for 3-D measurement and visualization of cloud formations using ceilometers and computer software. Data collected from the ceilometers contains cloud range information in polar coordinates (r,&thgr;,&pgr;) which is then converted to a cloud height depiction in a 3-D space. Visualization of data is enhanced by animating consecutive sets of data in a time loop to show the movement and evolution of the clouds over the measurement site during an extended period of time.

Abstract: Ballast water is treated by applying ultrasonic frequencies to the water to kill organisms entrained in the water such as diatoms, veligers, fish larvae, plankton, and microorganisms, preventing the introduction of non-indigenous species between ports-of-call. The ballast water is circulated through a ballast treatment system. A pump is connected to a tube lined with a piezoelectric material for aiding in transmitting the ultrasonic frequencies connected to one or more ballast tanks of a ship. The use of the piezoelectric material as a lining allows a broad range of sound wavelengths and energy levels to be transmitted greater distances before problems with uniform sound penetration and energy loss within the sound field occur. Additionally, spatially-controllable, continuous constructive interference zones may be generated within the piezoelectric-lined tubes to specifically target the particular organisms entrained within the ballast water being treated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for 3-D measurement and visualization of cloud formations using ceilometers and computer software. Data collected from the ceilometers contains cloud range information in polar coordinates (r,&thgr;,&pgr;) which is then converted to a cloud height depiction in a 3-D space. Visualization of data is enhanced by animating consecutive sets of data in a time loop to show the movement and evolution of the clouds over the measurement site during an extended period of time.