Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and retain equipment to be decontaminated. The system also includes a solar reflector configured to reflect solar energy towards the containment vessel in order to heat the containment vessel. The system further includes end supports configured to receive and retain the solar reflector and the containment vessel. The system also includes a base having or coupled to multiple side supports, where each side support is configured to contact and support a corresponding one of the end supports. In addition, the system includes one or more semi-transparent solar shades configured to reduce the solar energy reaching the solar reflector and the containment vessel.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of a qubit device comprising a chiral nanocrystal includes measuring a voltage, a current, or a magnetic field of the nanocrystal; assigning the nanocrystal a superposition state if the measured voltage, current, or magnetic field is less than a superposition threshold; and assigning a base state value of the nanocrystal if the measured voltage is greater than a base state threshold. The measured voltage, current, or magnetic field corresponds to a clockwise or counter clockwise flow of electrons around the nanocrystal.

Abstract: The MPD thruster improvements described here apply to coaxial gas-fed quasisteady self-field devices without auxiliary magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the state of a qubit device comprising a chiral nanocrystal includes measuring a voltage, a current, or a magnetic field of the nanocrystal; assigning the nanocrystal a superposition state if the measured voltage, current, or magnetic field is less than a superposition threshold; and assigning a base state value of the nanocrystal if the measured voltage is greater than a base state threshold. The measured voltage, current, or magnetic field corresponds to a clockwise or counter clockwise flow of electrons around the nanocrystal.

Abstract: Composite nanoparticle compositions and associated nanoparticle assemblies are described herein which, in some embodiments, exhibit enhancements to one or more thermoelectric properties including increases in electrical conductivity and/or Seebeck coefficient and/or decreases in thermal conductivity. In one aspect, a composite nanoparticle composition comprises a semiconductor nanoparticle including a front face and a back face and sidewalls extending between the front and back faces. Metallic nanoparticles are bonded to at least one of the sidewalls establishing a metal-semiconductor junction.

Abstract: Composite nanoparticle compositions and associated nanoparticle assemblies exhibit enhancements to one or more thermoelectric properties including increases in electrical conductivity and/or Seebeck coefficient and/or decreases in thermal conductivity. A composite nanoparticle composition comprises a semiconductor nanoparticle including a front face and a back face and sidewalls extending between the front and back faces. Metallic nanoparticles are bonded to at least one of the sidewalls establishing a metal-semiconductor junction.

Abstract: A qubit device includes a crystal immobilized on a substrate and in contact with electrodes. The crystal exhibits a charge pair symmetry and with an electron current moving clockwise, counter clockwise, or both. The current in can be placed in a state of superposition wherein the current is unknown until it is measured, and the direction of the current is measured to produce a binary output corresponding to a logical zero or a logical one. A state of the qubit device is monitored by measuring a voltage, a current, or a magnetic field and assigning a superposition or base state depending on a threshold value.

Abstract: The Guideless Resilient Androgynous Serial Port (GRASP) mechanism provides an androgynous mechanical and electrical interface that can be tailored to the meet the requirements of a given application. Each mechanism is equipped with physical connections (spring pins) for both power and data transmission between modules.

Abstract: The Guideless Resilient Androgynous Serial Port (GRASP) mechanism provides an androgynous mechanical and electrical interface that can be tailored to the meet the requirements of a given application. Each mechanism is equipped with physical connections (spring pins) for both power and data transmission between modules.

Abstract: A Fiber-fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster (FPPT) has an anode, a coaxial insulator, and a fiber propellant feed system. At least two cathodes insulated from each other are configured about the coaxial insulator to define an interior profile shaped into a nozzle region. At least one igniter fitted through each cathode. Wherein when the igniters are triggered, the igniters expel electrons toward the anode to ignite a primary high energy discharge between the anode and the cathodes thereby creating a plasma that vaporizes the fiber propellant. The dissociated fiber propellant combines with the primary high energy discharge to create a partially or fully ionized plasma, that is electromagnetically and electrothermally accelerated to produce predominantly {right arrow over (j)}×{right arrow over (B)}{right arrow over (j)}×{right arrow over (B)} thrust.

Abstract: Ion separation media are described herein employing thermoelectric materials and architectures. In some embodiments, an ion separation medium comprises a layer of inorganic nanoparticles having a Seebeck coefficient sufficient to transport ionic species in a liquid medium along surfaces of the layer in the presence of a thermal gradient.

Abstract: A Fiber-fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster (FPPT) utilizes a motor to feed PTFE fiber to its discharge region, enabling high PPT propellant throughput and variable exposed fuel area. A highly parallel ceramic capacitor bank lowers system specific mass. Impulse bits (I-bits) from 0.057-0.241 mN-s have been measured on a thrust stand with a specific impulse (Isp) of 900-2400 s, representing an enhancement from state-of-the-art PPT technology. A 1 U (10 cm×10 cm×10 cm, or 1 liter) volume FPPT thruster package will provide 2900-7700 N-s total impulse, enabling 0.6-1.6 km/s delta-V for a 5 kg CubeSat. A 1 U design variation with 590 g propellant enables as much as ˜10,000 N-s and a delta-V of 2 km/s for a 5 kg CubeSat. Increasing the form factor to 2U increases propellant mass to 1.4 kg and delta-V to 10.7 km/s for an 8 kg CubeSat.

Abstract: The Guideless Resilient Androgynous Serial Port (GRASP) mechanism provides an androgynous mechanical and electrical interface that can be tailored to the meet the requirements of a given application. Each mechanism is equipped with physical connections (spring pins) for both power and data transmission between modules.

Abstract: In some embodiments, thermoelectric apparatus and various applications of thermoelectric apparatus are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric apparatus described herein comprises at least one p-type layer coupled to at least one n-type layer to provide a pn junction, and an insulating layer at least partially disposed between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, the p-type layer comprising a plurality of carbon nanoparticles and the n-type layer comprising a plurality of n-doped carbon nanoparticles.

Abstract: The Guideless Resilient Androgynous Serial Port (GRASP) mechanism provides an androgynous mechanical and electrical interface that can be tailored to the meet the requirements of a given application. Each mechanism is equipped with physical connections (spring pins) for both power and data transmission between modules.

Abstract: The Guideless Resilient Androgynous Serial Port (GRASP) mechanism provides an androgynous mechanical and electrical interface that can be tailored to the meet the requirements of a given application. Each mechanism is equipped with physical connections (spring pins) for both power and data transmission between modules.

Abstract: In some embodiments, thermoelectric apparatus and various applications of thermoelectric apparatus are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric apparatus described herein comprises at least one p-type layer coupled to at least one n-type layer to provide a pn junction, and an insulating layer at least partially disposed between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, the p-type layer comprising a plurality of carbon nanoparticles and the n-type layer comprising a plurality of n-doped carbon nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods that treat damaged spinal cord tissue, such as spinal tissue damaged by disease, infection, or trauma, which may lead to the presence of swelling, compression, and compromised blood flow secondary to interstitial edema.

Abstract: In one aspect, thermoelectric apparatus and articles and various applications of thermoelectric apparatus and articles are described herein. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric apparatus described herein comprises at least one p-type layer coupled to at least one n-type layer to provide a pn junction, and an insulating layer at least partially disposed between the p-type layer and the n-type layer, the p-type layer comprising carbon nanoparticles and the n-type layer comprising n-doped carbon nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles of the p-type layer and/or the nanoparticles of the n-type layer are disposed in a polymeric matrix comprising electrically poled polymer. In some embodiments, a thermoelectric article comprises a thermally insulating support and thermoelectric modules formed of a structure passing around or through the thermally insulating support to provide faces of the thermoelectric modules on opposing sides of the thermally insulating support.

Abstract: The monofilament vaporization propulsion system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a mechanical feed, an elongated barrel, a heater block, a tube, and a nozzle. A monofilament solid propellant is wound around a spool and fed into the mechanical feed. The elongated barrel is configured to receive the solid propellant towards a second end. The heater block is positioned near the second end of the barrel and configured to heat the propellant into a liquid propellant as the solid propellant moves towards the second end. The tube receives the liquid propellant and is configured to evaporate the liquid propellant into a gaseous propellant. The gaseous propellant enters a nozzle in communication with the tube. The gaseous propellant being fed into the nozzle entrance expands there-through to create propulsion out an nozzle exit.