Abstract: A battery module for construction of a battery pack includes a battery sealed in a rectangular housing with front and rear open ends closed by front and rear plates, respectively. The rear plate includes a plurality of rear plate bores in axial alignment with a plurality of housing bores proximal the rear open end of the housing. The front plate includes a plurality of front plate bores in axial alignment with a plurality of housing bores proximal the front open end of the housing. The front plate additionally includes positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the battery.

Abstract: Graphene particulates, especially graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and a high-throughput process for the production of such particulates is provided. The graphene particulates are produced by a nanotomy process in which graphene blocks are cut from a source of graphite and then exfoliated into a plurality of graphene particulates. Graphene particulates having narrow widths, on the order of 100 nm or less, can be produced having band gap properties suitable for use in a variety of electrical applications.

Abstract: Graphene particulates, especially graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and graphene quantum dots Ds and and a high-throughput process for the production of such particulates is provided. The graphene particulates are produced by a nanotomy process in which graphene blocks are cut from a source of graphite and then exfoliated into a plurality of graphene particulates. Graphene particulates having narrow widths, on the order of 100 nm or less, can be produced having band gap properties suitable for use in a variety of electrical applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inspecting thin film specimens along a line. A laser emits pulses of light that are split into first, second, third and fourth portions. A delay is introduced into the first portion of pulses and the first portion of pulses is directed onto a thin film specimen along a line. The third portion of pulses is directed onto the thin film specimen along the line. A delay is introduced into the fourth portion of pulses and the delayed fourth portion of pulses are directed to a photorefractive crystal. Pulses of light reflected from the thin film specimen are directed to the photorefractive crystal. Light from the photorefractive crystal is collected and transmitted to a linear photodiode array allowing inspection of the thin film specimens along a line.

Abstract: A dual shock absorber kit for mounting to the rear end of a vehicle, especially a truck, for better handling of the vehicle when driving. The kit includes first and second pairs of shock absorbers each comprising front and back shock absorbers. First and second axle mounting brackets are also provided for mounting to a rear wheel axle of a vehicle. A cross bar extends between a pair of side rails of a support frame of the vehicle. One end of the front shock absorber of each of the pairs of shock absorbers is coupled to an associated axle mounting bracket while the other end of the front shock absorber of each of the pairs of shock absorbers is coupled to the side rail of the support frame of the vehicle adjacent the associated axle mounting bracket.

Abstract: Fourier transform spectrometer using a multielement liquid crystal display. A ferroelectric liquid crystal mask is used as an optical encoder for a solid-state Fourier transform spectrometer. A 1.times.64 element array was striped and used as a 1.times.4 element device. The device intersected dispersed radiation and encoded each spectral component thereof with a carrier signal by applying half-wave potentials to each of the four striped (1.times.16) liquid crystal elements which varied the transmitted amplitude of the light from 0.03% to 28% of full scale. The light was spectrally recombined and imaged onto a photomultiplier and the resulting carrier frequencies (and their amplitudes) detected by Fourier transformation of the time-varying signal. Spectra of colored-glass filters were taken to demonstrate the spectrometer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conducting coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy in shock-compressed materials are disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample vessel having an optically transparent wall and an opposing optically reflective wall. Two coherent laser beams, a pump beam and a broadband Stokes beam, are directed through the window and focused on a portion of the sample. In the preferred embodiment, a projectile is fired from a high-pressure gas gun to impact the outside of the reflective wall, generating a planar shock wave which travels through the sample toward the window. The pump and Stokes beams result in the emission from the shock-compressed sample of a coherent anti-Stokes beam, which is emitted toward the approaching reflective wall of the vessel and reflected back through the window. The anti-Stokes beam is folded into a spectrometer for frequency analysis.

Abstract: A method for determining molecular vibrational frequencies in shock-compressed transparent materials. A single laser beam pulse is directed into a sample material while the material is shock-compressed from a direction opposite that of the incident laser beam. A Stokes beam produced by stimulated Raman scattering is emitted back along the path of the incident laser beam, that is, in the opposite direction to that of the incident laser beam. The Stokes beam is separated from the incident beam and its frequency measured. The difference in frequency between the Stokes beam and the incident beam is representative of the characteristic frequency of the Raman active mode of the sample. Both the incident beam and the Stokes beam pass perpendicularly through the shock front advancing through the sample, thereby minimizing adverse effects of refraction.