Abstract: A lunar rover includes a lunar rover body, at least one wheel coupled with the lunar rover body, a drive module coupled with the at least one wheel, the drive module configured to drive rotation of the at least one wheel over a surface, an extension arm coupled to the lunar rover body, an emitter array coupled to the extension arm, and a controller electrically connected with the emitter array. The controller is configured to control the emitter array to emit at least one of laser electromagnetic waves or maser electromagnetic waves towards the surface to sinter lunar regolith particles on the surface.

Abstract: A lunar rover chassis includes at least two wheels, a power supply, and at least one axle assembly coupled between the at least two wheels. The axle assembly includes an inner axle coupled with the at least two wheels, and an outer wall surrounding the inner axle. The inner axle is configured to rotate to drive rotation of the at least two wheels, the inner axle includes a first conductive surface, and the outer wall includes a second conductive surface. The power supply is electrically connected to the first conductive surface of the inner axle and the second conductive surface of the outer wall, and the power supply is configured to apply a voltage difference between the first conductive surface of the inner axle and the second conductive surface of the outer wall to attract or repel lunar regolith from the outer wall.

Abstract: A system for detecting wear in an encoder used to sense a wheel speed in a vehicle comprises a sensor configured to sense the wheel speed of the vehicle by sensing a magnetic material on the encoder coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. A noise detection module includes a plurality of noise detectors configured to detect noise in a wheel speed signal generated by the sensor. An estimation module is configured to estimate a state of health of the encoder based on the noise detected in the wheel speed signal and to generate an alert in response to the state of health indicating that an amount of wear on the encoder is greater than a predetermined threshold. A filter is configured to filter the noise in the wheel speed signal and to output a filtered wheel speed signal to a control system controlling stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for detecting wear in an encoder used to sense a wheel speed in a vehicle comprises a sensor configured to sense the wheel speed of the vehicle by sensing a magnetic material on the encoder coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. A noise detection module includes a plurality of noise detectors configured to detect noise in a wheel speed signal generated by the sensor. An estimation module is configured to estimate a state of health of the encoder based on the noise detected in the wheel speed signal and to generate an alert in response to the state of health indicating that an amount of wear on the encoder is greater than a predetermined threshold. A filter is configured to filter the noise in the wheel speed signal and to output a filtered wheel speed signal to a control system controlling stability of the vehicle.

Abstract: An iridium interfacial stack (“IrIS”) and a method for producing the same are provided. The IrIS may include ordered layers of TaSi2, platinum, iridium, and platinum, and may be placed on top of a titanium layer and a silicon carbide layer. The IrIS may prevent, reduce, or mitigate against diffusion of elements such as oxygen, platinum, and gold through at least some of its layers.

Abstract: Specific types of compounds that impart highly effective softening, antistatic, and ironability characterostics to and for various types of launderable fabrics (such as garments, tablecloths, draperies, and the like) through a rinse-cycle application within a standard machine laundering process are provided. Such compounds provide effective lubricity to target fibers as well as simultaneous static dissipative characteristics either alone or, as one preferred embodiment, in combination with other typical fabric softening agents. Such a composition comprising or method utilizing such compounds thus provides a relatively simple, yet highly effective manner of imparting these highly desired properties to fabrics. A fabric treated with such compounds or in accordance with this method is also provided.