Abstract: The present technology is directed to plasma systems and associated methods, including propulsion systems for flight vehicles. A representative system includes a plurality of coils. The coils include a first coil positioned along a force axis, a second coil positioned along the force axis and spaced apart from the first coil, and a third coil that is magnetically shielded. A controller is operatively coupled to the coils and is configured to (a) increase energy to the first coil to generate a magnetic field in a portion of the plasma adjacent to the first coil, (b) decrease energy to the first coil and increase energy to the second coil to translate the resulting superposed magnetic field through the plasma to a position adjacent the second coil, and (c) transfer energy from the second coil to the third coil and decrease energy to the second coil to reduce the magnetic field in the plasma.

Abstract: Systems for transmitting power to and from flight vehicles, and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative flight power-transmission system includes a surface-based transmitter on or adjacent to the surface of the Earth, a flight platform remote from the surface-based transmitter, and a free electron laser (FEL) carried by the flight platform. The transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation to the FEL, and the FEL is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the FEL and generate a laser beam based at least in part on the received electromagnetic radiation. The flight platform can be an aerostat positioned at high altitude within the stratosphere.

Abstract: Wireless power may be transferred between systems that are magnetically coupled in reactive near-field proximity. A magnetic field between a first antenna and a second antenna are coupled. The first and second antenna are (i) resonant at an operating frequency, and (ii) located within reactive near-field proximity. The reactive near field proximity represents a region that is less than a distance of 0.159 of the free space wavelength for the operating frequency. The wireless power provides a receiving system with a threshold amount of wireless inductive power exceeding 1 watt. Each of the first and second antennas have a spherical volume with a diameter less than 1/20 of the free space wavelength of the operating frequency and the energy dissipated to far-field radiation, per cycle, due to circulating currents from the first antenna is less than ½ the peak energy stored in the magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed herein for generating and using Whisper Beams for wireless long-distance power transmission. For example, a radiofrequency (RF) Whisper Beam can focus high energy at great distances, which enables the technology disclosed herein to provide a practical means of transferring high power in a variety of applications and use cases. In some implementations, a method includes configuring an antenna to transmit two or more coherent out-of-phase Gaussian beams along a propagation axis to generate a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam can be generated to propagate along the propagation axis, form a focus along the propagation axis, and has an intensity along the propagation axis that is less than a highest intensity of the beam off the propagation axis.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to plasma systems and associated methods, including propulsion systems for flight vehicles. A representative system includes a plurality of coils. The coils include a first coil positioned along a force axis, a second coil positioned along the force axis and spaced apart from the first coil, and a third coil that is magnetically shielded. A controller is operatively coupled to the coils and is configured to (a) increase energy to the first coil to generate a magnetic field in a portion of the plasma adjacent to the first coil, (b) decrease energy to the first coil and increase energy to the second coil to translate the resulting superposed magnetic field through the plasma to a position adjacent the second coil, and (c) transfer energy from the second coil to the third coil and decrease energy to the second coil to reduce the magnetic field in the plasma.

Abstract: A rotation-stabilized beamed-energy receiver, and associated systems and methods, including an aircraft carrying a rotating electromagnetic energy receiver that, when rotated, is supported by centripetal force in a selected shape and/or orientation. Accordingly, the receiver can be made from very thin and/or otherwise lightweight/flexible materials, while performing an energy-receiving function.

Abstract: Wireless power may be transferred between systems that are magnetically coupled in reactive near-field proximity. A magnetic field between a first antenna and a second antenna are coupled. The first and second antenna are (i) resonant at an operating frequency, and (ii) located within reactive near-field proximity. The reactive near field proximity represents a region that is less than a distance of 0.159 of the free space wavelength for the operating frequency. The wireless power provides a receiving system with a threshold amount of wireless inductive power exceeding 1 watt. Each of the first and second antennas have a spherical volume with a diameter less than 1/20 of the free space wavelength of the operating frequency and the energy dissipated to far-field radiation, per cycle, due to circulating currents from the first antenna is less than ½ the peak energy stored in the magnetic field.

Abstract: Enhanced high-speed aircraft performance, including increased lift/drag ratio, from localized high-temperature speed of sound increases, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for operating a vehicle includes, while a lifting body of the vehicle is immersed in a gas, heating the gas in a target volume sufficiently to increase the speed of sound in the gas relative to the speed of sound in the gas outside the target volume. The target volume can be positioned adjacent to, forward of, and/or along a pressure surface of the lifting body.

Abstract: Wireless power may be transferred between systems that are magnetically coupled in reactive near-field proximity. A magnetic field between a first antenna and a second antenna are coupled. The first and second antenna are (i) resonant at an operating frequency, and (ii) located within reactive near-field proximity. The reactive near field proximity represents a region that is less than a distance of 0.159 of the free space wavelength for the operating frequency. The wireless power provides a receiving system with a threshold amount of wireless inductive power exceeding 1 watt. Each of the first and second antennas have a spherical volume with a diameter less than 1/20 of the free space wavelength of the operating frequency and the energy dissipated to far-field radiation, per cycle, due to circulating currents from the first antenna is less than ½ the peak energy stored in the magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed herein for generating and using Whisper Beams for wireless long-distance power transmission. For example, a radiofrequency (RF) Whisper Beam can focus high energy at great distances, which enables the technology disclosed herein to provide a practical means of transferring high power in a variety of applications and use cases. In some implementations, a method includes configuring an antenna to transmit two or more coherent out-of-phase Gaussian beams along a propagation axis to generate a beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam can be generated to propagate along the propagation axis, form a focus along the propagation axis, and has an intensity along the propagation axis that is less than a highest intensity of the beam off the propagation axis.

Abstract: Wireless power may be transferred between systems that are magnetically coupled in reactive near-field proximity. A magnetic field between a first antenna and a second antenna are coupled. The first and second antenna are (i) resonant at an operating frequency, and (ii) located within reactive near-field proximity. The reactive near field proximity represents a region that is less than a distance of 0.159 of the free space wavelength for the operating frequency. The wireless power provides a receiving system with a threshold amount of wireless inductive power exceeding 1 watt. Each of the first and second antennas have a spherical volume with a diameter less than 1/20 of the free space wavelength of the operating frequency and the energy dissipated to far-field radiation, per cycle, due to circulating currents from the first antenna is less than ½ the peak energy stored in the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and system for reinforcing a fluoropolymer with continuous fibers are provided. The method comprises pulling a tow of fiber through a dispersion bath to impregnate the tow fibers with a fluoropolymer. The method further comprises drying the impregnated tow, followed by baking off any surfactant residue. The method further comprises consolidating the impregnated particles into the exterior and interior voids of the tow fibers.