Abstract: A method, system and devices for autonomous marking of a substrate and for conducting formability measurements. The method, system and devices may be used to apply markings to a substrate, such as panels that are used to construct articles. The panels, for example, may be automobile panels. The markings preferably are applied on the panel autonomously with a laser etching, and with robot device that is controlled to form a precise pattern of indicia (e.g., dots), on the panel surface. An x, y, z, gantry coordinate system may be used to guide the operations of the robot device to position the device for etching at precise locations on the substrate surface. Once etched, the panels may be processed, such as, by stamping or cutting, and the deformation of the dot pattern may be used to determine strain and formability properties.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the quality and configuration of a structure that is constructed from a thermoformable material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset material, and in particular thermoplastic composite tapes, where heat is applied to cure the thermoformable material. The quality of the build is monitored during the construction of the structure by determining the differential heat flux in the material as it cools from its elevated temperature. The system and method also may determine the location of defects in a structure being constructed so that remedial measures may be taken or production operations halted to address the defect. A transient thermal effect is applied to the structure being monitored, such as the thermoformable material being applied, which may be implemented from the applied heating of the thermoformable construction application process or additional heating.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the quality and configuration of a structure that is constructed from a thermoformable material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset material, and in particular thermoplastic composite tapes, where heat is applied to cure the thermoformable material. The quality of the build is monitored during the construction of the structure by determining the differential heat flux in the material as it cools from its elevated temperature. The system and method also may determine the location of defects in a structure being constructed so that remedial measures may be taken or production operations halted to address the defect. A transient thermal effect is applied to the structure being monitored, such as the thermoformable material being applied, which may be implemented from the applied heating of the thermoformable construction application process or additional heating.

Abstract: A method, system and devices for autonomous marking of a substrate and for conducting formability measurements. The method, system and devices may be used to apply markings to a substrate, such as panels that are used to construct articles. The panels, for example, may be automobile panels. The markings preferably are applied on the panel autonomously with a laser etching, and with robot device that is controlled to form a precise pattern of indicia (e.g., dots), on the panel surface. An x, y, z, gantry coordinate system may be used to guide the operations of the robot device to position the device for etching at precise locations on the substrate surface. Once etched, the panels may be processed, such as, by stamping or cutting, and the deformation of the dot pattern may be used to determine strain and formability properties.

Abstract: A method, system and devices for optical structural health monitoring that implements digital image correlation (DIC) by applying an invisible pattern comprising a random dot pattern and/or codes, which is applied using a coating containing a dye or substance that is not visible during the normal lighting conditions. The structure is imaged at different time intervals by capturing images of the pattern and codes using a camera and suitable light source. The captured images of the pattern and codes are stored in a CAD file that represents the structure or part to which the pattern and codes are applied, and includes the locations of the pattern and codes. Comparative measurements of the pattern and codes (e.g., using DIC) determine one or more structural health parameters, such as strain, deformation, and other stresses or averse conditions that may be detected from one interval to another (e.g., between measurements).

Abstract: A method, system and devices for autonomous marking of a substrate and for conducting formability measurements. The method, system and devices may be used to apply markings to a substrate, such as panels that are used to construct articles. The panels, for example, may be automobile panels. The markings preferably are applied on the panel autonomously with a laser etching, and with robot device that is controlled to form a precise pattern of indicia (e.g., dots), on the panel surface. An x, y, z, gantry coordinate system may be used to guide the operations of the robot device to position the device for etching at precise locations on the substrate surface. Once etched, the panels may be processed, such as, by stamping or cutting, and the deformation of the dot pattern may be used to determine strain and formability properties.

Abstract: A tracking device that is mountable to a robot, the tracking device has a plurality of faces that contain marking indicia thereon that is used by an imaging apparatus to track the position of a robot. The robot is not required to be at a fixed location, and may have mobility features, such as drives that move the robot along a path of travel, surface, or in space. The tracking devices do not consume or require power to operate. A plurality of tracking devices may be installed on a robot and an imaging apparatus is used to image the field of view in which the robot operates. Discrete locations of the robot in real time or any point in time are ascertained through the positioning of the tracking device. Tracking devices may be installed on robots used for assembly or defect monitoring.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for assembling components to form an assembled structure, using virtual or augmented assembly tooling, in real time, real-time virtual assembly tooling (or RVAT). Structures such as vehicles, aircrafts, or other products are produced from assembling a plurality of component parts together, with virtual assembly tooling of the system, method and devices that provides real-time capability for directing and guiding operations and for generating feedback. The structure is built from the CAD, transforming the CAD to imaging representations whose transformations are generated with one or more component scans, projected on a display.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for optical structural health monitoring of a subject, including the utilization of pointillism to provide a design or painting of the surface of the structure to be monitored, which also serves as a mechanism for conducting SHM, implementing digital image correlation (DIC) by applying a pattern comprising a random dot pattern and/or codes. The subject is imaged using imaging equipment to capture images of the pattern. For some applications, the captured images of the pattern and codes are stored in a CAD file that represents the subject or portion thereof to which the pattern and codes are applied, and includes the locations of the pattern and codes. Indicia applied to a structure may be applied using a paintjet or inkjet, or robotic mechanism, while some applications implement pre-patterning of a composite sheet that is used to form the structure.

Abstract: A sorbent material is disclosed for the one-step separation of bio-macromolecules in a single pass extraction of DNA from complex mixtures of molecules and chemicals. In one embodiment, the sorbent material comprises a silanized material at least partially coated or formed with a polymer selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryl methacrylate), a poly(aryl acrylate), a poly(heteroaryl methacrylate, a poly(heteroaryl acrylate) and a copolymer thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the quality and configuration of a structure that is constructed from a thermoformable material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset material, and in particular thermoplastic composite tapes, where heat is applied to cure the thermoformable material. The quality of the build is monitored during the construction of the structure by determining the differential heat flux in the material as it cools from its elevated temperature. The system and method also may determine the location of defects in a structure being constructed so that remedial measures may be taken or production operations halted to address the defect. A transient thermal effect is applied to the structure being monitored, such as the thermoformable material being applied, which may be implemented from the applied heating of the thermoformable construction application process or additional heating.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating or preventing brain edema in a subject by administering an inhibitor of SLC26A11 to the subject. Also included are methods for preventing cell death, cell swelling, or elevated internal concentration of chloride ions in a cell by contacting the cell with an inhibitor of SLC26A11.

Abstract: Provided are methods for treating or preventing brain edema in a subject by administering an inhibitor of SLC26A11 to the subject. Also included are methods for preventing cell death, cell swelling, or elevated internal concentration of chloride ions in a cell by contacting the cell with an inhibitor of SLC26A11.

Abstract: A sorbent material is disclosed for the one-step separation of bio-macromolecules in a single pass extraction of DNA from complex mixtures of molecules and chemicals. In one embodiment, the sorbent material comprises a silanized material at least partially coated or formed with a polymer selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryl methacrylate), a poly(aryl acrylate), a poly(heteroaryl methacrylate, a poly(heteroaryl acrylate) and a copolymer thereof.

Abstract: A membrane receives an incident energy signal at a first surface of the membrane. An actuating electrode, located adjacent to the membrane on a side opposite the first surface, applies an actuating pressure to the membrane if an actuating potential is applied between the actuating electrode and the membrane. A restoring electrode, located adjacent to the first surface of the membrane, applies a restoring pressure to the membrane if a restoring potential is applied between the restoring electrode and the membrane. The restoring electrode has an outer surface defining an aperture that enables the incident energy signal to pass, for example, without significant obstruction and without significant attenuation, through the restoring electrode to impinge upon the membrane, and the length of the restoring electrode is at least as great as the smallest width of the aperture.

Abstract: A membrane receives an incident energy signal at a first surface of the membrane. An actuating electrode, located adjacent to the membrane on a side opposite the first surface, applies an actuating pressure to the membrane if an actuating potential is applied between the actuating electrode and the membrane. A restoring electrode, located adjacent to the first surface of the membrane, applies a restoring pressure to the membrane if a restoring potential is applied between the restoring electrode and the membrane. The restoring electrode has an outer surface defining an aperture that enables the incident energy signal to pass, for example, without significant obstruction and without significant attenuation, through the restoring electrode to impinge upon the membrane, and the length of the restoring electrode is at least as great as the smallest width of the aperture.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system is disclosed whereby a transmit telescope and a receive telescope are aligned such that the point of maximum power of the received light beam is incident upon the optical fiber located at a specific point on the focal plane of the receive telescope. Such incidence is achieved by causing the transmitted beam to diverge by moving the transmit optical fiber to a point in front of the focal plane of the transmit telescope until at least a portion of the beam is incident upon the receive optical fiber. The transmit telescope and/or the receive telescope (or, alternatively, only the respective optical fibers of those telescopes) are then moved such that the point of maximum received power for that degree of divergence is incident upon the receive optical fiber.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system is disclosed whereby the received power at the receive optical fiber is reduced by adjusting the transmitted light beam and/or the receive optical fiber with respect to each other when a specified power threshold is exceeded. This reduction in received power is achieved by either increasing the cross section of the transmitted beam relative to the receive telescope or, alternatively, moving the receive optical fiber and thereby enlarge the cross section of the received beam incident upon the receive optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for dehumidifying air including a multiple effect evaporator that creates a concentrated desiccant solution. The desiccant solution from the multiple effect evaporator is conveyed to a desiccant spray chamber that sprays the cooled desiccant solution into an air stream. The desiccant solution absorbs water vapor from the air stream creating a desiccant and water solution. A conduit transfers the water and desiccant solution to the multiple effect evaporator for removal of the water from the desiccant solution.

Abstract: A system (16) for tracking a missile (22) in flight, the missile (22) having an optical beacon generator (32) that outputs a modulated signal (26) having a predetermined frequency, including an optical system (50, 52, 54) for transmitting image data along an optical path (68) onto an array of detectors (55), such that each detector in the array (55) receives substantially simultaneously the image data from the optical system (50, 52, 54). The system (16) further includes means for processing (46) the image data transmitted onto the array of detectors (55) in order to locate the optical beacon (32).