Abstract: A system for nondestructive evaluation of a test object includes a platform, an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) to create acoustic vibrations that travel along the test object; an infrared detector positioned to record thermal images of a plurality of test areas on the test object to detect flaws in the test object as the platform and the test object move relative to each other; and a control connected to actuate the EMAT and the infrared detector, synchronize the creation of vibrations with the recording of thermal images, receive a signal from the infrared detector indicative of the thermal image of the surface of the test object, and record locations of the flaws appearing on the thermal images of the test areas, all as the platform and the test object move relative to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the active initiation of incident energy-dissipating material from a structure surface coating as a counter measure response for the protection of a structure surface. The active initiation is triggered at a predetermined area or areas on a targeted structure surface in response to incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are described for a flywheel system incorporating a rotor made from a high-strength material in an open-core flywheel architecture with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology to achieve the desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices, to obtain superior results and performance, and that eliminates the material growth-matching problem and obviates radial growth and bending mode issues that otherwise occur at various high frequencies and speeds.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electrically switchable mirror includes: a first electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the first electrically switchable layer having a first state in which right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; a second electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the second electrically switchable layer having a first state in which left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; and a first electrically switchable wave plate disposed between the first and second electrically switchable layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the active initiation of incident energy-dissipating material from a structure surface coating as a counter measure response for the protection of a structure surface. The active initiation is triggered at a predetermined area or areas on a targeted structure surface in response to incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Abstract: A vehicle examination system includes an axle inspection system that is configured to inspect an axle of a vehicle. The axle inspection system includes an ultrasound scanning assembly, and an axle coupler that retains the ultrasound scanning assembly. The axle coupler is configured to moveably secure the ultrasound scanning assembly to the axle. An axle inspection control unit is in communication with the ultrasound scanning assembly. The axle inspection control unit is configured to control the ultrasound scanning assembly to ultrasonically scan the axle for anomalies as the vehicle moves.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the passive initiation and release of incident energy-dissipating material from locations on an incident energy target surface as a counter measure response for the protection of a platform. The response is activated over a predetermined area or areas on an incident energy target surface in response to an incident directed energy sensed on a target surface.

Abstract: A transducer assembly is provided. The transducer assembly includes a magnetic portion, a body, a tensile pulse transmitter, and a pulse and current control unit. The magnetic portion is configured to provide a magnetic field. The body is disposed within an opening of the magnetic portion, and has a conductive portion configured to pass electric current near a body surface oriented toward the test surface. The tensile pulse transmitter is disposed within a cavity of the body and configured to transmit a tensile pulse into the test object. The pulse and current control unit is configured to control the tensile pulse transmitted by the tensile pulse transmitter, and to provide a current that passes through the conductive portion of the body and the test object, whereby a force urging the transducer assembly and the test object toward each other is generated responsive to the magnetic field and the current.

Abstract: A system and method for locating an object within a structure includes a magnetically-responsive member coupled to the object. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in the presence of the structure. The generated magnetic field causes the magnetically-responsive member to output a signal when the magnetically-responsive member is in the presence of the magnetic field. A detector may include a sensor coupled to a control unit. The sensor detects the signal output by the magnetically-responsive member. The control unit locates the object based on detection of a third harmonic of the signal.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are described for a flywheel system incorporating a rotor made from a high-strength material in an open-core flywheel architecture with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology to achieve the desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices, to obtain superior results and performance, and that eliminates the material growth-matching problem and obviates radial growth and bending mode issues that otherwise occur at various high frequencies and speeds.

Abstract: A system for nondestructive evaluation of railroad rails, includes a carriage including a plurality of wheels movably supporting the carriage on the rails, a source of vibration mounted on the carriage and connected to transmit vibrations of a preselected frequency to test regions on the rails through the wheels to cause an increase in temperature of the rails at locations of flaws in the test regions, an infrared detector for recording thermal images of the test regions to detect the increase in temperature of the location of the flaws, a controller connected to actuate the infrared detector to record the thermal images of the vibrations impacting the test regions, and store the thermal images recorded by the infrared detector.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electrically switchable mirror includes: a first electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the first electrically switchable layer having a first state in which right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; a second electrically switchable layer of cholesteric liquid crystal material, the second electrically switchable layer having a first state in which left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is reflected and right-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon is transmitted and a second state wherein right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized light incident thereon are transmitted; and a first electrically switchable wave plate disposed between the first and second electrically switchable layers.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are described for a flywheel system incorporating a rotor made from a high-strength material in an open-core flywheel architecture with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology to achieve the desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices, to obtain superior results and performance, and that eliminates the material growth-matching problem and obviates radial growth and bending mode issues that otherwise occur at various high frequencies and speeds.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide magnetic permeability measurements of ferromagnetic wires. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a non-magnetic wire retainer having a circular groove that holds a ferromagnetic wire for measurement. The apparatus further comprises a magnetic field generator proximate to the non-magnetic wire retainer that provides a substantially uniform magnetic field along a circumference of the circular groove. The apparatus further comprises a force sensor mechanically coupled to the magnetic field generator that measures an attractive force between the magnetic field generator and the ferromagnetic wire for determining the magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic wire.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer, an air containment layer substantially surrounding the ballistic containment layer, and a vent defined in the ballistic containment layer and the air containment layer. The vent is configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture.

Abstract: A composite bonded structure with integral stress sensing and bond evaluation system incorporates a bonded structure having a first component, a second component and a layer of adhesive bonding the first and second components. The layer of adhesive includes multiple embedded fluorescing particles which emit a first spectral intensity in an unstressed condition and a second spectral intensity in a stressed condition. A bond evaluation apparatus is then employed for measuring spectral intensity.

Abstract: A system for magnetic characterization of an induction heating wire including a conductor having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed from the first end, wherein the induction heating wire extends along a portion of the conductor and is electrically isolated from the conductor, an alternating current power source electrically coupled with the conductor to pass an electric current between the first end and the second end, a current sensor positioned to sense the electric current, a sensing wire including a first lead and an opposed second lead, wherein the sensing wire defines a first loop having a first polarity and a second loop having a second, opposite polarity, the second loop being connected to the first loop at a crossover, and wherein the induction heating wire extends through the first loop, and a voltage sensor positioned to sense a voltage across the first lead and the second lead.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a superconductor, such as a high temperature superconductor (HTS), in-situ, including a superconductor that is magnetized by a magnet. A surface area of the magnet is smaller than a surface area of the superconductor and the magnet scans the surface area of the superconductor to magnetize the superconductor one portion at a time. An additional compression superconductor may be used to compress the magnetic flux from the magnet such that the magnetic flux exits the compression superconductor via an aperture on the surface of the compression superconductor and then impinges the surface of the superconductor being charged. The superconductor is assembled in a machine prior to being magnetized and may be cooled prior to magnetization.

Abstract: A tester for bonded composite materials uses a magnetic source to generate a response signal from wires infused in an adhesive used between layers of the composite material. Acoustic or magnetic response signals, separately or in combination, can be received and analyzed to detect stresses in wires indicative of voids in the adhesive or other defects affecting the bond quality between layers of the composite material.

Abstract: A transducer assembly is provided. The transducer assembly includes a magnetic portion, a body, a tensile pulse transmitter, and a pulse and current control unit. The magnetic portion is configured to provide a magnetic field. The body is disposed within an opening of the magnetic portion, and has a conductive portion configured to pass electric current near a body surface oriented toward the test surface. The tensile pulse transmitter is disposed within a cavity of the body and configured to transmit a tensile pulse into the test object. The pulse and current control unit is configured to control the tensile pulse transmitted by the tensile pulse transmitter, and to provide a current that passes through the conductive portion of the body and the test object, whereby a force urging the transducer assembly and the test object toward each other is generated responsive to the magnetic field and the current.