Abstract: An airfoil (200) comprises a skin (210), comprising an external surface (212) and an internal surface (214). The skin (210) has a controlled region (216). The airfoil (200) also comprises an interior space (208), formed by the skin (210). The airfoil (200) additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (202), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (212). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (202) comprises an induction coil (230) and a control system (250). At least a portion (236) of the induction coil (230) is sufficiently close to the internal surface (214) to produce an eddy current (280) within the controlled region (216) when an alternating electrical current (234) is flowing in the induction coil (230).

Abstract: An airfoil (100) comprises a skin (110), comprising an external surface (112) and an internal surface (114), opposite the external surface (112). The skin (110) is magnetically and electrically conductive. The airfoil (100) also comprises an interior space (108), formed by the skin (110). The internal surface (114) faces the interior space (108). The airfoil (100) additionally comprises a leading edge (106) along the external surface (112). The airfoil (100) further comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (102), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (112). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (102) comprises an induction coil (130) within the interior space (108). At least a portion (136) of the induction coil (130) is sufficiently close to the internal surface (114) to produce an eddy current (180) in the skin (110) when an alternating electrical current (134) is flowing in the induction coil (130).

Abstract: An airfoil (300) comprises a skin (310), comprising an external surface (312) and an internal surface (314). The skin (310) has a controlled region (316). The airfoil (300) also comprises an interior space (308), formed by the skin (310). The airfoil (300) additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (302), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (312). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (302) comprises induction coils (328) and a control system (350). Each one of the induction coils (328) has a portion (336), arranged sufficiently close to the internal surface (314) to produce an eddy current (380) within the controlled region (316).

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses immunomodulating compositions. More particularly, the present invention discloses compositions comprising an immune-modulating agent and a lectin-interactive agent, which are useful for stimulating and prolonging host immune cell responses. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a range of conditions including pathogenic infections, autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, graft versus host disease, allergies, inflammatory disease, as well as cancers and tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme that enables incorporation of monolignol ferulates, for example, including p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and sinapyl ferulate, into the lignin of plants.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: Presently disclosed self-regulating thermal insulation may include one or more thermal actuators that may expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention.

Abstract: Presently disclosed thermal actuators may be incorporated into a self-regulating thermal insulation, such that expansion and contraction of the thermal actuators in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation automatically changes the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention. One example of a thermal actuator may include a first segment of a first material, and a plurality of second segments of a second material, the second segments being coupled to the first segment and spaced apart from one another along the length of the first segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes. The isolated nucleic acids and/or the enzymes enable incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants, where such monolignol ferulates include, for example, p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and/or sinapyl ferulate. The invention also includes methods and plants that include nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme and/or feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes.

Abstract: A screen support frame comprising, a perimeter disposed in a horizontal plane, defining a vertical direction normal to said plane, said perimeter reinforced by an arrangement of reinforcing wires, said arrangement comprising a first array of substantially parallel structural wires extending between opposing regions of the perimeter in a first horizontal plane, a second array of substantially parallel structural wires extending between opposing regions of the perimeter in a second horizontal plane, said first and second arrays of structural wires being aligned at an angle to each other and in contact with each other thus forming a plurality of contact points between structural wires of the first and second array respectively, the arrangement further comprising at least one additional structural wire, said additional structural wire extending between opposing regions of the perimeter and being positioned parallel to, and substantially vertically spaced from, a wire in the first array of structural wires, and in

Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems include a flexible body that is configured to extend within a gap that is defined between a base structure and an attached component. The motion-damping systems further include a magnetic assembly and a ferromagnetic body. One of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is located within the flexible body and the other of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is operatively affixed to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetween retains the flexible body in physical contact with the selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The methods include methods of installing and/or operating the motion-dampening systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes. The isolated nucleic acids and/or the enzymes enable incorporation of monolignol ferulates into the lignin of plants, where such monolignol ferulates include, for example, p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and/or sinapyl ferulate. The invention also includes methods and plants that include nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme and/or feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme that enables incorporation of monolignol ferulates, for example, including p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and sinapyl ferulate, into the lignin of plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme that enables incorporation of monolignol ferulates, for example, including p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and sinapyl ferulate, into the lignin of plants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.

Abstract: Described is an isolated lignified plant cell wall including lignin, wherein the lignin includes a ferulate residue incorporated therein, such as from coniferyl ferulate and/or sinapyl ferulate. Also described is a method to make the isolated lignified plant cell wall, and the lignin produced by the method.