Abstract: A liquid bearing is disclosed wherein a droplet of liquid separates a first surface having a plurality of nanostructures from a second surface which may or may not be nanostructured. In one embodiment, the liquid droplet is in contact with the nanostructures on the first surface and the second surface in a way such that friction is reduced between the first and second surfaces as one or both surfaces move laterally or rotationally. In one illustrative embodiment, the first surface of the bearing is a surface of a housing in a gyroscope and the second surface is a nanostructured surface of a mass adapted to rotate within the housing. Thus situated, the rotating mass moves with very low friction thereby permitting, for example, the manufacture of very small, highly precise gyroscopes.

Abstract: A battery having a nanostructured battery electrode is disclosed wherein it is possible to reverse the contact of the electrolyte with the battery electrode and, thus, to return a battery to a reserve state after it has been used to generate current. In order to achieve this reversibility, the nanostructures on the battery electrode comprise a plurality of closed cells and the pressure within the enclosed cells is varied. In a first embodiment, the pressure is varied by varying the temperature of a fluid within the cells by, for example, applying a voltage to electrodes disposed within said cells. In a second illustrative embodiment, once the battery has been fully discharged, the battery is recharged and then the electrolyte fluid is expelled from the cells in a way such that it is no longer in contact with the battery electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a semiconductor or dielectric wafer-substrate and first and second multi-layer structures located over the wafer-substrate. The first multi-layer structure includes an ionizer or an electronic ion detector. The second multi-layer structure includes an ion trap having entrance and exit ports. The ionizer or electronic ion detector has a port coupled to one of the ports of the ion trap.

Abstract: A monolithic mirror assembly is disclosed that is manufactured from a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising two silicon layers separated by an insulator material. One layer or silicon and the insulator layer are partially etched, thus exposing the underlying second layer of silicon which functions as the reflective surface of the mirror. A first layer of electrodes is disposed on the exposed portion of the insulator area above the reflective surface of the mirror. The mirror is directly mounted on a second substrate comprising a second layer of electrodes. The first and second layers of electrodes are used to variably deform the shape of the mirror to compensate for wave front errors in an optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a battery comprises an electrode having at least one nanostructured surface. The nanostructured surface is disposed in a way such that an electrolyte fluid of the battery is prevented from contacting the electrode, thus preventing discharge of the battery when the battery is not in use. When a voltage is passed over the nanostructured surface, the electrolyte fluid is caused to penetrate the nanostructured surface and to contact the electrode, thus activating the battery. In one illustrative embodiment, the battery is an integrated part of an electronics package. In another embodiment, the battery is manufactured as a separate device and is then brought into contact with the electronics package. In yet another embodiment, the electronics package and an attached battery are disposed in a projectile that is used as a military targeting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.

Abstract: A pocket knife with lock design is disclosed. This foldable knife has a pivot joint, a blade controlled by the pivot joint, a safety lock corresponding to the side wall of the blade, and a resilient pin, wherein the back end of the blade has a shoulder and a pin catch. The safety lock has a spring tab with a raised head that is moved to touch the back of the blade after the blade is pulled out from the handle by a predetermined angle. The resilient pin is placed in a chamber within inner space of the handle, where one end pushes against the shoulder of the blade for supplementing the driving force to pull out the blade to an open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that includes defining a dummy gate structure comprising a spin on glass on a semiconductor substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the dummy gate structure, removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate opening within the dielectric layer, and forming a gate material comprising a metal within the gate opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that includes defining a dummy gate structure comprising a spin on glass on a semiconductor substrate, forming a dielectric layer over the dummy gate structure, removing the dummy gate structure to form a gate opening within the dielectric layer, and forming a gate material comprising a metal within the gate opening.

Abstract: A penetrator having a plurality of stacked penetrator segments is disclosed. Each penetrator segment has a nose portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of each penetrator segment has a rearwardly opening cavity therein and a plurality of fins pivotally mounted thereon. The penetrator segments are stacked such that the cavity of the forwardmost penetrator segment secureably contains the nose portion of the following penetrator segment such that there is a press-fit between the cavity and the nose portion. The following penetrator segments are similarly positioned such that the nose portion of each following penetrator segment is secureably positioned in the cavity of the immediately preceding penetrator segment. The fins of each penetrator segment are restrained in a stowed position when the cavity of the respective penetrator segment contains the nose portion of a following penetrator segment. An explosive element is located between each of the penetrator segments.

Abstract: An alternator includes a flywheel for storing kinetic energy. A motor generator, which includes permanent magnets mounted to a rotor, receives electrical power for accelerating the rotor to a high rotational velocity to store kinetic energy. The rotor is provided with coils, and each coil is connected to first and second conductors. The exterior portion of the rotor comprises the flywheel. Stator coils are mounted adjacent to coils of the rotor and electrical power is produced within the stator coils. The kinetic energy stored in the rotor flywheel can be transformed to electrical power through a first output which is the coils of the motor generator and can produce a second electrical output through the stator coils of the alternator. The primary application of such a dual power alternator is to produce a high power pulse for an electromagnetic gun, and to also provide averaging power to supplement the power from the main drive engine of a vehicle.

Abstract: A braid-removing tool. The inventive tool comprises an elongate body portion having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end and being adapted for retention by a human hand. An elongate tooth is mounted at the first end of the body portion along an axis which is aparallel with respect to the longitudinal axis. In a specific embodiment, the inventive tool further comprises a hook mounted at the second end of the body portion. A finger grip is molded into a first side of the body portion and left and right thumb grooves are molded into a second side of the body portion. The tool allows a user to rapidly and safely remove braids with a simple turn of the wrist.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick head in which the frame and netting are so configured as to provide a ball pocket spaced from the throat portion of the head. The side walls of the frame have a bottom edge extending outwardly to define a bulge in the bottom of the side walls about midway of the length of the side walls. The ball pocket of the netting is disposed generally alongside and beneath the bulge and generally midway between the side walls.

Abstract: A bush for mounting a shaft through a housing, includes two threaded parts and external radial opposed faces, so that the length of the bush between faces may be varied by relative rotation to clamp the bush tightly against the housing.An eccentric sleeve may cooperate with an eccentric flange on the bush to adjust the axis of the bush with respect to the housing axis.

Abstract: A synergistic compound containing liquor picis carbonis, resorcin, menthol, pure water and isopropanol.

Abstract: A detachable retaining device for a vehicle tire valve stem to prevent withdrawal of the stem within the tire casing includes a widened retaining member, an aperture in the member to accomodate the valve stem, a clamp holding the member laterally on the stem, and a retaining device to prevent longitudinal removal of the member from the stem when clamped.

Abstract: A portable, recreational, buoyancy device comprising an integral rigid, ring-like floating unit having a central opening designed to accommodate the user's body, straps supporting the user in said opening, shoulder straps associated with the unit to suspend the unit from the shoulders of the user when in the opening, and oars mounted on the unit. This versatile device safely buoys and propels the user when floating in the water. When suspended from the user's shoulders, the upper surface of the rigid unit may provide a handy, readily accessible shelf for storage of equipment. The device at the same time provides much greater personal mobility for the user in water areas.