Abstract: A bio-hybrid odor-localizing autonomous air vehicle includes an airborne robotic platform having a navigation platform, a wireless transmitter communicatively coupled to a management console, and a biological sensor mounted on the airborne robotic platform that reacts to at least one olfactory odor. A controller is communicatively coupled to the airborne robotic platform, the navigation platform, and the biological sensor. The controller monitors the biological sensor. In response to the biological sensor detecting the at least one olfactory odor, the controller directs the airborne platform to three-dimensionally map an olfactory plume of the at least one olfactory odor using an olfactory-driven search pattern. The controller stores the three-dimensional map for later retrieval or transmits the three-dimensional map of the olfactory plume to the management console via the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A star tracker includes imaging optics comprising a folding mirror, a lens, and a detector. The folding mirror bends light received from an optical axis through the lens that focuses the bent light onto the detector. The star tracker includes a steering mechanism that steers light from an adjustable field of view (FOV) to the optical axis of the imaging optics. The steering mechanism includes: (i) a first photonic crystal element comprising beam pointing spatially variant photonic crystals (SVPCs); (ii) a second photonic crystal element comprising beam pointing SVPCs that is positioned adjacent and axially aligned with the first photonic crystal element; and (iii) a housing that receives the first and second photonic crystal elements for independent rotation.

Abstract: A compact celestial tracker includes a platform, a rotation stage that rotatably coupled to the platform to rotate a plane of the platform about a rotation axis and that supports the platform on a substrate, an off-axis parabolic mirror mounted to one side of the platform and having a focal plane directed at an acute angle that is between the rotation axis and the plane of the platform to reflect and focus the beam at a point above another side of the platform, and a detector coupled to the other side of the platform to receive and detect the reflected and focused beam.

Abstract: A UAS may use camera-captured ground feature data to iteratively estimate pose change through a Kalman filter. To avoid excessive drift, the UAS may periodically perform a reset by publishing delta pose and covariance as an edge in a global pose graph, by zeroing out the delta pose and covariance. To further improve global pose estimation, two UASs may share range information and associated pose graph information, thereby providing an additional constraint for each UAS to use in its pose graph optimization.

Abstract: Properties of a physical system are measured and used to update estimated states of the system in an iterative manner. At each iteration, a state update weight is assigned for each state and the states are predicted from previous estimated states. System states are predicted from prior estimates and then updated dependent upon the measurements and the state update weights to provide updated estimated states. In addition, a prior covariance matrix of state errors is updated dependent upon the state update weights to provide an estimation error covariance matrix that is consistent with the updated estimated states. The updated state may be equivalent to a weighted sum of a prior estimated state and an initial updated estimated state. The approach provides improvements to a variety of estimators, including least squares estimators and estimators such as the Extended, Schmidt and Unscented Kalman Filters and the Rao-Blackwellized Particle Filter.

Abstract: A star tracker includes imaging optics comprising a folding mirror, a lens, and a detector. The folding mirror bends light received from an optical axis through the lens that focuses the bent light onto the detector. The star tracker includes a steering mechanism that steers light from an adjustable field of view (FOV) to the optical axis of the imaging optics. The steering mechanism includes: (i) a first photonic crystal element comprising beam pointing spatially variant photonic crystals (SVPCs); (ii) a second photonic crystal element comprising beam pointing SVPCs that is positioned adjacent and axially aligned with the first photonic crystal element; and (iii) a housing that receives the first and second photonic crystal elements for independent rotation.

Abstract: A bio-hybrid odor-localizing autonomous air vehicle includes an airborne robotic platform having a navigation platform, a wireless transmitter communicatively coupled to a management console, and a biological sensor mounted on the airborne robotic platform that reacts to at least one olfactory odor. A controller is communicatively coupled to the airborne robotic platform, the navigation platform, and the biological sensor. The controller monitors the biological sensor. In response to the biological sensor detecting the at least one olfactory odor, the controller directs the airborne platform to three-dimensionally map an olfactory plume of the at least one olfactory odor using an olfactory-driven search pattern. The controller stores the three-dimensional map for later retrieval or transmits the three-dimensional map of the olfactory plume to the management console via the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A hygienic container that stores various personal care items in a clean, hygienic, and inconspicuous manner is disclosed. The hygienic container includes an inner compartment accessible by means of a hinged door. The inner compartment has multiple drain holes from which fluids can drain as well as various means for storing personal items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and charging bases. An opening in the back of the inner compartment allows access for electrical cords used in charging various personal items. One or more surfaces or parts thereof comprise magnets such that magnetic items and/or items that include ferrous metals can be attached thereto. The hygienic container also includes feet that lift the bottom surface off the ground, thereby enabling drainage from and air circulation through the inner compartment. A UV germicidal light turns on after the door is closed to disinfect items contained within the hygienic container.