Abstract: Photovoltaic cells having copper contacts can be made by using copper nanoparticles during their fabrication. Such photovoltaic cells can include a copper-based current collector located on a semiconductor substrate having an n-doped region and a p-doped region. The semiconductor substrate is configured for receipt of electromagnetic radiation and generation of an electrical current therefrom. The copper-based current collector includes an electrically conductive diffusion barrier disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a copper contact disposed on the electrically conductive diffusion barrier. The copper contact is formed from copper nanoparticles that have been at least partially fused together. The electrically conductive diffusion barrier limits the passage of copper therethrough.

Abstract: A geostationary earth orbit (GEO) spacecraft is disclosed that includes a body with north, east, south, and west sides and a north-south axis. The spacecraft has at least one deployable radiator rotatably coupled to the body. The deployable radiator has a stowed position proximate to one of the east and west sides and a deployed position that is greater than 90 degrees from the north-south axis in a direction away from the respective one of the east and west sides.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-line cladding-light dissipation including forming a light-scattering surface on the optical fiber such that the light-scattering surface scatters cladding light away from the optical fiber. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an optical fiber having a core and a first cladding layer that surrounds the core, wherein a first portion of the optical fiber has a light-scattering exterior surface. Some embodiments further include a transparent enclosure, wherein the transparent enclosure includes an opening that extends from a first end of the transparent enclosure to a second end of the transparent enclosure, and wherein at least the first portion of the optical fiber is located within the opening of the transparent enclosure. Some embodiments include a light-absorbing housing that surrounds the optical fiber and the transparent enclosure and is configured to absorb the light scattered away from the optical fiber by the light-scattering exterior surface.

Abstract: Described herein are image analysis systems that utilize a non-linear data processing algorithm for overlaying and comparing time sequence images. The image analysis system and method also sharpens at least one of the time sequence images during the process to improve image registration accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method to improve efficiency in aircraft maneuvers meant to accommodate time-related constraints in air traffic. Information related to flight performance and atmospheric conditions is gathered onboard an aircraft, then transmitted to an air traffic control center. In the event of a delay or any other event which necessitates an alteration in an aircraft trajectory, the data is sent to a decision support tool to compute and provide alternative trajectories, preferably including operator-preferred trajectories, within air traffic constraints. Air traffic controllers can then offer an alternative trajectory to an aircraft that is more efficient, cost effective, and/or preferable to the aircraft operator.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a shell made of a composite material, and a heat exchanger housed substantially within the shell. The shell is made of a composite material further comprises planks positioned in the outer periphery of the shell. The planks, in one embodiment, are substantially hollow or include substantially hollow portions. In some embodiments, the planks are formed of pultruded plastic. The shell of the heat exchanger further includes layers of fiberglass. The pultruded plastic planks are sandwiched between at least a first layer of fiberglass and a second layer of fiberglass. The layers of fiberglass are infused with resin. A floating portion of an Ocean Thermal Energy System includes shells made of composite material. The cold seawater intake can also be an elongated tube of composite material.

Abstract: A condenser or heat exchanger includes a circulation system for moving a cooling fluid, and a graphite foam in thermal communication with the circulation system. The condenser or heat exchanger can be used to remove water, or more particularly freshwater from water vapor or steam produced from seawater.

Abstract: A condenser or heat exchanger includes a circulation system for moving a cooling fluid, and a graphite foam in thermal communication with the circulation system. The condenser or heat exchanger can be used to remove water, or more particularly freshwater from humid air in tropical, subtropical, and arid climates.

Abstract: A biometric sample training device, a biometric sample quality assessment device, a biometric fusion recognition device, an integrated biometric fusion recognition system and example processes in which each may be used are described. Wavelets and a boosted classifier are used to assess the quality of biometric samples, such as facial images. The described biometric sample quality assessment approach provides accurate and reliable quality assessment values that are robust to various degradation factors, e.g., such as pose, illumination, and lighting in facial image biometric samples. The quality assessment values allow biometric samples of different sample types to be combined to support complex recognition techniques used by, for example, biometric fusion devices, resulting in improved accuracy and robustness in both biometric authentication and biometric recognition.

Abstract: Starter control valve failure prediction machines, systems, computer readable media, program products, and computer implemented methods to predict and trend starter control valve failures in gas turbine engines using a starter control valve health prognostic and to make predictions of starter control valve failures, are provided.

Abstract: A randomized elliptical grid disposed on a sensor window for electro-magnetic and/or radio-frequency shielding of sensors, and a method of applying same. Grids may be made of electrically conductive or resistive material and may include elliptical or circular shapes. The shapes are in physical contact with each-other and preferably do not contain straight lines to reduce detection artifacts caused by the coating. Grid element shape, size, orientation, and grid pattern density may be randomized or varied across a sensor window.

Abstract: A sonobuoy that includes a communications device capable of being communicatively coupled to a computer network. Also disclosed is a network of communications devices placed on sonobuoys. The communications device is capable of several forms of RF transmission. The communications devices are also provided with processors capable of performing signal processing or a portion of signal processing before communicating data to a larger computer for further processing.

Abstract: A system for beyond perimeter detection and early warning may comprise multiple sensors positioned in a first field, a number of reflectors positioned in a second field outside a first perimeter defined by the first field, and one or more transceivers. Each transceiver may comprise a transmitter to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals, a first and a second receiver to receive signals from some of a set of the of the multiple sensors and reflected signals from some/all of the reflectors in response to the transmitted RF signals. The transceiver may also include a monitor module to detect a perturbed signal resulting from the received sensor signals and reflected signals, and an alarm module to generate an early warning alarm signal based on the detection of the perturbed signal to indicate that an intruder has crossed a second perimeter defined by the second field.

Abstract: A hierarchical architecture for optimizing hybrid energy storage system performance includes a physics layer which provides at least two energy storage sources, wherein each source generates a source signal. The architecture further includes a technology control layer that receives the source signals into a corresponding controller, and where each controller has a parameter table. A technology control interface signal is generated by the controller and the parameter table working together. A storage network layer receives the technology control interface signals into a storage system optimization controller to manage operation of the different energy sources.

Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.

Abstract: An optical processor that incorporates optical computing in a monolithic, i.e. single unit, structure that can take the place of, or operate as a coprocessor with, traditional processor devices such as vector processors, digital signal processors, RISCs, CISCs, ASICs, FPGAs among others. The optical processor incorporates photonic devices that perform algorithmic functions on optical signals. The optical processor takes one or more incoming digital signals, converts the digital signal into an optical signal, performs the algorithmic function(s) in the optical domain, and then converts the result back into a digital signal, all in a monolithic or single unit structure.

Abstract: A thermite composition includes at least one composite particle having a convoluted lamellar structure having alternating metal oxide layers including a metal oxide and metal layers including a metal capable of reducing the metal oxide. The metal oxide layers and metal layers both have an average thickness of between 10 nm and 1 ?m. Molar proportions of the metal oxide and metal is within 30% of being stoichiometric for a thermite reaction.