Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing distributed airborne wireless communications are provided herein. In some embodiments, an airborne wireless service area includes: an airborne fleet, comprised of a plurality of aircraft, wherein the airborne fleet is configured to transmit a plurality of first beams at a first radio frequency (RF), wherein the plurality of first beams are characterized by corresponding first frequency band, channel, bandwidth, transmission format, uneven angular field intensity distribution, and boundaries, wherein neighboring first beams have an overlap region, and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is different between the neighboring first beams: frequency band, channel, or transmission format; and a plurality of first communication cells defined by respective boundaries of the plurality of first beams, wherein each of the first communication cells are characterized by their size, shape, and position.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for extended wireless communication include an airborne platform including at least one antenna to pick up and radiate wireless signals, a platform controller to control the altitude and attitude of the airborne platform, and a communication payload. In an embodiment, the communication payload includes at least two transponders to establish wireless links and a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. In some embodiments, the memory has stored therein instructions executable by the processor to cause the airborne communication system to elevate the airborne platform to an altitude at which wireless connectivity is able to be established with a first wireless network, establish a first wireless link to the first wireless network, establish a second wireless link, and relay data between the first wireless link and the second wireless link.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for providing renewable energy powered, continuous geostationary orbital communications include arranging a plurality of renewable energy powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) having ground and air communication capabilities in a belt configuration around the earth, spacing apart the plurality of UAVs to provide intercommunication between at least neighboring ones of the plurality of UAVs, and positioning the plurality of UAVs in a relatively stationary location above the earth at a height of between 12 to 15 miles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal energy management of systems of electrically powered vehicles (EVs), which enhance the mission capabilities, or performance. The method includes an approach in which thermal energy harvesting, dissipation, storage, and distribution operate in concert. The method concurrently enables, immediate and longer-term management, including storage of thermal energy for subsequent use. The apparatus, includes the multi-functional integration of thermal energy storage, for the benefit of enhanced EV form, capabilities or performances. The apparatus includes connecting elements which provide selective, thermal conduction pathways, which link the management system. The thermal conductive pathways may be actuated in response to temperature, or by other activation means. Thermally managed systems which require persistent heating, or cooling or maintenance within a specified range, are addressed.

Abstract: A mobile system includes a self-supporting platform, a tunable reflective skin or film disposed on and secured to the mobile platform, one or more actuators and a controller. The tunable reflective skin or film includes one or more layers that are at least partially reflective to optical energy at one or more optical wavelengths. The skin or film is substantially flexible and/or stretchable and has an optical reflectivity to incident electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength which is selectively variable when flexed and/or stretched. The actuators are able to flex and/or stretch the skin or film in response to receipt of a control signal. The controller generates the control signal based on a measured value of the optical reflectivity of the skin or film to the incident electromagnetic radiation of the given wavelength.

Abstract: An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft frame having an open frame portion, at least one vertical thruster, a pod, separable from the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, where the pod, when mounted to the aircraft, defines at least a portion of the aircraft frame, and a mounting system including at least one attachment member configured to attach the pod to the open frame portion. Such aircraft is capable of flight with and without the pod.

Abstract: A degradation-resistant photovoltaic device is provided. The device includes an active area and at least one photovoltaic cell located in the active area. The photovoltaic cell has an elongated shape with a characteristic width and a characteristic length. The characteristic length is greater than the characteristic width and an average distance from the photovoltaic cell to any edge of the active area is greater than the characteristic width.

Abstract: A stretchable photovoltaic device, a stretchable photovoltaic module and a carrier for facilitating formation of a stretchable photovoltaic device and/or module are provided. The stretchable photovoltaic device includes a stretchable part, at least one photovoltaic cell and a surface over which that at least one photovoltaic cell is disposed. The stretchable part has a given length that is operable to change in response to a force being applied to the device. The given length may, for example, elongate when the force causes the device to elongate. Alternative and/or additionally, the given length may compress when the force causes the device to compress.

Abstract: Embodiments of an airborne synthetic phased antenna array include a plurality of airborne antennas and phase shifters for the antennas. The antennas are operated coherently, and constant phase shifts between the antennas are maintained. In addition, methods for providing wireless communication services include providing a plurality of airborne platforms, providing RF antennas for wireless communication services and phase shifters for the RF antennas on at least two airborne platforms, and operating the phase shifters to maintain synchronous operation of the RF antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal energy management of systems of electrically powered vehicles (EVs), which enhance the mission capabilities, or performance. The method includes an approach in which thermal energy harvesting, dissipation, storage, and distribution operate in concert. The method concurrently enables, immediate and longer-term management, including storage of thermal energy for subsequent use. The apparatus, includes the multi-functional integration of thermal energy storage, for the benefit of enhanced EV form, capabilities or performances. The apparatus includes connecting elements which provide selective, thermal conduction pathways, which link the management system. The thermal conductive pathways may be actuated in response to temperature, or by other activation means. Thermally managed systems which require persistent heating, or cooling or maintenance within a specified range, are addressed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an airborne synthetic phased antenna array include a plurality of airborne antennas and phase shifters for the antennas. The antennas are operated coherently, and constant phase shifts between the antennas are maintained. In addition, methods for providing wireless communication services include providing a plurality of airborne platforms, providing RF antennas for wireless communication services and phase shifters for the RF antennas on at least two airborne platforms, and operating the phase shifters to maintain synchronous operation of the RF antennas.

Abstract: A hydro-thermal exchange unit (HTEU) for desalinating feed water in accordance with a humidification-dehumidification includes feed water, fresh water and gas conduit circuits for transporting feed water, fresh water, and gas, respectively. The unit also includes an evaporator through which a portion of the feed water conduit and the gas conduit pass. The evaporator causes evaporation of a portion of the feed water to produce vapor that is transported through the gas conduit. The unit also includes a condenser through which a portion of the gas conduit and the fresh water conduit pass. The condenser has input and output ports for coupling the gas and fresh water conduit circuits. The condenser extracts moisture from the vapor transported therethrough by the gas conduit. The extracted moisture is discharged through the fresh water conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal energy management of systems of electrically powered vehicles (EVs), which enhance the mission capabilities, or performance. The method includes an approach in which thermal energy harvesting, dissipation, storage, and distribution operate in concert. The method concurrently enables, immediate and longer-term management, including storage of thermal energy for subsequent use. The apparatus, includes the multi-functional integration of thermal energy storage, for the benefit of enhanced EV form, capabilities or performances. The apparatus includes connecting elements which provide selective, thermal conduction pathways, which link the management system. The thermal conductive pathways may be actuated in response to temperature, or by other activation means. Thermally managed systems which require persistent heating, or cooling or maintenance within a specified range, are addressed.

Abstract: An aircraft for vertical take-off and landing includes an aircraft frame having an open frame portion, at least one vertical thruster, a pod, separable from the aircraft and including a cabin to contain at least one of cargo and passengers, where the pod, when mounted to the aircraft, defines at least a portion of the aircraft frame, and a mounting system including at least one attachment member configured to attach the pod to the open frame portion. Such aircraft is capable of flight with and without the pod.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for close formation flight are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing three dimensional (3D) airflow by an aircraft includes: collecting measurements characterizing airflow near the aircraft; analyzing the collected measurements; creating, by a processor, a computer model predicting one or more 3D airflow patterns parameter values based on the analyzing; obtaining one or more additional measurements characterizing airflow near an aircraft of the plurality of aircraft, and evaluating an error between an airflow parameter value predicted by the computer model and the one or more additional measurement.

Abstract: A method for forming a high purity, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) sputtering target is disclosed. The method includes sealing precursor materials for forming the bulk material in a reaction vessel. The precursor materials include copper, at least one chalcogen selected from selenium, sulfur, and tellurium, and at least one element from group IIIA of the periodic table, which may be selected from gallium, indium, and aluminum. The sealed reaction vessel is heated to a temperature at which the precursor materials react to form the bulk material. The bulk material is cooled in the vessel to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the bulk material and opened to release the formed bulk material. A sputtering target formed by the method can have an oxygen content of 10 ppm by weight, or less.

Abstract: A method for forming a high purity, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) bulk material is disclosed. The method includes sealing precursor materials for forming the bulk material in a reaction vessel. The precursor materials include copper, at least one chalcogen selected from selenium, sulfur, and tellurium, and at least one element from group IIIA of the periodic table, which may be selected from gallium, indium, and aluminum. The sealed reaction vessel is heated to a temperature at which the precursor materials react to form the bulk material. The bulk material is cooled in the vessel to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the bulk material and opened to release the formed bulk material. A sputtering target formed by the method can have an oxygen content of 10 ppm by weight, or less.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for close formation flight are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for establishing situational awareness during formation flight includes exchanging transponder signals between at least two aircraft, establishing two-way communication links between the at least two aircraft, exchanging telemetry data between the at least two aircraft, and assigning the roles of a leader and a follower to the aircraft.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for extended wireless communication include an airborne platform including at least one antenna to pick up and radiate wireless signals, a platform controller to control the altitude and attitude of the airborne platform, and a communication payload. In an embodiment, the communication payload includes at least two transponders to establish wireless links and a controller having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. In some embodiments, the memory has stored therein instructions executable by the processor to cause the airborne communication system to elevate the airborne platform to an altitude at which wireless connectivity is able to be established with a first wireless network, establish a first wireless link to the first wireless network, establish a second wireless link, and relay data between the first wireless link and the second wireless link.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed in an array in which each cell is adjacent to another cell. Each of the cells includes first and second photovoltaic modules. The first photovoltaic module of each cell is configured to convert a first part of light energy incident thereon into electrical energy and to reflect to the second photovoltaic module of an adjacent cell at least some of a remaining portion of light energy incident thereon. The second photovoltaic module of each cell is configured to convert into electrical energy the remaining portion of the light energy received from the first photovoltaic module of an adjacent cell.