Abstract: A method for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge may include providing a radiometer with a sensor aperture, positioning a viewing aperture sheet between the sensor aperture and the electrical discharge, and providing the viewing aperture sheet with a viewing aperture therethrough, determining an area of the viewing aperture, determining a distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture, observing the electrical discharge with the sensor aperture through the viewing aperture to obtain radiometer data, and calculating the blackbody temperature based at least on the radiometer data, the area of the viewing aperture and the distance of the sensor aperture from the viewing aperture.

Abstract: A coating composition for reducing structural damage to a substrate resulting from interaction between the substrate and lightening plasma is disclosed. The coating composition includes a binder having a plurality of pigment particles that have a size distribution of a first portion of pigment particles that are relatively large compared to ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths from lightning plasma thereby backscattering UV energy, and a second portion of pigment particles that are relatively small compared to infrared (IR) wavelengths thereby forward scattering IR energy.

Abstract: A method for reducing structural damage to a substrate resulting from interaction between the substrate and a plasma, the method including the steps of identifying a wavelength at which a spectral radiance of the plasma is at a peak, the wavelength being a function of a temperature of the plasma, preparing a coating capable of imparting to the substrate a threshold electromagnetic reflectivity over a spectral band about the wavelength, and applying the coating to the substrate.

Abstract: A system for determining a blackbody temperature of an electrical discharge including a light-tight enclosure, a viewing aperture sheet received in the light-tight enclosure, the viewing aperture sheet having a first side and a second, opposite side, and defining at least one viewing aperture having a known area, a radiometer having a sensor aperture, the sensor aperture being received in the light-tight enclosure on the first side of the viewing aperture sheet, the sensor aperture being positioned a known distance from the viewing aperture, and an electric current source having an electrode, the electrode being received in the light-tight enclosure on the second side of the viewing aperture sheet.

Abstract: A method for reducing structural damage to a substrate resulting from interaction between the substrate and a plasma, the method including the steps of identifying a wavelength at which a spectral radiance of the plasma is at a peak, the wavelength being a function of a temperature of the plasma, preparing a coating capable of imparting to the substrate a threshold electromagnetic reflectivity over a spectral band about the wavelength, and applying the coating to the substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor materials optimized for their electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity promise much higher thermoelectric cooling power. The materials can achieve the same cooling or power generation capacity in thermopiles with less electron current compared with present bulk materials. Because less electron current is required to accomplish the same task, total thermopile semiconductor material cross-sectional area normal to thermal and electron flow is greatly reduced and the element length-to-cross-sectional area aspect ratio is increased. The net result is a significant improvement in the figure of merit, ZT, and in the device Coefficient of Performance (COP).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining the humidity of ambient air surrounding an aircraft in flight are disclosed. Air is captured as the aircraft flies. Measurements for calculating the mass flow rate of the captured air are made. The captured air is dehumidified in a moisture extractor. A flow of moisture and aa flow of dehumidified air exit from the water extractor. The mass flow rate of the moisture exiting from the moisture extractor is measured. The humidity of the captured air is calculated based on the respective mass flows and the efficiency of the moisture extractor. Because the mass flow measurements and the efficiency of the moisture extractor depend, in part, on the humidity of the captured air, an assumed humidity value is used at the beginning of the calculations. The assumed humidity is compared to the calculated humidity. If the newly calculated humidity is approximately equal to that used in the calculations, the value is output as the humidity of ambient air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a variable thermal conductance is disclosed. The thermal conductance varies according to the absolute and relative temperatures between a high-temperature wall and a low-temperature wall. The heat exchanger includes an interior volume having a heat transfer medium therein. Fins extend from the low-temperature wall of the heat exchanger into the interior volume. The heat transfer medium in the fluid phase circulates over the fin surface area to transfer heat by convection and conduction from the high-temperature wall to the low-temperature wall. In the event the temperature of the heat transfer medium decreases, such as by a drop in the temperature of the low-temperature wall or by a decrease in heat flowing through the heat exchanger, a portion of the heat transfer fluid solidifies or freezes, which reduces the effective fin surface area and the circulation area. This reduces the thermal conductance of the heat exchanger.