Abstract: Systems and methods for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked communication system. A tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation to provide power and/or voice and data communication.

Abstract: A method for providing adaptive radio transmit power based on antenna pattern and elevation tilt measured through an accelerometer is provided. The method includes estimating an orientation of a wireless device using an orientation sensor integrated in or on the wireless device, and determining an adjustment factor for a transmitter of the wireless device based on the orientation. The method further includes adjusting output power of the transmitter of the wireless device based on the adjustment factor.

Abstract: A method for growing nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) on Ga2O3 to provide thermal management in Ga2O3-based devices. A protective SiNx interlayer is deposited on the Ga2O3 before growth of the NCD layer to protect the Ga2O3 from damage caused during growth of the NCD layer. The presence of the NCD provides thermal management and enables improved performance of the Ga2O3-based device.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for presentation delivery. The mechanism delivering a presentation content to a group of users and receives a plurality of questions concerning the presentation content from the group of users. The mechanism stores the plurality of questions in a question history database and clusters the plurality of questions in the question history database into one or more question clusters. The mechanism determines a topic for each of the one or more question clusters to form one or more question topics and generates feedback for updating the presentation content based on the one or more question topics.

Abstract: Thermoelectric (TE) nanocomposite material that includes at least one component consisting of nanocrystals. A TE nanocomposite material in accordance with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, multiple nanocrystalline structures, nanocrystal networks or partial networks, or multi-component materials, with some components forming connected interpenetrating networks including nanocrystalline networks. The TE nanocomposite material can be in the form of a bulk solid having semiconductor nanocrystallites that form an electrically conductive network within the material.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A power assist module for use in roller tube driven products, such as roller shades. The module may be pre-wound prior to installation in a roller tube and retains its pre-wound condition, even after use, when removed from the roller tube.

Abstract: A system for displaying carbon savings to a user is disclosed. The system may include one or more carbon savings input devices. The one or more carbon savings input devices may include at least one of a flight management system, a fuel system, an air data system, and an engine control system. The system may include one or more user interface devices including one or more displays. The system may include one or more controllers including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to: receive one or more carbon savings inputs from the carbon savings input devices; calculate a carbon savings value based on the received carbon savings inputs; and generate one or more control signals configured to cause the display of the user interface device to display the calculated carbon savings value to the user.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A system and method for offloading Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Automated Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality from the flight management system (FMS) to an aircraft-based communications management unit (CMU) receives intent data outputs from the FMS, each intent data output including aircraft state and trajectory intent data. Based on the received intent data outputs, the CMU generates a dynamic route representation approximating the aircraft route, inferring and connecting waypoints without otherwise querying the FMS or the pilot for additional data. The CMU receives inbound messages related to ADS-C contracts established with the aircraft by air traffic control (ATC) ground stations and, based on the dynamic route, generates and transmits any necessary ADS-C reports to the ATC ground stations. Further, the CMU queries aircraft-based absolute and relative navigational systems to verify navigational system availability and accuracy status with each ADS-C report.

Abstract: Concentrated solar power and heating systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compression apparatus useful in treating pain, inflammation, or other conditions of a joint and joint area through use of compression and optionally temperature control. The compression apparatus is configured for physical and functional flexibility in that the apparatus is flexible and can be worn over or under clothing. The compression apparatus is generally suited for support of an ankle joint, a knee joint, a wrist joint, shoulder joint, elbow joint or hip joint depending on size, shape and securement configurations. In one embodiment, the compression apparatus comprises at least one flexible compression member and at least one securement means configured for adjustably providing compression to the joint area of a wearer. In certain embodiments, an apparatus of the present disclosure may comprise temperature-control means, decorative features, devices for visual display of treatment information such as elevation and temperature, as well as other information useful in treatment.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for design of a suite of multispectral (MS) sensors and processing of enhanced data streams produced by the sensors for autonomous aircraft flight. The onboard suite of MS sensors is specifically configured to sense and use a MS variety of sensor-tuned objects, either strategically placed objects and/or surveyed and sensor significant existing objects to determine a position and verify position accuracy. The received MS sensor data enables an autonomous aircraft object identification and positioning system to correlate MS sensor data output with a-priori information stored onboard to determine and verify position and trajectory of the autonomous aircraft. Once position and trajectory are known, the object identification and positioning system commands the autonomous aircraft flight management system and autopilot control of the autonomous aircraft.

Abstract: Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly.

Abstract: A suture construct apparatus, including a self-cinching suture member having a first strand, a second strand, a sleeve defined on the second strand, and a self-cinching suture member fixed loop with a sheath positioned on the self-cinching suture member. The suture construct apparatus may further include an anchor disposed on the self-cinching suture member, a self-cinching suture member shuttling suture disposed on the self-cinching suture member fixed loop, and a sheath removably disposed around at least a portion of the self-cinching suture member. The first strand may pass through the sleeve and form a self-cinching suture member free end. The first strand may also be axially moveable through the sleeve.

Abstract: A knotless self-cinching suture construct device includes a continuous loop and a self-cinching suture member. The suture is configured for insertion into a passage hole in injured soft tissue, such as a torn or damaged meniscus in the knee. The suture and continuous loop are passed entirely through the passage hole in the tissue, and the self-cinching suture member is inserted through the continuous loop to form a hitch using the continuous loop around the tissue. The self-cinching suture member is then pulled tight, allowing a first strand to slide through both the hitched continuous loop and a self-cinching sleeve on the suture member. When tension is applied, the sleeve tightens around the strand much like a finger trap, preventing inadvertent release of the applied suture tension. The suture construct is configured for use through a transosseous tunnel with a detent structure in some embodiments.

Abstract: Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

Abstract: A dynamic ligament repair device includes a suture, a femoral side suture anchor and a threaded screw or housing implant. The screw is configured for placement in the tibia, or alternatively in the femur. A spring is housed inside an axial bore in the threaded screw. In some embodiments, the spring is a compression spring. A moveable spring button is positioned inside the axial bore adjacent a distal end of the spring. The spring button engages the spring directly in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, an intermediate structure such as a spacer is positioned between the spring button and the spring. The suture extends between the spring button and the suture anchor. When the joint flexes or extends, the spring button travels inside the axial bore and dynamically compresses or relaxes the spring.

Abstract: The invention is directed to nanopore-based methods for analyzing polymers, such as polynucleotides or proteins, containing optical labels specific for different kinds of monomers. In some embodiments, methods of the invention include steps of (a) translocating a polymer through a nanopore, wherein different kinds of monomers of the polymer are labeled with different optical labels that generate distinguishable optical signals and wherein the nanopore constrains the monomers to move single file through an excitation zone that encompasses a plurality of monomers; (b) detecting a time-ordered set of optical signals from the monomers as the polymer passes they pass through the excitation zone; (c) separating optical signals from different kinds of monomers to form monomer-specific time-ordered sets of optical signals; and (d) determining a sequence of monomers from the monomer-specific time-ordered sets of optical signals from the polymer.