Abstract: Methods and systems of PFAS destruction in water containing nitrate. The methods and systems include filtering water containing PFAS and nitrate through a membrane selective for PFAS to obtain a membrane reject containing PFAS and nitrate and a filtrate containing nitrate, forming a treatment solution using the membrane reject including diluting the membrane reject and combining the membrane reject with a photosensitizer, a sulfite salt, and a sufficient amount of base such that the treatment solution has a pH of about 10 or more, and irradiating the treatment solution with UV light in a photoreactor to destroy a portion of the PFAS. Before dilution, a concentration of PFAS in the membrane reject may be between about 3 times and about 20 times greater than before the filtering step. Dilution of the membrane reject may include between about a 3 and about a 20 times dilution.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for PFAS destruction including removing nitrate from water containing PFAS, combining the water with a sensitizer and a sufficient quantity of base to create a treatment solution having a pH of about 10 or more, and irradiating the treatment solution with UV light in a photoreactor to destroy a portion of the PFAS. The nitrate may be removed electrolytically such as by electrolytically reducing nitrate to nitrogen gas and/or ammonia. The nitrate may be removed by filtration through a selective membrane, such as by reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, nanofiltration, and/or ultrafiltration. The system may include electrolytic cell system including a first cell with a cathode contacting the water containing PFAS in the first cell, a second cell including an anode in an electrolytic solution, a power source, and a salt brine and/or membrane separating the first and second cells.

Abstract: Devices and methods for activating a flight-enable beacon configured to provide a light beacon or data signal comprising capability to establish and maintain a fixed set of coordinates. The flight-enabled beacon is configured with a processor, memory, motor, gimbal or swashplate and light emitting source and can be configured to attain and maintain a target altitude and emit a light over a fixed period of time. The flight-enabled beacon is configured to be light and with small form factor for easy portable transport in cases of emergency or to provide a signal easily locatable by parties located a distance from the activated light-enabled beacon.

Abstract: Devices and methods for activating a flight-enable beacon configured to provide a light beacon or data signal comprising capability to establish and maintain a fixed set of coordinates. The flight-enabled beacon is configured with a processor, memory, motor, gimbal or swashplate and light emitting source and can be configured to attain and maintain a target altitude and emit a light over a fixed period of time. The flight-enabled beacon is configured to be light and with small form factor for easy portable transport in cases of emergency or to provide a signal easily locatable by parties located a distance from the activated light-enabled beacon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making clear ice are described. The system may include a housing comprising a plurality of elongate troughs. Each of the plurality of elongate troughs may have at least one flume surface wall in thermal communication with a cooling source while the housing is submerged in a fluid bath. The system may further include at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of fluid to the housing and a means for distributing the flow of fluid from the at least one fluid intake into the plurality of elongate troughs while maintaining a substantially laminar fluid flow and substantially equal fluid pressure along the plurality of elongate troughs while the housing is submerged in the fluid bath and during a freezing operation of the device.

Abstract: A device for producing an elongate ingot of clear ice comprises a housing comprising at least one flume surface wall that defines at least one elongate trough; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of liquid into the at least one elongate trough; at least one drain disposed to drain liquid from at least one elongate trough; wherein the at least a portion of the at least one flume surface wall is in thermal communication with a cooling source; and wherein the at least one fluid intake and the at least one drain are adapted to provide a constant flow of fluid to the at least one elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device. The cooling source can be an internal cooling cavity.

Abstract: A device for producing an elongate ingot of clear ice comprises a housing comprising at least one flume surface wall that defines at least one elongate trough; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of liquid into the at least one elongate trough; at least one drain disposed to drain liquid from at least one elongate trough; wherein the at least a portion of the at least one flume surface wall is in thermal communication with a cooling source; and wherein the at least one fluid intake and the at least one drain are adapted to provide a substantially constant flow of fluid to the at least one elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device. The cooling source can be an internal cooling cavity.

Abstract: A device for producing an elongate ingot of clear ice comprises a housing comprising at least one flume surface wall that defines at least one elongate trough; at least one fluid intake disposed to provide a flow of liquid into the at least one elongate trough; at least one drain disposed to drain liquid from at least one elongate trough; wherein the at least a portion of the at least one flume surface wall is in thermal communication with a cooling source; and wherein the at least one fluid intake and the at least one drain are adapted to provide a substantially constant flow of fluid to the at least one elongate trough during a freezing operation of the device. The cooling source can be an internal cooling cavity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for activating a flight-enable beacon configured to provide a light beacon or data signal comprising capability to establish and maintain a fixed set of coordinates. The flight-enabled beacon is configured with a processor, memory, motor, gimbal or swashplate and light emitting source and can be configured to attain and maintain a target altitude and emit a light over a fixed period of time. The flight-enabled beacon is configured to be light and with small form factor for easy portable transport in cases of emergency or to provide a signal easily locatable by parties located a distance from the activated light-enabled beacon.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an energy conversion module and a fuel module that is detachable from the energy conversion module. The fuel module includes a fuel tank, a fuel module identification member including fuel module data and a fuel filter member. The control module is configured to access the fuel module data from the fuel module identification member. The fuel cell stack is configured to utilize the refined fuel to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method includes operating the fuel cell system in a base operating mode. The method further includes drawing power from the fuel cell stack at a controlled rate when operating the fuel cell system in the base operating mode. The method further includes receiving a fuel cell stack shutdown command. The method further includes transitioning the fuel cell stack from the base operating mode to a base shutdown mode when the fuel cell stack shutdown command is received. The base shutdown mode includes discontinuing power draw from the fuel cell stack and providing fuel to the fuel cell stack at a controlled fuel flow rate. The fuel flow rate being controlled such that the fuel cell stack temperature decreases.

Abstract: A method for managing power flow within an aerial vehicle includes determining a fuel cell power limit and a battery energy reserve. The method further includes determining a flight operation power requirement. The method further includes determining priority levels of secondary operations and providing power for secondary operations based on the priority levels.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubes and a heat recuperator. The heat recuperator is formed from sheet metal. The plurality of walls define an exhaust gas channel having an exhaust gas flowing therethrough and an oxidant channel having an oxidant flowing therethrough. The exhaust gas channel is in thermal communication with the oxidant channel such that heat is transferred between the exhaust gas and the oxidant.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer configured to react a raw fuel and oxygen to produce a reformed fuel. The fuel cell system further includes a fuel cell configured to generate electricity by reacting oxygen at a first electrode and reformed fuel at a second electrode. The fuel cell system further includes a plate member at least partially defining an air chamber wall, an air chamber inlet, and an air chamber outlet. The air chamber is configured to route air to at least one of the fuel reformer and the first electrode of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an energy conversion module and a fuel module that is detachable from the energy conversion module. The fuel module includes a fuel tank, a fuel module identification member including fuel module data and a fuel filter member. The control module is configured to access the fuel module data from the fuel module identification member. The fuel cell stack is configured to utilize the refined fuel to generate electrical energy.