Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: Regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbers are provided. The regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbers include at least a first housing compartment including an inlet, an outlet, and an interior region. A sorbent material is located within the interior region of the first housing compartment, in which the sorbent material (a) attracts and/or retains carbon dioxide from an air supply passing through the sorbent material at an operating temperature below about 100° C., and (b) releases carbon dioxide at a regenerating temperature above about 150° C. Rebreathers including the regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbers and methods of scrubbing carbon dioxide from a user's exhaled air are also provided.

Abstract: A muscle activity sensor includes a base textile, an electrode, and an interconnect. The base textile is configured to apply a compression force against a dermal surface of the user. The electrode is coupled to the base textile and includes a sensor layer including a conductive textile coupled to a dermal side of the base textile. The sensor layer is configured to receive electrical signals associated with muscle activity of the user. The electrode may also be configured to provide the electrical signals as an output signal. The interconnect may be coupled to the base textile over a distance from the electrode to an interconnect junction contact such that the interconnect moves with the base textile as the user moves. The interconnect may be further configured to deliver the output signal from the electrode to the interconnect junction contact.

Abstract: Articles and insulating systems include a wicking layer, an incompressible insulation layer, and a water scavenging system comprising a superhydrophobic layer in operative communication with one or more water collecting components.

Abstract: Functionalized metallic feedstock and three-dimensional articles formed therefrom via an additive manufacturing process are provided. The functionalized metallic feedstock includes a plurality of discrete metallic substrates including a first metallic substrate having a first surface area, in which at least a portion of the first surface area comprises a functionalizing agent selected to render the first metallic substrate resistant to corrosion.

Abstract: Functionalized metallic feedstock and three-dimensional articles formed therefrom via an additive manufacturing process are provided. The functionalized metallic feedstock includes a plurality of discrete metallic substrates including a first metallic substrate having a first surface area, in which at least a portion of the first surface area comprises a functionalizing agent selected to render the first metallic substrate resistant to corrosion.

Abstract: A thin film electrode is fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.

Abstract: A prosthetic interface includes an orientation assembly, a mounting plate and a load bearing assembly. The orientation assembly includes an anterior frame portion and a posterior frame portion. The anterior frame portion extends over an anterior portion of a torso of a wearer of the prosthetic interface. The posterior frame portion extends over a posterior portion of the torso. The mounting plate is disposed at an intersection of the posterior frame portion and the anterior frame portion. The mounting plate forms a structure to which a prosthetic limb is attachable. The load bearing assembly includes breathable fabric forming a load distribution matrix to distribute a load on the mounting plate over portions of the torso with which the fabric is in contact.

Abstract: A method of making an antifouling article includes providing a mold having a mold cavity and a mold surface for defining an article. The method also includes applying a mold release material to the mold surface. The method further includes coating the mold surface with a plurality of metallic powder particles comprising an antifouling agent. Still further, the method includes filling the mold with a curable polymeric material. Yet further, the method includes curing the polymeric material and forming an article having a surface defined by the mold surface, the surface of the article having the plurality of metallic powder particles disposed thereon and comprising an antifouling coating.

Abstract: A thin film electrode is fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.

Abstract: Thin-film electrodes and battery cells, and methods of fabrication. A thin film electrode may be fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.

Abstract: A method of making an antifouling article includes providing a mold having a mold cavity and a mold surface for defining an article. The method also includes applying a mold release material to the mold surface. The method further includes coating the mold surface with a plurality of metallic powder particles comprising an antifouling agent. Still further, the method includes filling the mold with a curable polymeric material. Yet further, the method includes curing the polymeric material and forming an article having a surface defined by the mold surface, the surface of the article having the plurality of metallic powder particles disposed thereon and comprising an antifouling coating.

Abstract: Thin-film electrodes and battery cells, and methods of fabrication. A thin film electrode may be fabricated from a non-metallic, non-conductive porous support structure having pores with micrometer-range diameters. The support may include a polymer film. A first surface of the support is metalized, and the pores are partially metallized to create metal tubes having a thickness within a range of 50 to 150 nanometers, in contact with the metal layer. An active material is disposed within metalized portions of the pores. An electrolyte is disposed within non-metalized portions of the pores. Active materials may be selected to create an anode and a cathode. Non-metalized surfaces of the anode and cathode may be contacted to one another to form a battery cell, with the non-metalized electrolyte-containing portions of the anode facing the electrolyte-containing portions of the cathode pores. A battery cell may be fabricated as, for example, a nickel-zinc battery cell.

Abstract: An impact resistant device is provided comprising a support matrix and a plurality of energy absorbing elements operatively connected to the support matrix, each element comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one strain rate sensitive material. The impact resistant device can be worn as body armor to protect the wearer from high velocity projectiles.

Abstract: An impact resistant device is provided comprising a support matrix and a plurality of energy absorbing elements operatively connected to the support matrix, each element comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one strain rate sensitive material. The impact resistant device can be worn as body armor to protect the wearer from high velocity projectiles.

Abstract: An impact resistant device is provided comprising a flexible support matrix and a plurality of energy absorbing elements operatively connected to the support matrix, each element comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one strain rate sensitive material. The impact resistant device can be worn as body armor to protect the wearer from high velocity projectiles.

Abstract: An impact resistant device is provided comprising a flexible support matrix and a plurality of energy absorbing elements operatively connected to the support matrix, each element comprising at least one ceramic material and at least one strain rate sensitive material. The impact resistant device can be worn as body armor to protect the wearer from high velocity projectiles.

Abstract: A structure that includes a plurality of cells of a cured resinous material. Each cell is joined to at least one other cell.

Abstract: A method of covertly detecting and reporting a distress condition in a control cabin of a vehicle, the cabin having designated areas expected to be occupied by respective operators under normal operating conditions of the vehicle. The method comprises (a) attaching to each operator a transponder tag configured to wirelessly transmit a response signal, unique to the operator to which it is attached, responsive to an interrogator signal; (b) wirelessly transmitting interrogator signals into the designated areas; (c) attempting to detect response signals, if any, from the transponder tags; and (d) if all of the response signals are concurrently not detected, then wirelessly transmitting a distress signal from the vehicle.

Abstract: An instrumented torso model that simulates anatomical features and measures the effects on a body caused by various types of impacts. Simulated bone having material properties similar to that of healthy human bone is surrounded by simulated tissue. At least one sensor array is attached to either or both of the simulated bone and the simulated tissue for measuring the effects of the impacts.