Abstract: A lightguide comprised of a transmission medium having a first curved outer surface and a second curved outer surface and in at least one cross-section of the lightguide. The first curved outer surface and the second curved outer surface are substantially concentric around a point. The transmission medium having a gradient index of refraction that decreases as function of increasing distance from the point, the gradient index extending from the first curved surface to the second curved surface. At least one light extraction element disposed to extract light from the transmission medium and direct the light generally toward the point. Both the lightguide and the gradient index profiles may be spherical or cylindrical.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, blockchain-based hybrid authentication is disclosed that includes receiving, by a smart contract controller, an invocation of a smart contract and accessing, by the smart contract controller, one or more parameters associated with a client account. In this embodiment, the smart contract determines whether the one or more parameters fulfill the smart contract. In response to determining that the one or more parameters fulfill the smart contract, the smart contract provides an attestation of an identity associated with the client account.

Abstract: An article includes a ceramic-based substrate and a barrier layer on the ceramic-based substrate. The barrier layer includes a matrix of barium-magnesium alumino-silicate or SiO2, a dispersion of silicon oxycarbide particles in the matrix, and a dispersion of particles, of the other of barium-magnesium alumino-silicate or SiO2, in the matrix.

Abstract: In a socket assembly having a housing with a closed end and an open end and an axially slidable and rotatable bearing, a spring washer seated on the axially slidable and rotatable bearing with a protrusion or a recess on the external periphery for engagement with a cooperating recess or protrusion on an inner cavity of the housing to effectively stop movement of spring washer with the axially slidable and rotatable bearing during driving conditions.

Abstract: A fabrication apparatus for fabricating ceramic structures of controlled size and composition is provided. The fabrication apparatus includes an additive manufacturing machine configured to dispense preceramic materials in a printed pattern, the printed pattern corresponding to the ceramic structures of the controlled size and composition, a radiation emitter configured to emit curing radiation toward the printed pattern to cure the preceramic materials and a lamp element configured to shine light on the preceramic materials to convert the preceramic materials to ceramics.

Abstract: A GRIN optic having an optical axis (z-direction) and a GRIN profile varying in the x and y-directions, the profile having one or more discontinuities extending in the x-y direction. The discontinuities may form a non-closed shape or have a non-smooth rectilinear shape. The GRIN optic may have plane-parallel surfaces. A method of designing a GRIN optic which includes mapping discretized elements in the light output specification to array elements of a linear GRIN array elements, identifying for each array element, a base refractive index n0, a gradient magnitude ?, and a gradient direction ?G capable of directing a beamlet from the light source to a corresponding location in the light output specification, and constructing a piecewise-continuous freeform GRIN profile of the GRIN optic by integrating the discrete linear GRIN array elements into a continuous refractive index profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of coating a high temperature fiber including depositing a base material on the high temperature fiber using atomic layer deposition, depositing an intermediate material precursor on the base material using molecular layer deposition, depositing a top material on the intermediate material precursor or the intermediate layer using atomic layer deposition, and heat treating the intermediate precursor. The intermediate material in the final coating includes a structural defect, has lower density than the top material or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are the coated high temperature fiber and a composite including the high temperature fiber.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for displaying electromagnetic spectrum information for UAV navigation are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of displaying electromagnetic spectrum information for UAV navigation includes an electromagnetic spectrum awareness controller, of a control device associated with a UAV, that generates a first map layer based on electromagnetic spectrum map data; and displays, on a display of the control device, the first map layer overlaid on a base image.

Abstract: The tub and shower diverter assembly includes an escutcheon, a manifold sub-assembly, and a handle assembly. The manifold sub-assembly is fluidly coupled to an existing waterway connector of an existing conventional tub and shower diverter system. The manifold sub-assembly includes a mixing valve at least partially disposed through the escutcheon and coupled to the manifold sub-assembly by a valve nut. The handle assembly is coaxially aligned with the mixing valve. The handle assembly includes a base insertably coupled to the valve nut and a handle rotatably coupled to the base. The handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve. The escutcheon abuts a wall when the handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for geofence management with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of geofence management with a UAV includes a geofence manager utilizing a first set of sensor data collected by a first set of in-flight UAVs of the UAV system to detect a first object. In this embodiment, the geofence manager also utilizes the first set of sensor data to determine a first location of the detected first object and determines whether the first location of the detected first object is within a geofence of an area.

Abstract: A ceramic article includes a ceramic matrix composite that has a porous reinforcement structure and a ceramic matrix within pores of the porous reinforcement structure. The ceramic matrix composite includes a surface zone comprised of an exterior surface of the ceramic matrix composite and pores that extend from the exterior surface into the ceramic matrix composite. A glaze material seals the surface zone within the pores of the surface zone and on the exterior surface of the surface zone as an exterior glaze layer on the ceramic matrix composite. The glaze material is a glass or glass-ceramic material. The ceramic matrix composite includes an interior zone under the surface zone, and the interior zone is free of any of the glaze material and has a greater porosity than the surface zone.

Abstract: In a socket assembly having a housing with a closed end and an open end and an axially slidable and rotatable bearing, a spring washer seated on the axially slidable and rotatable bearing with a protrusion or a recess on the external periphery for engagement with a cooperating recess or protrusion on an inner cavity of the housing to effectively stop movement of spring washer with the axially slidable and rotatable bearing during driving conditions.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic composite component includes providing a fibrous preform or a plurality of fibers, providing a first plurality of particles, coating the first plurality of particles with a coating to produce a first plurality of coated particles, delivering the first plurality of coated particles to the fibrous preform or to an outer surface of the plurality of fibers, and converting the first plurality of coated particles into refractory compounds. The first plurality of particles or the coating comprises a refractory metal.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst comprises coating substantial internal surfaces of porous inorganic powders with titanium oxide to form titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders. After the coating, an extrudate comprising the titanium oxide-coated inorganic powders is formed and calcined to form a catalyst support. Then, the catalyst support is impregnated with a solution containing one or more salts of metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel.

Abstract: An additive manufactured multi-portion article includes a first portion of an article manufactured by a first additive manufacturing process; and a second portion of the article manufactured by a second additive manufacturing process different than the first additive manufacturing process, the second portion attached to the first portion.

Abstract: A barrier door may include a section including an outer stationary portion and an inner movable portion disposed within the outer stationary portion, an actuator, and a controller. The actuator may move the inner movable portion between different positions to control flow of air between a protective enclosure and a volume outside of the protective enclosure. The controller may monitor one or more operating characteristics of the actuator and may modify an operational status of the actuator to control the flow of the air between the protective enclosure and the volume outside of the protective enclosure based at least in part on the one or more operating characteristics.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic component includes hot pressing a composite component with a glass powder / filler cover mixture to form a consolidated glass-based coating on the composite component.

Abstract: A method for training an automated learning system includes processing training input with a first neural network and processing the output of the first neural network with a second neural network. The input layer of the second neural network corresponding to the output layer of the first neural network. The output layer of the second neural network corresponding to the input layer of the first neural network. An objective function is determined using the output of the second neural network and a predetermined modification magnitude. The objective function is approximated using random Cauchy projections which are propagated through the second neural network.

Abstract: The tub and shower diverter assembly includes an escutcheon, a manifold sub-assembly, and a handle assembly. The manifold sub-assembly is fluidly coupled to an existing waterway connector of an existing conventional tub and shower diverter system. The manifold sub-assembly includes a mixing valve at least partially disposed through the escutcheon and coupled to the manifold sub-assembly by a valve nut. The handle assembly is coaxially aligned with the mixing valve. The handle assembly includes a base insertably coupled to the valve nut and a handle rotatably coupled to the base. The handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve. The escutcheon abuts a wall when the handle is threadably coupled to the mixing valve.