Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of photonic crystals implanted into polymers to create durable, flexible structures that can respond to a series of external stimuli for sensing applications. Also disclosed are method embodiments of fabricating such photonic crystals.

Abstract: A deployable platform is disposed at a side of the hull of a marine vessel and is movable between a raised position in which the platform is substantially vertically oriented, and a first lowered position in which the platform is in a horizontal orientation. Further, at least a portion of the platform can be lowered to a second lower position that is below the first lowered position. In the second lowered position the platform will normally be submerged when the vessel is afloat in water. In the raised position the platform forms a portion of the side of the hull and acts to exclude water from entering the vessel.

Abstract: A deployable platform is disposed at a side of the hull of a marine vessel and is movable between a raised position in which the platform is substantially vertically oriented, and a first lowered position in which the platform is in a horizontal orientation. Further, at least a portion of the platform can be lowered to a second lower position that is below the first lowered position. In the second lowered position the platform will normally be submerged when the vessel is afloat in water. In the raised position the platform forms a portion of the side of the hull and acts to exclude water from entering the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of photonic crystals implanted into polymers to create durable, flexible structures that can respond to a series of external stimuli for sensing applications. Also disclosed are method embodiments of fabricating such photonic crystals.

Abstract: Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.

Abstract: Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.

Abstract: Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.

Abstract: Method, systems, and techniques for determining the age of an underground space are provided. In some embodiments, determining the age of an underground space comprises taking soil samples from a plurality of surface locations within a second underground space, analyzing the soil samples from the plurality of surface locations to determine an amount of a chemical compound for each soil sample, and determining an age of the second underground space using one or more relationships based on amounts of the chemical compound measured in a plurality of soil samples taken over a period of time in a first underground space and a baseline amount of the chemical compound at one or more locations remote from both the first underground space and the second underground space.

Abstract: A device for use in an intermediate station of a radio-relay communications system comprises a package consisting of a trunk switch, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer. The switch (48) has three TDM inputs, one of which is connected to the output of the multiplexer, and three TDM outputs one of which is connected to the input of the demultiplexer. The switch is non-blocking and is adapted to switch any input TDM channel to any selected output TDM channel, to enable, for example, a signal received in an incoming channel from an adjacent radio station to be selectively retransmitted to radio station or directed to one of the user terminals at the radio station.