Abstract: A photo-catalyst (EP) is regarded as an alternate method to replace the plasma chemical process and as an additional catalytic processing scheme on top of a micro- or nano-structured catalyst (EC) and electro-catalyst (EV). The potential energy reduction that results from the effect of photo-enhanced electro-catalyst (PEEC) is significant.

Abstract: An electric generator can include: a radionuclide to emit gamma radiation (GR); an emitter having an emitter atom to receive the emitted GR so that, the GR causes an electron of an emitter atom to be liberated, and thereby be emitted from an emitter surface; a collector spaced from the emitter surface forming a gap between the emitter surface and a collector surface; and a gas having a gas atom and a gas pressure, in the gap, to receive, GR passed through the emitter so that, the received GR causes an electron of the gas atom to be liberated; wherein electrons liberated from the emitter atom and the gas atom are received by the collector, thereby causing an electrical potential difference between the emitter and the collector, and so that an electric current corresponding to a flow of electrons between the emitter and the collector is producible from the collector.

Abstract: A tiny and portable micro-spectrometer deployable in a bullet-like form that is inexpensive to the point that it can even be disposable is described. The device is based on the micro-spectrometer that uses the Fresnel diffraction principle that allows a tiny implementation with a nanometer resolving power of spectral signal. A bullet-like micro-spectrometer has an integration of a super capacitor as a power source, a charging coil for the super capacitor, an LED or laser diode light source and driver, an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit, and a telemetry system with antenna string. An LED or laser diode runs in a burst mode to generate deep or vacuum UV to excite target material. When the excited state of target material undergoes a singlet or triplet transition, this transition process yields fluorescence or luminescence which is a material-dependent. The micro-spectrometer senses and uses this spectral emission from material to identify the spectral signature of the targeted material.

Abstract: Means and method for photo-enhanced electro-catalytic process using nuclear thermal NTAC-integrated PEEC (PEEC-NTAC) catalytic processes combining ECM with energetic photon sources, such gamma rays, and sono-catalytic driver.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control mechanism is described which substantially improves the existing processes in that smaller magnetic fields, requiring far less mass, may be placed away from the forebody of the spacecraft to produce Lorentz forces that augment the lift and the drag forces for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft. The MHD flow control mechanism may also be configured to provide additional thermal protection of the electrodes therein.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method transmit a signal from the surface (or surroundings) of a celestial object to a satellite (for which you know the orbital elements) that re-transmits the signal back to a transceiver on the surface of the celestial object from which a time delay to obtain a range measurement and a Doppler shift to obtain the range-rate can be measured. With knowledge of the satellite's orbital elements and the range and range-rate, a location of the transceiver can be determined.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method transmit a signal from the surface (or surroundings) of a celestial object to a satellite (for which you know the orbital elements) that re-transmits the signal back to a transceiver on the surface of the celestial object from which a time delay to obtain a range measurement and a Doppler shift to obtain the range-rate can be measured. With knowledge of the satellite's orbital elements and the range and range-rate, a location of the transceiver can be determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system including a nuclear thermal rocket or a nuclear reactor, at least one nuclear electric thruster coupled to the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and a Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) configured to generate electrical power. The NTAC cell may be positioned around a nuclear reactor core of the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and the nuclear electric thruster may be powered by the NTAC generated electrical power.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control mechanism is described which substantially improves the existing processes in that smaller magnetic fields, requiring far less mass, are placed away from the forebody of the spacecraft to produce Lorentz forces that augment the lift and the drag forces for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A device and method that creates linear motion or acceleration of fine particles and molecules are described. The device includes a plurality of ring electrodes arranged along an axis so that a cylindrical harmonic field is formed when electrical voltage is applied separately to each ring of the plurality of rings cylindrical harmonic field. A method of driving gaseous molecules and nanoparticles in linear motion by operating a device that includes a plurality of ring electrodes arranged along an axis. The method includes providing gaseous molecules or nanoparticles in a high vacuum environment, applying an electrical voltage to each ring of the plurality of rings to form a cylindrical harmonic field that includes a drift axis, and aligning and accelerating the gaseous molecules or nanoparticles along the drift axis for storage, pumping out, or separation of the gaseous molecules or nanoparticles.

Abstract: A tiny and portable micro-spectrometer deployable in a bullet-like form that is inexpensive to the point that it can even be disposable is described. The device is based on the micro-spectrometer that uses the Fresnel diffraction principle that allows a tiny implementation with a nanometer resolving power of spectral signal. A bullet-like micro-spectrometer has an integration of a super capacitor as a power source, a charging coil for the super capacitor, an LED or laser diode light source and driver, an analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit, and a telemetry system with antenna string. An LED or laser diode runs in a burst mode to generate deep or vacuum UV to excite target material. When the excited state of target material undergoes a singlet or triplet transition, this transition process yields fluorescence or luminescence which is a material-dependent. The micro-spectrometer senses and uses this spectral emission from material to identify the spectral signature of the targeted material.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control mechanism is described which substantially improves the existing processes in that smaller magnetic fields, requiring far less mass, may be placed away from the forebody of the spacecraft to produce Lorentz forces that augment the lift and the drag forces for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft. The MHD flow control mechanism may also be configured to provide additional thermal protection of the electrodes therein.

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow control mechanism is described which substantially improves the existing processes in that smaller magnetic fields, requiring far less mass, are placed away from the forebody of the spacecraft to produce Lorentz forces that augment the lift and the drag forces for guidance, navigation, and control of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A cooling system and method for Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cells (NT A Cs) Through cooling channels disposed within layers of the NTAC. The NTAC uses gamma ray radiations and/or energetic electrons which are emanated from the decay processes of radioactive materials 5 and operates continuously. The cooling system and method maximizes energy output of current NTAC devices, alleviates thermal loading issues inside a NTAC. The cooling system and method may also include radiative means for dissipating thermal energy, or in other embodiments capture thermal energy from a NTAC in addition to electrical energy generated by NTACs. Cooling channels are disposed within the layers of a NTAC and joined to a fluid and/or gas flow control system through top and bottom structures which incorporate cooling channels and allow fluid and/or gas to flow through the layers of a NT AC.

Abstract: A photo-catalyst (Ep) is regarded as an alternate method to replace the plasma chemical process and as an additional catalytic processing scheme on top of a micro- or nano-structured catalyst (Ec) and electro-catalyst (Ev). The potential energy reduction that results from the effect of photo-enhanced electro-catalyst (PEEC) is significant.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system including a nuclear thermal rocket or a nuclear reactor, at least one nuclear electric thruster coupled to the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and a Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) configured to generate electrical power. The NTAC cell may be positioned around a nuclear reactor core of the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and the nuclear electric thruster may be powered by the NTAC generated electrical power.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports a plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal. Large changes in gain are interpolated in small gain steps or increments. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. The gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal. The clocking signal can be provided in a pseudo-randomized manner to minimize unwanted signal effects such as discernable sound transients.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports at plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal of a non-uniform rate. The non-uniform rate clocking signal can be created pseudo randomly by applying a periodic sequence of clock pulses to a linear feedback shift register. Alternatively, the non-uniform rate clock signal can be created by applying a noise source to a phase detector input of a phase locked loop. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. Finally, the gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports a plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal. Large changes in gain are interpolated in small gain steps or increments. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. The gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal. The clocking signal can be provided in a pseudo-randomized manner to minimize unwanted signal effects such as discernable sound transients.

Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports at plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal of a non-uniform rate. The non-uniform rate clocking signal can be created pseudo randomly by applying a periodic sequence of clock pulses to a linear feedback shift register. Alternatively, the non-uniform rate clock signal can be created by applying a noise source to a phase detector input of a phase locked loop. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. Finally, the gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal.