Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a load configured to generate propulsion based on power received from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is not less than a threshold level in a first instance and cause the power converter to deliver a first magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is not less than the threshold level in the first instance. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is less than the threshold level in a second instance and cause the power converter to deliver a second magnitude of power to the load in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the threshold level in the second instance, the second magnitude being less than the first magnitude.

Abstract: An example system includes a throttle control for managing power in a hybrid propulsion system that includes an electrical propulsion unit configured to operate using electrical energy sourced from an electrical energy storage system (ESS) and/or one or more electrical generators, the throttle control comprising: a control lever movable through a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions including: a regeneration position; an off position; a maximum electric only position; a maximum continuous dual source position; and a maximum non-continuous dual source position.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an energy storage device configured to deliver power to a bus or receive power from a bus via a power converter. The system also includes a controller configured to determine that a voltage magnitude on the bus is less than a first threshold level in a first instance and cause the energy storage device to deliver power to the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is less than the first threshold level. The controller is also configured to determine that the voltage magnitude on the bus is greater than a second threshold level in the second instance, wherein the second threshold level is greater than a first threshold level and cause the energy storage device to receive power from the bus in response to determining that the voltage magnitude is greater than the second threshold level.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a bus and a first power converter connected to the bus. The system also includes a second power converter connected to the bus, the second power converter having a topology different from the topology of the first power converter. The system further includes a power source and an energy storage device connected to the bus via the first and second power converters, respectively. In addition, the system includes a source controller configured to control the first power converter and a storage controller configured to control the second power converter. The system also includes a system controller configured to determine a first set point for the first power converter, transmit an indication of the first set point to the source controller, determine a second set point for the second power converter, and transmit an indication of the second set point to the storage controller.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of cultivating genetically altered plants with increased activity of the PsbS protein. These genetically altered plants have increased water use efficiency and substantially similar photosynthetic efficiency as compared to WT plants grown under the same conditions.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transgenic plant comprising one or more nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides selected from photosystem II subunit S (PsbS), zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), and violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE), operably linked to at least one expression control sequence. Expression vectors for making transgenic plants, and methods for increasing biomass production and/or carbon fixation and/or growth in a plant comprising increasing expression of at least one of PsbS, ZEP and VDE polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants and plant cells having increased photosynthetic rate, increased biomass production, and/or improved cold tolerance compared to control plants (such as non-transgenic plants of the same species as the transgenic plants). In some examples, the transgenic plants/plant cells contain a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid encoding a pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) polypeptide. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the transgenic plants, for instance by introducing into progenitor cells of the plant a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid that encodes a PPDK polypeptide, and growing the transformed progenitor cells to produce a transgenic plant, in which the PPDK nucleic acid is expressed. Further disclosed herein are PPDK-encoding nucleic acids, PPDK polypeptides, and plant transformation vectors of use in producing the transgenic plants or plant cells.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: Process for recovery and separation of sugars and oil from plants where the stems and leaves of such plants have substantial levels of both sugars and oils.

Abstract: Process for recovery and separation of sugars and oil from plants where the stems and leaves of such plants have substantial levels of both sugars and oils.

Abstract: Silicon-based high pressure sensor modules are manufactured in an array arrangement, incorporating a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The LTCC substrate can withstand high pressures. Bossed containers filled with oil are mounted on the substrate in an array. These bossed containers house the sensor cells which are composed of a sensor handle wafer and a diaphragm. The top surface of these bossed containers are flexible and deflect under pressure. By controlling the surface area and the thickness of the top surface, the pressure sensors can be configured to measure a wide range of pressures. The oil transfers pressure from the bossed container to the diaphragm of the sensor cell while protecting the sensor cell from high pressures and harsh media.

Abstract: A sensor module is provided having a compact housing containing a sensor. A low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate is located on the housing. The sensor and signal processing circuitry are located on the low temperature co-fired ceramic substrate. The sensor module further includes a metal shield substantially encapsulating the sensor.

Abstract: A silicon-based high pressure sensor module incorporates a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The LTCC substrate can withstand high pressures. A bossed container filled with oil is mounted on the substrate and houses a sensor cell. The top surface of the bossed container is flexible and deflects under pressure. By controlling the surface area and the thickness of the top surface, the pressure sensor can be configured to measure a wide range of pressures. The oil transfers pressure from the bossed container to the diaphragm of the sensor cell while protecting the sensor cell from high pressures and harsh media.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: A technique for manufacturing an integrated pressure sensor includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate with conductive electrical traces located on first and second sides of the substrate is provided. A plurality of compensation circuits are positioned in an array on the first side of the substrate in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the first side of the substrate. A plurality of pressure sensors are positioned on the second side of the substrate in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the second side of the substrate. Each one of the sensors is associated with one of the compensation circuits to form a plurality of pressure sensor-compensation circuit pairs. The substrate includes conductive vias to electrically connect each of the sensor-compensation circuit pairs. Each of the compensation circuits provides temperature compensation for an associated one of the sensors.

Abstract: A pressure sensor module is provided with an isolation platform which isolates stress. The pressure sensor module includes a base structure and a cantilever member formed in the base structure by an isolation gap. A pressure sensing element is located on the cantilever member such that the cantilever member provides stress isolation to the pressure sensing element.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: A process for preconditioning assembled parts for leak testing is disclosed. The process includes placing the assembled parts under vacuum to draw out through any unsealed interface of the assembled parts any fluid trapped therein, and while under vacuum, exposing the assembled parts to a liquid conditioning medium (LCM), wherein the LCM may comprise a mixture of water and a low vapor pressure surfactant. The assembled parts exposed to the LCM are then placed under positive pressure greater than ambient pressure to drive the LCM into any unsealed interfaces of the assembled parts. Any residual LCM on the external surfaces of the assembled parts is then removed, and the assembled parts are subsequently tested for LCM ingress.

Abstract: An instrument (2) for simultaneously measuring a plurality of parameters indicative of photosynthetic activity of a leaf in vivo comprises:(a) a gas tight chamber (4) for enclosing the leaf (5),(b) light emitting diode means (10) for illuminating the leaf within the chamber with modulated light not capable of driving photosynthesis,(c) photodiode detector means (14) for detecting modulated fluorescence emission from the leaf,(d) wide perspex core means for illuminating the leaf with photosynthetically active light,(e) quantor sensor means (43) for measuring the light absorbed by the leaf,(f) and infra red gas analyzer means (32) for measuring the rate of uptake of carbon dioxide gas by the leaf.The instrument may also comprise means for measuring the rate of loss of water by the leaf, and for measuring the temperature in the chamber.The invention includes a method of simultaneously measuring a plurality of parameters indicative of photosynthetic activity of a leaf in vivo.