Abstract: Methods and apparatus for battery armor including a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection, and a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer including a battery layer. Exemplary embodiments for battery armor include layers of non-conductive and conductive materials to provide ballistic protection and electrical power.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy conversion device comprises a nuclear battery, a light source coupled to the nuclear battery and operable to receive electric energy from the nuclear battery and radiate electromagnetic energy, and a photocell operable to receive the radiated electromagnetic energy and convert the received electromagnetic energy into electric energy. The nuclear battery comprises a radioactive substance and a collector operable to receive particles emitted by the radioactive substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a direction of travel of a neutron emitted from a source includes: a chamber containing (i) nuclei that recoil upon interaction with an incoming neutron and (ii) atoms capable of being ionized by the recoiled nuclei thereby releasing electrons; an electron-interaction material disposed at the chamber and configured to receive electrons released by the ionized atoms and to emit photons upon the interaction with the received electrons; an imager configured to form an image of photons emitted by the electron-interaction material, wherein the image comprises a path having the direction of travel of the incoming neutron; and an orientation sensor configured to sense an orientation of the imager in order to relate the direction of travel of the incoming neutron to the orientation of the imager.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a neutron emitting source includes: a plurality of neutron detectors configured to receive incoming neutrons from an area of interest, each neutron detector being configured to produce an image of a path of light depicting a direction of travel of an incoming neutron; and a central processor coupled to each neutron detector in the plurality of neutron detectors and configured to receive the direction of travel of the incoming neutron from each neutron detector and to compute the location using the received directions.

Abstract: Processing a composite material includes forming a nanomaterial comprising nanotubes. The nanotubes comprise first nanotubes and second nanotubes, where the first nanotubes and the second nanotubes have different lengths. The nanomaterial is combined with a matrix to yield a composite material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a composite material includes nanostructures dispersed in a substrate that may be cured from an amorphous state to a hardened state. The composite material may be manufactured by placing the nanostructures in the substrate while in an amorphous state and applying an electric field to the nanostructures and the substrate while the substrate cures to a hardened state.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a direction of travel of a neutron emitted from a source includes: a chamber containing (i) nuclei that recoil upon interaction with an incoming neutron and (ii) atoms capable of being ionized by the recoiled nuclei thereby releasing electrons; an electron-interaction material disposed at the chamber and configured to receive electrons released by the ionized atoms and to emit photons upon the interaction with the received electrons; an imager configured to form an image of photons emitted by the electron-interaction material, wherein the image comprises a path having the direction of travel of the incoming neutron; and an orientation sensor configured to sense an orientation of the imager in order to relate the direction of travel of the incoming neutron to the orientation of the imager.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a neutron emitting source includes: a plurality of neutron detectors configured to receive incoming neutrons from an area of interest, each neutron detector being configured to produce an image of a path of light depicting a direction of travel of an incoming neutron; and a central processor coupled to each neutron detector in the plurality of neutron detectors and configured to receive the direction of travel of the incoming neutron from each neutron detector and to compute the location using the received directions.

Abstract: Processing a composite material includes combining a nanomaterial with a matrix to yield a composite material. The nanomaterial comprises nanotubes. An electric current is applied to the composite material to align and disperse the nanotubes in the matrix.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an electro-magnetic radiation detector includes a sensor coupled to multiple nanostructures and an electro-magnetic radiation indicating device. The nanostructures are adapted to absorb electro-magnetic energy and generate heat according to the absorbed electro-magnetic energy. The sensor is adapted to measure the heat generated by the plurality of nanostructures and to generate a first signal according to the measured heat. The electro-magnetic radiation indicating device is operable to receive the signal from the sensor and indicate a level of electro-magnetic energy absorbed by the plurality of nanostructures according to the received signal.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments are directed to methods and systems of detecting an analyte present in the environment. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods and systems of detecting a threatening or dangerous analyte that may increase survivability of an individual or group of individuals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for battery armor including a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection, and a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer including a battery layer. Exemplary embodiments for battery armor include layers of non-conductive and conductive materials to provide ballistic protection and electrical power.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system comprises a composite and an applicator. The composite comprises an explosive material and a plurality of nanostructures. The applicator is configured to direct microwaves to the composite. In response to the microwaves, the nanostructures within the composite generate shockwaves that detonate the explosive material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of metallic layers. The armor system further comprises a plurality of non-metallic layers located in between two or more metallic layers of the plurality of metallic layers, such that each non-metallic layer is located at a respective depth in the plurality of metallic layers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for removing a gas from a nanostructure material includes a providing gas that is implanted in a carbon nanostructure material. The nanostructure material is subjected to a microwave field to remove the hydrogen from the nanostructure material.

Abstract: Method for making a low cost, light weight impact deflecting material, comprising directionally aligned single walled carbon nanotubes in an epoxy resin composition, that is near impervious to bullets fired at close range at all angles of incidence, that does not deteriorate upon abrasion or when exposed to wide ranges of temperature and humidity, and that when used to construct a protective shield for a body armor vest protects the wearer from blunt trauma effects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an armor system includes one or more composite armor panels including one or more layers of fibers including a first fiber weave, such that a first directionality of one or more fibers of the first fiber weave is configurable to reshape a projectile based on one or more angles of the first directionality of the one or more fibers of the first fiber weave. The armor system also includes one or more composite armor panels comprising one or more layers of fibers including a second fiber weave, such that a second directionality of one or more fibers of the second fiber weave is configurable to reshape the projectile to a new shape based on one or more angles of the second directionality of the one or more fibers of the second fiber weave.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an armor system comprises a plurality of layers of armor and a plurality of air gap layers. The plurality of air gap layers are located in between two or more layers of the plurality of layers of armor. Each air gap layer is located at a respective depth in the plurality of layers of armor. At least a first air gap layer of the plurality of air gap layers is located at a first depth from an outer side of the armor system. The outer side is located toward a projectile impact site. At least a second air gap layer of the plurality of air gap layers is located at a second depth from the outer side. The first air gap layer has a thickness greater than the second air gap layer.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a linear accelerator comprises a nanotube, a particle, and an energy source. The nanotube has a cylindrical shape, and the particle is disposed within the nanotube. The energy source is configured to apply energy to the nanotube to cause the particle to accelerate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an energy conversion device comprises a nuclear battery, a light source coupled to the nuclear battery and operable to receive electric energy from the nuclear battery and radiate electromagnetic energy, and a photocell operable to receive the radiated electromagnetic energy and convert the received electromagnetic energy into electric energy. The nuclear battery comprises a radioactive substance and a collector operable to receive particles emitted by the radioactive substance.