Abstract: A system for determining the distance or range from a LIDAR device and the wind direction uses optics configured in the Scheimpflug condition to establish range from the LIDAR to the atmosphere being measured. This LIDAR embodiment uses correlation techniques to establish wind speed and direction. Multiple laser beam lines of sight are required to determine wind direction and speed.

Abstract: Spectrographic measurements are often limited by the amount of light that is available. Photons that are not collected or measured reduce the signal to noise and therefore reduce measurement precision. This invention collects the zero order light and sends it through the spectrometer again. In an atmospheric LIDAR, the zero order recycling is estimated to increase the rotational Raman signal by an additional 20%. A grating based spectrometer where the zero order light is collected by a lens or mirror and focused into a fiber optic that sends the light to the input slit where it is directed into the spectrometer again. There can be a plurality of recycle fibers. The detector can be either a single linear array or a two dimensional array such as a CCD or CMOS camera.

Abstract: A system for determining the distance or range from a LIDAR device and the wind direction uses optics configured in the Scheimpflug condition to establish range from the LIDAR to the atmosphere being measured. This LIDAR embodiment uses correlation techniques to establish wind speed and direction. Multiple laser beam lines of sight are required to determine wind direction and speed.

Abstract: A charging system incorporates at least one motor; conductive charging arms rotatably coupled to the motor; a controller coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the conductive charging arms; and a sensor configured to sense the presence of a powered device and provide a signal to notify the controller of the presence of the powered device. In response to receiving the signal, the controller controls the motor to rotate the conductive arms to positions of electrical charging contact with the powered device. The powered device can be a drone powered by a rechargeable battery. The positions of electrical charging contact include electrical connections to terminals of the rechargeable battery. The charging system may also incorporate the feature of the motor having a stepper motor coupled to each of the conductive arms.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting gas sensing employs a waveguide for both electromagnetic and acoustic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is intensity-modulated and introduced into a waveguide. The waveguide is perforated to admit a gas that absorbs energy at the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. An acoustic wave is produced in the waveguide with a frequency equal to the modulation frequency of the electromagnetic radiation. The acoustic wave is received by an acoustic sensor and the presence of the gas is determined in accordance with the received acoustic wave.

Abstract: The distance to multiple points in a scene are measured in accordance with a system and method employing, in some embodiments, a plurality of emitters arranged to emit electromagnetic waves toward a scene substantially simultaneously, a receiver arranged to receive the electromagnetic waves after being scattered from multiple points in the scene, and to output a signal corresponding to each received electromagnetic wave, and computing electronics configured to compare a phase of the emitted electromagnetic waves with a phase of each corresponding received electromagnetic wave in the output signal and determine a distance to each of the multiple points based on the comparison of the phases. Each of the plurality of emitters may be intensity modulated at a different respective frequency, permitting identification of the emitter corresponding to each of the isolated frequencies.

Abstract: A direct detection LIght Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) system for instantaneous measurement of target velocity and distance uses principles of dichroic atomic vapor absorption in a closed feedback loop. In one or more embodiments, the system includes a laser light source to transmit laser light toward a target; a Dichroic Atomic Vapor Laser Locking (“DAVLL”) system including a gas cell in a magnetic field, wherein the DAVLL system is coupled to receive the laser light after being reflected by the target and output an error signal that can be used to calculated the relative velocity between the emitter and the target; and a feedback control configured to determine respective gas absorption rates of the LCP and RCP light beams in the gas cell, determine a difference of the respective gas absorption rates, and control the laser light source to adjust the frequency of the transmitted laser light in accordance with the determined ratio.

Abstract: Spectrographic measurements are often limited by the amount of light that is available. Photons that are not collected or measured reduce the signal to noise and therefore reduce measurement precision. This invention collects the zero order light and sends it through the spectrometer again. In an atmospheric LIDAR, the zero order recycling is estimated to increase the rotational Raman signal by an additional 20%. A grating based spectrometer where the zero order light is collected by a lens or mirror and focused into a fiber optic that sends the light to the input slit where it is directed into the spectrometer again. There can be a plurality of recycle fibers. The detector can be either a single linear array or a two dimensional array such as a CCD or CMOS camera.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle comprising: a source of thrust, for propelling the vehicle forwards; and a canopy attachment arrangement having at least one securement point for at least one line of a canopy securable to the vehicle in use for providing lift to the vehicle, wherein the canopy attachment arrangement is configured such that the at least one securement point is movable between a first position below the line of thrust and a second position above the line of thrust.

Abstract: A charging system incorporates at least one motor; conductive charging arms rotatably coupled to the motor; a controller coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the conductive charging arms; and a sensor configured to sense the presence of a powered device and provide a signal to notify the controller of the presence of the powered device. In response to receiving the signal, the controller controls the motor to rotate the conductive arms to positions of electrical charging contact with the powered device. The powered device can be a drone powered by a rechargeable battery. The positions of electrical charging contact include electrical connections to terminals of the rechargeable battery. The charging system may also incorporate the feature of the motor having a stepper motor coupled to each of the conductive arms.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.