Abstract: Photovoltaic devices having transparent contact layers are described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous sterilization of vehicles includes coded logic or processing instructions to determine (i) when sterilization should occur (or not occur), (ii) where sterilization should occur (or not occur), and/or (iii) how sterilization should occur (e.g., which method to use, how long to conduct, and/or which parameter values/settings to employ). The sterilization system may autonomously determine when it is safe to sterilize an environment/location and/or how such sterilization should be carried out. Autonomous sterilization systems and/or processes described herein may permit facilities and/or services to remain open and/or available at higher rates than current offline processes permit, thereby increasing availability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods customizing electronic communications. A future event associated with a first user may be determined, and a second user that is associated with the first user may be identified. A plurality of communications involving the first user and the second user may be analyzed. A selection rule may be applied based on the analyzed plurality of communications, the selection rule identifying content from the database. Content from the database may be selected based on the application of the selection rule. An electronic message may be provided to the first user identifying the future event, and the selected content may be provided to the first user.

Abstract: A system can have an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) detection and ranging (DAR) device, such as a LIDAR device. A shock mount can couple the EMR DAR device to a vehicle. The shock mount can isolate the EMR DAR device from impulse shocks experienced by the vehicle. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) can be coupled to the EMR DAR device or a first portion of the shock mount. The IMU can measure movement of the EMR DAR device. Alternatively or additionally, the EMR DAR can detect locations of a reference feature of the vehicle at different times and can use the detected locations to determine movement of the EMR DAR relative to the vehicle. Data of the EMR DAR device indicative of detected features can be adjusted based at least in part on the movement measured by the IMU.

Abstract: System and method for initiating mass notification events. The notification events may include unidirectional or bidirectional messaging to a plurality of recipients. Events are provisioned to include a set of recipients and a message to be delivered to those recipients. The events are provided to a set of topic channels. Individual ones of communication method handlers are caused to subscribe to one or more of the topic channels.

Abstract: System and method for initiating mass notification events. The notification events may include unidirectional or bidirectional messaging to a plurality of recipients. Events are provisioned to include a set of recipients and a message to be delivered to those recipients. The events are provided to a set of topic channels. Individual ones of communication method handlers are caused to subscribe to one or more of the topic channels.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and methods are disclosed to generate messaging to view content on media devices based on predictive factors. Information may be received to trigger one or more predictive factors and then generate a candidate set of offers to view content at a media device based on the information. Based on the one or more predictive factors, confidence values may be determined for each offer in the candidate set of offers. The candidate set of offers may be ranked based on the associated confidence values. Subsequently, presentation of at least one offer of the candidate set of offers may be caused to display in a user interface screen on the media device based on the ranking.

Abstract: Battery powered quadrotors or drones have a limited operation time. To extend operation time, a powered tether can be used. This tether provides power to the drone allowing it to stay up indefinitely. Most tethered drones are captured to the base station. The tether can reel in and out as the drone moves, but the drone can't go higher or further than the maximum length of the tether. If the tether can be automatically disconnected, the drone could fly off for some remote mission, assuming the drone had an onboard power source such as rechargeable batteries. The present invention relates to a self-powered drone tether that comprises a rechargeable drone in flight which is referred to as the rechargeable drone, a drone that carries a powered tether which is referred to as the tether drone, a coupling mechanism between the rechargeable drone and the tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system.

Abstract: Current foot-launched 2-stroke commercial PPG offerings can meet the specified threshold (and in some cases, objective) requirements for flight ceiling, payload capacity and range with little to no modification. We will discuss those in the next section. The APES system enhances the effectiveness and lethality of the PPG-equipped unit by reducing weight of the PPG, increasing reliability and redundancy, reducing pilot workload, and seamlessly integrating with UAV's and UGV's. System improvements in the following areas is assessed: Series hybrid-electric powertrain, Coaxial propellers. Localization, autopilot, and formations, Auto landing and other advanced features, Integration with unmanned systems, and Launch Considerations.

Abstract: Battery powered quadrotors or drones have a limited operation time. To extend operation time, a powered tether can be used. This tether provides power to the drone allowing it to stay up indefinitely. Most tethered drones are captured to the base station. The tether can reel in and out as the drone moves, but the drone can't go higher or further than the maximum length of the tether. If the tether can be automatically disconnected, the drone could fly off for some remote mission, assuming the drone had an onboard power source such as rechargeable batteries. The present invention relates to a self-powered drone tether that comprises a rechargeable drone in flight which is referred to as the rechargeable drone, a drone that carries a powered tether which is referred to as the tether drone, a coupling mechanism between the rechargeable drone and the tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system.

Abstract: The present application relates to induction of a Treg phenotype in mammalian naïve CD4+ T cells. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions described can be applied as methods to treat autoimmune disorders or transplant complications (e.g., lupus and graft-versus-host disease) and may be used in combination with, but do not require, systemic immune suppression, such as a chemotherapeutic agent. In particular, embodiments of the disclosure can utilize transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGFB2), molecules that stimulate the production of TGFB2, inhibitors of molecules that suppress production of TGFB2, or molecules that effect the function of TGFB2 to induce a Treg phenotype in naïve CD4+ T cells from a mammal. Provided herein are embodiments and examples demonstrating the production of Treg cells, as well as the application of Treg cells in modulating the inflammatory response present in certain diseases.

Abstract: System and method for initiating mass notification events. The notification events may include unidirectional or bidirectional messaging to a plurality of recipients. Events are provisioned to include a set of recipients and a message to be delivered to those recipients. The events are provided to a set of topic channels. Individual ones of communication method handlers are caused to subscribe to one or more of the topic channels.

Abstract: Current foot-launched 2-stroke commercial PPG offerings can meet the specified threshold (and in some cases, objective) requirements for flight ceiling, payload capacity and range with little to no modification. We will discuss those in the next section. The APES system enhances the effectiveness and lethality of the PPG-equipped unit by reducing weight of the PPG, increasing reliability and redundancy, reducing pilot workload, and seamlessly integrating with UAV's and UGV's. System improvements in the following areas is assessed: Series hybrid-electric powertrain, Coaxial propellers. Localization, autopilot, and formations, Auto landing and other advanced features, Integration with unmanned systems, and Launch Considerations.

Abstract: In the current invention, the parafoil follows a longitudinal trajectory away or towards the generator. The work is created along the path of the line, not across. When the parafoil is extended away from the vehicle generating power, the parafoil is set by the control system in a high drag configuration. When the parafoil reaches the end of the line (or close to it), the controller sets up the parafoil in the retraction mode. In this mode, the parafoil still creates lift, but, at a significantly lower drag, and therefore, the ground station can easily retrieve it by pulling the line towards the vehicles.

Abstract: A heat exchange system is provided with an improved internal heat exchanger (IHX). The system includes a loop configured to circulate refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser downstream of the compressor, an expansion valve downstream of the condenser, and an evaporator downstream of the expansion device and upstream of the compressor. The system also includes an internal heat exchanger (IHX) configured to transfer heat between (i) fluid passing from the condenser to the expansion device and (ii) fluid passing from the evaporator to the compressor. In embodiments, the IHX defines a first flow path configured to transfer the fluid passing from the condenser to the expansion device, and a second flow path configured to transfer the fluid passing from the evaporator to the compressor. The first flow path crosses the second flow path within the interior of the IHX.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous, modular, and/or multi-segment vehicle barriers, such as portable vehicle barriers that may be automatically anchored to the ground in response to threat detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomous and safe sterilization, sanitizing, and cleaning, such as automatic sanitizing in autonomous vehicles and modification of autonomous sanitizing and access control upon human presence.

Abstract: A cable assembly configured to electrically connect an active loudspeaker to a source device that comprises a source of electrical power and audio signals.

Abstract: A cable assembly configured to electrically connect an active loudspeaker to a source device that comprises a source of electrical power and audio signals.

Abstract: Battery powered quadrotors or drones have a limited operation time. To extend operation time, a powered tether can be used. This tether provides power to the drone allowing it to stay up indefinitely. Most tethered drones are captured to the base station. The tether can reel in and out as the drone moves, but the drone can't go higher or further than the maximum length of the tether. If the tether can be automatically disconnected, the drone could fly off for some remote mission, assuming the drone had an onboard power source such as rechargeable batteries. The present invention relates to a self-powered drone tether that comprises a rechargeable drone in flight which is referred to as the rechargeable drone, a drone that carries a powered tether which is referred to as the tether drone, a coupling mechanism between the rechargeable drone and the tether drone, and a base station with a powered tether and tether deployment system.