Abstract: An ignition suppressing enclosure configured to contain an ignition source is disclosed and includes a body portion defining an inner surface, an outer surface, and an enclosed volume containing a flammable gaseous mixture. The enclosed volume is sized to contain the ignition source. The enclosed volume of the ignition suppressing enclosure is surrounded by an exterior combustible environment also containing the flammable gaseous mixture. The ignition suppressing enclosure includes one or more vent paths that extend between the inner surface and the outer surface of the body portion, where each individual vent path includes an effective diameter based on at least a minimum ignition energy of the flammable gaseous mixture. The effective diameter of the individual vent path is selected to quench a flame that occurs within the enclosed volume of the ignition suppressing enclosure.

Abstract: A transistor is provided that comprises a source region overlying a base structure, a drain region overlying the base structure, and a block of semiconducting material overlying the base structure and being disposed between the source region and the drain region. The block of semiconducting material comprises a gate controlled region adjacent the source region, and a drain access region disposed between the gate controlled region and the drain region. The drain access region is formed of a plurality of semiconducting material ridges spaced apart from one another by non-channel trench openings, wherein at least a portion of the non-channel trench openings being filled with a doped material to provide a depletion region to improve breakdown voltage of the transistor.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: An ignition suppressing enclosure configured to contain an ignition source is disclosed and includes a body portion defining an inner surface, an outer surface, and an enclosed volume containing a flammable gaseous mixture. The enclosed volume is sized to contain the ignition source. The enclosed volume of the ignition suppressing enclosure is surrounded by an exterior combustible environment also containing the flammable gaseous mixture. The ignition suppressing enclosure includes one or more vent paths that extend between the inner surface and the outer surface of the body portion, where each individual vent path includes an effective diameter based on at least a minimum ignition energy of the flammable gaseous mixture. The effective diameter of the individual vent path is selected to quench a flame that occurs within the enclosed volume of the ignition suppressing enclosure.

Abstract: A transistor is provided that comprises a source region overlying a base structure, a drain region overlying the base structure, and a block of semiconducting material overlying the base structure and being disposed between the source region and the drain region. The block of semiconducting material comprises a gate controlled region adjacent the source region, and a drain access region disposed between the gate controlled region and the drain region. The drain access region is formed of a plurality of semiconducting material ridges spaced apart from one another by non-channel trench openings, wherein at least a portion of the non-channel trench openings being filled with a doped material to provide a depletion region to improve breakdown voltage of the transistor.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a dynamic tensile stress and/or tensile strain response of a material such as an elastic material and/or a ductile material. The apparatus may include a striker bar, a stretcher bar, and a drive assembly configured to propel the striker bar toward the stretcher bar. The apparatus may further include a stationary specimen mount and a movable specimen mount that receive a test sample. The striker bar and the stretcher bar of the apparatus may provide a continuous stress on the test sample and an accurate tensile stress/strain measurement.

Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.

Abstract: Gas-flammability sensing systems and methods may be used to determine the flammability of gas mixtures in measurement volumes such as a fuel tank (e.g., an aircraft fuel tank). Gas-flammability sensing systems include a test cell structured to receive a gas sample, a heater in thermal communication with the test cell, and a gas meter configured to measure a physical property of the gas sample within the test cell related to the combustion state of the gas sample. The heater is configured to heat the gas sample to an elevated temperature less than the autoignition temperature of the gas sample. Methods of determining the flammability of a gas sample include collecting the gas sample, heating the gas sample to the elevated temperature, measuring the physical property of the gas sample after heating, and determining the flammability of a gas sample based upon the measured physical property.

Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for simulating a mechanical stress applied to a sealant from a lightning strike upon an aircraft is provided. The apparatus comprises a specimen, a test fixture, and a capacitor. The specimen comprises an electrically non-conductive sealant for an aircraft fuel tank having a cylindrical shape, and an electrically conductive wire centered axially within the sealant. The test fixture secures the specimen during testing. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the test fixture, and simulates a lightning strike upon the aircraft by vaporizing the wire with a current to generate a mechanical shock to the sealant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a dynamic tensile stress and/or tensile strain response of a material such as an elastic material and/or a ductile material. The apparatus may include a striker bar, a stretcher bar, and a drive assembly configured to propel the striker bar toward the stretcher bar. The apparatus may further include a stationary specimen mount and a movable specimen mount that receive a test sample. The striker bar and the stretcher bar of the apparatus may provide a continuous stress on the test sample and an accurate tensile stress/strain measurement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.

Abstract: A bond inspection system may include a material that reacts to applied activation energy by creating a compression wave, the material positioned adjacent a surface of a structure having a bond to be inspected and shaped in a predetermined pattern, such that reaction of the material causes compression waves to travel through the surface and structure; a source of activation energy capable of directing the activation energy at the material; and a controller programmed to actuate the source of activation energy to direct the activation energy at discrete portions of the predetermined pattern of material in a predetermined sequence selected to create a plurality of the compression waves so that the compression waves reflect from an opposite side of the structure as a plurality of tension waves that combine at substantially the same time at a bondline of the structure to be inspected.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for evaluating a bond between structures. The system includes an assembly of at least two bonded structures. The assembly has a front surface, a back surface, a thickness, and a bond disposed between the front surface and the back surface. At least one delay component is attached to the front surface of the assembly having a body having a front face, a back face, and a thickness. The system further includes a laser source capable of depositing laser energy onto a front face of the delay component, where a first portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the front face of the delay component to generate a first compression wave that propagates through the body of the delay component. A second portion of the laser energy is absorbed by the back face of the component to generate a second compression wave that reflects off of the back surface of the assembly to produce a tensile wave that stresses the bond.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and a method for simulating a mechanical stress applied to a sealant from a lightning strike upon an aircraft. One embodiment comprises a specimen, a test fixture, and a capacitor. The specimen comprises an electrically non-conductive sealant for an aircraft fuel tank having a cylindrical shape, and an electrically conductive wire centered axially within the sealant. The test fixture secures the specimen during testing. The capacitor is electrically coupled to the test fixture, and simulates a lightning strike upon the aircraft by vaporizing the wire with a current to generate a mechanical shock to the sealant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: A bond inspection system may include a material that reacts to applied activation energy by creating a compression wave, the material positioned adjacent a surface of a structure having a bond to be inspected and shaped in a predetermined pattern, such that reaction of the material causes compression waves to travel through the surface and structure; a source of activation energy capable of directing the activation energy at the material; and a controller programmed to actuate the source of activation energy to direct the activation energy at discrete portions of the predetermined pattern of material in a predetermined sequence selected to create a plurality of the compression waves so that the compression waves reflect from an opposite side of the structure as a plurality of tension waves that combine at substantially the same time at a bondline of the structure to be inspected.