| U.S. ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20160104502 | READ-WRITE NON-ERASABLE MEMORY WITH LASER RECORDING AND METHOD OF RECORDING - A nonvolatile memory comprising at least one ferromagnetic region having permeability which changes from a first state to a second state of lower permeability upon heating; at least one laser operatively associated with the at least one ferromagnetic region which selectively provides heat to the ferromagnetic region to change its p permeability; and a plurality of connectors operatively connected to the at least one laser and adapted to be connected to a current source that provides a current which causes the laser to change the at least one ferromagnetic region from a first state to a second state. Optionally, the memory is arranged as an array of memory cells. Optionally, each cell has a magnetic field sensor operatively associated therewith. Optionally, the nonvolatile memory is radiation hard. Also, a method of recording data by heating at least one ferromagnetic region to change its permeability. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160050765 | MOTION-BASED RECONFIGURABLE MICROELECTRONICS SYSTEM - A system for controlled motion of circuit components to create reconfigurable circuits comprising: a support; a substrate operatively associated with the support; actuators operatively associated with the support configured to physically move circuit components and to move the circuit components into physical and electrical contact with the substrate; the substrate comprising at least one conductive segment arranged to electrically connect circuit components when electrical contacts of circuit components are placed in contact with at least one conductive segment; and control circuitry configured to control the first and second actuators to thereby position the circuit components relative to the substrate; whereby circuit function is determined by the selection of circuit components and the location and orientation of circuit components relative to the substrate and conductive segments to create a reconfigurable circuit. | 02-18-2016 |
| 20160033622 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COGNITIVE NONLINEAR RADAR - A method and apparatus for cognitive non-linear radar processing comprising identifying one or more frequency bands of interest, passively scanning, using a non-linear radar (NR), the one or more frequency bands of interest to determine whether interference signals are occupying the one or more bands, transmitting radar waveforms and receiving radar waveform responses at one or more frequency bands determined to be free of interference, determining a likelihood of a target being present or not based on whether the received waveform responses match stored waveform responses for non-linear targets, and modifying waveform parameters of the transmitted radar waveform when the received waveform responses match the stored waveform responses, so as to transmit a modified radar waveform. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20150376304 | POLYMERIC MATERIALS WITH RESPONSIVE ADHESION AND/OR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES - Methods of adjusting the mechanical properties of a polymeric material may include forming a polymer network having a plurality of permanent cross-links and coupled to a plurality of reversible cross-links, wherein the polymer network has a shear storage modulus of greater than about 4×10 | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150375301 | BINARY OR HIGHER ORDER HIGH-DENSITY THERMODYNAMICALLY STABLE NANOSTRUCTURED COPPER-BASED TANTALUM METALLIC SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A binary or higher order high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-tantalum based metallic system according to embodiments of the invention may be formed of: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal that comprises 70 to 100 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; and a solute of tantalum (Ta) metal dispersed in the solvent metal, that comprises 0.01 to 15 at. % of the metallic system. The metallic system is thermally stable, with the absence of substantial gross grain growth, such that the internal grain size of the solvent metal is substantially suppressed to no more than about 250 nm at approximately 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent metal and the solute metal remains substantially uniformly dispersed in the solvent metal at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems may include: subjecting powder metals of solvent and the solute to a high-energy milling process using a high-energy milling device to impart high impact energies to its contents. Due to their high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured, these metallic systems are an ideal candidate for fabricating shaped charge liners for ordinance. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150325676 | Semiconductor Heterobarrier Electron Device And Method of Making - A method of substantially offsetting polarization charges in an electronic device having a heterobarrier comprising providing a substrate; providing at least one pair of stacks of semiconductor materials; one of the pair of stacks having one or more of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarity where the total polarization charge is opposite to the other of the pair of stacks; whereby due to the opposing polarities, the polarization is balanced and the pair of stacks operate to store electrical energy. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150311375 | VARIABLE RANGE PHOTODETECTOR AND METHOD THEREOF - A method of making and a photodetector comprising a substrate; a p-type or n-type layer; first and second region each having polarizations, a first interface therebetween, the magnitudes and directions of the first and second polarizations being such that a scalar projection of second polarization on the growth direction relative to the scalar projection of the first polarization projected onto the growth direction is sufficient to create a first interface charge; and a third region suitable for forming one of an n-metal or p-metal contact thereon having a third polarization, a second interface between the second and third regions, the third polarization having a scalar projection on the growth direction that, relative to scalar projection of the second polarization onto the growth direction, is sufficient to create a second interface charge; the first and second interface charges creating an electrostatic potential barrier to carriers defining a predetermined wavelength range. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150302982 | MEMS TUNABLE INDUCTOR - Embodiments of the present invention provide a tunable inductor having a magnetic core which has an air gap. In order to vary the inductance of the inductor, the inductor includes a tuner that is moveable relative to the magnetic core in the vicinity of the air gap. An actuator is attached to the tuner which, upon actuation, moves the tuner relative to the magnetic core to thereby vary the spacing between the tuner and the core in the vicinity of the air gap. The variation of the spacing between the tuner and the magnetic core varies the effective air gap of the overall inductor in the desired fashion. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150240659 | AIRFOIL OR ROTOR BLADE HAVING A CONTINUOUS TRAILING EDGE FLAP - Embodiments of the present invention include various airfoils constructions, such as airfoils and rotor blades having a continuous trailing-edge flap. According to an embodiment, an airfoil is comprised of a load-bearing structure in the forward portion of the airfoil; a skin to maintain the airfoil shape; a tapered composite structure having one or more actuators extending from the load-bearing structure toward the trailing edge, and joining the skin in the vicinity of the trailing edge; and a core extending from the load-bearing structure connecting the tapered composite structure to the load-bearing structure. In this airfoil, the tapered composite structure tapers from being relatively thick near the core to being relatively thin near the trailing edge. And the one or more actuators are configured to deflect the trailing edge so as to deform the shape of the airfoil cross-section. | 08-27-2015 |
| 20150236470 | COMPOSITE LASER GAIN MEDIUM - A composite laser gain medium is comprised of a first rare-earth element doped core; and a second rare-earth element doped cladding, at least partially, adjacent to the core. A portion of the lasing by the cladding at one wavelength within the composite laser gain medium is absorbed by the core so as to cause lasing of the core at a different wavelength. At least two distinct rare earth element pairs may be used in embodiments: (1) thulium (Tm) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and holmium (Ho) as the core rare-earth dopant; and (2) ytterbium (Yb) as a cladding rare-earth dopant and erbium (Er) as the core rare-earth dopant. Other rare earth element pairs are also believed possible. The laser composite gain medium may be configured to have a slab, or a cylindrical geometry. | 08-20-2015 |
| 20150229854 | PASSIVE IMAGING CORRECTION METHOD USING FEEDBACK - A method for image processing comprising providing an opening for entrance of light; the light being capable of being formed into an image; providing at least one optical element in an optical train configured to focus light; providing a variable aperture operatively associated with the at least one optical element; the variable aperture being placed in the optical train at an image plane and comprising mask settings for shielding portions of the light; providing an imager; providing at least one processor operatively connected to the variable aperture and imager; the at least one processor configured to control the passage of the light through the variable aperture; selectively masking portions of light using the mask settings of the variable aperture; obtaining image results using the settings; comparing image results obtained by the mask settings, and determining the phase correction that provides the optimal image results. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150225770 | PHENOTYPE-NEUTRAL BARCODES FOR DIGITAL ANALYSIS - Processes of specifically and effectively labeling an organism are provided. Processes involve the incorporation of a plurality of phenotype neutral tags that are differentially detected where the presence or absence of the tag is represented by a digital readout. The incorporation of stealth tags or insertion tags provides a rapid and population maintaining labeling of an organism that can be readily identified by digital PCR techniques. | 08-13-2015 |
| 20150207163 | METHODS AND APPARATUS OF AN ANODE/CATHODE (A/C) JUNCTION FUEL CELL WITH SOLID ELECTROLYTE - The present invention relates to a fuel cell having an anode; a cathode opposing the anode; a first electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; a second electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an A/C junction electrode disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane, the A/C junction electrode comprising a first gas diffusion layer; a second gas diffusion layer; a current collector disposed between the first gas diffusion layer and the second gas diffusion layer; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the first gas diffusion layer; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second electrolyte membrane and the second gas diffusion layer. | 07-23-2015 |
| 20150177383 | SYSTEM FOR LASER DETECTION WITH ENHANCED FIELD OF VIEW - A system comprising a laser for transmitting a beam of light towards a target area; a controller for controlling the output of the laser; a receiver for collecting reflected pulses of light reflected from the target area, the receiver comprising a plurality of receive elements, each of the receive elements having a different field of view; a combiner for combining the outputs of the receive elements into one composite signal of the target area; an interface circuitry for converting the composite signal into an image; display unit displaying output from interface circuitry. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150155558 | HIGH VOLTAGE LITHIUM ION POSITIVE ELECTRODE MATERIAL - A positive electrode material having a nominal stoichiometry Li | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150129808 | DEFORMABLE POLYMER COMPOSITES WITH CONTROLLED ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE DURING DEFORMATION THROUGH TAILORED STRAIN-DEPENDENT CONDUCTIVE FILLER CONTACT - The present invention generally relates to deformable polymer composites, and more particularly to, deformable polymer composites with controlled electrical performance during deformation through tailored strain-dependent conductive filler contact. According to embodiments, a deformable elastomeric conductive material includes: an elastomeric polymer matrix; and conductive filler material uniformly dispersed in the elastomeric polymer matrix sufficient to render the material electrically or thermally conductive. The conductive filler material comprises a plurality of substantially non-entangled particles having an aspect ratio sufficiently large to enable the particles to substantially remain in contact and/or in close proximity with adjacent particles so as to maintain conductive pathways in the material when the material is subjected to deformation up to and exceeding 10% strain. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150129276 | Deformable Elastomeric Conductors and Differential Electronic Signal Transmission - This application generally relates to deformable elastomeric conductors and differential signaling transmission techniques. According to one embodiment, a deformable elastomeric conductor is configured to transmit electrical signals. It comprises: an elastomeric polymer matrix; and conductive filler material uniformly dispersed in the elastomeric polymer matrix sufficient to render the material electrically conductive. The conductive filler material may include substantially non-entangled particles having an aspect ratio sufficiently large to enable the particles to substantially remain in contact and/or in close proximity with adjacent particles so as to maintain conductive pathways in the material when the material is subjected to deformation up to and exceeding 10% strain. Thus, over a transmission distance of an electrical signal through the conductor, the transmission does not suffer greater than about 3 dB of signal attenuation when subjected to the deformation. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150083961 | SOLVENT ASSISTED PROCESSING TO CONTROL THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ELECTRICALLY AND/OR THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE POLYMER COMPOSITES - Electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composites and methods of preparing same are provided. In some embodiments, a method for preparing an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite may include (1) mixing a polymer, a conductive particulate filler, and a solvent compatible with the polymer to form a non-conductive polymer solution or melt; (2) processing, the non-conductive polymer solution or melt to form a non-conductive polymer network composition; wherein the presence of solvent during three-dimensional network formation manipulates the polymer network structure; and (3) removing the solvent from the non-conductive polymer network composition to form an electrically and/or thermally conductive polymer composite. The altered polymer chain structure present in the non-conductive polymer network composition is maintained in the composite, and offsets the impact of particulate filler addition including increased modulus, decreased elasticity, and decreased elongation at break. This method enables development of composite materials with electrical/thermal and mechanical performance that can be tailored independently. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150075997 | POWER-FREE APPARATUS FOR HYDROGEN GENERATION FROM ALCOHOL - An apparatus and method for generating low pressure hydrogen gas from fuel solutions (i.e., alcohols) without the use of an external power source or external heat source. The apparatus comprises (a) a first chamber for fuel storage having an aperture, (b) a second chamber for the temporary storage of hydrogen gas generated having an aperture, (c) a first electrochemical cell (Cell-1) and (d) a second electrochemical cell (Cell-2). Cell-2 is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber so that its anode is in fluid communication with the first chamber and its cathode is in fluid communication with the second chamber. Cell-1 is disposed on the opposite side of the first chamber from Cell-2 so that the anode therein is in fluid communication with the first chamber, and the cathode therein is in fluid communication with an oxidizing agent. The first chamber is sandwiched between Cell-1 and Cell-2. An air convection window or like device making ambient air available to the apparatus via Cell-1 is positioned on the side of Cell-1 opposite the fuel chamber. In operation, fuel is provided to the first chamber, the anode of Cell-1 is connected to the cathode of Cell-2, and the cathode of Cell-1 is connected to the anode of Cell-2, and hydrogen gas is continuously generated from the hydrogen chamber. The present invention may be used at room temperature. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150072118 | MULTI-LAYER MATRIX COMPOSITE HAVING IMPROVED ENERGY ABSORPTION, DISSIPATION AND SHOCK WAVE MITIGATION CAPABILITIES - The disclosure relates to matrix composites comprising high strain-rate sensitive elastomers in a multi-layer construct which provide ballistic-resistant material systems with enhanced protection against blast damage as well as ballistic impact. According to one embodiment, a matrix composite for impact resistance and blast mitigation formed in a multi-layer configuration may include: (a) one or more outer layers comprising poly(urethane urea) having a strain-rate sensitivity characteristic in the range of 1,000/sec to 1,000,000/sec; and (b) one or more inner layers comprising poly(urethane urea) having a strain-rate sensitivity characteristic in the range of 10,000/sec to 1,000,000/sec. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150024165 | TRANSPARENT ARMOR CONSTRUCTION - A transparent armor construction having a laminate structure with at least two layers. The layers are constructed of two different materials selected from the group of glass, ceramic, resin, polymeric material, and plastic and in which the at least two layers include different coefficients of thermal expansion. The layers are bonded together and a planar frame having an open central section and an outer border is then bonded to the laminate structure. The material for the planar frame is selected so that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the laminate layer to which it is bonded. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20140299967 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MAKING ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND INTEGRATED CIRCUITS USING GRAYSCALE TECHNOLOGY AND MULTILAYER THIN-FILM COMPOSITES - A physical structure and a method for forming a electronic devices on a substrate comprising: providing a substrate; forming a plurality of layers on the substrate, the layers comprising at least two layers of conducting material and a layer of insulating material therebetween; depositing photoresist material onto predetermined regions of the plurality of layers, the photoresist material varying in thickness; utilizing gray scale illumination on the photoresist material; removing a portion of the layers using physical etching to expose predetermined portions of the conducting layers. Optionally, the photoresist may be utilized on a plurality of discrete electronic devices concurrently, such that the gray scale illumination is conducted on a plurality of discrete electronic devices concurrently. Similarly, the physical etching may be conducted on the discrete electronic devices concurrently; removing different thicknesses of material concurrently. Also claimed is a product made by the claimed method. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140272732 | METHOD FOR LOW POWER NON-COKING LIQUID HYDROCARBON FUEL VAPORIZATION AND SUPERCRITICAL PHASE CHANGE - Methods for vaporizing hydrocarbon fuel and delivering the hydrocarbon fuel in either a vaporized phase or a supercritical phase to, for example, a combustion chamber are provided herein. A method of vaporizing a hydrocarbon fuel, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is in a liquid phase at a first temperature and a first pressure, and wherein the first temperature of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel is less than its intrinsic oxidation or endothermic reaction temperature, the method may include lowering a pressure of the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first pressure to a second pressure; and heating the liquid phase hydrocarbon fuel from the first temperature to a second temperature, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel at the second temperature and the second pressure is in a substantially completely vaporized phase substantially without thermally oxidizing the hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein the hydrocarbon fuel in the substantially completely vaporized phase does not form carbonaceous contaminants. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140267388 | CREW SHARED VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dual-image display provided for use in a manned vehicle crew station and a display operating system for crewmembers who may interact independently with the display using touch screen buttons, switches, or hand controllers. The display enables the simultaneous display of different information and content depending on the viewing angle or direction. In one embodiment, a video display system may include: a computer processor; a display monitor comprising a common display driver configured to provide separate virtual displays to at least two crewmember users, the virtual displays being visible to a respective user based on the an angle of view of the respective user; and one or more activators operatively associated with the users, wherein said display monitor is configured to be activated by said one or more activators of said users according to a user priority determination algorithm executed by said processor. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140265734 | Stylo-Epitaxial Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Devices and Method of Manufacturing - A ferroelectric device comprising a substrate; | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140253722 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AND USING A PREDICTED VEHICLE SPEED IN AN INDIRECT VISION DRIVING TASK - A method and apparatus for predicting vehicle speed during an indirect vision driving task. A further method and apparatus for optimizing the display of a camera return during an indirect vision driving task based on operator perceived vehicle speed as set by the display characteristics and the field-of-view of the camera. A further method and apparatus for using the perceived speed as a driving task aid, in particular, as an electronic aider for optimizing the driving scene display characteristics of scene compression and camera field-of view. In this manner, the invention adjusts the perceived speed in order to match the operator's cognitive flow to the control dynamics needed from the operator for the task. The invention has application to autonomous driving where manual intervention is incorporated during critical events for particular tasks; and with limited display space within the vehicle, the display format is adjusted by the invention according to the operator's task needs. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140252415 | HIGH MOBILITY, THIN FILM TRANSISTORS USING SEMICONDUCTOR/INSULATOR TRANSITION-METALDICHALCOGENIDE BASED INTERFACES - Electronic devices and methods of forming an electronic device are disclosed herein. An electronic device may include a first 2D atomic crystal layer; a second 2D atomic crystal layer disposed atop the first 2D atomic crystal layer; and an interface comprising van-der-Waals bonds between the first 2D atomic crystal layer and the second 2D atomic crystal layer. A method of forming an electronic device may include depositing a first 2D atomic crystal layer; and depositing a second 2D atomic crystal layer atop the first 2D atomic crystal layer; wherein an interface is formed between the first 2D atomic crystal layer and the second 2D atomic crystal layer via van-der-Waals bonding. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140239305 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING A GA-NITRIDE DEVICE MATERIAL STRUCTURE FOR A FREQUENCY MULTIPLICATION DEVICE - A preferred method of optimizing a Ga-nitride device material structure for a frequency multiplication device comprises:
| 08-28-2014 |
| 20140232598 | RF SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED PHASE SHIFTERS USING DUAL MULTI-PHASE PHASE-LOCKED LOOPS - An RF system comprising of outputs to an electronically scanning antenna for radiating electromagnetic energy; at least one waveform generator; two multiphase phase-locked loops integrated with the waveform generator, the phase locked loops operating to provide multiple shifted phases to a waveform. Optionally, the two multiphase phase-locked loops may each be divided down by a bank of frequency dividers to further increase the number of phase shifts. The phases generated from each multiphase phase-locked loops are selected with multiplexers then mixed together. These upper or lower sidebands are then mixed with the up converted waveform which results in a phase shift for the waveform associated with each antenna element. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140231618 | Apparatus for Coherent Beam Combining in an Array of Laser Collimators - A method and apparatus for coherent beam combining in an array of laser beam collimators. The array of laser beam collimators includes an array of a plurality collimating lenses, each lens intercepting a respective one of a plurality of divergent laser beams. Each collimating lens is joined with adjacent collimating lenses such that an output aperture is formed with a common vertex of the adjacently joined collimating lenses. A concave mirror is positioned a distance from the common vertex for receiving a fraction of each of the collimated laser beams that passed through a portion of each of the collimating lenses that are adjacent to the common vertex, and then providing reflected fractional collimated laser beams. A sensor intercepts the reflected fractional collimated laser beams so as to provide a signal that is applied to synchronize the phase of each of the collimated laser beams. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140216288 | CARBON NANOTUBE AND POROUS SUBSTRATE INTEGRATED ENERGETIC DEVICE - Embodiments of energetic devices are provided herein. In some embodiments, an energetic device may include a substrate having a plurality of pores formed in a portion of the substrate; a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed proximate the plurality of pores such that a reaction within one of the plurality of pores or the plurality of carbon nanotubes initiates a reaction within the other of the plurality of pores or the plurality of carbon nanotubes; a solid oxidizer disposed in the plurality of pores and the carbon nanotubes; and an initiator to initiate a reaction within one of the plurality of pores or the plurality of carbon nanotubes. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140213764 | NANOCELLULOSE FOAM CONTAINING ACTIVE INGREDIENTS - Nanocellulose foams containing at least one active ingredient and methods of preparing such nanocellulose foams containing one or more active ingredients are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing nanocellulose foam containing active ingredients may include forming a liquid mixture of nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose is at least one of dispersed, suspended or gelled in the liquid mixture; drying the liquid mixture of nanocellulose to form a nanocellulose foam; and mixing at least one active ingredient into at least one of the liquid mixture of nanocellulose or the nanocellulose foam. In some embodiments, a nanocellulose structure may include a nanocellulose foam comprising at least one of a carboxylate group, a hydroxyl group, or a sulfate group bonded to an active ingredient. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose structures are enhanced or crosslinked with metal cations. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140208862 | FIBER SNUBBING CLAMP USING MAGNETIC GRIPPING ACTION - A device, assembly and method for clamping single fibers that utilizes snubbing surfaces simultaneously with magnetic gripping action are described. The device can be fabricated at miniature sizes with very low mass and volume, which are desirable requirements for testing of small fibers in highly sensitive force-transducing load frames. Advantageously, the combined use of snubbing surfaces and magnetic gripping greatly reduces the probability of slippage or fiber failure at the grip during testing. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140196813 | Apparatus and Method for Safely Depressurizing Milling Vials - The invention is an apparatus and method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The invention utilizes a machinist vise in communication with a pneumatic air cylinder mounted in a jig inside glove box enclosure. The invention utilizes a method for safely depressurizing milling vials. The milling vials are placed into the machinist vise inside the enclosure. The ram of the pneumatic air cylinder is placed on top of the milling vial and the pneumatic air cylinder is pressed firmly against the cap of the milling vial. Next, the air inside the enclosure is evacuated of atmosphere after which the pressure is slowly released from the pneumatic air cylinder. During this stage of the method the operator is a safe distance from the enclosure. As pressure is removed from the pneumatic air cylinder the ram is retracted and the cap of milling vial is removed. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140188774 | Estimation Algorithm for Discrete-Time Uncertain Stochastic Systems and Device Relating Thereto - An apparatus and method for estimation of a system having state variables representing the state of the system comprising predicting the estimate of the state variables along with the uncertainties in the state variables; observing a measurement of at least one state variable corrupted with some amount of error; updating the estimates of the state variables using a weighted average, with more weight being given to estimates with higher certainty; and providing an estimator input to update the estimates of the state variables, the estimator input operating to provide asymptotic convergence of the mean estimation error in all of the state variables in the presence of persistent excitation or disturbance that is not asymptotically decaying to zero. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140178780 | WATER ACTIVATED INSTANT HYDROGEN GENERATOR WITH PASSIVE CONTROL ON HYDROGEN DEMAND - Apparatus for generating hydrogen gas are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for generating hydrogen gas may include a first chamber; a first mixture comprising a chemical hydride and a catalyst disposed within the first chamber; a second chamber coupled to the first chamber; a connector; a third chamber coupled by the connector to the second chamber, wherein the third chamber is fluidly coupled to the first chamber; a sealing element coupled to at least one of the second chamber or the third chamber; an outlet fluidly coupled to the first chamber; and a resilient member disposed within the third chamber and configured to control the flow of water into the first chamber via movement of the resilient member in response to hydrogen gas pressure within the apparatus. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140175514 | RING-SHAPED TRANSISTORS PROVIDING REDUCED SELF-HEATING - A ring-shaped transistor includes a set of gates. Each gate of the set is disposed between a corresponding source and a corresponding drain. The set of gates are arranged such that all of the set of gates cannot be aligned with fewer than three imaginary straight lines drawn through the gates, with one of the imaginary straight lines passing only once though each of the set of gates. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140172353 | Method and Apparatus for Estimating Position of a Ferromagnetic Object - A method and apparatus for detecting a magnetic object comprising detecting change in a total magnetic field of an area along a first path and a second path of a magnetic sensor, fitting data points of the detected change from the first path and the second path to a curve by varying a first plurality of variables and a second plurality of variables until a best fit is achieved, calculating a first circle based on the first plurality of variables and a second circle based on the second plurality of variables and determining a position of the magnetic object at the intersection of the first and second circle. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140150529 | REMOTE SENSING USING COHERENT SONIC WAVE PHOTOACOUSTIC DETECTION AND METHODS - A method and system for detecting composition of a physical space comprising: a laser beam source; an acoustic sensor; a beam focusing mechanism for focusing the laser beam at predetermined points in the physical space to generate a thermal inhomogeneity which results in the propagation of a pressure wave that propagates outward from the predetermined excitation point at a propagation velocity approximating the speed of sound for the particular composition of the media; at least one processor for controlling the timing for the laser beam focusing to generate thermal inhomogeneities; whereby the laser focal point is moved sequentially along the light-of-sight at various excitation points by the beam focusing mechanism approximately at the phase front velocity to define a series of predetermined excitation points and pressure wave propagations such that the series of pressure wave propagations combine to produce a coherent pressure wave detectable by the acoustic sensor. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140133521 | Method and Apparatus for Analyzing the Spectrum of Radio-Frequency Signals Using a Fiber Optic Recirculation Loop - An apparatus comprising a fiber optical loop for conducting a first and a second pulse having a corresponding first and second wavelength, a first splitter for separating the first and second light pulses in the optical loop into a first and second light path to introduce a predetermined time delay between the first and second light pulses, a coupler for tapping a replica of the pair of light pulses from the loop, an auto-correlation module, coupled to the coupler, for correlating the replica of the pair of light pulses with each other to produce a set of data points comprising a plurality of multiplied and correlated pair of pulses and a transform module, coupled to the auto-correlation module, for transforming the data points into a channelized frequency spectrum. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140125860 | Passive Imaging Correction System Using Feedback and Method Thereof - A method and system for image processing comprising an opening for entrance of light for forming an image by the system; at least one optical element through which the light passes; a variable aperture operatively associated with the at least one optical element placed in the optical train at an image plane and comprising a plurality of settings comprising first mask settings for shielding portions of the light and second mask settings for selectively masking portions of the light that pass through the first mask settings; an imager, the at least one processor being operatively connected to the variable aperture and imager for controlling the passage of the light through the variable aperture by selecting one of plurality of first mask settings and associated second mask settings, obtaining image results using the settings, comparing image results obtained by the respective mask settings, and determining the optimal first mask setting. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140116981 | Method for Forming a Device Having Nanopillar and Cap Structures - A method for forming a device having nanopillar and cap structures on a substrate in which the substrate is first coated with a first resist having a first exposure dose to electron beam radiation, and that after coating the first resist with a second resist having a second exposure dose less than the first resist. Electron beam lithography is then used sequentially to form the nanopillars and cap structures or, alternatively, a template for the nanopillar and cap structures. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140112103 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOTION COMPENSATED TARGET DETECTION USING ACOUSTICAL FOCUSING - An improved method and system for removing time-varying Doppler shifts and the effects of turbulence from data comprising at least one processor operating to estimate the average instantaneous frequency; reduce or remove noise from the state space variables estimates describing the frequency of the target; compensate for the motion of the target to obtain motion compensated data and increase the coherency of the data, and reduce or remove the noise from the state space variables describing the frequency of the target using a filter or smoother. Alternately, the method and system may comprise at least one processor operating to estimate the average instantaneous frequency of the first harmonic of a moving target; the average instantaneous frequency being inputted into an error reduction subroutine; using state space estimates of the frequency, calculating a time warping to remove the effect of the Doppler shift; and focusing the data using a modified PGA. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140110848 | STRONG, HEAT STABLE JUNCTION - Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) indium (In), tin (Sn) or a mixture thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140103212 | Target Detector with Size Detection and Method Thereof - A method and system for detecting targets comprising at least one first receiver for receiving radiation, the radiation comprises beams of radiation spaced horizontally; at least one second receiver for receiving radiation, the radiation comprises beams of radiation spaced horizontally and vertically such that the beams of radiation received by the second receiver travel through different predetermined heights from the horizontal plane; at least one processor for receiving data from the first and second receivers, the at least one receiver operating to locate a target passing in the vicinity of the first and second receivers and determine the height of the target based upon the recordation of certain of the beams at a predetermined heights relative to the horizontal plane and the width of a target based upon the horizontal spacing of the beams. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140100768 | METHODS FOR ROBOTIC SELF-RIGHTING - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of autonomously self-righting a maneuverable robot. In one embodiment, an autonomous method for self-righting a maneuverable robot to affect recovery from an overturned state to its nominal upright configuration may include: defining a convex hull and center of mass of each link of the robot; determining the convex hull and overall robot center of mass for each joint configuration of the robot; analyzing each convex hull face to determine its stability or instability; grouping continuously stable orientations of the robot and joint configurations together defining nodes and transitions there between; assigning a cost to transitions between nodes; computing an overall cost for each potential set of transition costs resulting in achievement of the goal; and determining a sequence of one or more actions to self-right the robot such that the sequence of actions minimizes the overall cost of self-righting the robot. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140060189 | NEAR-IR LASER-INDUCED VIBRATIONAL OVERTONE ABSORPTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MATERIAL DETECTION - Embodiments of present invention are directed to near infrared (IR) laser-induced vibrational absorption systems and methods for material detection. According to one embodiment, a system for detecting materials may include: at least one laser configured to output light in the near IR spectrum so as to excite at least one vibrational overtone frequency, at least one combination band frequency, or a combination thereof, of a sample comprised of one or more of materials; a detector configured to detect a physical phenomenon of the sample in response to laser excitation; and an analyzer configured to the analyze the detected physical phenomenon and to identify the one or more materials based comparison of the detected signatures with known signatures of one more materials. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140043891 | NONVOLATILE CORRUPTION RESISTENT MAGNETIC MEMORY AND METHOD THEREOF - A method and system for storing information in a nonvolatile memory comprising: a substrate comprising magnetic material operatively associated therewith, the magnetic material having at least one first portion of low permeability and at least one second portion of high permeability; a reader comprising a sensor for reading information by measuring the magnetic permeability for the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion; whereby the at least one first and second portions are subjected to a magnetic probe field from one of an external source, the sensor, or a combination of an external source and the sensor. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140026776 | HIGH-DENSITY THERMODYNAMICALLY STABLE NANOSTRUCTURED COPPER-BASED BULK METALLIC SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - High-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic systems, and methods of making, are presented herein. A ternary high-density thermodynamically stable nanostructured copper-based metallic system includes: a solvent of copper (Cu) metal; that comprises 50 to 95 atomic percent (at. %) of the metallic system; a first solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system; and a second solute metal dispersed in the solvent that comprises 0.01 to 50 at. % of the metallic system. The internal grain size of the solvent is suppressed to no more than 250 nm at 98% of the melting point temperature of the solvent and the solute metals remain uniformly dispersed in the solvent at that temperature. Processes for forming these metallic systems include: subjecting powder metals to a high-energy milling process, and consolidating the resultant powder metal subjected to the milling to form a bulk material. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140023553 | CORROSION INHIBITING SELF-EXPANDING FOAM - A corrosion prevention and control composition and method comprises combining primarily two-component polyurethane foam formed by reacting polyols with an isocyanate compound, and a 2 to 10 percent by weight of either an organic or inorganic gas-phase corrosion inhibitor. The closed cell foam provides a barrier protection for the underlying corrodible surface, while the inhibitor protects the metal from the absorbed moisture vapor, thereby preventing corrosion from occurring at the foam/metal interface. The resulting foam and inhibitor composition maintains better adhesion to the underlying corrodible structure in corrosive environments. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140004559 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INDIVIDUALLY TRAPPING PARTICLES FROM AIR AND MEASURING THE OPTICAL SPECTRA OR OTHER PROPERTIES OF INDIVIDUAL TRAPPED PARTICLES | 01-02-2014 |
| 20130342078 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING A MULTI-LAYERED PIEZOELECTRIC ACTUATOR - A method and apparatus for a layered piezoelectric actuator comprising: a first conductive layer and second conductive layer disposed on a first piezoelectric layer. The apparatus further comprising a third conductive layer and fourth conductive layer disposed on a second piezoelectric layer. Further, adhesive is disposed between the second conductive layer and third conductive layer, wherein the conductive layers further comprise a bending area and non-bending area. The non-bending area comprises the mounting area and connection area The connection area further comprises the connection points, opening to access the connection point of adjacent layer and overlap area, providing the stability/robustness of stack during the fabrication, adhering and exploitation of the bending actuator. The conductive layers in non-bending areas have offset conductive stripes without electrical activation of piezoelectric material in non-bending area | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130341492 | PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR AN IMAGER - A protective device for an imager which is contained within a housing and in which the imager is aligned with an opening in the housing. The protective device includes a cover which overlies the housing opening and is manually detachably secured to the housing by three or more resilient clips. A plurality of openings are formed through the cover to enable operation of the imager. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130315590 | Method and Apparatus for Analyzing the Spectrum of Radio-Frequency Signals Using Unamplified Fiber Optic Recirculation Loops - An apparatus for generating a frequency spectrum of an RF signal comprising a gate switch for generating a series of pulses from a laser of wavelength lambda modulated by an input RE signal, a first fiber optical loop for circulating a first percentage of a first pulse of the series of pulses from the gate switch, for a predetermined number of cycles n where each cycle takes time t | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130293429 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A MULTIFUNCTION SENSOR USING MESH NANOTUBE MATERIAL - A method and apparatus for providing multiple functions using nanotube threads comprising: a first nanotube thread and a second nanotube thread, the first nanotube thread and the second nanotube thread arranged to form a mesh, wherein the first nanotube thread further comprises a measurable invariant property and the second nanotube thread comprises a measurable variant property. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130243334 | System and Method for Image Enhancement and Improvement - A method and system for improving picture quality of images by providing a series of frames of a given region of interest. One embodiment for a method includes: determining the value of each pixel at each location within each frame to form a first array of pixel values for each frame; determining the overall intensity of each frame; determining the product of the overall intensity and the array of pixel values for each frame; determining the sum of the products by adding together the products of the overall frame intensity and first array of pixel values for each frame; determining the average of the sum of products by dividing the sum of products by the number of frames in the series of frames; determining the average value of each pixel at each pixel location for the series of frames to form a second array of average pixel values; determining the average overall frame intensity for the series of frames; determining a second product of the second array of average pixel values and the average overall frame intensity; subtracting the second product from the first product to provide an improved image of the region of interest. Other improvement embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241787 | MODULAR GRIDDED TAPERED SLOT ANTENNA - A planar antenna comprising: a substrate, a resonant element generating an electromagnetic wave, a plurality of parallel, spaced apart conductive strips on the substrate, wherein conductive strips form collinear rows of at least two strips that are physically separated by a slot to guide the electromagnetic wave in a specific direction. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130214984 | BROADBAND ELECTROMAGNETIC BAND-GAP (EBG) STRUCTURE - An electromagnetic bandgap structure comprising a progressive cascade of a plurality of patterns of cells. The cells of each pattern are dimensioned so that each pattern has a reflection phase response centered at a different, but closely-spaced, frequency compared with the reflection phase response of an adjacently positioned pattern, so that the combined reflection phase response of the plurality of patterns provides a continuous wideband operational range. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130193970 | PROBE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE FORCE MICROSCOPY AND METHOD THEREOF - A probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) to provide an image of a sample comprising: a magnetic field source adapted to orient the spin of the nuclei in a sample; a detector capable of detecting a magnetic field comprising an oscillator; at least one conductor substantially surrounding the oscillator for forming a RF antenna for transmitting a radio frequency electromagnetic field; whereby the at least one conductor transmits a radio frequency electromagnetic field that influences the nuclei in the sample, and whereby the detector detects how the nuclei are influenced through the oscillations of the oscillator to provide identification information concerning the content of the sample. Also included is a method for magnetic resonance force microscopy of a sample. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130181725 | MEANDER-LINE RING RESONATOR - Methods and apparatus for measuring permittivity comprising: a meander-line ring resonator, which may be may be disposed on a substrate proximate to and separated from an input coupler and an output coupler thereon, the resonator ring further including a continuous conductive material having at least two turns to form a single congruent pattern, symmetrical along at least one axis. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130149460 | GALVANIC POROUS SILOCON COMPOSITES FOR NANOENERGETICS AND MONOLITHICALLY INTEGRATED IGNITOR - Porous silicon (PS) films composed of pores with diameters less than 3 nm are fabricated using a galvanic etching approach that does not require an external power supply. A highly reactive, nanoenergetic composite is then created by impregnating the nanoscale pores with the strong oxidizer, sodium perchlorate (NaClO | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130148980 | Method and System for Color-Shift Keying Using Algorithms - A system and method for optimizing signal recognition in a light communication system by approximately maximizing the minimum distance between received constellation points; the method comprising identifying the constellation region containing points for transmitting symbols, identifying channel impairments, transforming the constellation region according to the channel impairments into a constellation region of potential received symbols, using signal processing circuitry to apply an algorithm that operates to maximize the minimum distance between constellation points to obtain a symbol constellation in the receiver constellation region, and inverting the transformation to obtain the designed transmitted-symbol constellation. The system comprises signal processing circuitry for performing a preferred methodology. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130133542 | REACTIVE CONDUCTORS FOR INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF EXPLODING FOIL INITIATORS AND OTHER DETONATORS - Provided among other things are reactive energetic material systems used for conductors in detonators for increased efficiencies. According to an embodiment, a detonator may include: a conductor including at least two constituents including (i) an electrically conductive constituent, and (ii) an electrically non-conductive constituent, that when subjected to sufficient electrical energy, result in an exothermic reaction; and a flyer plate having a non-conductive surface in contact with said conductor. When the sufficient electrical energy is supplied to said conductor, rapid heating and vaporization of at least a portion of the conductor occurs so as to explosively drive at least a portion of the flyer plate away from said conductor. In an embodiment, a multilayer conductor may be formed of alternating layers of at least one electrically conductive layer, and at least one electrically non-conductive layer, that when subjected to sufficient electrical energy, result in an exothermic reaction. | 05-30-2013 |
