Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with a wide range of applications. A method is also described for including an interior thread that adds structural reinforcement or functional properties, such as electrical conductivity or optical waveguiding, to the filament.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention generally relates to photovoltaic, thermophotovoltaic, and laser power beaming devices which convert solar light, thermal radiation, or laser radiation into electric power. Said devices have a reflective interference “greenhouse” filter placed in front of a semiconductor cell and a reflective mirror on the back of the cell. The front filter is transparent for high energy (short wavelength) photons, but traps low energy (long wavelength) photons emitted by photocarriers accumulated near the semiconductor bandgap. In the optimized PV device, the chemical potential of photoelectrons near semiconductor bandgap exceeds the chemical potential of photoelectrons above the photonic bandgap established by the filter (i.e., the device is in chemical nonequilibrium). The greenhouse filter reduces the emission losses, decreases the semiconductor cell thickness, and provides PV conversion with reduced nonradiative losses. Said device converts radiative energy into electricity in a more efficient way than conventional cells.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatuses, and systems may provide for the detection of an object at a rotating intersecting plane of light created by synchronously rotating a first plane of light and a second plane of light. A first laser beam of a first color may be projected with a first laser line projector and a second laser beam of a second laser beam of a second color may be projected with a second line projector. Laser planes of the first and second laser beams may be adjusted to create a beam intersection line plane of a third color on an object located at a predetermined intersection range from the first and second laser line projectors. The first and second laser line projectors may be rotated to create a rotating plane of light of the third color on the object.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing and optimizing energetic propellant grains includes generating an optimal surface area to mass fraction burned ratio profile for a predetermined solid structure including propellant grains; using the profile as a target function of a topological optimization process to generate a 3D form of a propellant grain; developing a negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain; mixing and densifying the negative with an energetic material in an uncured form in a mixer to create a structure including the energetic material and embedded negative; and solvating the negative from the structure, wherein the negative comprises a 3D propellant grain. The developing of the negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain may occur using a predetermined material in an additive manufacturing process. The negative may be soluble in the predetermined material, and the energetic material may be insoluble in the predetermined material.
Abstract:
A magazine, magazine assembly, magazine retrofit kit and/or portion thereof configured to provide tactile indication of magazine ammunition level.
Abstract:
Detecting the occurrence of loss of effective lubrication in high-speed machinery components is provided. The imminent catastrophic failure may be predicted when torque or power transfer is lost. An estimate of when failure will likely occur throughout the operation of the machinery may be determined as well as the damage state after the liquid lubrication supply has ended or becomes inadequate to lubricate the machinery components effectively. By monitoring the concentration of gas species and the rate of change in concentration of the gas in the gearbox or machinery enclosure after the supply of the primary lubricant ends, determinations may be made about the time to failure and the damage state. The determinations may be based on thermomechanical and chemical processes, on measurement of a baseline system, or by setting a threshold of expected change in gas concentration. These determinations may be transmitted for further decision making and response.
Abstract:
A deformable inductive device includes an elastomer material having at least one deformable electrode and a liquid magnetic core formed in the elastomer material and containing a magnetic liquid. Depending on the device's configuration, the deformable element may be embedded in, attached to, or in close proximity with the liquid magnetic core. In some embodiments, the deformable inductive device may be configured as an inductor, solenoid, or transformer and the deformable electrode is at least partially embedded in the liquid magnetic core, for instance. In another embodiment, the deformable inductive device may be configured as part of a wireless power transfer system which includes a coil and a magnetic backplane having the liquid magnetic core with the coil being attached to or in close proximity to the magnetic backplane.