CUID Inscription Device

Researchers at RPI have developed a conceptual notebook/tablet/laptop device that integrates the ability to capture written text onto a flexible screen which can be rolled up after use into storage compartments. The device provides users a dedicated wide screen display for written text/image/drawing capture, is portable and easy to store with screen retraction capability via rolling into a pocket-size device of small dimensions, does not rely on a "hinge "based mechanism (e.g., foldable) to effect screen retraction and does not rely on touchscreen technology to carry out writing.

Single-Camera StarNAV Sensor

Space exploration within the commercial, business, and military sectors continues to increase, and the development of an autonomous navigation system capable of guidance navigation anywhere in the solar system free from the use of Earthbound orbiting satellites is required to ensure that these operations can be performed safely and accurately. Researchers at Rensselaer created a wide field-of-view (FoV) optical system for use as a StarNAV sensor with the potential to be mounted onto a spacecraft vehicle for use in measuring the velocity of the vessel during interstellar flights.

Apparatus and manufacturing method for in-situ impregnation of continuous fiber tows with thermoplastic resin for use in additive manufacturing.

Using raw materials (thermoplastic pellets and rolls of fiber tows), this invention will continuously impregnate fiber tows with molten thermoplastic resin for fabrication of custom composite shapes, unlike current methods, which do not use raw materials and are extremely expensive processes. The ‘In Situ’ process can be used to either directly “print” composite parts in an additive manufacturing approach or to manufacture pre-impregnated (prepreg) composite material for use in other manufacturing technologies.

Orbital Debris Capture and Deorbit System for Nanosatellites

Rensselaer inventors created a multi-launch system and capture method to effectively clean up debris in a cost-effective manner. Operationally, the method consists of deploying a small-sized object called the CubeSat. This is a small satellite with a low mass and can be part of the launch of another larger satellite or other space-based object. The CubeSat is launched into space at the same orbit as the main payload. From there, it uses its built-in capabilities to maneuver itself to the desired orbit where space debris of the right size are present that need to be captured and destroyed.

Pinned-contact oscillating liquid lens and imaging system

Existing liquid lense optical focusing strategies use liquid lenses after transient oscillations have dampened. The challenge with this existing liquid lens approach is two-fold. The first issue is to overcome the liquid inertia to enable a rapid state change, and the second, is to minimize the time it takes for transients induced during stoppage to Subside. Many systems use brute force activation methods to effect a shape change, creating undesired transient motion, which then necessitates a high-dissipative media to dampen them out.

High thermal conductance thermal interface materials based on nanostructured metallic-network polymer composites

This technology relates to a high thermal conductivity thermal interface material that allows for the formation of an interconnected, spanning, high thermal conductivity network within the matrix of a polymeric material using nano particles. This material can yield two orders of magnitude higher thermal conductivities than the non-network counterpart, as well as factorial enhancements versus the state of the art polymer composites.

Piezoelectric Driven Oscillating Surface

This technology relates to active flow control using an active roughness actuator. The active roughness actuator includes a surface having an aperture; a compliant layer covering the aperture; a chamber containing a fluid and a piezoelectric surface mechanically coupled to the chamber. The chamber is in fluid communication with the compliant layer via the at least one aperture. The piezoelectric surface is configured to displace the fluid in the chamber to control production of at least one dimple in the compliant layer proximate to the at least one aperture.

PINNED-CONTACT, OSCILLATING LIQUID-LIQUID LENS AND IMAGING SYSTEMS

This technology relates to liquid lenses, which are adaptive optical elements that avoid some of the drawbacks of mechanical optical elements, such as delayed movements and excess weight. This technology provides an oscillating liquid lens that includes a liquid drop with first and second droplet portions, a second liquid, and a drive that oscillates the liquid drop within a channel of a substrate.