Science Applications International Corporation

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Indiana Integrated Circuits, LLC

John Philip Timler

David M Morris

Xingcun C Tong

Jason Schipp

Jason M Kulick

Tian Lu

Christian Keyser

Trevor Courtney

Robert Joseph Engelhardt, Jr

David M Barrett

Carlos J Ortega

Self-sintering conductive inks can be printed and self-sintered with a simple and low-cost process mechanized by exothermic alkali metal and water reaction, with enhanced electrical and thermal performance by liquid metal fusion. Such self-sintering conductive inks may include a gallium-alkali metal component and a water absorbing gel component. After patterning, the self-sintering inks, on reaching a designed trigger temperature (including room temperature), may metallize through a two-step process. Initially the gallium-alkali metal component activates and reacts with water released from the water absorbing gel component. Then the exothermic reaction between the water and the alkali element creates an intense and highly localized heating effect, which liquefies all metallic components in the ink and, on cooling, creates a solid metal trace or interconnect. Post cooling, the metal trace or interconnect cannot be reflowed without a significant temperature increase or other energetic input.

Self-sintering conductive inks

Countermeasure simulating structures may include (a) a base and (b) one or more separated combustible tracks fixed to the base's surface. The combustible tracks may include thermite and/or other combustible material. The combustible tracks may be shaped to simulate countermeasure flares deployed by a vehicle (e.g., a jet). The countermeasure simulating structure may be incorporated into a countermeasure simulating system that includes (a) an infrared and/or optical sensing system (e.g., like those included in missiles) and (b) a simulator mount holding the countermeasure simulating structure. Countermeasures may be tested in such systems by: (a) arranging an infrared and/or optical sensing system to receive infrared energy and/or visible light emitted by the countermeasure simulating structure; (b) igniting the combustible material of the combustible track such that combustion of the combustible material moves along the combustible track; and (c) determining whether the infrared and/or optical sensing system tracks infrared energy and/or visible emitted by the combustion.

Thermal and/or optical signature simulating systems and methods of making and using such systems

Infrared transparent constructs (e.g., infrared transparent windows) may be shaped as a dome (e.g., for an infrared detector system) and/or other desired geometries, such as portions of IR seeker domes. Electrically conductive tracing(s) may be printed in desired shapes and forms, e.g., in the form of EMI shielding, an FSS grid, an anti-static component, electrical connectors, etc., and integrated into the interior of the construct structure. The electrically conductive tracing(s) may be printed between layers of independent infrared transparent window components that are then engaged together to form a window preform. Additionally or alternatively, the electrically conductive tracing(s) may be printed between printed layers of infrared transparent ceramic or plastic material built up to form the window preform. Once formed, the window preform may be sintered, e.g., in an ultrafast high temperature sintering process (and optionally further treated) to produce the final infrared transparent construct.

Infrared transparent constructs and methods of making them

A cylindrical electrode module of a fiber optic laser system includes an inner cylinder having an inner repeating pattern of longitudinally-aligned positive and negative electrodes on an outer surface of the inner cylinder. The cylindrical electrode mode includes an outer cylinder that encloses the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder that has an outer repeating pattern of longitudinally-aligned negative and positive electrodes on an inner surface of the inner cylinder that are in corresponding and complementary, parallel alignment with the positive and negative electrodes of the inner repeating pattern on the outer surface of the inner cylinder. The cylindrical electrode module includes an optical fiber having an input end configured to align with and be optically coupled to a pump laser. The optical fiber is wrapped around the inner cylinder within the outer cylinder to form a cylindrical fiber assembly. The electrodes are activated to achieve quasi-phase matching.

Wavelength flexibility through variable-period poling of a compact cylindrical optical fiber assembly

A thermal fuse may comprise an electrode and a conductor separated by a phase change material. The electrode may be formed from a conductive material that generates hydrogen when exposed to water or hydrogen peroxide. The phase change material may release water or hydrogen peroxide at or above an activation temperature.

Thermal fuse

A substrate assembly includes at least one printed circuit (PC) substrate. Each PC substrate includes a PC top surface and a PC bottom surface spaced from each other and an edge that runs at least partially about a periphery of the PC substrate between the PC top surface and the PC bottom surface. The edge includes or defines on a facet or edge surface of the edge at least one projection that extends transverse or normal to the facet or edge surface. The projection includes a projection top surface and a projection bottom surface spaced from each other and the projection can include or be made of conductive material.

Edge interconnects for use with circuit boards and integrated circuits

A method of constructing conductive material in arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) geometries, such as 3D printing. The method may include selective application of an aerosol-based colloidal solution containing a catalytic palladium nanoparticle material onto a substrate and then immersion of the coated substrate into an electro-less plating bath for deposition of conductive copper material. The above steps may be repeated to create arbitrary 3D geometric constructs containing conductive metallic patterns.

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River Ridge, LA, United States of America

John Philip Timler