Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object. An electrode is electrically insulated from the object and a power source, e.g., a battery, is coupled to the object and the electrode. The source generates power to an interface between the ice and the object when the ice completes the circuit. The object is conductive or is doped as a semiconductor so that a voltage to the interface selectively modifies the ice adhesion strength. The strength can be increased or decreased relative to its static state (i.e., the state without applied voltage). Ice can, thus, be removed with less work. The system preferably includes an electrically insulating material disposed between the object and the electrode; the insulating material is substantially conformal to the object and the electrode. The invention also includes a ferroelectric material applied to power lines to melt or prevent ice formation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical fiber holder apparatus for aligning and positioning an optical fiber such that a user can perform various testing and manipulation of the fiber. The apparatus comprises first and second sides coupled together along a common axis, each having a face containing a plurality of fiber engaging protrusions extending along the face. The fiber engaging protrusions of each side have a longitudinal groove formed therein for accepting an optical fiber. To capture and correctly position the fiber, the first and second sides are coupled together such that the fiber engaging protrusions of each side are interleaved with each other to gradually and repeatedly move an optical fiber placed therein towards the longitudinal groove of each side as the sides are rotated together in a mating relationship.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object. The system includes an electrode that is electrically insulated from the object and a DC source, e.g., a battery coupled to the object and the electrode. The source generates a DC bias to an interference between the ice and the object when the ice completes the circuit. The system preferably includes an electrically insulating material disposed-between the object and the electrode. In another embodiment, a coating comprising a ferroelectric, lossy dielectric, ferromagnetic or semiconductor material is applied to a object. Electromagnetic energy causes the coating to generate heat, which melts snow and ice.

Abstract: The invention provides a polarization scrambler to rapidly change the state of polarization of light transmitted through a single mode fiber such that a substantial portion of the Poincare sphere is covered. A plurality of piezoelectric squeezers couple with an electronic drive. Each squeezer resonates in response to drive signals from the electronic drive to induce radial compression forces on the fiber. The drive signals remain resonant with each squeezer, at frequencies of about 100 kHz, through a feedback loop for each of the squeezers and the electronic drives. Coverage over the Poincare sphere typically occurs in less than about 100 milliseconds, and preferably less than 1 millisecond.

Abstract: A plurality of electrodes in a solid object are located proximate to the contact interface between an ice layer and the surface of the solid object. A power source provides a potential difference across the electrodes to generate an electric field at the contact interface, thereby increasing the friction force between the solid object and the ice. Preferably, the power source is in AC power source. A capacitor in series between the power source and the electrodes creates an additional impedance for limiting the AC current to a level safe for human exposure.

Abstract: An alternating electric field at an ice interface generates conductivity AC with a frequency greater than 1000 Hz in interfacial ice. Typically, a first electrode and a second electrode define an interelectrode space containing a stack of freezer packages. Each freezer package has an outer dielectric film and a continuous inner conductive layer coating the inside of the dielectric film. An AC power source provides a voltage of about 10 to 500 volts across the electrodes. The first and last freezer packages in the stack are proximate to the first and second electrodes, respectively. The AC voltage generates conductivity AC in the inner conductive layers. An alternating electric field between adjacent conductive layers generates conductivity current in the ice, resulting in Joule heat, which melts the ice.

Abstract: The invention provides uniform ion dose at the wafer position by varying the current of the ion beam synchronously with the scan. The beam is scanned by a linear scan, and beam scan position information is sent from the beam scan electronics to the beam control circuit connected with the ion source; this information transfer preferably occurs over a fiber optic link to cross the high voltage between the two sets of electronics. At initiation, the beam current is held constant and a Faraday cup is scanned across the beam to measure the variation of dose with scan position. A beam versus scan position waveform is calculated to correct the variation in dose; and the waveform is then loaded into a memory in the ion beam control circuit. The ion beam control circuit then varies the output of the ion source synchronously with the scan to adjust the dose as a function of scan position, as determined by the waveform. If necessary, repeated measurements and waveform calculations can be made until the dose is uniform.

Abstract: A coating (626) comprising a ferroelectric, lossy dielectric, ferromagnetic or semiconductor material is disposed near an object (620). AC current flows through an electrical conductor (624), creating an electromagnetic field. The coating (626) absorbs energy from the electromagnetic field, thereby generating heat, which melts snow and ice on the object (620).

Abstract: A power sensing unit is incorporated into a boxing glove for use according to a method of quantifying impact forces in a boxing match in real time. Impact force data is transmitted from the boxing glove to a remote receiver. The force data is collated to assess the strike force generated by each boxer.

Abstract: A miniature, fiber-coupled Fabry-Perot interferometer has a piezoelectric transducer coupled to first and second collimating lenses. The collimating lenses collimate and interfere light energy within a gap formed between the lenses as part of the interferometer. Preferably, the lenses are matched mode gradient index lenses. Light energy coupled to the collimating lens is thus collimated and interfered within the gap. The piezoelectric transducer expands or contracts to adjust the gap, thereby adjusting the free spectral range of the interferometer. An input fiber provides input to the interferometer; an output fiber carries processed light energy of the selected free spectral range to external devices and optical systems. Metal coatings may be used to provide a capacitive feedback of lens position to calibrate the gap and, thus, the free spectral range.

Abstract: A digital frying pan provides temperature and/or food doneness information associated with food cooked within the pan. A thermal sensor coupled with the pan senses temperature and generates corresponding signals, and processing electronics coupled with the sensor convert the signals to data for display on a LCD. A warning buzzer or LED warns the user of completed cooking. The frying pan may be programmed to desired food types or personal temperatures or food doneness options. The invention also provides a remote sensing food doneness system for remotely viewing and then determining food temperature and/or food doneness. The remote system uses thermal imaging optics and thermal sensing techniques to remotely sense food temperature. Preferably a second optical element images the food onto a CCD to display an image of the food to a user. The system is mounted by a user who views the CCD to ensure appropriate placement in line of sight from the food.

Abstract: A first electrode layer and a second electrode layer cover the surface of an object. The electrode layers are separated by a relatively large interelectrode distance, usually not exceeding 10 mm. Conductive ice or liquid water fills the interelectrode space between the electrodes, providing electrical connection of the electrodes. A DC or a low-frequency AC voltage is applied across the electrodes. The applied voltage causes electrolysis of water molecules at the electrodes, resulting in generation of hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles. Optionally, a DC power supply generates sparks that ignite a mixture of the hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Abstract: The invention includes system for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object. The system includes an electrode that is electrically insulated from the object and a DC source, e.g., a battery, coupled to the object and the electrode. The source generates a DC bias to an interface between the ice and the object when the ice completes the circuit. The object is conductive or is doped as a semiconductor so that the DC bias applies a voltage a voltage to the interface which modifies the ice adhesion strength selectively as compared to the ice adhesion strength with substantially zero bias voltage at the interface. The strength can be increased or decreased relative to its static state (i.e., the state without applied voltage). In this manner, ice such as ice on an aircraft wing can be removed with less work.

Abstract: The present invention provides extended depth of focus (EDF) to human eyes by modifying contact lenses, interocular implants, or the surface of the eye itself. This is accomplished by applying selected phase variations to the optical element in question (for example, by varying surface thickness). The phase variations EDF-code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within some range away from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image on the retina. The human brain decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of focus.

Abstract: The invention detects the loft time, speed, power and/or drop distance of a vehicle, such as a sporting vehicle, during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor detects when the vehicle leaves the ground and when the vehicle returns to the ground. A controller subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. In addition, a speed sensor can detect the vehicle's speed for selective display to the user. A power sensing section informs the user of expended energy, which can be compared to other users. A drop distance sensing unit informs the user of the peak height of a jump, during an airtime. Gaming on the internet is facilitated to connect worldwide sport enthusiasts.

Abstract: The present invention provides extended depth of field or focus to conventional Phase Contrast imaging systems. This is accomplished by including a Wavefront Coding mask in the system to apply phase variations to the wavefront transmitted by the Phase Object being imaged. The phase variations induced by the Wavefront Coding mask code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within some range away from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image at the detector. Post processing decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of field.

Abstract: The invention detects loft time and/or speed of a vehicle and/or person during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor detects leaving the ground and returning to the ground. A microprocessor subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. A speed sensor can detect speed for selective display to the user, and height may also be determined during airtime.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating shoes worn by a person for activity on ground, including the steps of determining forces of acceleration experienced by the person in a direction generally perpendicular to the ground, processing signals representative of the forces of acceleration over a time interval to determine energy experienced by the person while wearing the shoes, reporting the energy to the person, and evaluating the shoes based on the energy. Another method is disclosed for ratioing energy from two different locations on a person for determining energy experienced by the person during activity over ground.

Abstract: The invention detects loft time and/or speed during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor utilizes a spectrum of information to detect leaving the ground and returning to the ground. A microprocessor subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. In addition, a speed sensor can detect the vehicle's speed for selective display to the user, and height may also be determined during airtime.

Abstract: The invention detects loft time and/or speed of a vehicle and/or person during activities of moving and jumping. A loft sensor detects leaving the ground and returning to the ground. A microprocessor subsystem converts the sensed information to determine a loft time. A display shows the recorded loft time to a user of the system. A speed sensor can detect speed for selective display to the user, and height may also be determined during airtime.