Abstract: A reconfigurable electric circuit includes first and second crystalline material layers positioned adjacent to each other and forming a first interface, and a first ferroelectric layer positioned adjacent to the first crystalline material layer and having ferroelectric domains applying an electric field to regions of the first interface to induce a quasi two-dimensional electron gas in the regions, wherein at least one of the regions forms a gate and at least one of the regions forms a channel.

Abstract: A recording head includes a magnetic write pole having an end positioned adjacent to an air bearing surface, a first waveguide having an end positioned adjacent to the air bearing surface, a laser, and a coupler for coupling light from the laser to the waveguide. The coupler can include a grating positioned in or adjacent to a lasing cavity of the laser.

Abstract: A leak diverter for positioning above a suspended ceiling is disclosed. The leak diverter can comprise a liquid collection tray comprising a flexible or substantially rigid sheet of material. The leak diverter can have a drain in flow communication with the liquid collection tray. The leak diverter can comprise a perimeter frame and can be supported by a plurality of support members. The drain can be positioned to extend through either the liquid collection tray or the side barrier and can be positioned above the suspended ceiling. In one embodiment, the width of the leak diverter is less than the standard width of a suspended ceiling panel in order to facilitate installation of the diverter above the suspended ceiling. In another embodiment, the length of the leak diverter may be greater than the standard length or width of a suspended ceiling panel, and may straddle adjacent ceiling panels.

Abstract: An optical transducer comprises an optical element for directing an electromagnetic wave to a focal region and a metallic nano-structure having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an electric field of the electromagnetic wave, the metallic nano-structure being positioned outside of the optical element, wherein the electromagnetic wave produces surface plasmons on the metallic nano-structure. A cladding material having a refractive index differing from the refractive index of the optical element can be positioned adjacent to a surface of the metallic nano-structure. Magneto-optical recording heads that include the transducers and disc drives that include the magneto-optical recording heads are also included.

Abstract: Electrically actuated quick attach systems for tractor front end loaders are disclosed. An electric actuator with extendable rods is connected to rotatable handles mounted on attachment mounting plates. Extension of the electric actuator rods rotates the handles and causes attachment locking pins to extend into locking positions. Retraction of the electric actuator rods rotates the handles in opposite directions and causes the locking pins to retract into unlocked positions. The electrically actuated quick attach systems may be used with compact utility tractors as well as other types of tractors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for remediating sulfur-containing pollutants with a hydrocarbon that is used to stimulate the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria. The hydrocarbon is preferably an alkane such as butane. The sulfur-containing pollutant may comprise sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, disulfides, mercaptans, alkanesulfonates, dialkyl sulfides, thiosulfate, thiofurans, thiocyanates, isothiocyanates, thioureas, thiols, thiophenols, thioethers, thiophene, tetrathionate, dithionite, dialkyl disulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, sulfolanes, sulfonic acid, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, sulfonic esters, hydrogen sulfide, sulfate esters, sulfur dioxide and any other sour gases, elemental sulfur and any other sulfur-containing material considered to be a contaminant or pollutant.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus captures thromboembolic material in the arterial and venous circulation. The apparatus includes an inner hollow tube and an outer hollow tube in sliding engagement with the inner hollow tube. A radially expandable segment, such as an inflatable balloon, is attached near the distal end of the catheter. One end portion of the balloon is attached to the inner tube and the other end portion is attached to the outer tube. When the catheter is advanced through a vessel to be treated, the balloon is deflated and the outer tube is slidably advanced to a storage position so that the balloon compactly surrounds the catheter. When the catheter is in place within the vessel, the outer tube is slidably advanced to a treatment position and the balloon is inflated. As the vessel is treated, the inflated balloon captures and contains thromboembolic particles that may be released, and the particles are suctioned out of the patient through apertures located in the outer hollow tube proximal to the balloon.

Abstract: Bioventing systems create a bacterial treatment zone at a contaminated site by supplying a hydrocarbon food source to the treatment zone, and recirculating the hydrocarbon to the treatment zone. The bioventing systems may inject, circulate, extract and reinject hydrocarbons such as butane or other alkanes to the subsurface at a contaminated site to create a bacterial treatment zone. Contaminated vapors extracted from the soil and/or groundwater may be reintroduced into the site. Hydrocarbons that are not consumed by the bacteria in the treatment zone may be extracted and recovered for recirculation into the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method for coherently tracking a radio signal including at least one digitally modulated reference carrier is provided, wherein the method comprises the steps of demodulating the reference carrier to produce complex coherent reference gains, detecting a transient that affects the complex coherent reference gains, and adjusting the complex coherent reference gains in the vicinity of the transient to produce adjusted complex coherent reference gains. The transient can be caused by switching among the antenna elements or impulsive noise. Receivers that process signals in accordance with the method, and a method of estimating noise variance of symbols in a radio signal are also provided.

Abstract: A method for digital audio broadcasting comprising the steps of receiving a plurality of data bits to be transmitted, formatting the plurality of data bits into a plurality of protocol data units, inserting header bits at spaced locations within the protocol data units, and using the protocol data units to modulate a plurality of carriers to produce an output signal. The individual header bits can be positioned at evenly spaced locations in the protocol data units. A first one of the header bits can be offset from an end of the protocol data unit. A method of receiving the digital audio broadcasting signal the transmitters and receivers that operate in accordance with the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing assembly is disclosed which is capable of reacting both radial and axial loads. An inner bearing race is connected to a rotatable shaft that is subjected to such loads. An outer bearing race is installed within a housing and is capable of movement in multiple directions with respect to the housing. The outer bearing race can rotate in planes corresponding to longitudinal sections of the outer race, i.e., rotational displacement. In addition, the outer bearing race can translate with respect to an inner wall of the housing in an axial direction of the housing, i.e., axial displacement. Such movement is enabled by the use of radially displaceable thrust rings which contact the outer bearing race, and control of the geometry of the outer bearing race and inner wall of the housing.

Abstract: An antenna assembly comprises a composite support structure including an electrically conductive outer layer, an inner layer and a core layer between the outer layer and the inner layer; a cavity structure positioned adjacent to the inner layer of the composite support structure; a window structure positioned adjacent to the outer layer of the composite support structure; and a plurality of conductive z-pins passing through the composite support structure and electrically connecting the cavity structure to the outer layer of the composite support structure.

Abstract: An articulated lacrosse stick having a head portion, a handle portion and an articulation mechanism capable of moving a first portion of the stick from a first position to a second different position with respect to a second portion of the stick is disclosed. The head portion may be articulated with respect to the handle portion. A first handle portion of stick may be articulated with respect to a second handle portion.

Abstract: The invention provides shock initiation devices comprising multilayer structures with constituent layers that undergo an exothermic self-propagating reaction once initiated by shock. The multilayer structures may be used as components in shaped charges, EFP devices, warheads, munition casings, interceptors, missiles, bombs, and other systems. The reactive layer materials may be selected based on required structural properties, density and reaction temperature.

Abstract: Shaped charge liners are made of reactive materials formed by thermal spray techniques. The thermally sprayed reactive shaped charge materials have low porosity and high structural integrity. Upon detonation, the reactive materials of the shaped charge liner undergo an exothermic reaction that raises the temperature and the effectiveness of the liner.

Abstract: A nose cap and control strut assembly for supersonic aircraft is disclosed. In one embodiment, the nose cap extends forward from the nose of the aircraft to deflect shock waves and decrease draft during supersonic flight. In another embodiment, control struts extending from the nose of the aircraft have control surfaces which provide yaw and pitch control for the aircraft. The control struts may be rotatable around axes substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The control struts may also be retractable into the aircraft. The nose cap may be mounted at the forward ends of the control struts in such a manner that the nose cap remains in a stationary position with respect to the aircraft when the control struts are rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating electromagnetic energy comprises a metallic transducer including a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is wider than the second section and has a width to length aspect ratio greater than or equal to a width to length aspect ratio of the second section, and a condenser for directing electromagnetic radiation onto the transducer. A magnetic storage device that includes the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A ridge waveguide having a recessed ridge forming an isolated tip at a terminal end of the waveguide's aperture efficiently couples light into a spot adjacent to the tip in a medium below the terminal end of the waveguide which is significantly smaller than the light's wavelength. The waveguide is used to heat a recording medium via the small spot for heat assisted recording or to pattern substrates by photolithography with line width exposures that are significantly smaller than the wavelength of light. The body of the waveguide may also be recessed away from the medium in an area surrounding the waveguide's aperture to further confine the energy emerging from the waveguide to the small spot adjacent the tip in the medium.

Abstract: A magnetic field transducer includes a phase transition material exhibiting a change from an antiferromagnetic phase to a ferromagnetic phase when heated above a critical temperature, means for applying a magnetic bias field to the phase transition material, and means for heating the phase transition material above the critical temperature. Magnetic recording heads that include the transducer and magnetic disc drives that include the magnetic recording heads are also described. A method of producing a magnetic field pulse including applying a magnetic bias field to a phase transition material, and heating the phase transition material to cause the phase transition material to change from an antiferromagnetic phase to a ferromagnetic phase, is also provided. The phase transition material can comprise a rare earth-transition metal alloy, where the alloy is heated above a compensation temperature.

Abstract: Diffraction gratings for coupling an electromagnetic wave into a planar waveguide are disclosed. The diffraction grating may include a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating slanted relative to one another. Alternatively, the diffraction grating may include a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating spaced apart to form a gap therebetween.