Abstract: A multi-color light detector includes a first photodiode. The light detector further includes a second photodiode stacked on the first photodiode and defining a via. The light detector further includes a first conductor extending through the via, contacting the first photodiode, and designed to transmit a first signal corresponding to a first light detected by the first photodiode. The light detector further includes a second conductor contacting the second photodiode and designed to transmit a second signal corresponding to a second light detected by the second photodiode.

Abstract: An orientation tracking system for a moving platform includes a transmitter which generates an beam having a known polarization with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The moving platform includes an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting the polarized beam when within the line-of-sight of the transmitter, and measuring its polarization state. The polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to the predefined coordinate system. The beam could also be used to convey guidance commands to the platform.

Abstract: A semiconductor material emitting device is positioned such that its output flux impinges on a substrate at a non-perpendicular angle, so as to grow a first epilayer which is linearly graded in the direction perpendicular to the growth direction. The linear grading can be arranged such that, for example, each row of pixels has a different cutoff wavelength, thereby making it possible to provide a spectroscopic FPA without the use of filters. The non-perpendicular angle and/or the flux intensity can be adjusted to achieve a desired compositional grading. A spectral ellipsometer may be used to monitor the composition of the epilayer during the fabrication process, and to control the intensity of the flux.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for fabricating a heat spreader system, including providing a plurality of bottom microporous wicks recessed in a bottom substrate, bonding a center substrate to the bottom substrate, and bonding a top substrate having a top chamber portion to the center substrate to establish a first vapor chamber with said plurality of bottom microporous wicks.

Abstract: A biohybrid dual chamber fuel cell and method for producing sustainable electrical power from unprocessed biomass include a microbial fuel cell (MFC) for processing the biomass into a clean fuel, a direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFC) operatively connected to the microbial fuel cell for oxidizing the clean fuel to generate electrical power and a separation barrier in the form of a reverse osmosis membrane disposed intermediate the MFC and the DAFC which prevents the diffusion of impurities from the MFC into the DAFC and the return flow of oxidation by-products from the DAFC into the MFC.

Abstract: The sintered electrical contact material described in this specification includes at least one salt dispersed within a silver matrix, and no more than 100 ppm of cadmium and cadmium compounds. The sintered electrical contact material exhibit contact resistances much lower than commercially available silver composites. The salts dispersed within the silver matrix represent a new class of additives for silver composites for high and low current applications.

Abstract: A method of forming void-free, high aspect ratio through-substrate vias by “bottom-up” electroplating. In one embodiment, the method requires providing a substrate, forming a dielectric layer on the substrate's bottom side, providing at least one perforation through the dielectric layer, forming a via hole through the substrate from its top side to the dielectric layer and over the perforations, forming an isolation layer on the sidewalls of the via hole, forming a metal seed layer on the bottom side of the dielectric layer, electroplating the seed layer such that all of the perforations are plugged, and electroplating up the via hole from the plugs to fill the via hole.

Abstract: An osmotic transport apparatus includes a heat conducting chamber having an inner wall, a heat absorption end and a heat dissipation end, an osmotic membrane extending substantially longitudinally along an inner wall of the heat conducting chamber from the heat absorption end to the heat dissipation end, a liquid salt solution disposed in the osmotic membrane, and an inner vapor cavity so that when heat is applied to the heat absorption end, vapor is expelled from the osmotic membrane at the heat absorption end, is condensed on the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end, and is drawn into the osmotic membrane at the heat dissipation end for passive pumping transport back to the heat absorption end as more condensate is drawn through the osmotic membrane.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for targeted memory enhancement. A computer processing circuit receives a plurality of electroencephalography (EEG) signals from a plurality of spatially separated EEG sensors located on the head of a subject that is asleep. A first process of the computer processing system determines a sleep state of the subject and upon determining that the subject is in sleep stage 2 or 3 based on a specific EEG signal, the processing system triggers a second process of the computer processing system that determines a transition event in the specific EEG signal, and upon detecting the transition event delivers an intervention to the subject designed to evoke a specific neurophysiological change to the subject.

Abstract: A differential data transmitter with pre-emphasis comprises a main driver coupled to receive an input data stream and to produce a main differential output stream which varies with the input stream, circuitry which provides a delayed and inverted version of the input stream, and a first pre-emphasis driver coupled to the output of the circuitry and arranged to produce a pre-emphasis differential output stream which varies with the delayed and inverted input stream. The pre-emphasis differential output stream is coupled to the main differential output stream to produce differential data transmitter output signals. The main and pre-emphasis drivers operate in parallel, with the pre-emphasis driver boosting the output signals when consecutive bits in the input stream change state, and attenuating the output signals when consecutive bits in the input stream do not change state.

Abstract: A filtration membrane coating comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a surfactant, and one or more charged compounds, each containing one or more sulfonate functionalities and one or more linkable functionalities selected from the group consisting of amine, monochlorotriazine, and dichlorotriazine. The hydrophilic polymer and surfactant form a thin primer layer which is also superhydrophilic. The primer layer improves flux, and enables improved adhesion of the one or more charged compounds, which form a charged dye layer on top of the primer layer when enhances rejection of charged divalent ions. The coating can be applied while the membrane is packaged in its final form, such as in a spiral wound or other configuration.

Abstract: A light sensor includes an N-type semiconductor. The light sensor further includes a P-type semiconductor stacked on at least a portion of the N-type semiconductor, partially defining a trench extending into the P-type semiconductor, and having a trench portion aligned with the trench and extending farther into the N-type semiconductor than other portions of the P-type semiconductor. The light sensor also includes a passivation layer stacked on and contacting the P-type semiconductor and partially defining the trench that extends through the passivation layer and into the P-type semiconductor. The light sensor further includes an electrical contact stacked on the passivation layer, positioned within the trench, and extending through the passivation layer into the P-type semiconductor such that photons received by the N-type semiconductor generate photocurrent resulting in a voltage at the electrical contact.

Abstract: A micro-machined optical shutter includes an entry layer with a through-passage having an input side adapted to receive incoming light and an output side, and an exit layer with a through-passage having an input side comprising a pinhole and an output side. The entry and exit layers are vertically aligned, thereby providing an optical path such that light exiting the entry layer enters the exit layer via the pinhole unless the optical path is interrupted. An actuation plane positioned between the entry and exit layers comprises a shutter blade and an actuator arranged to move the shutter blade laterally with respect to the pinhole when actuated. The shutter blade preferably has a reflective angled surface such that, when the blade covers the pinhole, the angled surface redirects light on the optical path away from the pinhole, preferably into a micromachined beam dump.

Abstract: A dual-threaded bushing and spacer assembly capable of accepting standard adhesive staking and thereby enabling compliance with NASA space flight fastener staking requirements. The assembly comprises a bushing having a head with top and bottom surfaces, inner threads, and outer threads, and a spacer having top and bottom surfaces and arranged to accept the bushing. This is achieved by providing a counterbored countersink in the spacer which provides a countersunk surface within the spacer. The countersunk surface provides a contact surface for the bushing head's bottom surface when the bushing is installed in the spacer. The spacer is further arranged such that the countersunk surface is such that, when the bushing is installed, the bushing's top surface is below the spacer's top surface. When so arranged, adhesive staking can be placed between the bushing's top surface and the spacer's vertical counterbored surface.

Abstract: A HDR CTIA pixel which provides automatic gain selection, and spatial and temporal coherence. The pixel comprises an input node for connection to a photocurrent, and an output node. The pixel includes a CTIA which comprises a “high gain” integration capacitor and a first reset switch connected between the input and output nodes, a “low gain” integration capacitor connected between the input node and a first node, a second reset switch connected between the first node and the output node, and a first FET connected across the second reset switch. In operation, the first FET is off during the reset phase, and is conditionally turned on during or after the integration phase. The CTIA also includes an amplifier having an inverting input connected to the input node and an output connected to the output node. The pixel can be operated in “static low-gain control” and “dynamic low-gain control” modes.

Abstract: A pixel comprising a pinned photodiode (PPD) which generates a photocurrent Iph, a transfer gate connected in series between the PPD and a first node, a low-gain select transistor connected between the first node and a second node, a reset transistor connected between the second node and a reset voltage, a capacitance connected between the second node and a first constant potential, and a source-follower transistor whose source, gate and drain are connected to an output node, the first node and a second constant potential, respectively. When properly arranged, a vertically integrated (3D) global-shutter pinned PPD pixel is provided, which uses an overflow integration capacitor and subthreshold conduction of the reset transistor for increased dynamic range. Global shutter operation is achieved by storing the pixel output on sampling capacitors in another semiconductor layer at the end of integration.

Abstract: A light sensor includes an N-type semiconductor. The light sensor further includes a P-type semiconductor stacked on at least a portion of the N-type semiconductor, partially defining a trench extending into the P-type semiconductor, and having a trench portion aligned with the trench and extending farther into the N-type semiconductor than other portions of the P-type semiconductor. The light sensor also includes a passivation layer stacked on and contacting the P-type semiconductor and partially defining the trench that extends through the passivation layer and into the P-type semiconductor. The light sensor further includes an electrical contact stacked on the passivation layer, positioned within the trench, and extending through the passivation layer into the P-type semiconductor such that photons received by the N-type semiconductor generate photocurrent resulting in a voltage at the electrical contact.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods including a bullet; a retroreflector array adhered to a base of the bullet, the retroreflector array having prism facets with a periodicity between 0.2 mm-2.0 mm; and a cover disposed over the retroreflector array and hermetically sealed at the base of the bullet; where the cover is disposed over the retroreflector array in a first position prior to firing, and where the cover is released from the base of the bullet in a second position after firing.

Abstract: A physics package apparatus for a compact atomic device includes a container having a plurality of slots and an open end, a first vapor cell carrier slidably seated in one of the plurality of slots, a vapor cell coupled to the first vapor cell carrier; and a lid sealably enclosing the open end so that the vapor cell is sealably enclosed in the container.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining a time of flight (TOF) of a first bullet fired from a gun to pass a target plane of a target; determining a location of an aimpoint on the target in an imager field of view (FOV) relative to a disturbed reticle at a time the first bullet is fired by the gun; determining a location of the first bullet relative to the location of the aimpoint on the target at the TOF in the imager FOV; and determining an updated location of the disturbed reticle based on a difference between the location of the first bullet and the location of the aimpoint on the target at the time the first bullet crosses the target plane and a difference between the location of the disturbed reticle and the location of the aimpoint on the target at the time the first bullet was fired.