Abstract: A fiber optic sensing system for determining the position of an object requires a light source, an optical fiber, a fiber optic splitter, a fiber tip lens, an optical detector and signal processing circuitry. Light emitted by the light source is conveyed via optical fiber and the splitter to the lens and onto an object, such that at least a portion of the light is reflected by the object and conveyed via fiber and the splitter to the detector. Signal processing circuitry coupled to the detector determines the position of the object with respect to the lens based on a characteristic of the reflected light. The system is suitably employed with a hydraulic accumulator having a piston, the position of which varies with the volume of fluid in the accumulator, with the system arranged to determine the position of the piston, from which the volume can be calculated.

Abstract: Comparator circuits suitable for use in a column-parallel single-slope ADC comprise a comparator, an input voltage sampling switch connected between an input voltage Vin and a first node, and a sampling capacitor connected between the first and second nodes and which stores a voltage which varies with Vin when the sampling switch is closed. A first reset switch is connected between the second node and a reset voltage, an isolation buffer is coupled between the second node and a comparator input, and a voltage ramp switch applies a voltage ramp Vramp to the first node when closed. The comparator output toggles when Vramp exceeds Vin, with the isolation buffer maintaining a nearly constant capacitive load on Vramp. A ‘ramp disconnect’ feature can be used to increase the circuit's input range, and a dummy capacitor can be employed to maintain a constant capacitance on Vramp.

Abstract: A two-terminal detector has a back-to-back p/n/p SWIR/MWIR stack structure, which includes P-SWIR absorber, N-SWIR, wide bandgap bather, N-MWIR absorber, and P-MWIR layers, with contacts on the P-MWIR and P-SWIR layers. The junction between the SWIR layers and the junction between the MWIR layers are preferably passivated. The detector stack is preferably arranged such that a negative bias applied to the top of the stack reverse-biases the MWIR junction and forward-biases the SWIR junction, such that the detector collects photocurrent from MWIR radiation. A positive bias forward-biases the MWIR junction and reverse-biases the SWIR junction, such that photocurrent from SWIR radiation is collected. A larger positive bias induces electron avalanche at the SWIR junction, thereby providing detector sensitivity sufficient to provide low light level passive amplified imaging. Detector sensitivity in this mode is preferably sufficient to provide high resolution 3-D eye-safe LADAR imaging.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a source follower circuit suitable for receiving and buffering an input voltage and providing the buffered input voltage to a sampling capacitor via a sampling switch. The source follower circuit employs a slew enhancement circuit which enables the source follower to have fast settling for both high-to-low and low-to-high transitions.

Abstract: An integral textile structure for 3-D CMC turbine airfoils includes top and bottom walls made from an angle-interlock weave, each of the walls comprising warp and weft fiber tows. The top and bottom walls are merged on a first side parallel to the warp fiber tows into a single wall along a portion of their widths, with the weft fiber tows making up the single wall interlocked through the wall's thickness such that delamination of the wall is inhibited. The single wall suitably forms the trailing edge of an airfoil; the top and bottom walls are preferably joined along a second side opposite the first side and parallel to the radial fiber tows by a continuously curved section in which the weave structure remains continuous with the weave structure in the top and bottom walls, the continuously curved section being the leading edge of the airfoil.

Abstract: A moving platform roll sensor system comprises an ellipsometric detector capable of detecting a polarized beam within the detector's line-of-sight, and measuring the beam's polarization state, such that the polarization state indicates the rotational orientation of the moving platform with respect to a predefined coordinate system. The ellipsometric detector comprises a venetian blind component through which the polarized beam passes, arranged such that the intensity of the exiting beam varies with its incident angle with respect to the moving platform, a polarizing beamsplitter which splits the exiting beam into components having orthogonal circular polarizations, the relative intensities of which vary with the relative polarization vector of the beam, and first and second detectors which receive the first and second orthogonal circular components and generate respective outputs that vary with the intensities of their received components.

Abstract: A micro-fabricated electromagnetic device is provided for on-circuit integration. The electromagnetic device includes a core. The core has a plurality of electrically insulating layers positioned alternatingly between a plurality of magnetic layers to collectively form a continuous laminate having alternating magnetic and electrically insulating layers. The electromagnetic device includes a coil embedded in openings of the semiconductor substrate. An insulating material is positioned in the cavity and between the coil and an inner surface of the core. A method of manufacturing the electromagnetic device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having openings formed therein. Windings of a coil are electroplated and embedded in the openings. The insulating material is coated on or around an exposed surface of the coil.

Abstract: A micro fabricated electromagnetic device and method for fabricating its component structures, the device having a layered magnetic core of a potentially unlimited number of alternating insulating and magnetic layers depending upon application, physical property and performance characteristic requirements for the device. Methods for fabricating the high performing device permit cost effective, high production rates of the device and its component structures without any degradation in device performance resulting from component layering.

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: A tiled array of hybrid assemblies and a method of forming such an array enables the assemblies to be placed close together. Each assembly comprises first and second dies, with the second die mounted on and interconnected with the first die. Each vertical edge of a second die which is to be located adjacent to a vertical edge of another second die in the tiled array is etched such that the etched edge is aligned with a vertical edge of the first die. Indium bumps are deposited on a baseplate where the hybrid assemblies are to be mounted, and the assemblies are mounted onto respective indium bumps using a hybridizing machine, enabling the assemblies to be placed close together, preferably ?10 ?m. The first and second dies may be, for example. a detector and a readout IC, or an array of LEDs and a read-in IC.

Abstract: A substrate-removed, surface passivated, and anti-reflective (AR) coated detector assembly is provided. The assembly has an AR coating or passivation layer which includes a wide bandgap thin-film dielectric/passivation layer integrated therein. The wide bandgap thin-film dielectric/passivation layer is positioned proximal to a back interface of a substrate-removed detector assembly. A method of manufacturing the detector assembly includes etching a backside of a partially-removed-substrate detector assembly to obtain an etched detector assembly removed from a substrate. A wide bandgap layer is deposited, in a vacuum chamber, on the etched detector assembly without utilizing an adhesive layer. Additional anti-reflective coating layers are deposited, in the same vacuum chamber, on the wide bandgap layer to form an anti-reflective coating layer with the wide bandgap layer integrated therein.

Abstract: An amplifier cell apparatus has an RF input node, a first power transistor in communication with the input node through a first input impedance matching network, a second power transistor in communication with the input node through a second input impedance matching network, and an RF output node in communication with the first and second power transistors through a single output impedance matching network so that the first and second input impedance matching networks are disposed on an RF input side of the amplifier cell.

Abstract: A method of isolating bad pixels on a wafer comprising the steps of determining physical locations of the bad pixels on the wafer, creating a mask based on the physical locations of the bad pixels, imprinting the mask onto the wafer, and hybridizing the wafer onto a readout integrated circuit (ROIC).

Abstract: A method of improving the thermal performance of a hybrid assembly which comprises a first die, a second die, and indium bonds which bond and electrically interconnect the first die to the second die. A heat sink plate on which the hybrid assembly is to be mounted is provided. A plurality of indium bumps are deposited on the plate where the assembly is to be mounted. The bottom side of the hybrid assembly is then pressed onto the indium bumps to affix the assembly to the plate. The heat sink plate constrains the lateral coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the second die such that the CTEs of the first and second dies match more closely than they would if the hybrid assembly was not mounted directly to a heat sink plate using indium bumps. The heat sink plate preferably comprises copper tungsten (CuW) or a diamond-metal composite.

Abstract: A capacitive trans-impedance amplifier circuit with charge injection compensation is provided. A feedback capacitor is connected between an inverting input port and an output port of an amplifier. A MOS reset switch has source and drain terminals connected between the inverting input and output ports of the amplifier, and a gate terminal controlled by a reset signal. The reset switch is open or inactive during an integration phase, and closed or active to electrically connect the inverting input port and output port of the amplifier during a reset phase. One or more compensation capacitors are provided that are not implemented as gate oxide or MOS capacitors. Each compensation capacitor has a first port connected to a compensation signal that is a static signal or a toggling compensation signal that toggles between two compensation voltage values, and a second port connected to the inverting input port of the amplifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a morphable composite three-dimensional structure is disclosed. The morphable composite three-dimensional structure comprises a flexible fiber-reinforced ceramic composite comprising a fiber preform and a ceramic matrix material infused therein. The flexible fiber-reinforced ceramic composite defines a flowpath having a three-dimensional cross-section. The cross-section of the flowpath is variable along the length of the flowpath. A plurality of anchors are integrally formed in the fiber preform. The plurality of anchors extend through a thickness of the ceramic matrix. The plurality of anchors are configured to couple to at least one actuator. The at least one actuator is actuatable to vary the three-dimensional cross-section of the flowpath.

Abstract: A heat pipe apparatus having a sintered lattice wick structure includes a plurality of wicking walls having respective length, width and heights and spaced in parallel to wick liquid in a first direction along the respective lengths, the respective lengths being longer than the respective widths and the respective heights, the plurality of wicking walls being adjacent to one another and spaced apart to form vapor vents between them, a plurality of interconnect wicking walls to wick liquid between adjacent wicking walls in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a vapor chamber encompassing the sintered lattice wick structure, the vapor chamber having an interior condensation surface and interior evaporator surface, wherein the plurality of wicking walls and the plurality of interconnect wicking walls are configured to wick liquid in first and second directions and the vapor vents communicate vapor in a direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

Abstract: A fouling and stiction-resistant coating suitable for use with marine streamers is made from a silicone undercoat layer and a powdery topcoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably a non-toxic fluoropolymer which has a low surface energy, a high modulus, and which is not continuous. There may also be a primer layer below the silicone undercoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably arranged to be penetrable by the feet of barnacles that come into contact with it, with the silicone undercoat layer arranged such that the barnacles' feet that penetrate the powdery topcoat layer bond with the silicone undercoat layer. The powdery topcoat layer is preferably further arranged to peel away from the silicone undercoat layer when force is applied to the barnacles to remove them from the coating.

Abstract: A laser target board apparatus is provided for detecting spatial and temporal intensity distribution of high energy laser beams. The laser target board apparatus may include a panel having a plurality of openings and a plurality of optical rods placed therein. The laser target board apparatus may further have an optic fiber array positioned substantially parallel to and behind the panel and separated from the panel by a predetermined distance. At least one lens is configured to receive photons emitted from a second end of each optic fiber unit of the optic fiber array, and at least one camera is configured to detect the photons. A processor is configured to analyze temporal and spatial distribution of intensity of the received high energy laser beam based on data generated by the at least one camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing localized heating as well as protection for a vibrating MEMS device. A cap over a MEMS gyroscope includes an embedded temperature sensor and a heater. The temperature sensor is a trace made of a material with a known temperature/resistance coefficient, which loops back along itself to reduce electromagnetic interference. The heater is a resistive metal trace which also loops back along itself. The temperature sensor and the heater provide localized temperature stabilization for the MEMS gyroscope to reduce temperature drift in the MEMS gyroscope.