Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing for implementing computation devices and artificial neurons based on nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) systems. In one aspect, a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) based computing element includes: a substrate; two electrodes configured as a first beam structure and a second beam structure positioned in close proximity with each other without contact, wherein the first beam structure is fixed to the substrate and the second beam structure is attached to the substrate while being free to bend under electrostatic force. The first beam structure is kept at a constant voltage while the other voltage varies based on an input signal applied to the NEMS based computing element.

Abstract: A multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and a method for probing a sample while using the multi-tip nano-probe apparatus each employ located over a substrate: (1) an immovable probe tip with respect to the substrate; (2) a movable probe tip with respect to the substrate; and (3) a motion sensor that is coupled with the movable probe tip. The multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and related method provide for improved sample probing due to close coupling of the motion sensor with the movable probe tip, and also retractability of the movable probe tip with respect to the immovable probe tip.

Abstract: A monolithic, bulk piezoelectric actuator includes a bulk piezoelectric substrate having a starting top surface and an opposing starting bottom surface and a at least two electrodes operatively disposed on the bulk piezoelectric substrate consisting of at least two discrete electrodes disposed on either/both of the starting top surface and the starting bottom surface and at least one electrode disposed on the respective other starting bottom surface or starting top surface. A stage includes a base, at least two of the monolithic, bulk piezoelectric actuators disposed on the base, a movable platform disposed on the base, and a respective number of deformable connectors each having a first connection to a respective one of the piezoelectric actuators and a second connection to a respective portion of the movable platform. A method for monolithically making a monolithic, bulk piezoelectric actuator involves a direct write micropatterning technique.

Abstract: A 6-degree of freedom (DOF) PZT actuator-based dither stage includes a 6-DOF PZT Z-cut bimorph actuator-based stage. A net motion sensor includes a 6-DOF PZT Z-cut bimorph actuator-based stage and a PZT Z-cut bimorph actuator-based sensing cantilever coupled to the stage to detect motion. Methods to detect inertial sensor fixed offset, bias, and net motion are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that generates short charged particle packets or pulses (e.g., electron packets) without requiring a fast-switching-laser source is described. This system may include a charged particle source that produces a stream of continuous charged particles to propagate along a charged particle path. The system also includes a charged particle deflector positioned in the charged particle path to deflect the stream of continuous charged particles to a set of directions different from the charged particle path. The system additionally includes a series of beam blockers located downstream from the charged particle deflector and spaced from one another in a linear configuration as a beam-blocker grating. This beam-blocker grating can interact with the deflected stream of charged particles and divide the stream of the charged particles into a set of short particle packets. In one embodiment, the charged particles are electrons. The beam blockers can be conductors.

Abstract: A multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and a method for probing a sample while using the multi-tip nano-probe apparatus each employ located over a substrate: (1) an immovable probe tip with respect to the substrate; (2) a movable probe tip with respect to the substrate; and (3) a motion sensor that is coupled with the movable probe tip. The multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and related method provide for improved sample probing due to close coupling of the motion sensor with the movable probe tip, and also retractability of the movable probe tip with respect to the immovable probe tip.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing for implementing computation devices and artificial neurons based on nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) systems. In one aspect, a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) based computing element includes: a substrate; two electrodes configured as a first beam structure and a second beam structure positioned in close proximity with each other without contact, wherein the first beam structure is fixed to the substrate and the second beam structure is attached to the substrate while being free to bend under electrostatic force. The first beam structure is kept at a constant voltage while the other voltage varies based on an input signal applied to the NEMS based computing element.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing for implementing computation devices and artificial neurons based on nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) systems. In one aspect, a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) based computing element includes: a substrate; two electrodes configured as a first beam structure and a second beam structure positioned in close proximity with each other without contact, wherein the first beam structure is fixed to the substrate and the second beam structure is attached to the substrate while being free to bend under electrostatic force. The first beam structure is kept at a constant voltage while the other voltage varies based on an input signal applied to the NEMS based computing element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic or acoustic viscosity sensor or viscometer is provided that can be used to accurately measure viscosity for fluid samples of less than 1 ?l in volume. Methods for measuring viscosity for fluid samples of less than 1 ?l in volume are also provided. The viscosity sensor and methods based thereon enable simultaneous measurement of bulk and dynamic (shear-rate dependent) viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid. Bulk and dynamic viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid can be measured simultaneously without separating constituents of the fluid, and thus distinguishing the effect of constituents on the viscosity. Dynamic viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid can be estimated at varying shear rates, to study the deformability of the constituents of the fluid as a function of shear rate.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for provisioning remote desktops in a cloud based infrastructure while maintaining user personalization. In cloud based systems, a user may not always reconnect to the same VM endpoint. In one embodiment, the virtual hard disk assigned to a user is mounted to the endpoint assigned to the user. The virtual hard disk includes the user's personal data and personalization information (e.g., settings, profiles, files, etc.). When the user disconnects from the remote desktop, the virtual hard disk is demounted from the endpoint. The virtual hard disk thus provides information regarding the user's state when the user is disconnected.

Abstract: A system that generates short charged particle packets or pulses (e.g., electron packets) without requiring a fast-switching-laser source is described. This system may include a charged particle source that produces a stream of continuous charged particles to propagate along a charged particle path. The system also includes a charged particle deflector positioned in the charged particle path to deflect the stream of continuous charged particles to a set of directions different from the charged particle path. The system additionally includes a series of beam blockers located downstream from the charged particle deflector and spaced from one another in a linear configuration as a beam-blocker grating. This beam-blocker grating can interact with the deflected stream of charged particles and divide the stream of the charged particles into a set of short particle packets. In one embodiment, the charged particles are electrons. The beam blockers can be conductors.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for a self-destructing chip including at least a first die and a second die. The first die includes an electronic circuit, and the second die is composed of one or more polymers that disintegrates at a first temperature. The second die defines a plurality of chambers, wherein a first subset of the chambers contain a material that reacts with oxygen in an exothermic manner. A second subset of the chambers contain an etchant to etch materials of the first die. In response to a trigger event, the electronic circuit is configured to expose the material in the first subset of chambers to oxygen in order to heat the second die to at least the first temperature, and is configured to release the etchant from the second subset of the chambers to etch the first die.

Abstract: A mechanism is described for provisioning remote desktops in a cloud based infrastructure while maintaining user personalization. In cloud based systems, a user may not always reconnect to the same VM endpoint. In one embodiment, the virtual hard disk assigned to a user is mounted to the endpoint assigned to the user. The virtual hard disk includes the user's personal data and personalization information (e.g., settings, profiles, files, etc.). When the user disconnects from the remote desktop, the virtual hard disk is demounted from the endpoint. The virtual hard disk thus provides information regarding the user's state when the user is disconnected.

Abstract: Delay line memory device, systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a delay line memory device includes a substrate; an electronic unit disposed on the substrate and operable to receive, amplify, and/or synchronize data signals into a bit stream to be transmitted as acoustic pulses carrying data stored in the delay line memory device; a first and a second piezoelectric transducer disposed on the substrate and in communication with the electronic unit, in which the first piezoelectric transducer is operable to transmit the data signals to the acoustic pulses that carry the data through the bulk of the substrate, and the second piezoelectric transducer is operable to transduce the received acoustic pulses to intermediate electrical signals containing the data, which are transferred to the electronic unit via an electrical interconnect to cause refresh of the data in the delay line memory device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing molecular sensors. In one aspect, an ion-gas sensor device includes a pre-concentration module to collect and concentrate a gas-phase chemical for analysis; a piezoelectric fan to produce an air-flow through acoustic streaming to drive the gas-phase chemical released by the pre-concentration module to one or more downstream modules; an ionizer downstream from the piezoelectric fan to ionize the gas-phase chemical; and a gas sensor downstream from the piezoelectric fan and the ionizer to detect the ionized gas-phase chemical driven by the piezoelectric fan. The piezoelectric fan can include a stack of thin-film layers that includes a thin-film piezoelectric layer. The ion-gas sensor device is made into an ultra-portable package capable of integration with mobile communication devices, such as PDA devices or smart phones.

Abstract: Delay line memory device, systems and methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a delay line memory device includes a substrate; an electronic unit disposed on the substrate and operable to receive, amplify, and/or synchronize data signals into a bit stream to be transmitted as acoustic pulses carrying data stored in the delay line memory device; a first and a second piezoelectric transducer disposed on the substrate and in communication with the electronic unit, in which the first piezoelectric transducer is operable to transmit the data signals to the acoustic pulses that carry the data through the bulk of the substrate, and the second piezoelectric transducer is operable to transduce the received acoustic pulses to intermediate electrical signals containing the data, which are transferred to the electronic unit via an electrical interconnect to cause refresh of the data in the delay line memory device.

Abstract: An inertial sensor calibration method and inertial sensor calibration apparatus. One or more diffraction patterns are generated by one or more fixed and/or moveable gratings (inertial sensors) illuminated by an atomically stabilized source attached to a base and detected by an imager. The grating and/or inertial sensor has a designed parameter value and an actual respective parameter value, such as motion or distance that can be determined upon ultra-precise measurement. Such ultra-precise measurement can be used to calibrate the grating or inertial sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for a self-destructing chip including at least a first die and a second die. The first die includes an electronic circuit, and the second die is composed of one or more polymers that disintegrates at a first temperature. The second die defines a plurality of chambers, wherein a first subset of the chambers contain a material that reacts with oxygen in an exothermic manner. A second subset of the chambers contain an etchant to etch materials of the first die. In response to a trigger event, the electronic circuit is configured to expose the material in the first subset of chambers to oxygen in order to heat the second die to at least the first temperature, and is configured to release the etchant from the second subset of the chambers to etch the first die.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing molecular sensors. In one aspect, an ion-gas sensor device includes a pre-concentration module to collect and concentrate a gas-phase chemical for analysis; a piezoelectric fan to produce an air-flow through acoustic streaming to drive the gas-phase chemical released by the pre-concentration module to one or more downstream modules; an ionizer downstream from the piezoelectric fan to ionize the gas-phase chemical; and a gas sensor downstream from the piezoelectric fan and the ionizer to detect the ionized gas-phase chemical driven by the piezoelectric fan. The piezoelectric fan can include a stack of thin-film layers that includes a thin-film piezoelectric layer. The ion-gas sensor device is made into an ultra-portable package capable of integration with mobile communication devices, such as PDA devices or smart phones.