Abstract: Passive radiative cooling panels are produced by anodizing an aluminum foil sheet to form metamaterial nanostructures and then forming a plated metal over the metamaterial nanostructures to produce an ultra-black emitter, and then securing a reflective layer (e.g., a solar mirror film) onto the ultra-black emitter. The process is implementable in a roll-to-roll-type fabricating system in which a continuous aluminum foil ribbon extends from a feed roll through an anodization station to a reflector mounting station such that a first ribbon section undergoes anodization while a second ribbon section undergoes plating and a reflective layer is mounted onto a third ribbon section. A modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique is utilized to generate tapered nanopores that are then plated to generate an ultra-black emitter capable of generating broadband radiant energy with an emissivity close to unity. Modules are produced by mounting the panels onto conduit structures.

Abstract: A low-cost passive radiative cooling panel includes an emitter layer disposed under an upper reflective layer, where the emitter layer includes metamaterial nanostructures (e.g., tapered nanopores) configured to dissipate heat in the form of radiant energy that is transmitted through the reflective layer into cold near-space. In an embodiment the emitter layer includes ultra-black material configured to emit, with an emissivity close to unity, radiant energy having wavelengths/frequencies that fall within known atmospheric transparency windows (e.g., 8-13 ?m or 16-28 ?m). In a practical embodiment the emitter layer is formed using a modified Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) self-assembly technique followed by electroless plating that forms metal-plated tapered nanopores.

Abstract: Fluidic structures for facilitating particle separation in curved or spiral devices are provided. The contemplated systems relate to various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize construction of fluidic separation structures that are of a stacked and/or parallel configuration. These contemplated systems provide for efficient input of fluid to be processed, improved throughput, and, in some variations, adjustable and efficient treatment of output fluid.

Abstract: A device for delivery of particles into biological tissue includes at least one conduit and a propellant source fluidically coupled to the conduit and configured to deliver a propellant into the conduit. A particle source is configured to release elongated particles into the conduit, the elongated particles having a width, w, a length, l>w. The propellant source and the conduit are configured to propel the elongated particles in a collimated particle stream toward the biological tissue. An alignment mechanism is configured to align a longitudinal axis of the elongated particles to be substantially parallel to a direction of the particle stream in an alignment region of the conduit. The aligned elongated particles are ejected from the conduit and impact the biological tissue.

Abstract: A thermal sensor includes an array of pixels, each having a membrane mounted on legs over a reflector, forming a Fabry-Pérot cavity. Each membrane includes an infrared (IR) absorbing material that defines multiple spaced-apart openings separated by micron-level distances that decrease thermal capacity and increase IR absorption of the membrane. Regular pitch distances between adjacent openings provides narrowband IR absorption, with pitch distances below 7.1 ?m facilitating the detection of IR radiation wavelengths below 7.5 ?m. Multispectral thermal imaging is achieved by arranging the pixels in repeated groups (superpixels), where each superpixel detects the same set of IR radiation wavelengths. Thermal imaging devices include thermal sensors, IR lenses and device control circuitry arranged in a camera-like manner.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting device including a scalable metamaterial resonator antenna and a rectifying circuit formed on a flexible plastic substrate. The metamaterial resonator antenna includes a metal (e.g., silver) structure that is conformally fixedly disposed (i.e., either printed or deposited/etched) on the flexible substrate and configured to resonate at RF frequencies using primary and secondary antenna segments connected by linking segments such that captured RF signals are generated at two antenna end points that are 180° out-of-phase with each other. The rectifying circuit including additional metal structures that are also printed or otherwise formed on the flexible substrate, and one or more circuit elements that are configured to pass positive voltage pulses from the captured RF signals to an output node. Various metamaterial resonator antenna configurations are disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting device (rectenna) includes an antenna structure configured to resonate at RF frequencies, and a rectifying circuit that facilitates harvesting multiband RF signals having low energy levels (i.e., tens of mW and below) by utilizing two Zero Bias Schottky diodes having different forward voltage and peak inverse voltage values. Positive voltage pulses from a captured RF signal generated on a first antenna end point are passed by the first diode to a first internal node where they are summed with a second RF signal generated on the second antenna end point (i.e., after being passed through a capacitor), thereby producing a first intermediate voltage having a substantially higher voltage level. Positive voltage pulses are then passed from the first internal node through the second diode to an output control circuit for conversion into a usable DC output voltage.

Abstract: A device includes a phase shifting element array comprising a plurality of metamaterial structures that resonate in response to an input electromagnetic (EM) signal. The phase shifting element array generates an output EM signal that is a sum of component output electromagnetic signals generated respectively by the metamaterial structures and is configured to propagate wirelessly through at least a portion of a patient's body. A control circuit controls one or both of phases and amplitudes of the component electromagnetic output signals so that at least one of constructive and destructive interference between the component output electromagnetic signals causes the output signal to have a higher intensity EM radiation at a target region interior to the body and to have a zero or low intensity radiation at a non-target region interior to the body.

Abstract: A coating mechanism disposes a liquid (e.g., polymer) thin film onto a conveyor surface (e.g., roller or belt) that is moved by a suitable motor to convey the thin film into a precisely controlled gap (or nip) region where applied potentials generate an electric field that causes the liquid to undergo Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) patterning deformation, whereby the liquid forms patterned micro-scale features. A curing mechanism (e.g., a UV laser) is used to solidify (e.g., cross-link) the patterned liquid features inside or immediately after exiting the gap region, thereby forming micro-scale patterned structures that are either connected by an intervening web as part of a sheet, or separated into discrete micro-scale structures. Nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes or nanowires) disposed in the liquid become vertically oriented during the EHD patterning process. Segmented electrodes and patterned charges are utilized to provide digital patterning control.

Abstract: An object-detection system for, e.g., a vehicle collision avoidance system, utilizes a metamaterial-based phase shifting element array to generate a scan beam by varying the effective capacitance of each metamaterial structure forming the array in order to control the phases of their radio frequency output signals such that the combined electromagnetic wave generated by the output signals is reinforced in the desired direction and suppressed in undesired directions to produce the scan beam. The metamaterial structures are configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby each metamaterial structure emits an associated output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance is applied on each metamaterial structure, e.g., using varicaps that are adjusted by way of phase control voltages, to produce the desired output phase patterns.

Abstract: A metamaterial-based phase shifting element utilizes a variable capacitor (varicap) to control the effective capacitance of a metamaterial structure in order to control the phase of a radio frequency output signal generated by the metamaterial structure. The metamaterial structure is configured to resonate at the same radio wave frequency as an incident input signal (radiation), whereby the metamaterial structure emits the output signal by way of controlled scattering the input signal. A variable capacitance applied on metamaterial structure by the varicap is adjustable by way of a control voltage, whereby the output phase is adjusted by way of adjusting the control voltage. The metamaterial structure is constructed using inexpensive metal film or PCB fabrication technology including an upper metal “island” structure, a lower metal backplane layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An energy storage system employing a reversible salination-desalination process includes an electrochemical desalination battery (EDB) unit including an anode and a cathode. The EDB unit runs a salination process while storing energy from a direct current power supply unit, and runs a desalination process while releasing energy to an electrical load. The energy storage system can store power from a variable output electrical power supply unit such as solar cells and wind turbines while running a salination process, and release energy, e.g., during peak energy demand hours while running a desalination process. Combined with a capacitive deionization (CD) unit, the energy storage system can generate fresh water by running desalination processes in the EDB unit and the CD unit while releasing stored energy from the EDB unit. The energy storage unit can function as a dual purpose device for energy storage and fresh water generation.

Abstract: Polymer spray deposition systems and methods are disclosed that can be used with a wide range of thermoplastic materials to produce high resolution objects having the complexity and structural integrity typically only achieved using more traditional manufacturing techniques, like injection molding processes. The polymeric spray deposition systems and methods use a spray generator that stretches the fluid between two diverging surfaces, such as two rollers or between two pistons. The stretched fluid breaks apart into a plurality of droplets and is guided through a delivery system, that can include an optional droplet size selector, and into a multi-nozzle array. The multi-nozzle array is controlled and directs the spray onto a target surface, thereby creating a three-dimensional object. The disclosed polymer spray deposition systems and methods can be used in three-dimensional print heads and printing techniques.

Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply including a filter input, a coagulation system in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water is subjected to a coagulation process to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank in operative connection with the coagulation system aggregates floc in size within the water. A spiral separator separates the water into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is configured to receive the first stream of water and perform a filtration operation thereon. A sterilization system is configured to perform a sterilization operation on the first stream of water. The water is then output from the sterilization system as potable water.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment plant that employs an activated sludge process and a method of operating the same is described. Wastewater influent is provided to a bioreactor configured to perform activated sludge processing to develop mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). The MLSS is passed from the bioreactor to a hydrodynamic separator (HDS) system, where separation operations are performed on the MLSS. The separation operations generate a low concentration MLSS stream and a high concentration MLSS stream. The low concentration MLSS stream is passed from the hydrodynamic separator system via a first output to a clarifier, and the high concentration wastewater stream is passed via a second output back to the bioreactor. The clarifier performs clarification operations on the cleaned wastewater stream and then outputs an effluent flow.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a material ejector (e.g., print head) geometry having alignment of material inlet channels in-line with microchannels, symmetrically disposed in a propellant flow, to obtain smooth, well-controlled, trajectories in a ballistic aerosol ejection implementation. Propellant (e.g., pressurized air) is supplied from above and below (or side-by-side) a microchannel array plane. Obviating sharp (e.g., 90 degree) corners permits propellant to flow smoothly from macroscopic source into the microchannels.

Abstract: An ink leveling device for controlling a temperature difference across a substrate having ink disposed on the upper surface, the device including a cooling device cooling a bottom of a substrate to a first temperature that is lower than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink, a heating device heating the upper surface of the ink layer to a second temperature that is greater than the viscosity threshold temperature of the ink and a device applying shear force across the upper surface of the ink layer.

Abstract: A coating mechanism disposes a liquid (e.g., polymer) thin film onto a conveyor surface (e.g., roller or belt) that is moved by a suitable motor to convey the thin film into a precisely controlled gap (or nip) region where applied potentials generate an electric field that causes the liquid to undergo Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) patterning deformation, whereby the liquid forms patterned micro-scale features. A curing mechanism (e.g., a UV laser) is used to solidify (e.g., cross-link) the patterned liquid features inside or immediately after exiting the gap region, thereby forming micro-scale patterned structures that are either connected by an intervening web as part of a sheet, or separated into discrete micro-scale structures. Nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes or nanowires) disposed in the liquid become vertically oriented during the EHD patterning process. Segmented electrodes and patterned charges are utilized to provide digital patterning control.

Abstract: A liquid thin film is disposed on a conveyor surface (e.g., a roller or belt) that moves the thin film into a precisely controlled gap (or nip) region in which the liquid thin film is subjected to an electric field that causes the liquid to undergo Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) patterning deformation, whereby portions of the liquid thin film form patterned liquid features having a micro-scale patterned shape. A curing mechanism (e.g., a UV laser) is used to solidify (e.g., in the case of polymer thin films, cross-link) the patterned liquid inside or immediately after exiting the gap region. The patterned structures are either connected by an intervening web as part of a polymer sheet, or separated into discreet micro-scale structures. Nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes or nanowires) disposed in the polymer become vertically oriented during the EHD patterning process. Segmented electrodes and patterned charges are utilized to provide digital patterning control.

Abstract: A method and system for splitting fluid flow in an outlet of a particle separation device is provided. The system may include static or passive mechanisms or subsystems. These mechanisms could also be modular and interchangeable to provide for preset fluid split divisions of 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, . . . etc. In other forms of the presently described embodiments, the system is adjustable and variable. In still another form of the presently described embodiments, the system allows for differential pressure control at the outlets to facilitate the flow of varying size particles or particle bands in the respective channels or paths.