Abstract: An autonomous sensor that includes a snap-through buckling beam, a proof mass, an ultra-low-power microcontroller unit, a wireless transmitter, a power management unit, and a power storage unit. The snap-through buckling beam produces mechanical energy. The proof mass is attached to the snap-through buckling beam. The proof mass transfers mechanical energy to two piezoelectric transducers that convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy and produce an output signal. The ultra-low-power microcontroller unit converts the output signal into output data. The wireless transmitter transfers the output data to an external device. The power management unit provides the electrical energy to the ultra-low-power microcontroller unit and the wireless transmitter. The power storage unit is rechargeable, stores electrical energy from the two piezoelectric transducers, and non-replaceable. The autonomous sensor simultaneously harvests energy and measures vibrations in an external environment.

Abstract: An autonomous sensor that includes a snap-through buckling beam, a proof mass, an ultra-low-power microcontroller unit, a wireless transmitter, a power management unit, and a power storage unit. The snap-through buckling beam produces mechanical energy. The proof mass is attached to the snap-through buckling beam. The proof mass transfers mechanical energy to two piezoelectric transducers that convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy and produce an output signal. The ultra-low-power microcontroller unit converts the output signal into output data. The wireless transmitter transfers the output data to an external device. The power management unit provides the electrical energy to the ultra-low-power microcontroller unit and the wireless transmitter. The power storage unit is rechargeable, stores electrical energy from the two piezoelectric transducers, and non-replaceable. The autonomous sensor simultaneously harvests energy and measures vibrations in an external environment.

Abstract: A system that may be used for energy harvesting includes a flexible beam secured between a first support and a second support. The supports are spaced apart at a distance less than a length of the flexible beam such that the beam is buckled. Responsive to external vibrations the flexible beam switches between a first position and a second position. A magnetic proof mass is coupled to the flexible beam at the beam's midpoint. At least one permanent magnet is positioned proximate to the magnetic proof mass and has the same polarity. The permanent magnet is positioned to expose the magnetic proof mass to a repulsive force when the magnetic proof mass is located at both the first position and the second position. Piezoelectric transducers are located above and below the first and second positions of the flexible beam to harvest energy.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting both magnetic fields and electric fields can include at least one Sawyer-Tower (ST) circuit that can incorporate a multiferroic capacitor. An odd number of ST circuits coupled together in a ring configuration, so that for each ST circuit, the output of one ST circuit is an input to another of the ST circuits. The multiferroic capacitors can include a multiferroic layer that can be deposed on a substrate. For each multiferroic capacitor, the deposition process can cause an inherent amount of impurities in the multiferroic layer. The number of said odd number of ST circuits to be coupled together is chosen according to the amount of impurities, to “forgive” the impurities. The higher the level of impurities in the multiferroic layers, that more ST circuits that are required in the ring to achieve the same sensor sensitivity. BDFO can be chosen for the multiferroic material.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting both magnetic fields and electric fields can include at least one Sawyer-Tower (ST) circuit that can incorporate a multiferroic capacitor. An odd number of ST circuits coupled together in a ring configuration, so that for each ST circuit, the output of one ST circuit is an input to another of the ST circuits. The multiferroic capacitors can include a multiferroic layer that can be deposed on a substrate. For each multiferroic capacitor, the deposition process can cause an inherent amount of impurities in the multiferroic layer. The number of said odd number of ST circuits to be coupled together is chosen according to the amount of impurities, to “forgive” the impurities. The higher the level of impurities in the multiferroic layers, that more ST circuits that are required in the ring to achieve the same sensor sensitivity. BDFO can be chosen for the multiferroic material.

Abstract: A nonlinear dynamic system comprising: a number N of nonlinear components, wherein each nonlinear component experiences intrinsic oscillation when a coupling parameter ? is tuned past a threshold value, and wherein the nonlinear components are unidirectionally coupled together in a ring configuration; and a signal generator configured to generate N coherent locking signals; wherein each locking signal is phase shifted by 2?/N with respect to the other locking signals; and wherein the signal generator is coupled to the nonlinear components such that each locking signal locks a frequency of the intrinsic oscillation of one of the nonlinear components to a frequency of the locking signal.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a type comprising at least one first portion for the integration of at least one microfluidic system, and a second portion for the integration of an additional circuitry. The microfluidic system comprises at least one cavity realized in a containment layer of the integrated device closed on top by at least one portion of a polysilicon layer, this polysilicon layer being a thin layer shared by the additional circuitry and the closing portion of the cavity realizing a piezoresistive membrane for the microfluidic system.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a type comprising at least one first portion for the integration of at least one microfluidic system, and a second portion for the integration of an additional circuitry. The microfluidic system comprises at least one cavity realized in a containment layer of the integrated device closed on top by at least one portion of a polysilicon layer, this polysilicon layer being a thin layer shared by the additional circuitry and the closing portion of the cavity realizing a piezoresistive membrane for the microfluidic system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus for detecting electric fields is disclosed that includes an array of non-linear elements configured into an oscillator with each coupled to one or more electric-field sensing plates. In various embodiments, an output of the array produces a frequency that varies as a function of an electric field sensed by the one or more electric-field sensing plates.