Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed to techniques for determining the position of a piston within a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, in a more cost effective and less labor-intensive fashion compared to current techniques for determining the position of a piston within a linear actuator. One or more magnets may be operably coupled to the piston, and a linear array of sensors may be disposed along an exterior length of the linear actuator. The sensors may measure the magnetic field generated by the magnet and, based on the measured magnetic field, may determine the location of the piston within the linear actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting gas concentrations includes a coded filter to oscillate proximate a resonant frequency. A photo detector is positioned below the coded filter such that the coded filter selectively blocks light that is directed at the photo detector. Optics are positioned to project spectral information on to the coded filter. A processor analyzes a signal received from the photo detector. The processor is adapted to weight a harmonic attic signal.

Abstract: A device includes a resonator having an oscillating portion with dimensions chosen to lead to a desired resonant frequency. A light source is positioned to provide light along the length of the oscillating portion at a specific wave length. A detector detects a change in oscillation of the resonator responsive to the wave pressure produced by the light source heating a gas. The light source is modulated with a frequency the same as the resonant frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: A device includes a resonator having an oscillating portion with dimensions chosen to lead to a desired resonant frequency. A light source is positioned to provide light along the length of the oscillating portion at a specific wave length. A detector detects a change in oscillation of the resonator responsive to the wave pressure produced by the light source heating a gas. The light source is modulated with a frequency the same as the resonant frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a photoacoustic sensor. The photoacoustic sensor may comprise: a gas cell with an opening; a light source to generate to radiate a sample gas within the gas cell; an optical microphone to detect the sample gas within the gas cell; and a membrane aligned with the opening of the gas cell to permit sample gas to enter the gas cell. The optical microphone includes a semiconducting laser. The semiconducting laser includes a p-n junction within a cavity of the semiconducting laser. The optical microphone further includes a pressure-sensitive membrane that receives coherent light emitted from the semiconducting laser and directs reflected light back toward the semiconducting laser. During operation of the optical microphone, the pressure-sensitive membrane flexes in response to acoustic pressure waves. The phase of the reflected light is dependent upon a distance of the pressure-sensitive membrane from an aperture of the semiconducting laser.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an optical microphone according to an example embodiment. The optical microphone includes a semiconducting laser. The semiconducting laser includes a p-n junction within a cavity. The optical microphone further includes an acoustic membrane that receives coherent light emitted from the semiconducting laser and directs reflected light back toward the semiconducting laser. During operation of the optical microphone, the acoustic membrane flexes in response to pressure waves. The phase of the reflected light is dependent upon a distance of the acoustic membrane from the semiconducting laser.

Abstract: A device for detecting gas concentrations includes a movable coded filter. An optical element is positioned to receive gas filtered light and spectrally separate the gas filtered light. A photo detector is positioned to receive the spectrally separated light through slits in the moveable coded filter to provide an AC signal representative of a selected gas.

Abstract: An approach for making thin flexible circuits. A layer of dielectric may have one or two surfaces coated with metal. The dielectric and the metal may each have a sub-mil thickness. The dielectric may be held in a fixture for fabrication like that of integrated circuits. The metal may be patterned and have components attached. More layers of dielectric and patterned metal may be added to the flexible circuit. Also bond pads and connecting vias may be fabricated in the flexible circuit. The flexible circuit may be cut into a plurality of smaller flexible circuits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optically pumping alkali-metal atoms using Coherence Population Trapping (CPT) resonances are disclosed. An illustrative push-pull optical pumping system for inducing CPT resonances in a resonance cell containing an admixture of alkali-metal atoms and one or more buffer gasses may include a laser assembly adapted to produce alternating orthogonally polarized light, and at least one DC current source adapted to output a constant-intensity carrier current signal for inducing laser emission from the laser assembly at a carrier wavelength of the alkali-metal atoms. An RF modulated signal outputted from an RF modulation source can be rectified, split, and phase-shifted for inducing a time-dependent polarization of the laser light that can be used to enhance CPT resonances.

Abstract: A dynamic micro-structured reflector includes a substrate having a generally planar major surface and a plurality of cavities on the planar major surface. Each cavity having at least a first and second sidewalls set at an angle offset from the planar major surface. The first sidewall being a stationary optical face and the second sidewall being a dynamic optical face. The dynamic optical face is deflectable between a first position and a second position. The dynamic optical face in the first position redirects more light back to a light source than the dynamic optical face in the second position. Methods of making a dynamic micro-structured reflector are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for using ink-jet printing to deposit various layers of micro-structure devices are provided. A wide variety of micro-structures may be formed using these techniques including, for example, many forms of MEMs structures as well as other structures.

Abstract: Methods for using ink-jet printing to deposit various layers of micro-structure devices are provided. A wide variety of micro-structures may be formed using these techniques including, for example, many forms of MEMs structures as well as other structures.

Abstract: A self-healing liquid contact switch and methods for producing such devices are disclosed. An illustrative self-healing liquid contact switch can include an upper actuating surface and a lower actuating surface each having a number of liquid contact regions thereon configured to wet with a liquid metal. The upper and lower actuating surfaces can be brought together electrostatically by an upper and lower actuating electrode. During operation, the liquid metal can be configured to automatically rearrange during each actuating cycle to permit the switch to self-heal.

Abstract: Methods for using ink-jet printing to deposit various layers of micro-structure devices are provided. A wide variety of micro-structures may be formed using these techniques including, for example, many forms of MEMs structures as well as other structures.

Abstract: A dynamic micro-structured reflector includes a substrate having a generally planar major surface and a plurality of cavities on the planar major surface. Each cavity having at least a first and second sidewalls set at an angle offset from the planar major surface. The first sidewall being a stationary optical face and the second sidewall being a dynamic optical face. The dynamic optical face is deflectable between a first position and a second position. The dynamic optical face in the first position redirects more light back to a light source than the dynamic optical face in the second position. Methods of making a dynamic micro-structured reflector are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated robotic member that is simple in design and structure, relatively inexpensive and consumes little power. In one illustrative embodiment, one or more linear actuators are used in conjunction with two or more plates that are fixed at spaced locations along a spine member. Fixed between each pair of plates is one or more actuators, which when activated, pull or push corresponding portions of the plates towards or away from each other. This changes the relative orientation of the plate pairs, thus providing a bending movement. The spine preferably is flexible at least in the lateral direction, and bends in response to the relative movement of the plates. A number of plate pairs may be provided to create an arbitrarily long robotic member.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the planarization of a semiconductor device structure by a two stage planarization process which comprises: applying a dielectric layer over a first conductive layer, spin coating an organic layer onto the first dielectric layer, etching the device in a plasma etching process to substantially remove the organic planarization layer, then etching the device in a plasma etching process which etches the exposed dielectric layer to substantially remove all of it, removing the remaining organic planarization layer, followed by the application of a second dielectric layer under bias sputter deposition conditions. The bias sputter deposition fills trenches and eliminates peaks in the remaining first dielectric layer as it builds up the second dielectric layer. The process planarizes the dielectric layer without thickness variations dependent upon conductor layer pattern density.