Abstract: Improved protection circuits are provided for use as voltage overload protection circuits, ESD protection circuits for RF input pins, and unit protection cells for distributed amplifiers. Preferably, the protection circuits include a positive threshold voltage trigger used to trigger a switch wherein the trigger includes a diode string in series with a resistor and the switch includes a bipolar transistor switch in series with a diode. Alternatively, the trigger includes a diode string in series with a single diode and a single resistor, and is used to trigger a Darlington pair transistor switch in series with a diode. In another embodiment, a Darlington pair transistor switch is triggered by a capacitor. In use with distributed amplifiers, the ESD protection circuits are preferably absorbed inside the artificial transmission lines of the distributed amplifier.

Abstract: A microfluidic dynamic vapor control system adapted to change the chemistry of small drops by dynamically controlling the vapor content surrounding the drops. The small volume surface area ratio makes this an efficient mechanism for controlling chemistry in nanovolumes. The system uses small reservoirs of material that can produce vapor on demand, and microfluidic channels that direct the vapor into a small chamber that holds a drop of the solution of interest. By changing the vapors that enter the chamber, the chemical composition of the drop can be modified.

Abstract: Improved protection circuits are provided for use as voltage overload protection circuits, ESD protection circuits for RF input pins, and unit protection cells for distributed amplifiers. Preferably, the protection circuits include a positive threshold voltage trigger used to trigger a switch wherein the trigger includes a diode string in series with a resistor and the switch includes a bipolar transistor switch in series with a single reverse diode. Alternatively, the trigger includes a diode string in series with a single diode and a single resistor, and is used to trigger a Darlington pair transistor switch in series with a single reverse diode. In another embodiment, a Darlington pair transistor switch is triggered by a capacitor. In use with distributive amplifiers, the ESD protection circuits are preferably absorbed inside the artificial transmission lines of the distributed amplifier.

Abstract: Improved protection circuits are provided for use as voltage overload protection circuits, ESD protection circuits for RF input pins, and unit protection cells for distributed amplifiers. Preferably, the protection circuits include a positive threshold voltage trigger used to trigger a switch wherein the trigger includes a diode string in series with a resistor and the switch includes a bipolar transistor switch in series with a diode. Alternatively, the trigger includes a diode string in series with a single diode and a single resistor, and is used to trigger a Darlington pair transistor switch in series with a diode. In another embodiment, a Darlington pair transistor switch is triggered by a capacitor. In use with distributed amplifiers, the ESD protection circuits are preferably absorbed inside the artificial transmission lines of the distributed amplifier.

Abstract: A plate manufactured to enable samples of cells, micro-organisms, proteins, DNA, biomolecules and other biological media to be positioned at specific locations or sites on the plate for the purpose of performing addressable analyses on the samples. Preferably, some or all of the sites are built from a removable material or as pallets so that a subset of the samples of interest can be readily isolated from the plate for further processing or analysis. The plate can contain structures or chemical treatments that enhance or promote the attachment and/or function of the samples, and that promote or assist in their analyses. Use of the plate advantageously enables the selection and sorting of cells based on dynamic phenomena and the rapid establishment of stable tranfectants.

Abstract: A plate manufactured to enable samples of cells, micro-organisms, proteins, DNA, biomolecules and other biological media to be positioned at specific locations or sites on the plate for the purpose of performing addressable analyses on the samples. Preferably, some or all of the sites are built from a removable material or as pallets so that a subset of the samples of interest can be readily isolated from the plate for further processing or analysis. The plate can contain structures or chemical treatments that enhance or promote the attachment and/or function of the samples, and that promote or assist in their analyses.

Abstract: Provided herein are multi-stage broadband amplifier configured to achieve a high gain-bandwidth product in a non-distributed architecture and methods for designing the same. The broadband amplifier can include an input stage having a broadband matching unit and an input buffer unit, a gain stage having an RLC network and a amplifier unit and an output stage having a common collector amplifier and an RC compensation unit.

Abstract: Provided herein is a power amplifier having a multiple stage power amplifier section and an output matching network section. The multiple stage power amplifier section can include multiple power amplifier stages with interstage matching circuits located therebetween. The output matching network can be configured to match the multiple stage power amplifier section at multiple different frequencies or frequency bands. The power amplifier device is capable of selective operation within one of multiple different frequencies or frequency bands.

Abstract: An antenna whose resonance and electromagnetic radiation properties can be modified by environmental conditions, acoustic conditions, and the like. The reconfiguring antenna acts to facilitate wireless transmission of information about the local environment without the need for local power.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems switch having two or more resonant frequencies. The switch can be configured as a capacitive shunt switch having a deflectable member coupled between two electrodes over a transmission line. A first insulator can be located between one of the electrodes and the deflectable member to form a capacitive element. The deflectable member can be deflectable between an up-state and a down-state, the down-state capacitively coupling the deflectable member with the transmission line. The degree by which the deflectable member overlaps the first insulator can be adjusted to adjust the capacitance of the capacitive element and the resulting resonant frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing micromachined devices, including sensors, actuators, optics, fluidics, and mechanical assemblies, using manufacturing techniques of lead frames, substrates, microelectronic packages, printed circuit boards, flex circuits, and rigid-flex materials. Preferred embodiments comprise using methods from post-semiconductor manufacturing to produce three-dimensional and free-standing structures in non-semiconductor materials. The resulting devices may remain part of the substrate, board or lead frame which can then used as a substrate for further packaging electronic assembly operations. Alternatively, the devices may be used as final components that can be assembled within other devices.

Abstract: A directionally-sensitive device for detecting and processing vibration waves includes an array of polymeric optical waveguide resonators positioned between a light source, such as an LED array, and a light detector, such as a photodiode array. The resonators which are preferably oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to incoming vibration waves, vibrate when a wave is detected, thus modulating light signals that are transmitted between the light source and the light detector. The light detector converts the modulated light into electrical signals which, in a preferred embodiment, are used to drive either the speaker of a hearing aid or the electrode array of a cochlear implant. The device is manufactured using a combination of traditional semiconductor processes and polymer microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for composite transistor circuit having a bipolar transistor and a compensation unit. The compensation unit can be configured to stabilize the DC biasing point of the bipolar transistor. The compensation unit can compensate for the self-heating effect in the bipolar transistor and/or improve the linear performance of the bipolar transistor. The compensation unit can include a nonlinear resistor in series with a switch and can be configured to increase the base current into the bipolar transistor as the output voltage of the circuit increases.

Abstract: A low loading capacitance on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for compound semiconductor power amplifiers is disclosed, which does not degrade the circuit RF performance. Its principle of operation and simulation results regarding capacitance loading, leakage current, degradation to RF performance are disclosed. The design, loading effect over frequency, robustness over process and temperature variation and application to an RF power amplifier is presented in detail. The ESD circuit couples an input to ground during ESD surges through a diode string coupled to the input, and a transistor switch or Darlington pair having its gate coupled to and triggered by the diode string. The Darlington pair couples the input to ground when triggered through a low impedance path in parallel to the diode string. A reverse diode also couples ground to the input on reverse surges.

Abstract: Provided herein is a power amplifier having a multiple stage power amplifier section and an output matching network section. The multiple stage power amplifier section can include multiple power amplifier stages with interstage matching circuits located therebetween. The output matching network can be configured to match the multiple stage power amplifier section at multiple different frequencies or frequency bands. The power amplifier device is capable of selective operation within one of multiple different frequencies or frequency bands.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for delivering pre-determined quantities of an active ingredient to a biological system are provided.

Abstract: A micromachined microphone or speaker embedded within, or positioned on top of, a substrate suitable for carrying microelectronic chips and components. The acoustic element converts sound energy into electrical energy which is then amplified by electronic components positioned on the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the acoustic element may be driven by electronics to produce sound. The substrate can be used in standard microelectronic packaging applications.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems switch having two or more resonant frequencies. The switch can be configured as a capacitive shunt switch having a deflectable member coupled between two electrodes over a transmission line. A first insulator can be located between one of the electrodes and the deflectable member to form a capacitive element. The deflectable member can be deflectable between an up-state and a down-state, the down-state capacitively coupling the deflectable member with the transmission line. The degree by which the deflectable member overlaps the first insulator can be adjusted to adjust the capacitance of the capacitive element and the resulting resonant frequency.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems switch having two or more resonant frequencies. The switch can be configured as a capacitive shunt switch having a deflectable member coupled between two electrodes over a transmission line. A first insulator can be located between one of the electrodes and the deflectable member to form a capacitive element. The deflectable member can be deflectable between an up-state and a down-state, the down-state capacitively coupling the deflectable member with the transmission line. The degree by which the deflectable member overlaps the first insulator can be adjusted to adjust the capacitance of the capacitive element and the resulting resonant frequency.

Abstract: A plate manufactured to enable samples of cells, micro-organisms, proteins, DNA, biomolecules and other biological media to be positioned at specific locations or sites on the plate for the purpose of performing addressable analyses on the samples. Preferably, some or all of the sites are built from a removable material or as pallets so that a subset of the samples of interest can be readily isolated from the plate for further processing or analysis. The plate can contain structures or chemical treatments that enhance or promote the attachment and/or function of the samples, and that promote or assist in their analyses.