Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile. The photovoltaic roof tile can include a transparent front cover, a transparent back cover, and a plurality of polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover. A respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure has a front surface facing the front cover and a back surface facing the back cover. The photovoltaic roof tile can further include a paint layer positioned on a back surface of the back cover facing away from the front cover. A color of the paint layer substantially matches a color of the front surface of the respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure.

Abstract: A system and method for performing structural health monitoring on a structural element while it remains in service and experiences normal loading. The energy input to the element will be the normal and random energy inputs the element sees in service. The inventive system places an intelligent module at one or more points along the length of the structural element. The inventive system collects mass data from multiple modules on multiple elements. The system then applies machine learning or artificial intelligence techniques to detect changes in the measurements received from one or more modules. This approach reduces or eliminates the need to provide calibrated input energy. The invention preferably provides the ability to determine the condition of one element or sub-element under measurement relative to other elements.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method of monitoring cargo on a vehicle during transport. The monitoring includes determining the location of the cargo that is loaded on the vehicle and monitoring one or more environmental conditions of the vehicle where the cargo is located. The monitoring system includes a control unit that receives signals from sensors that are located where the cargo is stored. Based on the signals from the sensors, the control unit is configured to determine the location and the one or more environmental conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling propagation of an electromagnetic wave includes a metamaterial having an array of cells, each cell containing a metallic structure having a resonant frequency; a plurality of devices integrated in the metamaterial, each of said devices being in electrical communication with a metallic structure in a cell in the array of cells; and a controller for electrically activating each of said plurality of devices to cause said resonant frequency to change, thereby causing at least one of a permeability and permittivity of the metamaterial to change.

Abstract: A manufacture for supporting propagation of terahertz waves includes a stack of layers made of a conformal protective polymer coating material; and an array of cells patterned on each of said layers, each cell including a metallic structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling propagation of an electromagnetic wave includes a metamaterial having an array of cells, each cell containing a metallic structure having a resonant frequency; a plurality of devices integrated in the metamaterial, each of said devices being in electrical communication with a metallic structure in a cell in the array of cells; and a controller for electrically activating each of said plurality of devices to cause said resonant frequency to change, thereby causing at least one of a permeability and permittivity of the metamaterial to change.

Abstract: Metamaterial structures are taught which provide for the modulation of terahertz frequency signals. Each element within an array of metamaterial (MM) elements comprises multiple loops and at least one gap. The MM elements may comprise resonators with conductive loops and insulated gaps, or the inverse in which insulated loops are present with conductive gaps; each providing useful transmissive control properties. The metamaterial elements are fabricated on a semiconducting substrate configured with a means of enhancing or depleting electrons from near the gaps of the MM elements. An on to off transmissivity ratio of about 0.5 is achieved with this approach. Embodiments are described in which the MM elements incorporated within a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to provide surface emitting (SE) properties.

Abstract: Metamaterial structures are taught which provide for the modulation of terahertz frequency signals. Each element within an array of metamaterial (MM) elements comprises multiple loops and at least one gap. The MM elements may comprise resonators with conductive loops and insulated gaps, or the inverse in which insulated loops are present with conductive gaps; each providing useful transmissive control properties. The metamaterial elements are fabricated on a semiconducting substrate configured with a means of enhancing or depleting electrons from near the gaps of the MM elements. An on to off transmissivity ratio of about 0.5 is achieved with this approach. Embodiments are described in which the MM elements incorporated within a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to provide surface emitting (SE) properties.

Abstract: A trash bag dispenser which can be universally fitted within any trash container having a generally flat central bottom portion. The dispenser is also removable from the trash container to replace the roll of bags and to clean the trash container. A single bag is individually dispensed within the trash container from a roll of bags. The dispenser comprises: a housing to hold the roll of trash bags, said housing having a lower side portion, an upright side wall, and an upper side portion having a bag dispensing opening therein; and, a removable and reattachable housing attachment strip to facilitate removable and reattachable attachment of the housing to the trash container. After a first bag is pulled from the trash bag dispenser, subsequent bags are automatically pulled therefrom when a preceding bag is filled and removed from the trash container. Most preferably, the attachment strips comprise mated self adhering hook and loop strips such as those sold under the TM VELCRO.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for friction welding a pair of workpieces (45,46) is described. The apparatus comprises a drive assembly (30) for causing relative motion between the workpieces while urging the workpieces together. A load control assembly (20) is provided which is responsive, at least towards the end of a weld cycle, to the rate of motion of one workpiece relative to the other to cause the workpieces to be urged together under a force which increases as the rate of relative motion decreases.