Abstract: A non-resonant electromagnetic energy sensor which generates output signals upon the quantitative and/or qualitative detection of the flow of various substances including solid particles flowing as discrete individual particles or as a continuum, as well as the flow of liquids and/or gaseous substances. The non-resonant electromagnetic energy sensor may be interfaced with various types of electronic circuitry whereby the generated output signals may be used for monitoring a variety of flowing substances, for example, seed flow in an agricultural planter, crop yield on a combine harvester, and flow rates of liquids or gaseous fluids through conduits. The sensor comprises a housing having wall members defining a chamber having an interior volume. The sensor is designed to be interposed along a length of conduit through which the material or substance to be analyzed will pass. An electromagnetic energy source and an electromagnetic energy detector are in communication with the interior volume of the chamber.

Abstract: A stacked thin film device structure grown on a substrate, the resonator structure comprising a thin film device comprising at least one piezoelectric crystal layer sandwiched between metallic electrodes, and constructed to have an acoustic response in a given frequency range, and an acoustical stack disposed between and joining the thin film device and the substrate and comprising multiple layers of material, each layer having a characteristic thickness and impedance and being composed of a non-lossless material, the characteristic thicknesses and impedances of the layers being adjusted to determine the input impedance presented to the thin film device, and thereby determining the acoustical coupling between the thin film device and the substrate.

Abstract: A dual-mode optical device selectively operative in signal generation and amplification modes is disclosed herein. The dual-mode device includes a body of semiconductor material having opposed from and rear facets. During operation in the amplification mode, light is input through the front facet and is amplified within the body of the optical gain material. An at least partially optically reflective surface is positioned a first predetermined distance from one of the facets during operation of the device in the amplification mode. In the signal generation mode, the at least partially optically reflective surface is positioned a second predetermined distance from the one facet so as to induce optical oscillation within the body of semiconductor material. In a preferred implementation, a semiconductor diode laser having opposed first and second facets is utilized as an optical source.

Abstract: A sealed system for facilitating the safe transfer of hazardous material through a port in the floor of a containment enclosure to an open topped storage container positionable in precise axial alignment below the port and supported on a lift cart for vertical movement toward and away from the port. The port is defined by a vertically depending flange or enclosure ring in the floor of the containment enclosure and is closeable by a seal cover within said containment enclosure positionable for sealing engagement with the periphery of the port. The port is also closed alternately by a sturdy plastic bag supported from a seal ring engageable in leak-proof sealed relation with the port and partially contained within the storage container supported on the lift cart. A succession of bags are positioned under the port, elevated into sealed relation with the port, filled, sealed shut, severed from the sealed port and lowered and removed for permanent storage.

Abstract: An electronic individual descriptive record system for storing the individual's identification and descriptive data on a programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried with the individual so that the individual's identification, the individual's descriptive data and the individual itself become one. The system includes an implantable programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried by the individual, and a reading and recording device which communicates with the electronic identification and data storage module.

Abstract: An optical modulator device comprised of a semiconductor laser acoustically coupled to a thin film resonator is disclosed herein. The thin film resonator includes a piezoelectric crystal layer having first and second opposing surfaces, with the first opposing surface being in contact with a metallic electrode. The semiconductor laser is interposed between an acoustically reflective surface and the second surface of the thin film resonator. In a preferred implementation the acoustically reflective surface is defined by a submount underlying a substrate upon which is mounted the semiconductor laser.A frequency modulator exhibiting an improved modulation index may be achieved by integrating a superlattice structure within the active region of the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: A non-crystalline silicon--preferably a-Si:H--active device for use in a large-scale hardware implementation of an artificial neural network system having an analog and digital mixed morphology. A plurality of a-Si:H thin-film transistors (TFTs) implement addition, multiplication and weighting functionality and are arranged in a highly-connected morphology with other active and passive semiconductor elements. Electrical signals are selectively applied to metal plates and light-emitting devices in order to locally or globally alter the threshold characteristics of the TFTs.

Abstract: A thin film resonator (TFR) antenna is disclosed which is characterized by substantially lower effective dielectric constant for the layer of dielectric material deposited between the ground metal layer and the top metal layer (transducer) of the TFR antenna. The dielectric constant is substantially lowered by forming an array of dielectric posts in the dielectric layer. The posts support the top metal layer of the TFR antenna. The interstices between the posts are occupied by air in the preferred embodiment. The lower effective dielectric value results in reduced ohmic losses which in turn leads to enhanced gain in the TFR antenna system.

Abstract: An antenna utilizing an overmoded configuration for coupling energy in a predetermined frequency band between an electrical circuit and a propagating medium. The antenna includes a first thin film resonator having a first pair of electrodes and a first thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the first pair of electrodes, with the first thin film resonator coupled to the electrical circuit. A second thin film resonator includes a second pair of electrodes and a second thin film piezoelectric element interposed between the second pair of electrodes, the second thin film resonator being operable for interfacing between the antenna and the propagating medium. A delay element interposed between the first and second thin film resonators has a thickness substantially equal to a multiple of one-half wavelength of a desired frequency in the predetermined frequency band for acoustically coupling energy in the predetermined frequency band between the first and second thin film resonators.

Abstract: This invention is directed to polymers (including oligomers) that contain (N-substituted carbamoyloxy)alkanoyloxyalkyl acrylates, to a process for their preparation by reacting the carbamoyloxy alkanoyloxyalkyl acrylates with themselves, with lactone acrylates, and/or with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and to coating, ink, adhesive, and sealant compositions (including the cured coatings, inks, adhesives, and sealants) that are obtained by curing the above compositions by various means. The cured compositions, which are, for example, high-quality industrial finishes, sealants or encapsulants, are preferably made by incorporation of various conventional crosslinking agents and other normally-used formulating ingredients with the polymeric compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An electronic livestock record system stores the individual animal's identification and performance data on a programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried with the animal so that the animal's identification, the animal's performance data and the animal itself become one. The system includes a programmable electronic identification and data storage module carried by the animal, and a reading and recording device which communicates with the electronic identification and data storage module.

Abstract: A broadband microwave active inductor circuit for producing a flat inductive response versus frequency comprises a pair of bipolar transistors arranged in a gyrator configuration for producing an active inductance. Because the transistors exhibit intrinsic characteristics which influence the inductive response of the active inductor circuit, a feedback network is connected to the gyrator configuration to compensate for the intrinsic characteristics of the transistors so that the active inductor circuit realizes a flat inductive response over a wide range of frequencies including microwave frequencies.

Abstract: Curable compositions based on (N-substituted carbamoyloxy)alkanoyloxyalkyl acrylate polymers. When cured the compositions are, for example, high-quality industrial finishes, sealants or encapsulants.

Abstract: This invention is directed to polymers (including oligomers) that contain (N-substituted carbamoyloxy)alkanoyloxyalkyl acrylates, to a process for their preparation by reacting the carbamoyloxy alkanoyloxyalkyl acrylates with themselves, with lactone acrylates, and/or with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and to coating, ink, adhesive, and sealant compositions (including the cured coatings, inks, adhesives, and sealants) that are obtained by curing the above compositions by various means. The cured compositions, which are, for example, high-quality industrial finishes, sealants or encapsulants, are preferably made by incorporation of various conventional crosslinking agents and other normally-used formulating ingredients with the polymeric compositons of the invention.

Abstract: A cointegrated high frequency oscillator including a thin film resonator and active devices formed on the same semiconductor substrate and by a process which is compatible with formation of both the thin film resonator and the active devices. The processes utilized in formation of the thin film resonator are adapted to microelectronic processing techniques such that the steps of formation of the active devices and the thin film resonator can be intermixed to the degree necessary to allow, for example, the metallization layers to serve as elements both of the active devices and the thin film resonator.

Abstract: A high power semiconductor device with integral heat sink capable of accommodating substantial heat flux on the order of one kw per cm.sup.2. The integral heat sink is formed on the active surface of the semiconductor and utilizes an AlN thin film of high purity to provide a low thermal impedance heat conductor for removing heat directly from the active semiconductor surface. A microchannel heat sink is formed on the A1N thin film and has a source of cooling fluid flowing through the microchannel heat sink for conducting heat away from the sink. The result is the ability to conduct large heat fluxes away from the intimately contacted heat generating semiconductor surface to the cooling fluid in the microchannel heat sink and thus operate the semiconductor under substantially higher power than has been practical heretofore in a device of such simplicity.

Abstract: A magnetometer which employs a rod of magnetostrictive material comprising a ternary alloy of dysprosium, terbium and iron wherein the grains of the material have their common principal axes substantially pointed along the axis of the rod. Means are provided for compressively stressing the rod in order to enhance the magnetostrictive response thereof. A laser source and photosensor are associated with a free end of the rod to function as an external cavity laser sensor. A DC magnetic bias is required for the magnetostrictive rod in order to operate in the sensitive range of the magnetostrictive characteristics of the rod. In a portable implementation of the device, the DC bias is provided by means of permanent magnets, preferably rare earth magnets, in order to provide the high bias fields compatible with high sensitivity of the material in a miniaturized portable device.

Abstract: An acoustically coupled antenna which can be configured as a transmitting or receiving antenna for coupling between an electrical circuit (transmitter or receiver) and an electromagnetic propagating medium such as the atmosphere. The antenna is a two port device in which one port is connected to the electrical circuit and the second port includes a transducer which interfaces (radiates or receives) electromagnetic energy with the propagating medium. The ports are acoustically coupled to each other by forming the device as a stacked crystal filter with three conductive electrodes separated by two piezoelectric resonating elements. The first port comprises two of the electrodes separated by one of the piezoelectric elements, and the second port shares the electrode separating the two piezoelectric elements, and further includes the second piezoelectric element and the final electrode.

Abstract: An electronically controlled oscillator capable of operating in the rf/microwave frequency range, and using a stacked crystal filter as the frequency determining element in the oscillator. A non-linear element including an appropriately biased high frequency amplifier has the stacked crystal filter connected in its feedback path and provides a loop gain of greater than 1 to meet one aspect of the Barkhausen criteria. An electronically variable impedance, such as a hyperabrupt junction varactor, is connected in the feedback loop along with the stacked crystal filter to controllably insert a phase adjustment into the feedback path, to be compensated by a phase adjustment by the stacked crystal filter, thereby to controllably maintain a loop phase shift which is an integral number of 2.pi. radians at the oscillator frequency, and to vary the oscillator output frequency about the frequency of the stacked crystal filter in a controllable fashion.

Abstract: A Compact Reduced Parasitic Resonant Frequency Pulsed Power Source at Microwave Frequencies is disclosed which uses a series of stacked IMPATT diodes with thick metallic heat sinks interposed between each of the IMPATT diodes with the effective heat sink of each heat sink being roughly equivalent to the diode radius in length. The effective heat sink length is matched through the disclosed analysis to the effective heat sink of the base heat sink which is located at the bottom of the stack of IMPATT diodes. The diodes are operated in a pulsed fashion and the effective heat sink length is matched to the effective heat sink of the base heat sink that the temperature of the stacked IMPATT diodes track together in time.