Abstract: A method for detecting the presence and amount of carbon monoxide, comprising the use of infrared spectroscopy to compare the spectra of the test gas containing carbon monoxide and the reference gas. The reference gas is the test gas from which carbon monoxide had been removed by conversion using catalysts. The presence and quantity of carbon monoxide is determined by deducting the spectrum of the reference gas from the spectrum of the test gas. The catalysts comprise nanoparticles of gold precipitated on a metal oxide or hydroxide carrier. An apparatus implementing this method.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch formed on a substrate, the switch comprising a transmission line formed on the substrate, a substrate electrostatic plate formed on the substrate, and an actuating portion. The actuating portion comprises a cantilever anchor formed on the substrate and a cantilevered actuator arm extending from the cantilever anchor. Attraction of the actuator arm toward the substrate brings an electrical contact into engagement with the portions of the transmission line separated by a gap, thus bridging the transmission line gap and closing the circuit. In order to maximize electrical isolation between the transmission line and the electrical contact in an OFF-state while maintaining a low actuation voltage, the actuator arm is bent such that the minimum separation distance between the transmission line and the electrical contact is equal to or greater than the maximum separation distance between the substrate electrostatic plate and arm electrostatic plate.

Abstract: A method and sensor for determining the ratio of two components in a fluid mixture comprising a test cell in open communication with the fluid mixture and a reference cell containing a desired fluid mixture not in contact with the fluid mixture being tested, said reference and test cells having the same cell geometry. By use of a capacitance divider system, one determines the relative capacitances of said cells correlated with the dielectric constants of the respective fluid mixtures and ascertains the ratio of one component to the other component in the fluid mixture on the basis of the linear and monotonic correlation between the dielectric constant of the mixture at a given temperature and the ratio of one component to the other component. Preferably a mixture of methanol and water is tested such as for use as a feed to a reformer used in supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell. A fixed capacitor equivalent to the reference cell at a given temperature is usually substituted for the latter.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) switch is fabricated inexpensively by using processing steps which are standard for fabricating multiple metal layer integrated circuits, such as CMOS. The exact steps may be adjusted to be compatible with the process of a particular foundry, resulting in a device which is both low cost and readily integrable with other circuits. The processing steps include making contacts for the MEM switch from metal plugs which are ordinarily used as vias to connect metal layers which are separated by a dielectric layer. Such contact vias are formed on either side of a sacrificial metallization area, and then the interconnect metallization is removed from between the contact vias, leaving them separated. Dielectric surrounding the contacts is etched back so that they protrude toward each other. Thus, when the contacts are moved toward each other by actuating the MEM switch, they connect firmly without obstruction.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence and amount of carbon monoxide, comprising the use of infrared spectroscopy to compare the spectra of the test gas containing carbon monoxide and the reference gas. The reference gas is the test gas from which carbon monoxide had been removed by conversion using catalysts. The presence and quantity of carbon monoxide is determined by deducting the spectrum of the reference gas from the spectrum of the test gas. The catalysts comprise nanoparticles of gold precipitated on a metal oxide or hydroxide carrier. An apparatus implementing this method.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence and amount of carbon monoxide, comprising the use of infrared spectroscopy to compare the spectra of the test gas containing carbon monoxide and the reference gas. The reference gas is the test gas from which carbon monoxide had been removed by conversion using catalysts. The presence and quantity of carbon monoxide is determined by deducting the spectrum of the reference gas from the spectrum of the test gas. The catalysts comprise nanoparticles of gold precipitated on a metal oxide or hydroxide carrier. An apparatus implementing this method.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch formed on a substrate, the switch comprising a transmission line formed on the substrate, a substrate electrostatic plate formed on the substrate, and an actuating portion. The actuating portion comprises a cantilever anchor formed on the substrate and a cantilevered actuator arm extending from the cantilever anchor. Attraction of the actuator arm toward the substrate brings an electrical contact into engagement with the portions of the transmission line separated by a gap, thus bridging the transmission line gap and closing the circuit. In order to maximize electrical isolation between the transmission line and the electrical contact in an OFF-state while maintaining a low actuation voltage, the actuator arm is bent such that the minimum separation distance between the transmission line and the electrical contact is equal to or greater than the maximum separation distance between the substrate electrostatic plate and arm electrostatic plate.

Abstract: A method and sensor for determining the ratio of two components in a fluid mixture comprising a test cell in open communication with the fluid mixture and a reference cell containing a desired fluid mixture not in contact with the fluid mixture being tested, said reference and test cells having the same cell geometry. By use of a capacitance divider system, one determines the relative capacitances of said cells correlated with the dielectric constants of the respective fluid mixtures and ascertains the ratio of one component to the other component in the fluid mixture on the basis of the linear and monotonic correlation between the dielectric constant of the mixture at a given temperature and the ratio of one component to the other component. Preferably a mixture of methanol and water is tested such as for use as a feed to a reformer used in supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell. A fixed capacitor equivalent to the reference cell at a given temperature is usually substituted for the latter.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) switch is fabricated inexpensively by using processing steps which are standard for fabricating multiple metal layer integrated circuits, such as CMOS. The exact steps may be adjusted to be compatible with the process of a particular foundry, resulting in a device which is both low cost and readily integrable with other circuits. The processing steps include making contacts for the MEM switch from metal plugs which are ordinarily used as vias to connect metal layers which are separated by a dielectric layer. Such contact vias are formed on either side of a sacrificial metallization area, and then the interconnect metallization is removed from between the contact vias, leaving them separated. Dielectric surrounding the contacts is etched back so that they protrude toward each other. Thus, when the contacts are moved toward each other by actuating the MEM switch, they connect firmly without obstruction.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) switch is fabricated inexpensively by using processing steps which are standard for fabricating multiple metal layer integrated circuits, such as CMOS. The exact steps may be adjusted to be compatible with the process of a particular foundry, resulting in a device which is both low cost and readily integrable with other circuits. The processing steps include making contacts for the MEM switch from metal plugs which are ordinarily used as vias to connect metal layers which are separated by a dielectric layer. Such contact vias are formed on either side of a sacrificial metallization area, and then the interconnect metallization is removed from between the contact vias, leaving them separated. Dielectric surrounding the contacts is etched back so that they protrude toward each other. Thus, when the contacts are moved toward each other by actuating the MEM switch, they connect firmly without obstruction.

Abstract: A conductive shield is formed around a fiber-optic connector. The shield includes a compressible means that encircles the perimeter of the connector. When the connector is inserted, the compressible means electrically contact the chassis to prevent emissions through panel openings required by fiber-optic transceivers.

Abstract: A new photorefractive material comprises BaTiO.sub.3 double-doped with two dopant species, both of which have at least two valence states, with one of the dopant species (e.g., cerium) having an ionization level that is near the middle of the barium titanate bandgap and the other dopant species (e.g., rhodium) having an ionization level that is closer to the valence band edge of barium titanate, such that both dopant species are sensitive to visible light, but only one dopant species (the one closer to the valence band edge) is sensitive to infrared radiation. The double-doped BaTiO.sub.3 provides a unique combination of photorefractive properties, thereby improving its performance as a holographic storage medium. The double-doped barium titanate crystal is employed as a holographic recording element. The double-doped barium titanate crystal has a dark storage time at room temperature of several years or more and may be nondestructively read out at an infrared wavelength.

Abstract: A pulsed readout technique is described for liquid crystal light valves which eliminates the problem of readout beam leakage through the light valve mirror. The readout beam is pulsed on only when the light valve's semiconductor layer is out of a depletion state. This can occur during an accumulation state or, in certain applications, during a specially inserted quiescent period in the light valve voltage cycle. The invention is applicable to light valves with various types of modulating inputs, and can be used with either dielectric or metal matrix mirrors.