Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a pair of substantially parallel features spaced from one another by an intervening space. A conductive pipe is between the features and substantially parallel to the features. The conductive pipe may be formed within a tube. The tube may be generated by depositing insulative material between the features in a manner which pinches off a top region of the insulative material to leave the tube as a void region under the pinched-off top region.

Abstract: An underwater communication method includes creating an air column in a water body using a device including a device body, an air column-generating component, and a transceiver, thereby forming an air column to a surface of the water body. A signal is transmitted, received, or a combination of transmitted and received using the transceiver through the air column to the surface of the water body.

Abstract: A method for beam steering and beam forming an antenna is disclosed herein that includes illuminating an optical fiber with a light source, thereby transmitting a signal through the optical fiber to an electro-optical switch. The electro-optical switch is actuated with the signal from the light source, thereby switching an electrical load in the electro-optical switch. At least one antenna element in an array of antenna elements is excited with RF radiation radiated by a driven element via an RF transmission line and reradiated from parasitic elements, thereby beam steering and beam forming the antenna.

Abstract: Pulsating radio star (PULSAR) navigation systems and methods can include a plurality of PULSARs that can emit PULSAR radiation pulses in the millisecond range, and a plurality of Josephson Junctions (JJs) that can be arranged as an array of microantennas. The systems and methods can include a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the JJs to an operating temperature based on the JJ materials, and a thermal management system for maintaining the operating temperature. An oscillator can determine times of arrival (TOAs) of magnetic field components of the PULSAR pulses. A processor can compute the terrestrial position of the navigation system using the TOAs and the known celestial position of the PULSARs. A GPS sub-system can be included for navigation using GPS signals. The processor can be configured to compute terrestrial location using the PULSAR magnetic field components when GPS signal strength falls below a predetermined level or is lost.

Abstract: Pulsating radio star (PULSAR) navigation systems and methods can include a plurality of PULSARs that can emit PULSAR radiation pulses in the millisecond range, and a plurality of Josephson Junctions (JJs) that can be arranged as an array of microantennas. The systems and methods can include a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the JJs to an operating temperature based on the JJ materials, and a thermal management system for maintaining the operating temperature. An oscillator can determine times of arrival (TOAs) of magnetic field components of the PULSAR pulses. A processor can compute the terrestrial position of the navigation system using the TOAs and the known celestial position of the PULSARs. A GPS sub-system can be included for navigation using GPS signals. The processor can be configured to compute terrestrial location using the PULSAR magnetic field components when GPS signal strength falls below a predetermined level or is lost.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock comprising a rotatable dial, an energy-harvesting device operatively connected to and configured to harvest energy from the rotatable dial, an energy-storage device operatively connected to and configured to be powered by the energy-harvesting device, a security status indicator operatively connected to and configured to by powered by the energy storage device, and logic configured to determine whether the combination lock is in a secure state and to activate the security-status indicator when the electronic combination lock is not in a secure state. A security-indication device for use with a combination device. A method for indicating a combination lock is not in a secure state comprising the steps of harvesting energy, storing the harvested energy, determining whether the combination lock is in a secure state, and, upon determining the combination lock is not in a secure state, activating a security-status indicator by powering it with stored energy.

Abstract: A waveguide and methods for manufacture can include a silicon wafer and a silicon substrate on the wafer that can be patterned into a silicon waveguide. A cladding can be deposited on the wafer and that waveguide using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. When a PECVD process is used, the cladding portions that are in contact with that waveguide and in the immediate vicinity can have a lower density, and a lower refractive index n of less than (n<1.3). The lower uniform cladding refractive index can be uniform from the waveguide surfaces out to approximately one micrometer from the waveguide. This can further in result in an increased difference between the refractive index of the silicon waveguide and the adjacent lower refractive index cladding portions, which can further result in greater light confinement within the waveguide (i.e. reduced losses during transmission).

Abstract: A waveguide and methods for manufacture can include a silicon wafer and a silicon substrate on the wafer that can be patterned into a silicon waveguide. A cladding can be deposited on the wafer and that waveguide using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. When a PECVD process is used, the cladding portions that are in contact with that waveguide and in the immediate vicinity can have a lower density, and a lower refractive index n of less than (n<1.3). The lower uniform cladding refractive index can be uniform from the waveguide surfaces out to approximately one micrometer from the waveguide. This can further in result in an increased difference between the refractive index of the silicon waveguide and the adjacent lower refractive index cladding portions, which can further result in greater light confinement within the waveguide (i.e. reduced losses during transmission).

Abstract: A system for detecting tampering. The system comprises a first luminescent layer adjacent to a first item of value and an optical detector operably connected to an alarm. The first luminescent layer emits a light beam, which is detected by the optical detector. Upon detection of the light beam, the optical detector activates the alarm.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a chamber on a semiconductor substrate, utilizing wet etching or dry etching, back-filling the chamber with a polymeric compound, and sealing the chamber.

Abstract: A tunable ultra-compact spectrometer and methods for spectrometry therefor can include a single pixel and a Fresnel zone plate having a focal length at a first temperature T1 and a first wavelength ?1, and a focal point. The pixel can be twenty micrometers square and can be placed at a distance from the pixel that equal to the focal length so that the focal point is at the pixel. The Fresnel zone plate can be made of a material that causes the same focal point at the pixel at T2, but at a different wavelength ?2 than wavelength ?1. A heat source can selectively add heat to the Fresnel zone plate to cause a second temperature T2. Exemplary materials for the Fresnel zone plate can be quartz for visible wavelengths, silicon for infrared wavelength, or other materials, according to the ?(s) of interest.

Abstract: Photonic devices may include a first ring resonator and a second ring resonator located within the first ring resonator, the second ring resonator separated from and optically coupled to the first ring resonator. A waveguide structure is optically coupled to the first ring resonator and may be parallel bus waveguides optically coupled on opposite ends of the first ring resonator or a u-shaped waveguide wrapped substantially around the first ring resonator. A third ring resonator may located within the second ring resonator and may be separated from and optically coupled to the first ring resonator and the second ring resonator. A sensing medium may be disposed within the interior of the third ring resonator and optically coupled to the third ring resonator. The sensing medium is configured to undergo a change in refractive index responsive to one or more analytes bound to the sensing medium.

Abstract: Power is provided to a remote device by receiving external energy from a laser source and storing the energy in a storage battery. A photovoltaic receiver capable of alignment in a preferred reception direction for receiving energy is used to receive energy from a source of excitement energy, and is configured to receive energy from a laser which is directed to the photovoltaic receiver. A charging circuit receives power from the photovoltaic receiver and is used to charge the storage battery.

Abstract: Devices and methods for conveying energy through a watertight enclosure can include placing at least one means for converting electrical energy into vibrational mechanical energy in direct contact with the enclosure. At least one means for harvesting the vibrational mechanical energy from the enclosure into electrical energy can also be placed in direct contact on the enclosure, on the opposite side of the enclosure from the conversion means. The conversion means and harvesting means both operate at a matching frequency ?. A plurality of transducers generating vibrations at frequency ? can be used in conjunction with harvester, or vice versa. Or, a plurality of transducers operating at discrete frequencies ?n can be used in conjunction with a plurality of harvesters operating at matching frequencies ?n. These configurations can be used to transmit electrical energy through the watertight enclosure without breaking the watertight integrity of the enclosure.

Abstract: Photonic devices may include a first ring resonator and a second ring resonator located within the first ring resonator, the second ring resonator separated from and optically coupled to the first ring resonator. A waveguide structure is optically coupled to the first ring resonator and may be parallel bus waveguides optically coupled on opposite ends of the first ring resonator or a u-shaped waveguide wrapped substantially around the first ring resonator. A third ring resonator may located within the second ring resonator and may be separated from and optically coupled to the first ring resonator and the second ring resonator. A sensing medium may be disposed within the interior of the third ring resonator and optically coupled to the third ring resonator. The sensing medium is configured to undergo a change in refractive index responsive to one or more analytes bound to the sensing medium.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating ultra-sharp nanoprobes can include the steps of providing a wafer, and patterning a silicon layer on the wafer with a plurality of geometric structures. The geometric structures can be patterned using electron-beam lithography or photolithography, and can have circular, triangular or other geometric shapes when viewed in top plan. The methods can further include the step of depositing a non-uniform cladding on the geometric structures using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) techniques, and then wet-etching the wafer. The non-uniform nature of the cladding can result in more complete etching in the areas where the cladding has lower density and incomplete etching in the areas of higher density of the non-uniform cladding. The different etching rates in the proximity of at least adjacent two geometric structures can result in the formation of ultra-sharp nanoprobes.

Abstract: A system includes a fluid reservoir containing a first fluid, a pair of fluidic channels in fluidic connection with the fluid reservoir, a counter-fluid reservoir having a second fluid that is non-miscible with the first fluid, and a pump connected to the fluid reservoir. The pump is configured to pump the first fluid from the fluid reservoir into the pair of fluidic channels. When contained in a vehicle, the system allows for control of the vehicle's orientation. The system may use sensor input to determine when to actuate the pump. Each fluidic channel may have a cross-section that varies along its length. The fluidic channels may be geometrically symmetric about the fluid reservoir. The system may be incorporated into a vehicle to control the vehicle's orientation.

Abstract: A correlation spectrometer can include a sample cell, a plasmonic array, a light source that can be used to illuminate both the plasmonic array and the sample cell, and an infrared (IR) detector that is connected to the plasmonic array, and that is configured to receive and detect surface plasmons. The plasmonic array is modulated to transmit a surface plasmon at a predetermined resonance peaks that correspond to resonant peaks for a compound of interest (COI). If the COI is present in the sample cell, a surface plasmon having resonant peaks corresponding to the COI resonant peaks is generated in the plasmonic array and detected by the IR detector. The plasmonic can be formed with a plurality of nanoholes with different periodicities and fill factors, in order to detect multiple COI.

Abstract: A system includes a substrate having a plurality of three-dimensional photonic crystal elements directly coupled thereto. The photonic crystal elements may each partially or substantially coated with oriented graphene and may comprise undoped silicon. The graphene may be oriented in a direction parallel to or normal to the photonic crystal element and may comprise graphene flakes contained within a composite thin film. The system may also include at least one optical component, such as a waveguide, contained within the plurality of three-dimensional photonic crystal elements. A method is also provided for preparing the graphene and coating the photonic crystal elements with the graphene.

Abstract: An optical-powered device includes a flexible substrate, a photonic bandgap layer coupled thereto, a waveguide contained within the photonic bandgap layer, and a dendrimer region contained within the waveguide. The dendrimer region may comprise more than one dendrimers. The dendrimer region emission band is within the photonic bandgap of the photonic bandgap layer. Multiple photonic bandgap layers may be included, with one or more waveguides therein. Each waveguide may have a dendrimer region therein. Electronic circuitry may be contained within a portion of the photonic bandgap layer. A light-modulating layer may be directly coupled to the photonic bandgap layer. A portion of the photonic bandgap layer may have a sensing material embedded therein. A cover layer having one or more windows may be coupled to the photonic bandgap layer. Another layer, such as a buffer layer, may be disposed between the substrate layer and the photonic bandgap layer.