Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method to treat an edge of a material for determining a property of such material through measurements of electromagnetic waves. The system and method are operative to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the interaction between an electromagnetic wave and an edge of a sample of a material under test. The system and method define a configuration to block and significantly attenuate the propagation of electromagnetic waves that may reach an edge of the sample being evaluated. This configuration reduces the undesired effects caused by edge-diffraction that may interfere with the measurement of desired electromagnetic waves for material evaluation. As a result, a property of a material under test can be measured more accurately, especially near the edges of such material. In addition, the system and method enable the evaluation of a small-size sample of a material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method to evaluate the status of a material. The system and method are operative to identify flaws and measure the erosion profile and thickness of different materials, including refractory materials, using electromagnetic waves. The system is designed to reduce a plurality of reflections, associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves launched into the material under evaluation, by a sufficient extent so as to enable detection of electromagnetic waves of interest reflected from remote discontinuities of the material. Furthermore, the system and method utilize a configuration and signal processing techniques that reduce clutter and enable the isolation of electromagnetic waves of interest. Moreover, the launcher is impedance matched to the material under evaluation, and the feeding mechanism is designed to mitigate multiple reflection effects to further suppress clutter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna system and method to design a desensitized antenna element. The system and method are operative to design a configuration of an antenna to overcome a number of operational conditions in which the frequency response of the antenna element may be uniquely or significantly detuned or offset or in which undesired noise, signal interference, or electromagnetic coupling effects may affect or be induced by the antenna element. These operational conditions may include the presence of any combination of user body parts, conductive materials, or dielectric materials as well as neighboring electronic systems or other sources of undesired noise, signal interference, and electromagnetic coupling. The system is designed to mitigate adverse effects, when operating in a potentially antenna-detuning environment or under conditions that may affect other systems or be susceptible to being affected by other sources, by using a desensitizer element comprising at least one electrical circuit component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna feeding system and method to optimize the design of the feeding system to feed an antenna made of a resistive sheet. The system and method are operative to design a topology of the antenna feeding system to adapt to a topology of the resistive sheet antenna to mitigate the adverse effects caused by the inherent losses of resistive sheets while operating as antennas. The system is designed to reduce a convergence of radiofrequency currents that may create a localized high density current concentration, such as “hot spots” and “pinch points,” on the resistive sheet, by a sufficient extent so as to prevent power losses that substantially decrease the radiation efficiency of the antenna as compared with feeding systems designed using traditional design techniques.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object or fluid in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or fluid (gas or liquid) in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and retransmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the retransmitted reference signal and the retransmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or fluid.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a conformal electronic device includes securing an electrically-conductive fiber to a fabric or substrate using an assistant thread.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object or fluid in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or fluid (gas or liquid) in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and retransmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the retransmitted reference signal and the retransmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of a structural member in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment is given. The method comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and transmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal is delayed by a first time delay and the measurement signal is delayed by a second time delay that is a function of the physical property to be determined. The first and second time delays are associated by a known relationship defined by the wireless sensor. The method further comprises receiving the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal and comparing the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal in the time domain. Finally, the method comprises using this comparison to determine the physical property of the structural member.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object in a multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or the fluid in the multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and transmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or the fluid.