Abstract: A microdischarge-based pressure sensor that includes an anode, two cathodes, a drive circuit connected to the electrodes, and a measurement circuit that permits sensing of transient current pulses flowing through at least one of the electrodes. One of the cathodes is interposed between the anode and other cathode, and it includes a central opening which permits a microdischarge to occur between the anode and each cathode in response to applied voltage pulses from the drive circuit. Changes in relative current between the two cathodes are indicative of changes in ambient pressure in the microdischarge chamber. In other embodiments, a sealed chamber can be used with one of the electrodes acting as a diaphragm which deflects based on external pressure and changes its inter-electrode spacing, thereby altering the relative cathode currents.

Abstract: A fiber including a fiber grating and at least one refractive index modifier interfacing the fiber grating, the at least one refractive index modifier selectively introducing a refractive-index change on the fiber grating.

Abstract: A sensor is mounted to a biopsy needle at a location proximate to a tip of the needle. The sensor senses properties of tissue in contact with the sensor and proximate to the tip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and devices capable of wireless communications based on RF transmissions from discharges. A transmitting device includes a discharge generator having a plurality of electrodes spaced to support generation of the discharge, and a circuit coupled to the plurality of spaced electrodes to control a supply for the discharge generator. In some embodiments, controlling the supply for the discharge generator modifies a property of the discharge to modulate the RF transmission such that the resulting RF transmission is indicative of the device state or other information to be communicated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for identifying characteristics and defects in material such as semiconductors. Methods include scanning a thermal probe in the vicinity of a semiconductor sample, applying stimuli to the thermal probe, and monitoring the interaction of the thermal probe and the semiconductor. The stimulus can be applied by a variety of methods, including Joule heating of a resistor in the proximity of the probe tip, or optically heating a tip of the thermal probe using a laser. Applications of the invention include identification of voids in metallic layers in semiconductors; mapping dopant concentration in semiconductors; measuring thickness of a sample material; mapping thermal hot spots and other characteristics of a sample material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic flow sensor device for monitoring flow of fluid in a channel. The sensor device includes a first electrode to be disposed along the channel and in communication with the fluid, a second electrode to be disposed along the channel and in communication with the fluid, and a radially expandable frame to structurally support the first electrode and the second electrode while conforming to the channel to position the first electrode and the second electrode along the channel. The device may also include an antenna coupled to the first and second electrodes to wirelessly provide an indication of a voltage induced between the first and second electrodes. In some embodiments, the radially expandable frame includes an insulating link such that the first and second electrodes are not electrically connected via the radially expandable frame.

Abstract: Microfabricated, gas-filled radiation detector assemblies, methods of making and using same and interface circuit for use therewith are provided. The assembly includes a micromachined radiation detector including a set of spaced-apart electrodes and an ionization gas between the electrodes. A housing has a chamber for housing the detector including the gas. The housing of the assembly also includes a window which allows passage of charged particles therethrough to ionize the gas to create electrons which, in turn, create an electron cascade in the gas between the electrodes when the set of electrodes is biased.

Abstract: A mechanical self-reciprocating oscillator and mechanism and method for establishing and maintaining regular back and forth movement of a micromachined device without the aid of any electronic components are provided. The fully mechanical micromachined oscillator and mechanism are driven using only a DC power source on at least one substrate such as a semiconductor chip. The oscillator and mechanism preferably include an electrothermal actuator, that, when actuated, opens a switch to cut off supply current to the actuator. Two Versions of the oscillator and mechanism are provided using distinct hysteresis mechanisms, one structural and the other thermal.

Abstract: A micro-discharge optical source apparatus and a method and system which utilizes the apparatus to analyze a sample are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode supported on the substrate. One of the electrodes, such as the cathode, is preferably a liquid electrode. The electrodes are spaced apart to define an inter-electrode gap therebetween. The apparatus further includes a voltage source for applying a voltage between the electrodes sufficient to generate a glow micro-discharge in the gap to cause a first emission having a first desired excitation spectrum. An optical element is integrated with the substrate to direct the first emission to travel along an optical path including an axis. In one embodiment, the system detects the direct fluorescence of a sample such as tryptophan and other amino acids. In another embodiment, the system detects fluorescence of dye-labeled biochemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent device useful for maintaining the patency of a lumen while monitoring an intraluminal characteristic. The device includes a structure having a set of extendible bands that are capable of plastic deformation to form a scaffolding having an inductance, and further includes a capacitance coupled to the set of extendible bands and responsive to the intraluminal characteristic. The capacitance and the inductance form a tank circuit after the plastic deformation of the set of extendible bands to enable wireless transmission of an indication of the intraluminal characteristic.

Abstract: A micromachined probe apparatus and methods for making and using same to characterize liquid in a fluidic channel and map embedded charge in a sample on a substrate are provided. The probe apparatus includes an integrated scanning tip and a dither actuation mechanism. The actuation is achieved using a bent-beam electrothermal actuator, and the probe tip is insulated from the actuator with a wide isolation gap. The device is fabricated by a modified micro electro-discharge machining process which allows electrical isolation within the micromachined structure using an epoxy plug. The apparatus may be used to measure changes in the external surface potential of a microfluidic channel as a function of varying pH of liquid inside the channel. The apparatus also may be used to map embedded charge in a thin layer on a substrate, showing it to be suitable for monitoring microelectronics manufacturing processes.