Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for detecting species in a laser cavity. According to one preferred embodiment, a device according to the invention includes: a source of excitation energy at a first wavelength; a first optic fiber; a resonant cavity; an absorption element; and a detector element. The first optic fiber has at least a first portion which is lasant-doped, and is optically coupled to the excitation source. The doping causes the first optic fiber to amplify light. Thus, in response to light coupled from the excitation source, the first optic fiber is capable of lasing. The resonant cavity surrounds the first portion of the optic fiber and has at least a first wavelength-specific reflector, such that laser light at only a second wavelength is amplified in the cavity. The absorption element can expose a sample to the light contained within the resonant cavity. The detector is optically coupled to the resonant cavity.

Abstract: A cryptographic method including selecting secret keys p and q, being prime numbers greater than 3, selecting public parameters for a series of data values which belong to one of a plurality of pairs of groups whereby any one of the data values in one of the pairs of groups is recovered by performing an operation kN.sub.i +1 times modulo n beginning with the any one of the data values, where k is an integer, N.sub.i is the order of the ith pair of groups and n=p.q, selecting a public encryption key e which is a factor of kN.sub.i +1 for all i, and processing communications data as a member of one of the pairs of groups by performing the operation on the communications data, whereby the order N.sub.i of the pair of groups i that the communications data belongs to can be determined on the basis of p and q, and a secret decryption key d.sub.i can be determined using e.d.sub.i =kN.sub.i +1.

Abstract: An ionic liquid-channel charge-coupled device that separates ions in a liquid sample according to ion mobility characteristics includes a channel having an inner wall that has a matrix liquid disposed within. An insulating material surrounds the channel, and an introduction element introduces a liquid sample into the channel. The sample is preferably a liquid solution that has at least one ionic specie present in the solution. The device further includes a gating element that establishes at least one charge packet in the channel in response to an externally applied input signal, and a transport element that induces the charge packet to migrate through the channel. The gate element can be a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically conductive, gate structures that are alternately disposable between a high voltage state and a low voltage state. The transport element further includes an application element that applies a variable voltage to the gating element.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the occurrence of undesirable deformations (e.g., wrinkling) in a reinforced thermoformable workpiece. The reduction in undesirable deformations is achieved by increasing the buckling resistance of the workpiece by employing a supplemental reinforcing structure. The reinforcement, in combination with a pair of shaping diaphragms, increase the effective buckling resistance applied to the workpiece during the fabrication of a composite product. The method includes forming a workpiece from a plurality of layers of a thermoformable material, and applying to at least one side of the material an external reinforcing structure to form a reinforced workpiece having a top side and a bottom side. At least one of the top or bottom sides of the reinforced workpiece is placed in contact vith a diaphragm, thus forming a shaping assembly.

Abstract: An electrochemical converter assembly that significantly reduces the size of the dedicated thermal processing heat exchangers associated with the converter. This reduction is achieved by heating the input reactants of the electrochemical converter assembly inside the axial manifolds. This heating configuration thus relies upon an effective heat transfer mechanism located within the manifolds, and particularly within the manifold surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the heating of the reactants occurs at the entrance region of the planar gap formed between the interconnector plates and the electrolyte plates. This heating is facilitated by the conduction of heat through the highly thermally conductive interconnector plate to an extended heating surface disposed within the manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for converting organic material to electricity includes the steps of collecting a quantity of organic material, generating biogas from the material, and passing the biogas through an energy converter. Biogas is generated from the organic material by an anaerobic filter, and electricity is converted from the biogas by an energy converter, such as a high efficiency solid oxide fuel cell. To further increase the efficiency of the system, an anaerobic digester is used for treating a solid or sludge component of the organic material to generate additional biogas. In one embodiment of the invention, solar energy is used to maintain the anaerobic digester at an elevated temperature. Further efficiency enhancing measures include the recirculation of both the sludge and liquid components of the organic material to obtain additional biogas.

Abstract: An ionic liquid-channel charge-coupled device that separates ions in a liquid sample according to ion mobility characteristics includes a channel having an inner wall that has a matrix liquid disposed within. An insulating material surrounds the channel, and an introduction element introduces a liquid sample into the channel. The sample is preferably a liquid solution that has at least one ionic specie present in the solution. The device further includes a gating element that establishes at least one charge packet in the channel in response to an externally applied input signal, and a transport element that induces the charge packet to migrate through the channel. The gate element can be a plurality of spaced-apart, electrically conductive, gate structures that are alternately disposable between a high voltage state and a low voltage state. The transport element further includes an application element that applies a variable voltage to the gating element.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical converter provides regenerative heating of electrochemical converter reactants to an operating temperature using an exhaust flow. Additionally, a radiant thermal integration configuration transfers heat from an electrochemical converter assembly to power a bottoming plant, thereby achieving flexible and efficient system design. In a fuel cell operating mode, for example, it facilitates the recovery of waste heat of the fuel cell reaction for integration with bottoming thermodynamic devices, such as a gas or steam turbine. The radiant thermal integration is accomplished by efficient radiative heat transfer between the external columnar surface of the converter assembly and the heat transfer assembly containing the working medium of a heat sink or a heat source device, and by a regenerative process where incoming reactants are heated to the converter operating temperature by outgoing exhaust.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating ions in a liquid sample based on electrophoretic mobility. The device includes a buried channel formed upon a semiconductor wafer and surrounded by an insulating material. A matrix liquid is disposed in the channel and facilitates movement of ions through the channel. A voltage source applies a voltage between first and second electrodes mounted in first and second reservoirs, respectively. The first and second reservoirs are located at opposite ends of the channel, and hold the matrix liquid. The applied voltage generates an electric field along the length of the channel that pulls molecules that are introduced into the channel along the channel, such that molecules having one polarity are attracted to the first electrode, and molecules having a second polarity are attracted to the second electrode.