Abstract: In one implementation, a method of fabrication of stretchable electronic skin is provided. The method may include receiving an elastic material net. An elastic conductor mesh is formed on the elastic material net. A device is electrically bonded to the elastic conductor mesh. The implementation may further include forming a mold comprising a net pattern on a substrate and creating the elastic material net by coating the mold with an elastic material precursor, and then removing the elastic net from the substrate with the elastic conductor thereon. In one embodiment, a stretchable electronic skin including a net structure having a non-conducting elastic material with an elastic conductor mesh formed on the non-conducting elastic material, and a device electrically connected to the elastic conductor mesh.

Abstract: In one of the embodiments, a dark channel array is provided which includes gain channels, each configured to emit an output beam from an output surface and to have a light wave propagating therethrough. It further includes a dark channel configured to emit an output beam from the output surface of the dark channel array and to have a light wave propagating in the dark channel, such that output beams from the plurality of gain channels are coherently coupled in phase with each other. The dark channel array is configured such that the dark channel captures a portion of the output beam from at least two of the plurality of gain channels by radiant coupling.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an adaptive spectral surface is provided including an upper layer having a frequency selective surface, a lower layer being at least partially reflective, and an active dielectric material layer therebetween. The active dielectric material may include a dielectric material with an adjustable permittivity, permeability, or thickness. The active dielectric material may be a dielectric material adapted to change its dielectric constant in response to at an applied electric field, an applied magnetic field, or/and thermal stimulus. Some embodiments allow shifting of the resonance of the spectral absorptive/reflective emissions of the adaptive spectral surface. Some embodiments allow modification of the electromagnetic signature of an adaptive spectral surface apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, reconfigurable tooling is provided having an array of actuator columns affixed to a support base. A programmable controller is configured to position the actuator columns. The reconfigurable tooling has a tooling surface which includes a variable stiffness surface capable of controllable states of stiffness, the variable stiffness surface being capable of being deformed by the actuator columns in a soften state, and rigid in a stiff state. In some embodiments, the variable stiffness surface is configurable multiple times.

Abstract: A composition and method of use therefore that provides for the objective topical treatment of hot flashes that is clinically shown to objectively reduce skin temperature, with the effective ingredients including menthol and peppermint oil which can be substituted with spearmint oil. The method involves application of the composition, which can be in the form of a liquid, crème, topical gel, mist or moist towelette and which is applied most optimally to the back of the neck, the front of the neck, behind the ears and on the wrists of the sufferer.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tiered gate structure transistor is provided including a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain. The tiered gate structure transistor including a gate foot having a top portion and sidewalls. A gate head is attached to the top portion of the gate foot. A passivation layer extends along and directly contacts an uppermost surface of the source, and extends along and directly contacts an uppermost surface of the drain, the passivation layer surrounds the sidewalls of the gate foot such that the top portion is not covered by the passivation layer and such that the passivation layer surrounding the sidewalls supports the gate head.

Abstract: In one of many possible implementations and embodiments, a method is provided for providing linearized phase modulation and demodulation in an RF-photonic link. This includes phase modulating a photonic carrier signal in a signal arm using the RF input and using the RF output in a negative feedback phase tracking loop to modulate either the RF input modulated carrier signal in the signal arm, or a signal in a local oscillator arm. Optical signals from the signal arm and the local oscillator arm are optically coupled. The optically coupled signals are photodetected and differentally combined. The differentially combined signals are amplified to provide the RF output signal. In some implementations, the photonic carrier signal is suppressed prior to photodetection. Further, in some implementations a small portion of the local oscillator signal may be coupled with the carrier suppressed optical signal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an actuator assembly is provided which includes actuators, having a storage material, a volume changing material comprising a metal capable of changing volume in response to species insertion and removal, an ion transport material between the storage material and the volume changing material, and electrodes connected so as to be capable of providing an actuation voltage to the plurality of actuators. The actuators are configured such that the actuator assembly provides substantially anisotropic movement. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly includes actuators arranged in a stacked configuration. In some embodiments, the volume changing material includes spaced apart elongated structures which may be recessed within the storage material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a down conversion receiver is provided for a phase modulated optical signal. This may include an optical coupler coupled to be capable of receiving a phase modulated signal and a local oscillator signal, and a modulator coupled to an input of the optical coupler so as to be capable of modulating one of: (1) a phase modulated signal; or (2) a local oscillator signal. A photodetector circuit is located to be capable of detecting signals coupled by the optical coupler, with a sub-band selector circuit coupled to be capable of receiving signals from the photodetector circuit. The sub-band selector circuit has an output coupled to a modulating input of the modulator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fiber optic link includes a combined optical link for transmitting high optical power and wide bandwidth signal through a single optical fiber. In one embodiment, a means is provided for combining a high power optical signal and a low power data signal with wavelength selective directional couplers so as to inhibit the low power data transmitter and the low power data receiver from being overloaded with too much power. In one implementation, a method of using double clad fiber is provided, which includes transmitting an optical data signal at an optical data wavelength along an inner core, the inner core being single mode at the optical data wavelength and simultaneously transmitting an optical power signal at a optical power wavelength through a cladding, the cladding serving as a multimode core for a power optical link at the optical power wavelength.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solid state actuator is provided which includes a pair of electrodes and a solid state storage material having a plating material. A solid state ion transport material is adjacent the solid state storage material such that the solid state storage material is located between an anode of the pair of electrodes and the solid state ion transport material. The pair of electrodes are connected so as to be capable of providing an actuation voltage across the solid state storage material to provide transport of plating material cations through the solid state ion transport material between the solid state storage material and a cathode electrode of the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a variable stiffness structure is provided having constant stiffness material layers and variable modulus material layers arranged in alternating layers. The variable modulus material layers have a material with a changeable elastic modulus in response to an applied energy field so as to allow reversible coupling and decoupling of stress transfer between successive layers of the constant stiffness material layers to provide a change in a bending stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The constant stiffness material layers may include segmented portions. The constant stiffness material layers may have segmented portions arranged such that successive layers of the plurality of constant stiffness material layers have overlapping segmented portions. The variable modulus material layers may have shaped structures, for example, corrugation, pillars, striations, tubular, or honeycomb configurations.