Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that substantially reduces or eliminates the resonance that occurs in vias that connect the layers of a printed circuit board by electrically coupling a first transmission line in a circuit board to a second transmission line in a circuit board by two electrical paths having substantially the same electrical length. The two electrical paths are created by connecting the first transmission line to a first via which is in turn connected to a second via having a second transmission line with a plurality of connecting electrical paths between the two vias. In one illustrative embodiment, electrical traces are used to connect the top of the first via to the top of the second via and the bottom of the first via to the bottom of the second via.

Abstract: A tunable microlens uses at least two layers of electrodes and a droplet of conducting liquid. Such a droplet, which forms the optics of the microlens, moves toward an electrode with a higher voltage relative to other electrodes in the microlens. When calibration of the microlens is desired, an equal and constant voltage is passed over the first layer of electrodes and a different, constant voltage is passed over the second layer of electrodes such that the droplet of conducting fluid is adjusted to a calibrated position.

Abstract: A tunable microlens uses at least two layers of electrodes and a droplet of conducting liquid. Such a droplet, which forms the optics of the microlens, moves toward an electrode with a higher voltage relative to other electrodes in the microlens. When calibration of the microlens is desired, an equal and constant voltage is passed over the first layer of electrodes and a different, constant voltage is passed over the second layer of electrodes, which may, for example, be disposed in a star-like pattern. A driving force relative to each electrode in the second layer results and is proportional to the length of the circumference of the droplet that intersects with each of the electrodes. This driving force reaches equilbrium, and hence the droplet reaches its nominal centered position relative to the second layer of electrodes, when the length of intersection of the circumference of the droplet with each of the electrodes in the second layer is equal.

Abstract: An efficient, low-loss, low sidelobe, high dynamic range phased-array radar antenna system is disclosed that uses metamaterials, which are manmade composite materials having a negative index of refraction, to create a biconcave lens architecture (instead of the aforementioned biconvex lens) for focusing the microwaves transmitted by the antenna. Accordingly, the sidelobes of the antenna are reduced. Attenuation across microstrip transmission lines may be reduced by using low loss transmission lines that are suspended above a ground plane a predetermined distance in a way such they are not in contact with a solid substrate. By suspending the microstrip transmission lines in this manner, dielectric signal loss is reduced significantly, thus resulting in a less-attenuated signal at its destination.

Abstract: A tunable microlens is disclosed that having a substrate with a non-zero radius of curvature in a way such that the microlens is able to achieve a new directional view without manual repositioning. The directional view of the microlens is altered by applying a voltage to at least one of a plurality of electrodes and thereby causing a voltage differential between the at least one of a plurality of electrodes and a conducting droplet of liquid disposed on the substrate with a non-zero radius of curvature. As the droplet moves to a different point along the surface of the substrate having a non-zero radius of curvature, the directional view the microlens changes in a way such that light originating from the new directional view is more advantageously focused into an image on a detector. The field of view of the microlens is limited only by the area on the substrate over which the droplet can move. An array of such microlenses may be used to facilitate a wider field of view.

Abstract: A heat-dissipating device is disclosed for use in an electronic device. This heat dissipating device includes a reservoir for holding a substance in a liquid state (e.g., water) and at least one heat transfer point for transferring heat from a heat source, such as a component in the electronic device, to the liquid substance. Heat causes the substance to transform into a gaseous state due to the transfer of thermal energy from the heat source to the substance. A gas permeable membrane is used to permit the substance to escape the reservoir when it is in a gaseous state while, at the same time, preventing the substance from escaping when it is in a liquid state.

Abstract: A stand-alone battery charger warning system for use with portable electronic devices is disclosed whereby a warning is generated in response to a determination that a) a battery is not presently connected to the charger and b) at least one predetermined time criterion has been met. This warning system advantageously may be used universally with any number of different battery chargers and is not limited to just one make or model. A particular embodiment of the present invention consists of a housing within which is contained the electronic circuitry and controls necessary to implement the warning system functionality. This housing is connected to an electrical source, such as a typical home electrical outlet. The battery charger for the portable electronic device is then connected electrically to the warning system.