Abstract: A method and apparatus for powering one or more remotely-situated devices. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, energy is added (at a convenient location) to a medium that the remotely-situated devices are associated with (e.g., a medium that the remotely-situated devices are sensing, controlling, alarming, etc). The energy is removed from the medium near to the remotely-situated devices. If required, the energy is converted to a form that is useable by the remotely-situated device. The removed energy is delivered to the remotely-situated devices and is used by them to perform an action that is associated with the medium (e.g., sensing a characteristic of the medium, controlling a characteristic of the medium, providing an alarm responsive to a value of a characteristic of the medium, etc.

Abstract: A multi-channel fluid dispenser includes a reservoir with multiple internal chambers, a multi-channel liquid dispensing head, a plurality of fluid-delivery conduits, and support and positioning elements. The fluid-delivery conduits receive liquid from the chambers in the reservoir and deliver it to the dispensing head. The support and positioning elements are operable to support and position the dispensing head so that it can deliver the liquid from the reservoir to an underlying receiver. The fluid-delivery conduits include one or more optional flow control features that improve the accuracy of the dispensing operation. The multi-channel liquid dispensing head, which includes a valve-support member, a plurality of valves and a plurality of nozzles, is advantageously movable in three directions to facilitate alignment with an underlying receiver.

Abstract: A method for forming ICs comprising a highly-resistive or semi-insulating semiconductor substrate having a thin, low resistance active semiconductor layer thereon. In accordance with one embodiment of the method, the entire semiconductor substrate with at least partially prefabricated semiconductor devices disposed thereon is subjected to irradiation sufficient to impart high resistance throughout the substrate and active semiconductor layer. A thin, low resistance, active semiconductor layer is then generated on the substrate body by localized annealing. The (partially) prefabricated semiconductor devices are restored to operability by virtue of the annealing step as defects in the top insulating layers and properties of thin layers underneath the insulator-semiconductor interfaces are “healed.” The annealing step does not, however, heal the defects in the bulk substrate so that it remains semi-insulating.

Abstract: A method for fabricating MEMS wherein a structural member is released without using a sacrificial layer. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a buried hydrogen-rich layer in a semiconductor substrate, defining a release structure in the semiconductor substrate above the buried hydrogen-rich layer, and separating at least a portion of the release structure from the semiconductor substrate by cleaving the semiconductor substrate at the buried hydrogen-rich layer. The method can be used to fabricate hybrid devices wherein a MEMS device and a semiconductor device are formed on the same chip.

Abstract: A stable, reliable ohmic contact, and improved semiconductor articles and opto-electronic circuits incorporating same, are disclosed. According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, an ohmic contact having a plurality of thermodynamically-stable layers and layer interfaces is formed by providing a structure comprising multiple, appropriately-thick and specifically-organized layers of suitably-selected material, and exposing the structure to heat to cause reaction to take place between the various layers. Due to the thermodynamic stability of the resulting reacted layers and the interfaces between such layers, there is substantially no tendency for further reaction to occur within the ohmic contact.

Abstract: Flat-panel displays, a substrate for use in such displays, and methods for making the displays and the substrate are disclosed. The substrate is a hybrid composite containing an organic component and an inorganic component. The substrate possesses attributes of the organic component, which is typically a plastic, such as light weight and impact resistance, as well as attributes of the inorganic component, typically silica particles, such as high temperature stability. A variety of flat-panel displays can be made by depositing appropriate device layers, using standard fabrication procedures, on the hybrid composite substrate. The monomer is selected, and the relative concentrations of the organic to the inorganic component in the composite are established, based on the thermal processing requirements for making the type of display for which the substrate is intended.

Abstract: An article for directing optical signals among optical waveguides is disclosed. The article comprises a plurality of mirror elements that are mechanically and electrically interconnected to form a reflective surface. The reflective surface is deformable upon application of a voltage. Optical signals delivered from a source waveguide may be directed to different destination waveguides as the reflective surface is deformed. The plurality of mirror elements is actuated by a single actuator.

Abstract: An agitator capable of generating complex mixing motions is described. In some embodiments, an agitator in accordance with the present teachings includes a movable assembly that is suspended, via several resilient supports, from a frame. The movable assembly receives a vessel containing a material(s) to be agitated. The movable assembly advantageously includes spaced upper and lower plates having a rotatably-supported member disposed therebetween. The mass of the rotatably-supported member is asymmetrically distributed about its rotational axis. A drive force, such as a directed air flow, which may be used in conjunction with a belt drive mechanism, causes the rotatably-supported member to rotate. Due to the asymmetric mass distribution of the rotatably-supported member, force is non-uniformly applied to resilient supports such that, at any given time, some of such resilient supports are subjected to a compressive force while other resilient supports are placed under tension.

Abstract: A method for handling and dispensing small volumes of liquid, and apparatus for carrying out the method, are disclosed. A small volume of liquid, which is retained within a fluid-dispensing member, is dispensed therefrom by accelerating, and then abruptly decelerating, the member. The abrupt deceleration causes the retained liquid to discharge. The discharged liquid may be directed toward a receiver. A micro volume liquid dispenser for practicing the method includes a plurality of fluid-dispensing members configured for aspiring and retaining a small liquid volume via capillary action. The dispenser further includes an actuator for moving/accelerating the fluid-dispensing members and for stopping/abruptly decelerating the fluid-dispensing members.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible, water proof canopy especially adapted for use in a tree is provided. A flexible, collapsible frame is detachably coupled to the canopy along its perimeter. Means for suspending the canopy from a tree is disposed near the center of the canopy. Sufficient canopy material is provided so that when the canopy is suspended from the tree at said means, the canopy assumes an approximately conical shape. A user perched in a tree underneath the canopy is thereby partially protected from inclement weather.