Abstract: A bandwidth tunable fiber Bragg grating (FBG) device performs tuning in an optical transmission circuit by placing a grating in a compliant material, which is transversely loaded to create longitudinal strain through the Poisson effect of materials. Careful application of various load magnitudes along the length of the grating through the compliant material creates a strain gradient along the length of the grating, which chirps the grating thus resulting in altering the bandwidth of the grating. Tuning the grating bandwidth results, effectively, in tuning the dispersion of light being reflected off the grating. Insertion of such a device in the optical link allows for dynamic dispersion compensation in the link. The ability of the device to ‘dial-in’ a desired amount of dispersion is what makes it valuable.

Abstract: The fluidic drive for miniature acoustic-fluidic pump and mixer is comprised of an acoustic transducer attached to an exterior or interior of a fluidic circuit or reservoir. The transducer converts radio frequency electrical energy into an ultrasonic acoustic wave in a fluid that in turn generates directed fluid motion through the effect of acoustic streaming. Acoustic streaming results due to the absorption of the acoustic energy in the fluid itself. This absorption results in a radiation pressure and acoustic streaming in the direction of propagation of the acoustic propagation or what is termed “quartz wind”.

Abstract: An image rejecting microwave photonic downconverter uses a microwave sub-carrier modulation technique without concern for image frequency interference in the shifted signal, thereby allowing telecommunications systems to downconvert densely multiplexed communications channels into a low frequency band where conventionqal electronics can perform signal-processing functions. The image rejecting microwave photonic downconveter incoming microwave signals can be processed without ambiguity in direction finding applications, allowing remotable, multioctave microwave signal processing for frequency and phase determination.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer in which a plurality of cymbal-type electro-acoustic actuators are disposed in mechanical and electrical parallel between a pair of stiff plates. The resultant transducer resonates at a lower frequency than the cymbals, with a greater generated force.

Abstract: A high power and high torque density piezoelectric motor is developed using torsional actuator tube (stator) directly coupled to the rotor via one or two one way clutches. A cylindrical torsional actuator is comprised of a plurality of tubular piezoelectric ceramic segments poled along their length, aligned in alternate polarity and bonded together with intervening electrodes. When an alternating electric field is applied to the electrodes across adjacent segments to actuate the segments in their shear resonance mode, an end of the cylindrical actuator moves in a direction perpendicular to the length of the cylindrical actuator in response to the applied electric field. In a half cycle torsional motor, the angular motion of the end of the cylindrical actuator is transmitted to a rotor via a one way roller clutch positioned at one end of the cylindrical actuator.

Abstract: A software procedure, with associated hardware, for estimating the pose of an object from a range image containing the object. A range image is a two dimensional array of numbers which represent the distances from a reference point in the range imaging instrument to observed surface points in a scene. All six parameters of the pose of an object are estimated; three translational and three angular parameters. A new technique known as “non-pose-distinctive placement removal” is combined with of tripod operators (TOs), a method for interpreting range images, and is comprised of two steps. The first is training the system on a new object so that it will later be able to estimate the pose of that object when seen again in some range image. The second is the actual pose estimation, where a TO is placed at a random location on a new range image containing the object of interest. Then the nearest neighbor in feature space, the nearpoint, is computed.

Abstract: A fiducial beam monitor includes a patterned diode layer on a semiconducting substrate. An electrical field between the diode (or diodes) on the diode layer and the semiconducting substrate modulates the size of the depletion layer formed by the diode or diode. A high energy beam incident upon a diode on the diode layer produces a greater current than a high energy beam incident upon a non-diodic region of the same layer. In use, the beam monitor is typically fixed to the backside of a workpiece such as a semitransparent membrane being patterned by a focused high energy beam that is translated with respect to workpiece and attached monitor. The changes in current during translation are then correlated with the position of the beam with respect to the pattern on the diode layer.

Abstract: The retinal prosthesis test device is comprised of a thin wafer of glass made from nanochannel glass (NGC) with very small channels perpendicular to the plane of the wafer filled with an electrical conductor forming microwires. One surface of the glass is ground to a spherical shape consistent with the radius of curvature of the inside of the retina. The NGC is hybridized to a silicon de-multiplexer and a video image is serially input to a narrow, flexible micro-cable and read into a 2-D array of unit cells in a pixel-by-pixel manner which samples the analog video input and stores the value as a charge on a MOS capacitor. After all unit cells have been loaded with the pixel values for the current frame, a biphasic pulse is sent to each unit cell which modulates the pulse in proportion to the pixel value stored therein.

Abstract: An optic flow sensor is provided which employs a plurality of photoreceptors and which produces a final optic flow signal that is a robust measurement of the optic flow as seen by the photoreceptors. Each array of a plurality of feature detector arrays receives, as input, photoreceptor signals from the receptors and generates a plurality of feature signals based thereon. Each optic flow measuring circuit or algorithm of a plurality of optic flow measuring circuits or algorithms receives, as input, one of the plurality of feature signals. The optic flow measuring circuits or algorithms each generate an optic flow measurement signal so that a plurality of optic flow measurement signals are generated. A fusion circuit or algorithm, which can, e.g., employ a leaky integrator circuit or algorithm, receives, as input, the optic flow measurement signals and generates the final optic flow signal based thereon.