Abstract: The present invention provides a tire pressure sensor system that has multiple functions and is integrated into a small package. The system includes one or more Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS)-based sensors, including a MEMS-based pressure sensor; a MEMS-oscillator-based wireless signal transmitter; and a microcontroller, where the microcontroller processes the data generated by at least one of the MEMS-based sensors, controls at least one of the MEMS-based sensors, and controls the encoding and timing of transmission of data from the wireless signal transmitter. Preferably, the MEMS-based sensors, MEMS-oscillator-based wireless signal transmitter, and microcontroller are integrated onto one or more chips in one or more packages. The system also preferably includes a MEMS-based motion sensor, a low frequency (LF) receiver, an IC-based voltage sensor, a voltage regulator, a temperature sensor and a polarization voltage generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for optically extracting discrete features of an object. With this method and device, small regions of interest or features within a relatively large object are optically extracted and collated into a single, condensed image. The condensed image contains all of the features in the original object, but not the parts of the object that are between the features. Thus, the optically extracted features can be viewed at high resolution, but in a limited field of view. Examples of objects that may be optically extracted according to the invention include spots of biomaterial on a biochip, material in wells of a microtiter plate, etc. In addition, this device and method can be used for non-planar objects. In this case, the device and method allow simultaneous visualization of spatially separated features on a surface of a 3-dimensional object.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators including such SiGe quantum wells can be operated at temperatures other than room temperature. Such temperature control is preferred for providing optical modulators that operate in the telecommunication C band (˜1530 nm to ˜1565 nm).

Abstract: Improved probing of closely spaced contact pads is provided by an array of vertical probes having all of the probe tips aligned along a single contact line, while the probe bases are arranged in an array having two or more rows parallel to the contact line. With this arrangement of probes, the probe base thickness can be made greater than the contact pad spacing along the contact line, thereby advantageously increasing the lateral stiffness of the probes. The probe tip thickness is less than the contact pad spacing, so probes suitable for practicing the invention have a wide base section and a narrow tip section.

Abstract: SiGe quantum wells where the well material has a lowest conduction band energy minimum at k=0 (the ? point of the first Brillouin zone) are provided. Quantum well structures that satisfy this condition have “Kane-like” bands at and near k=0 which can provide physical effects useful for various device applications, especially optical modulators. In the Si1-xGex material system, this condition on the band structure is satisfied for x greater than about 0.7. The quantum well barrier composition may or may not have Kane-like bands. Optical modulators and/or detectors according to the invention are suitable for inclusion in waveguide-based optical interconnects. Such interconnects can be on-chip interconnects or chip to chip interconnects.

Abstract: A thermal interface material (TIM) including a mechanically compliant matrix material which contains thermally conductive particles and thermally conductive nanofibers is provided. Such a TIM provides enhanced thermal conductivity without excessive viscosity when the nanofiber volume concentration is above a threshold value for enhanced thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Improved computation of Fourier coefficients for modeling of 2-D grating diffraction is provided. Let f(x,y) be defined in a region ?. Typically, f(x,y) is piecewise constant (since it is a grating permittivity or inverse permittivity) and takes on various constant values in several domains in ?. Let D be one of these domains, having a general shape. According to the invention, D is approximated as a set of trapezoids, and f(x,y) is taken to have a constant value within each of the trapezoids. Since the Fourier coefficient of a constant defined on a trapezoidal region can be analytically evaluated, an analytic approximation to the Fourier coefficient of f(x,y) on D is provided by summing the contributions from each trapezoid.

Abstract: An optical imaging system having an optical source located between the object being imaged and the sensor is provided. Such positioning of the source enables provision of compact optical imaging systems. In particular, such systems can have image widths significantly larger than the object to sensor separation. The arrangement of source, imaging assembly and sensor is such that an image of the source is not formed at the sensor. Therefore, the effect of this source positioning on the image of the object at the sensor is a reduction of intensity, as opposed to more objectionable imaging artifacts, such as spurious shadows and/or bright spots. Thus compact optical imaging systems having good image quality are provided, which enables high-fidelity imaging of object to sensor for a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A method of determining the length of a polynucleotide target is provided. With this method, a target is first hybridized to an array of first probes having different, determined lengths, resulting in the formation of duplexes between the polynucleotide target and the first probes. These duplexes have a single stranded section of target if the target is longer than the first probe it is in a duplex with, and a single stranded section of probe if the target is shorter than the first probe it is in a duplex with. Next, a series of probes is hybridized to the duplexes, breaking apart duplexes in which the target and probe have unequal lengths through the process of branch migration. Thus, the target only remains bound in the duplex if the target and probe are of equal lengths. The length of the polynucleotide target can thereby be determined.

Abstract: A method for making a plurality of low-cost microelectrode arrays (MEAs) on one substrate utilizing certain unmodified printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication processes and selected materials. In some embodiments, a MEA device is composed of a thin polymer substrate containing patterned conductive traces. Coverlays on both sides of the substrate insulate the conductive traces and defines the electrodes. Preferably, flexible PCB technology is utilized to simultaneously define the microelectrode arrays. In an embodiment, the sensor is an integrated temperature sensor/heater in which the MEA device operates to record extracellular electrical signals from electrically active cell cultures. The present invention enables economical and efficient mass production of MEA devices, making them particularly suitable for disposable applications such as drug discovery, biosensors, etc.

Abstract: In order to make accurate predictions on whether or not a power grid is stable, it is desirable to know the frequency and phase of at least each “control area” in the power grid. Each control area will ideally have power generation matched with its load. Rather than measure thousands of data points at low resolution in order to calculate potential grid instabilities, one may make few highly accurate measurements at low voltage to predict frequency and phase of high voltage transmission lines. Predicted data at the transmission points can then be used to calculate the relative stability of the power grid. The method includes the use of non-linear Luenberger observers and Kalman filters. The method can also be used to compute “Virtual measurements” for any component in the connected grid based on lower cost or easier to obtain measurement at other points on network. This method applies to any connected network of components.

Abstract: Reduced source spacing for multi-source, multi-detector X-ray imaging systems is provided by allowing channels within an X-ray collimator to intersect within the body of the collimator. As a result, the channels are not independent, and the source spacing can be significantly reduced. Although such collimators have a much more “open” structure than conventional collimators having independent channels, they can still provide efficient collimation performance (e.g., predicted leakage <5%). Several high attenuation layers having through holes and stacked together can provide collimators according to the invention, where the through holes combine to form the intersecting channels.

Abstract: A new adaptive pixel architecture, folded-multiple-capture (FMC), integrates synchronous self-reset and multiple capture schemes and advantageously eliminates the requirement of a high-frame-rate sensor array, which is essential for conventional image sensors with high dynamic range. The FMC comprises a per-pixel analog-front-end (AFE), a fine analog-digital convertor (ADC) stage, and a digital-signal-processor/controller (DSPC) stage. The AFE performs programmable gain control, synchronous self-reset, sample-and-hold, and enables disturbance detection. In the AFE, a comparator compares an integrator output with a threshold voltage and produces a binary sequence accordingly. The ADC utilizes the binary sequence and the folded multiple capture signals to estimate photocurrent.

Abstract: A transient blocking unit (TBU) having reduced series impedance is provided. A TBU includes two or more depletion mode transistors arranged to provide a low series impedance in normal operation and a high series impedance when the input current exceeds a predetermined threshold. A nonlinear impedance element is included in the TBU that acts as a current limiter having a substantially constant saturation current over a range of applied voltages. This saturation current is selected to be the threshold current of the TBU. When the threshold is exceeded, the voltage developed across the nonlinear impedance element tends to drive the TBU into its high impedance state. When the operating current is below threshold, the TBU series resistance is relatively low because the nonlinear impedance element is in its low-resistance state. The nonlinear impedance element can be a separate circuit element, or it can be integrated with one or more of the TBU transistors.

Abstract: Electric power grids are usually constantly monitored for AC frequency. The monitoring of the AC frequency, however, usually does not reveal information that would indicate impending failure in the power grid. This document describes several techniques for detecting impending failure in the power grid by examining line data in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically classifying a communication involving at least one human, e.g., a human-to-human telephone conversation, into predefined categories of interest, e.g., “angry customer, etc. The system automatically, or semi-automatically with user interaction, expanding user input into semantically equivalent events. The system recognizes these events, each of which is given a confidence level, and classifies the telephone conversation based on an overall confidence level. In some embodiments, a different base unit is utilized. Instead of recognizing individual words, the system recognizes composite words, each of which is pre-programmed as an atomic unit, in a given context. The recognition includes semantically relevant composite words and contexts automatically generated by the system.

Abstract: Photodarkening in active fiber or waveguide devices (e.g. lasers, amplifiers, and incoherent sources such as ASE sources) can be reduced by altering the dopant concentration along the length of the doped fiber. A fiber or waveguide device includes two or more intentionally doped fiber or waveguide sections having different concentrations of one or more dopants. The dopants provide optical gain responsive to pump radiation provided to the fiber device by a pump source. A first optical intensity in a first of the fiber or waveguide sections is greater than a second optical intensity in a second of the fiber or waveguide sections. A first dopant concentration in the first fiber or waveguide section is lower than a second dopant concentration in the second fiber or waveguide section. Thus the dopant concentration is reduced in sections of the fiber or waveguide device having a higher optical intensity. The optical intensity can be due to pump radiation and/or signal radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting vibration information by receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from a biological organism at a light amplitude modulation detector array to provide real-time imaging of the target object. The detected radiation may be visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation, and/or of other desired frequency ranges. The detected radiation is preferably AC-coupled to isolate components relating to oscillations of the biological organism from components relating to ambient radiation, e.g. background sunlight. The isolated oscillations may then be digitized, stored, and subjected to processing such as a Fourier transform to generate outputs representative of frequencies of oscillation. This output can then be used for analysis of the target object.

Abstract: A computer method of creating a super-resolved grayscale image from lower-resolution images using an L1 norm data fidelity penalty term to enforce similarities between low and a high-resolution image estimates is provided. A spatial penalty term encourages sharp edges in the high-resolution image, the data fidelity penalty term is applied to space invariant point spread function, translational, affine, projective and dense motion models including fusing the lower-resolution images, to estimate a blurred higher-resolution image and then a deblurred image. The data fidelity penalty term uses the L1 norm in a likelihood fidelity term for motion estimation errors. The spatial penalty term uses bilateral-TV regularization with an image having horizontal and vertical pixel-shift terms, and a scalar weight between 0 and 1. The penalty terms create an overall cost function having steepest descent optimization applied for minimization. Direct image operator effects replace matrices for speed and efficiency.

Abstract: A method to define a curved slab region of interest that includes vessels while maximally excluding surrounding soft tissue and bone is provided. The thickness of the curved slab is automatically adapted to the thickness of the vessel and follows the tortuous vessel(s) so that an increase in tortuousity does not result in a disproportionate increase in the region of interest required to enclose the vessel. A plurality of boundary pairs is determined in the view plane to define a vessel. Vessel-intensities are determined for each one of the boundary pairs. The boundary pairs with associated intensities define the view of the vessel in the projection plane. Context-intensity could be defined in the area surrounding the boundary pairs in the projection and/or transverse plane. The method also includes several steps that will result in a better isolation and removal of non-vessel structures and view of the vessel(s) and its(their) branches.