Abstract: Meat tenderness is determined by analyzing backscattered ultrasound signals. A signal envelope function computed from the backscattered ultrasound signals is used to derive a number of different parameters, which comprise a unimodal decay factor, a bimodal decay factor, a quiescence time, an event frequency parameter, and an event asymmetry index. Two or more of these factors are combined using a decision algorithm, which can be a neural network, a fuzzy logic classifier, a Bayesian classifier, a regression, an instance-based classifier, a decision tree, or a learned rule. These methods can also be applied to determine characteristics of the physiology of a live organism.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for using high-power microwave radiation to recover oil from an oil shale deposit. Embodiments include a microwave generation system, adapted to generate in situ, high-power microwave radiation. In some embodiments, one or more antennae propagate the microwave radiation into the oil shale deposit. The microwave radiation may heat the oil shale, causing oil to be released. The released oil may then be collected, refined, transported, or otherwise processed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for using high-power microwave radiation to process (e.g., refine) recovered oil. In certain embodiments, relatively low-power microwave radiation is propagated into a recovered oil emulsion to process the emulsion into a more useful product. For example, the radiation may be used to refine the oil emulsion into a light crude oil.

Abstract: This invention is a temperature-based smart insole capable of continuously or intermittently measuring the foot temperature of the patient at one or more locations of the foot while the insole is worn. The device provides feedback to the patient alerting the individual of risk based on his/her plantar temperatures. Benefits of this device include: its ability to free the patient from the clinical setting and increase patient's confidence to be mobile, thus enhancing circulation while at the same time allowing the patient to self-monitor their feet.

Abstract: Provided is a system for monitoring gait. More particularly, the system comprises: one or more pressure sensors; an algorithm which compares the data from the pressure sensor(s) to a stability profile, and provides a feedback value; means for communicating the feedback value; and a power source. Also provided is a method for gait analysis comprising: collecting signals from one or more pressure sensors located in pressure proximity to a foot, generating a test profile; comparing the test profile to a stability profile; generating a feedback signal; and communicating the feedback signal. The system may also comprise one or more accelerometers.

Abstract: The methods of the invention employ electrostatic atomization to form a compound droplet of at least two miscible fluids. The compound droplet comprises a core of a first fluid and a layer of a second fluid completely surrounding the core. The first fluid contains the agent to be encapsulated and the second fluid contains an encapsulating agent. The first and second liquids are miscible. The encapsulated droplets can contain a variety of materials including, but not limited to, polynucleotides such as DNA and RNA, proteins, bioactive agents or drugs, food, pesticides, herbicides, fragrances, antifoulants, dyes, oils, inks, cosmetics, catalysts, detergents, curing agents, flavors, fuels, metals, paints, photographic agents, biocides, pigments, plasticizers, propellants and the like and components thereof. The droplets can be encapsulated by a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, lipid bilayers and polymer shells.

Abstract: Permutation networks based on de Bruijn digraphs exhibit constant control complexity (wide sense non-blocking) and constant control complexity (self-routing). The cost in terms of the cross-points used for such networks is an optimal O(N log N). This non-blocking network uses fast algorithms to control in the Terabit bandwidth while providing for cost-effective switching. The network has expandable (i.e., scalable) architecture, i.e., the network can be built by interconnecting smaller non-blocking networks (e.g., small crossbars).

Abstract: An ultrasonic system for grading meat transmits an ultrasonic signal into the meat and detects the resulting back-scattered signal. The envelope of the back-scattered signal is determined. A decaying exponential curve having the form y=exp(−Dt) is fitted to the envelope, where D is the attenuation factor for the curve and t is time. A grade of the meat is then determined as a function of the attenuation factor. It may be possible to improve the accuracy of this approach by measuring the total back-scattered energy from the back-signal and generating a grade for the meat based on a polynomial function of both the attenuation factor and the total back-scattered energy. Optionally, accuracy may be further enhanced by removing any anomalies in the back-scattered signal resulting from fat deposits in the meat before calculating the attenuation factor.

Abstract: A resonator structure including a first resonator having a first resonator loop formed by a hollow channel with conductive walls and a second resonator having a second resonator loop formed by a hollow channel with conductive walls. The first resonator loop and the second resonator loop intersect so that the first and second resonator loops are substantially shielded to prevent coupling of high frequency energy between the first and second resonator loops. The orthogonally of the resonator loops can be adjustably control in either of two orthogonal axes. A sample is placed in a space defined by the intersection of the first and second resonator loops. High frequency energy is applied to the first resonator. The angle at which the second resonator loop intersects the first resonator loop is selected to substantially decouple the first resonator from the second resonator. A detector circuit detects the high frequency energy in the second resonator loop and supplies the detected signal for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for use in an internal combustion engine employs a removable optical housing that is inserted through a hole in the cylinder wall or the cylinder head. The distal end of the housing supports a lens made of a material such as polycrystalline spinel or sapphire to provide a desired field of view within the cylinder and to project an image from the field of view through the internal passageway of the optical housing. A camera receives and records the image provided by the lens and optical housing. In one embodiment, the distal portion of the optical housing is secured to the cylinder wall by means of threads or a breech-mount mechanism to permit quick and easy removal and cleaning of the lens. In another embodiment, the distal end of the optical housing is inserted into the cylinder through a spark plug housing. The optical housing is secured to the cylinder head by a formed hole in a support bracket.

Abstract: A programmable timing unit having a number of event markers circuits that receive a master clock signal and generate an output when a predetermined time occurs. Optionally, the event marker circuit can add an interpolated delay time to provide greater resolution than the master clock circuit. The output is programmably coupled to any of a number of function circuits. Each function circuit has a trigger input for receiving the event signal and output for providing the delayed output function.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates, the apparatus including a plurality of molecular dissociation furnaces. Each dissociation furnace produces a directed beam of neutral dissociated reactive species. Each reactive beam is directed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A photon source is also directed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The intensity and wavelength of the photon source are selected to enhance the reaction rate over that of the reactive beam acting alone on the surface.

Abstract: A resonator structure including a first resonator having a first resonator loop formed by a hollow channel with conductive walls and a second resonator having a second resonator loop formed by a hollow channel with conductive walls. The first resonator loop and the second resonator loop intersect so that the first and second resonator loops are substantially shielded to prevent coupling of high frequency energy between the first and second resonator loops. A sample is placed in a space defined by the intersection of the first and second resonator loops. High frequency energy is applied to the first resonator. The angle at which the second resonator loop intersects the first resonator loop is selected to substantially decouple the first resonator from the second resonator. A detector circuit detects the high frequency energy in the second resonator loop and supplies the detected signal for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect and measure the amount of phosphorus in phosphorus-containing compounds comprises a burning chamber with a housing having an integral combustion chamber. A flammable reducing agent such as hydrogen is introduced into the combustion chamber along with a sample containing phosphorus admixed with air or oxygen. At least a portion of any phosphorus in the sample will be converted into phosphorus monoxide (PO) by the combustion. The resulting phosphorus monoxide is immediately drawn into a low-pressure, ambient temperature reaction chamber and reacted with ozone to convert the phosphorus monoxide to chemiluminescent phosphorus dioxide. A light-measuring device then measures the intensity of the light released from the chemiluminescent phosphorus dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates, the apparatus including a plurality of molecular dissociation furnaces. Each dissociation furnace produces a directed beam of neutral dissociated reactive species. Each reactive beam is directed at a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A photon source is also directed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The intensity and wavelength of the photon source are selected to enhance the reaction rate over that of the reactive beam acting alone on the surface.

Abstract: A programmable timing unit having a number of event markers circuits that receive a master clock signal and generate an output when a predetermined time occurs. Optionally, the event marker circuit can add an interpolated delay time to provide greater resolution than the master clock circuit. The output is programmably coupled to any of a number of function circuits. Each function circuit has a trigger input for receiving the event signal and output for providing the delayed output function.

Abstract: A gas analysis device for the remote detecting, measuring and recording of NO, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O levels from the exhaust (30) of moving motor vehicles (28) utilizes a source (11) of collimated infrared and ultraviolet radiation (15) and includes a detector unit (16) positioned on the opposite side of the roadway for receiving and measuring the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the source (11) tranmitted through the vehicle exhaust. The detector unit splits the combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation into separate infrared and ultraviolet beams (42) and (40). The ultraviolet beam is diffracted onto a photodiode array in a spectrometer that generates a signal indicative of NO in the vehicle exhaust. A rotating reflector (27) time-multiplexes the infrared beam to a plurality of infrared sensors that generate electrical signals indicative of, for example, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O in the vehicle exhaust. A computer (17) then computes the relative concentrations of CO, CO.sub.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for use in an internal combustion engines employs a removable optical housing that is inserted through a hole in the cylinder wall. The distal end of the housing supports a lens made of a material such as polycrystalline spinel or sapphire to provide a desired field of view within the cylinder and to project an image from the field of view through the internal passageway of the optical housing. A camera receives and records the image provided by the lens and optical housing. In the preferred embodiment, the distal portion of the optical housing is secured to the cylinder wall by means of threads or a breech-mount mechanism to permit quick and easy removal and cleaning of the lens. A thermocouple or heat flux gauge can be mounted to the cylinder wall within the field of view of the thermal imaging system to provide a reference point for temperature measurements.

Abstract: A gas analysis device for the remote detecting, measuring and recording of NO, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O levels from the exhaust (30) of moving motor vehicles (28) utilizes a source (11) of collimated infrared and ultraviolet radiation (15) and includes a detector unit (16) positioned on the opposite side of the roadway for receiving and measuring the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the source (11) tranmitted through the vehicle exhaust. The detector unit splits the combined infrared and ultraviolet radiation into separate infrared and ultraviolet beams (42) and (40). The ultraviolet beam is diffracted onto a photodiode array in a spectrometer that generates a signal indicative of NO in the vehicle exhaust. A rotating reflector (27) time-multiplexes the infrared beam to a plurality of infrared sensors that generate electrical signals indicative of, for example, CO, CO.sub.2, HC, and H.sub.2 O in the vehicle exhaust. A computer (17) then computes the relative concentrations of CO, CO.sub.

Abstract: A method for sputtering atoms from a target made of a group II metal using a laser is provided. A sputter target and substrate are located in a vacuum chamber. The laser frequency is chosen to be near-resonant with an electronic transition in the group II metal from a ground state to an excited metastable state. As the sputtered atoms leave the target surface, the near-resonant laser energy excites the sputtered atoms. The excited atoms are sputtered into an ambient of molecules containing group VI atoms in the vacuum chamber where they react to form a II-VI compound that deposits on the substrate.