Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of time-varying signals received at a sensor communicatively coupled to a signal data processor to identify at least one parameter of at least one of the plurality of time-varying signals is provided. The method includes receiving, at a plurality of blind source separation (BSS) modules of the signal data processor, signals derived from the plurality of time-varying signals, each BSS module of the plurality of BSS modules including a filtering subsystem having a pipelined architecture and a parallelized architecture. The method also includes generating a plurality of blind source separated signals, and transmitting at least one pulse descriptor word (PDW) parameter vector signal to a computing device of the signal data processor. The method further includes identifying the at least one parameter from the at least one PDW parameter vector signal, and outputting the at least one parameter from the signal data processor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a GaN HEMT includes growing a first epitaxial layer on a substrate, growing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, growing a third epitaxial layer on the second epitaxial layer, depositing a first dielectric film on the third epitaxial layer, using dielectric films to form a first sidewall dielectric spacer, forming a sidewall gate adjacent the first sidewall dielectric spacer. The sidewall gate may be made to be less than 50 nm in length.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a flowfield for a fuel cell includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of radiation sources configured to generate a plurality of radiation beams; disposing a radiation-sensitive material on the substrate; placing an imaging mask between the plurality of radiation sources and the radiation-sensitive material; and exposing the radiation-sensitive material to the plurality of radiation beams through a first portion of the radiation-transparent apertures and a second portion of the radiation-transparent apertures in the imaging mask to form the plurality of truss elements and the plurality of wall elements in the radiation-sensitive material, the truss elements forming a plurality of trusses configured to support an adjacent diffusion medium layer, and the wall elements defining a fluid path along a length of the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an energy harvesting system. The energy harvesting system includes a fluid, a heat engine, and a component. The fluid has a first fluid region at a first temperature and a second fluid region at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy and includes a shape-memory alloy disposed in contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. The component is driven by the heat engine in response to the temperature difference.

Abstract: A capacitive operation method for quantum computing is disclosed where providing a sequence of write pulses above a threshold voltage induces a single charge population, forming a quantum dot (Q-dot). Determining if the single charge population was induced in the Q-dot occurs by monitoring capacitance changes while the writing is performed. Q-bits (Q-dot pairs) are formed without requiring a separate transistor for each Q-dot by multiplexing the calibration. A device which is able to perform the above method is also disclosed. The device utilizes the ability of cryogenic capacitance bridge circuits to measure the capacitance change caused by the introduction of a single charge population to a Q-dot. The device also permits swapping of Q-dot and Q-bit pairs utilizing a signal multiplexed with the voltage pulses that write (e.g. change the charge population) to the Q-dots.

Abstract: A method for regenerating chemical hydrides from metal oxides and electrochemical cell for use in carrying out the method. The electrochemical cell has a cathode side with molten salt and a cathode, and an anode electrode side with an anode. The cathode side and the anode side are separated by an oxygen anion-conducting membrane. A metal oxide is placed in the molten salt of the cathode side and an electrical potential is applied to the cathode and anode while feeding hydrogen to the cathode electrode to effectuate conversion of the metal oxide to a metal hydride and feeding hydrogen to the anode to generate water and free electrons.

Abstract: Described is a system for diagnosis and prognosis of a component. The system is configured to receive a signal from a component. The signal is representative of a current health observation of the component. The system also computes a present likelihood of the component failure based on the signal. Additionally, the system computes a future likelihood of failure of the component for a given future mission. Through diagnosis, a user can determine the present health of the component, and based on the present health and future mission, determine whether or not the component will fail in the future mission.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dark channel array is provided which includes gain channels, each gain channel being configured to emit an output beam, and which includes a dark channel configured to cause output beams from the gain channels to be coherently couple in phase with each other.

Abstract: A system for automatically extracting geospatial features from multi-spectral imagery, suitable for fast and robust extraction of landmarks, is presented. The system comprises a computer system including a processor, a memory coupled with the processor, an input coupled with the processor for receiving imagery and user-provided geospatial features, and an output coupled with the processor for outputting the extracted landmarks. The computer system includes a region-growing system, an appending disjointed regions system, and an automatic reseeding system, which are configured to accurately and efficiently extract all regions within the input image that closely resemble the desired geospatial feature. The region-growing system is based on a level set technique, which allows for the fast and accurate extraction of a region evolved from a single user-provided seed point.

Abstract: An agile spread spectrum waveform generator comprises a photonic oscillator and an optical heterodyne synthesizer. The photonic oscillator comprises a multi-tone optical comb generator for generating a series of RF comb lines on an optical carrier. The optical heterodyne synthesizer includes first and second phase-locked lasers; the first laser feeding the multi-tone optical comb generator and the second laser comprising a rapidly wavelength-tunable single tone laser whose output light provides a frequency translation reference. A photodetector is provided for heterodyning the frequency translation reference with the optical output of the photonic oscillator to generate an agile spread spectrum waveform.

Abstract: A method for controlling the movement of agents using local communications is provided. Generally, each agent maintains an optimal distance from other local neighbor agents by, for each agent 200, selecting a local agent 202, measuring the distance and angle to the agent 204, performing a distance maintenance calculation 218, and repeating the distance maintenance calculation 218 for each local agent. In the distance maintenance calculation 218, an attraction/repulsion map is used in order to determine whether an agent is attracted to or repelled from other agents. A motion vector is used to determine agent responses to the attraction or repulsion. Over time, the agents settle into a neutral configuration where each is optimally distanced from the other agents. Reference agents and leader agents can be designated to direct the movement of other agents, and agents can be designated as blocking beacons to repel other agents from undesirable areas.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) switch is fabricated inexpensively by using processing steps which are standard for fabricating multiple metal layer integrated circuits, such as CMOS. The exact steps may be adjusted to be compatible with the process of a particular foundry, resulting in a device which is both low cost and readily integrable with other circuits. The processing steps include making contacts for the MEM switch from metal plugs which are ordinarily used as vias to connect metal layers which are separated by a dielectric layer. Such contact vias are formed on either side of a sacrificial metallization area, and then the interconnect metallization is removed from between the contact vias, leaving them separated. Dielectric surrounding the contacts is etched back so that they protrude toward each other. Thus, when the contacts are moved toward each other by actuating the MEM switch, they connect firmly without obstruction.

Abstract: An optically controlled micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch is described which desirably utilizes photoconductive properties of a semiconductive substrate upon which MEM switches are fabricated. In one embodiment the bias voltage provided for actuation of the switch is altered by illuminating an optoelectric portion of the switch to deactuate the switch. In an alternative embodiment, a photovoltaic device provides voltage to actuate the switch without any bias lines at all. Due to the hysteresis of the electromechanical switching as a function of applied voltage, only modest variation of voltage applied to the switch is necessary to cause the switch to open or close sharply under optical control.

Abstract: A new class of asymmetric polar diphenyldiacetylene liquid crystal compounds and method for preparation are disclosed. The new class of liquid crystal compounds comprises the basic structure: Wherein R1 is an alkenyl group having the general formula (C2H2n−1), X is a cyano group, a fluoro group, CF3, OCF3, or a chloro group, Y1 is unsubstituted, a fluoro group, a chloro group or a methyl group, Y2 is unsubstituted, a fluoro group, a chloro group, or a methyl group, Z1 is unsubstituted, a fluoro group, or a methyl group, and Z2 is unsubstituted, a fluoro group, or a methyl group. The compounds disclosed exhibit high birefringence, low rotational viscosity, and have unexpectedly broad nematic ranges. Also disclosed are eutectic mixtures comprising at least one polar diphenyldiacetylene having the general structure described above. The eutectic mixtures also have unexpectedly broad nematic ranges.

Abstract: Presented is an integrated asymmetric resonant tunneling diode pair circuit exhibiting current-voltage characteristics providing multistable states which may be tailored for multistable solutions. Also presented are apparatus incorporating the invention therein, for which the invention provides a simple, integrated design that greatly reduces circuit complexity and size. The present invention is useful in all applications utilizing multiple peak characteristics of the current-voltage curve, such as multiple-valued logic analog-to-digital quantizers, frequency multiplication devices, waveform scrambling devices, memory operations, and parity-bit generation, among others.