Abstract: A sensing system responsive to a wavefield of acoustic or seismic signals. In one embodiment, the system includes a frame having a surface of tubular shape about which a layer of piezoelectric material can be positioned to extend along a first direction. A piezoelectric element is positioned under tension to apply a force against the frame, which tension increases signal response of the element.

Abstract: A panoramic imager comprising a mirror and a multi-scale imaging system is presented. The multi-scale imaging system comprises an objective lens and a plurality of cameras that is arranged in a non-planar arrangement at the image field of the objective lens. The objective lens reduces a first aberration introduced by the mirror, and each camera further reduces any residual first aberration. As a result, panoramic imagers of the present invention can provide improved image quality and higher resolution than panoramic imagers of the prior art.

Abstract: Methods of making classifications. One method acquires groups of data, derives features of potential interest in a first data group, and analyzes features using a classification tree and a statistically based classification process to draw a classification conclusion on identity with an associated level of confidence. Features associated with a signal of potential interest may be derived with at least a second group of data. A statistical algorithm may perform linear discrimination analysis, or a quadratic discrimination analysis or a logistic regression classification analysis. A related method includes acquiring signal data with a sensor device comprising piezo-electric material and detecting a signal by performing detections on signal data from the sensor device. Determinations are provided when detections surpass defined thresholds of confidence.

Abstract: A sensor system responsive to acoustic or seismic signals. One system includes a frame and a piezo-electric sensor element. The sensor element, responsive to a wavefield of seismic or acoustic energy, is positioned about the frame. Coupling between the sensor element and the frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with seismic energy. Another system includes a frame and a cable element, responsive to a seismic or acoustic wavefield, extending about the frame. Coupling between the cable element and frame is so limited as to render direct coupling of the sensor element with the wavefield the predominant means for stimulating the sensor element with acoustic or seismic energy. The element may be coaxial cable or have piezo-electric properties to generate a charge differential measurable as a voltage between conductors.

Abstract: A diskless PC network communication agent system includes a host, a network communication agent, a physical network connecting the network communication agent to the host, and diskless PCs connected to the network communication agent. The network communication agent has network packet filtering and transferring functions so that a virtual private network is established between the network communication agent and the diskless PCs for enabling each diskless PC to use a preboot execution environment communication protocol to catch dynamic host configuration protocol information, to start up network bootstrap, and to request the host for the services of remote installation, boot and access to virtual disk.

Abstract: The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.

Abstract: A distributive cache accessing device for accelerating booting remote diskless computers mounted in a diskless computer equipped with WAN-bootable hardware, such as an iSCSI host bus adapter (HBA), allows to access data required to boot the diskless computers or run application programs thereon from an iSCSI target or other diskless computers having the distributive cache accessing device via a network. The retrieved iSCSI data blocks are temporarily stored in the local distributive cache accessing device. If any other diskless computer requests for the iSCSI data blocks, the temporarily stored iSCSI data blocks can be accessible to the diskless computer. Given installation of a large number of diskless computers, the network traffic of the iSCSI target is alleviated, and booting remote diskless computer is accelerated.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body; a plurality of heating tubes adjacent an interior surface of the body; a plurality of heating elements disposed in a portion of respective ones of the plurality of heating tubes; and a thermally conductive material disposed in the plurality of heating tubes. A method including contacting a substrate with a dryer, the dryer including a cylindrical body; a plurality of heating tubes disposed around the cylindrical body; a plurality of heating elements disposed in the plurality of heating tubes; a thermal conducting material disposed in the plurality of heating tubes; and removing moisture from the substrate. A method including contacting a substrate with a body heated by a plurality of heating tubes including a heating element and a thermally conductive material. An apparatus including a body, a heat element and a thermally conductive material disposed in a volume of the body.

Abstract: A means of enabling an imaging lens system that overcomes some of the costs and disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. A lens system in accordance with the present invention reduces or eliminates one or more aberrations of an optical input by separating image collection functionality from image processing functionality. As a result, each function can be performed without compromising the other function. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a collection optic that provides a first optical field, based on light from a scene, to a processing optic that comprises a plurality of lenslets. The processing optic tiles the first optical field into a plurality of second optical fields.

Abstract: The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.

Abstract: A method for automatically washing eggs by (a) dispensing a detergent-wetting agent mixture having a detergent concentration onto the eggs; (b) determining if the detergent concentration is at least a pre-set minimum, and going to step (a) if it is; (c) activating a detergent pump pumping at a rate; (d) activating a wetting-agent pump at 1/Nth the rate of the detergent pump, to form the detergent-wetting agent mixture; (e) determining if a pre-set interval has expired, and going to step (b) if it has not; otherwise (f) stopping the detergent pump and the wetting agent pump.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method is described for forming photovoltaic devices that includes providing a substrate suitable for use in a photovoltaic device, depositing a conductive contact layer over the substrate, depositing a salt solution over the surface of the conductive contact layer, the solution comprising a volatile solvent and an alkali metal salt solute, and depositing a semiconducting absorber layer over the solute residue left by the evaporated solvent.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method is described for depositing thin films, such as those used in forming a photovoltaic cell or device. In a particular embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate suitable for use in a photovoltaic device and plasma spraying one or more layers over the substrate, the grain size of the grains in each of the one or more layers being at least approximately two times greater than the thickness of the respective layer.

Abstract: An interlayer structure that, in one implementation, includes a combination of an amorphous or nano-crystalline seed-layer, and one or more metallic layers, deposited on the seed layer, with the fcc, hcp or bcc crystal structure is used to epitaxially orient a semiconductor layer on top of non-single-crystal substrates. In some implementations, this interlayer structure is used to establish epitaxial growth of multiple semiconductor layers, combinations of semiconductor and oxide layers, combinations of semiconductor and metal layers and combination of semiconductor, oxide and metal layers. This interlayer structure can also be used for epitaxial growth of p-type and n-type semiconductors in photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided to remote boot a diskiess computer on a WAN. The remote boot apparatus is constructed as an embedded interface in the computer. The remote boot apparatus has a bi-directional buffer, a central processor, a network interface, a boot ROM and ail interface core routine. The remote boot apparatus intercepts a normal disk read of an MBR issued by a system BIOS of a local computer, and then redirects the disk instruction in a form of TCP/IP packet to a remote boot server to read a corresponding file block from a location of the remote boot server. After the file block is received and confirmed by the computer, the received file block is unpacked and supplied to boot the computer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic structures for the conversion of solar irradiance into electrical free energy. In particular implementations, the novel photovoltaic structures can be fabricated using low cost and scalable processes, such as magnetron sputtering. In a particular implementation, a photovoltaic cell includes a photoactive conversion layer comprising one or more granular semiconductor and oxide layers with nanometer-size semiconductor grains surrounded by a matrix of oxide. The semiconductor and oxide layer can be a disposed between electrode layers. In some implementations, multiple semiconductor and oxide layers can be deposited. These so-called semiconductor and oxide layers absorb sun light and convert solar irradiance into electrical free energy.

Abstract: Photovoltaic structures for the conversion of solar irradiance into electrical free energy. In a particular implementation, a photovoltaic cell includes a granular semiconductor and oxide layer with nanometer-size absorber semiconductor grains surrounded by a matrix of oxide. The semiconductor and oxide layer is disposed between electron and hole conducting layers. In some implementations, multiple semiconductor and oxide layers can be deposited.

Abstract: A sliding door assembly for a singe reel tape cartridge for enclosing the tape media and retracting the leader tab when the tape cartridge is not in use. The sliding door assembly includes a sliding door to enclose the tape media, an auxiliary leader retractor to retract the leader tab, and an actuator integrally connected between the sliding door and the auxiliary leader retractor. When the sliding door is moved between the open and closed position it actuates the auxiliary leader retractor that pivots to a corresponding open or closed position.

Abstract: A continuous dynamic mixing assembly includes a mixing chamber having an inner wall which is generally symmetrical about a central axis. At least one first fluid inlet introduces first fluid material into the mixing chamber. At least one second fluid inlet introduces second fluid material into the mixing chamber. At least one outlet permits fluid to leave the mixing chamber. First baffles extend along the inner wall generally parallel to the axis for disrupting fluid flow generally circumferentially in the mixing chamber. Second baffles extend generally transverse to the axis for disrupting fluid flow generally axially in the mixing chamber. A rotatable agitator includes a cylindrical central portion extending in the mixing chamber along the axis and has at least one blade having a twisted orientation on the central portion. A relative construction and arrangement among the first baffles, the second baffles and the agitator enable residence time of fluid in the reactor to be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle and method for storing ozone is disclosed. A vehicle made of a water miscible, organic compound of a glycol-containing chemical compound, a tertiary alcohol or a mixture thereof that is capable of receiving and containing ozone is disclosed. The method involves producing ozone gas, introducing the ozone-containing gas into a mixing vessel that contains the aforementioned organic compound, agitating the organic compound in the presence of the ozone-containing gas, wherein the ozone-containing gas is at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure of up to about 150 psig., and releasing the pressure if pressures in excess of atmospheric are used.