Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for modulating electric current. An electron source electrode provides a flow of electrons in a partial vacuum environment. An ionizable gas in the partial vacuum environment forms positively charged ion particles in response to impact with the electrons from the electron source electrode. Application of a bias voltage differential between a first bias electrode and a second bias electrode in the partial vacuum environment forms an electric field gradient in a path of the flow of electrons. A collector electrode in the partial vacuum environment collects more electrons than ion particles when a collector electrode input voltage is above a threshold, and collects more ion particles than electrons when the collector electrode input voltage is below the threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for modulating electric current. An electron source electrode 202 provides a flow of electrons in a partial vacuum environment 116. An ionizable gas 118 in the partial vacuum environment 116 forms positively charged ion particles in response to impact with the electrons from the electron source electrode 202. Application of a bias voltage differential between a first bias electrode 204 and a second bias electrode 206 in the partial vacuum environment 116 forms an electric field gradient in a path of the flow of electrons. A collector electrode 208 in the partial vacuum environment 116 collects more electrons than ion particles when a collector electrode input voltage 106 is above a threshold, and collects more ion particles than electrons when the collector electrode input voltage 106 is below the threshold.

Abstract: An optical sensing device and associated apparatus are configured for multiplexed detection of specific analytes in fluid samples. The device has a wavelength-tunable grating-coupler configuration in which a grating is disposed on a surface of a waveguide. Different regions of the grating may be functionalized with different receptors, and may form binding-specific sensors and reference sensors. The receptors are exposed to a fluid sample utilizing a fluidic structure mounted to the device. The device utilizes evanescent waves to sense analytes bound to the waveguide surface. The evanescent wave is sensitive to changes in refractive index at (or near) the waveguide surface. Changes in refractive index occur proportionally to the mass of the bound analyte. The apparatus utilizes a tunable light source to implement swept wavelength interrogation while the input beam is held at a fixed coupling angle relative to the waveguide and grating.

Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy storage reservoir and a fluid pump. The reservoir includes a fluid reservoir configured to contain varying quantities of a fluid and to isolate the fluid from the ambient. The fluid reservoir has a top surface, bottom surface, flexible member, and at least one opening for filling or emptying the reservoir. A pressing mass of solid material is positioned above the fluid reservoir with a weight sufficient to press the reservoir and empty the reservoir of fluid when the reservoir opening is open. The pressing mass is supported by the fluid reservoir when the reservoir contains fluid and is closed. The flexible member is disposed around the fluid reservoir to seal the fluid and to facilitate vertical motion of the pressing mass as the reservoir is filled and emptied. The pump supplies fluid to the fluid reservoir via the opening.

Abstract: A lighting device (100) includes a housing (104), a light converter (136), one or more light sources (132), and one or more optical waveguides (160). The housing includes a light exit (124) for outputting a combination of primary light (140) and secondary light (156,158). The light source emits a primary light beam of a primary wavelength. The optical waveguide includes an input end (162) optically coupled to the light source, and an output end (164) facing a housing interior (108) and positioned at an angle to an axial direction through the housing interior. The optical waveguide directs the primary light beam from the light source, through the housing interior and toward a luminescent material of the light converter. The luminescent material emits secondary light of one or more wavelengths different from the primary wavelength in response to excitation by the primary light beam. The light source may be mounted outside the housing interior so as not to obstruct light propagation.

Abstract: A lighting device may include a housing interior, a light exit, a light source, and a light converter. Output light is outputted from the light exit by emitting primary light from the light source. In response, the light converter emits secondary light of one or more wavelengths different than the primary wavelength, and the output light includes a combination of the primary light and the secondary light. The color of the output light may be tuned by adjusting a color parameter of the output light. The adjustment includes adding a color tuning material at a location in the housing interior where primary light is incident on the color tuning material. The color tuning material is configured for emitting auxiliary light in response to the incident primary light. Subsequently, the lighting device produces color-tuned output light that includes a combination of the primary light, the secondary light and the auxiliary light.

Abstract: A photoluminescent nanofiber composite includes a nanofiber substrate, first luminescent particles, and second luminescent particles. The first luminescent particles are supported by the nanofibers and span at least a portion of a substrate surface, as a layer on the substrate surface, or with some particles located in a bulk of the substrate, or both. The second luminescent particles are disposed on the substrate. The second luminescent particles may be disposed directly on the substrate surface or on the first luminescent particles. The second luminescent particles may be deposited in a pattern of deposition units. The first and second luminescent particles are configured for emitting light of different respective wavelengths in response to excitation by a light beam. One or more surface treatment coatings may be provided at different locations.

Abstract: A lighting device (100) includes a housing (104) enclosing a housing interior (108), a light source (132), a light converter (136), and a color tuning device. The light source is configured for emitting a primary light beam of a primary wavelength (140) through the housing interior. The light converter includes a luminescent material (144) facing the housing interior and configured for emitting secondary light (156, 158) of one or more wavelengths different from the primary wavelength, in response to excitation by the primary light beam. The housing includes a light exit (124) for outputting a combination of primary light and secondary light. The color tuning device is configured for adjusting a position of the primary light beam relative to the luminescent material.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a photon source, a fluorescent element and a photodetector. The fluorescent element includes a temperature-insensitive first fluorophore and a temperature-sensitive second fluorophore. The photodetector includes a first photosensor exhibiting a first spectral responsivity and a second photosensor exhibiting a second spectral responsivity. The first fluorophore may be selected to optimize the first spectral responsivity and the second fluorophore may be selected to optimize the second spectral responsivity. To measure a temperature of a surface, the fluorescent element may be placed adjacent to the surface and irradiated with a photon beam. First photons emitted from the first fluorophore and second photons emitted from the second fluorophore are collected.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device includes a first electrode, a quantum dot layer disposed on the first electrode including a plurality of quantum dots, a fullerene layer disposed directly on the quantum dot layer wherein the quantum dot layer and the fullerene layer form an electronic heterojunction, and a second electrode disposed on the fullerene layer. The device may include an electron blocking layer. The quantum dot layer may be modified by a chemical treatment to exhibit in creased charge carrier mobility.

Abstract: A photodetector includes one or more photodiodes and a signal processing circuit. Each photodiode includes a transparent first electrode, a second electrode, and a heterojunction interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. Each heterojunction includes a quantum dot layer and a fullerene layer disposed directly on the quantum dot layer. The signal processing circuit is in signal communication each the second electrode. The photodetector may be responsive to wavelengths in the infrared, visible, and/or ultraviolet ranges. The quantum dot layer may be treated with a chemistry that increases the charge carrier mobility of the quantum dot layer.