Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.

Abstract: A transmissive ionizing-radiation beam monitoring system includes an enclosure structure including an entrance window and an exit window to an incident ionizing-radiation beam, where the entrance window and the exit window are highly transmissive. The system further includes a thin scintillator within the enclosure structure that is directly in an incident ionizing-radiation beam path and transmissive to the incident radiation beam and an ultraviolet (“UV”) illumination source within the enclosure structure facing the scintillator for internal system calibration. Embodiments further include a UV photosensor within the enclosure structure positioned to monitor and calibrate the UV illumination source and a machine vision camera within the enclosure structure that includes a lens which views the scintillator through a close proximity mirror including a folded optical axis system located to a side of the scintillator.

Abstract: Provided are an optical cavity 100 for a gas sensor which has a space therein and a gas sensor using the optical cavity, in which in the space of the optical cavity 100, an elliptical reflective surface 133, which constitutes a part of an ellipse (133, 133a) and reflects the light emitted from a position of one focal point F1 of the ellipse to concentrate the light on the other focal point F2 of the ellipse, is formed, a hyperbolic reflective surface, which constitutes a part of a hyperbola (135a, 135b) having one focal point that coincides with the other focal point of the ellipse, and reflects the light, which is reflected by the elliptical reflective surface and concentrated on the other focal point of the ellipse, to concentrate the light on the other focal point f2 of the hyperbola, is formed, and a hyperbola centerline B-B?, which connects one focal point of the hyperbola and the other focal point of the hyperbola, is inclined toward a side opposite to the elliptical reflective surface by a predetermine

Abstract: An obscured feature detector can include a plurality of sensor plates and a common plate. The sensor plates may be arranged linearly to form a sensor array. The common plate may extend along the sensor array and have a length that is shortened. An end sensor plate at an end of the sensor array has a smaller area than a non-end sensor plate that is not at the end of the sensor array. A controller coupled to the sensing circuit can analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit. One or more indicators are coupled to the controller, and each can be selectively set to identify a location of an obscured feature behind a surface, or otherwise indicate variances of capacitance measurements along the sensor array. Other disclosed obscured feature detectors include a plurality of sensor plates arranged radially around a center point.

Abstract: A semiconductor layer including a plurality of inhomogeneous regions is provided. Each inhomogeneous region has one or more attributes that differ from a material forming the semiconductor layer. The inhomogeneous regions can include one or more regions configured based on radiation having a target wavelength. These regions can include transparent and/or reflective regions. The inhomogeneous regions also can include one or more regions having a higher conductivity than a conductivity of the radiation-based regions, e.g., at least ten percent higher. In one embodiment, the semiconductor layer is used to form an optoelectronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes refresh control methods for generating distance data and optoelectronic modules that are operable to provide distance information at a predetermined refresh rate, but with a reduction in overall power consumption attributable to the distance determinations.

Abstract: A method for processing echo pulses of an active 3D sensor to provide distance measurements of surroundings in front of the active 3D sensor includes defining a near range distance from the active 3D sensor and defining a last echo distance from the active 3D sensor greater than said defined near range distance. The method includes receiving a sequence of echo pulses of a signal emitted by the active 3D sensor and subjecting the sequence of echo pulses to a pre-defined trigger condition such that only those echo pulses are taken into consideration which fulfill the predefined trigger condition. The method also includes determining, from the echo pulses which fulfill the predefined trigger condition and that are received from distances greater than a defined near range distance, a first echo pulse and an adaptive echo pulse, and providing distance measurements of the surroundings in front of the 3D sensor using the determined first echo pulse and the determined adaptive echo pulse.

Abstract: An emitting structure for simulating an irradiance signature of a missile is provided. The emitting structure includes one or more radiation sources, each of which includes at least one ultraviolet radiation source and at least one infrared radiation source. The emitting structure also includes a spherical shell and a mechanism for positioning the radiation source(s) along a three dimensional boundary of the spherical shell. The emitting structure can locate and operate one of the radiation sources to simulate the irradiance signature of the missile.

Abstract: A solution for disinfecting electronic devices is provided. An ultraviolet radiation source is embedded within an ultraviolet absorbent case. While the electronic device is within the ultraviolet absorbent case, ultraviolet radiation is directed at the electronic device. A monitoring and control system monitors a plurality of attributes for the electronic device, which can include: a frequency of usage for the device, a biological activity at a surface of the device, and a disinfection schedule history for the device. Furthermore, the monitoring and control system can detect whether the device is being used. Based on the monitoring, the monitoring and control system controls the ultraviolet radiation directed at the electronic device.

Abstract: A sensor capable of detecting both airflow in spirometry and a full range of sound frequencies is provided. The airflow sensor includes a movable flap with one or more integrated strain gauges for measuring displacement and vibration. The sensor may be a bidirectional elastic flap airflow sensor that is capable of providing data needed for both spirometry and auscultation measurements. The sensor is provided in connection with a software module that analyzes sensor output waveforms and provides for correction functions that correct for certain non-linear response functions of the flap. The correction functions are also suitable for non-medical fluid flow metering applications. Additional devices may also be affixed to the flap, such as sensors for the ambient level of various chemicals, sensors for temperature, sensors for humidity and microphones.

Abstract: A contact for solid state light sources is described. The solid state light source can include an active region, such as a light emitting multiple quantum well, and a semiconductor layer, such as a p-type layer, from which carriers (e.g., holes) enter the active region. A contact can be located adjacent to the semiconductor layer and include a plurality of small area contacts extending only partially through the semiconductor layer. The plurality of small area contacts can have a characteristic lateral size at an interface between the small area contact and the semiconductor layer equal to or smaller than a characteristic depletion region width for the plurality of small area contacts.

Abstract: A solution for irradiating a surface with ultraviolet radiation is provided. A movable optical element is utilized to form a beam of ultraviolet radiation having a characteristic cross-sectional area smaller than an area of the surface to be irradiated. The movable optical element can be moved as necessary to directly irradiate any portion of the surface with radiation within the characteristic cross-sectional area of the beam of ultraviolet radiation. The movement can include, for example, rotational movement and/or repositioning the movable ultraviolet source with respect to the surface.

Abstract: An infrared thermal emitter includes a substrate, a light-emitting unit and an infrared-emitting unit. The light-emitting unit is disposed on the substrate in a laminating direction and has a light-exiting surface away from the substrate. The infrared-emitting unit is disposed on the substrate in the laminating direction to cover the light-emitting unit and includes a layered structure having a light-absorbing layer that is aligned with the light-emitting unit in the laminating direction. The light-absorbing layer absorbs light emitted from the light-emitting unit so as to be heated up and to generate infrared radiation.

Abstract: An imaging method includes imaging a scene having a pulsed light source and associating a symbol with the light source. The image is enhanced by inserting a symbol into the image indicative of location of the pulsed light source in the scene. The symbol overlays the image in spatial registration with the location of the pulsed light source in the scene to augment indication of the location provided by the pulsed light source. Imaging systems are also described.

Abstract: A solid-state light source with built-in access resistance modulation is described. The light source can include an active region configured to emit electromagnetic radiation during operation of the light source. The active region can be formed at a p-n junction of a p-type side with a p-type contact and a n-type side with a n-type contact. The light source includes a control electrode configured to modulate an access resistance of an access region located on the p-type side and/or an access resistance of an access region located on the n-type side of the active region. The solid-state light source can be implemented in a circuit, which includes a voltage source that supplies a modulation voltage to the control electrode to modulate the access resistance(s).

Abstract: An opto-electronic device with two-dimensional injection layers is described. The device can include a semiconductor structure with a semiconductor layer having one of an n-type semiconductor layer or a p-type semiconductor layer, and a light generating structure formed on the semiconductor layer. A set of tilted semiconductor heterostructures is formed over the semiconductor structure. Each tilted semiconductor heterostructure includes a core region, a set of shell regions adjoining a sidewall of the core region, and a pair of two-dimensional carrier accumulation (2DCA) layers. Each 2DCA layer is formed at a heterointerface between one of the sidewalls of the core region and one of the shell regions. The sidewalls of the core region, the shell regions, and the 2DCA layers each having a sloping surface, wherein each 2DCA layer forms an angle with a surface of the semiconductor structure.

Abstract: The present invention may be embodied as a retrievable device capable of sensing one or more properties of an individual (e.g., chemical or physical parameters). In use, the retrievable device can continuously determine the chemical concentrations within the vaginal tract. An embodiment of the retrievable device comprises a first housing having a light source and an image capture device, a second housing removably connected to the first housing and having a sensor, and a fitting for retrieving the device. The sensor may be an analyte sensor configured to obtain at least one measurement of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid. The analyte sensor comprises a sensor substance in a sol-gel material so the sensor substance reversibly interacts with an analyte of interest. In addition, the retrievable device can be configured to determine different physical parameters and re-implanted.

Abstract: A high-resolution thermopile infrared sensor array having monolithically integrated signal processing and a plurality of parallel signal processing channels for the signals from pixels of a sensor array, and a digital port for the serial output of the pixel signals are provided, wherein the sensor array is located on one or more sensor chips. The thermal piled infrared sensor array possesses low power loss, high integration density and high thermal and geometric resolution. Each signal processing channel (K1 . . . KN) has at least one analogue/digital converter (ADC), and is assigned a memory region in a memory (RAM) for storing the signals from the pixels (SE).

Abstract: Certain improvements in thin film sensors are disclosed, with particular emphasis on aircraft applications. In certain embodiments, dielectric isolation washers have been provided between the pressure sensor and the interior surface of the exterior metal housing of the sensor assembly. In this manner, high voltage inputs from a lightning strike or other source that reach the sensor housing are not transmitted to the sensor. In one embodiment, the dielectric washers, insulators, and potting compounds isolate the metal thin film pressure sensor from all adjacent metal components in the assembly with non-conducting insulating materials like Torlon, zirconia and nylon. Besides their high dielectric strength, these materials exhibit excellent compressive strength and outstanding resistance to wear, creep and chemicals. Certain minimum thickness for these components are described. The present thin film pressure sensor embodiments can attain a dielectric rating of 1500 VAC.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The storage area is scanned and monitored for the presence of biological activity within designated zones. Once biological activity is identified, ultraviolet radiation is directed to sterilize and disinfect designated zones within the storage area.