Abstract: A method of normalizing FPA system gain and correcting pixel non-uniformity for varying temperature includes determining an FPA temperature, calculating an FPA system gain as a function of the FPA temperature, and applying the FPA system gain at the FPA temperature to condition output of the FPA to produce temperature independent image data. The method also includes calculating a non-uniformity correction map on a pixel by pixel basis for the FPA, wherein non-uniformity correction for each pixel is a function of the FPA temperature, and applying the non-uniformity correction map to the imaging data from the FPA to produce temperature dependent non-uniformity corrected image data. An imaging system includes a focal plane array (FPA), a temperature sensor operatively connected to measure temperature of the FPA, and a module configured for system gain correction and non-uniformity correction as described above.

Abstract: An ultraviolet illuminator for providing a cleaning treatment to a medical device is disclosed. The ultraviolet illuminator can include an ultraviolet cleaning treatment system that operates in conjunction with at least one ultraviolet radiation source and sensor to clean surfaces of a medical device for purposes of disinfection, sterilization, and/or sanitization. The ultraviolet illuminator is suitable for a wide variety of medical devices, instruments and equipment. Stethoscopes and medical instrument probes are illustrative examples of some devices that can be used with the ultraviolet illuminator.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a device channel with a gate-drain region having a carrier concentration that varies laterally along a direction from the gate contact to the drain contact is provided. Lateral variation of the carrier concentration can be implemented by laterally varying one or more attributes of one or more layers located in the gate-drain region of the device.

Abstract: A system for determining a new orientation and/or position of an object comprises a sky polarimeter configured to record image data of the sky, a signal processing unit, and logic configured to receive and store in memory the image data received from the sky polarimeter. The logic calculates the Stokes parameters (S0, S1, S2,), DoLP, and AoP from the image data, detects obscurants and filters the obscurants (such as clouds and trees) from the image data to produce a filtered image. The logic is further configured to find the Sun and zenith in the filtered image, and to determine the roll, pitch, yaw, latitude and longitude of the object using the filtered image.

Abstract: An angle sensor is disclosed. The angle sensor has a disc, a first magnetic pattern disposed on a side of the disc and including a number N1 of first portions of spirals regularly distributed in a first ring, and a second magnetic pattern disposed on a side of the disc and including a number N2 of second portions of spirals regularly distributed in a second ring. The numbers N1 and N2 are coprime and N1 is different from N2, N2?1, and N2+1.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a system of both atmospheric and underwater sensors for measuring pressure waves from a noise source. A system of pressure sensors can be formed to determine the location of an external noise source, whether in air or underwater. The system includes at least two arrays consisting of pressure sensors, including at least one atmospheric pressure sensor and at least one underwater pressure sensor, such as a hydrophone. Each sensor may be a seven-fiber intensity modulated fiber optic pressure sensor. The system includes an analog to digital converter for digitizing the pressure data received from each sensor and a processor which processes the received signals to calculate an approximate location of the noise source based upon the pressure signals received by the sensors at different times of arrival. The system can provide this capability in remote applications due to its low power requirements.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor for measuring voltage in direct current and alternating current systems is disclosed. The sensor may include an optical fiber probe containing transmitting and receiving fibers, fixed conductor elements, and a dynamic conductor element with a reflective surface or material. The reflector may be attached to a dynamic conductor. The two fixed conductors may be placed parallel to one another and coupled to a static voltage source. The dynamic conductor may bisect the fixed conductors and be coupled to a voltage source. The dynamic conductor may be spaced apart from the ends of the fibers in the fiber probe, and positioned so that light transmitted through the transmitting fiber is reflected by that surface into a receiving fiber. A light sensing means may be coupled to the receiving fiber, so light from a light reflected by the reflector body back into the receiving fibers is detected.

Abstract: An intensity modulated fiber optic acceleration sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a fiber bundle, comprising a transmitting optical fiber and at least one receiving optical fiber, and reflector spaced apart from the fiber probe. The reflector is attached to an element that exhibits a physical displacement in response to acceleration, such as a cantilever or a coil spring. The reflector moves in a direction relative to the fiber optic probe in response to acceleration. The amount of light received by the receiving fiber changes in response to the change in distance between the reflective surface and the fiber probe due to acceleration. A fiber optic sensor system for detecting acceleration along multiple planes of an object or objects of interest is disclosed. A triaxial sensor system has fiber optic sensors and may be configured to measure acceleration signals along three axes from a common plane of an object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disinfecting a storage area and/or items within a storage area can include at least one ultraviolet radiation source configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed within a storage area and a monitoring and control system. The monitoring and control system can be configured to monitor at least one of the storage area or a set of items located in the storage area and control ultraviolet radiation generated by the at least one ultraviolet radiation source based on the monitoring by delivering targeted ultraviolet radiation to at least one designated zone within the storage area.

Abstract: A multi-functional material composition comprising a zirconia host and containing a luminescent lanthanide oxide additive, in particular dysprosia (Dy2O3), wherein the lanthanide oxide additive is effective both in stabilizing the zirconia and providing for luminescent temperature sensing, and a method of determining a remaining useful life-time for the luminescent material composition from the proportion of a monoclinic phase (m) in the material composition.

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: Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a sterilization operating configuration and a preservation operating configuration.

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, ultraviolent 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 contact to a semiconductor heterostructure is described. In one embodiment, there is an n-type semiconductor contact layer. A light generating structure formed over the n-type semiconductor contact layer has a set of quantum wells and barriers configured to emit or absorb target radiation. An ultraviolet transparent semiconductor layer having a non-uniform thickness is formed over the light generating structure. A p-type contact semiconductor layer having a non-uniform thickness is formed over the ultraviolet transparent semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A light guiding structure is provided. The structure includes an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) layer and a fluoropolymer layer located immediately adjacent to a surface of the AAO layer. Light propagates through the AAO layer in a direction substantially parallel to the fluoropolymer layer. An optoelectronic device can be coupled to a surface of the AAO layer, and emit/sense light propagating through the AAO layer. Solutions for fabricating the light guiding structure are also described.

Abstract: A solution for generating ultraviolet diffusive radiation is provided. A diffusive ultraviolet radiation illuminator includes at least one ultraviolet radiation source located within a reflective cavity that includes a plurality of surfaces. At least one of the plurality of surfaces can be configured to diffusively reflect at least 70% of the ultraviolet radiation and at least one of the plurality of surfaces can be configured to transmit at least 30% of the ultraviolet radiation and reflect at least 10% of the ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A pressure gauge system and a method for in-situ determination of a wellbore formation pressure through a layer of cement, comprising; a housing arranged to be permanently installed in said cement on the outside of a wellbore casing, comprising; a pressure transfer means between a first oil filled chamber and a pressure sensor, to isolate said pressure sensor from said oil filled chamber, and a pressure permeable filter port in hydrostatic connectivity with said first oil filled chamber, and a porous string extending from said filter port, said string has a higher porosity and a higher hydrostatic connectivity than said cement for said formation fluid, and is arranged to transfer said formation fluid when it is embedded in said cement.

Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. 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 phase of a specific frequency component of an image of a grid image on the surface of an object taken by a camera is found, and the location of the surface of the object is found from the phase. As a result, measurement that is strong against noise can be carried out without projecting a grid having a brightness distribution of precise cosine waves. In addition, the process is simple and can be used for the surface of a moving object. The number of pixels used for the measurement is smaller than that in the sampling moire method.

Abstract: The LIDAR system disclosed herein consists of a wide area search LIDAR subsystem and a narrow field of view 3D Imaging LIDAR subsystem that detects, tracks, and recognizes small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at ranges that enable interference with the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle mission if desired. The disclosed LIDAR system discriminates the detected small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from similar, but different, observed objects. The disclosed LIDAR system uses eye safe SWIR lasers for both the search and imaging modes of operation. A signal processor analyses the LIDAR sensor system outputs and provides precision range estimations of observed objects.