Abstract: A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a measurement sensor comprising a radio frequency identification circuit for measuring a parameter. The circuit comprises at least of one component in which a characteristic of that component can be changed to reflect a change in a measured parameter, such that the frequency of the sensor varies according to changes in the measured parameter. The invention extends to a system for measuring a variable parameter that incorporates such a sensor.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system and method of treating fluid is described. The fluid treatment system can include a fluid transparency meter, which acquires data corresponding to an ultraviolet transparency of the fluid and a disinfection chamber within which a set of ultraviolet sources emit ultraviolet light onto the fluid located therein. The treatment system can include various features for mixing the fluid and/or recirculating the fluid for multiple ultraviolet light doses. A control system can manage a flow of the fluid through the fluid treatment system based on a disinfection dose delivered to the fluid.

Abstract: A profiled surface for improving the propagation of radiation through an interface is provided. The profiled surface includes a set of large roughness components providing a first variation of the profiled surface having a characteristic scale approximately an order of magnitude larger than a target wavelength of the radiation. The set of large roughness components can include a series of truncated shapes. The profiled surface also includes a set of small roughness components superimposed on the set of large roughness components and providing a second variation of the profiled surface having a characteristic scale on the order of the target wavelength of the radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tactile sensing and integrated vision system that surmounts problems of existing systems. The tactile sensing skin can be formed into any shape, size, or form factor, including large areas. Computer-implemented algorithms can detect position-orientation and force-torque at landmark points for a given object set. The result is a modular sensing system that is highly scalable in terms of price, quantity, size and applications. Such skin technology and associated software can comprise a sensing package that integrates tactile and visual data with accompanying software for state estimation, situational awareness, and automatic control of machinery. The addition of tactile data can serve to constrain and/or augment visual pose estimation methods as well as provide pose estimation to visually occluded objects.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for a user monitoring apparatus are disclosed. One embodiment of the user monitoring apparatus includes one or more magnetic sensors operative to sense magnetic fields applied to the user monitoring apparatus. Further, the user monitoring apparatus is operative to sense at least one biometric characteristic of a user of the user monitoring apparatus based upon the sensed magnetic field applied to the user monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A system capable of detecting and/or sterilizing surface(s) of an object using ultraviolet radiation is provided. The system can include a disinfection chamber and/or handheld ultraviolet unit, which includes ultraviolet sources for inducing fluorescence in a contaminant and/or sterilizing a surface of an object. The object can comprise a protective suit, which is worn by a user and also can include ultraviolet sources for disinfecting air prior to the air entering the protective suit. The system can be implemented as a multi-tiered system for protecting the user and others from exposure to the contaminant and sterilizing the protective suit after exposure to an environment including the contaminant.

Abstract: A normally-off transistor with a high operating voltage is provided. The transistor can include a barrier above the channel and an additional barrier layer located below the channel. A source electrode and a drain electrode are connected to the channel and a gate electrode is connected to the additional barrier layer located below the channel. The bandgap for each of the barrier layers can be larger than the bandgap for the channel. A polarization charge induced at the interface between the additional barrier layer below the channel and the channel depletes the channel. A voltage can be applied to the bottom barrier to induce free carriers into the channel and turn the channel on.

Abstract: An optoelectronic semiconductor device with one or more ferromagnetic domains and method for processing an optoelectronic semiconductor device and/or devices with the ferromagnetic domain(s) is described. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic semiconductor device can include a semiconductor structure having a substrate, an n-type contact layer formed over the substrate, an active layer formed over the n-type contact layer, and a p-type contact layer formed over the active layer; and at least one ferromagnetic domain located on the semiconductor structure. The method for processing can include moving and/or assembling the optoelectronic semiconductor device(s) into a system.

Abstract: Measurements of pressure relative to atmospheric reference pressure are enabled by a sealed enclosure, which in one aspect is a variable volume enclosure including a movable element responsive to atmospheric pressure, to at least partially equalize pressure internal to the variable volume enclosure to the pressure external to the variable volume enclosure, such that a pressure sensor pneumatically connected to the internal volume can use its pressure a reference in measuring atmospheric pressure. The variable volume enclosure may house electronics and/or electrical terminations for pressure sensing, or the variable volume enclosure may be a sub-enclosure connected pneumatically to the pressure sensor, with another enclosure housing electronics or electrical terminations. In another embodiment, the sealed enclosure includes an absolute pressure sensor for sensing atmospheric pressure for use as a reference, and need not have variable volume.

Abstract: A device for capturing and concentrating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a sample of breath air. The device includes an intake for accepting an air sample; a disposable mouth piece; a sensor array for measuring physical parameters of the air sample; an exhaled air sampler for capturing a pre-determined volume of air; a concentrator for concentrating VOCs in the air sample; and an ionic liquid collector, the latter of which may be removed from the device. The ionic liquid collector, which may have one compartment or multiple compartments, includes at least one ionic liquid. Analysis of VOCs in the ionic liquid or liquids may identify biomarkers that can provide a medical diagnosis for a human patient based on a sample of breath air.

Abstract: A composite material, which can be used as an encapsulant for an ultraviolet device, is provided. The composite material includes a matrix material and at least one filler material incorporated in the matrix material that are both at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation of a target wavelength. The filler material includes microparticles and/or nanoparticles and can have a thermal coefficient of expansion significantly smaller than a thermal coefficient of expansion of the matrix material for relevant atmospheric conditions. The relevant atmospheric conditions can include a temperature and a pressure present during each of: a curing and a cool down process for fabrication of a device package including the composite material and normal operation of the ultraviolet device within the device package.

Abstract: A sensor element with a thin-film structure is made of platinum or a platinum alloy. The structure being applied to a ceramic substrate, in particular an Al2O3 substrate and being covered by a glass-ceramic coating. The glass-ceramic coating has an outer surface with surface profiling. A sensor module, a measuring assembly, and an exhaust-gas re-circulation system include the sensor element.

Abstract: Provided is an adaptive equalization processing circuit with which an adaptive equalization process converges in a stable manner without reducing the transmission efficiency. This adaptive equalization processing circuit is characterized by being equipped with: a demodulation means that demodulates a received signal, and generates and outputs a training signal; an adaptive equalization processing means that uses a tap coefficient (generated using the received signal or the training signal) to perform an adaptive equalization process for removing waveform distortion in the received signal, and then outputs an equalization output signal; and a selection means that selects the training signal when the adaptive equalization processing means is in a non-convergent state, and inputs the training signal to the adaptive equalization processing means.

Abstract: A system for determining lens position includes a first sensor component disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second sensor component is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second sensory components to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on a difference between a first angle defined by the first sensor component and Earth's gravitational field and a second angle defined by the second sensor component and Earth's gravitational field.

Abstract: A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a radiation detector gas chamber having at least one ultra-thin chamber window and an ultra-thin first substrate contained within the gas chamber. The detector further includes a second substrate generally parallel to and coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The detector further includes a discharge gas between the substrates and contained within the gas chamber, where the discharge gas is free to circulate within the gas chamber and between the first and second substrates at a given gas pressure. The detector further includes a first electrode coupled to one of the substrates and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode. The detector further includes a first discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode.

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 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: Highly expressive and flexibly programmable foot-operated controllers are described. Specific implementations are intended for musical applications and allow musicians an unprecedented degree of control of a wide variety of musical components and subsystems for recording and/or performance.

Abstract: A solution for packaging an optoelectronic device using an ultraviolet transparent polymer is provided. The ultraviolet transparent polymer material can be placed adjacent to the optoelectronic device and/or a device package on which the optoelectronic device is mounted. Subsequently, the ultraviolet transparent polymer material can be processed to cause the ultraviolet transparent polymer material to adhere to the optoelectronic device and/or the device package. The ultraviolet transparent polymer can be adhered in a manner that protects the optoelectronic device from the ambient environment.