Abstract: Apparatus and method for decontaminating both contaminated waters and sorbent filter media, either separately or simultaneously, in a single system. Contaminants in a liquid flowing through a reaction chamber are removed by first generating a plasma within the liquid in the chamber, with the contaminants being broken into smaller particles at the interfaces between the generated plasma and the liquid. The combined plasma-liquid solution is then passed through a solid filter, which captures the smaller contaminant particles to decontaminate the liquid. To decontaminate the filter media, plasma flows through the filter material without the presence of liquid, the plasma reacting with the filter material to remove contaminants previously adsorbed by the filter.

Abstract: A miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun comprising a light mask, a pixilated image sensor, and an image processing unit, wherein sunlight transmitted through the light mask allows the miniaturized apparatus to make time, latitude, direction, and date measurements. A method of making a miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun comprising the steps of providing a light mask, providing a pixilated image sensor, providing an image processing unit, and resulting in a miniaturized apparatus for tracking the apparent motion of the sun.

Abstract: A system having a networking device, a plurality of processing devices, and one or more unmanned devices, wherein each unmanned device couples to a corresponding one of the processing devices, wherein each unmanned device comprises one or more operational components. The system having a controller device configured to control at least one of the one or more unmanned devices via the networking device and the corresponding one of the processing devices, the controller device comprising one of the processing devices, wherein the controlled at least one unmanned device is configurable via the corresponding processing device in a control operating mode or in a robot operating mode, the control operating mode enabling the associated unmanned device to perform commands received from the controller device via the corresponding processing device, and the robot operating mode enabling the unmanned device to receive programmable instructions from the controller device via the corresponding processing device.

Abstract: A method of identifying a rip current that includes receiving an image comprising a body of water, and identifying, in the image an estimated location of a rip current associated with the body of water, wherein the identification comprises a plurality of displayed vertices based on least one of a rip length or a rip width. The method may include digitizing the estimated location of the rip current, the estimated location having highest, lower, and no confidence boundaries. The method may include generating, based on the digitized estimated location, a set of fuzzy-set scheme labels for one or more pixels in the image based on a respective confidence boundary, where the fuzzy-set scheme labels are based on a pixel interpolation associated with the lower confidence boundary, and generating, based on the generated fuzzy-set scheme labels, a refined digitizing of the estimated location of the rip current.

Abstract: A nano-thin BixOySez low-temperature oxygen transporter membrane for oxygen transport, separation, and two-dimensional (2D) material manipulation comprising a material comprising a compound of BixOySez and R3m bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). A method of making a nano-thin BixOySez low-temperature oxygen transporter membrane for oxygen transport, separation, and two-dimensional (2D) material manipulation comprising providing an oxygen environment, providing Bi2Se3, processing the Bi2Se3 in the oxygen environment, incorporating oxygen, removing selenium, creating a structural change, and creating a compound of BixOySez and R3m bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), wherein the material transports oxygen at room temperature.

Abstract: Semiconductor laser architectures that provide weak index guiding of interband cascade lasers (ICLs) processed on a native III-V substrate and of ICLs grown on GaAs or integrated on GaAs by heterogeneous bonding. Weak index guiding of a ridge waveguide semiconductor laser can enhance the stability of lasing in the fundamental lateral mode, so as to allow a wider ridge to maintain stable single-lateral-mode operation.

Abstract: A method of making an Al—B4C composite with Mg addition comprising providing a first mixture of B4C, Al and Mg powder, producing a powder mixture, adding Mg to the powder mixture, forming pellets, creating a composite, annealing the composite, and forming an Al—Mg—B4C composite. An Al—B4C composite with Mg addition comprising Al, Mg comprising 4 wt. %, and B4C comprising 8 wt. %. An Al—B4C composite with Mg addition made from the steps comprising providing a first mixture of B4C, Al and Mg powder, producing a powder mixture, adding Mg to the powder mixture, forming pellets, creating a composite, annealing the composite, and forming an Al—Mg—B4C composite.

Abstract: A method for locally annealing and crystallizing a thin film by directing ultrashort optical pulses from an ultrafast laser into the film. The ultrashort pulses can selectively produce an annealed pattern and/or activate dopants on the surface or within the film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for: providing a ceria aerogel and copper nanoparticle catalyst, flowing a hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and water vapor source gas from an inlet into contact with the catalyst to produce a product gas, and flowing the product gas to an outlet. The concentration of carbon monoxide in the product gas is no more than 50% of the concentration of carbon monoxide in the source gas. The concentration of hydrogen in the product gas is no less than 90% of the concentration of hydrogen in the source gas.

Abstract: Photodiodes configured to convert incident photons in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) to electric current, where the photodiodes have a PbS/PbClx core/shell nanocrystal absorber layer. The PbClx shell in the PbS/PbClx nanocrystals provide native passivation in the (100) crystal facets and enable removal of pre-device processing ligands and ligand exchange on the (111) crystal facets of the PbS/PbClx nanocrystals such that the photodiode exhibits reduced current densities under reverse bias and greater infrared photoresponse, providing improved device performance as compared to photodiodes having absorber layers formed from PbS core nanocrystals alone.

Abstract: Semiconductor laser architectures that provide weak index guiding of interband cascade lasers (ICLs) processed on a native III-V substrate and of ICLs grown on silicon or integrated on silicon by heterogeneous bonding. Weak index guiding of a ridge waveguide semiconductor laser can enhance the stability of lasing in the fundamental lateral mode, so as to allow a wider ridge to maintain stable single-lateral-mode operation.

Abstract: Nano-structures of Aluminum Nitride and a method of producing nano-structures of Aluminum Nitride from nut shells comprising milling agricultural nuts into a fine nut powder, milling nanocrystalline Al2O3 into a powder, mixing, pressing the fine nut powder and the powder of nanocrystalline Al2O3, heating the pellet, maintaining the temperature of the pellet at about 1400° C., cooling the pellet, eliminating the residual carbon, and forming nano-structures of AlN. An Aluminum Nitride (AlN) product made from the steps of preparing powders of agricultural nuts using ball milling, preparing powders of nanocrystalline Al2O3, mixing the powders of agricultural nuts and the powders of nanocrystalline Al2O3 forming a homogenous sample powder of agricultural nuts and Al2O3, pressurizing, pyrolizing the disk, and reacting the disk and the nitrogen atmosphere and forming AlN.

Abstract: A method of: placing a mixture of zinc particles; water; a water-soluble thickener; and water-insoluble inorganic porogen particles into a mold; evaporating the water to form a monolith; heating the monolith to fuse the zinc particles together; and submerging the monolith in a liquid that removes the porogen particles. A method of: placing a mixture of zinc particles; an aqueous acetic acid solution; and porogen particles into a mold; evaporating water to form a monolith; and submerging the monolith in a liquid that removes the porogen particles.

Abstract: An optically-monitored and/or optically-controlled electronic device is described. The device includes at least one of a semiconductor transistor or a semiconductor diode. An optical detector is configured to detect light emitted by the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation. A signal processor is configured to communicate with the optical detector to receive information regarding the light detected. The signal processor is further configured to provide information concerning at least one of an electrical current flowing in, a temperature of, or a condition of the at least one of the semiconductor transistor or the semiconductor diode during operation.

Abstract: A method for activating implanted dopants and repairing damage to dopant-implanted GaN to form n-type or p-type GaN. A GaN substrate is implanted with n- or p-type ions and is subjected to a high-temperature anneal to activate the implanted dopants and to produce planar n- or p-type doped areas within the GaN having an activated dopant concentration of about 1018-1022 cm?3. An initial annealing at a temperature at which the GaN is stable at a predetermined process temperature for a predetermined time can be conducted before the high-temperature anneal. A thermally stable cap can be applied to the GaN substrate to suppress nitrogen evolution from the GaN surface during the high-temperature annealing step. The high-temperature annealing can be conducted under N2 pressure to increase the stability of the GaN. The annealing can be conducted using laser annealing or rapid thermal annealing (RTA).

Abstract: An Incoherent Fourier ptychographic imaging system. Multiple known light patterns are projected sequentially onto a target and images of the combined pattern and target are recorded by a camera, with the images being processed using an optical transfer function (OTF). The camera and projection system are aligned along the same optical axis. The known illumination patterns and the optical transfer function (OTF) are combined in an iterative algorithm to generate an image with resolution greater than would be achieved by uniform illumination of the target and imaging with the camera.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for evaluating a semiconductor wafer. In accordance with the present invention, using a properly designed neural network, the computer can take image data regarding the wafer at issue, plus image and electrical data regarding a prior wafer and devices fabricated on the prior wafer, to find relations to and between structural features, both known and previously unidentified, that can degrade the performance of devices fabricated on the wafer and/or can reduce the device yield of the wafer.

Abstract: An atom interferometer that utilizes two counterpropagating continuous 3D-cooled atom beams which are directed into a vacuum chamber. Momentum-transfer laser (MTL) beams are directed into the atom beams to produce a predetermined recoil and subsequently generate an interference signal that is read by a photodetector and analyzed by a processor to provide information regarding inertial forces such as acceleration and rotation rate. Reversal of the recoil direction of the MTL beams allows for the suppression of errors in the measurement of the inertial forces.

Abstract: Thermoelectric (TE) nanocomposite material that includes at least one component consisting of nanocrystals. A TE nanocomposite material in accordance with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, multiple nanocrystalline structures, nanocrystal networks or partial networks, or multi-component materials, with some components forming connected interpenetrating networks including nanocrystalline networks. The TE nanocomposite material can be in the form of a bulk solid having semiconductor nanocrystallites that form an electrically conductive network within the material.

Abstract: Thermoelectric (TE) nanocomposite material that includes at least one component consisting of nanocrystals. A TE nanocomposite material in accordance with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, multiple nanocrystalline structures, nanocrystal networks or partial networks, or multi-component materials, with some components forming connected interpenetrating networks including nanocrystalline networks. The TE nanocomposite material can be in the form of a bulk solid having semiconductor nanocrystallites that form an electrically conductive network within the material.