Abstract: A novel cationic dendrimer biocide-silver nanocomposite and methods for its use as a biocide. The biocidal nanocomposites of the present invention are effective against a variety of microbial species, including anthrax. The invention is also highly stable and safe for exposure to human skin. The invention has applications as an antibiological warfare agents, antimicrobial agent for surface coatings and as a general biocide that is safe for human exposure.

Abstract: A multiple nozzle thermal evaporation source includes a plurality of nozzles having a tapered shape. The nozzles may be coated with a thermally conductive material with a low emissivity material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiresolution watermarking methods for digital images which are based on a discrete wavelet transform (DWT). Pseudo-random codes are added to the large coefficients located at the high and middle frequency bands of the DWT of a digital image. A peak is detected to signify a signature of the watermark. The methods taught herein are more robust then conventional methods for common image distortions, such as the wavelet transform based image compression, additive noise, image halftoning, and image resealing. Moreover, the method is hierarchal. The computational load needed to detect the watermark depends on the noise level in an image. The multiresolution and hierarchial watermarking method taught by the present invention results in lower computational loads, on average, while providing a high quality watermark which is utilizable with modern image/video compression standards.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of providing IR spectral information using IR absorption phenomena requires no moving parts or Fourier Transform during operation. IR spectral information and chemical analysis of a sample in a sample containing functional groups is determined by using an IR source, a sampling accessory for positioning the sample volume, an optically dispersive element, a focal plane array (FPA) arranged to detect the dispersed light beam, and a processor and display to control the FPA, and display an IR spectrograph. Fiber-optic coupling allows remote sensing, and portability, reliability, and ruggedness is enhanced due to the no-moving part construction. Use of the apparatus and method has broad industrial and environmental application, including measurement of thickness and chemical composition of various films, coatings, and liquids, and may also be used in real-time sensing of hazardous materials, including chemical and biological warfare agents.

Abstract: Interband tunnel diodes which are compatible with Si-based processes such as, but not limited to, CMOS and SiGe HBT fabrication. Interband tunnel diodes are disclosed (i) with spacer layers surrounding a tunnel barrier; (ii) with a quantum well adjacent to, but not necessarily in contact with, one of the injectors, and (iii) with a first quantum well adjacent to, but not necessarily in contact with, the bottom injector and a second quantum well adjacent to, but not necessarily in contact with, the top injector. Process parameters include temperature process for growth, deposition or conversion of the tunnel diode and subsequent thermal cycling which to improve device benchmarks such as peak current density and the peak-to-valley current ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst systems, processes for making such catalysts, intermediates for such catalysts, and olefin polymerization processes using such catalysts wherein such catalyst includes a component represented by the following formula 1A: wherein R and R′ independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched hydrocarbyl or organosilyl radical; R1, R2, and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched hydrocarbyl radical; M is a group IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB or VIII transition metal; T independently represents a univalent anionic ligand such as a hydrogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl halogeno, aryloxido, arylorganosilyl, alkyloriganosilyl, amido, arylamido, phosphido, or arylphosphido group, or two T groups taken together represent an alkylidene or a cyclometallated hydrocarbyl bidentate ligand; L independently represents a sigma donor

Abstract: A voltametric flow cell for measuring chemical species having improved reliability and accuracy under the high pressure conditions of deep sea water is disclosed. The cell has a three electrode arrangement positioned in a durable polymer for measurement of a wide variety of redox chemicals and ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing halftone images which utilizes the advantageous stochastic patterning of dots found in frequency-modulated, blue-noise masks, and avoids the problem of dot gain provided in amplitude-modulated masks. Here a green-noise spectrum is used to generate a dither mask and the halftone patterns for each gray-level are subjected to the stacking constraint. The filters used in building the green-noise masks comprise filters using the conventional blue-noise mask for a coarseness parameter M′(g)=1 and filters having a principle frequency fg less than the principle frequency of blue-noise fb when coarseness parameter M′(g)>1. Unlike blue-noise dither patterns, green-noise dither patterns comprise pixel clusters, making them less susceptible to image degradation from dot gain, generating dot-profiles that are visually pleasing to the human eye.

Abstract: A digital wireless communications system which eliminates intersymbol interference in a transmitted signal using a plurality of precoders in a transmitter thereof and a method of using the same. The digital wireless communications system includes a receiver having an antenna array for receiving transmitted digitally-encoded signals, and a transmitter for transmitting the digitally-encoded signals. The transmitter has a plurality of precoders which eliminate intersymbol interference in the transmitted signals such that the receiver recovers digital information from the transmitted signals which is free from intersymbol interference. Ambiguity resistant (AR) precoding has been recently proposed in intersymbol interference (ISI) and multipath cancellations, where the ISI/multipath channel may have frequency-selective fading characteristics and its knowledge is not necessarily known. With the AR precoding, no diversity is necessary at the receiver.

Abstract: Catalytic membranes comprising highly-dispersed, catalytically-active metals in nanoporous carbon membranes and a novel single-phase process to produce the membranes.

Abstract: A data processing and analysis system, and a method of using the same, for discovering implicit relationships in data. The method is executed in a computer system capable of receiving input data comprised of expert knowledge, empirical data, and user-defined constraints for any application domain. The system and method provide any pre-processing the input data may require, and perform feature selection and extraction on the input data. Further, the system and method generate a graphical representation of the implicit relationships in the input data, indicating relationships between both class variables and feature variables. Also generated is a classifier that provides a semantic and statistical justification of its classification results which further provides: statistical relevancy of the data set, including an indication of the undersampled regions of the data space; a data analysis specific to a desired level of confidence; and a sound decision theoretical foundation for classification thresholding.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium functionalized dendrimers are described which are suitable for controlling the growth of microorganisms. The quaternary ammonium functionalized dendrimer biocides of the present invention are effective against a wide variety of microbial species including bacteria, spores, yeast, fungi, mold and multicellular microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for making a metal-insulator-semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET) having an oxidized aluminum nitride gate insulator formed on a silicon or gallium nitride substrate. The method of making the MISFET comprises the steps of depositing an aluminum nitride layer on the entire upper surface of the silicon or gallium nitride substrate. Subsequently, the aluminum nitride layer is oxidized to convert it into an oxidized aluminum nitride layer which acts as a gate insulator of the MISFET. Portions of the oxidized aluminum nitride layer are etched to form a plurality of openings that expose regions to become the source and drain regions of the substrate. The source and drain regions are formed in the plurality of openings by conventional techniques including diffusion and ion-implantation. Finally, a metal layer is formed in the plurality of openings of the oxidized aluminum nitride layer, wherein the metal layer contacts the source and drain regions of the substrate.

Abstract: An autonomous rolling robot is in the form of a hollow sphere containing at least two sets of rotors. Each set of rotors includes a rotor mounted on a shaft which is driven by a motor. All of the shafts are radially mounted within the hollow sphere so that an extension of the shafts would intersect at the geometric center of the sphere. The center of mass of the robot is also located at the geometric center of the sphere.

Abstract: A method for assessing a surface finish on a substrate. The method applies molecules that have an interaction with the substrate to the substrate. Then illuminating the surface of the substrate and monitoring the molecules on the surface of the substrate to determine the finish of the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A stemless hip prosthesis uses one or more cables which wrap around the prosthesis and the femur to mount the prosthesis in place thereby avoiding the need to provide the prosthesis with a stem located in the medullary canal.

Abstract: A new, large-area, thin-film, flexible photovoltaic structure is disclosed, as well as a general fabrication procedure, including a preferably roll-to-roll-type, process-chamber-segregated, “continuous-motion”, method for producing such a structure. A special multi-material vapor-deposition environment is disclosed to implement an important co-evaporation, layer-deposition procedure performed in and as part of the fabrication procedure. A structural system adapted to create a vapor environment generally like that just referred to is disclosed, as is an organization of method steps involved in the generation of such a vapor environment. Also, a unique, vapor-creating, materials-distributing system, which includes specially designed heated crucibles with carefully arranged, spatially distributed, localized and generally point-like, heated-nozzle sources of different metallic vapors, and a special multi-fingered, comb-like, vapor-delivering manifold structure is shown.

Abstract: A laboratory on a chip device uses wetting forces and thermal marangoni pumping. This is accomplished by placing the liquid on a substrate having different wetting properties in different regions. The wetting forces cause the liquid to flow into predetermined channels. The liquid is driven by a temperature difference produced by an electrical heating element under the original point of drop deposition. The difference in liquid temperature causes a difference in surface temperature which yields a net force (marangoni effect) to move each liquid portion to its assigned position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing. compliant, and flexible multi-touch surface. The surface consists of compressible cushion, dielectric, electrode, and circuitry layers. A simple proximity transduction circuit is placed under each electrode to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and to reduce wiring complexity. Such distributed transduction circuitry is economical for large surfaces when implemented with thin-film transistor techniques. Scanning and signal offset removal on an electrode array produces low-noise proximity images. Segmentation processing of each proximity image constructs a group of electrodes corresponding to each distinguishable contact and extracts shape, position and surface proximity features for each group.

Abstract: The invention is a sensor for the presence of bio-specific (e.g., immunological) molecules. It is aimed to giving an alternative, highly advanced method for performing different tests for the presence of immuno-specific molecules in liquid environments such as body liquids, biological cultures, environmental samples, etc. Gold patterns are photolithoghraphyically fabricated onto glass substrates to form addressable electrodes of micron size. The sensor is assembled when colloidal particles from suspension are deposited dielectrophoretically in the microscopic gaps between the electrodes. The surfaces of these particles carry immuno-active binding sites that collect the target molecules. The sensor readout is accomplished by secondary tagging of the target molecules with colloidal gold and its enhancement by silver nucleation, which leads to short-circuiting of the electrodes. The device allows extreme miniaturization and direct electric readout.