Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for creating a design for a physical device is provided. A computing system receives a design specification. The computing system generates a proposed design based on the design specification. The computing system determines a vector of loss values based on the proposed design. The computing system determines a scalar loss value based on a distance between the vector of loss values and a volume representing desired characteristics of the physical device. The computing system updates the proposed design based on the scalar loss value.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for improved image segmentation using hyperspectral imaging. In some implementations, a system obtains image data of a hyperspectral image, the image data comprising image data for each of multiple wavelength bands. The system accesses stored segmentation profile data for a particular object type that indicates a predetermined subset of the wavelength bands designated for segmenting different region types for images of an object of the particular object type. The system segments the image data into multiple regions using the predetermined subset of the wavelength bands specified in the stored segmentation profile data to segment the different region types. The system provides output data indicating the multiple regions and the respective region types of the multiple regions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for an infrared and visible imaging system. In some implementations, Image data from a visible-light camera is obtained. A position of a device is determined based at least in part on the image data from the visible-light camera. An infrared camera is positioned so that the device is in a field of view of the infrared camera, with the field of view of the infrared camera being narrower than the field of view of the visible-light camera. Infrared image data from the infrared camera that includes regions representing the device is obtained. Infrared image data from the infrared camera that represents the device is recorded. Position data is also recorded that indicates the location and pose of the infrared camera when the infrared image data is acquired by the infrared camera.

Abstract: An optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip includes a plurality of array elements, a plurality of phase shifters, a plurality of combiners, and an edge coupler configured to couple to a single mode waveguide. The plurality of phase shifters includes a layer of phase shifters that has a phase shifter connected to each array element in the plurality of array elements. The plurality of combiners is configured to connect the plurality of phase shifters to the edge coupler. The plurality of combiners includes a first combiner that has a first output that is connected to a second combiner or the edge coupler, and a second output of the first combiner is connected to a photodetector. An in-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the first output, and an out-of-phase light portion at the first combiner is output through the second output.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for generating images and location data of a subsurface object using existing infrastructure as a source. Many infrastructure objects (e.g., pipes, cables, conduits, wells, foundation structures) are constructed of rigid materials and have a known shape and location. Additionally these infrastructure objects can have exposed portions that are above or near the surface and readily accessible. A signal generator can be affixed to the exposed portion of the infrastructure object, which induces acoustic energy, or vibrations in the object. The object with affixed signal generator can then be used as a source in performing a subsurface imaging of subsurface objects, which are not exposed.

Abstract: A photonic device is provided. The photonic device may include an input region and a dispersive region optically coupled with the input region. The dispersive region may include a first material and a second material anisotropically distributed to form a plurality of interfaces that each correspond to a change in a refractive index of the dispersive region. The plurality of interfaces may collectively structure the dispersive region to generate an output optical signal from an input optical signal. The photonic device may also include an output region, optically coupled with the dispersive region. The plurality of interfaces may form a material interface pattern in the dispersive region that is characterized by a defect distribution to introduce one or more spectral artifacts into the output optical signal that collectively define a unique spectral signature of the photonic device.

Abstract: Techniques for providing carbon dioxide include generating thermal energy, an exhaust fluid, and electrical power from a power plant; providing the exhaust fluid and the generated electrical power to an exhaust fluid scrubbing system to separate components of the exhaust fluid; capturing heat from a source of heat of an industrial process in a heating fluid; transferring the heat of the industrial process captured in the heating fluid to a carbon dioxide source material of a direct air capture (DAC) system; providing the generated electrical power from the power plant to the DAC system; providing the thermal energy from the power plant to the DAC system; and separating, with the transferred portion of the heat of the industrial process and the provided thermal energy, carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source material of the DAC system.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for creating a fabricable segmented design for a physical device is provided. A computing system receives a design specification. The computing system generates a proposed segmented design based on the design specification. The computing system determines two or more loss values based on the proposed segmented design. The computing system combines the two or more loss values to create a combined loss value. The computing system creates an updated design specification using the combined loss value. The generating, determining, combining, and creating actions are repeated until a fabricable segmented design is generated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using machine learning models for plant biotechnology. One of the methods includes obtaining a network input comprising an image depicting a plurality of plant cells or regions of plant tissue; processing the network input using a machine learning model to obtain an identification of one or more particular biotechnologically-modifiable plant cells or one or more particular biotechnologically-modifiable regions of the plant tissue; excising or delineating the one or more identified plant cells or the one or more identified regions of the plant tissue; and delivering exogenous material to the excised or delineated plant cells or regions of plant tissue.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter configured to output an optical signal. The transmitter includes a seed laser, an optical array including a plurality of array elements, and a plurality of phase shifters in a multi-layer arrangement. The multi-layer arrangement includes a plurality of layers between the seed laser and the optical array, wherein a first layer of the plurality of layers transmits light to a second layer of the plurality of layers. The first layer has fewer phase shifters than the second layer. The multi-layer arrangement also includes a plurality of branches wherein each branch includes a phase shifter from each of the plurality of layers connected in series between the seed laser and one of the plurality of array elements. Each phase shifter is configured to shift the optical signal incrementally to amass a total phase shift for each of the plurality of array elements.

Abstract: A photonic coupler includes an input coupling section, an output coupling section, and a multimode interference (MMI) waveguide section. The input coupling section is adapted to receive an input optical signal along an input waveguide channel. The output coupling section is adapted to output a pair of output optical signals along output waveguide channels. The output optical signals having output optical powers split from the input optical signal. The MMI waveguide section is optically coupled between the input and output coupling sections. Notched waveguide sections may each be disposed between the MMI waveguide section and a corresponding one of the input or output coupling sections and/or the MMI waveguide section may include curvilinear sidewalls.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating a synthesized signal. A computer-implemented system obtains generator input data including an input signal having one or more first characteristics, processes the generator input data to generate output data including a synthesized signal having one or more second characteristics using a generator neural network, and outputs the synthesized signal to a device. The generator neural network is trained, based on a plurality of training examples, with a discriminator neural network. The discriminator neural network is configured to process discriminator input data that combines a discriminator input signal having the one or more second characteristics with at least a portion of generator input data to generate a prediction of whether the discriminator input signal is a real signal or a synthesized signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an optical communications terminal comprising an optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated chip comprising a plurality of phase shifters arranged in a plurality of segments; one or more additional phase shifters, a plurality of switches corresponding to each of the plurality of segments; and one or more splitters The optical communications terminal further comprising a full array transceiver configured to allow for transmission and receipt of optical communications beams functionality with the plurality of segments; and a plurality of segment transceivers each associated with one of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A nuclear radiation detector is disclosed. The detector includes a housing including therein: a scintillator; and a multi-pixel optical sensor positioned, relative to the scintillator, to receive photons emitted by the scintillator in response to interactions with nuclear radiation. The housing isolates the scintillator and the multi-pixel optical sensor from external light. The detector includes one or more processors operably connectable to the multi-pixel optical sensor; and one or more data stores coupled to the processors having instructions stored thereon which cause the processors to perform operations.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for reacquiring a communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method includes using one or more processors of the first communication device to receive historical data related to the first communication device and an environment surrounding the first communication device. The one or more processors are then used to determine one or more trends in the historical data related to fading of the communication link. Based on the one or more trends, the one or more processors are used to determine a starting time and an initial search direction for a search for the communication link. The one or more processors then execute the search at the starting time from the initial search direction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for identifying wildfire in satellite imagery. In some implementations, a server obtains a satellite image of a geographic region and a date corresponding to when the satellite image was generated. The server determines a number of pixels in the satellite image that are indicated as on fire. The server obtains satellite imagery of the geographic region from before the date. The server generates a statistical distribution from the satellite imagery. The server determines a likelihood that the satellite image illustrates fire based on a comparison of the determined number of pixels in the satellite image that are indicated as on fire to the generated statistical distribution. The server can compare the determined likelihood to a threshold. In response to comparing the determined likelihood to the threshold, the server provides an indication that the satellite image illustrates fire.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for integrated circuit routing is described. The computer-implemented method comprising receiving a description of interconnected terminals of an integrated circuit with a wiring route electrically coupling the interconnected terminals and configuring a simulated environment defined via a plurality of voxels based on the description. The individual voxels included in the plurality of voxels each correspond to a spatial representation for a corresponding region of a layout associated with the integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method further includes determining local contributions of the individual voxels to a characteristic metric of the integrated circuit based on an electromagnetic simulation of the integrated circuit and revising the wiring route based on the local contributions of the individual voxels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing confidential data and confidential programs while providing mutual security to the data and programs. A method includes receiving, from a first system, customer energy data, including data representing energy consumption by a customer; receiving, from a second system, program data representing one or more programs for processing the customer energy data; executing the programs with the customer energy data as input to produce output that includes estimated energy consumption data, while providing security for the program data from access by the first system and any third party and while providing security for the customer energy data and the estimated energy consumption data from access by the second system and any third party; and providing the estimated energy consumption data as output (i) to the first system or (ii) to the customer or (iii) both.

Abstract: Methods and systems for designing a photonic computational architecture including a plurality of optical components. At least some of the methods include: defining a loss function within a simulation space composed of a plurality of voxels, the simulation space encompassing the plurality of optical components; defining an initial structure for the photonic computational architecture in the simulation space, at least some of the voxels corresponding to each of the plurality of optical components and having a dimension smaller than an operative wavelength of the computational architecture; determining values for at least one structural parameter and/or at least one functional parameter for each of the plurality of optical components using a numerical solver to solve Maxwell's equations; and defining a final structure of the photonic computational architecture based on the values for the one or more structural and/or functional parameters.

Abstract: A computational platform for generating solid catalysts for depolymerization reactions is described. The platform may include a first generative model to determine synthesizable crystal structures that could be used as solid catalysts for depolymerization. The first generative model may determine synthesizability and/or stability of solid catalysts. The first generative model may take in voxel representations of a crystal structure and then use a variational autoencoder to encode into latent space. The first generative model may also include a property learning component to determine synthesizable crystals in latent space. Candidate materials may then be identified in the latent space and then decoded into a blurred voxel representation. The blurred voxel representation may be transformed to a crystal structure. The platform may include a second generational model for identifying crystal surfaces and/or adsorption sites.