Abstract: A system for controlling electrical appliances comprises a) a touch plate having an inner surface and an outer surface, which is accessible to a user; b) a piezoelectric module coupled with said inner surface of said touch plate and suitable to generate electric signals when deformed by pressure; c) a microcontroller connected to said piezoelectric module, said microcontroller being configured to analyze electrical signals generated by said piezoelectric module, to determine; d) circuitry coupled with said microcontroller, for receiving said control signals and for transmitting output signals to said electrical appliance; and e) a feedback module connected to said microcontroller, suitable to provide to a user feedback related to signals generated by said piezoelectric module.

Abstract: A photonic crystal based optical modulator that is capable of being integrated with electronic circuits on a chip. An optical modulator is formed by using a substrate, an optical buffer layer, and optical waveguide layer and providing photonic crystal regions in the optical waveguide layer. Improved strength and durability of the optical modulator is achieved by using an electrode island to limit the suspended area to the minimum required by the photonic crystal waveguides.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a method of generating an electrical switch output signal. An electric switch senses both pressure placed upon the switch's surface and the contact of the object exerting the pressure on the switch. When both conditions exist, the switch is activated. The electrical switch may employ a piezoelectric element to recognize the application of pressure, a capacitive sensing circuit to recognize the presence of an object applying the pressure, and a microcontroller circuit to control output switch circuity upon satisfaction of both conditions precedent. The electrical switch can be configured to provide a continuous output signal for the duration that the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied or to switch between open and closed states each time the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A band-gap spectral filter is made of a nanochannel glass structure having a two-dimensional array of parallel dielectric rods arranged in a matrix material. The materials for the dielectric rods and the matrix material are selected so that the difference between the refractive index of the dielectric rods and the refractive index of the matrix material is equal to or less than about 0.5.

Abstract: A spectral filter is made in the form of a wafer of nanochannel glass having an array of substantially uniform parallel hollow channels of from about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns that are coated with a reflective material.

Abstract: An acceleration vector activated system to be used in vehicles in association with brake lights and the acceleration pedal, comprises: (a) acceleration vector sensing apparatus connected to the acceleration pedal, to generate a signal proportional to the acceleration vector of the accelerator pedal; and (b) circuit apparatus, connected to the acceleration vector sensing apparatus and to the vehicle brake lights, the circuit apparatus being capable to analyze the level of the signal generated by the acceleration vector sensing apparatus and to activate the brake lights when the signal is above a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle deceleration warning apparatus for use in a vehicle having brake lights, a floorboard and an accelerator pedal, the system including a piezoelectric sensor element connected to one of the accelerator pedal or the floorboard for outputting a first signal when subjected to appropriate stress conditions, a contact element connected to the other of the accelerator pedal or the floorboard for contacting the piezoelectric sensor in a manner which is dependent upon the rate of release of the accelerator pedal and causing the sensor to output the first signal in response thereto, and a circuit element connected to the brake lights and to the piezoelectric sensor for analyzing the first signal produced by the piezoelectric sensor and for actuating the brake lights in response to the analysis when the first signal is above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A piezoelectric switch including a casing for receiving an external mechanical force, a piezoelectric ceramic for sensing the external mechanical force received by the casing and converting the force to an electrical signal, the ceramic having one side connected to the casing and another side having both the positive and the negative poles, a conductive rubber connector disposed adjacent to and in contact with the ceramic for conducting the electrical signal and a printed circuit board disposed adjacent to and in contact with the conductive member for receiving and processing the conducted electrical signal received from the ceramic and for preventing any electrical signals from passing from the circuit board through the conductive member to the piezoelectric ceramic.