Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system having a mechanical resonator (proof mass) and drive circuitry for maintaining oscillation in two axes at a small frequency split. Angular rate input is shifted to the frequency split and modulates both the frequency (FM) and the amplitude (AM) of the oscillations. Unlike other gyroscope modulation techniques which derive rate information from only the FM information and are subject to aliasing for rate signals with bandwidth exceeding the modulation frequency, the innovation uses both the FM and AM information. By exploiting their orthogonality, the image frequencies from the modulation cancel, thus removing the bandwidth limitation.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to the use of optical nanoparticles in the illumination and imaging of tissues such as cancer tissues. Optical nanoparticles such as upconverting nanoparticles can be introduced into a patient and illuminated at a first time and wavelength and then imaged at a second time and wavelength to improve resolution and reduce imager size.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope system having a mechanical resonator (proof mass) and drive circuitry for maintaining oscillation in two axes at a small frequency split. Angular rate input is shifted to the frequency split and modulates both the frequency (FM) and the amplitude (AM) of the oscillations. Unlike other gyroscope modulation techniques which derive rate information from only the FM information and are subject to aliasing for rate signals with bandwidth exceeding the modulation frequency, the innovation uses both the FM and AM information. By exploiting their orthogonality, the image frequencies from the modulation cancel, thus removing the bandwidth limitation.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capabilty of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for frequency tuning/tracking between an electrical subsystem and a mechanical transducer subsystem is presented. An electromechanical transducer generates acoustic pulses as it is driven by a transmit signal from an electrical subsystem. As the transmit signal goes inactive, the settling behavior of the transducer is registered from which the difference in frequency between the resonance of the electromechanical transducer and the transmit signal frequency is determined and utilized for locking the electrical subsystem to the mechanical transducer subsystem by either tuning operating frequency of the electrical subsystem, or the mechanical transducer, to keep them matched (locked).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for frequency tuning/tracking between an electrical subsystem and a mechanical transducer subsystem is presented. An electromechanical transducer generates acoustic pulses as it is driven by a transmit signal from an electrical subsystem. As the transmit signal goes inactive, the settling behavior of the transducer is registered from which the difference in frequency between the resonance of the electromechanical transducer and the transmit signal frequency is determined and utilized for locking the electrical subsystem to the mechanical transducer subsystem by either tuning operating frequency of the electrical subsystem, or the mechanical transducer, to keep them matched (locked).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for frequency tuning/tracking between an electrical subsystem and a mechanical transducer subsystem is presented. An electromechanical transducer generates acoustic pulses as it is driven by a transmit signal from an electrical subsystem. As the transmit signal goes inactive, the settling behavior of the transducer is registered from which the difference in frequency between the resonance of the electromechanical transducer and the transmit signal frequency is determined and utilized for locking the electrical subsystem to the mechanical transducer subsystem by either tuning operating frequency of the electrical subsystem, or the mechanical transducer, to keep them matched (locked).

Abstract: A diaphragm for a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) is presented having resonance frequency and bandwidth characteristics which are decoupled from one another into independent variables. Portions of at least the piezoelectric material layer and backside electrode layer are removed in a selected pattern to form structures, such as ribs, in the diaphragm which retains stiffness while reducing overall mass. The patterned structure can be formed by additive, or subtractive, fabrication processes.

Abstract: MEMS ultrasound fingerprint ID systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include the capability of detecting both epidermis and dermis fingerprint patterns in three dimensions. Also provided are methods of making and using the systems, as well as devices that include the systems.

Abstract: Embodiments of an oscillator circuit are described. Embodiments described herein include an oscillator circuit suitable for a resonator with relatively high motional impedance, thus requiring relatively high amplification and having relatively high sensitivity to noise. However, the embodiments described are not intended to be limited to use with any particular type of resonator. In one embodiment, alternating current (AC) coupling, or capacitive coupling, is used in part to decouple the bias voltage placed on the resonator from the operating point of the amplifier, allowing one voltage to be high relative to the other. In an embodiment, some legs, or all legs of the circuit that includes drive circuitry and a resonator include differential signaling.

Abstract: A method and/or system for detecting substances of interest. In specific embodiments, the invention involves a method and/or system using magnetic beads and easily manufactured electrical circuits to detect chemicals and/or substances of interest. In other embodiments, the invention involves a method and/or system for providing a variety of biologic assays. In further embodiments, the invention includes methods and/or systems for an associated device, referred to herein as a dual split-drain transistor.

Abstract: An electronic synapse circuit is disclosed for multiplying an analog weight signal value by a digital state signal value to achieve a signed product value as a current which is capable of being summed with other such synapse circuit outputs. The circuit employs a storage multiplying digital-to-analog converter which provides storage for the analog weight signal value. Additional circuitry permits programming different analog weight signal values into the circuit, performing four-quadrant multiplication, generating a current summable output, and maintaining the stored analog weight signal value at a substantially constant value independent of the digital state signal values.

Abstract: An electronic synapse circuit is disclosed for multiplying an analog weight signal value by a digital state signal value to achieve a signed product value as a current which is capable of being summed with other such synapse circuit outputs. The circuit employs a storage multiplying digital-to-analog converter which provides storage for the analog weight signal value. Additional circuitry permits programming different analog weight signal values into the circuit, performing four-quadrant multiplication, generating a current summable output, and maintaining the stored analog weight signal value at a substantially constant value independent of the digital state signal values.