Abstract: Microsphere compositions containing a mixture of at least two materials with same or differing phases are described. The materials have differing optical dispersion curves that intersect at at least one particular wavelength exhibiting the Christiansen effect. The materials may be encompassed by a microsphere, which may also include a separation entity.

Abstract: A device for managing the heat load of one or more photovoltaic cells and methods for fabricating and using the device are disclosed. The device may include a base unit and an overhang unit that overhangs at least a portion of the base unit. The overhang unit may also be in thermal communication with the base unit. One or more photovoltaic cells may be in thermal communication with the base unit, and the overhang unit may overhang the photovoltaic cells as well. The overhang unit may be composed of a material that may reduce the amount of radiation having energy less than the band-gap energy from reaching the cells. The device may also include an upright section between the base unit and the overhang unit that is in thermal communication with both the base and the overhang.

Abstract: A flexible air-metal battery is described. The battery may include a flexible oxygen permeable substrate, an air cathode that is in contact with the substrate, a flexible electrolyte in electrical contact with the air cathode, a flexible metal anode in contact with the flexible electrolyte such that the flexible metal anode is not in contact with the air cathode, and a plurality of flexible current collectors. At least one of the current collectors is in contact with the air cathode and at least one of the flexible current collectors is in contact with the metal anode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing materials for a recycling workstream are disclosed. The system may include one or more sorting surfaces on which sortable items may be placed. Illumination sources may be provided to illuminate both the items and the sorting surface(s). A variety of sensor systems may also be provided. The outputs of the sensor systems may be supplied to a computing system for determining the composition of the items and their location on the sorting surface(s). The computing system may also control the surface(s), illumination sources, and sensor systems. Additionally, the system may include one or more augmented reality interface devices used by sorters at the sorting facility. The computing system may communicate data streams to the augmented reality interfaces to provide the users augmented reality sensations. The sensations may give the users information and instructions regarding how to sort the items into one or more sorting bins.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for exchanging data between users using a transaction phrase, comprising: composing a data package by a source, uploading the data package onto a server, receiving a transaction phrase associated solely with the data package generated from a dictionary database utilized by the server, communicating the transaction phrase by the source to a recipient, requesting the data package by the recipient using the phrase, and receiving the data package from the server to the recipient if the parameters allow. The invention also details a financial aspect wherein a payment dialogue is initiated on the recipient interface allowing the recipient to complete a payment through a merchant server. Another embodiment comprises receiving a payment by the recipient upon submitting the transaction phrase to the server. The invention also envisions allowing the source to create a source account before composing the data package.

Abstract: A method of detecting liquid in animal tissue is disclosed. The method comprises providing an electromagnetic radiation generator, and applying electromagnetic radiation to a tissue region using the electromagnetic radiation generator. The characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation are selected so as to cause differential heating in a tissue region based on liquid content in the tissue region, differential expansion of matter in the tissue region, and thereby generation of ultrasound signals that vary according to the liquid content. The method also comprises providing an ultrasound detector, detecting the ultrasound signals using the ultrasound detector, and using the detected ultrasound signals to produce an indication of concentration of liquid in the tissue region and a determination as to whether a change in liquid concentration in the tissue region has occurred.

Abstract: Methods for distinguishing between two interspersed biological tissues, for procedures such as surgical resection, include exposing the tissues to at least two components, a first of which components produces or is capable of producing a detectable signal, and the other of which components either blocks the produced signal of the first component or activates the first component to produce the detectable signal. One of the components is selectively taken up by one of the tissues at a concentration which is greater than the concentration by which it is taken up by the other tissue to provide a distinguishable difference in the detectable signal originating from the two tissues.

Abstract: A detectable taggant is described. The detectable taggant may include at least one nano-antenna having a resonant frequency of about 300 GHz to about 800 THz. The nano-antenna is adapted to be physically or chemically associated with an article of manufacture.

Abstract: Nano-antennas with a resonant frequency in the optical or near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and methods of making the nano-antennas are described. The nano-antenna includes a porous membrane, a plurality of nanowires disposed in the porous membrane, and a monolayer of nanospheres each having a diameter that is substantially the same as a diameter of the nanowires. The nanospheres are electrically in series with the nanowires.

Abstract: Nano-antennas with a resonant frequency in the optical or near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum and methods of making the nano-antennas are described. The nano-antenna includes a porous membrane, a plurality of nanowires disposed in the porous membrane, and a monolayer of nanospheres each having a diameter that is substantially the same as a diameter of the nanowires. The nanospheres are electrically in series with the nanowires.

Abstract: A programmable shape device is described. The device comprises a wire grid made from a shape memory material. The grid is embedded in a transparent polymer. Under normal conditions, the device can be folded into any shape. Upon actuation, the device reverts back to a programmed parent shape. Such a device can be made into one shape during its desired use and another shape during storage or transportation. Methods of making and using a programmable shape device are described.

Abstract: Separation layers, usable in devices for converting radiation energy to electrical energy, allow at least some of the components of the devices to be separated from one another for disposal thereof. A separation layer may be interposed between and bonded to adjoining layers, and when acted upon by application of an external source, may be degraded to release the layers from one another. Once released, the layers may be disposed of more efficiently and economically, including proper disposal of hazardous waste, and recycling of materials which may be re-usable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing materials for a recycling workstream are disclosed. The system may include one or more sorting surfaces on which sortable items may be placed. Illumination sources may be provided to illuminate both the items and the sorting surface(s). A variety of sensor systems may also be provided. The outputs of the sensor systems may be supplied to a computing system for determining the composition of the items and their location on the sorting surface(s). The computing system may also control the surface(s), illumination sources, and sensor systems. Additionally, the system may include one or more augmented reality interface devices used by sorters at the sorting facility. The computing system may communicate data streams to the augmented reality interfaces to provide the users augmented reality sensations. The sensations may give the users information and instructions regarding how to sort the items into one or more sorting bins.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying information related to an object. A radiation emitter is configured to direct radiation toward an object, the object including one or more diffraction gratings including encoded information related to the object. A detector is configured to receive modified radiation from the one or more diffraction gratings on the object and transfer the received modified radiation to a processing device operably connected to the detector. The processing device is configured to process the modified radiation and decode the information related to the object encoded in the one or more diffraction gratings.