Abstract: A method and system for determining the state of one or both of an electrical conductor or an associated system utilizing a non-invasive sensor and a magnetostrictive response from the current of the electrical conductor. The method includes providing a sensor assembly including a magnetostrictive resonator sensor and a signal detector. A state of one or both of the electrical conductor or the associated system is determined with the fault detector in response to a first frequency profile and a second frequency profile obtained with the magnetostrictive resonator sensor. A fault monitoring system utilizing a magnetostrictive resonator sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic micro-device and process to manufacture the same is disclosed. The magnetic micro-device has a near-zero conductivity magnetic nanocomposite film layer with a plurality of apertures through which a corresponding plurality of electrical conductors (vias) pass. Due to the near-zero conductivity of the magnetic nanocomposite film layer, the vias are self-insulating. The presence of the magnetic nanocomposite film layer results in greater inductance than that possible with an air core (or core-less) magnetic micro-device. Potential magnetic micro-devices include toroid micro-inductors, solenoid micro-inductors, toroid micro-transformers, and solenoid micro-transformers. Additional potential magnetic micro-devices include generators, motors, electromagnetic switches, and voice coils (for speakers or microphones). The process used to manufacture the magnetic micro-device can be scaled to cost-effectively produce large numbers of the magnetic micro-device.

Abstract: Plasma micro nozzle adapters having various configurations and operating principles are disclosed. The plasma micro nozzle adapter is employed with a commercial plasma jet printer to produce smaller printed features than those possible with the original plasma jet printer. In a first class of embodiments, the plasma micro nozzle adapter narrows a plasma jet using electrostatic or magnetostatic lensing, permitting the printing of ceramic, metallic, dielectric, or plastic features with line widths of 10 ?m or less. In a second class of embodiments, the plasma micro nozzle adapter narrows the plasma jet using a gas sheath. By adjusting the flow rate or pressure of the gas used to form the gas sheath, the cross-sectional shape of the plasma jet may form, for example, an ellipse, thereby controlling the width of the printed feature. A third class of embodiments employs both electrostatic (or magnetostatic) lensing along with the gas sheath.

Abstract: A magnetoelastically actuated device includes a microscale cantilever arm supported at a standoff distance from a substrate. The cantilever arm is formed as a laminar magnetic actuator configured to bend when it is subjected to a magnetic field. The cantilever arm includes a film of magnetostrictive material. Also provided is a method for fabricating the magnetoelastically actuated device. The method includes defining an actuator mold in a layer of photoresist on a structural layer of the cantilever arm and electrodepositing a layer of a magnetostrictive alloy containing cobalt and iron onto the structural layer within the actuator mold.

Abstract: A microfabricated magnetic resonator is provided. The microfabricated magnetic resonator has one or more resonator portions, each of which is a magnetoelastic resonating structure having a maximum circumference or maximum linear dimension in at least one direction that is less than 1000 ?m. At least one of the resonator portions comprises an electrodeposited material comprising at least a cobalt constituent and an iron constituent.

Abstract: A microfabricated magnetic resonator is provided. The microfabricated magnetic resonator has one or more resonator portions, each of which is a magnetoelastic resonating structure having a maximum circumference or maximum linear dimension in at least one direction that is less than 1000 ?m. At least one of the resonator portions comprises an electrodeposited material comprising at least a cobalt constituent and an iron constituent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetoelastic resonators, sensors, and tunable devices, as well as methods for making such components. The resonators can be used as tags and/or sensors. In general, the resonators include one or more micron-sized resonator portions affixed on a substrate. For use as a tag, each tag includes a plurality of resonator portions that allow for multiplexed coding, and methods for making tags and arrays of such tags include use of electrodeposition processes. In particular embodiments, these components include an electrodeposited material that exhibits magnetostrictive properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to magnetoelastic resonators, sensors, and tunable devices, as well as methods for making such components. The resonators can be used as tags and/or sensors. In general, the resonators include one or more micron-sized resonator portions affixed on a substrate. For use as a tag, each tag includes a plurality of resonator portions that allow for multiplexed coding, and methods for making tags and arrays of such tags include use of electrodeposition processes. In particular embodiments, these components include an electrodeposited material that exhibits magnetostrictive properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is an encapsulated micro-diode and a method for producing same. The method comprises forming a plurality columns in the substrate with a respective tip disposed at a first end of the column, the tip defining a cathode of the diode; disposing a sacrificial oxide layer on the substrate, plurality of columns and respective tips; forming respective trenches in the sacrificial oxide layer around the columns; forming an opening in the sacrificial oxide layer to expose a portion of the tips; depositing a conductive material in of the opening and on a surface of the substrate to form an anode of the diode; and removing the sacrificial oxide layer.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern an improved immersive experience for a video gamer that is provided by controlling a game based on the three dimensional location and orientation of a control and display device held by or otherwise associated with the gamer. The location is determined from data comprising a three dimensional position and an orientation of a portion of a player in a three dimensional space associated with a computerized game. The facing and rotation of the device is determined as a function of both the location of the device and the orientation of the device. The orientation may be determined by data from motion sensors in or on the device. Example apparatus and methods control the computerized game based, at least in part, on the position of the device, the facing of the device, and the rotation of the device.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone has a backplate with a given backplate aperture, and a diaphragm having a diaphragm aperture. The given backplate aperture is substantially aligned with the diaphragm aperture.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone has a backplate with a given backplate aperture, and a diaphragm having a diaphragm aperture. The given backplate aperture is substantially aligned with the diaphragm aperture.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern an improved immersive experience for a video gamer that is provided by controlling a game based on the three dimensional location and orientation of a control and display device held by or otherwise associated with the gamer. The location is determined from data comprising a three dimensional position and an orientation of a portion of a player in a three dimensional space associated with a computerized game. The facing and rotation of the device is determined as a function of both the location of the device and the orientation of the device. The orientation may be determined by data from motion sensors in or on the device. Example apparatus and methods control the computerized game based, at least in part, on the position of the device, the facing of the device, and the rotation of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an encapsulated micro-diode and a method for producing same. The method comprises forming a plurality columns in the substrate with a respective tip disposed at a first end of the column, the tip defining a cathode of the diode; disposing a sacrificial oxide layer on the substrate, plurality of columns and respective tips; forming respective trenches in the sacrificial oxide layer around the columns; forming an opening in the sacrificial oxide layer to expose a portion of the tips; depositing a conductive material in of the opening and on a surface of the substrate to form an anode of the diode; and removing the sacrificial oxide layer.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a proof mass and a frame that are formed in a handle layer of a silicon-on-an-insulator (SOI). The proof mass is separated from the frame by a back-side trench that defines a boundary of the proof mass. The accelerometer also includes a reflector coupled to a top surface of the proof mass. An optical detector is located above the reflector at the device side. The accelerometer further includes at least one suspension spring. The suspension spring has a handle anchor that extends downwards from the device side to the handle layer to mechanically support upward and downward movement of the proof mass relative to a top surface of the proof mass.

Abstract: A bulk micromachined vibratory gyro in which a proof mass has a bulk substrate thickness for a large mass and high inertial sensitivity. In embodiments, optical displacement transduction is with multi-layer sub-wavelength gratings for high sensitivity and low cross-talk with non-optical drive elements. In embodiments, the vibratory gyro includes a plurality of multi-layer sub-wavelength gratings and a plurality of drive electrodes to measure motion of the proof mass induced by drive forces and/or moments and induced by the Coriolis Effect when the gyro experiences a rotation. In embodiments, phase is varied across the plurality gratings and a multi-layer grating having the best performance is selected from the plurality.

Abstract: MEMS magnetometers with optically transduced resonator displacement are described herein. Improved sensitivity, crosstalk reduction, and extended dynamic range may be achieved with devices including a deflectable resonator suspended from the support, a first grating extending from the support and disposed over the resonator, a pair of drive electrodes to drive an alternating current through the resonator, and a second grating in the resonator overlapping the first grating to form a multi-layer grating having apertures that vary dimensionally in response to deflection occurring as the resonator mechanically resonates in a plane parallel to the first grating in the presence of a magnetic field as a function of the Lorentz force resulting from the alternating current. A plurality of such multi-layer gratings may be disposed across a length of the resonator to provide greater dynamic range and/or accommodate fabrication tolerances.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone has a backplate with a given backplate aperture, and a diaphragm having a diaphragm aperture. The given backplate aperture is substantially aligned with the diaphragm aperture.