Abstract: Disclosed are an all-tab negative electrode sheet and a cylindrical battery. The all-tab negative electrode sheet includes an electrode sheet body. The electrode sheet body includes: a coating area, the electrode sheet body in the coating area being coated with a negative electrode material; a flattening area adjacent to the coating area in a width direction of the electrode sheet body, the width direction being perpendicular to the length direction, wherein (N+1) tab groups are arranged in the flattening area in sequence along the length direction, each of the tab groups comprises one or more tabs, a (N+1)th tab group is adjacent to a Nth tab group, a width of the tabs of the (N+1)thtab group is greater than that of the tabs of the Nth tab group, and N is a positive integer.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a first sub-sensing system having a first azimuth plane. The first sub-sensing system includes a Gradient-index lens, and a first plurality of antenna elements arranged adjacent to the Gradient-index lens and configured to receive a first signal emanating from a first field of view. The sensing system also includes a second sub-sensing system having a second azimuth plane oriented at an angle with respect to the first azimuth plane and a second plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a second signal emanating from a second field of view.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a first sub-sensing system having a first azimuth plane. The first sub-sensing system includes a Gradient-index lens, and a first plurality of antenna elements arranged adjacent to the Gradient-index lens and configured to receive a first signal emanating from a first field of view. The sensing system also includes a second sub-sensing system having a second azimuth plane oriented at an angle with respect to the first azimuth plane and a second plurality of antenna elements configured to receive a second signal emanating from a second field of view.

Abstract: Disclosed are a precursor solution for a copper-zinc-tin-sulfur (CZTS) thin film solar cell, a preparation method therefor, and the use thereof. The present invention discloses two types of simple metal complexes which are capable of formulating a high-quality precursor solution.

Abstract: A method and system capable of applying microwave therapy guided by thermoacoustic imaging and/or thermoacoustic thermometry is disclosed. The system includes a thermoacoustic imaging system and/or a thermoacoustic thermometry system that generate(s) a map of a region of interest; and a microwave therapy system that targets the region of interest using the map, and that applies the microwave therapy to the targeted region of interest. Treatment of the targeted region of interest may be employed by the microwave therapy system using real-time feedback from the thermoacoustic imaging system and/or the thermoacoustic thermometry system. Imaging and therapy may be automatically co-registered.

Abstract: A communication system includes a Gradient-index lens, a first plurality of antenna elements, and a control system. The first plurality of antenna elements are arranged on a first surface parallel to a surface of the Gradient-index lens. The first plurality of antenna elements are configured to generate a first plurality of antenna signals in response to receiving a signal from an end user device. The control system receives the first plurality of antenna signals from the first plurality of antenna elements and determines an end user direction associated with the end user signal based on a predetermined set of antenna signal values associates with the first plurality of antenna elements.

Abstract: A high performance, low-cost automotive radar is designed by mounting receivers around a 3D printed Luneburg lens. With this configuration, the antenna radiation pattern is maintained for all angles, (which means no beam deformation). Further, the present radar is capable of performing detection at all azimuth and elevation angles with high angle resolution and broadband operation. The radar adaptively adjusts its spatial sensing pattern, sweeping frequency band, pulse repetition frequency and coherent processing interval according to the environment. This is accomplished by initially performing a rough scan, which updates sensing results via a narrow bandwidth waveform and wide beam scanning. When interested objects are identified, a high-resolution detailed scan is performed in a specific region of interest. In this way, a much more effective detection can be obtained.

Abstract: A hollow light-weight, low-cost, and high-performance 3D Luneburg lens structure using partially-metalized thin film, string, threads, fiber or wire base metamaterial to implement the continuously varying relative permittivity profile, characteristic of Luneburg lens structures, is disclosed. The hollow light-weight lens structure is based on the effective medium approach and may be implemented by a number of means. Further, most of the volume of the lens structure is free-space, thus the weight of the lens is significantly less than conventional 3D Luneburg lens structures of the same dimensions.

Abstract: A high performance, low-cost automotive radar is designed by mounting receivers around a 3D printed Luneburg lens. With this configuration, the antenna radiation pattern is maintained for all angles, (which means no beam deformation). Further, the present radar is capable of performing detection at all azimuth and elevation angles with high angle resolution and broadband operation. The radar adaptively adjusts its spatial sensing pattern, sweeping frequency band, pulse repetition frequency and coherent processing interval according to the environment. This is accomplished by initially performing a rough scan, which updates sensing results via a narrow bandwidth waveform and wide beam scanning. When interested objects are identified, a high-resolution detailed scan is performed in a specific region of interest. In this way, a much more effective detection can be obtained.

Abstract: A hollow light-weight, low-cost, and high-performance 3D Luneburg lens structure using partially-metalized thin film, string, threads, fiber or wire base metamaterial to implement the continuously varying relative permittivity profile, characteristic of Luneburg lens structures, is disclosed. The hollow light-weight lens structure is based on the effective medium approach and may be implemented by a number of means. Further, most of the volume of the lens structure is free-space, thus the weight of the lens is significantly less than conventional 3D Luneburg lens structures of the same dimensions.

Abstract: A cognitive HF radio is disclosed having a cognitive engine that optimizes HF transmission parameters on the basis of learned experience with previous transmission under varying transmission and environmental conditions. Additionally, electrically small HF antennas optionally using non-Foster matching elements are disclosed. Furthermore, another electrically small HF antenna and associated impedance matching networks are disclosed, including an impedance matching network using non-Foster matching elements.

Abstract: The present invention features a microwave gain medium having a negative refractive index, which overcompensates for loss exhibited in conventional passive metamaterials. The design consists of sub-wavelength building blocks with embedded microwave tunnel diodes exhibiting a negative refractive index and a stable net gain. The negative resistance may also be used for dispersion compensation that may enable broadband response of metamaterials.

Abstract: A method and system capable of applying microwave therapy guided by thermoacoustic imaging and/or thermoacoustic thermometry is disclosed. The system includes a thermoacoustic imaging system and/or a thermoacoustic thermometry system that generate(s) a map of a region of interest; and a microwave therapy system that targets the region of interest using the 5 map, and that applies the microwave therapy to the targeted region of interest. Treatment of the targeted region of interest may be employed by the microwave therapy system using real-time feedback from the thermoacoustic imaging system and/or the thermoacoustic thermometry system. Imaging and therapy may be automatically co-registered.

Abstract: A cognitive HF radio is disclosed having a cognitive engine that optimizes HF transmission parameters on the basis of learned experience with previous transmission under varying transmission and environmental conditions. Additionally, electrically small HF antennas optionally using non-Foster matching elements are disclosed. Furthermore, another electrically small HF antenna and associated impedance matching networks are disclosed, including an impedance matching network using non-Foster matching elements.

Abstract: A threat detection system having a reconfigurable reflect-array and compressive sensing unit to effectively detect objects that are a threat is presented. A statistical library, having a wide range of threat and non-threat examples and capable of incorporating new examples while being used, is utilized by several optimization algorithms to calculate an optimal illumination pattern for compressive sensing detection. The reflect-array is configured to produce the optimal illumination pattern via a plurality of reflect-array elements. In this way, a plurality of data may be parallel processed, thereby increasing the detection speed and reducing cost.

Abstract: A threat detection system having a reconfigurable reflect-array and compressive sensing unit to effectively detect objects that are a threat is presented. A statistical library, having a wide range of threat and non-threat examples and capable of incorporating new examples while being used, is utilized by several optimization algorithms to calculate an optimal illumination pattern for compressive sensing detection. The reflect-array is configured to produce the optimal illumination pattern via a plurality of reflect-array elements. In this way, a plurality of data may be parallel processed, thereby increasing the detection speed and reducing cost.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed, described, and/or claimed herein relate to copolymers comprising copolymers comprising electron accepting A subunits that comprise thiazolothiazole, benzobisthiazole, or benzobisoxazoles rings, and electron donating subunits that comprise certain heterocyclic groups. The copolymers are useful for manufacturing organic electronic devices, including transistors and solar cells. The invention also relates to certain synthetic precursors of the copolymers. Methods for making the copolymers and the derivative electronic devices are also described.

Abstract: An antenna embedded into armor plates. The armor material is of low dielectric constant preferably less than 20 permitting radio radiation to be emitted through the armor by the antenna. In a preferred embodiment the armor is a composite of different materials, with the antenna placed between elements of the armor, creating a multi-level design. The antenna elements are preferably printed for low-profile and ease of integration or the antenna elements can be fabricated from larger elements and placed into a space between vehicle and armor or in a cavity cut into the vehicle or armor.

Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for molecular-scale electronic switching generally includes a carbon nanotube, an anode, a cathode and two conductive particles encapsulated within the carbon nanotube, wherein the particles are configured to move between high resistance and low resistance states. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved switching function.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed, described, and/or claimed herein relate to copolymers comprising copolymers comprising electron accepting A subunits that comprise thiazolothiazole, benzobisthiazole, or benzobisoxazoles rings, and electron donating subunits that comprise certain heterocyclic groups. The copolymers are useful for manufacturing organic electronic devices, including transistors and solar cells. The invention also relates to certain synthetic precursors of the copolymers. Methods for making the copolymers and the derivative electronic devices are also described.