Abstract: A rear-viewing endoscope includes a rigid section having first and second ends, and a cavity situated between the first and second ends. The rigid section has a longitudinal length and defining a longitudinal axis (LAR). The endoscope further includes a flexible section having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end is coupled to the second end of the rigid section; and an imaging unit having first and second ends and a cavity situated between the first and second ends, the second end of the imaging unit coupled to the distal end of the flexible section. An objective lens assembly of the endoscope includes a complementary multiband bandpass filter (CMBF) pair situated within the cavity of the imaging unit. The CMBF filter collimated image rays passing therethrough so as to output filtered image rays. A camera or detector receives the filtered image rays and forms corresponding video information for stereoscopic imaging.

Abstract: A BiBlade sampler may include a first blade and a second blade in a retracted position. The BiBlade sampler may also include a gripper, which is driven by an actuator. The gripper may include a plurality of fingers to force the first blade and the second blade to remain in a retracted position. When the fingers are unhooked, the first blade and the second blade penetrate a surface of an object.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention generate tunable electromagnetic waves using carbon nanotube-based field emitters. In one embodiment, a CNT-based irradiator includes: at least one CNT-based cathode, itself including: a plurality of carbon nanotubes adjoined to a substrate; a plurality of anodic regions; where each anodic region is configured to emit a distinctly different class of photons in a direction away from the at least one cathode in response to a same reception of electrons; where each of the plurality of anodic regions is operable to receive electrons emitted from at least one of said at least one CNT-based cathode; and where each of the at least one CNT-based cathode and the plurality of anodic regions are disposed within a vacuum encasing.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement multi-directional environmental sensors. In one embodiment, a multi-directional environmental sensor includes: an inner conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; an outer conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; and a device that measures the electrical characteristics of the multi-directional environmental sensor, the device having a first terminal and a second terminal; where the inner conductive element is substantially enclosed within the outer conductive element; where the inner conductive element is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the device; and where the outer conductive element is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention proficiently produce carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic devices. In one embodiment a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic device includes: growing carbon nanotubes onto a substrate to form a cathode; assembling a stack that includes the cathode, an anode, and a first layer that includes an alignment slot; disposing a microsphere partially into the alignment slot during the assembling of the stack such that the microsphere protrudes from the alignment slot and can thereby separate the first layer from an adjacent layer; and encasing the stack in a vacuum sealed container.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement carbon nanotube-based field emitters. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube field emitter includes: patterning a substrate with a catalyst, where the substrate has thereon disposed a diffusion barrier layer; growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on at least a portion of the patterned catalyst; and heating the substrate to an extent where it begins to soften such that at least a portion of at least one carbon nanotube becomes enveloped by the softened substrate.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube field emission device with overhanging gate fabricated by a double silicon-on-insulator process. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement integrated environmental sensors that can operate in rigorous environments. In one embodiment, an integrated environmental sensor includes: at least one sensor and a substrate; where: the at least one sensor is disposed on the substrate; the at least one sensor can detect at least two environmental properties including: the surrounding temperature; the surrounding pressure; the flow rate of surrounding fluids; and the surrounding composition; the at least one sensor is capable of detection in an environment that has: a temperature greater than 150° C.; a pressure greater than 100 bar; and/or an inclusion of one of liquid hydrocarbons, H2S, CO2, and sulfur species; and the substrate can withstand an environment characterized by at least one of: a temperature greater than 150° C.; a pressure greater than 100 bar; and/or an inclusion of one of liquid hydrocarbons, H2S, CO2, and sulfur species.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement microscale digital vacuum electronic gates. In one embodiment, a microscale digital vacuum electronic gate includes: a microscale field emitter that can emit electrons and that is a microscale cathode; and a microscale anode; where the microscale field emitter and the microscale anode are disposed within at least a partial vacuum; where the microscale field emitter and the microscale anode are separated by a gap; and where the potential difference between the microscale field emitter and the microscale anode is controllable such that the flow of electrons between the microscale field emitter and the microscale anode is thereby controllable; where when the microscale anode receives a flow of electrons, a first logic state is defined; and where when the microscale anode does not receive a flow of electrons, a second logic state is defined.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement carbon nanotube-based field emitters. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube field emitter includes: patterning a substrate with a catalyst, where the substrate has thereon disposed a diffusion barrier layer; growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on at least a portion of the patterned catalyst; and heating the substrate to an extent where it begins to soften such that at least a portion of at least one carbon nanotube becomes enveloped by the softened substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention proficiently produce carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic devices. In one embodiment a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic device includes: growing carbon nanotubes onto a substrate to form a cathode; assembling a stack that includes the cathode, an anode, and a first layer that includes an alignment slot; disposing a microsphere partially into the alignment slot during the assembling of the stack such that the microsphere protrudes from the alignment slot and can thereby separate the first layer from an adjacent layer; and encasing the stack in a vacuum sealed container.

Abstract: A deformable mirror is configured to be deformed by surface-parallel actuation. In one embodiment, the deformable mirror includes a first piezoelectric active layer on a first surface of a substrate. The first piezoelectric active layer has a substantially uniform thickness across the first surface of the substrate. The mirror also includes a first electrode layer on the first piezoelectric active layer. The first electrode layer has a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first pattern and has a substantially uniform thickness across the first piezoelectric active layer. The mirror may further include a second piezoelectric layer on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the second piezoelectric layer. The electrodes of the first and second electrode layers are configured to supply a voltage to the piezoelectric active layers upon actuation to thereby locally deform the shape of the mirror to correct for optical aberrations.

Abstract: A micro-scaled bi-material lattice structure includes a frame comprising a first material having a first coefficient of expansion and defining a plurality of unit cells. The bi-material lattice structure further includes a plurality of plates comprising a second material having a second coefficient of expansion different from the first coefficient of expansion. One of the plates is connected to each unit cell. The bi-material lattice structure has a third coefficient of expansion different from both the first coefficient of the expansion and the second coefficient of expansion, and the bi-material lattice structure has a thickness of about 100 nm to about 3000 microns.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube field emission device with overhanging gate fabricated by a double silicon-on-insulator process. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement multi-directional environmental sensors. In one embodiment, a multi-directional environmental sensor includes: an inner conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; an outer conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; and a device that measures the electrical characteristics of the multi-directional environmental sensor, the device having a first terminal and a second terminal; where the inner conductive element is substantially enclosed within the outer conductive element; where the inner conductive element is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the device; and where the outer conductive element is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: A miniature thermal conductivity gauge employs a carbon single-walled-nanotube. The gauge operates on the principle of thermal exchange between the voltage-biased nanotube and the surrounding gas at low levels of power and low temperatures to measure vacuum across a wide dynamic range. The gauge includes two terminals, a source of constant voltage to the terminals, a single-walled carbon nanotube between the terminals, a calibration of measured conductance of the nanotube to magnitudes of surrounding vacuum and a current meter in electrical communication with the source of constant voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a slot array antenna comprising a quartz layer and a silicon layer, wherein the quartz and silicon layers are matched to suppress microwave modes, and a metal layer adjacent to the silicon layer comprising offset cuts.