Abstract: A device formation method may include printing a chalcogenide glass ink onto a surface to form a chalcogenide glass layer, where the chalcogenide glass ink comprises chalcogenide glass and a fluid medium. The method may further include sintering the chalcogenide glass layer at a first temperature for a first duration. The method may also include annealing the chalcogenide glass layer at a second temperature for a second duration. A device may include a substrate and a printed chalcogenide glass layer on the substrate, where the printed chalcogenide glass layer includes annealed chalcogenide glass, and where the printed chalcogenide glass layer is free from cracks.

Abstract: Water-based nanoparticle inks may be formulated to be compatible with printed electronic direct-write methods. The water-based nanoparticle inks may include a functional material (nanoparticle) in combination with an appropriate solvent system. A method may include dispersing nanoparticles in a solvent and printing a circuit in an aerosol jet process or plasma jet process.

Abstract: A reflection mode sensor system may include an optical fiber core and an optical fiber cladding. A first long period grating (LPG) may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a first grating period, a second LPG may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a second grating period, and a third LPG may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a third grating period. The grating periods may enable sensing of multiple parameters simultaneously. A metal coating may be applied to an end facet of the combined optical fiber core and optical fiber cladding. The metal coating may also cover a side surface of the optical fiber cladding along a length from the end facet. The metal coating may include a paste applied to the optical fiber core and the optical fiber cladding, where the paste has been cured, and includes a metal.

Abstract: A device formation method may include printing a chalcogenide glass ink onto a surface to form a chalcogenide glass layer, where the chalcogenide glass ink comprises chalcogenide glass and a fluid medium. The method may further include sintering the chalcogenide glass layer at a first temperature for a first duration. The method may also include annealing the chalcogenide glass layer at a second temperature for a second duration. A device may include a substrate and a printed chalcogenide glass layer on the substrate, where the printed chalcogenide glass layer includes annealed chalcogenide glass, and where the printed chalcogenide glass layer is free from cracks.

Abstract: Water-based nanoparticle inks may be formulated to be compatible with printed electronic direct-write methods. The water-based nanoparticle inks may include a functional material (nanoparticle) in combination with an appropriate solvent system. A method may include dispersing nanoparticles in a solvent and printing a circuit in an aerosol jet process or plasma jet process.

Abstract: A reflection mode sensor system may include an optical fiber core and an optical fiber cladding. A first long period grating (LPG) may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a first grating period, a second LPG may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a second grating period, and a third LPG may be positioned along the optical fiber core having a third grating period. The grating periods may enable sensing of multiple parameters simultaneously. A metal coating may be applied to an end facet of the combined optical fiber core and optical fiber cladding. The metal coating may also cover a side surface of the optical fiber cladding along a length from the end facet. The metal coating may include a paste applied to the optical fiber core and the optical fiber cladding, where the paste has been cured, and includes a metal.

Abstract: A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

Abstract: A device may include a flexible substrate. The device may further include a flexible integrated circuit within the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit having at least one input electrode positioned on a surface of the flexible substrate. The device may also include an aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer disposed on the surface of the flexible substrate, the aerosol-jet printed conductive ink layer having a pattern that includes a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers, the aerosol jet printed conductive ink layer in contact with the at least one input electrode.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna on a flexible substrate is disclosed. The method comprising ink jet printing and hardening alignment marks, antenna elements, transmission lines, switches, an RF coupler, and multilayer interconnections onto the flexible substrate. The substrate of the M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna may comprise an integrated control circuit of printed electronic components such as, photovoltaic cells, batteries, resistors, capacitors, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna on a flexible substrate is disclosed. The method comprising ink jet printing and hardening alignment marks, antenna elements, transmission lines, switches, an RF coupler, and multilayer interconnections onto the flexible substrate. The substrate of the M×N, P-bit phased-array antenna may comprise an integrated control circuit of printed electronic components such as, photovoltaic cells, batteries, resistors, capacitors, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A fully additive method for forming optical waveguides and devices, such as thermo-optic polymer switches and electro-optic polymer modulators, is disclosed. A first polymer material of refractive index N1 is coated onto a suitable substrate to form a first cladding layer. The first cladding is then selectively patterned using a mold to form an impression of the waveguide core into the first cladding layer. Next, a core layer is formed by ink-jet printing onto the imprinted first cladding layer with a core material of refractive index N2 (N2>N1). The core layer is subsequently coated by ink-jet printing with a second polymer material of refractive index N3 (N3<N2) to form a second cladding, resulting in an optical waveguide. An electrode may be ink-jet printed before coating the first cladding material or after coating the second cladding material, or both before and after coating, in order to form active photonic devices.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems based on integrated photonic crystal structures are disclosed. An integrated photonic crystal structure includes a photonic crystal structure and a defect member disposed adjacent the photonic crystal structure. The defect member includes a photoconductive material. The integrated photonic crystal structure is configured to receive an input light signal such that the input light signal is internally reflected within the photonic crystal structure and the defect member, such that the input light signal is absorbed by the photoconductive material in the defect member, and such that a property of the photoconductive material is changed to thereby output an output signal.

Abstract: A fully additive method for forming multilayer electrical interconnects for printed electronic and/or optoelectronic devices is disclosed. Electrical interconnects are fabricated by directly ink-jet printing a dielectric material with selective interconnection holes, and then ink jet printing conductive patterns and filling the interconnection holes with conductive material to form multilayer interconnects. A method for manufacturing a multilayer printed electronic system utilizing the invention is also disclosed. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A fully additive method for forming optical waveguides and devices, such as thermo-optic polymer switches and electro-optic polymer modulators, is disclosed. A first polymer material of refractive index N1 is coated onto a suitable substrate to form a first cladding layer. The first cladding is then selectively patterned using a mold to form an impression of the waveguide core into the first cladding layer. Next, a core layer is formed by ink-jet printing onto the imprinted first cladding layer with a core material of refractive index N2 (N2>N1). The core layer is subsequently coated by ink jet printing with a second polymer material of refractive index N3 (N3<N2) to form a second cladding, resulting in an optical waveguide. An electrode may be ink jet printed before coating the first cladding material or after coating the second cladding material, or both before and after coating, in order to form active photonic devices.

Abstract: Apparatuses comprising an integrated printed decorative image with a printed antenna structure and/or printed electronic circuits are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a printed decorative image atop the layer of the printed antenna structure, wherein the printed antenna structure is substantially concealed by the printed decorative image. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems based on integrated photonic crystal structures are disclosed. An integrated photonic crystal structure includes a photonic crystal structure and a defect member disposed adjacent the photonic crystal structure. The defect member includes a photoconductive material. The integrated photonic crystal structure is configured to receive an input light signal such that the input light signal is internally reflected within the photonic crystal structure and the defect member, such that the input light signal is absorbed by the photoconductive material in the defect member, and such that a property of the photoconductive material is changed to thereby output an output signal.

Abstract: An active device for dynamic control of lightwave transmission properties has at least one photonic crystal waveguide that has anti-reflection photonic crystal waveguides with gradually changed group refractive indices at both input and output side. An alternating voltage or current signal applied to two electrically conductive regions changes the refractive indices of the photonic crystal materials, introducing a certain degree of blue-shift or red-shift of the transmission spectrum of the photonic crystal waveguide. The output lightwave with frequency close to the band-edge of the photonic crystal waveguide is controlled by the input electric signal. Devices having one or more such active photonic crystal waveguides may be utilized as an electro-optic modulator, an optical switch, or a tunable optical filter.

Abstract: An active device for dynamic control of lightwave transmission properties has at least one photonic crystal waveguide that has anti-reflection photonic crystal waveguides with gradually changed group refractive indices at both input and output side. An alternating voltage or current signal applied to two electrically conductive regions changes the refractive indices of the photonic crystal materials, introducing a certain degree of blue-shift or red-shift of the transmission spectrum of the photonic crystal waveguide. The output lightwave with frequency close to the band-edge of the photonic crystal waveguide is controlled by the input electric signal. Devices having one or more such active photonic crystal waveguides may be utilized as an electro-optic modulator, an optical switch, or a tunable optical filter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for optical beam steering are disclosed including coupling a laser light into an apparatus comprising a first substrate; an array of air core photonic crystal waveguides; columnar members etched around each air core waveguide; a pair of metal electrodes around the columnar members; a trench around the pair of metal electrodes surrounding each air core photonic crystal waveguide; a second substrate coupled to the first substrate comprising electrical interconnection lines; and a holographic fanout array comprising a third substrate; a photopolymer film coated on the third substrate; a hologram written in the photopolymer film configured to couple the laser light into the third substrate; and an array of holograms recorded in the photopolymer film configured to couple a portion of the laser light into the waveguides; and passing a current through the electrodes to induce a refractive index change in the first substrate to control the phase of the portion of the laser light that passes throug

Abstract: Methods and devices for optical beam steering are disclosed including coupling a laser light into an apparatus comprising a first substrate; an array of air core photonic crystal waveguides; columnar members etched around each air core waveguide; a pair of metal electrodes around the columnar members; a trench around the pair of metal electrodes surrounding each air core photonic crystal waveguide; a second substrate coupled to the first substrate comprising electrical interconnection lines; and a holographic fanout array comprising a third substrate; a photopolymer film coated on the third substrate; a hologram written in the photopolymer film configured to couple the laser light into the third substrate; and an array of holograms recorded in the photopolymer film configured to couple a portion of the laser light into the waveguides; and passing a current through the electrodes to induce a refractive index change in the first substrate to control the phase of the portion of the laser light that passes throug