Abstract: A hybrid process combines a thin-film surface micromachining process such as by sputtering, evaporation or chemical vapor deposition with a thick-film surface micromachining and release process such as dry-film lamination. Such combination results in thin film micro-structures with all the benefits of surface micromachining without the typical problems of stiction and limited range of motion.

Abstract: A low cost waveguide tunable Bragg grating provides a flat passband and minimal crosstalk. A compliant material forms a waveguide that is imprinted with a Bragg grating and mounted on a MEMS actuator. Entropic materials such as elastomers, aerogels or other long-chain polymers may provide the necessary compliance. The application of a drive signal to the actuator deforms (squeezes or stretches) the compliant material thereby changing the Bragg spacing and shifting the resonant wavelength. The MEMS actuator can be an electrostatically or electromagnetically actuated comb-drive.

Abstract: A cost-effective tunable optical component uses entropic, rather than enthalpic, materials to provide a compliant member that supports the optical element and is driven by an electrostatic actuator. Entropic materials exhibit an entropic plateau region over a wide frequency range with a Young's modulus much lower than enthalpic materials, linear elastic behavior over a wide deformation range, and, in certain geometries, energy and stress behavior that tend to stabilize the optical element during deformation. The compliant member can be configured in a variety of geometries including compression, tension, tensile/compressive and shear and of a variety of materials including elastomers, aerogels or other long chained polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compliant mechanism that can be used to make a variety of devices, such as tunable optical devices that are more reliable, more cost effective and/or exhibit better performance than prior art devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of making mechanisms in which the relative locations of elements are maintained during manufacturing. The methods according to the present invention can be used to make a variety of devices, including tunable optical devices. The methods include displaceably attaching an island (support) to a frame with a non-rigid material.

Abstract: A tunable laser system is provided which includes a tunable laser. The tunable laser combines a laser with a compliant mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compliant mechanism that can be used to make a variety of devices, such as tunable optical devices that are more reliable, more cost effective and/or exhibit better performance than prior art devices.

Abstract: Data available in a system is identified. Each data is categorized as a scalar data or a tabular data. The tabular data is associated with data from a table and the scalar data is not. Each data is further categorized as a parameter data or a statistic data. The statistic data is pulled from the system. The parameter data is either pulled from the system or pushed to the system. The data is grouped into groups based on logical relationships of data in the groups. A blank form is developed for each group of data. Each blank form has one or more fields defined to accommodate the data in the group. Using the blank form, the data is pushed to the system and to pulled from the system.

Abstract: A sequence of MEMS processing steps are used to construct a 2D optical switch on a single substrate. In a typical optical switch configuration, an array of hinged micromirrors are supported by an array of posts at a 45° angle to the input and output optical paths and positioned parallel to the substrate either above, below or, perhaps, in the optical paths. The application of a voltage between the mirror and its control electrodes switches the mirror to a vertical position where it intercepts and deflects light travelling down the optical paths. The posts are suitably oriented at a 90° angle with respect to the mirror hinges so that they do not interfere with the optical paths and, may be configured to function as baffles to reduce crosstalk between adjacent optical paths.

Abstract: GABA analogs are useful to prevent and treat gastrointestinal damage and ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Preferred treatments employ gabapentin or pregabalin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuator piston assembly for use in a rocker arm system. The actuator piston assembly is capable of actuating at least one engine valve during for example engine braking. The actuator piston assembly includes a piston body having a hollow interior, a screw assembly received within the hollow interior of the screw assembly, a biasing assembly for biasing the piston body with respect to the screw assembly, a cap assembly located within the hollow interior, wherein the biasing assembly interacts with the cap assembly and the screw assembly, and a securing assembly for movably securing the piston body to the screw assembly.

Abstract: An array of micromachined mirrors are arranged on a first substrate at the intersections of input and output optical paths and oriented at approximately forty-five degrees to the paths. An array of split-electrodes are arranged on a second substrate above the respective mirrors. Each split electrode includes a first electrode configured to apply an electrostatic force that rotates the mirror approximately ninety degrees into one of the input optical paths to deflect the optical signal along one of the output optical paths, and a second electrode configured to apply an electrostatic force that maintains the mirror position. Stability may be improved by using the first and second electrodes in combination to first actuate the mirror and then balance the forces on the mirror to maintain its position. Reproducibly accurate positioning of the mirrors requires either the use of active positioning control or of mechanical stops.

Abstract: A low cost waveguide tunable Bragg grating provides a flat passband and minimal crosstalk. A compliant material forms a waveguide that is imprinted with a Bragg grating and mounted on a MEMS actuator. Entropic materials such as elastomers, aerogels or other long-chain polymers may provide the necessary compliance. The application of a drive signal to the actuator deforms (squeezes or stretches) the compliant material thereby changing the Bragg spacing and shifting the resonant wavelength. The MEMS actuator can be an electrostatically or electromagnetically actuated comb-drive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control value 20 which incorporates the functions of both a shuttle valve and a check valve into a single structure for use in a lost motion engine brake system. In response to a supply of hydraulic fluid from switched low pressure supply circuit 320, control valve body 200 of control value 20 may index within control valve bore 204, such that hydraulic fluid flows through upper annulus 260, first horizontal bore 270, first vertical bore 280, middle annulus 261 and out through lashless fluid supply circuit 340 and accumulator control circuit 350 to acuate engine valve 100. In an embodiment for clipping/rest of the valve actuating piston 130, clipping/reset spool 450 provided in rocker shaft 405. In response to rotational or linear motion, spool annuluses 451 on clipping/reset spool 450 move to open and close clipping reset/passageway 455 and accumulator control circuit 350, thereby providing clipping of piston 130.

Abstract: A cost-effective tunable optical component uses entropic, rather than enthalpic, materials to provide a compliant member that supports the optical element and is driven by an electrostatic actuator. Entropic materials exhibit an entropic plateau region over a wide frequency range with a Young's modulus much lower than enthalpic materials, linear elastic behavior over a wide deformation range, and, in certain geometries, energy and stress behavior that tend to stabilize the optical element during deformation. The compliant member can be configured in a variety of geometries including compression, tension, tensile/compressive and shear and of a variety of materials including elastomers, aerogels or other long chained polymers.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LDCs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: GABA analogs are useful to prevent and treat gastrointestinal damage and ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Preferred treatments employ gabapentin or pregabalin.

Abstract: A mass spectrometric method for sequencing nucleic acids using RNA polymerases, including DNA-dependent and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is provided. The methods use a modified Sanger sequencing strategy in which RNA polymerase is used to generate a set of nested RNA transcripts obtained by base-specific chain termination. These are analyzed by mass spectrometry. A method of identifying transcriptional terminator sequences or attenuator sequences is also provided.

Abstract: GABA analogs are useful to prevent and treat gastrointestinal damage and ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Preferred treatments employ gabapentin or pregabalin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preventing visceral and gastrointestinal damage such as gastric ulcers by administering a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog and for treating gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD), functional bowel disorders (FBD) including dyspepsia and other visceral pain.