Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to systems and methods that integrate contactless electric field detectors to measure biophysical signals generated by a body. In one example, a biophysical sensing system includes a sensing assembly including an array of contactless electric field detectors, each of the contactless electric field detectors being configured to sense a corresponding component of an electric field generated by a body, a control system to receive sensor data indicative of the components of the electric field sensed by each of the contactless electric field detectors, the control system being configured to generate an estimate of the electric field based on the sensor data, and a feedback system coupled to at least the control system, the feedback system including at least one feedback interface, the feedback system being configured to operate the feedback interface to provide feedback based on the estimate of the electric field.

Abstract: An electrostatic motor includes a cylindrical rotor and a stator. Electrodes are disposed on an inside cylindrical surface of the stator. Electrets and/or electrically conductive electrodes are disposed on the cylindrical rotor and a dielectric fluid fills space between the rotor and the stator to prevent discharge of the electrets. A mask is used to charge portions of an electret cylinder or other curved surface.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

Abstract: Compact low-loss antennas and methods for long range two-way communication are provided. In one example, a mechanical antenna includes a first material having first embedded electric charge carriers, a second material having second embedded electric charge carriers, and an actuator coupled to at least one of the first material and the second material, the actuator being configured to generate a monopole current and transmit a low frequency signal by causing kinematic motion of the first material relative to the second material.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise magnetic field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, a magnetic field detector includes a proof mass, a magnetic dipole source coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The magnetic field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and positioned proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received magnetic field at the magnetic dipole source. The magnetic field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the magnetic field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to a compact and low-noise electric field detector, methods of operation, and methods of production thereof. In one example, an electric field detector includes a proof mass, a source of concentrated charge coupled to the proof mass, and a substrate having a substrate offset space defined therein, the proof mass being suspended above the substrate offset space. The electric field detector further includes a sense electrode disposed on the substrate within the substrate offset space and proximate the proof mass, the sense electrode being configured to measure a change in capacitance relative to the proof mass from movement of the proof mass in response to a received electric field at the source of concentrated charge. The electric field detector includes a control circuit coupled to the sense electrode and configured to determine a characteristic of the electric field based on the measured change in capacitance.

Abstract: Compact low-loss antennas and methods for long range two-way communication are provided. In one example, a mechanical antenna includes a first material having first embedded electric charge carriers, a second material having second embedded electric charge carriers, and an actuator coupled to at least one of the first material and the second material, the actuator being configured to generate a monopole current and transmit a low frequency signal by causing kinematic motion of the first material relative to the second material.

Abstract: Compact low-loss antennas and methods for long range two-way communication are provided. In one example, a mechanical antenna includes a first material having first embedded electric charge carriers, a second material having second embedded electric charge carriers, and an actuator coupled to at least one of the first material and the second material, the actuator being configured to generate a monopole current and transmit a low frequency signal by causing kinematic motion of the first material relative to the second material.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to systems and methods that integrate contactless electric field detectors to measure biophysical signals generated by a body. In one example, a biophysical sensing system includes a sensing assembly including an array of contactless electric field detectors, each of the contactless electric field detectors being configured to sense a corresponding component of an electric field generated by a body, a control system to receive sensor data indicative of the components of the electric field sensed by each of the contactless electric field detectors, the control system being configured to generate an estimate of the electric field based on the sensor data, and a feedback system coupled to at least the control system, the feedback system including at least one feedback interface, the feedback system being configured to operate the feedback interface to provide feedback based on the estimate of the electric field.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments are generally directed to magnetic field detector systems and methods. In one example, a magnetic field detector system includes a proof-mass including a magnetic dipole source, a plurality of supports, each individual support of the plurality supports being coupled to the proof-mass, a plurality of sensors, each individual sensor of the plurality of sensors positioned to measure a resonant frequency of a corresponding support of the plurality of supports, and a controller coupled to each individual sensor of the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to measure a characteristic of a magnetic field imparted on the proof-mass based on at least a first resonant frequency of the measured resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Aspects and embodiments are generally directed to electric field detector systems and methods. In one example, an electric field detector system includes a proof-mass including a source of concentrated charge, a plurality of supports, each individual support of the plurality supports being coupled to the proof-mass, a plurality of sensors, each individual sensor of the plurality of sensors positioned to measure a resonant frequency of a corresponding support of the plurality of supports, and a controller coupled to each individual sensor of the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to measure a characteristic of an electric field imparted on the proof-mass based on at least a first resonant frequency of the measured resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shut down, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.

Abstract: Compact low-loss antennas and methods for long range two-way communication are provided. In one example, a mechanical antenna includes a first material having first embedded electric charge carriers, a second material having second embedded electric charge carriers, and an actuator coupled to at least one of the first material and the second material, the actuator being configured to generate a monopole current and transmit a low frequency signal by causing kinematic motion of the first material relative to the second material.

Abstract: A system and method for automated shutdown, disconnect, or power reduction of solar panels. A system of solar panels includes one or more master management units (MMUs) and one or more local management units (LMUs). The MMUs are in communication with the LMUs with the MMUs and LMUs “handshaking” when the system is in operation. The MMUs are connected to one or more controllers which in turn are connected to emergency detection sensors. Upon a sensor detection of an emergency, the associated MMU is notified which in turn instructs associated LMUs to take appropriate action. In the event that communication with the MMUs has been cut off, the LMUs take the initiative to shutdown, disconnect, or reduce the output of associated string(s) of solar panels.