Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-pass etalon-based optical filter in which input light once reflected from the etalon is returned back to the etalon for a second reflection to enhance etalon contrast. The external mirror may be tilted relative to the etalon so that two planes of incidence are orthogonal. The multi-pass etalon-based optical filter may be used to clean scattered light from an excitation wavelength in Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy.

Abstract: A device for repeated intradermal injections within an organic tissue. The device comprises a support defining an internal housing for receiving a vial containing an aqueous solution, a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the vial, a tube defining a pressurized solution path, a hollow injection needle, an injection head, a driven element with a distal end connected to the injection head, an actuator connected to the driven element, and a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized solution path for controlling a flow of the pressurized solution into the tube from the vial up to the distal end of the hollow injection needle.

Abstract: Conventional etalon based spectrometers have either a limited range of evaluation wavelengths or require continuous scanning of the etalon. Conventional etalon based spectrometers also have limited contrast between the peak transmission of a frequency on resonance and the minimum transmission of a frequency off resonance. An improved optical spectrometer includes a cylindrical lens configured to converge the input beam of light in only one direction, whereby the input beam of light is focused along a focal line. Accordingly, a first etalon receives the input beam of light, and transmits a series of sub-beams, each sub-beam transmitted at a different angle from the normal, and each sub-beam including multiple frequencies based on the FSR, whereby a secondary dispersive element receives each sub-beam, and disperses each sub-beam into individual frequencies.

Abstract: Conventional etalon based spectrometers have either a limited range of evaluation wavelengths or require continuous scanning of the etalon. Conventional etalon based spectrometers also have limited contrast between the peak transmission of a frequency on resonance and the minimum transmission of a frequency off resonance. An improved optical spectrometer includes a cylindrical lens configured to converge the input beam of light in only one direction, whereby the input beam of light is focused along a focal line. Accordingly, a first etalon receives the input beam of light, and transmits a series of sub-beams, each sub-beam transmitted at a different angle from the normal, and each sub-beam including multiple frequencies based on the FSR, whereby a secondary dispersive element receives each sub-beam, and disperses each sub-beam into individual frequencies.

Abstract: A conventional spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) comprises a beam splitter and a pair of diffraction gratings, one in each arm of the SHS. The beam splitter separates an input beam of light into first and second sub-beams for transmission to a respective diffraction grating, and then recombines the diffracted sub-beams for focusing onto a camera. A field widened SHS enables much larger range of input angles of the original beam to be focused onto the camera, so that a broader range of wavelengths may be collected. Increasing the range of wavelengths may be provided by one or more of the following: combining the beam splitter with a field widening prism, making one diffraction grating farther from the beam splitter than the other, and placing a plurality of diffraction gratings in each arm of the SHS.

Abstract: A conventional spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) comprises a beam splitter and a pair of diffraction gratings, one in each arm of the SHS. The beam splitter separates an input beam of light into first and second sub-beams for transmission to a respective diffraction grating, and then recombines the diffracted sub-beams for focusing onto a camera. A field widened SHS enables much larger range of input angles of the original beam to be focused onto the camera, so that a broader range of wavelengths may be collected. Increasing the range of wavelengths may be provided by one or more of the following: combining the beam splitter with a field widening prism, making one diffraction grating farther from the beam splitter than the other, and placing a plurality of diffraction gratings in each arm of the SHS.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein which allow to determine an icing condition without requiring a wind speed measurement. The methods and systems use two sensing members both being exposed to conditions in an environment. The determination is made based on a capacity of the sensing members to react differently to the conditions to which they are exposed. The conditions can be environmental or controlled. The determination includes measuring a variable indicative of the thermal state of each individual sensing member, and processing the measured values to generate the signal indicative of icing condition. The icing condition can be instrumental or meteorological.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-resolution optical spectrometer that employs two output lenses of different focal length to provide a broad wavelength range, coarse resolution spectral measurement and a high resolution, lower range spectral measurement. Light dispersed by a virtual image phase array followed by a diffraction grating in two different dispersion orders may be separately focused by the two lenses upon to 2D detector array to provide the two measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-pass etalon-based optical filter in which input light once reflected from the etalon is returned back to the etalon for a second reflection to enhance etalon contrast. The external mirror may be tilted relative to the etalon so that two planes of incidence are orthogonal. The multi-pass etalon-based optical filter may be used to clean scattered light from an excitation wavelength in Raman and Brillouin spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical fiber-based devices, and more particularly to light-absorbing optical fiber-based systems and methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-resolution optical spectrometer that employs two output lenses of different focal length to provide a broad wavelength range, coarse resolution spectral measurement and a high resolution, lower range spectral measurement. Light dispersed by a virtual image phase array followed by a diffraction grating in two different dispersion orders may be separately focused by the two lenses upon to 2D detector array to provide the two measurements.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein which allow to determine an icing condition without requiring a wind speed measurement. The methods and systems use two sensing members both being exposed to conditions in an environment. The determination is made based on a capacity of the sensing members to react differently to the conditions to which they are exposed. The conditions can be environmental or controlled. The determination includes measuring a variable indicative of the thermal state of each individual sensing member, and processing the measured values to generate the signal indicative of icing condition. The icing condition can be instrumental or meteorological.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.

Abstract: The method includes receiving a value of a quantity of heat applied to at least a portion of a structure, said structure having a sensor surface exposed to the environment, receiving a temperature measurement of the sensor surface, receiving a wind speed measurement of the environment, receiving an ambient temperature measurement of the environment, determining a heat transfer projection of the sensor area using at least the wind speed measurement, the ambient temperature measurement, and one of the value of a quantity of heat and a target temperature of the sensor surface; comparing the heat transfer projection to an associated heat transfer value, and generating a signal indicating the icing condition status based on the comparison.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.

Abstract: A high energy density flywheel has a central rotating axle for storing kinetic energy. The flywheel comprises a first member to be operatively mounted around the axle. The first member comprises a first material having a given high mass density enabling a given high kinetic energy storage capacity. The flywheel comprises a second member operatively attached to the first member. The second member surrounds an outside portion of the first member subject to radial forces generated by a rotation of the flywheel. The second member comprises a second material having a given high yield strength enabling a given high maximum rotational speed. The second member enables an operation of the flywheel at a given high flywheel rotational speed greater than the rotational speed that would be allowed by the maximal yield strength of the first material, to thereby provide the flywheel with a given high kinetic energy storage capacity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recycling carbon dioxide emissions from a fossil-fuel power plant into useful carbonated species The process primarily comprises the steps of: a) burning the fossil fuel, thereby generating heat and a hot exhaust gas containing CO2; and b) converting the heat into energy. The process is characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: c) cooling the exhaust gas; and d) biologically transforming the CO2 contained in the cooled exhaust gas into carbonated species, thereby obtaining a low CO2 exhaust gas and producing useful carbonated species. The low CO2 exhaust gas obtained in step d) can be released in the atmosphere without increasing the problem of greenhouse effect.