Abstract: Methods of microscopic imaging of biological tissue using adaptive optics technology to improve the image focus and sharpness. Wavefront measurements are taken by using a novel method of seeding biological tissue by using a fluorescent microsphere as a “guide star” as a natural point-source reference. The current methods are capable of improving the Strehl ratio of modern biological microscopes as much as 15 times.

Abstract: Methods of microscopic imaging of biological tissue using adaptive optics technology to improve the image focus and sharpness. Wavefront measurements are taken by using a novel method of seeding biological tissue by using a fluorescent microsphere as a “guide star” as a natural point-source reference. The current methods are capable of improving the Strehl ratio of modern biological microscopes as much as 15 times.

Abstract: An environmental system includes a micromechanical dispensing device. The environmental system comprises an environmental system controller arranged to communicate with one or more included environmental air units. The one or more environmental air units are arranged to alter or control one or more physical properties of an atmosphere. The environmental system controller is further arranged to communicate with an included micromechanical dispensing device. The micromechanical dispensing device is arranged to dispense at least one fluid into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An environmental system includes a micromechanical dispensing device. The environmental system comprises an environmental system controller arranged to communicate with one or more included environmental air units. The one or more environmental air units are arranged to alter or control one or more physical properties of an atmosphere. The environmental system controller is further arranged to communicate with an included micromechanical dispensing device. The micromechanical dispensing device is arranged to dispense at least one fluid into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A substantially straight beam in an unbuckled state is compressed to cause the beam to buckle using an adjustable compressor. The adjustable compressor applies force to one or both ends of the beam and limits compression on the beam to allow the beam to move between a first buckled state and a second buckled state. The first buckled state and the second buckled state comprise substantially equal magnitude and opposite direction buckling movements from the unbuckled state.

Abstract: An environmental system includes a micromechanical dispensing device. The environmental system comprises an environmental system controller arranged to communicate with one or more included environmental air units. The one or more environmental air units are arranged to alter or control one or more physical properties of an atmosphere. The environmental system controller is further arranged to communicate with an included micromechanical dispensing device. The micromechanical dispensing device is arranged to dispense at least one fluid into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device comprises one or more micromechanical fluid dispensing mechanisms arranged to dispense fluids into the atmosphere. The fluids include any of a perfume, pheromone, fragrance, disinfectant, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, fumigant, deodorizer, sanitizing agent and insecticide. A dispenser controller communicates with the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms to selectively activate the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms. Optionally, the fluid dispensing device includes a sensor to detect the airborne concentration of fluids that are dispersed in the atmosphere. Optionally, one or more fluid dispensing devices may be arranged to form a system, perhaps including a system sensor and a system controller.

Abstract: An improved waveguide shuttle optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a waveguide shuttle platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alternative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is an electrophotographic charging device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode adjacent the first electrode, a plurality of nanotubes adhering to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a voltage supply electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode impart charge to a portion of a gaseous material that is deposited on a receptor.

Abstract: Various document tracking techniques may provide an RFID tag for attaching a document that has obverse and reverse faces with the tag disposed on the obverse face. The tag may include a board and an antenna that may connect to the board and may be disposed on the obverse face of the document. The board may include a transceiver and a transponder. The transponder may include an integrated circuit. The antenna may include at least one extending member that extends from the board. The extending member may include a plurality of end segments that may flex so as to be disposed on the reverse face around an edge of the document. The antenna may include an extending member that extends from the board and may be secured to the document by connecting to a deforming staple member. The staple member may include stapling ends disposed on the reverse face by extending the stapling ends through the document and bending along the reverse face.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector includes a first layer formed to be a first thickness, and a second layer formed to be a second thickness. A method of forming a distributed Bragg reflector includes forming a first layer to be a first thickness and forming a second layer to be a second thickness. The first and second thicknesses are determined using a wavelength that is adjacent to a center wavelength of an optical band of the distributed Bragg reflector.

Abstract: A low cost spectral camera may include a multiple Fabry-Perot cavity filter with silicon photodetectors distributed one beside another in a two-dimensional matrix fashion. Each cavity may be designed to capture a pixel from an image. The two-dimensional fabry-perot array may function as a sensor to capture an image in spectral form. Spectral information may be obtained to generate spectral displays.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device comprises one or more micromechanical fluid dispensing mechanisms arranged to dispense fluids into the atmosphere. The fluids include any of a perfume, pheromone, fragrance, disinfectant, moisturizer, humectant, miticide, fumigant, deodorizer, sanitizing agent and insecticide. A dispenser controller communicates with the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms to selectively activate the fluid micromechanical dispensing mechanisms. Optionally, the fluid dispensing device includes a sensor to detect the airborne concentration of fluids that are dispersed in the atmosphere. Optionally, one or more fluid dispensing devices may be arranged to form a system, perhaps including a system sensor and a system controller.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus use ink jet printer technology for binding applications by using at least some ink fluid ejectors as glue fluid ejectors. For example, in a printing device including recording head cartridges and reservoirs dedicated to each of the colors (Y, M, C, K), a user could replace the reservoirs storing ink with reservoirs storing glue. If a user desires to eject two-component glue, two reservoirs could be filled with one component of the glue and the other two reservoirs could be filled with the second component of the glue. Alternatively, a user could add additional reservoirs, channels, and corresponding ejectors to the system. After making the color images with marking components, the glue ejectors could be used for binding. Because exemplary embodiments use marking technology, such as ink jet printer technology, embodiments provide precise positioning, high metering and accurate delivery of a three pico-liter size glue drop.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for implementing a full width array material scanning spectrophotometer by integrating a Fabry-Perot cavity filter with a silicon photodetector and a light focusing device (an optical guide or a SELFOC® lens). The material to be scanned is illuminated by a broad band illumination source (white LEDs or a fluorescence light source). The Fabry-Perot cavity gap can be tuned electromechanically to get multiple measurements to resolve the spectral distribution of the transmitted light signal. The array spectrophotometric architecture facilitates an elongated, substantially linear band detection and the associated spectral reconstruction technique resolves spectral distribution in the presence of multiple resonant peaks.

Abstract: An improved cantilever beam optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a cantilever beam platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alterative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A method for forming a gap (16) of a width (d) which meets selected tolerance limits includes forming sidewalls (80, 82) in a microstructure, the sidewalls defining a gap (16) therebetween. The gap has a width defined between the sidewalls. The width of the gap between the sidewalls is determined. Where the determined width of the gap is below the selected tolerance limits for the width of the gap, the sidewalls are consumed to form a gap which meets the selected tolerance limits. The gap may be incorporated in a waveguide device (10) of a microswitch (100) and selectively connect input and output waveguides (130, 132).

Abstract: A substantially straight beam in an unbuckled state is compressed to cause the beam to buckle using an adjustable compressor. The adjustable compressor applies force to one or both ends of the beam and limits compression on the beam to allow the beam to move between a first buckled state and a second buckled state. The first buckled state and the second buckled state comprise substantially equal magnitude and opposite direction buckling movements from the unbuckled state.

Abstract: An optical shuttle for routing signals in a communications system that includes a terminal connected to a power source, a shuttle that includes waveguides used for routing the signals, and a beam connected to the terminal and the shuttle so that the beam suspends the shuttle. When power from the power source is applied to the terminal, the beam drives a movement of the shuttle. Furthermore, a method of using an optical shuttle system for routing signals in a communications system, the method includes connecting a terminal to a power source, connecting a shuttle to a beam to suspend the shuttle, and applying power from the power source to the perpendicular to a direction of the shuttle in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of the beam.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator includes a segmented flexible membrane associated with individually addressable electrodes, one for each membrane segment. The electrodes are provided beneath a corresponding one of the membrane segments to define a plurality of actuator chambers between each of the electrodes and the corresponding membrane segment. Control electronics independently provide a bias voltage to select ones or all of the electrodes to generate an electrostatic field between any bias electrode and the corresponding membrane segment to attract the corresponding membrane segment toward the respective electrode. Upon elimination of the bias voltage, the corresponding membrane segments are elastically restored to their previous position. This structure can be incorporated into a fluid drop ejector to achieve variable drop size by control of the number of segments actuated.