Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: Uniform portions of fine powders are deposited on a substrate by electrostatic attraction in which the charge of the electric field and polarity of the charged particles are varied repeatedly to form a buildup of powder on the carrier surface.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: A retractable arm assembly for use in positioning a milker arm near the teats of a cow is disclosed. The retractable arm assembly allows a milker claw to be stored above a milking platform in a clean, safe position, and then automatically extended to the milking position and maintained in that position until the milker claw has been removed from the teats of the cow. The retractable arm assembly includes a movable milker arm having an interior chamber for receiving a chain to which the milker claw attaches. A lever arm connected to the milker arm faciliates movement of the milker arm in a downward and outward path around and behind the cow's rear leg. Both the chain and the milker arm can be selectively extended and retracted.

Abstract: Composite epitaxial materials that comprise semimetallic ErAs nanoparticles or nanoislands epitaxially embedded in a semiconducting In0.53Ga0.47As matrix both as superlattices and randomly distributed throughout the matrix are disclosed. The presence of these particles increases the free electron concentration in the material while providing scattering centers for phonons. Electron concentration, mobility, and Seebeck coefficient of these materials are discussed and their potential for use in thermoelectric power generators is postulated. These composite materials in accordance with the present invention have high electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity, and a high Seebeck coefficient. The ErAs nanoislands provides additional scattering mechanism for the mid to long wavelength phonon—the combination reduces the thermal conductivity below the alloy limit.

Abstract: A filter apparatus is described that includes an electrical input signal, an optical source, an optical modulator, first and second pluralities of photonic delay lines, an optical switch, a combiner, and a photodetector. The optical modulator is coupled to the electrical input signal and the optical source. The first plurality of photonic delay lines are coupled to the optical modulator. The optical switch is coupled to the optical switch. The combiner combines the outputs of the second plurality of photonic delay lines to provide a combined output. The photodetector is coupled to the combined output of the combiner to provide a first filtered output of the electrical input signal.

Abstract: Authentication credentials from legacy applications are translated to Kerberos authentication requests. Authentication credentials from the legacy application are directed to an authentication proxy module. The authentication proxy module acts as a credential translator for the application by receiving a set of credentials such as a user name and password, then managing the process of authenticating to a Kerberos server and obtaining services from one or more Kerberized applications, including Kerberos session encryption. A credential binding module associates a user corresponding to authentication credentials from a legacy authentication protocol with one or more Kerberos credentials. Anonymous authentication credentials may be translated to authentication requests for a network directory services object, such as a computer object or service object.

Abstract: A method for equalizing optical signal power in a group of optical signals transmitted through an optical switch in an optical transmission system. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch having at least one movable mirror array with a plurality of reflectors formed thereon, the optical beam being directed onto a selected at least one reflector and wherein attenuating the optical beam is accomplished by controllably detuning at least one of the selected at least one reflector to attenuate the optical beam.

Abstract: A MEMS-tunable semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, a first mirror, coupled to the substrate, a second mirror, an active region, coupled between the first and second mirror, and a microelectromechanical actuator, coupled to the second mirror, wherein a voltage is applied to the microelectromechanical actuator to tune the SOA.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous OTDM demultiplexing, electrical clock recovery and optical clock generation, and optical clock recovery using a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator. The apparatus includes a TW-EAM and a PLL coupled thereto. The TW-EAM includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth. The first port is used for an optical input and the third port is used for optical output. The second port is coupled to an input, and the fourth port is coupled to an output, of the PLL. When the first port receives optical input, the second port produces a photocurrent to be applied to the PLL, and the fourth port receives a recovered clock produced by the PLL, and the third port produces demultiplexed data and an optical clock. Using the same configuration, the apparatus produces a recovered optical clock signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous OTDM demultiplexing, electrical clock recovery and optical clock generation, and optical clock recovery using a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator. The apparatus includes a TW-EAM and a PLL coupled thereto. The TW-EAM includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth. The first port is used for an optical input and the third port is used for optical output. The second port is coupled to an input, and the fourth port is coupled to an output, of the PLL. When the first port receives optical input, the second port produces a photocurrent to be applied to the PLL, and the fourth port receives a recovered clock produced by the PLL, and the third port produces demultiplexed data and an optical clock. Using the same configuration, the apparatus produces a recovered optical clock signal.

Abstract: A device for controlling fluid flow for heating or cooling an associated system is provided. The present invention includes a housing having a flow control member that includes a bendable portion. The flow control member responds automatically to a pressure condition within the housing and opens or closes based on the direction and quantity of fluid flow and does not include any mechanical or electromechanical control components. The bendable portion may include, for example, a convoluted section. The flow control member is in an open position during a mode of operation of the associated system and is in a closed position in another mode of operation of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling optical loss in an optical switch to equalize optical power or loss in a group of optical signals in an optical transmission system relatively insensitive to mechanical vibration. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch and selected optical signals are variably attenuated using synchronized control to two mirrors in order to provide more uniform power distribution among the group of optical signals without enhancing vibration sensitivity of the optical switch.

Abstract: An fluid sensor to activate and control various components of an inhalation device. The fluid sensor includes an acoustic element, such as a microphone, positioned within said inhalation device to detect fluid within the device and output signals representative of the frequency, direction and/or amplitude of the fluid. These signals control and activate an electrostatic plate and/or a high frequency vibrator.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: An inhalation device is described for use with a medication pack wherein the medication pack is formed by a single sheet folded on itself into several sealed pockets or pleats. Each of the pockets or pleats contains a drug to be aerosolized using a piezoelectric element. The inhaler includes a mechanism to open the blisters by pulling apart the sealed pocket or pleat.

Abstract: Uniform portions of fine powders are deposited on a substrate by electrostatic attraction in which the charge of the electric field and polarity of the charged particles are varied repeatedly to form a buildup of powder on the carrier surface.

Abstract: Uniform portions of fine powders are deposited on a substrate by electrostatic attraction in which the charge of the electric field and polarity of the charged particles are varied repeatedly to form a buildup of powder on the carrier surface.

Abstract: A method for equalizing optical signal power in a group of optical signals transmitted through an optical switch in an optical transmission system. In one embodiment a group of optical signals is input into an optical switch having at least one movable mirror array with a plurality of reflectors formed thereon, the optical beam being directed onto a selected at least one reflector and wherein attenuating the optical beam is accomplished by controllably detuning at least one of the selected at least one reflector to attenuate the optical beam.