Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an electrochemical double-layer capacitor using nanotube structures. An electrochemical double-layer capacitor includes a first carbon nanotube-based electrode and a second carbon nanotube-based electrode mixed with an electrolyte, the carbon nanotubes comprising multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) fabricated on one of a plurality of substrates using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and a separator disposed between the first carbon nanotube-based electrode and the second carbon nanotube-based electrode.

Abstract: A thermal emitter device includes a cavity structure that comprises an active medium for allowing thermal emissions to occur. A photonic crystal structure is positioned on one side of the cavity structure. The photonic crystal structure comprises alternating layers of high index and low index materials and acts as a first mirror for the cavity structure. A highly reflective mirror structure is positioned on another side of the cavity structure and acting as both the high-temperature source of radiation and a second mirror for the cavity structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to reduce holding current and driving current of EMVD's effectively and practically and to provide soft landing of a valve. The invention incorporates a nonlinear mechanical transformer as part of an EMVD system. The nonlinear mechanical transformer is designed for the spring and the inertia in the EMVD to have desirable nonlinear characteristics. With the presently disclosed invention, the holding current and driving current are reduced and soft valve landing is achieved. The nonlinear characteristics of a nonlinear mechanical transformer can be implemented in various ways. The concept of the invention can be applied not only to EMVD's but also to general reciprocating and bi-stable servomechanical systems, where smooth acceleration, soft landing, and small power consumption are desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to reduce holding current and driving current of EMVD's effectively and practically and to provide soft landing of a valve. The invention incorporates a nonlinear mechanical transformer as part of an EMVD system. The nonlinear mechanical transformer is designed for the spring and the inertia in the EMVD to have desirable nonlinear characteristics. With the presently disclosed invention, the holding current and driving current are reduced and soft valve landing is achieved. The nonlinear characteristics of a nonlinear mechanical transformer can be implemented in various ways. The concept of the invention can be applied not only to EMVD's but also to general reciprocating and bi-stable servomechanical systems, where smooth acceleration, soft landing, and small power consumption are desired.

Abstract: A sine wave inverter consisting of two substantially constant dc current sources and two transistors to switch the current flow in a load from one branch of the circuit to the other branch, in which the two branches are designed to produce complementary sinsoidal waveforms and thereby provide the load with ac current.

Abstract: An automatic switching matrix that includes an apertured matrix board containing a matrix of wires that can be interconnected at each aperture. Each aperture has associated therewith a conductive pin which, when fully inserted into the associated aperture, effects electrical connection between the wires within that particular aperture. Means is provided for automatically inserting the pins in a determined pattern and for removing all the pins to permit other interconnecting patterns.

Abstract: An analog/digital simulator exhibiting a high degree of parity between the topology of the model and the topology of an electrical network being modeled. The simulator employs a plurality of synthetic electrical elements interconnected to simulate the electrical network; the synthetic electrical elements have terminals with which are associated physical voltages and physical currents that serve as a basis for network analysis.