Abstract: Methods for fabricating MEMS tuning fork gyroscope sensor system using silicon wafers. This provides the possibly to avoid glass. The sense plates can be formed in a device layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer or in a deposited polysilicon layer in a few examples.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating MEMS tuning fork gyroscope sensor system using silicon wafers. This provides the possibly to avoid glass. The sense plates can be formed in a device layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer or in a deposited polysilicon layer in a few examples.

Abstract: MEMS-actuated optical switches can be implemented on photonic chips. These switches are compact, essentially planar, simple to implement and include only one moving MEMS component per switch. The switches exhibit low optical loss, require low power to operate, and are simple to control and easy to integrate with other optical devices. Each switch has two optical waveguides that are optically coupled in an ON switch state and not coupled in an OFF switch state. An end or a medial section of one of the two waveguides may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling. Alternatively, a coupling frustrator may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling.

Abstract: MEMS-actuated optical switches can be implemented on photonic chips. These switches are compact, essentially planar, simple to implement and include only one moving MEMS component per switch. The switches exhibit low optical loss, require low power to operate, and are simple to control and easy to integrate with other optical devices. Each switch has two optical waveguides that are optically coupled in an ON switch state and not coupled in an OFF switch state. An end or a medial section of one of the two waveguides may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling. Alternatively, a coupling frustrator may translate between the ON and OFF states to affect the coupling.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating MEMS tuning fork gyroscope sensor system using silicon wafers. This provides the possibly to avoid glass. The sense plates can be formed in a device layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer or in a deposited polysilicon layer in a few examples.

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: A chip scale encapsulated vacuum field emission device integrated circuit and method of fabrication therefor are disclosed. The vacuum field emission device is a monolithically fabricated triode vacuum field emission device, also known as a VACFET device. The VACFET device includes a substrate, a VACFET formed laterally on the substrate, and a containment shell that seals around a periphery of the VACFET and against the substrate. Preferably, the VACFET of the VACFET device includes an anode and a cathode formed on the substrate, a bottom gate and a top gate. The bottom gate is located between the anode and the cathode and the substrate, and the top gate is located above the anode and the cathode with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: An environmental physical sensor is provided that includes a power input terminal, a sensor output terminal, and a resonant switch. The resonant switch includes a mechanical element that is responsive to an environmental stimulus and is coupled to an electrical switch. The electrical switch is operable between an open position and a closed position and electrically connects the power input terminal to the sensor output terminal when in the closed position. The mechanical element is configured to intermittently actuate the electrical switch into the closed position responsive to the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A bi-directional device for generating or absorbing atoms or ions. In some embodiments, the device comprises a solid-phase ion-conducting material, a first electrode positioned on a first surface of the solid-phase ion-conducting material, and a second electrode positioned on a second surface of the solid-phase ion-conducting material. The first electrode includes a plurality of triple phase boundaries, each located at an interface between the solid-phase ion-conducting material and the first electrode. A density of the triple phase boundaries is in the range of about 104 m/m2 to about 2×107 m/m2 on the first surface of the ion-conducting material. A method of operating the bi-directional device and a method of fabricating a bi-directional device are also provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a gyroscope comprising an axially symmetric structure, and a plurality of transducers, each configured to perform at least one of driving and sensing motion of the axially symmetric structure, wherein the plurality of transducers is configured to drive the axially symmetric structure in at least a first vibratory mode and a second vibratory mode, and wherein the gyroscope is implemented on a hexagonal crystal-based substrate.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a gyroscope comprising a central anchor, a plurality of internal flexures, a plurality of masses, each mass coupled to the central anchor via at least one of the plurality of internal flexures and configured to translate in a plane of the gyroscope, and a plurality of mass-to-mass couplers, each mass-to-mass coupler coupled between two adjacent masses of the plurality of masses, and a plurality of transducers, each configured to perform at least one of driving and sensing motion of a corresponding one of the plurality of masses, wherein the plurality of transducers is configured to drive the plurality of masses in at least a first vibratory mode and a second vibratory mode.

Abstract: A system and method of injection well identification using tracer particles is disclosed. A collector-reader for analyzing magnetic particles in a fluid that is moving with respect to the collector-reader includes an array of magnets whose magnetization direction is varied so as to create regions of high magnetic field gradient in the fluid, a stopper configured to concentrate spatially the particles attracted to the array, and a reader including a source configured to excite the particles concentrated by the stopper and a detector configured to capture a particle excitation signature emitted by the magnetic particles. A method for observing a subterranean reservoir penetrated by a production well and two or more injection wells is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-directional device for generating or absorbing atoms or ions. In some embodiments, the device comprises a solid-phase ion-conducting material, a first electrode positioned on a first surface of the solid-phase ion-conducting material, and a second electrode positioned on a second surface of the solid-phase ion-conducting material. The first electrode includes a plurality of triple phase boundaries, each located at an interface between the solid-phase ion-conducting material and the first electrode. A density of the triple phase boundaries is in the range of about 104 m/m2 to about 2×107 m/m2 on the first surface of the ion-conducting material. A method of operating the bi-directional device and a method of fabricating a bi-directional device are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes system and methods for detecting and amplifying weak magnetic fields generated by anatomical structures. The disclosure describes an implantable magnetic reporter system. The magnetic reporter system includes a magnetic reporter. The magnetic reporter includes a platform coupled to a support structure by a plurality of torsional flexures. A magnet is disposed on the platform, and the magnet and platform rotate when exposed to a magnetic field. The rotation of the magnet generates a stronger magnet field that is detectable external to the patient.

Abstract: An environmental physical sensor is provided that includes a power input terminal, a sensor output terminal, and a resonant switch. The resonant switch includes a mechanical element that is responsive to an environmental stimulus and is coupled to an electrical switch. The electrical switch is operable between an open position and a closed position and electrically connects the power input terminal to the sensor output terminal when in the closed position. The mechanical element is configured to intermittently actuate the electrical switch into the closed position responsive to the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: A system and method of injection well identification using tracer particles is disclosed. A collector-reader for analyzing magnetic particles in a fluid that is moving with respect to the collector-reader includes an array of magnets whose magnetization direction is varied so as to create regions of high magnetic field gradient in the fluid, a stopper configured to concentrate spatially the particles attracted to the array, and a reader including a source configured to excite the particles concentrated by the stopper and a detector configured to capture a particle excitation signature emitted by the magnetic particles. A method for observing a subterranean reservoir penetrated by a production well and two or more injection wells is also disclosed.

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: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a gyroscope comprising an axially symmetric structure, and a plurality of transducers, each configured to perform at least one of driving and sensing motion of the axially symmetric structure, wherein the plurality of transducers is configured to drive the axially symmetric structure in at least a first vibratory mode and a second vibratory mode, and wherein the gyroscope is implemented on a hexagonal crystal-based substrate.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a gyroscope comprising a central anchor, a plurality of internal flexures, a plurality of masses, each mass coupled to the central anchor via at least one of the plurality of internal flexures and configured to translate in a plane of the gyroscope, and a plurality of mass-to-mass couplers, each mass-to-mass coupler coupled between two adjacent masses of the plurality of masses, and a plurality of transducers, each configured to perform at least one of driving and sensing motion of a corresponding one of the plurality of masses, wherein the plurality of transducers is configured to drive the plurality of masses in at least a first vibratory mode and a second vibratory mode.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dosimeter is employed to passively record a peak pressure (e.g., a peak blast pressure) and/or a maximum acceleration experienced by the dosimeter.