Abstract: A portable sanitization system may comprise: a portable device; a light source disposed in the portable device, the light source configured to emit a light having a wavelength between 414 and 474 nm; a light converter comprising a nonlinear crystal configured for frequency doubling; and a light guide extending from the light source to the light converter, the light converter disposed proximal a tip of the light guide.

Abstract: A sanitization apparatus may comprise a light source configured to emit a light having a first wavelength between 414 and 474 nm; a nonlinear crystal disposed proximal to the light source, the nonlinear crystal configured to receive the light having the first wavelength and output a first portion of the light having the first wavelength and a second portion of the light having a second wavelength, the second wavelength being half the first wavelength; and a prism configured to receive the first portion of the light and the second portion of the light, the prism configured to direct the second portion of the light toward a surface to be sanitized.

Abstract: Infrared sensors and methods for manufacturing the infrared sensors are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes A method for manufacturing an infrared sensor in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is proved. The method includes depositing a germanium layer on a silicon substrate. The method further includes depositing a first electrically conductive layer on both the germanium layer and a portion of the silicon substrate. The method further includes depositing a ferroelectric layer on the first electrically conductive layer opposite the germanium layer. The method further includes depositing a second electrically conductive layer on both the ferroelectric layer and a portion of the silicon substrate. The method further includes removing the germanium layer by applying a liquid on the germanium layer that dissolves the germanium layer such that a cavity is formed between the first electrically conductive layer and the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A metal alloy which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface oxide layer. Alloy compositions such as, but not limited to, Ti—Nb, Ti—Ta, La—Sr—Cr, and La—Sr—Co are known to form oxide passivation layers which are highly conductive. Such alloys are useful in electrical contact apparatus. An electrical contact element formed of the alloy has a contact surface which when oxidized forms a highly conductive surface layer, thus maintaining electrical conductivity and continuity through the element. The oxide layer may be formed in situ after assembly of the electrical contact or may be provided in an oxidative step during manufacture. The electrical contact may be formed entirely of one or more of such alloys; or may be formed of an inexpensive substrate base metal, such as steel, having one or more of the alloys coated thereupon; or may be formed of a mixture of the base metal and the alloy.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor employs a technique for determining a charge output of a ferroelectric scene element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the scene element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the ferroelectric scene element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. Charge integration circuitry, such as a combination output capacitor and operational amplifier, is employed to measure the charge from the scene element. Preferably, the ferroelectric of the scene element is made of an economical and responsive strontium bismuth tantalate, SBT, or derivative thereof, disposed directly between top and bottom electrodes.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a stack of fuel cell modules includes a bipolar plate that has at least one surface containing a metal alloy oxidizable to form a metal oxide having a surface resistance no greater than about 0.007 ohm-cm2. The metal alloy is oxidized to form a layer of metal oxide having a thickness of about 10?8 cm to about 10?2 cm and a resistivity no greater than about 107 ohm-cm. In addition to their use in fuel cells, the alloys can be employed to form conductive surfaces of electrical contacts useful for various electrical devices.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling pyroelectric sensors in a focal plane array are provided. The method includes applying a first oscillatory voltage waveform to first and second pyroelectric sensors in the focal plane array such that the first and second pyroelectric sensors receive a first predetermined number of cycles of the first oscillatory voltage waveform over a first time period. The first pyroelectric sensor receives infrared radiation thereon. The method further includes generating a first output signal using the first and second pyroelectric, sensors during the first time period indicative of a temperature of the first pyroelectric sensor. The method further includes applying a second oscillatory voltage waveform to third and fourth pyroelectric sensors in the focal plane array such that the third and fourth pyroelectric sensors receive a second predetermined number of cycles of the first oscillatory voltage waveform over the first time period.

Abstract: A filter assembly and a method for filtering electromagnetic radiation are provided. The filter assembly includes a dielectric layer having a first side and a second side. The filter assembly further includes a first conductive layer disposed on the first side of the dielectric layer. The filter assembly further includes a second conductive layer disposed on the second side of the dielectric layer. The filter assembly further includes a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second conductive layers. The voltage source is configured to generate a first voltage signal that adjusts a dielectric constant value of the dielectric layer to a first desired dielectric constant value to filter electromagnetic radiation impinging on the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A pyroelectric sensor and a method for determining a scene temperature are provided. The pyroelectric sensor includes a ferroelectric layer having first and second sides. The pyroelectric sensor further includes a first metal electrode disposed on the first side of the ferroelectric layer. The pyroelectric sensor further includes a second metal electrode disposed on the first side of the ferroelectric layer a predetermined distance from the first metal electrode. When a switching voltage is applied to between the first and second metal electrodes so as to switch a polarization state of the ferroelectric layer, an amount of current flowing between the first and second metal electrodes is indicative of a temperature level of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: Described is a metal alloy comprising at least two metal elements which are not precious metals, said alloy being capable of forming a surface metal oxide layer that is conductive having a contact resistivity of 100 ?cm or less after the alloy has been subjected to 125° C. for 1008 hours. Also described is a process of preparing a metal alloy providing two metal elements which are not precious metals and oxidizing the metal alloy to produce a surface metal oxide layer that is conductive having a contact resistivity of 100 ?-cm or less after the alloy has been subjected to 125° C. for 1008 hours.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an assembly for measuring movement of and a torque applied to a shaft extending between first and second ends and being hollow, specifically for measuring rotation and twisting of the shaft. A permanent magnet is disposed within the shaft for producing a parallel magnetic field emanating radially from the shaft. A sensor mechanism is positioned adjacent the shaft to detect the magnetic flux produced in response to the shaft being moved. The sensor mechanism includes a magnetostrictive (MR) material disposed annularly about the shaft and extends between first and second edges. A flux collector extends beyond the first and second edges of the magnetostrictive material to direct the magnetic flux through a Hall sensor to detect an axial component of the magnetic flux in response to twisting.

Abstract: A new kinetic spray process is disclosed that enables one to secure a plurality of ceramic elements together quickly without the need for glues or other adhesives. The process finds special utilization in the formation of non-thermal plasma reactors wherein the kinetic spray process can be used to simultaneously secure the ceramic elements together and to form electrical connections between like electrodes in the non-thermal plasma reactor.