Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring flow velocity of a fluid mixture in a lateral section of an oil/gas well are presented. The flow velocity is measured by tracking movement of particles and/or features in the fluid mixture via visible and/or infrared imaging sensors of a camera-based flow sensor. According to another aspect, the imaging sensors detect back-reflected light by the particles and/or features, the light emitted by illuminators in the visible and/or infrared spectrum. According to yet another aspect, the particles are quantum dot illuminators injected into the fluid mixture, the flow velocity based on a time-of-flight of the quantum dots. The camera-based flow sensor may be rotatable to measure flow velocities at different angular positions of a pipe, rotation provided by rotation of an element of a mobile vessel to which the flow sensor is rigidly coupled.

Abstract: A composition sensor for measuring composition of fluid mixtures is presented. The composition sensor includes a plurality of high-brightness emission sources having respective spectrally narrow wavelength emission bands in the infrared region. The wavelength emission bands overlap absorption wavelength bands of the composition. The wavelength emission bands are wavelength multiplexed and time multiplexed prior to emission through a fluid mixture. A single optical detector senses the emitted light. The composition sensor includes arms that can rotate to measure composition at different angular position of a pipe in a lateral section of an oil well. Rotation of the arms is provided by rotation of an element of a mobile vessel to which the arm is rigidly coupled. The rotation of the arms is provided by a rotation of a nose of the mobile vessel that rotates independently from a main body of the mobile vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention generate tunable electromagnetic waves using carbon nanotube-based field emitters. In one embodiment, a CNT-based irradiator includes: at least one CNT-based cathode, itself including: a plurality of carbon nanotubes adjoined to a substrate; a plurality of anodic regions; where each anodic region is configured to emit a distinctly different class of photons in a direction away from the at least one cathode in response to a same reception of electrons; where each of the plurality of anodic regions is operable to receive electrons emitted from at least one of said at least one CNT-based cathode; and where each of the at least one CNT-based cathode and the plurality of anodic regions are disposed within a vacuum encasing.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement multi-directional environmental sensors. In one embodiment, a multi-directional environmental sensor includes: an inner conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; an outer conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; and a device that measures the electrical characteristics of the multi-directional environmental sensor, the device having a first terminal and a second terminal; where the inner conductive element is substantially enclosed within the outer conductive element; where the inner conductive element is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the device; and where the outer conductive element is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention proficiently produce carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic devices. In one embodiment a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic device includes: growing carbon nanotubes onto a substrate to form a cathode; assembling a stack that includes the cathode, an anode, and a first layer that includes an alignment slot; disposing a microsphere partially into the alignment slot during the assembling of the stack such that the microsphere protrudes from the alignment slot and can thereby separate the first layer from an adjacent layer; and encasing the stack in a vacuum sealed container.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement integrated environmental sensors that can operate in rigorous environments. In one embodiment, an integrated environmental sensor includes: at least one sensor and a substrate; where: the at least one sensor is disposed on the substrate; the at least one sensor can detect at least two environmental properties including: the surrounding temperature; the surrounding pressure; the flow rate of surrounding fluids; and the surrounding composition; the at least one sensor is capable of detection in an environment that has: a temperature greater than 150° C.; a pressure greater than 100 bar; and/or an inclusion of one of liquid hydrocarbons, H2S, CO2, and sulfur species; and the substrate can withstand an environment characterized by at least one of: a temperature greater than 150° C.; a pressure greater than 100 bar; and/or an inclusion of one of liquid hydrocarbons, H2S, CO2, and sulfur species.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention proficiently produce carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic devices. In one embodiment a method of fabricating a carbon nanotube-based vacuum electronic device includes: growing carbon nanotubes onto a substrate to form a cathode; assembling a stack that includes the cathode, an anode, and a first layer that includes an alignment slot; disposing a microsphere partially into the alignment slot during the assembling of the stack such that the microsphere protrudes from the alignment slot and can thereby separate the first layer from an adjacent layer; and encasing the stack in a vacuum sealed container.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement micro- and nanoscale capacitors that incorporate a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array elongated bodies. In one embodiment, a capacitor that incorporates a conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies includes: a first conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; a second conductive element that conforms to the shape of an array of elongated bodies; and a dielectric material disposed in between the first conductive element and the second conductive element, and thereby physically separates them.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement multi-directional environmental sensors. In one embodiment, a multi-directional environmental sensor includes: an inner conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; an outer conductive element that is substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes; and a device that measures the electrical characteristics of the multi-directional environmental sensor, the device having a first terminal and a second terminal; where the inner conductive element is substantially enclosed within the outer conductive element; where the inner conductive element is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the device; and where the outer conductive element is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the device.

Abstract: A neural prosthetic micro system includes an electrode array coupled to an integrated circuit (IC) which may include signal conditioning and processing circuitry. The IC may include a high pass filter that passes signals representative of local field potential (LFP) activity in a subject's brain.