Abstract: Aspect of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces that include dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture engine surfaces can include a first layer of antenna arrays, a second layer including a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third layer including solar cells for solar cell or solar oriented power collection. Fractal metamaterial ribbons with multiple closely-packed fractal resonators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vivaldi tapered slot and Vivaldi horn antennas that feature or include fractal plasmonic surfaces (“FPS”) are described. Vivaldi slot antennas are described which include a conductive surface defining a tapered slot, with the conductive surface including a plurality of fractal resonators which form or constitute a fractal plasmonic surface (FPS). In some embodiments the fractal resonators can be defined by slots. In some embodiments the fractal resonators can include self-complementary features. In exemplary embodiments, two Vivaldi horn antennas may be used for a Vivaldi horn antenna. The two Vivaldi FPS antennas can be arranged in a crossed or cross configuration such that the two antennas are essentially perpendicular to one another and are therefore able to receive and transmit two orthogonal polarizations of radiation. The two antennas can be fed by separate respective feed lines. The two antennas can be mounted inside of a horn or casing.

Abstract: Novel directional antennas are disclosed which utilize fractal plasmonic surfaces (FPS) that include or present an array of closely-spaced parasitic antennas, which may be referred to herein as “parasitic arrays” or fractal plasmonic arrays (FPAs). These fractal plasmonic surfaces represent improved parasitic directional antennas relative to prior techniques and apparatus.

Abstract: Systems according to the present disclosure provide one or more surfaces that function as power radiating surfaces for which at least a portion of the radiating surface includes or is composed of “fractal cells” placed sufficiently closed close together to one another so that a surface wave causes near replication of current present in one fractal cell in an adjacent fractal cell. The fractal cells may lie on a flat or curved sheet or layer and be composed in layers for wide bandwidth or multibandwidth transmission. The area of a surface and its number of fractals determines the gain relative to a single fractal cell. The boundary edges of the surface may be terminated resistively so as to not degrade the cell performance at the edges. The fractal plasmonic surfaces can be utilized to facilitate electrical conduction with lower ohmic resistance than would otherwise be possible in the absence of the fractal plasmonic surface(s) at the same temperature.

Abstract: Systems according to the present disclosure provide one or more surfaces that function as power radiating surfaces for which at least a portion of the radiating surface includes or is composed of “fractal cells” placed sufficiently closed close together to one another so that a surface wave causes near replication of current present in one fractal cell in an adjacent fractal cell. The fractal cells may lie on a flat or curved sheet or layer and be composed in layers for wide bandwidth or multibandwidth transmission. The area of a surface and its number of fractals determines the gain relative to a single fractal cell. The boundary edges of the surface may be terminated resistively so as to not degrade the cell performance at the edges. Fractal plasmonic surface cards are described.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to and provides radar-reflecting systems and apparatus that employ metasurfaces to produce enhanced radar cross sections that are greater than those produced by the geometry of the surfaces alone. Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to and provides heat-ducting systems and apparatus that include metasurfaces. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to and provides cards with metasurfaces. Exemplary embodiments utilize fractal plasmonic surfaces for a metasurface.

Abstract: This invention entails the use of fractal shapes as cores for electromagnets, and a concurrent shape of a fractal for the windings which surround it. The novelty of this invention lies not only with the shaping, but the advantage of such shaping, which includes producing a smaller form factor electromagnet for the same desired magnetic field strength, when compared to a conventional electromagnet. It will be appreciated that a range of devices including electromagnets, based on such fractal shaping, are additionally novel and include but are not limited to solenoid switches, relays, and other devices in which the fractal electromagnets are used to make a change in state of some device.

Abstract: Aspect of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces that include dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture engine surfaces can include a first layer of antenna arrays, a second layer including a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third layer including solar cells for solar cell or solar oriented power collection. Fractal metamaterial ribbons with multiple closely-packed fractal resonators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described that provide for enhanced gain and radiation characteristics of antennas. The systems and techniques employ layers or cards of fractal plasmonic surfaces to provide gain to the antennas. The fractal plasmonic surfaces each include a close-packed arrangements of resonators having self-similar or fractal shapes, which may be referred to as “fractal cells.” The cards can be held by a frame adapted to fit an antenna. The FPS cards can provide benefits for gain, field emission, directivity, increased bandwidth, power delivery, and/or heat management. One or more dielectric layers or cards may be used to enhance gain and/or directivity characteristics.

Abstract: Antennas, antenna systems, and communications devices are described that provide an antenna utilizing a fractal and/or self-similar conductive element that is novel and inventive in that its small in size and exhibits multiple-band or wideband frequency coverage which allows a miniature communications device incorporating the antenna to operate (e.g., function) with wide-band capabilities in close-proximity to a user's body and in form factor suitable for wearing by the user. As noted above, previous size and performance limitations of prior art antennas/devices were poor and made those devices either of limited utility or inoperable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making antennas and antenna components suitable for wideband transmission and reception are disclosed. Material accretion devices or apparatus such as a 3D printer can be used to form the antennas and antenna components. The antenna and antenna components can include pleated and/or self-similar features.

Abstract: Aspect of the present disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus producing enhanced radiation characteristics, e.g., wideband behavior, in or for antennas and related components by providing concentric sleeves, with air or dielectric material as a spacer, where the sleeves include one or more conductive layers, at least a portion of which includes fractal resonators closely spaced, in terms of wavelength. A further aspect of the present disclosure is directed to surfaces that include dual-use or multiple-use apertures. Such aperture engine surfaces can include a first layer of antenna arrays, a second layer including a metal-fractal backplane player, and a third layer including solar cells for solar cell or solar oriented power collection. Fractal metamaterial ribbons with multiple closely-packed fractal resonators are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which discourage formation of destructive corrosion on or about circuit traces of printed circuit boards, and/or mitigate electronic circuit degradation and or destruction through corrosion of the circuit traces, whereby said corrosion produces changing characteristics of the circuit, and/or shorting to other adjacent circuit traces. Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure include or provide for forming at least a portion of a circuit trace or traces with fractal and/or self-complementary geometries, or self complementary geometry alone.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which discourage formation of destructive corrosion on or about circuit traces of printed circuit boards, and/or mitigate electronic circuit degradation and or destruction through corrosion of the circuit traces, whereby said corrosion produces changing characteristics of the circuit, and/or shorting to other adjacent circuit traces. Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure include or provide for forming at least a portion of a circuit trace or traces with fractal and/or self-complementary geometries, or self complementary geometry alone.

Abstract: Antennas, antenna systems, and communications devices are described that provide an antenna utilizing a fractal and/or self-similar conductive element that is novel and inventive in that its small in size and exhibits multiple-band or wideband frequency coverage which allows a miniature communications device incorporating the antenna to operate (e.g., function) with wide-band capabilities in close-proximity to a user's body and in form factor suitable for wearing by the user. As noted above, previous size and performance limitations of prior art antennas/devices were poor and made those devices either of limited utility or inoperable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making volumetric electromagnetic components are disclosed. Material accretion devices or apparatus such as a 3D printer can be used to form the volumetric electromagnetic components. The volumetric electromagnetic components can include folded and/or self-similar features such as fractals. The volumetric electromagnetic components can include conductive and/or non-conductive materials. EM energy absorbing systems are described as having a volumetric electromagnetic component embedded within a dielectric material.

Abstract: Plasmonic-surface antenna systems are described in which resonators, or cells, are closely arranged but do not touch. At least a portion of a radiating surface includes a plurality of cells (operative as resonators) placed very close together to one so that a surface (plasmonic) wave causes near replication of the current of one cell in an adjacent cell. Cells with one or more fractal shapes may be used as a fractal plasmonic surface (FPS). Systems and/or methods are described of using plasmonic surfaces or fractal plasmonic surfaces for radiofrequency identification (RFID). A PS or FPS may act as an intermediary array of antennas, which can serve to connect an RFID reader with one or more RFID tags. Structures including cages are described that can include one or more surfaces that are each an FPS. Methods of power transfer are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drone mitigation, or the deterrence of aerial drones from flying in an given area, are described. The systems and methods take advantage of the fact that destabilization of a drone can be accomplished by externally changing the performance of one or more of its propeller driven systems. In doing so, the drone is incapable of maintaining stability in flight, thereby causing the remote controlled pilot to force a retreat, or risk and result in a crash of the drone. Embodiments utilizing sonic energy and liquids are described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making volumetric electromagnetic components are disclosed. Material accretion devices or apparatus such as a 3D printer can be used to form the volumetric electromagnetic components. The volumetric electromagnetic components can include folded and/or self-similar features such as fractals. The volumetric electromagnetic components can include conductive and/or non-conductive materials. EM energy absorbing systems are described as having a volumetric electromagnetic component embedded within a dielectric material.

Abstract: Plasmonic-surface antenna systems are described in which resonators, or cells, are closely arranged but do not touch. At least a portion of a radiating surface includes a plurality of cells (operative as resonators) placed very close together to one so that a surface (plasmonic) wave causes near replication of the current of one cell in an adjacent cell. Cells with one or more fractal shapes may be used as a fractal plasmonic surface (FPS). Systems and/or methods are described of using plasmonic surfaces or fractal plasmonic surfaces for radiofrequency identification (RFID). A PS or FPS may act as an intermediary array of antennas, which can serve to connect an RFID reader with one or more RFID tags. Structures including cages are described that can include one or more surfaces that are each an FPS. Methods of power transfer are described.