Abstract: A system includes a rectifier having an input configured to receive a variable AC input voltage and convert the AC input voltage to a rectified output voltage. A power converter has an input coupled to receive the rectified output voltage and to provide a DC supply voltage at an output thereof. A low drop-out regulator has an input coupled to receive the supply voltage and is configured provide a regulated voltage. A sensor is coupled to receive the regulated voltage as a power source and is configured to sense a condition and provide sensor data indicative of the sensed condition.

Abstract: A sensor network that is easy to deploy and substantially maintenance-free is disclosed. Sensor networks in accordance with the present invention include a base station and at least one sensor node that is operative for monitoring the occupancy of an area and wirelessly communicating information to the base station. The sensor node includes an energy harvester for converting ambient energy into electrical energy and an energy manager that enables self-powering of the sensor node using only the electrical energy derived from the ambient energy. The energy manager also includes a cold-start module that enables initiation of sensor-node operation even in the absence of any stored energy onboard the sensor node.

Abstract: A system includes a rectifier having an input configured to receive a variable AC input voltage and convert the AC input voltage to a rectified output voltage. A power converter has an input coupled to receive the rectified output voltage and to provide a DC supply voltage at an output thereof. A low drop-out regulator has an input coupled to receive the supply voltage and is configured provide a regulated voltage. A sensor is coupled to receive the regulated voltage as a power source and is configured to sense a condition and provide sensor data indicative of the sensed condition.

Abstract: A sensor network that is easy to deploy and substantially maintenance-free is disclosed. Sensor networks in accordance with the present invention include a base station and at least one sensor node that is operative for monitoring the occupancy of an area and wirelessly communicating information to the base station. The sensor node includes an energy harvester for converting ambient energy into electrical energy and an energy manager that enables self-powering of the sensor node using only the electrical energy derived from the ambient energy. The energy manager also includes a cold-start module that enables initiation of sensor-node operation even in the absence of any stored energy onboard the sensor node.

Abstract: A microplasma sputter deposition system suitable for directly writing two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures on a substrate is disclosed. Deposition systems in accordance with the present invention include a magnetic-field generator that provides a magnetic field that is aligned with the arrangement of an anode and a wire target. This results in a plasma discharge within a region between a wire target and an anode that is substantially a uniform sheet, which gives rise to the deposition of material on the substrate in highly uniform and radially symmetric fashion.

Abstract: An antifuse apparatus can include a cantilever extending from a first electrode portion to terminate in a distal end. A second electrode portion can be spaced apart from the cantilever by an air gap. In response to a program voltage across the first and second electrode portions, the cantilever can be adapted to move from an unprogrammed condition, corresponding to an open circuit condition where the cantilever is spaced apart from the second electrode portion, to at least one permanent programmed condition, corresponding to a short circuit condition between the first and second electrode portions where the cantilever engages the second electrode portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a gas with high sensitivity, high SNR, and low cost is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include sensor nodes that communicate with a common controller, where each sensor node includes a resonant sensor that comprises a resonator having a selectively chemisorptive layer disposed upon it. The chemisorptive layer is a nanoparticle-based layer that improves the trapping probability for target-gas molecules, thereby improving the correspondence of the resonance frequency of the resonator to the gas concentration in the atmosphere in which it resides, and improving the sensitivity of the resonant sensor as compared to prior-art resonant mass sensors. Measurement of an electrical parameter of the chemisorption layer can also be used as a secondary detection mode. By employing the chemisorptive layer as an efficient and selective mass-collection layer affords embodiments of the present invention improved noise immunity.

Abstract: A microplasma sputter deposition system suitable for directly writing two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures on a substrate is disclosed. Deposition systems in accordance with the present invention include a magnetic-field generator that provides a magnetic field that is aligned with the arrangement of an anode and a wire target. This results in a plasma discharge within a region between a wire target and an anode that is substantially a uniform sheet, which gives rise to the deposition of material on the substrate in highly uniform and radially symmetric fashion.

Abstract: An antifuse apparatus can include a cantilever extending from a first electrode portion to terminate in a distal end. A second electrode portion can be spaced apart from the cantilever by an air gap. In response to a program voltage across the first and second electrode portions, the cantilever can be adapted to move from an unprogrammed condition, corresponding to an open circuit condition where the cantilever is spaced apart from the second electrode portion, to at least one permanent programmed condition, corresponding to a short circuit condition between the first and second electrode portions where the cantilever engages the second electrode portion.

Abstract: Doubly-clamped nanowire electromechanical resonators that can be used to generate parametric oscillations and feedback self-sustained oscillations. The nanowire electromechanical resonators can be made using conventional NEMS and CMOS fabrication methods. In very thin nanowire structures (sub-micron-meter in width), additive piezoresistance patterning and fabrication can be highly difficult and thus need to be avoided. This invention shows that, in piezoresistive nanowires with homogeneous material composition and symmetric structures, no conventional and additive piezoresistance loops are needed. Using AC and DC drive signals, and bias signals of controlled frequency and amplitude, output signals having a variety of frequencies can be obtained. Various examples of such resonators and their theory of operation are described.

Abstract: Doubly-clamped nanowire electromechanical resonators that can be used to generate parametric oscillations and feedback self-sustained oscillations. The nanowire electromechanical resonators can be made using conventional NEMS and CMOS fabrication methods. In very thin nanowire structures (sub-micron-meter in width), additive piezoresistance patterning and fabrication can be highly difficult and thus need to be avoided. This invention shows that, in piezoresistive nanowires with homogeneous material composition and symmetric structures, no conventional and additive piezoresistance loops are needed. Using AC and DC drive signals, and bias signals of controlled frequency and amplitude, output signals having a variety of frequencies can be obtained. Various examples of such resonators and their theory of operation are described.

Abstract: A parametric feedback oscillator includes a resonator which has at least one transduction element and at least one electromechanical resonating element. The resonator is configured to accept as input a parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 and to provide a resonating output signal at a frequency ?0. A cascaded feedback path in any electrically coupled cascade order includes at least one non-linear element, at least one phase shifter electrically, and at least one amplifier. The cascade feedback path is configured to receive as input the resonating output signal at a frequency ?0 and configured to provide as output a feedback path signal as the parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 to the resonator. A parametric feedback oscillator output terminal is configured to provide the resonating output signal at the frequency ?0 as an output signal. A method of causing a parametric feedback oscillation is also described.

Abstract: A parametric feedback oscillator includes a resonator which has at least one transduction element and at least one electromechanical resonating element. The resonator is configured to accept as input a parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 and to provide a resonating output signal at a frequency ?0. A cascaded feedback path in any electrically coupled cascade order includes at least one non-linear element, at least one phase shifter electrically, and at least one amplifier. The cascade feedback path is configured to receive as input the resonating output signal at a frequency ?0 and configured to provide as output a feedback path signal as the parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 to the resonator. A parametric feedback oscillator output terminal is configured to provide the resonating output signal at the frequency ?0 as an output signal. A method of causing a parametric feedback oscillation is also described.