Abstract: An article comprising a ferroelectric material in its ferroelectric phase, wherein the article is configured to enable low-loss propagation of signals with ultra-low dielectric loss at one or more select frequencies.

Abstract: A surgical light for illuminating a target with light that has a reduced contribution of a portion of the visible spectrum includes a first light source configured to emit light having a first spectrum; a second light source configured to emit light having a second spectrum that does not include the portion of the visible spectrum; and a controller configured to simultaneously activate the first and second light sources for illuminating the target with light that has a reduced contribution of light in the portion of the visible spectrum relative to white light.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety lighting device and system configured to mount to and be used in connection with existing traffic signals and intersections and increase awareness of pedestrians and vehicles of one another on a roadway is provided. In some embodiments, the pedestrian safety lighting device and system comprises a housing, at least one light source, a communication means, and a power source. More specifically, the communication means is configured to receive external data from the same or a different traffic signal, selectively illuminate the light source, and generate and transmit internal data to the same or a different traffic signal, or a data center. In further embodiments, the device and system may also comprise a light directing element, a light processing element, one or more sensors, a speaker, a camera, and a microphone.

Abstract: A pedestrian safety lighting device and system configured to mount to and be used in connection with existing traffic signals and intersections and increase awareness of pedestrians and vehicles of one another on a roadway is provided. In some embodiments, the pedestrian safety lighting device and system comprises a housing, at least one light source, a communication means, and a power source. More specifically, the communication means is configured to receive external data from the same or a different traffic signal, selectively illuminate the light source, and generate and transmit internal data to the same or a different traffic signal, or a data center. In further embodiments, the device and system may also comprise a light directing element, a light processing element, one or more sensors, a speaker, a camera, and a microphone.

Abstract: A photochromic polymer comprising at least one siloxane oligomer and at least two photochromic groups covalently linked to one or both terminuses of the siloxane oligomer and compositions containing photochromic siloxane polymers with narrow polydispersity. The photochromic polymer enhances switching speed in rigid host polymers.

Abstract: A low profile, mobile system for therapeutic application of heat such as far infrared (“FIR”) heat to an affected area of an individual's body including straps and a pad, the pad including a plurality of FIR emitting discs and heaters. The FIR emitting discs are ceramic discs of cordierite made of a mixture of magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and/or trace elements. The heat application system is designed for simple operation via a single button.

Abstract: A photochromic polymer comprising at least one siloxane oligomer and at least two photochromic groups covalently linked to one or both terminuses of the siloxane oligomer and compositions containing photochromic siloxane polymers with narrow polydispersity. The photochromic polymer enhances switching speed in rigid host polymers.

Abstract: Controlled phase shift in the operation of an RF antenna element is achieved by selectively choosing between different modes of antenna element resonance. Additional phase control resolution is achieved by combining this with other types of phase shifters. Such phase shifters are especially useful within a phased array of RF antenna radiator elements.

Abstract: A wafer antenna comprises a wafer substrate, a plurality of antenna elements integrated on the wafer substrate for radiating and receiving a radio frequency signal, an electrical connection integrated on the wafer substrate; a feed network integrated on the wafer substrate for distributing the RF signal from the electrical connection to the antenna elements and from the antenna elements to the electrical connection, and a plurality of tunable dielectric phase shifters integrated on the wafer substrate with each of the tunable dielectric phase shifters coupled to a corresponding one of the antenna elements and controlling the phase of the RF signal coupled to the corresponding one of the antenna elements.

Abstract: A wafer antenna comprises a wafer substrate, a plurality of antenna elements integrated on the wafer substrate for radiating and receiving a radio frequency signal, an electrical connection integrated on the wafer substrate; a feed network integrated on the wafer substrate for distributing the RF signal from the electrical connection to the antenna elements and from the antenna elements to the electrical connection, and a plurality of tunable dielectric phase shifters integrated on the wafer substrate with each of the tunable dielectric phase shifters coupled to a corresponding one of the antenna elements and controlling the phase of the RF signal coupled to the corresponding one of the antenna elements.

Abstract: A circuit topology is configured to flatten out a phase- and amplitude-response over a specified range of frequencies. The circuit topology also provides a large cumulative phase-shift. In one embodiment, the circuit topology cascades a plurality of all-pass sections, with the center-frequencies of each all-pass section staggered to create a substantially flat phase-response over a frequency range. Further, in one embodiment the plurality of all-pass sections has at least one all-pass section that is different from another all-pass section. Each all-pass section includes a tunable capacitor and has a center-frequency that can be varied by electronically tuning the capacitor. Each center frequency is selected to obtain substantially constant amplitude and phase response over a desired frequency range and capacitance tuning range.

Abstract: A self-tuning variable impedance circuit provides improved performance. A variation in the power applied to the variable impedance circuit causes a corresponding change in the impedance of the circuit, resulting in improved performance. For example, the variable impedance circuit may be a matching circuit that “follows” the output power of a power amplifier, thereby increasing the power efficiency of the power amplifier.

Abstract: Parallel plate tunable varactors having a bulk capacitance contribution to a total capacitance increased compared to a fringing capacitance contribution are disclosed. The contribution of the bulk capacitance to the total capacitance of an exemplary BST varactor is increased by increasing the area/perimeter ratio of the active region, thereby improving the tunability and other properties of the varactor. In an exemplary embodiment, an active region of the varactor has a lateral shape with a perimeter that is less than a perimeter of an equivalent area square. In various exemplary embodiments, the shape of the active region may be substantially circular or substantially octagonal. Methods for fabricating and designing such varactors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit topology is configured to flatten out a phase- and amplitude-response over a specified range of frequencies. The circuit topology also provides a large cumulative phase-shift. In one embodiment, the circuit topology cascades a plurality of all-pass sections, with the center-frequencies of each all-pass section staggered to create a substantially flat phase-response over a frequency range. Further, in one embodiment the plurality of all-pass sections has at least one all-pass section that is different from another all-pass section. Each all-pass section includes a tunable capacitor and has a center-frequency that can be varied by electronically tuning the capacitor. Each center frequency is selected to obtain substantially constant amplitude and phase response over a desired frequency range and capacitance tuning range.

Abstract: This invention exploits the synchronization properties of coupled, nonlinear oscillators arrays to perform power combining, beam steering, and beam shaping. This architecture utilizes interactions between nonlinear active elements to generate beam patterns. A nonlinear array integrates the signal processing concurrently with the transduction of the signal. This architecture differs fundamentally from passive transducer arrays in three ways: 1) the unit cells are nonlinear, 2) the array purposely couples the unit cells together, and 3) the signal processing (beam steering and shaping) is done via dynamic interactions between unit cells. The architecture extends to both 1- and 2-dimensional arrays.

Abstract: A tuning circuit for use in an electrical circuit network is disclosed. The tuning circuit includes a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit comprises a first adjustable capacitance grouping, a second adjustable capacitance grouping and a third adjustable capacitance grouping. Each adjustable capacitance grouping includes at least one tunable capacitor and a bias port. In one embodiment, the tunable capacitor is comprised of a tunable thin-film barium strontium titanate (“BST”) capacitor. A first lead and a second lead couple to, or extend from, the bridge circuit. The leads are configured to couple with a coupling element and a shunt element of the electrical circuit network so that when the leads are grounded, one adjustable capacitance group is grounded and the remaining adjustable capacitance group couple with a bias voltage to appropriately tune the electrical circuit to achieve desired electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A self-tuning variable impedance circuit provides improved performance. A variation in the power applied to the variable impedance circuit causes a corresponding change in the impedance of the circuit, resulting in improved performance. For example, the variable impedance circuit may be a matching circuit that “follows” the output power of a power amplifier, thereby increasing the power efficiency of the power amplifier.

Abstract: Controlled phase shift in the operation of an RF antenna element is achieved by selectively choosing between different modes of antenna element resonance. Additional phase control resolution is achieved by combining this with other types of phase shifters. Such phase shifters are especially useful within a phased array of RF antenna radiator elements.

Abstract: A parallel-plate capacitor includes a bottom electrode, a BST thin film dielectric region and a top electrode. The capacitor is processed using various orders of processing steps in order to improve the end result.

Abstract: A parallel-plate, voltage-variable capacitor is designed to have an increased current conducting perimeter relative to its area. In one approach, the perimeter is increased by changing the shape of the plates. In another approach, the varactor is implemented by a number of disjoint plates, which are coupled in parallel.