Abstract: An energy conversion system, comprising: a reservoir container including at least two chambers of inversely variable volume for respectively storing a quantity of fuel and receiving a quantity of exhaust; a means for decreasing the volume of the first chamber while concurrently increasing the volume of the second chamber; at least one energy conversion device; first means for communicating fuel between the at least one energy conversion device and a first of the chambers in the reservoir container; and second means for communicating exhaust between the at least one energy conversion device and a second of the chambers in the reservoir container. The reservoir container may be transported to a recharging/refilling station or recharged in-situ. A particular application for metal-air fuel cell power systems is shown and described.

Abstract: A line blanker system for converting a stereoscopic image into a line-blanked stereoscopic image suitable for stereoscopic viewing on a standard non-interleaved display device is provided. The system includes a method for controlling the line blanker. According to the invention, one can enable and disable the line blanker, identify the first line of the image being processed and determine whether the first line is for viewing by the left eye or the right eye of a viewer. In addition, the invention includes a line doubler. The line doubler provides enhanced brightness and resolution by replacing the blanked line with a double of the line immediately adjacent to the blanked line.

Abstract: Practical applications of a class of nematic elastomer which has light avoidance characteristics are disclosed. Such practical applications include a switching device, a load carrying device and programmable mask. The use of different light sources, including the use of an autonomous device are further disclosed.

Abstract: A network of modules is provided that maximizes agricultural land usage. Each module includes a water collection structure supported above agricultural land. The water collection structure may include a mechanism for distributing photonic energy to plants growing on the agricultural land; and a water distribution system for distributing collected water from said water collection structure to plants growing on the agricultural land and/or the soil in which said plants are planted. Plural modules are networked together with plumbing that serves to both provide water transport to and from the modules and structural support to the network of modules. Such a configuration is particularly useful to increase land usage efficiencies on sloped land.

Abstract: A method for fabricating multi layer devices on a substrate with a buried oxide layer is disclosed. Multi layer microelectromechanical, microfluidic, and integrated circuit devices are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions with deconstructed layers of devices at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked to create either microelectromechanical or microfluidic device or a hyrbid type of device.

Abstract: A novel backlight is provided for a liquid crystal display (LCD). The backlight of this invention includes an organic electroluminescent (EOL) device and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing device. This invention is also an LCD. The backlight of the present invention provides for highly efficiency and bright LCDs. This invention further provides for the production of ultra-thin and lightweight LCDs.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical integrated circuit is disclosed. Integrated circuits are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of integrated circuits are fabricated at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a vertical integrated circuit. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked in to a separate vertical integrated circuit. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.

Abstract: An optomechanical switch comprised of light or laser movable liquid crystal is disclosed. The optomechanical switch consists of a plate of light movable liquid crystal rotatably disposed with respect to a substrate. When activated with a light or laser source, the light movable liquid crystal is rotated angularly to create transmissive and reflective states of transmission for the optical beam.

Abstract: A reconfigurable backlighting construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation is provided. These computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen without the need for a bulky overhead projector, required by all prior art systems. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without physical removal of the light guiding panel and its light diffusing structures. A portable light projection accessory device is also provided for use with the portable computer-based systems of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and production methods thereof, and more particularly to vertically integrated MEMS systems. Manufacturing of MEMS and vertically integrated MEMS is facilitated by forming, preferably on a wafer level, plural MEMS on a MEMS layer selectively bonded to a substrate, and removing the MEMS layer intact.

Abstract: A novel method of manufactring a microchannel plate (“MCP”) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of ion implantation of a substrate, the subsequent formation of channels paterned on the surface of the substrate and bonding of the subsequent substrate to a handle wafer. The layers are subsequently cleaved and the steps repeated until a MCP structure is achieved. The resulting MCP structure is cost-effective as compared to conventional manufacturing processes and the resulting MCP structure exhibits a funneling effect. The MCP structure may also be used for optical signal amplification for a biochip array.

Abstract: A method for increasing the manufacturing yield for a vertically integrated device is disclosed. The devices are composed of one or more multiple layer die. The number of functioning layers of each multiple layer die is determined diagnostically. Each of said multiple layer die are sorted based on said number of functioning layers. Also disclosed are methods for combining sorted die, and methods for slicing sorted die, to form die with a desired number of known good layers.

Abstract: A layered structure generally includes a first layer suitable for having a useful element formed therein or thereon selectively attached or bonded to a second layer. A method to form a layered structure generally comprises selectively adhering a first substrate to a second substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from a film of material, such as a CLC polymer having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A method for fabricating multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices is disclosed. Multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of devices at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a multi layer microelectromechanical and microfluidic devices. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked to create either microelectromechanical or microfluidic device or a hyrbid type of device. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.

Abstract: In color printing, and in the fine arts, cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) color inks are known to possess much higher color saturation and brightness than conventional pigment and dyed based inks. However, prior art CLC ink formulations are inconvenient because in the liquid phase they have to be confined in cells, and in the solid phase, they have to be applied at high temperature, and have to be aligned by some means to produce the optimum color. This invention solves the problem encountered in the CLC prior art, by making pre-aligned CLC platelets or flakes of appropriate thickness and size and mixing them in appropriate host fluids producing a novel CLC ink which can be applied at room temperature and without the need for alignment. The new pre-aligned room temperature CLC ink can be used as a substitute for conventional inks in almost all printing and plotting, and manual drawing and painting. Using the notch filter CLC platelets, the brightness is further enhanced.

Abstract: Electro-optical glazing structures having total-scattering and total-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.

Abstract: A 1XN (or NX1) optical connector for steering light is provided, which may be formed into an optical cross connecter. The optical connector generally includes a plurality of N stages, each stage including a liquid crystal cell and a polarizing beam splitter. The liquid crystal cell, in certain embodiments in the form of an array of LC cells, has a first state for transmitting a first polarization component of the light and a second state for transmitting a second polarization component of the light. The polarizing beam splitter structure reflects one of the polarization states and transmits the other polarization state into one of 2N outputs. Of course, the direction of light can be reversed, forming an NX1 cell. A key advantage of the present invention is the integration of components to form a monolithic structure.

Abstract: Provided herein is a logic tree for steering electromagnetic energy. The logic tree includes a plurality of stages. The first stage includes a branch for directing energy to a similar branch in each succeeding stage. Each stages contains 2n?1 branches, where n is the stage number. In particular embodiments, each branch includes an active element for directing electromagnetic energy into one of a first and a second paths, and a passive element disposed in the second path.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.