Abstract: A thermo-photovoltaic power generator for efficiently converting thermal energy into electric energy including a selective thermal emitter having micropatterned structures for receiving thermal energy and emitting thermal radiation with black body emissivity over a range of wavelengths, low-bandgap photocells responsive to thermal radiation at wavelengths within a particular band of said range of wavelengths and operative to convert such thermal radiation to electric energy, and a band pass filter disposed between the thermal emitter and the photocells for transmitting thermal radiation from the emitter at wavelengths within the particular band to the photocells, and for reflecting thermal radiation at wavelengths outside the particular band back to the emitter.

Abstract: Devices for emitting light in intended frequency ranges. Each device includes a thermal light source for generating light and a reflective film including holes for transmitting a portion of the light shorter than a cutoff wavelength and reflecting the rest of the light back to the light source. The thermal light source reabsorbs the reflected light and thereby increases the operational efficiency thereof.

Abstract: A method using an etchant and a laser for localized precise heating enables precise etching and release of MEMS devices with improved process control while expanding the number of materials used to make MEMS, including silicon-dioxide patterned films buried in and subsequently released from bulk silicon, as a direct write method of release of patterned structures that enables removal of only that material needed to allow the device to perform to be precisely released, after which, the bulk material can be further processed for additional electrical or packaging functions.

Abstract: Integrated glass ceramic spacecraft include a plurality of glass ceramic components including molded, tempered, annealed, and patterned glass ceramic components coupled together for forming a support structure or frame or housing through which is communicated optical signals through an optical communications grid and electrical signals through an electrical communications grid, with the optical communications grid and electrical communication grid forming a composite electrooptical communications grid for spacecraft wide intercommunications. The support structure multifunctions as a frame, a housing, a support, a thermal control system, and as part of an electrooptical communications grid while encapsulating a plurality of optical, electronic, electrical, and MEMS devices between which is communicated the electrical and optical signals over the electrooptical communication grid.