Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to electronic devices, which combine reconfigurable diode rectifying states with nonvolatile memristive switching. In one aspect, an electronic device (210,230,240) comprises an active region (212) sandwiched between a first electrode (104) and a second electrode (106). The active region includes two or more semiconductor layers and at least one dopant that is capable of being selectively positioned within the active region to control the flow of charge carriers through the device.

Abstract: A photonic interconnect method avoids high capacitance electric interconnects by using optical signals to communicate data between devices. The method can provide massively parallel information output by mapping logical addresses to frequency bands, so that modulation of a selected frequency band can encode information for a specific location corresponding to the logical address. Wavelength-specific directional couplers, modulators, and detectors, which can be fabricated at defects in a photonic bandgap crystal, can be employed for the photonic interconnect method. The interconnect method can be used for both classical and quantum information processing.

Abstract: An addressable nano-scale mechanical actuator is formed at the intersection of two nanowires. The actuator has an active region disposed between the two nanowires, which form the electrodes of the actuator. The active region contains an electrolytically decomposable material. When an activation voltage is applied to the electrodes, the material releases a gas that forms a bubble at one electrode, causing a bulging of a top surface of the actuator. The bulging may be used, via mechanical coupling, to provide mechanical actuation on a nanometer scale. The nanowires may be arranged in a two-dimensional array to provide an array of individually addressable actuators.

Abstract: An electrically actuated device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an active region disposed between the first and second electrodes. At least two dopants are present in a spatially varying region of the active region prior to device actuation. The at least two dopants have opposite conductivity types and different mobilities.

Abstract: A field-programmable analog array (FPAA) includes a digital signal routing network, an analog signal routing network, switch elements to interconnect the digital signal routing network with the analog signal routing network, and a configurable analog block (CAB) connected to the analog signal routing network and having a programmable resistor array. The switch elements are implemented via digital memristors, the programmable resistor array is implemented via analog memristors, and/or antifuses within one or more of the digital signal routing network and the analog signal routing network are implemented via digital memristors.

Abstract: A metal-insulator transition (MIT) latch includes a first electrode spaced apart from a second electrode and an MIT material disposed between said first and second electrodes. The MIT material comprises a negative differential resistance (NDR) characteristic that exhibits a discontinuous resistance change at a threshold voltage or threshold current. Either the first or second electrode is electrically connected to an electrical bias source regulated to set a resistance phase of the MIT material.

Abstract: Chaotic oscillator-based random number generation is described. In an example, a circuit includes a negative differential resistance (NDR) device to receive an alternating current (AC) bias. The circuit further includes a capacitance in parallel with the NDR device, the capacitance having a value such that, in response to a direct current (DC) bias applied to the NDR device and the capacitance, a voltage across the capacitance oscillates with a chaotic period. The circuit further includes a random number generator to generate random numbers using samples of the voltage across the capacitance.

Abstract: A multilayer structure is disclosed that includes a conductive layer, a layer of a negative differential resistance (NDR) material disposed above the conductive layer, a layer M2 disposed above the NDR material, a second layer of NDR material disposed above layer M2, and a conductive layer disposed above the second NDR layer. Layer M2 can include a conductive material interspersed with regions of a dielectric material or a layer of the dielectric material and regions of the conductive material disposed above and below the dielectric material.

Abstract: A memristor with a switching layer that includes a composite of multiple phases is disclosed. The memristor comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; and a switching layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, the switching layer comprising the multi-phase composite system that comprises a first majority phase comprising a relatively insulating matrix of a switching material and a second minority phase comprising a relatively conducting material for forming at least one conducting channel in the switching layer during a fabrication process of the memristor. A method of making the memristor and a crossbar employing the memristor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scattering spectroscopy apparatus, system and method employ guided mode resonance (GMR) and a GMR grating. The apparatus includes a GMR grating having a subwavelength grating, and an optical detector configured to receive a portion of a scattered signal produced by an interaction between an excitation signal and an analyte associated with a surface of the GMR grating. A propagation direction of the received portion of the scattered signal is substantially different from a propagation direction of a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal within the GMR grating. The system includes the apparatus and an optical source. The method includes exciting a GMR in a GMR grating, interacting a GMR-coupled portion of the excitation signal with an analyte to produce a scattered signal and detecting a portion of the scattered signal.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy system includes a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate and a laser source configured to emit light within a spectrum of wavelengths toward a predetermined species on or near the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate. The system further includes a set of filters positioned to be in optical communication with light scattered after the laser light interacts with the predetermined species. Each of the filters in the set is respectively configured to pass scattered light within a different predetermined narrow band of wavelengths. The system also includes a plurality of photodetectors, where each photodetector is positioned adjacent to a respective one of the filters in the set and is configured to output a signal if the scattered light passes through the respective one of the filters. The set of filters is targeted for detection of characteristic peaks of the predetermined species.

Abstract: A demultiplexed nanowire sensor array for detecting different chemical and biological species are provided, comprising a sensor array and a demultiplexer array. Methods of detecting at least two chemical and/or biological species are also provided, using the demultiplexed nanowire sensor array.

Abstract: Methods and means related to memory resistors are provided. A memristor includes at least two different active materials disposed between a pair of electrodes. The active materials are selected to exhibit respective and opposite changes in electrical resistance in response to changes in oxygen ion content. The active materials are subject to oxygen ion reconfiguration under the influence of an applied electric field. An electrical resistance of the memristor is thus adjustable by way of applied programming voltages and is non-volatile between programming events.

Abstract: An asymmetric switching rectifier includes a first switching device to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state and a second switching device connected in a head-to-head formation to said first switching device, said second switching to allow electric current to flow while in a first state and inhibit electric current in a second state. A first electric current to turn said switching devices to said first state is different than a second electric current to turn said switching devices to said second state. The rectifier further includes a bypass segment to draw a bypass electric current from a center electrode between said first switching device and said second switching device.

Abstract: A multi-pillar structure for molecular analysis is provided. The structure comprises at least two nanopoles, each nanopole attached at one end to a substrate and freely movable along its length. The opposite ends of the at least two nanopoles are each capable of movement toward each other to trap at least one analyte molecule at their opposite ends. Each nanopole is coated with a metal coating. An array of such multi-pillar structures is also provided. A method for preparing the multi-pillar structure is further provided.

Abstract: An ionic device includes a layer (220) of an ionic conductor containing first and second species (222, 224) of impurities. The first species (222) of impurity in the layer (220) is mobile in the ionic conductor, and a concentration profile of the first species (222) determines a functional characteristic of the device (200). The second species (224) of impurity in the layer (220) interacts with the first species (222) within the layer (220) to create a structure (226) that limits mobility of the first species (222) in the layer (220).

Abstract: An aerostatic platform for monitoring an earth-based sensor network. The aerostatic platform includes an aerostat, at least one antenna coupled with the aerostat, and a plurality of restraints. The antenna is configurable to receive a signal transmitted from at least one sensor in the earth-based sensor network. The plurality of restraints is configurable for fixing the antenna in a fixed aerial location above the earth-based sensor network, and for maintaining the antenna in a sufficiently stationary position relative to the sensor to triangulate a location of the sensor from a locator signal received by the antenna. A sensor-network-monitoring system is also provided, along with a method for deploying the sensor-network monitoring system.

Abstract: Determination of a sensor device location in a sensor network is described. A system can include rotating optical beams having a known location. Detectors can be located with each of the rotating optical beams. The system can include a sensor device placeable as part of the sensor network. A reflector can be near the sensor device and can reflect at least two optical beams back to the detectors associated with each of the respective optical beams. A triangulation module can triangulate a position of the reflector, and thus the sensor, based on the reflected optical beams.

Abstract: A three dimensional multilayer circuit includes a via array made up of a set of first vias and a set of second vias and an area distributed CMOS layer configured to selectively address said first vias and said second vias. At least two crossbar arrays overlay the area distributed CMOS layer. These crossbar arrays include a plurality of intersecting crossbar segments and programmable crosspoint devices which are interposed between the intersecting crossbar segments. The vias are connected to the crossbar segments such that each programmable crosspoint devices can be uniquely accessed using a first via and a second via.

Abstract: A device contains a first layer (420), a second layer (440); and a membrane (430) between the first and second layers (420, 440). Mobile ions (425) are in at least one of the first and second layers (420, 440), and the membrane (430) is permeable to the ions. Interfaces of the conductive membrane (430) with the first layer (420) and the second layer (440) are such that charge of a polarity of the ions (425) collects at the interfaces.