Abstract: A passive sensor detection system comprises an array of resonant mechanical sensors connected in series, with each of the resonant mechanical sensors configured to detect respectively different signature frequencies of a signal generated by a target of interest. A transmitter is operatively coupled to the array of resonant mechanical sensors, and a power supply is coupled to the array of resonant mechanical sensors and the transmitter. When the array of resonant mechanical sensors are triggered by the signal generated by the target of interest, the transmitter is powered on to transmit a signal indicating the detection of the target of interest.

Abstract: An optomechanical device for modulating an optical signal for reducing thermal noise and tracking mechanical resonance of a proof mass assembly comprises a circuit configured to receive, from a light-emitting device, the optical signal and modulate the optical signal to remove thermal noise and to drive a mechanical response frequency to the mechanical resonance of the proof mass assembly using a cooling feedback signal and a mechanical resonance feedback signal. The circuit is further configured to generate, using the modulated optical signal, the cooling feedback signal to correspond to a thermal noise signal of the modulated optical signal with a total loop gain of zero and a phase difference of 180 degrees and generate, using the modulated optical signal, the mechanical resonance feedback signal to drive the mechanical response frequency of the modulated optical signal to the mechanical resonance.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for determining, using an electro-opto-mechanical accelerometer system, a frequency value in order to determine an acceleration value. For example, an accelerometer system includes a light-emitting device configured to emit an optical signal and a circuit. The circuit is configured to modulate, using a modulating device, the optical signal to produce a modulated optical signal, receive, using a photoreceiver, the modulated optical signal, convert, using the photoreceiver, the modulated optical signal into an electrical signal, process the electrical signal to obtain a processed electrical signal, and transmit the processed electrical signal to the modulating device, where the modulating device is configured to modulate the optical signal based on the processed electrical signal. Additionally, the circuit is configured to determine, based on the processed electrical signal, a frequency value.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for determining, using an electro-opto-mechanical accelerometer system, a frequency value in order to determine an acceleration value. For example, an accelerometer system includes a light-emitting device configured to emit an optical signal and a circuit. The circuit is configured to determine a frequency value corresponding to the optical signal and determine an acceleration value based on the frequency value. Additionally, the accelerometer system includes a housing that encloses the light-emitting device, the circuit, and Helium gas, where the Helium gas defines a partial pressure within a range between 0.1 torr and 760 torr.

Abstract: A system for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) based sensing including air data detection is disclosed. The system comprises a photonics substrate comprising a passive optical filter array configured to receive backscattered light produced in a region of interest when a light beam is emitted by a laser device, and a reference beam from the laser device. The passive optical filter array includes a plurality of optical notch filters in optical communication with each other, the optical notch filters operative for frequency selection, and a plurality of optical detectors each respectively coupled to an output of one of the optical notch filters. The passive optical filter array is operative to perform frequency spectrum decomposition of the received backscattered light into a plurality of signals for data extraction and processing to determine air data parameters.

Abstract: A differential signature detection system is provided. The system comprises: a target sensor, wherein the target sensor is configured to measure acoustical signals within a first narrow band around a target frequency; an offset sensor, wherein the offset sensor is configured to measure acoustical signals within a second narrow band around an offset frequency; and a controller coupled to the target sensor and the offset sensor, wherein the controller is configured to: compare a signal output of the target sensor with an output of the signal output of the offset sensor to calculate a differential measurement that comprises a difference in signal peak intensity; compare the differential measurement to a reference signal, wherein the reference signal comprises a threshold indicative of a presence of a characteristic signature peak associated with a target object; and produce an output based on the comparison between the differential measurement and the reference signal.

Abstract: A differential signature detection system is provided. The system comprises: a target sensor, wherein the target sensor is configured to measure acoustical signals within a first narrow band around a target frequency; an offset sensor, wherein the offset sensor is configured to measure acoustical signals within a second narrow band around an offset frequency; and a controller coupled to the target sensor and the offset sensor, wherein the controller is configured to: compare a signal output of the target sensor with an output of the signal output of the offset sensor to calculate a differential measurement that comprises a difference in signal peak intensity; compare the differential measurement to a reference signal, wherein the reference signal comprises a threshold indicative of a presence of a characteristic signature peak associated with a target object; and produce an output based on the comparison between the differential measurement and the reference signal.

Abstract: An optomechanical device comprising a circuit configured to generate an optical signal using a tuning signal and modulate the optical signal at a frequency corresponding to one quarter of a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of an optical resonance of the proof mass assembly to generate a partially modulated optical signal. The circuit being further configured to filter the partially modulated optical signal to remove a central carrier from the partially modulated optical signal to generate a filtered optical signal, modulate the filtered optical signal to generate a modulated optical signal driven to the mechanical resonance of the proof mass assembly, and generate the tuning signal using a difference between a DC intensity level of a first optical frequency component in the modulated optical signal and a DC intensity level of a second optical frequency component in the modulated optical signal.

Abstract: An ultra-high charge density electret is disclosed. The ultra-high charge density electret includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of sidewalls. A porous silicon dioxide film is formed on the plurality of sidewalls, and the porous silicon dioxide film is charged with a plurality of positive or negative ions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for zero power automatic thermal regulation are provided. In one embodiment, a method for passive thermal management comprises: establishing thermal conductivity between a self-heating electronic device and a cooling fluid held within a fluid reservoir via a thermal interface; using thermally controlled expansion of the cooling fluid, controlling a length of a column of the cooling fluid extending into at least one channel extending from the fluid reservoir, wherein the channel provides a non-recirculating path for the cooling fluid to expand into, and wherein the length of a column of the cooling fluid is thermally controlled using heat absorbed by the cooling fluid from the self-heating electronic device; and selectively establishing a primary heat path between the electronic device and a heat sink interface thermally coupled to an external environment as a function of the length of the column of the cooling fluid within the channel.

Abstract: An accelerometer device configured for in-situ calibration applies a laser-induced pushing force at a first magnitude to a proof mass of an accelerometer, and while applying the laser-induced pushing force at the first magnitude to the proof mass, the device obtains a first output from the accelerometer. The device is further configured to apply a laser-induced pushing force at a second magnitude to the proof mass, and while applying the laser-induced pushing force at the second magnitude to the proof mass, the device obtains a second output from the accelerometer. Based on the first output and the second output, the device determines a scale factor for the accelerometer. The device is configured to determine a third output for the accelerometer, and based on the scale factor and the third output, determine an acceleration value.

Abstract: A soluble sensor is provided. The soluble sensor includes a soluble handle substrate and a layer of semiconductor material that is disposed on the soluble handle substrate. The layer of semiconductor material includes a plurality of semiconductor devices interconnected to perform a sensing function.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a periodic chirp to at least two pixels of a MEMS sensor array; determining a resonant frequency of each MEMS resonant sensor receiving the periodic chirp; determining the change in resonant frequency of each MEMS resonant sensor receiving the periodic chirp; determining a power level incident upon each pixel receiving the periodic chirp. In one embodiment, the method further comprises calibrating the MEMS sensor array. In another embodiment, calibrating comprises generating a reference resonant frequency for each MEMS resonant sensor. In a further embodiment, determining the power level comprises determining a difference between the determined resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for zero power automatic thermal regulation are provided. In one embodiment, a method for passive thermal management comprises: establishing thermal conductivity between a self-heating electronic device and a cooling fluid held within a fluid reservoir via a thermal interface; using thermally controlled expansion of the cooling fluid, controlling a length of a column of the cooling fluid extending into at least one channel extending from the fluid reservoir, wherein the channel provides a non-recirculating path for the cooling fluid to expand into, and wherein the length of a column of the cooling fluid is thermally controlled using heat absorbed by the cooling fluid from the self-heating electronic device; and selectively establishing a primary heat path between the electronic device and a heat sink interface thermally coupled to an external environment as a function of the length of the column of the cooling fluid within the channel.

Abstract: A tracker comprises at least one transmitter, wherein each transmitter comprises a substrate; a cantilever beam having a first end coupled to the substrate; at least one electret formed on, or by all or part of, the cantilever beam; at least one ground plane configured to be perpendicular to motion of the at least one electret, and wherein the at least one electret is configured to radiate an electromagnetic field, at a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of the transmitter, when vibrating energy is incident upon the transmitter.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method comprises: transmitting a periodic chirp to at least two pixels of a MEMS sensor array; determining a resonant frequency of each MEMS resonant sensor receiving the periodic chirp; determining the change in resonant frequency of each MEMS resonant sensor receiving the periodic chirp; determining a power level incident upon each pixel receiving the periodic chirp. In one embodiment, the method further comprises calibrating the MEMS sensor array. In another embodiment, calibrating comprises generating a reference resonant frequency for each MEMS resonant sensor. In a further embodiment, determining the power level comprises determining a difference between the determined resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency.

Abstract: An ultra-high charge density electret is disclosed. The ultra-high charge density electret includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of sidewalls. A porous silicon dioxide film is formed on the plurality of sidewalls, and the porous silicon dioxide film is charged with a plurality of positive or negative ions.

Abstract: A system for generating and transmitting ULF/VLF signals comprises a plurality of MEMS transmitter devices arranged in an array. Each transmitter device includes a first ground plane; a beam coupled to the first ground plane by an anchor, such that the beam extends over and is spaced apart from the first ground plane; an electret coupled to the beam and spaced apart from the first ground plane; an electrical bias drive coupled to the beam to generate a stress on the beam; and a second ground plane spaced above the beam. The system also comprises a vibration drive stage operatively coupled to each transmitter device. The vibration drive stage synchronically drives each transmitter device such that each electret vibrates in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the first and second ground planes. Each electret also vibrates at substantially the same modulated frequency to generate and transmit ULF/VLF signals.

Abstract: Systems, devices, techniques, and methods are disclosed for an opto-mechanical vibrating beam accelerometer. In one example, a system is configured to couple a laser into optical resonance with opto-mechanically active (OMA) anchors suspending a proof mass; lock frequencies of the laser to optical resonances of the OMA anchors, resulting in a modulated laser coupled with the OMA anchors; demodulate a photocurrent that detects the modulated laser coupled with the OMA anchors to detect at least an amplitude or a phase of the modulated laser; lock a frequency of the modulated laser to dynamically track instantaneous resonance frequencies of mechanical modes of the OMA anchors through changes to the amplitude or phase of the modulated laser induced by coupling of the modulated laser to the OMA anchors; and measure an acceleration based on instantaneous resonance frequencies of the OMA anchors through changes to the amplitude or phase of the modulated laser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a bilayer; and wherein the bilayer is configured to cover at least one opening in at least one chamber and irreparably opens upon reaching a threshold temperature.