Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for manipulating, and sensing at least one property of, cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic channel arranged on a substrate, a sensing zone arranged along a portion of the microfluidic channel, and a set of piezoelectric actuators arranged in proximity to the sensing zone. The sensing zone is configured to measure one or more properties of a cell or a particle in a fluid sample in the microfluidic channel. The set of piezoelectric actuators is configured to cause manipulation of the particle while the particle is in the sensing zone.

Abstract: A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for dissociating and manipulating cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device includes an inlet, an outlet, and a microfluidic channel arranged on a substrate between the inlet and the outlet. The microfluidic device includes a first set of piezoelectric actuators arranged adjacent to the inlet channel and configured to dissociate particles of a fluidic sample in the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a second set of piezoelectric actuators arranged between the inlet channel and the outlet channel and configured to manipulate the particles of the fluidic sample as the particles move through the microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device includes a third set of piezoelectric actuators arranged above the outlet channel, adjacent to the outlet, and configured to eject a portion of the fluidic sample out of the microfluidic channel via the outlet.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for sensing and sorting of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having an inlet, the microfluidic channel being coupled with two or more output channels; one or more sensors located adjacent to a first region of the microfluidic channel for sensing respective particles flown through the microfluidic channel; and a first piezoelectric actuator located adjacent to a second region of the microfluidic channel downstream from the first region for deflecting the respective particles flowing through the microfluidic channel to respective output channels of the two or more output channels based on signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein include methods and devices for the evaluation of sub-cellular and molecular structures of cells and particles. In one aspect, a microfluidic device includes: (i) a sensor positioned adjacent to a microfluidic channel for detecting particles flowing through the microfluidic channel and (ii) a transmission line positioned adjacent to the sensor for receiving electromagnetic signals from the sensor.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for flow control of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having at least one outlet; a first array of piezoelectric actuators located adjacent to the outlet for ejecting a portion of a fluid in the microfluidic channel; and one or more pairs of electrodes for charging particles (in the fluid) flowing through the microfluidic channel so that the particles can be manipulated with an electrical field.

Abstract: A method includes converting an electrical output provided by an energy generator with a first voltage converter; and, subsequent to converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the first voltage converter, activating, with a microprocessor, a second voltage converter for converting the electrical output provided by the energy generator with the second voltage converter. An electrical device with a microprocessor for selecting one of two or more voltage converters is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of tracking location of the listener's ears for 3D perception of audio signals sent from an array of acoustic sources. In addition to the array of acoustic sources, the system contains a video camera for finding a location of the listener's ears and one or more ultrasonic transducers for locating positions of the listener's ears by sending ultrasonic signals and receiving echoes reflected from the sought objects. The use of ultrasonic transducers enhances the action of the video camera and accuracy in positioning the listener's ears by calculating the distance from the acoustic sources to the plane in which the ears are located in the direction of axis Z, while the X, Y coordinates of the ears in the X, Y, Z coordinate system are determined by an image processor of the video camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of tracking location of the listener's ears for 3D perception of audio signals sent from an array of acoustic sources. In addition to the array of acoustic sources, the system contains a video camera for finding a location of the listener's ears and one or more ultrasonic transducers for locating positions of the listener's ears by sending ultrasonic signals and receiving echoes reflected from the sought objects. The use of ultrasonic transducers enhances the action of the video camera and accuracy in positioning the listener's ears by calculating the distance from the acoustic sources to the plane in which the ears are located in the direction of axis Z, while the X, Y coordinates of the ears in the X, Y, Z coordinate system are determined by an image processor of the video camera.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for proximity coupled multi-band antenna. A two-layer flex antenna includes a first element and a second element arranged with a gap between the first element and the second element. A dielectric material covers the two-layer flex antenna and the gap. A thin trace antenna is arranged on top of the dielectric material such that a first portion of the thin trace antenna is partially congruent with the first element of two-layer flex antenna, a second portion of the thin trace antenna crosses the gap between the first element and the second element of the two-layer flex antenna, and a third portion of the thin trace antenna extends away from the second element of the two-layer flex antenna.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for multi-band antenna with a battery resonator. An antenna may include a ground plane, a front ground plane extension and a rear ground plane extension attached to the ground plane, a dielectric layer, an antenna layer, and a battery. The dielectric layer may include dielectric material placed over the front ground plane extension. The dielectric layer may be in between the antenna layer and the front ground plane extension. The antenna layer may include a high frequency antenna element and a low frequency antenna element attached to a transmission line. The battery may be placed in between and proximity coupled to the front ground plane extension and the rear ground plane extension. The front ground plane extension, rear ground plane extension, ground plane and battery may be proximity coupled to the low-frequency antenna element.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a modified Vivaldi antenna with dipole excitation mode. An antenna may include a ground plane and a modified Vivaldi antenna. The modified Vivaldi antenna may include a straight arm with a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the ground plane, a tapered section, and a balun placed partially between the straight arm and the tapered section. The modified Vivaldi antenna may be placed such that there is a gap between the tapered section and the ground plane. A feed element may be placed such that the feed element crosses the gap between the tapered section of the modified Vivaldi antenna and the ground plane.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for multi-band antenna with a battery resonator. An antenna may include a ground plane, a front ground plane extension and a rear ground plane extension attached to the ground plane, a dielectric layer, an antenna layer, and a battery. The dielectric layer may include dielectric material placed over the front ground plane extension. The dielectric layer may be in between the antenna layer and the front ground plane extension. The antenna layer may include a high frequency antenna element and a low frequency antenna element attached to a transmission line. The battery may be placed in between and proximity coupled to the front ground plane extension and the rear ground plane extension. The front ground plane extension, rear ground plane extension, ground plane and battery may be proximity coupled to the low-frequency antenna element.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a modified Vivaldi antenna with dipole excitation mode. An antenna may include a ground plane and a modified Vivaldi antenna. The modified Vivaldi antenna may include a straight arm with a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the ground plane, a tapered section, and a balun placed partially between the straight arm and the tapered section. The modified Vivaldi antenna may be placed such that there is a gap between the tapered section and the ground plane. A feed element may be placed such that the feed element crosses the gap between the tapered section of the modified Vivaldi antenna and the ground plane.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for proximity coupled multi-band antenna. A two-layer flex antenna includes a first element and a second element arranged with a gap between the first element and the second element. A dielectric material covers the two-layer flex antenna and the gap. A thin trace antenna is arranged on top of the dielectric material such that a first portion of the thin trace antenna is partially congruent with the first element of two-layer flex antenna, a second portion of the thin trace antenna crosses the gap between the first element and the second element of the two-layer flex antenna, and a third portion of the thin trace antenna extends away from the second element of the two-layer flex antenna.

Abstract: A technique to extend antenna coverage pattern of a planar antenna array. In one instance a reflector is disposed above the planar antenna array and in another instance a lens element is disposed above the planar antenna array. The reflection or refraction of RF signals allows antenna coverage pattern to be extended in a horizontal direction parallel to the planar surface of the antenna array and beyond a coverage pattern that is typically not available, without such reflection or refraction of the RF signal.

Abstract: Provided is a sectorized antenna. For example, there is a sectorized antenna including a plurality of antenna elements situated radially around a central axis, where each of the plurality of antenna elements corresponds to at least one of another plurality of sectors of the antenna. A first switch of the sectorized antenna is configured to selectively couple a first transceiver circuit to each antenna element in a first group of the plurality of antenna elements, where the selective coupling provides a configurable directionality for the antenna.

Abstract: A technique to extend antenna coverage pattern of a planar antenna array. In one instance a reflector is disposed above the planar antenna array and in another instance a lens element is disposed above the planar antenna array. The reflection or refraction of RF signals allows antenna coverage pattern to be extended in a horizontal direction parallel to the planar surface of the antenna array and beyond a coverage pattern that is typically not available, without such reflection or refraction of the RF signal.

Abstract: A fractal antenna array based on a modified Peano-Gosper curve. The fractal antenna array is constructed using a 100-segment fractal curve that has the fractal expansion in a linear direction.