Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating substantially uniform dielectric heating capacities. In one aspect, a microwave device comprises a microwave power source and a microwave cavity. The microwave cavity comprises a plurality of surfaces, an empty domain, and a feed connected to the microwave power source for receiving microwave energy from the microwave power source to create a microwave field distribution within the microwave cavity. The microwave device also comprises a plurality of electromagnetic metamaterial layers disposed at different orientations with respect to a surface of the microwave cavity. The plurality of electromagnetic metamaterial layers affect the microwave field distribution and forming a substantially spatially uniform, time-averaged electric field intensity throughout the empty domain of the microwave cavity from the microwave energy.

Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with mode conversion for ultrasound and acoustic radiation devices. A method is disclosed for manufacturing a mode converting structure comprising a holographic metamaterial that, when positioned relative to an acoustic radiation device (AR), modifies an acoustic field profile of the AR device from an input mode to an output mode, the method including identifying a volumetric distribution of acoustic material properties within the mode converting structure to transform an input pressure field distribution of acoustic radiation in the input mode to an output field distribution of acoustic radiation that approximates the target radiation pattern in the output mode and manufacturing the mode converting structure using the identified volumetric distribution of acoustic material properties.

Abstract: The present technology pertains to a system and method of operation of a metamaterial phase shifter having various use applications. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a phase shifter includes a network of tunable impedance elements and a controller. The controller is coupled to the network of tunable impedance elements and configured to receive a phase shift input value and determine a corresponding tuning voltage to be supplied to each tunable impedance element of the network of tunable impedance elements based on the phase shift input value, the network of tunable impedance element being configured to shift a phase of an input signal based on tuning voltages supplied to the network of tunable impedance elements by the controller.

Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.

Abstract: System and methods are described herein for providing wireless power to a target device, such as a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a vehicle, robot, or an unmanned aerial vehicle or system (UAV) or (UAS). A tunable multi-element transmitter may transmit electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to the target device using any of a wide variety of frequency bands. A location determination subsystem and/or range determination subsystem may determine a relative location, orientation, and/or rotation of the target device. For a target device within a distance range for which a smallest achievable waist of the Gaussian beam of the EMR at an operational frequency is smaller than the multi-element EMR receiver of the target device, a non-Gaussian beamform may be determined to increase efficiency, decrease overheating, reduce spillover, increase total power output of rectenna receivers on the target device, or achieve another target power delivery goal.

Abstract: Empirically modulated antenna systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An empirically modulated antenna system includes an antenna and a controller programmed to control the antenna. The antenna includes a plurality of discrete scattering elements arranged in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement. A method includes modulating operational states of at least a portion of a plurality of discrete scattering elements of the antenna in a plurality of different modulation patterns. The plurality of different modulation patterns includes different permutations of the discrete scattering elements operating in different operational states. The method also includes evaluating a performance parameter of the antenna responsive to the plurality of different empirical one- or two-dimensional modulation patterns. The method further includes operating the antenna in one of the plurality of different one- or two-dimensional empirical modulation patterns selected based, at least in part, on the performance parameter.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems and methods for transmitting acoustic waves in a region aided by reflection from environmental objects. An arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces in an environment of a target can be detected to generate an environmental acoustic propagation channel model. An acoustic radiation pattern for reflecting one or more acoustic waves off of one or more acoustically reflective surfaces in the arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces towards the target can be identified. A coherent acoustic beamforming device can be controlled to perform coherent beamforming of an acoustic hologram based on the acoustic radiation pattern to generate the one or more acoustic waves for reflection towards the target off of the one or more acoustically reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-layer optical device may include one, two, or three layers. A first layer may include an array of Fourier-transforming optically transmissive elements to map optical radiation between each of a plurality of angles of incidence and corresponding coordinate locations proximate each respective optically transmissive element. A second layer may provide a modulation matrix of optically modulating sub-elements optically coupled to the array of transmissive elements, where each optically modulating sub-element corresponds to one of the coordinate locations of the first layer mapping. A third layer includes an array of inverse Fourier-transforming optically transmissive elements to inverse-map optical radiation from the optically modulating sub-elements of the modulation matrix for propagation at angles corresponding to the angles of incidence from which the optical radiation was received.

Abstract: Modulation patterns for surface scattering antennas provide desired antenna pattern attributes such as reduced side lobes and reduced grating lobes.

Abstract: The present technology pertains to a system and method of operation of a metamaterial phase shifter having various use applications. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a phase shifter includes a network of tunable impedance elements and a controller. The controller is coupled to the network of tunable impedance elements and configured to receive a phase shift input value and determine a corresponding tuning voltage to be supplied to each tunable impedance element of the network of tunable impedance elements based on the phase shift input value, the network of tunable impedance element being configured to shift a phase of an input signal based on tuning voltages supplied to the network of tunable impedance elements by the controller.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and method. A system includes a tracking circuit configured to determine a location of a target device within a Fresnel region of an electronically reconfigurable beam-forming antenna. The antenna is configured to implement at least two selectable focused electromagnetic beams within its Fresnel region. The system includes a beam selector circuit configured to select from the at least two selectable focused electromagnetic beams a focused electromagnetic beam having a focal spot that covers at least a portion of the determined location of the target device. The system includes a beam definition circuit configured to determine an electromagnetic field distribution over an aperture of the electronically reconfigurable beam-forming antenna implementing the selected focused electromagnetic beam. The system includes an output circuit configured to transmit a signal indicative of the determined electromagnetic field distribution.

Abstract: A beamforming system, comprising a plurality of subsets of tunable resonator elements arranged on a substrate. Each subset of tunable resonator elements comprises at least two resonator elements that have a common resonance property modifiable by a common physical stimulus. A first control input may provide a first physical stimulus to modify the resonance property of all the tunable resonator elements in a first subset of tunable resonator elements. A second control input may provide a second physical stimulus to modify the resonance property of all the tunable resonator elements in a second subset of tunable resonator elements. A controller adjusts the first and second physical stimulus provided via the control inputs between a plurality of physical stimulus values. Each different physical stimulus value corresponds to one of a plurality of a unique resonance patterns and associated unique radiation patterns.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for various tunable multi-timescale wireless rectification systems. Tunable multi-timescale wireless rectification systems may include multiple feedback control loops, systems, or sub-systems that modify characteristics of components of a wireless rectification system on various timescales. A wireless rectification system may include antennas, impedance-matching components, rectifying devices, DC-to-DC converters, and/or load controllers. Two or more feedback controls may function on different timescales to modify one or more characteristics or functionalities of components of the wireless rectification system in response to monitored AC and/or DC power values at various locations within the wireless rectification system. Feedback controls operating on various timescales may include antenna feedback controls, impedance feedback controls, rectifying feedback controls, and/or DC feedback controls.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are described to provide a large emittance angle and a large beamforming aperture for radiation emitted by a relatively small transmit aperture. For example, a diffractive concentrator structure can provide a large emittance angle and a large beamforming aperture for radiation emitted by a small transmit aperture and delivered to a larger exit aperture.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, systems and methods for providing engineered frequency dispersion for a dynamic wave-processing device across a set of operational frequencies. A set of operational frequencies for a dynamic-wave processing device can be selected. The wave-processing device can comprise, at least in part, a metamaterial with a static structure. Physical design parameters for the static structure of the metamaterial of the dynamic-wave processing device can be selected to dynamically enable a specific set of functional parameters for the metamaterial across the set of operational frequencies.

Abstract: A system is described for providing somatosensory stimuli to a human subject. The system may include an acoustic beamforming device configured to generate a modulated acoustic beam directed at the human subject. The system may also include a signal modulator configured to provide a signal modulation that enhances, subject to the total radiated power constraint, a perceived strength of somatosensory response of at least one type of cutaneous mechanoreceptor cells in the skin of the human subject.