Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an array antenna having a combination of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic conductors in alternating multilayers. One such antenna device comprises an array of patch antennas on a substrate, wherein the patch antennas are formed of a combination of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic conductors in alternating multilayers; and a microstrip feeding line coupled to the array of patch antennas. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various systems and apparatuses for a compact frequency reconfigurable array antenna and methods related thereto. An exemplary array antenna system comprises a substrate; an array of patch antennas positioned on the substrate; a plurality of PIN diodes placed on a top surface of the substrate, wherein individual PIN diodes are located in individual gaps between respective ones of the patch antennas; and a plurality of meander-line (ML) complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) decouplers placed on a bottom surface of the substrate, wherein individual ML-CSRR decouplers are placed under individual patch antennas in a diagonal direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system includes a transmitter comprising a transmitter coil coupled to a power source and a transmitter metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the transmitter coil that is configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards a receiver in a non-contact manner. In such a system, the receiver comprises a receiver coil coupled to a load and a receiver metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the receiver coil configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multifunctional probe that may be inserted into tissue (e.g. brain tissue) that includes an optical waveguide, a microfluidic channel and a plurality of carbon nanofiber electrodes. In another embodiment, the probe includes a shank onto which carbon nanofiber electrodes are disposed. Also disclosed are methods of making disclosed probes.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for meander line (ML) slots, which can be used for mutual coupling reduction. In one example, an antenna array includes first and second patch antenna elements disposed on a first side of a substrate, the first and second patch antenna elements separated by a gap. The antenna array can include a meander line (ML) slot formed in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate. A plurality of ML slots can be aligned with the gap between the first and second patch antenna elements. In another example, a method includes forming first and second antenna elements on a first side of a substrate and forming a ML slot in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate aligned with a gap between the first and second antenna elements.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to mutual coupling reduction between elements in antenna arrays. In one example, an antenna array includes patch antenna elements disposed on a first side of a substrate; and meander line (ML) slots formed in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate. The ML slots can be disposed opposite a corresponding patch antenna element with the ML slot extending at an angle between first and second sides defining a corner that is adjacent to another patch antenna element. In another example, an antenna array includes first and second patch antenna elements disposed on a first side of a substrate and separated by a gap; and at least one meander line (ML) slots formed in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate and aligned with the gap between the first and second patch antenna elements.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to electrochemical phosphate/pH (P/pH) sensors, systems and related methods. In one example, a P/pH sensor includes a substrate and collocated phosphate (P) electrode and pH electrode formed on a surface of the substrate. The P electrode includes a cobalt (Co) sensing window disposed on a first copper (Cu) sensor pad; and the pH electrode includes an antimony (Sb) sensing window disposed on a second Cu sensor pad. The P/pH sensor can include a reference electrode, and may also include other sensor electrodes such as, e.g., a nitrate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system includes a transmitter comprising a transmitter coil coupled to a power source and a transmitter metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the transmitter coil that is configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards a receiver in a non-contact manner. In such a system, the receiver comprises a receiver coil coupled to a load and a receiver metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the receiver coil configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods of fabricating a metamaterial-inspired dual-function loop antenna. One such antenna device comprises a loop antenna and a metamaterial slab integrated on top of the loop antenna. Accordingly, the metamaterial slab metamaterial has a negative refractive index value at a first frequency and a near zero refractive index at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is less than the second frequency, each unit cell of the metamaterial slab is coupled to a capacitor in parallel, the first frequency is attributed to a capacitance value of the capacitor, and the second frequency is attributed to a dimension of the unit cell. As such, the antenna device is configured to receive wireless power transfer signals over the first frequency and wireless communication signals over the second frequency. Other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Various examples of methods and systems related to nanofibrous microstructures including carbon nanofibrous microelectrode arrays are provided. In one example, a method includes electrospinning photosensitive nanofibers on a patterned substrate; immersing the photosensitive nanofibers in a refractive index matching medium; and exposing the immersed photosensitive nanofibers to ultraviolet (UV) light through the patterned substrate or through a front side photomask. In another example, a microelectrode array includes a carbon thin film (CTF) trace pattern including a plurality of CTF electrode pads; and a plurality of carbon nanofiber (CNF) pillars disposed on the plurality of CTF electrode pads.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for meander line (ML) slots, which can be used for mutual coupling reduction. In one example, an antenna array includes first and second patch antenna elements disposed on a first side of a substrate, the first and second patch antenna elements separated by a gap. The antenna array can include a meander line (ML) slot formed in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate. A plurality of ML slots can be aligned with the gap between the first and second patch antenna elements. In another example, a method includes forming first and second antenna elements on a first side of a substrate and forming a ML slot in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate aligned with a gap between the first and second antenna elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system comprises a transmitter coil coupled to a power source; a receiver coil coupled to a load; and a metamaterial screen disposed between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil and configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a smart pseudo-palate for use in a Smart Electropalatograph (EPG) for Linguistic and Medical Applications (SELMA) system. In one aspect, the pseudo-palate is constructed from a thin, flexible polymer membrane and having an embedded electrode array. The pseudo-palate is configured to detect tongue contacts during speech while causing minimal disturbance or interference with speech motion. The disclosed pseudo-palate in the SELMA system is integrated with a microcontroller, wireless electronic module, and external readout app. The disclosure, in another aspect, relates to integration of the pseudo-palate with a smart sports/health mouth guard containing a series of sensors for monitoring head impacts, body temperature, and heart rate.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an array antenna having a combination of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic conductors in alternating multilayers. One such antenna device comprises an array of patch antennas on a substrate, wherein the patch antennas are formed of a combination of ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic conductors in alternating multilayers; and a microstrip feeding line coupled to the array of patch antennas. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods of fabricating a metamaterial-inspired dual-function loop antenna. One such antenna device comprises a loop antenna and a metamaterial slab integrated on top of the loop antenna. Accordingly, the metamaterial slab metamaterial has a negative refractive index value at a first frequency and a near zero refractive index at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is less than the second frequency, each unit cell of the metamaterial slab is coupled to a capacitor in parallel, the first frequency is attributed to a capacitance value of the capacitor, and the second frequency is attributed to a dimension of the unit cell. As such, the antenna device is configured to receive wireless power transfer signals over the first frequency and wireless communication signals over the second frequency. Other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Various examples are provided that are related to fractal-based reactive impedance surfaces. These surfaces allow for miniaturization of antennas. In one example, a fractal rectangular reactive impedance surface (FR-RIS) includes a plurality of fractal rectangular (FR) patches having an outer edge defined by a fractal rectangular pattern that is repeated along each side of inner FR patches of the plurality of FR patches. The fractal rectangular pattern of a FR patch matches with the fractal rectangular pattern of an adjacent FR patch. An antenna can include a planar antenna disposed over the FR-RIS.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for intelligent mouthguards that can be used in fitness and sport activities. In one example, an intelligent mouthguard system includes a mouthguard including sensors and an internal module in communication with the sensors. The sensors can include a nine-axis inertial sensor comprising a three-axis magnetometer, a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope. The three-axis magnetometer can provide a reference plane in relation to the earth's magnetic field for the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyroscope. The internal module can provide sensor data to an external processing unit when located in an oral cavity.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system comprises a transmitter coil coupled to a power source; a receiver coil coupled to a load; and a metamaterial screen disposed between the transmitter coil and the receiver coil and configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for controlled drug release over an extended period of time. In one example, a controlled release system includes a multilayer membrane including a first biocompatible nanofiber layer; a microbead layer disposed on the first biocompatible nanofiber layer, the microbeads comprising a releasable agent; and a second biocompatible nanofiber layer disposed over the microbead layer. The first and second biocompatible nanofiber layers support the microbead layer and provide a diffusion barrier that can control a release profile of the releasable agent.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for point symmetric complementary meander line (PSC-ML) slots, which can be used for mutual coupling reduction. In one example, an antenna array includes first and second patch antenna elements disposed on a first side of a substrate, the first and second patch antenna elements separated by a gap. The antenna array can include point symmetric complementary meander line (PSC-ML) slots formed in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate. The PSC-ML slots can include a pair of ML slots aligned with the gap between the first and second patch antenna elements. In another example, a method includes forming first and second antenna elements on a first side of a substrate and forming PSC-ML slots in a ground plane disposed on a second side of the substrate that are aligned with a gap between the first and second antenna elements.