Abstract: In a method of making a generating device, a plurality of spaced apart elongated seed members are deposited onto a surface of a flexible non-conductive substrate. An elongated conductive layer is applied to a top surface and a first side of each seed member, thereby leaving an exposed second side opposite the first side. A plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures is grown laterally from the second side of each seed layer. A second conductive material is deposited onto the substrate adjacent each elongated first conductive layer so as to be coupled the distal end of each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures. The second conductive material is selected so as to form a Schottky barrier between the second conductive material and the distal end of each of the plurality of elongated piezoelectric nanostructures and so as to form an electrical contact with the first conductive layer.

Abstract: In a method of generating electricity, a plurality of living cells are grown on an array of piezoelectric nanowires so that the cells engage the piezoelectric nanowires. Induced static potentials are extracted from at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires when at least one of the cells deforms the at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires. A cell-driven electrical generator that includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart piezoelectric nanowires disposed on the substrate. A plurality of spaced-apart conductive electrodes interact with the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires. A biological buffer layer that is configured to promote growth of cells is disposed on the substrate so that cells placed on the substrate will grow and engage the piezoelectric nanowires.

Abstract: An electrical device includes an insulating substrate; an elongated piezoelectric semiconductor structure, a first electrode and a second electrode. A first portion of the elongated piezoelectric semiconductor structure is affixed to the substrate and a second portion of the elongated piezoelectric semiconductor structure extends outwardly from the substrate. The first electrode is electrically coupled to a first end of the first portion of the elongated piezoelectric semiconductor structure. The second electrode is electrically coupled to a second end of the first portion of the elongated piezoelectric semiconductor structure.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell including ZnO nanowire arrays grown of a flat substrate for harvesting solar energy is integrated with a piezoelectric nanogenerator for harvesting ultrasonic wave energy. The two energy harvesting approaches work simultaneously or individually and can be integrated in parallel or serial for raising the output current, voltage or power, respectively. A solar cell employs an optical fiber and semiconductor nanowires grown around the fiber. A p-n junction based design, organic-inorganic heterojunction, or a dye-sensitized structure is built at the surfaces of the nanowires. Light entering the fiber from a tip propagates through the fiber until it enters a nanowire where it reaches a photovoltaic element. Light entering the fiber cannot escape until it interacts with a photovoltaic element, thereby increasing the solar conversion efficiency. The fiber can transmit light, while the nanowires around the fibers increase the surface area of light exposure.

Abstract: A solar cell employs an optical fiber and semiconductor nanowires grown around the fiber. A p-n junction based design, organic-inorganic heterojunction, or a dye-sensitized structure is built at the surfaces of the nanowires. Light entering the fiber from a tip propagates through the fiber until it enters a nanowire where it reaches a photovoltaic element. Light entering the fiber cannot escape until it interacts with a photovoltaic element, thereby increasing the solar conversion efficiency. The fiber can transmit light, while the nanowires around the fibers increase the surface area of light exposure.

Abstract: A displacement sensor employs an electromagnetic radiation source that generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation for measuring a feature of an object. The displacement sensor includes a displacement probe, a multi-dimensional diffraction grating and a plurality of photon detectors. A reflection surface, which is changed when the probe interacts with the object, interacts with the beam from the electromagnetic radiation source and reflects a beam from the reflection surface. The multi-dimensional diffraction grating interacts with the reflected beam and generates a pattern of diffracted beams. Each photon detector senses a different diffracted beam, thereby providing information about the state of the probe.

Abstract: A displacement sensor employs an electromagnetic radiation source that generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation for measuring a feature of an object. The displacement sensor includes a displacement probe, a multi-dimensional diffraction grating and a plurality of photon detectors. A reflection surface, which is changed when the probe interacts with the object, interacts with the beam from the electromagnetic radiation source and reflects a beam from the reflection surface. The multi-dimensional diffraction grating interacts with the reflected beam and generates a pattern of diffracted beams. Each photon detector senses a different diffracted beam, thereby providing information about the state of the probe.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light sensor includes an elongated metal oxide nanostructure, a layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer, a current source and a current detector. The elongated metal oxide nanostructure has a first end and an opposite second end. The layer of an ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer is disposed about at least a portion of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current source is configured to provide electrons to the first end of the metal oxide nanostructure. The current detector is configured to detect an amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure. The amount of current flowing through the metal oxide nanostructure corresponds to an amount of ultraviolet light impinging on the metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: An electrical generator includes a substrate, a semiconductor piezoelectric structure having a first end and an opposite second end disposed adjacent to the substrate, a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact. The structure bends when a force is applied adjacent to the first end, thereby causing an electrical potential difference to exist between a first side and a second side of the structure. The first conductive contact is in electrical communication with the first end and includes a material that creates a Schottky barrier between a portion of the first end of the structure and the first conductive contact. The first conductive contact is also disposed relative to the structure in a position so that the Schottky barrier is forward biased when the structure is deformed, thereby allowing current to flow from the first conductive contact into the first end.

Abstract: A displacement sensor employs an electromagnetic radiation source that generates a beam of electromagnetic radiation for measuring a feature of an object. The displacement sensor includes a displacement probe, a multi-dimensional diffraction grating and a plurality of photon detectors. A reflection surface, which is changed when the probe interacts with the object, interacts with the beam from the electromagnetic radiation source and reflects a beam from the reflection surface. The multi-dimensional diffraction grating interacts with the reflected beam and generates a pattern of diffracted beams. Each photon detector senses a different diffracted beam, thereby providing information about the state of the probe.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell including ZnO nanowire arrays grown of a flat substrate for harvesting solar energy is integrated with a piezoelectric nanogenerator for harvesting ultrasonic wave energy. The two energy harvesting approaches work simultaneously or individually and can be integrated in parallel or serial for raising the output current, voltage or power, respectively. A solar cell employs an optical fiber and semiconductor nanowires grown around the fiber. A p-n junction based design, organic-inorganic heterojunction, or a dye-sensitized structure is built at the surfaces of the nanowires. Light entering the fiber from a tip propagates through the fiber until it enters a nanowire where it reaches a photovoltaic element. Light entering the fiber cannot escape until it interacts with a photovoltaic element, thereby increasing the solar conversion efficiency. The fiber can transmit light, while the nanowires around the fibers increase the surface area of light exposure.

Abstract: A vibration sensor includes a substrate. A first electrical contact and a spaced apart second electrical contact are both disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure extends outwardly from the first surface of the substrate and is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is oriented so that a voltage potential exists between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when the elongated piezoelectric nano-scale structure is bent from a first state to a second state.

Abstract: In a method of making a polymer structure on a substrate a layer of a first polymer, having a horizontal top surface, is applied to a surface of the substrate. An area of the top surface of the polymer is manipulated to create an uneven feature that is plasma etched to remove a first portion from the layer of the first polymer thereby leaving the polymer structure extending therefrom. A light emitting structure includes a conductive substrate from which an elongated nanostructure of a first polymer extends. A second polymer coating is disposed about the nanostructure and includes a second polymer, which includes a material such that a band gap exists between the second polymer coating and the elongated nanostructure. A conductive material coats the second polymer coating. The light emitting structure emits light when a voltage is applied between the conductive substrate and the conductive coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a target substance includes a substrate, an elongated electroactive cantilever, a functional layer and an electrical sensor. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The elongated electroactive cantilever includes an electroactive member extending outwardly from the substrate. The functional layer is applied to the first surface and includes a material that reacts with the target substance so that when the functional layer is in the presence of the target substance, the functional layer will cause a change in an electrical property of the electroactive cantilever. The electrical sensor is coupled to the electroactive cantilever and is configured to sense the electrical property of the electroactive cantilever.

Abstract: A dye-sensitized solar cell including ZnO nanowire arrays grown of a flat substrate for harvesting solar energy is integrated with a piezoelectric nanogenerator for harvesting ultrasonic wave energy. The two energy harvesting approaches work simultaneously or individually and can be integrated in parallel or serial for raising the output current, voltage or power, respectively. A solar cell employs an optical fiber and semiconductor nanowires grown around the fiber. A p-n junction based design, organic-inorganic heterojunction, or a dye-sensitized structure is built at the surfaces of the nanowires. Light entering the fiber from a tip propagates through the fiber until it enters a nanowire where it reaches a photovoltaic element. Light entering the fiber cannot escape until it interacts with a photovoltaic element, thereby increasing the solar conversion efficiency. The fiber can transmit light, while the nanowires around the fibers increase the surface area of light exposure.

Abstract: In a method of generating electricity, a plurality of living cells are grown on an array of piezoelectric nanowires so that the cells engage the piezoelectric nanowires. Induced static potentials are extracted from at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires when at least one of the cells deforms the at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires. A cell-driven electrical generator that includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart piezoelectric nanowires disposed on the substrate. A plurality of spaced-apart conductive electrodes interact with the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires. A biological buffer layer that is configured to promote growth of cells is disposed on the substrate so that cells placed on the substrate will grow and engage the piezoelectric nanowires.

Abstract: A strain sensor for measuring strain in a surface of an object includes an insulating flexible substrate, a first conductive contact, a second conductive contact and a piezoelectric nanowire. The insulating flexible substrate is coupled to the object. The first conductive contact and the second conductive contact are mounted on the insulating substrate. The piezoelectric nanowire is electrically coupled to the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact. The piezoelectric nanowire is subject to strain when the surface of the object is subject to strain, thereby creating a voltage differential therebetween. A trigger sensor includes a substrate, a piezoelectric nanowire and a conductive contact. The piezoelectric nanowire extends from the substrate. The conductive contact is disposed in relation to the piezoelectric nanowire so that a voltage differential between the substrate and the conductive contact when the substrate moves with the predetermined acceleration.

Abstract: An electric power generator includes a first conductive layer, a plurality of semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures, a second conductive layer and a plurality of conductive nanostructures. The first conductive layer has a first surface from which the semiconducting piezoelectric nanostructures extend. The second conductive layer has a second surface and is parallel to the first conductive layer so that the second surface faces the first surface of the first conductive layer. The conductive nanostructures depend downwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A small scale electrical generator includes an elongated substrate and a first piezoelectric fine wire. The first piezoelectric fine wire is disposed along a surface of the substrate. The first piezoelectric fine wire has a first end and a spaced-apart second end. A first conductive contact secures the first end of the fine wire to a first portion of the substrate and a second conductive contact secures the second end of the fine wire to a second portion of the substrate. A fabric made of interwoven strands that includes fibers from which piezoelectric nanowires extend radially therefrom and conductive nanostructures extend therefrom is configured to generate electricity.

Abstract: A method that provides for dynamic loop transfer for a method having a first set of instructions being executed by an interpreter is provided. An execution stack includes slots for storing a value of each local variable known to each subroutine while the subroutine is active.