Abstract:
Multifunctional optical sensor, comprising a matrix of photodetectors of the CCD or CMOS type, having a sensitive area divided into sub-areas, each of which, individually or combined with others, is dedicated to a specific function of monitoring the scene or measuring environmental parameters. The optical sensor comprises a matrix of microlenses, each of which is set to focus the radiation coming from a portion of solid angle on the associated photodetector or cluster of mutually contiguous photodetectors. Each function is associated to a single microlens or to a single subgroup of mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous subgroups of microlenses. The angular separation between the central directions of the portions of solid angle subtended by adjacent photodetectors or adjacent clusters of photodetectors is not constant within the matrix.
Abstract:
Described herein is a thin-film device for detecting physical quantities, in particular a magnetic field, of the type comprising an electrical circuit including one or more sensitive elements, which are designed to vary their own electrical resistance as a function of a physical quantity to be detected, said one or more sensitive elements comprising at least one nanoconstriction, said nanoconstriction comprising at least two pads made of magnetic material, associated to which are respective magnetizations oriented in directions substantially opposite to one another and connected through a nanochannel, said nanochannel being able to set up a domain wall that determines the electrical resistance of said nanoconstriction as a function of the position, with respect to said nanochannel, of said domain wall formed in said sensor device. At least one cross section of said nanochannel is configured so as to present a variable extension along one or more axes as a function of different values of said physical quantity to be detected.
Abstract:
A light-emitting device, in particular a backlight device, comprises a transparent substrate (2) having a front surface and a rear surface, in which associated to the rear surface are means for generating an electromagnetic radiation that is able to pass through the substrate and come out of the front surface. According to the invention, the device comprises a layer of porous alumina which operates so as to inhibit propagation of said electromagnetic radiation in the directions parallel to the plane of the substrate, thus improving the efficiency of extraction of light from the substrate and increasing the directionality of the emitted light.
Abstract:
The generator comprises at least one source of pressurized gas and a closed hydraulic circuit containing a solution comprising an electrically conducting vehicle liquid in which a charge of micro- or nanoparticles of a metal material is dispersed. The circuit has at least one inlet port connected to the source so that, when in operation, it receives a flow of pressurized gas capable of causing circulation of the solution within the circuit in a predetermined direction, forming a two-phase gas-liquid mixture with it, a restriction in cross section, downstream from the inlet port calibrated in such a way as to cause an increase in velocity and condensation of the two-phase mixture, and at least one outlet port, located downstream from the restriction through which the gas mixed with the solution can be released and discharged from the circuit. The generator also comprises magnetic field generating devices, associated with a length of the hydraulic circuit lying between the inlet port and the restriction in cross section in order to generate an induction flux (10) at right angles to the direction of flow of the solution in that length of circuit, and at least one pair of electrodes placed in contact with the solution in that length of the hydraulic circuit, and facing each other in a direction essentially at right angles to the lines of force of the magnetic field and the flow direction of the solution in that length of circuit. The arrangement is such that, when in operation, an electric current whose strength depends on the flow velocity of the solution in that length of the hydraulic circuit, the strength of the associated magnetic field and the electrical resistance between the electrodes flows between the electrodes.
Abstract:
The invention describes a microaircraft, which can be associated for instance to a cellular phone, provided with at least four microrotors actuated with compressed fluid or by ring-shaped electric motors.
Abstract:
A light emitting device comprises a substrate, a porous alumina layer having a regular series of cavities of nanometric size containing an emitting material, and two electrodes in contact with the emitting material and connected to an electric voltage source. The first electrode comprises at least part of an aluminum film deposited onto the substrate, on which the alumina layer has been previously grown through an anodization process.
Abstract:
A reflector for a vehicle headlamp capable of generating a light beam and directing it with respect to an optical axis in order to illuminate the surrounding space according to a predetermined luminosity distribution is described. The reflector is subdivided into a plurality of reflecting sectors capable of reflecting the light emitted from a light source located along an optical axis of the headlamp in order to obtain the said luminosity distribution. Each segment of the reflector is formed by a portion of a surface having rotational symmetry about a corresponding axis. This axis is orientated with respect to the optical axis of the headlamp in such a way that the corresponding sector is capable of directing the light from the light source into a predetermined spatial region of the luminosity distribution.
Abstract:
A controlled-luminance lighting device comprising a fluorescent lamp (1), which extends longitudinally between a primary reflector (2) and a secondary reflector (3). The primary reflector (2) is formed by a plurality of cup-like elements (4) set alongside one another, having a generally parabolic shape, through which there extends the lamp (1), and the secondary reflector (3) is constituted by a tray-like element with a curved surface. The primary reflector (2) further includes a tile (9), which extends longitudinally between each pair of cup-like elements (4).
Abstract:
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is used as a coating for optical elements operating in transmission in the infrared spectrum, which are made up of a material other than polyethylene, such as hygroscopic salt, semiconductor materials, fluorides, chalcogenides, silver halides, and others, so as to exploit the optical properties of HDPE, at the same time keeping the thickness reduced.
Abstract:
A reflector (R) for a lighting device having a light source elongated in one direction has a three-dimensional curved shape which provides a maximum efficiency of the device with the required control on the direction of the light beam at the output.