Abstract:
An optical transistor is disclosed. The optical transistor consists of a high speed photo-conductor (20) a photodetector region (32) incident to a light intensity modulating region (15) which separates a drain and source region. The disclosed optical transistor is able to exhibit high speed performance with good signal isolation and high amplification gain.
Abstract:
An optical routing system is disclosed. The optical routing system includes a substrate and at least one optical element embedded within the substrate which is configured to route optical signals. In a preferred embodiment, the optical element is a microsphere with a surface reflecting means. The optical element is configurable in any of six orthogonal directions to enable the routing of optical signals.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a polarization independent optical interconnect device for selsctively interconnecting a plurality of optical signals between a plurality of outputs. The present invention may provide advantages typically associated with conventional polarization based switches, including terabit per second data rates and high speed switching, to facilitate use in fiber optic networks. Moreover, the switch of this invention is polarization independent, and therefore, may route either polarized or unpolirized light. Since both the input and output light may be unpolarized, the switch of this invention may have a high light efficiency (i.e. no losses associated with an input polirizer) and minimal insertion losses as compared to typical polarization based switches.
Abstract:
A recyclable fuel distribution system comprising a hierarchy of operatively linked (with fuel supply and reaction product collection elements) fluid fuel transport vehicles, fluid fuel storage tanks, fuel supply reservoirs (optional depending on specific use), and fluid fuel usage devices operatively linked to the storage tanks or supply reservoirs, as applicable. The fuel, during use, undergoes a reversible chemical reaction, whereby collected reaction product is reversible to the original fuel. At least one and preferably all of the vehicles, storage tanks and reservoirs contain a storage volume with separated chambers, adapted to inversely change relative to fuel being supplied and reaction product being collected and stored. As a result, a single volume during transport, storage, and use, provides the dual function of fuel supply and collection of reversible reaction product, with concomitant nearly halving of transport, storage and use volumes and costs. Electrical production with a zinc fuel which reversibly forms a zinc oxide reaction product is a particularly suitable fuel for the present system for use in large scale fuel cell applications. Applications range from large scale megawatt power levels for industrial levels to tens of kilowatts for homes and transportation systems down to several watts for portable electrical and electronic appliances and devices.
Abstract:
A lithography device (200) includes one or more conductive strips (202, 204) monolithically embedded in an insulative structure (214). A method of manufacturing a lithography device includes monolithically forming a conductive strip though an insulative structure. Monolithically forming such a device includes forming the conductive strip on a mixed conductive-insulative layer, and embedding the conductive-insulative layer within the insulative structure. Such a device may be readily manufactured, is reliable, a is capable of various lithography applications and other applications requiring sub-micron and nano-scale electrode devices and electrode arrays.
Abstract:
Electrode structures including transparent electrode structures, in particular self supporting electrode structures, are described herein. Further, applications of the herein novel electrode structures are provided, including electronic writing tablets, electronic paper and fabrication methods for electronic writing tablets and electronic paper. The electrode structure may be transparent and self-supporting, thereby providing a novel electrode structure as compared to conventional transparent electrodes.
Abstract:
Methods of the present invention are provided for forming a plurality of electrochemical cell layers, each cell layer generally including a pair of electrodes and a separator electrically insulating the pair of electrodes. Cells of a desired size are formed by slicing the laminar sheet through both opposing mayor surfaces. In certain embodiments, individual cells are defined by fill regions, filled with removable substances. Thus, when the cells are sliced, individual cells and in certain embodiments current collectors or conductors are exposed with minimal or no further processing. In other embodiments, fluid access channels or porous layers are filled with removable substances. Thus, when the cells are sliced, structural support is provided for the intended void regions.
Abstract:
Internet-based methods of and systems for enabling electronic-commerce-related transactions in ways which help reduce the financial risk associated with expressions of fraudulent conduct such as, for example, unauthorized charging or debiting of another's financial account, fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services, and denial of financial authorization for purchased goods and/or services, in connection with electronic commerce related transactions.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a switch element (100) which utilizes a single polarizer (110) to couple two discreet inputs to any combination of two discreet outputs (1, 2, 3, 4) along non-blocking optical paths. This switch element (100) may be conveniently networked to additional switch elements (100) for scaling to switches having larger numbers (N) of inputs and outputs such as shown as switches (150) and (150'). The present invention is relatively robust and insensitive to environmental disturbances and has a reconfiguration time which is an order of magnitude faster than conventional optomechanical switches which generally require tens of milliseconds before reconfiguration. It further provides for convenient scaling to a non-blocking NxN configuration using N (log2 N-1) 2x2 switches rather than conventional approaches which require N (log2 N) switches, for a simple and compact configuration.
Abstract:
A system and method of fairly and securely enabling time-constrained competitions over the Internet (190) among millions of competitors compensates for the variable network latencies experienced by client machines (160) used by the competitors. The system employs globally time synchronized Internet information servers and client machines in order to synchronize the initial display of each invitation to respond (e.g. stock price to buy or sell, query to answer, or problem to solve) on a client machine so each competitor can respond to the invitation at substantially the same time, regardless of location, or the type of Internet connection used by the client. By using globally time synchronized client machines (160), each competitor's response is securely time and space stamped at the client machine to ensure that competitor responses are resolved within microsecond accuracy.