Abstract:
Embodiments include an apparatus and method. An apparatus includes a metasurface that coherently upconverts light waves having a first frequency ƒ1. A substrate forms a first plasmonic surface. A plasmonic nanoparticle forms a second plasmonic surface. A layer of a second-order nonlinear dielectric material is disposed between the first plasmonic surface and the second plasmonic surface. The metasurface has at least three plasmonic resonant modes including a first plasmonic resonant mode having a first frequency ƒ1, a second plasmonic resonant mode having a second frequency ƒ2, and a third plasmonic resonant mode having a third frequency ƒ3 that is a sum of the first frequency ƒ1 and the second frequency ƒ2. The apparatus includes a second light propagation path from a source of pumped monochromatic coherent light waves having the second frequency ƒ2 to the metasurface. A digital image capture device captures the generated light waves having the frequency ƒ3.
Abstract:
A method for detecting underground natural resources using synthetic aperture radar includes providing a ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system incorporating a moving platform; sending a plurality of radar signals from a plurality of points along a plurality of paths through an underground volume, the plurality of radar signals producing a plurality of radar returns; collecting the plurality of radar returns along the plurality of paths with the ground-penetrating phase-coherent radar system; coherently processing the plurality of radar returns with a processing circuit to determine a characteristic of a sub-surface feature; retrieving information relating to a reference underground volume from a memory; and identifying a potential sub-surface resource by using the processing circuit to compare the characteristic of the sub-surface feature with the information relating to the reference underground volume.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing customer requested shipping levels-of-service changes directly via a shipping company and independent of the merchant that sold the goods are described. During an online shopping transaction, a customer purchases goods from a merchant via the merchant's website. After the purchase is complete, the customer can directly interact with the shipping company to change the level-of-service of the shipment. The customer may request that a higher or lower level-of-service be used in delivering the goods. In exchange, the shipping company will require payment from the customer or return payment back to the customer. The payment may be in the form of money or loyalty points with the shipping company.
Abstract:
Described embodiments include an antenna system and method. The antenna system includes a surface scattering antenna that has an electromagnetic waveguide structure and a plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements. The plurality of electromagnetic wave scattering elements are distributed along the waveguide structure, have a respective activatable electromagnetic response to a guided propagating electromagnetic wave, and produce a controllable radiation pattern. A gain definition circuit defines a radiation pattern configured to acquire a possible interfering signal. The defined antenna radiation pattern has a field of view covering at least a portion of an undesired field of view of an associated antenna. An antenna controller establishes the defined radiation pattern in the surface scattering antenna by activating the respective electromagnetic response of selected electromagnetic wave scattering elements. A correction circuit reduces an influence of the received possible interfering signal in a contemporaneously received signal by the associated antenna.
Abstract:
Provided is a reflective article including a first reflecting material and a second retro reflecting material; where sunlight that is photosynthetically active is at least partially reflected by the article and sunlight that is not photosynthetically active is at least partially retro reflected by the article. Also provided is a method for growing a plant, where the method includes placing the reflective article under, around, or in the proximity of the plant.
Abstract:
A motor vehicle system includes a motor vehicle including an aircraft landing portion, and an actively propelled unmanned aircraft configured to be supported on the aircraft landing portion. The vehicle and aircraft are configured such that the vehicle can provide at least one of fuel and electrical energy to the aircraft while the aircraft is supported on the aircraft landing portion.
Abstract:
Provided is a self-cleaning substrate system. The system includes a substrate and a cleaner coupled to the substrate, wherein the cleaner includes at least one of an electrode, an ultrasound emitter, or a coronal wind generator. The system includes a circuit configured to determine a characteristic of the substrate. The system further includes a power source. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the cleaner, the sensor, and the power source. The circuit provides a feedback signal indicative of the detected characteristic to the controller, and wherein the controller is coupled to the cleaner such that the cleaner can be controlled by the controller.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a three dimensional structure includes delivering a metal material to a printing site; and defining a microstructure of the metal material at the printing site by controlling the delivery of heating energy to the printing site and controlling the delivery of ultrasonic vibrations to the printing site.
Abstract:
Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a controllable electrochemical cell configured to output electric power. The controllable cell includes an electrolyte and a first working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a second working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second working electrode. The gating electrode is configured, if biased relative to the second working electrode, to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The controllable cell includes a control circuit coupled to the gating electrode of the controllable cell and configured to apply a biasing signal responsive to an electrical property of an external electrical load coupled to the controllable cell.
Abstract:
An oral illumination apparatus configured for placement in a mouth. The oral illumination apparatus includes a housing configured to be coupled to a structure in the mouth. The housing including a processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a sensor coupled to the housing and configured to detect a characteristic from within the mouth, wherein the sensor provides a feedback signal indicative of the characteristic to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus includes a light source coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the processing circuit. The oral illumination apparatus further includes a power source coupled to the housing. The processing circuit is configured to control the light source in response to the feedback signal.