Abstract:
This invention discloses such a convenient navigation system and navigatable capsules which are useful for remote-controlled imaging, biopsy and programmable drug release within the body of an animal. The components of the system comprise a capsule dimensioned and shaped to move within the body. An anisotropic magnetic component is mechanically coupled to the capsule to move or orient the body in relation to an applied magnetic field, and a magnetic field generating system external of the body generates a three dimensionally oriented magnetic field within the body to move or orient capsule.
Abstract:
An improved process for fabricating emitter structures from nanowires, wherein the nanowires are coated with a magnetic material to allow useful alignment of the wires in the emitter array, and techniques are utilized to provide desirable protrusion of the aligned nanowires in the final structure. In one embodiment, nanowires at least partially coated by a magnetic material are provided, the nanowires having an average length of about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10,000 &mgr;m. The nanowires are mixed in a liquid medium, and a magnetic field is applied to align the nanowires. The liquid medium is provided with a precursor material capable of consolidation into a solid matrix, e.g., conductive particles or a metal salt, the matrix securing the nanowires in an aligned orientation. A portion of the aligned nanowires are exposed, e.g., by etching a surface portion of the matrix material, to provide desirable nanowire tip protrusion.
Abstract:
A device for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical system. The device includes a substrate having opposing first and second sides, wherein the first side has a light reflective optical layer located thereover, and the second side is an irregular surface.
Abstract:
A MEMs device comprises a component layer including a frame structure and at least one component movably coupled to the frame and an actuator layer including at least one conductive path and at least one actuator for moving the component. The component layer and the actuator layer are bonded together with solder or other materials in lateral alignment. Advantageously the layers are provided with metallization pads and are bonded together in lateral alignment with predetermined vertical gap spacing by solder bonds between the pads. In a preferred embodiment the MEMs device, however bonded, comprises a component layer, an actuator layer and an intervening spacer. The spacer provides the walls of a cavity between the component and the pertinent actuators to permit movement of the component. The walls cover the bulk of the peripheral boundary of the cavity to provide aerodynamic isolation. Advantageously the walls are conductive to provide electrostatic isolation. The device has particular utility in optical cross connection, variable attenuation and power gain equalization.
Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, an improved conductive nanostructure assembly comprises an array of metallized nanostructures disposed on a conductive substrate. The substrate can also be metallized. Such assemblies provide continuous electron transport from the substrate to the tips of the nanostructures. Several ways of making such assemblies are described along with several devices employing the assemblies.
Abstract:
A circuit device is disclosed comprising at least two circuit layers or circuit devices vertically interconnected with a plurality of parallel and substantially equi-length nanowires disposed therebetween. The nanowires may comprise composites, e.g., having a heterojunction present along the length thereof, to provide for a variety of device applications. Also disclosed is a method for making the circuit device comprising growing a plurality of nanowires on a dissolvable or removable substrate, equalizing the length of the nanowires (e.g., so that each one of the plurality of nanowires is substantially equal in length), transferring and bonding exposed ends of the plurality of nanowires to a first circuit layer; and removing the dissolvable substrate. The nanowires attached to the first circuit layer then can be further bonded to a second circuit layer to provide the vertically interconnected circuit device.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing easy access to a service provider that provides service over a communications system. In accordance with the present invention, a caller that wishes to gains access to the service provider simply needs to make a single call to a so-called queuing system, and hang up. The queuing system obtains information regarding the caller such as the caller's name, address and phone number, makes a connection with the service provider, calls-back the caller when the connection is made, and connects the caller to the service provider through the connection. The caller is thereby connected to the service provider without having to spend a substantial amount of his/her free time making calls. This is particularly advantageous when the service provider is popular or oversubscribed (e.g. a service that provides Super Bowl tickets).
Abstract:
A circuit device is disclosed comprising at least two circuit layers interconnected with a plurality of substantially equi-length nanowires disposed therebetween. The nanowires may comprise composites, e.g., having a heterojunction present along the length thereof, to provide for a variety of device applications. Also disclosed is a method for making the circuit device comprising growing a plurality of nanowires in-situ on at least one circuit substrate and then interconnecting the nanowires to a mating substrate.
Abstract:
An article comprising an alloy exhibiting high magnetostriction in relatively low applied magnetic fields is provided, the alloy capable of being formed in a relatively easy manner and having desirable physical properties. The Co--Fe alloy of the invention exhibits a magnetostriction of at least 100.times.10.sup.-6 in a magnetic field less than 400 Oe, advantageously in a magnetic field less than 100 Oe. The alloy is formed by plastically deforming the alloy, e.g., by cold rolling, to a reduction in cross-sectional area of at least 50%, and then heat treating the alloy to induce recrystallization. This combination of plastic deformation and recrystallization was found to provide desirable grain growth and microstructure. The resultant alloy is useful in a variety of device components, including transducers, frequency filters, signal delay lines, and optical fiber grating devices.
Abstract:
A tunable chromatic dispersion compensator for optical communication systems is disclosed. An optical grating, such as a fiber Bragg grating, nonchirped, linearly chirped or non-linearly chirped, is strained to alter the dispersion compensator characteristics, preferably with a gradient-generating body bonded onto the length of the fiber grating. The body may be latchably strained so that the grating characteristics may be changed or tuned while avoiding use of a continuous power supply. Various optical networking applications using such dispersion compensating devices are also disclosed.