1104 results about "Planar array" patented technology

An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array. A key feature of the invention is the correlation of the sequence of optical signals generated by each microparticle in the planar array during the analytical process.

A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar array of electrically-interconnected LED chips positioned within the input apertures of a corresponding array of shaped metallic reflecting bins using at least one of elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, micro-lens arrays and external hemispherical or ellipsoidal reflecting elements. Practical applications of the LED array illumination systems include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.

The present invention concerns an apparatus for conducting a microfluidic process. The apparatus comprises integral first and second plates. The first plate comprises an array of sample receiving elements for receiving a plurality of samples from an array of sample containers and dispensing the samples. The second plate comprises a planar array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels for conducting a microfluidic process. Also disclosed is a method for processing an array of samples. At least a portion of each sample in an array of sample wells is simultaneously transferred to a corresponding array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels by means of a corresponding array of sample receiving elements that is in integral fluid communication with the array of microfluidic networks. The samples are then processed. Also disclosed is a device for conducting a microfluidic process wherein the device comprising a planar substrate having a planar array of microfluidic networks of cavity structures and channels for conducting a microfluidic process. A plurality of such devices may be present on a continuous sheet. The invention further includes kits for carrying out microfluidic processes comprising an apparatus as described above.

A passive/active infrared imaging system apparatus for mounting on a head/helmet includes a passive infrared camera Head Pack having a removable narrow band filter cover, an objective lens, a beam splitter, an uncooled focal plane array (UFPA) package, an interface board, and a display unit such a liquid crystal display (LCD), with forward/back, up/down, and tilt adjustment functions fitting any mask, mounted in the front of said head/helmet for converting infrared light images into electronic signals. An electronic unit coupled between the UFPA of the infrared camera and the display unit, includes a controller for processing video signals from the infrared camera and supplying them to the display unit. The electronic circuit includes a wireless video & audio transceiver, a piezoelectric microphone, a voice controller, and a neural network pattern recognition chip. The display unit (such as LCD)] is inside the head pack and mounted on the head/helmet for converting electronic signals into visible light images, so that it is in front of eyes of a user, so that the user can directly view an external scene without blocking his normal vision, if the optical axis of the display unit is aligned with the optical axis of the objective lens, the system parallax is eliminated. A Battery Pack having a video controller board and battery is mounted on the rear of the head/helmet so that it gives the video output and power to the infrared system. An eye-safe near infrared laser diode with corresponding optical and electronic attachments mounted on the head/helmet illuminates targets to get images through same passive infrared system.

On-chip multispectral imaging and data management is provided in the form of an Adaptive Focal Plane Array (AFPA) that is capable of spectral tunability at the pixel level. Layers of photonic crystals are registered with pixels of a broadband focal plane array. Spectral tuning is accomplished by switching the photonic crystal layers on/off and/or by changing their material structure to tune their photonic band gaps and provide a passband for incident photons. The photonic crystal layers are preferably segmented to independently address different regions or “cells” of pixels down to a pixel-by-pixel resolution. The AFPA may simultaneously sense different regions of a scene at different spectral wavelengths, spatial resolutions and sensitivities.

An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array. A key feature of the invention is the correlation of the sequence of optical signals generated by each microparticle in the planar array during the analytical process.

A photovoltaic module apparatus includes PV cells arranged in a planar array, the PV cells being electrically connected in at least one string having positive and negative terminals. Positive and negative conductors are connected to the positive and negative terminals respectively and front and back encapsulating sheets are disposed on the front and back sides of the array to form a sub-laminate. Each of the positive and negative conductors has a respective portion extending from the positive and negative terminals, between the front and back encapsulating sheets. Front and back protectors are disposed on the front and back encapsulating sheets to form a laminate. First and second terminating portions of the positive and negative conductors extend outwardly from the outer perimeter edge of the laminate. A frame including a frame member having a holder may be provided about at least one portion of the outer perimeter edge of the laminate.

A two-dimensional focal plane array (FPA) is divided into sub-arrays of rows and columns of pixels, each sub-array being responsive to light energy from a target object which has been separated by a spectral filter or other spectrum dividing element into a predetermined number of spectral bands. There is preferably one sub-array on the FPA for each predetermined spectral band. Each sub-array has its own read out channel to allow parallel and simultaneous readout of all sub-arrays of the array. The scene is scanned onto the array for simultaneous imaging of the terrain in many spectral bands. Time Delay and Integrate (TDI) techniques are used as a clocking mechanism within the sub-arrays to increase the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the detected image. Additionally, the TDI length (i.e., number of rows of integration during the exposure) within each sub-array is adjustable to optimize and normalize the response of the photosensitive substrate to each spectral band. The array provides for parallel and simultaneous readout of each sub-array to increase the collection rate of the spectral imagery. All of these features serve to provide a substantial improvement in the area coverage of a hyperspectral imaging system while at the same time increasing the SNR of the detected spectral image.

A vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, using for vertical lift and lateral thrust a redundant plurality of essentially similar electrically-powered and electronically-controlled thrust units mounted in a mechanically static or fixed fashion relative to one another in a substantially horizontal plane. The thrust units are situated in this planar array in aerodynamically approximate pairs, such that a complete failure of a single thrust unit would not substantially compromise the ability of the aircraft to maintain flight.

A composite mirror adapted for use as an outside rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a main or primary viewing mirror and an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror juxtaposed to expose the vehicle blindzone to the vehicle operator. The main viewing mirror is generally of unit magnification. The auxiliary mirror is composed of a planar array of reflecting facets mimicking a convex mirror. The main and auxiliary mirrors can be combined in constant or variable reflectivity applications.

A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled elektrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements, the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components. This invention is also for a method and apparatus to direct the lateral motion and induce the assembly into planar arrays of cells on semiconductor surfaces in response to temporally and spatially varying electric fields and to projected patterns of illumination.

A waveguide-implemented antenna comprising a planar array of waveguide slot radiators for communicating electromagnetic signals exhibiting simultaneous dual polarization states. The antenna can consist of parallel ridged waveguides having rectangular or "T"-shaped ridged cross sections. The ridged walls of each parallel ridged waveguide contain a linear array of input slots for receiving (transmitting) electromagnetic signals having a first polarization state from (to) the parallel ridged waveguides and for transmitting (receiving) those signals into (from) a corresponding array of cavity sections. The cavity sections comprise a short section of uniform waveguide with a thickness of much less than a wavelength in the propagation direction. The cavity sections feed to output slots which are rotated relative to the input slots; such that the output slots exhibit a second polarization state, which they radiate (receive) to (from) free space. By interlacing parallel ridged waveguides with alternating +45 degree and -45 degree rotations of the output slots, two independent antennas are formed exhibiting simultaneous dual polarizations. Because the input slots are located in the ridge wall of the parallel ridged waveguides, the parallel ridged waveguides can be fed from their broad wall side. Feeding the parallel ridged waveguides from their broad wall side eliminates a need for a complex feed network.

A lightweight, low volume, inexpensive LADAR sensor incorporating 3-D focal plane arrays is adapted specifically for modular manufacture and rapid field configurability and provisioning. The present invention generates, at high speed, 3-D image maps and object data at short to medium ranges. The techniques and structures described may be used to extend the range of long range systems as well, though the focus is on compact, short to medium range ladar sensors suitable for use in multi-sensor television production systems and 3-D graphics capture and moviemaking. 3-D focal plane arrays are used in a variety of physical configurations to provide useful new capabilities.

An electro-optical transceiver system with controlled lateral light leakage and a method of making such a system includes a plurality of emitter devices and detector devices including at least one of each, arranged in a planar array for transmitting and receiving, respectively, energy in a predetermined wavelength and a blocking medium disposed interstitially of the devices and being absorbing at the predetermined wavelength for blocking energy at the predetermined wavelength laterally leaking from an emitter device to one or more detector devices.

A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations. In addition, the present invention provides a procedure for the creation of material surfaces with desired properties and for the fabrication of surface-mounted optical components. This invention is also for a method and apparatus to direct the lateral motion and induce the assembly into planar arrays of cells on semiconductor surfaces in response to temporally and spatially varying electric fields and to projected patterns of illumination.

An uncooled infrared sensor can be used for a plurality of applications such as fire fighting, surveilling a border or any desired area, and limb sounding. The uncooled infrared sensor includes manually or automatically adjustable optics that receive an electromagnetic signal, focus the electromagnetic signal and provide a focused electromagnetic signal to a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a plurality of detector devices disposed in rows and columns to form the focal plane array. Each detector device is constructed so as to have a reduced pitch and provide a maximum number of detectors within a minimum square area of the focal plane array. Each detector device detects the focused electromagnetic signal incident upon it, converts the focused electromagnetic signal into a sensed signal and outputs the sensed signal so that the focal plane array provides a plurality of sensed signals. The sensor also includes a focal plane array processor that has a plurality of cells corresponding to the plurality of detector devices. The focal plane array processor receives the plurality of sensed signals, processes the plurality of sensed signals to correct for any gain and any offset errors between the plurality of sensed signals due to any inconsistencies between any of the detector devices of the focal plane array and any inconsistencies within the cells of the focal plane array processor itself, and outputs a plurality of processed signals. The sensor also includes a display processor that receives the plurality of processed signals and converts the plurality of processed signals into a video signal suitable for display. The focal plane array processor, the display processor and a controller also provide temperature stabilization of the sensor, manual or automatic calibration of the sensor, manual or automatic gain and level control of the sensor and automatic or manual calibration of the sensor.

Techniques for providing spectroscopic imaging integrates an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF), or an interferometer, and a focal plane array detector. In operation, wavelength selectivity is provided by the AOTF or the interferometer. A focal plane array detector is used as the imaging detector in both cases. Operation within the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions, and into the infrared spectral region, is achieved. The techniques can be used in absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy. Spectroscopic images with a spectral resolution of a few nanometers and a spatial resolution of about a micron, are collected rapidly using the AOTF. Higher spectral resolution images are recorded at lower speeds using the interferometer. The AOTF technique uses entirely solid-state components and requires no moving parts. Alternatively, the interferometer technique employs either a step-scan interferometer or a continuously modulated interferometer.

A monopolar fuel cell stack comprising proton exchange membrane fuel cells supplied with a gaseous anodic reactant, preferably hydrogen, and a gaseous cathodic reactant, preferably air. The monopolar fuel cell stack, forming at least one substantially planar array, includes a liquid water retention barrier disposed over an electrode to retain liquid water within the fuel cells. The barrier is preferably used over the cathode side of each fuel cell and allows excess air flow to cool the fuel cell stack without drying the membrane in each fuel cell. The liquid water retention barrier may be either: (i) a thin, gas permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane; (ii) a thin, porous sheet of material; or (iii) a thin, substantially solid sheet of material except for a plurality of small through-holes that penetrate from one side of the sheet to an opposing side of the same sheet.

A multiwavelength imaging and spectroscopic photoemission microscope system (100) which simultaneously provides images in a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as between 200 nm-1000 nm (optical or visible light) and 1000 nm-500 nm (infrared light). The multiwavelength imaging and spectroscopic photoemission microscope system comprises a microscope (102), a spectrometer (106), a beam splitter (108), a first spectrum focal plane array (110) including an appropriate photodiode (114A), a second spectrum focal plane array (120) including an appropriate photodiode (114B), and a cryogenic vessel (160) to maintain relevant portions of the system at a very low temperature. The invention may be used in failure analysis of integrated circuits and in semiconductor and low temperature physics.