A light modulator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided having a continuously deformable optical surface. Generally, the modulator includes a substrate, a membrane disposed above and spaced apart from an upper surface of the substrate, the membrane having a continuously deformable light reflective surface formed on its upper side facing away from the upper surface of the substrate, and a means for deflecting the deformable surface relative to the substrate. Light reflected from dif...

The present invention provides a hybrid light modulator. The hybrid light modulator of the present invention includes an element having a protrusion to diffract incident light even at an early light receiving stage and to control the diffractive angle of the light using a microactuator, unlike conventional diffractive light modulators which reflect and diffract incident light using a plurality of micromirror actuators. Therefore, the present invention realizes device miniaturization and assures ...

An exercise machine includes a frame having a horizontally extending seat mounted thereon. A foot restraint assembly is pivotally mounted about a first horizontal pivot axis to the frame. A motion translation arrangement has one end pivotally secured about a second horizontal pivot axis to the frame, and an opposite end extending beyond the frame. An arm, back and head support is pivotally secured about a third horizontal pivot axis to the opposite end of the motion translation arrangement and i...

The present invention provides a data controller for controlling an electrostatically-controlled micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device having a variable operating characteristic based on control data. The data controller comprises a data comparator and an update circuit. The data comparator is configured to receive control data of a present update cycle, to compare the control data of the present update cycle to control data of a previous update cycle on which the variable operating chara...

A tilting inversion exerciser includes a table rotatably supported on a supporting stand with a pivot axle and a power actuating foot retaining device attached to the table for being powered and actuated to clamp and to retain ankle portions of the user to the table without being operated manually by the user. The table includes two fixed foot supports for supporting the feet of the user, a tube is attached to the table, a stem is slidably attached to the tube and has two foot anchor members mov...

The invention relates to electrophoretic displays comprising core-shell pigment particles having a core of low specific gravity and low refractive index and a shell of high refractive index.

A laser peening apparatus is available for laser peening a hidden surface of a workpiece, the hidden surface not being line-of-sight accessible to laser energy for treatment thereof. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser system and a laser directing unit. The pulsed laser system is configured for generating the laser energy used for laser peening. The laser directing unit operatively receives and channels the laser energy generated by the pulsed laser system. The laser directing unit includes a ...

Chuck methods and apparatus for supporting a semiconductor substrate and maintaining it at a substantially constant background temperature even when subject to a spatially and temporally varying thermal load. Chuck includes a thermal compensating heater module having a sealed chamber containing heater elements, a wick, and an alkali metal liquid/vapor. The chamber employs heat pipe principles to equalize temperature differences in the module. The spatially varying thermal load is quickly made un...

An abdominal exercise machine includes a U-shaped base, a head member, two first mounting members, and two handles. The base includes a main portion, and two arm portions extending from opposite ends of the main portion. The head member is mounted to main portion of the base. The first mounting members are mounted to corresponding arm portions of the base. A plurality of locating portions is formed on each of the first mounting members. Each of the mounting members has an arc-shaped edge. The ha...

A lumbar extension machine is disclosed including a seat with an upright rotatable back member securable to a variable resistance module or statically secured to a load cell module. A lower body system is provide to optimize the exercise of the lower back by preventing movement and work by the hips and thighs. A pelvic restraint pad is located adjacent the seat and the seat is adjustable at the pad to insure that the iliac crest is properly located at the pad. An adjustable foot rest is provided...