All The Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a plurality of antenna cells electrically connected with one another and configured to generate an electrical output signal in response to electromagnetic radiation from a millimeter-wave or terahertz range received by the plurality of the antenna cells, wherein:
each of the antenna cells is configured to perform direct detection of the electromagnetic radiation and comprises a respective rectifier circuit configured to generate a respective component of the electrical output signal; and
the plurality of the antenna cells are electrically connected with one another to combine said respective components in a manner that causes the electrical output signal to have a greater power than a power of any of said respective components.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of the antenna cells are connected in parallel between a first common electrical terminal and a second common electrical terminal;
each of said respective components is a respective electrical-current component; and
the respective rectifier circuits are configured to cause said respective electrical-current components to have a same polarity to add constructively at one of the first and second common electrical terminals.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of the antenna cells are connected in series along an electrical path;
each of said respective components is a respective voltage component; and
the respective rectifier circuits are configured to cause said respective voltage components to have a same polarity to add constructively along the electrical path.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:
the plurality of the antenna cells are arranged in a spatial array on a surface of a base; and
for each of the antenna cells, the spatial array has a set of two or more other antenna cells that are directly spatially adjacent to the antenna cell in the spatial array, said set including:
at least one antenna cell that is an immediate next antenna cell in the electrical path; and
at least one antenna cell that is separated from the antenna cell in the electrical path by one or more antenna cells.
5. The apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the plurality of the antenna cells are arranged in a spatial array on a surface of a base; and
wherein the surface is non-planar.
6. The apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the plurality of the antenna cells are arranged in a spatial array on a surface of a base; and
wherein the base is a part of a wing or a fuselage of an aircraft.
7. The apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the apparatus is configured to generate the electrical output signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation having a carrier wavelength; and
wherein the plurality of the antenna cells are arranged in a spatial array in which directly spatially adjacent antenna cells are spaced by a distance that is approximately equal to the carrier wavelength.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of the antenna cells has a linear size that is approximately one half of the carrier wavelength.
9. The apparatus of claim 7,
wherein the apparatus is configured to generate the electrical output signal in response to the electromagnetic radiation that is amplitude-modulated with data over a sequence of symbol periods; and
wherein the spatial array has a linear size that is smaller than a symbol length in the amplitude-modulated electromagnetic radiation.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna cells includes at least 3 antenna cells.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of antenna cells includes at least 10 antenna cells.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of antenna cells includes at least 100 antenna cells.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the antenna cells have been fabricated on a common substrate and are parts of a single integrated-circuit die.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of antenna cells is not configured to use a local oscillator signal for generation of the electrical output signal.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the antenna cells comprises:
a respective antenna structure; and
a respective baseband-converter circuit coupled to the respective antenna structure, wherein the respective antenna structure and the respective baseband-converter circuit are configured to perform the direct detection of the electromagnetic radiation.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the respective antenna structure comprises a respective pair of electrically conductive arms arranged in a linear-dipole configuration.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements comprises a respective Schottky diode configured to perform circuit functions of both the respective baseband-converter circuit and the respective rectifier circuit.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a cell phone.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for protecting wood, said method comprising impregnating the wood with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles, in an amount sufficient, in comparison to otherwise similar but untreated wood, to substantially inhibit the growth of mold in the wood, or to substantially inhibit fungal decay of the wood, or to substantially inhibit destruction of the wood by termites, or to substantially inhibit destruction of the wood by at least one wood-destroying insect species that is not a termite; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wood comprises a wood composite, lumber composite, wood fiber-polymer composite, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand lumber, particleboard, hardboard, medium density fiberboard, wood fiber-cement composite, hardwood lumber, or softwood lumber.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, additionally comprising impregnating the wood with a biocide other than the nanoparticles.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said impregnating comprises applying the nanoparticles to a living woody plant in an amount sufficient to cause the plant to take up the nanoparticles and to incorporate the nanoparticles in the plant’s woody tissues in an amount sufficient to inhibit the growth of mold in wood produced from the plant, or to substantially inhibit fungal decay of wood produced from the plant, or to substantially inhibit destruction by termites of wood produced from the plant, or to substantially inhibit destruction of wood produced from the plant by at least one wood-destroying insect species that is not a termite.
5. A method for protecting a plant, said method comprising impregnating the plant with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles, in an amount sufficient, in comparison to an otherwise similar but untreated plant, to substantially inhibit the growth of mold in the plant, or to substantially inhibit fungal decay in the plant, or to substantially inhibit damage to the plant by insects; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
6. A composition of matter comprising wood impregnated with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles in an amount sufficient, in comparison to otherwise similar but untreated wood, to substantially inhibit the growth of mold in said wood, or to substantially inhibit fungal decay of said wood, or to substantially inhibit destruction of said wood by termites, or to substantially inhibit destruction of said wood by at least one wood-destroying insect species that is not a termite; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
7. A composition as recited in claim 6, wherein said wood comprises a wood composite, lumber composite, wood fiber-polymer composite, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand lumber, particleboard, hardboard, medium density fiberboard, wood fiber-cement composite, hardwood lumber, or softwood lumber.
8. A composition as recited in claim 6, wherein said metallic core comprises copper.
9. A composition as recited in claim 6, wherein said metallic core comprises zinc.
10. A composition as recited in claim 6, wherein said metallic core comprises chromium.
11. A composition as recited in claim 6, wherein said metallic core comprises silver.
12. A composition as recited in claim 6, additionally comprising a biocide other than said nanoparticles.
13. A living plant impregnated with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles, in an amount sufficient, in comparison to an otherwise similar but untreated plant, to substantially inhibit the growth of mold in said plant, or to substantially inhibit fungal decay in said plant, or to substantially inhibit damage to said plant by insects; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
14. A plant as recited in claim 13, wherein said metallic core comprises copper.
15. A fiberpolymer composite, impregnated with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles, in an amount sufficient, in comparison to an otherwise similar but unimpregnated fiberpolymer composite, to substantially strengthen said composite; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
16. A composite as recited in claim 15, wherein said composite comprises lumber composite, wood fiber-polymer composite, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand lumber, particleboard, hardboard, medium density fiberboard, and wood fiber-cement composite.
17. A composite as recited in claim 16, additionally comprising a biocide other than said nanoparticles.
18. A polymer impregnated with metallic-core, carbon-shell nanoparticles, in an amount sufficient, in comparison to an otherwise similar but unimpregnated polymer, to substantially strengthen the polymer; wherein said nanoparticles comprise a metallic core and a carbon shell; wherein the diameter of said metallic core is about 10 \u03bcm or less; wherein said carbon shell completely encloses said metallic core, so that said metallic core has no exposed surface; wherein the thickness of said carbon shell is about 20 nm or less; wherein substantially all of said metallic core has a zero oxidation state; and wherein the metallic core is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, silver, zinc, and chromium.
19. A polymer as recited in claim 18, wherein the polymer comprises polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polycarbonate, nylon, or combinations of two or more of these polymers.

1. A fuel tank system for a vehicle comprising:
a first fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape;
a second fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said second fuel tank is inverted with respect to said first fuel tank, the respective first portions of said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank substantially adjacent one another, and the second portion of said first fuel tank is positioned laterally away from the second portion of said second fuel tank; and a vehicle suspension system, wherein said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank are disposed intermediate said vehicle suspension system.
2. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a third fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank are alternatingly disposed with said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank offset from said first fuel tank and the respective first portions of said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank substantially adjacent one another and the respective second portions of said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank are laterally away from the second portion of said first fuel tank.
3. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the compressed fuel is a liquid.
4. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the compressed fuel is a compressed gas.
5. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the compressed fuel is hydrogen.
6. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the outer walls are formed from one of a plastic, a composite material, and a metal.
7. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 1, further including a bulkhead adapted to militate against the forward movement of said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank.
8. A fuel tank system for a vehicle comprising:
a first fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape;
a second fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said second fuel tank is inverted with respect to said first fuel tank, the respective first portions of said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank substantially adjacent one another, and the second portion of said first fuel tank is positioned laterally away from the second portion of said second fuel tank;
a bulkhead adapted to militate against the forward movement of said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank; and a vehicle suspension system, wherein said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank are disposed intermediate said vehicle suspension system.
9. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the compressed fuel is one of a compressed liquid and a compressed gas.
10. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 8, wherein the compressed fuel is compressed hydrogen.
11. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 8, further comprising a third fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank are alternatingly disposed with said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank offset from said first fuel tank and the respective first portions of said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank substantially adjacent one another and the respective second portions of said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank are laterally away from the second portion of said first fuel tank.
12. The fuel tank system for a vehicle of claim 11, wherein said first fuel tank is disposed between said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank and such that the first portion of said first fuel tank is positioned between the first portion of said second fuel tank and the first portion of said third fuel tank and the second portion of said first fuel tank is positioned laterally away from the second portion of said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank.
13. A fuel cell propulsion system for a vehicle comprising:
a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell plates;
a first fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape;
a second fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said second fuel tank is inverted with respect to said first fuel tank, the respective first portions of said first fuel tank and said second fuel tank substantially adjacent one another, and the second portion of said first fuel tank is positioned laterally away from the second portion of said second fuel tank;
a third fuel tank having an outer wall forming a cavity for housing a compressed fuel, a first portion adjacent a first end having a first volume, and a second portion adjacent a second end having a second volume greater than the volume of the first portion to form a substantially conical shape, wherein said second fuel tank is inverted with respect to said first fuel tank and said third fuel tank, the respective first portions of said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank substantially adjacent one another and the respective second portions of said second fuel tank and said third fuel tank are laterally away from the second portion of said first fuel tank; and a vehicle suspension system, wherein said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank are disposed intermediate said vehicle suspension system.
14. The fuel cell propulsion system for a vehicle of claim 13, wherein the compressed fuel is one of a compressed liquid and a compressed gas.
15. The fuel cell propulsion system for a vehicle of claim 13, further including a bulkhead adapted to militate against the forward movement of said first fuel tank, said second fuel tank, and said third fuel tank.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for provisioning services to packets sourced from a number of client customer devices, the method comprising:
a) accepting a packet sourced from one of a number of client customer devices;
b) determining a packet type of the packet accepted;
c) responsive to a determination that the packet type of the packet accepted is not an address resolution protocol packet, replacing at least a part of a layer 2 header, generated by the source client customer device, with a unique bit string that is independent of any contents of the packet;
d) determining whether or not the packet is entitled to access a particular service using at least a portion of the unique bit string; and
e) if it is determined that the packet is entitled to access the particular service, then routing the packet, otherwise denying the packet access to the particular service.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents one of a number of logical interfaces.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string corresponds to a virtual private network-organizational universal identifier.
4. A method for providing various quality of service levels to packets sourced from a number of client customer devices, the method comprising:
a) accepting a packet sourced from one or a number of client customer devices;
b) determining a packet type of the packet accepted;
c) responsive to a determination that the packet type of the packet accepted is not an address resolution protocol packet, replacing at least a part of a layer 2 header, generated by the source client customer device, with a unique bit string that is independent of any contents of the packet;
d) determining a service level to which the packet is entitled using the unique bit string; and
e) forwarding the packet to a particular one of a plurality of queues associated with the service level determined.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents one of a number of logical interfaces.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string corresponds to a virtual private network-organizational universal identifier.
7. A method for monitoring packets sourced from a group of client customer devices defining a subset of client customer devices, each of the packets having at least a part of a layer 2 header, generated by the source client customer device, replaced with a unique bit string, the method comprising:
a) determining whether or not the packet belongs to the group of client customer, devices using at least a portion of the unique bit string; and
b) if it is determined that the packet does belong to the group of client customer devices, then
i) copying the packet to generate a duplicate packet, and
ii) forwarding the duplicate packet to a monitoring facility, wherein the monitoring facility monitors at least one of (A) service provided to a group of customers, and (B) security.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents one of a number of logical interfaces.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string corresponds to a virtual private network-organizational universal identifier.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents a logical port identifier including a geographic location identifier and a physical unit identifier.
11. The method of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents a logical port identifier including a geographic location identifier and a physical unit identifier.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein the unique bit string is independent of a layer 2 destination address.
13. The method of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the unique bit string represents a logical port identifier including a geographic location identifier and a physical unit identifier.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether or not the packet is entitled to access a particular service using at least a portion of the unique bit string is a separate determination from determining whether or not the packet can be forwarded.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the packet is routed only if it is determined that the packet is entitled to access the particular service.
16. The method of claim 4 wherein the service level is a quality of service level.
17. The method of claim 4 wherein the service level is a quality of service level represented by a plurality of bits.