We report the suppression of loss of surface plasmon polariton propagating at the interface between silver film and optically pumped polymer with dye. The large magnitude of the effect enables a variety of applications of 'active' nanoplasmonics. The experimental study is accompanied by the analytical description of the phenomenon. In particular, we resolve the controversy regarding the direction of the wavevector of a wave with a strong evanescent component in an active medium.

Tbis paper presents the findings of a study conducted tn 2010 by the NASA Innovation Fund Award project entitled "Elastically Shaped Future Air Vehicle Concept" . The study presents three themes in support of meeting national and global aviation challenges of reducing fuel burn for present and future aviation sys tems. The first theme addresses tlle drag reduction goal tbrougb innovative vebicle configurations via non-planar wing optimization. Two wing candidate concepts bave been identified from tbe wing optimization: a drooped wing s bape and an inflected win g shape. The drooped wing shape is a truly biologically inspired wing concept that mimics a seagull wing and co uld acbieve about 5% to 6% drag reductio n, wbicb is aerodynamically significa nt. From a practical perspective, this concept would require new radical changes to the current aircraft development capabilities for new vehicles witb futuristiC-looking wings sucb as tbis concept. T be inflected wing concepts conld acbieve between 3% to 4% drag reduction . While the drag reductio n benefit may be les , tbe inflected-wing concept could bave a near-term impact si nce thi s concept could be developed within the current aircraft development capabilities. The second theme addresses the drag reducti on goa l through a new concept of elastic wing shaping control. By aeroelasticaUy tailoring tbe wing sbape with active control to mailltatn optimal aerodynamics, a sig nificant drag reduction benefit could be realized . A significant reduction in fuel burn for lo ng-range cruise from elastic wing sbaping control could be realized. To reali ze the potential of the elastic wi ng shaping control concept, the third theme emerges that addresses the drag reduction goal througb a new aerodynamic co ntrol effector called a variable camber continuou trailing edge flap. Conventional aerodynami c control surfaces are di screte independent surfaces that cause geometriC di sco ntinuities at the trailing edge region. These discontinuities promote vorticities which result in drag rises as well as noise sources. Tbe variable camber trailing edge flap concept could provide a substantial drag reduction benefi t over a co nventional discrete flap system. AerodynamiC simulations sbow a drag reduction of over 50% could be acbieved witb tbe flap concept over a conventional discrete flap sys tem.

A scalable manufacturing process for fabricating active-matrix backplanes on low-cost flexible substrates, a key enabler for electronic-paper displays, is presented. This process is based on solution processing, ink-jet printing, and laser patterning. A multilayer architecture is employed to enable high aperture ratio and array performance. These backplanes were combined with E Ink electrophoretic media to create high-performance displays that have high contrast, are bistable, and can be flexed repeatedly to a radius of curvature of 5 mm

We have developed a scalable manufacturing process for active matrix displays compatible with low temperature plastic substrates and have applied this technology to the fabrication of flexible SVGA display backplanes. We combined these backplanes with E Ink® Imaging Film to produce 100 PPI SVGA (800×600 pixel) displays exhibiting grey scale and with a high aperture ratio. Power consumption is zero in between image changes. Flexible high information content e‐paper displays will change the way in which information is conveyed by enabling lightweight, robust e‐reader devices.

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