Systems and methods for longevity, anti-aging, fatigue management, obesity, weight loss, weight management, delivery of nutraceuticals, and treating hyperglycemia, Alzheimer's disease, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, Attention Deficit Disorder and nicotine addiction involve synchronizing and tailoring the administration of nutraceuticals, medications and other substances in accordance with the body's natural circadian rhythms, meal times and other factors. Improved control of blood glucose levels, extended alertness, and weight control, and counteracting of disease symptoms when they are at their worst are possible. An automated, pre-programmable transdermal administration system is used to provide pulsed doses of medications, pharmaceuticals, hormones, neuropeptides, anorexigens, pro-drugs, stimulants, nutraceuticals, phytochemicals, phytonutrients, enzymes, antioxidants, essential oils, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, coenzymes, or other physiological active ingredient or precursor. The system can utilize a pump, pressurized reservoir, a system for removing depleted carrier solution, or other modulated dispensing actuator, in conjunction with porous membranes or micro-fabricated structures.

A transdermal drug delivery device comprises: a reservoir for holding a drug; and at least one microneedle in fluid communication with the reservoir through which the drug can be delivered transdermally, wherein the transdermal drug delivery device is concealed from view during operation thereof.

A device for delivery of material or stimulus to targets within a body to produce a desired response, the targets being at least one of cells of interest, cell organelles of interest and cell nuclei of interest. The device includes a number of projections for penetrating a body surface, with the number of projections being selected to produce a desired response, and the number being at least 500. A spacing between projections is also at least partially determined based on an arrangement of the targets within the body.

Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

A movement detection unit includes a movable body, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a signal processor. The movable body performs a movement in a first direction. The first sensor detects a first magnetic field change which is caused by the movement of the movable body and outputs a first signal. The second sensor is provided in the first direction at a location different from a location of the first sensor. The second sensor detects a second magnetic fled change which is caused by the movement of the movable body and outputting a second signal. The signal processor includes a signal generating circuit that generates a third signal and a fourth signal on a basis of the first signal. The third signal and the fourth signal have waveforms different from each other.

Embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods including a switching converter having an output stage including a power switch or first switching device to convert an input switching signal to an output switching signal and a sensor stage including a second switching device and a third switching device. In embodiments, the sensor stage may be coupled to receive the output switching signal from the first switching device and to substantially replicate a condition of the first switching device to generate a continuous signal rather than a switched signal. In embodiments, the continuous signal may allow detection of a current level. In some embodiments, the current level may indicate an overcurrent event. A digital post-processing circuit may be coupled to the switching device to count a number of overcurrent events according to various embodiments. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

A voltage of a first capacitor is compared with a threshold voltage and a signal corresponding to the comparison result is generated at each of a first timing during a period after the transfer of a positive charge has ended and before the transfer of a negative charge starts and a second timing during a period after the transfer of the negative charge has ended and before the transfer of the positive charge starts. In each of the case where a positive charge is transferred and the case where a negative charge is transferred, operations (digitization of an integrated value and a feedback operation) of a delta sigma modulator are performed.

A method for preparing an object to be tested, having a given relative permittivity, intended to be illuminated by an incident electromagnetic wave. The method includes: providing a part including a cavity for housing the object and at least one extension element made from a material having a relative permittivity that is preferably equal to that of the object, the extension element at least partially delimiting the cavity and extending to either side of the cavity in a passage direction of the cavity, over a length at least equal, on either side of the cavity, to one third of the length of the cavity in the passage direction, and placing the object in the cavity, such that the object is in contact with the extension element in the passage direction.

Methods and systems for monitoring an integrity of electrical connectivity between a repair patch and a parent structure include providing the repair patch with an embedded sensor configured to detect electrical conductivity. The repair patch includes a ply of conductive material that overlaps a portion of a conductive layer of the parent structure. A baseline set of sensor data is acquired from the sensor indicative of an electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure. One or more additional sets of data may be obtained from the sensor and compared to the baseline set of data to determine an integrity of the electrical connectivity between the ply of conductive material of the repair patch and the conductive layer of the parent structure.

The invention relates to a high-voltage dry apparatus having a semiconductor layer (2) covered by a metal screen (3), this screen (3) being eliminated so as to expose this semiconductor layer (2) over a length, this cable being connected to an element of equipment having an outer envelope (6) mechanically connected to said screen. According to the invention, an electronic monitoring arrangement (20) is contained within said envelope (6), this electronic arrangement (20) being electrically connected to an electrical power supply arrangement (21) surrounding said semiconductor layer (2) and to the metal screen (3) of said cable on either side of said length of the exposed semiconductor layer.

Disclosed are a circuit fault detection system and method for a circuit fault detection. A circuit fault detection system includes: a detection circuit including a diode, a first resistor, and a second resistor, which are positioned between an applied voltage source and a top of a detection target circuit in series, and a third resistor and a fourth resistor, which are positioned between the detection target circuit and a ground in series, an input unit including a first input terminal configured to receive a voltage measured between the first resistor and the second resistor as an input, and a second input terminal configured to receive a voltage measured between the third resistor and the fourth resistor as an input, a controller configured to detect a failure in the detection target circuit and in an operation of the detection target circuit based on values of the voltages detected by the input unit; and a display unit configured to provide a warning to a user when the failure is detected.

A method of detecting an electric arc in an electrical system from a signal originating from at least one sensor detecting acoustic waves in the system, including: a) calculating by means of a processing device, over a sliding window of signal samples, at least one statistical parameter selected from the skewness and the kurtosis of the signal; b) detecting a possible occurrence of an event by taking into account said at least one statistical parameter; and c) performing a frequency analysis of the signal enabling to identify an electric arc when an event is detected at step b).

A system (100, 200) is presented. The system includes a fluid lifting device (102, 202) located inside a well (106, 206), and comprising an electrical motor (108, 208), a three phase cable (114, 214) for coupling the fluid lifting device to a power source (112, 212), at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer (104, 203, 204) for generating imbalance signals (128, 227) representative of an imbalance current in at least one of the electrical motor and the three phase cable, wherein the at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer is disposed such that the at least one high sensitivity differential current transformer surrounds at least a portion of the three phase cable, and a processing subsystem (136, 236) for monitoring the health of at least one of the fluid lifting device and the three phase cable based on the imbalance signals.

A semiconductor device includes first and second semiconductor chips mounted on one package. In the first semiconductor chip, a current generation circuit generates a sense current in accordance with a load current and a fault current indicating that an abnormality detection circuit has detected an abnormality, and allows either one of the currents to flow through a current detecting resistor in accordance with presence or absence of detection of the abnormality. In the second semiconductor chip, a storage circuit stores a current value of the fault current obtained in an inspection process of the semiconductor device as a determination reference value. An arithmetic processing circuit sets a standard range based on the determination reference value, and determines presence or absence of detection of the abnormality based on whether or not a current value indicated by a digital signal of an analog-digital conversion circuit is included within the standard range.

Provided is a method for simply evaluating defects caused in interface states in oxide semiconductor thin films and protective films in TFTs having protective films formed on the surface of oxide semiconductor thin films without actually measuring the characteristics of the same. This evaluation method evaluates defects caused in the interface states by measuring electron states in the oxide semiconductor thin film by a contact method or noncontact method. The defects caused in the interface states are any of the following (1)-(3). (1) Threshold value voltage (Vth,) when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor(2) Difference in threshold value voltage (ΔVth) before and after applying the positive bias to the thin-film transistor(3) Threshold value during the first measurement when a plurality of measurements is made of the threshold value voltage when a positive bias is applied to the thin-film transistor.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a power supply input section to which a first voltage from a battery cell is input; a boosting section including one end to which the first voltage from the power supply input section is input, and another end that, based on a control signal from a controller, outputs the first voltage or a second voltage boosted from the first voltage from as a power supply voltage; and a comparison section including an output section, a first input section connected to the power supply input section and the one end of the boosting section, and a second input section connected to the another end of the boosting section, the comparison section outputting a voltage from the output section that corresponds to a difference between voltages input to the first input section and the second input section.

A semiconductor device for measuring a voltage of a battery cell, including first and second nodes, and first and second battery voltage measurement units. The first node is configured to receive a first voltage, the first voltage being a voltage of a capacitor that accumulates an electric charge based on the voltage of the battery cell. The first battery voltage measurement unit measures the first voltage through a first path. The second node is configured to receive a second voltage based on the voltage of the battery cell, the second node being different from the first node. The second battery voltage measurement unit measures the second voltage through a second path that is different from the first path.

Test measurements on a utility power device by a switch matrix apparatus and a common voltage source as separate devices is performed. Through the switch matrix apparatus, the common voltage source selectively sends a first high voltage signal via a first lead to a first terminal of the utility power device, measures a first corresponding signal returned via a second lead of the switch matrix apparatus from a second terminal of the utility power device. While the first lead and the second lead of the switch matrix apparatus remain electrically coupled to the first and the second terminal of the utility power device, a second high voltage signal is selectively sent via the second lead to the second terminal of the utility power device, and a second corresponding signal returned from the first terminal of the utility power device via the first lead of the switch matrix apparatus is measured.

A magnetic field sensing apparatus and detection method thereof are provided. The magnetic field sensing apparatus includes an anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) magnetic field detector, a reference magnetic field detector, and a controller. The AMR magnetic field detector generates a first output voltage according to a detected magnetic field. The reference magnetic field detector generates a second output voltage according to the detected magnetic field. The controller identifies whether an absolute value of a field density of the detected magnetic field is larger or smaller than a predetermined value or not, and selects the first output voltage or a saturation voltage to be a magnetic field detection result accordingly.

A method for determining a position of an RF coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. As an example, a center of a field of view (FOV) to be scanned may be adjusted to a magnetic field center of an MRI system, and coordinate values in a coordinate system for shape-characteristic points of the FOV may be determined, where an origin of the coordinate system is located at the magnetic field center of the MRI system. A preset gradient magnetic field may be applied to the FOV, and coil units respectively covering the shape-characteristic points may be determined. An effective region may be obtained by connecting the determined coil units according to the shape of the FOV, and a coil unit located in the effective region may be determined as an effective coil unit for imaging the FOV by the MRI system.

The present disclosure provides a display panel, a method and a device for measuring screen flickering, and a display device. The display panel includes a substrate, data lines and gate lines arranged on the substrate and crossing each other, and subpixel units defined by the data lines and the gate lines. Each subpixel unit includes a TFT, a pixel electrode, a first common electrode and a second common electrode. The second common electrode is connected to an input end capable of providing an alternating voltage at a first frequency. An orthogonal projection of the second common electrode onto the substrate at least partially overlaps an orthogonal projection of the pixel electrode onto the substrate.

A sensor device includes a power line and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an inductor. The inductor is formed using an interconnect layer (to be described later using FIG. 3). The power line and the semiconductor device overlap each other when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes two inductors. The power line extends between the two inductors when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor device.

A method identifies to which one of a plurality of infusion pumps one of a plurality of fluid lines is coupled. The method can include intentionally producing a predetermined pressure pattern in one of the plurality of fluid lines, detecting the predetermined pressure pattern by way of a sensor of one of the plurality of infusion pumps, and indicating detection of the predetermined pressure pattern in the one of the plurality of fluid lines, thereby indicating the one of the plurality of infusion pumps to which the one of the plurality of fluid lines is coupled. In some cases, a tool configured to occlude and the squeeze the fluid line can be used to intentionally produce the predetermined pressure pattern.

Methods and systems for frequency-dependent fluid attenuation measurement are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: generating one or more reference acoustic signals within a reference fluid; receiving one or more reference acoustic signal reflections; determining a frequency-dependent response function based, at least in part, on the one or more reference acoustic signal reflections; generating one or more sample acoustic signals within a sample fluid; receiving one or more sample acoustic signal reflections; and determining a frequency-dependent attenuation function of the sample fluid based, at least in part, on the one or more sample acoustic signal reflections and the frequency-dependent response function.

A first-half combustion period, for example, is estimated/evaluated, with a required accuracy, more simply than the conventional art, while reducing man-hours to produce a heat generation rate waveform of an internal combustion engine. Within a combustion period of an air-fuel mixture, a period from an ignition time FA to a heat generation rate maximum time dQpeakA where the heat generation rate is maximum is defined as the first-half combustion period a that is one of characteristic values of the heat generation rate waveform. The first-half combustion period a is estimated based on an in-cylinder volume at the heat generation rate maximum time, and furthermore by being corrected using an exponential function of the engine rotation speed with a value depending on a tumble ratio as exponent. Thus, the heat generation rate waveform is produced using the estimated first-half combustion period a.

Disclosed is a device for detecting wall abrasion of a solid-filling feeding well and a detection method thereof. The device comprises a well wall abrasion detector, a horizontal displacement meter, a vertical displacement monitor, and a limit guide rod. One end of the limit guide rod is connected to the well wall abrasion detector. The signal output terminal of the well wall abrasion detector is connected to the signal input terminal of the horizontal displacement meter, and the other end of the limit guide rod passes through the vertical displacement monitor for slidable setting. This disclosure mainly utilizes a resistance strain displacement sensor to detect the abrasion and deformation degree of the well wall, determines the position of damages with the vertical displacement monitor, and draws wall abrasion curves by using the obtained data. The device provided is easy to use, has low cost, has high reliability, and can effectively detect the wall abrasion condition of a solid-filling feeding well, thereby providing a basis for ensuring the working efficiency of the feeding well.

The present invention provides a cushion pad with improved durability without feeling of a foreign object. The present invention thus provides a system for detecting a deformation of a cushion pad, comprising; the cushion pad comprising a matrix layer, in which electroconductive or magnetic filler is dispersed, and a soft polyurethane foam including the matrix layer incorporated therein, anda detecting portion that detects an electric or magnetic change caused by a deformation of the cushion pad,wherein the matrix layer has a hardness lower than the soft polyurethane, and it production method.

The invention relates to a method for determining a liquid level in a tank (1) comprised in a vehicle, wherein said method uses an ultrasonic sensor (4) for emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves (11). Basically the liquid level is determined based upon measuring the transition time of an ultrasonic wave (11) emitted by the ultrasonic sensor, wherein said emitted wave is deflected two times before being reflected by the surface (2) of the liquid contained in the tank.

A sensor device includes: a cylindrical casing; a vibration detecting unit including a detection probe, a bottomed cylindrical holder having a bottom in which a rear end of the detection probe is inserted and fixed, piezoelectric elements disposed rearward of the detection probe in the holder and configured to contact the rear end of the detection probe, and a push member held in the holder and configured to push the piezoelectric elements against the rear end of the detection probe, the vibration detecting unit being disposed in the casing; and a coil spring that is disposed rearward of the vibration detecting unit, is configured to contact the holder to bias the holder forward, and causes a tip of the detection probe to project from the casing, wherein the tip of the detection probe is pushed against a measurement object to detect vibration of the measurement object.

An abnormality detecting apparatus (10) for a rotating machine includes: a calculating part (15) which calculates a phase difference between signals respectively output from two sensors of one or more sets, the one or more sets being predetermined combinations of two sensors among the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors each of which detects an elastic wave generating in the rotating machine (1) having a rotor during rotation of the rotor, the sensors being arranged at predetermined different locations of the rotating machine (1); a storing part (16) which stores in advance information concerning a relationship between a phase difference and a contact position when a contact occurs during the rotation of the rotor, regarding the one or more sets; and a specifying part (17) which specifies a contact position by using a phase difference calculated by the calculating part (15) and the information stored in the storing part (16).

A force detector includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a circuit board provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an element mounted on the circuit board and outputting a signal in response to an external force, wherein a hole is formed in the circuit board at a location where the element is placed, and a first convex part inserted into the hole and protruding toward the element is provided on the first substrate. Further, the element is placed within a periphery of the first convex part as seen from a direction perpendicular to the first substrate.

Pre-loaded force sensitive input devices, force sensing resistors (FSR), are formed as a multiple membrane assembly that is capable of detecting low intensity pressure inputs and quantifying varying applications of pressure to the sensor surface. Pre-loading the force sensor elements results in controlled amount of force between the two substrates causing a constant state of pre-load and eliminating the low-end or minimal pressure signal noise associated with unloaded sensors. Pre-loading the force sensing resistor sensors also enables the sensor to detect removal of low intensity pressure input such as might occur during theft of light weight articles placed in contact with the pre-loaded force sensor. Using an FSR or FSR Matrix Array will enable any handling of protected retail packaging to be detected and identified. A library of “touches” can be established that will yield cutting, ripping, twisting, etc. making the detection of a theft in progress more accurate.

A planet gear train based torque detector is provided with idler gears between an input shaft and an output shaft wherein a rotation of the input shaft rotates the idler gears which rotate the output shaft, and a force is applied to a tangent line between each idler gear and the input shaft; peripheral resilient members, each having a fixed first end and a second end for receiving force applied thereon by the revolution of idler gears; and at least one strain gauge, each attached on one resilient member for measuring a deformation at the resilient member due to the revolution of the idler gears. A torque between the input shaft and the output shaft is obtained by calculating the deformation. The resilient members parallel the input shaft.

A sensor for detecting a pressure of a fluid medium is provided. The sensor includes a sensor element for detecting the pressure of the fluid medium, a supply duct for supplying the fluid medium to the sensor element and a control and/or evaluation circuit for processing signals of the sensor element. The control and/or evaluation circuit is situated on the sensor element.

A system comprising: a parent structure made of composite material and having a repair site; a repair patch made of composite material, the repair patch being bonded to the parent structure at the repair site; and a sensor embedded in the repair patch. The system may further comprise non-volatile memory and an interface unit embedded in the repair patch and electrically connected to the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor is a loop-shaped sensor comprising an electrically conductive structure having an electrical conductivity that varies as a function of a pressure exerted on the repair patch. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensor chip having nonvolatile memory. In a further embodiment, the sensor comprises an optical fiber that is sensitive to changes in pressure on or strain in the repair patch.

A detecting element unit of a physical quantity detection apparatus includes a detection part and a supporting part. The detection part has a base part, a movable part coupled to the base part via a joint part, and a vibrator provided over the base part and the movable part, and the supporting part includes a fixing portion to be fixed to a base for supporting the base part. A processing unit of the physical quantity detection apparatus extracts vibration response signals at a resonance frequency of the detecting element unit from output of the vibrator.

A rail vehicle collision test rig used for a collision test on a tested vehicle is provided, and includes: a track configured to support and guide the tested vehicle; a small vehicle configured to push the tested vehicle; a drive motor configured to drive the small vehicle to advance and arranged at a first end of the track; a first rotating hub arranged at the first end of the track and connected to the drive motor; a brake motor configured to brake the small vehicle; a second rotating hub arranged at the second end of the track and connected to the brake motor; a connecting rope wound on the first rotating hub and the second rotating hub; a detector configured to detect a velocity and a position of the tested vehicle; and a controller connected to the detector and is allowed to be in communication with the detector.

The invention relates to a drilling-resistance measuring device (10) and to a method for material testing in a humid environment or underwater. The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises a housing (1), in which a drive and a drill chuck (3) coupled to the drive are arranged, in which drill chuck a drilling needle (4) is or can be releasably held, wherein the housing (1) has a drilling-needle outlet opening (5') enclosed by a drilling-needle outlet guide (5), through which drilling-needle outlet opening the drilling needle (4) extends out of the housing (1). The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises at least one water-tight bellows (6), which is arranged in the interior of the housing (1) around the drilling needle (4) between the drill chuck (3) and the drilling-needle outlet guide (5), wherein moisture or water can enter the bellows (6) through the drilling-needle outlet opening (5').

A method for operating a test station (10) for portable gas-measuring devices (20) is provided. The gas-measuring device (20) is arranged in fluid-communication with the test station (10) via at least one interface (13). A flow time is set, during which the test gas (30) is fed and a waiting time is set, during which no test gas (30) is fed. After an end of the feed of the at least one test gas results of the test are analyzed. The test station (10) is configured for feeding at least one test gas (30) to the interface (13). The test station (10) for portable gas-measuring devices (20) has at least one interface (13) for the fluid-communicating arrangement of the gas-measuring device (20), and wherein the test station (10) is configured for feeding at least one test gas (30) to the interface (13).

The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) provides monitoring and diagnostics of a variety of different ambient environmental factors and is powered by multiple sources of renewable energy. The multi-parametric environmental diagnostics and monitoring sensor node (10) includes a base (38) and a plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) mounted thereon. A controller (47) is also mounted on the base (38), the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) being in communication therewith. An external photovoltaic cell (18) is mounted to the base and an internal photovoltaic cell (34) is mounted in an opposed orientation on a cover (32). The external photovoltaic cell (18) and the internal photovoltaic cell (34) charge a power storage module (52), which powers the plurality of environmental condition sensors (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e, 36f) and the controller (47).

The invention discloses methods and devices for rapidly detecting a biological and/or chemical residue in a liquid sample. In some embodiments of the instant invention, a single antenna is generally employed in proximity to an aqueous solution in a disposable cup, with electrical outputs being recorded by an electrical metering device in communication with the single antenna. Commercial plastic cups may be used for detection of electric fields related to cleanliness of water samples. General and specific target detection may be performed with various embodiments of the instant invention.

Technologies for controlling degradation of a sensor mote including detecting a trigger event and initiating degradation of at least a portion of the sensor mote in response to the trigger event. The trigger event may be embodied as any type of event detectable by the sensor mote such as a trigger signal, particular sensed data, expiration of a reference time period, completion of a task, and so forth. The sensor mote may imitate the degradation by, for example, controlling a valve to release a chemical stored in the sensor mote or allow a substance into the sensor mote.

Described is a system which includes: a cable including: a first fiber optic interconnect to provide an input light; and a second fiber optic interconnect to provide an output light; and a first housing coupled to the cable, the first housing including: a first deflection circuit to deflect the input light received from the first fiber optic interconnect in response to a vibration or movement of the first housing; and a second housing coupled to the cable, the second housing including: a light source to generate the input light for transmission to the first deflection circuit via the first fiber optic interconnect; and a photo detector to receive the output light from the first deflection circuit via the second fiber optic interconnect.

A substrate for a sensor includes: a base section; a movable section connected to the base section; an arm portion as a support portion extending along the movable section from the base section; a first gap portion having a protrusion portion in which one of the movable section and the arm portion protrudes toward the other of the movable section and the arm portion, and having a predetermined gap between the protrusion portion on one side and the other of the movable section and the support portion; and a second gap portion which is located further toward the base section side than the first gap portion has a gap wider than the predetermined gap, in which in the first gap portion, one of the movable section and the arm portion has a ridge portion on the side facing the first gap portion.

A method and system for a sensor system of a device is disclosed. The sensor system includes a first MEMS sensor (FMEMS), a second MEMS sensor (SMEMS) and a signal processor (SP). An excitation is imparted to the device along a first axis (FA). The FMEMS has a first primary sense axis (FPSA), moves in response to a component of the excitation along the FA aligned with the FPSA and outputs a first signal proportional to an excitation along the FPSA. The SMEMS has a second primary sense axis (SPSA), moves in response to a component of the excitation along the FA aligned with the SPSA and outputs a second signal proportional to an excitation along the SPSA. The SP combines the first signal and the second signal to output a third signal proportional to the excitation along the FA. The FA, the FPSA and the SPSA have different orientations.

A method of constructing an ion guide is disclosed comprising providing an elongated spine member and a plurality of plates. Each plate comprises an aperture therethrough for receiving the spine member and at least one electrode for use in guiding ions. The apertures of the plates are arranged around the spine member and the plates are arranged along the spine member. The plates are then locked in position on the spine member such that the plates are fixed axially with respect to the spine member and so that the electrodes of the plates are arranged so as to form an array of electrodes for use in guiding ions.

A process for fabricating an organic photodetector is presented. The process includes providing an array of thin film transistor assemblies, each thin film transistor assembly including a first electrode disposed on a thin film transistor; disposing an organic semiconductor layer on the array; disposing a second electrode layer including a first inorganic material on the organic semiconductor layer through a shadow mask to form a first etch stop layer; and removing portions of the organic semiconductor layer unprotected by the first etch stop layer using a dry etching process to form a multilayered structure. An organic photodetector, for example an organic x-ray detector fabricated by the process is further presented. An x-ray system including the organic x-ray detector is also presented.

The invention relates to a method for controlling the divergence of a jet of particles in vacuo with an aerodynamic lens, the aerodynamic lens including at least one chamber; a diaphragm, a so-called inlet diaphragm, intended to form an inlet of the aerodynamic lens for a jet of particles, the inlet diaphragm having a given diameter (d1); and another diaphragm, a so-called outlet diaphragm, intended to form an outlet of the aerodynamic lens for this jet of particles; the method including: a step for generating the jet of particles from the inlet to the outlet, in vacuo, of the aerodynamic lens; and a step for adjusting the diameter (ds) of the outlet diaphragm for controlling the divergence of the jet of particles.

The present invention generally relates to fluorescent marking compositions and their use to determine whether a surface has been cleaned. More particularly, the marking compositions comprise fluorescent polymers.

Electron beam generator comprising an electron emitting device adapted to emit an electron beam when heated to an elevated temperature, wherein the electron emitting device comprises a filament having a spiral portion.