Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

The disclosure relates to microwave cavity plasma reactor (MCPR) apparatus and associated tuning and process control methods that enable the microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPACVD) of a component such as diamond. Related methods enable the control of the microwave discharge position, size and shape, and enable efficient matching of the incident microwave power into the reactor prior to and during component deposition. Pre-deposition tuning processes provide a well matched reactor exhibiting a high plasma reactor coupling efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions, thus allowing operational input parameters to be modified during deposition while simultaneously maintaining the reactor in a well-matched state. Additional processes are directed to realtime process control during deposition, in particular based on identified independent process variables which can effectively control desired dependent process variables during deposition while still maintaining a well-matched power coupling reactor state.

A toilet training device includes an odor remediation system for absorbing or masking odors that may be created during toilet training. The odor remediation system may include a modular odor remediating insert that may be releasably positioned within a recess that is provided within the toilet training device. The odor remediating insert may include an odor absorbing substance such as sodium bicarbonate, an odor masking substance such as a fragrance or a combination of an odor absorbing substance and an odor masking substance. The toilet training device also includes a system for dispensing wipes that may utilize a recess that is defined in a side wall of the main body portion of the toilet training device. A wipes cartridge is designed so that it can be used to conveniently dispense wipes regardless of whether it is separated from the toilet training device or mounted within the recess of the toilet training device.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.

A plasma gasification reactor, and process for its operation, with one or both of, first, a quench zone within an upper part of a top section of the reactor and, second, feed ports through a lateral wall of a middle section of the reactor for supplying feed material to a feed bed within the middle section and the feed ports located proximate the feed bed. The quench zone is provided with nozzles for introducing a fluid to reduce the temperature of molten solid bits sufficiently to minimize their sticking within external ductwork. The middle section feed port arrangement assists in more thorough reaction of light particles in the feed material that may otherwise exit with gaseous products.

A method of forming a synthesis gas utilizing a reformer is disclosed. The method utilizes a reformer that includes a plasma zone to receive a pre-heated mixture of reactants and ionize the reactants by applying an electrical potential thereto. A first thermally conductive surface surrounds the plasma zone and is configured to transfer heat from an external heat source into the plasma zone. The reformer further includes a reaction zone to chemically transform the ionized reactants into synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A second thermally conductive surface surrounds the reaction zone and is configured to transfer heat from the external heat source into the reaction zone. The first thermally conductive surface and second thermally conductive surface are both directly exposed to the external heat source. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein.

An aircraft communications system may include a RF-transparent enclosure, a plasma antenna element and a controller. The RF-transparent enclosure may be disposed substantially conformal with a portion of the aircraft. The plasma antenna element may be housed within the RF-transparent enclosure. The controller may be operably coupled to the plasma antenna element to provide control of operation of the plasma antenna element. The plasma antenna element may include one or more RF-conductive plasma devices that are selectively ionized to a plasma state under control of the controller.

Methods and systems for time interleaved analog-to-digital converter timing mismatch calibration and compensation may include receiving an analog signal on a chip, converting the analog signal to a digital signal utilizing a time interleaved analog-to-digital-converter (ADC), and reducing a blocker signal that is generated by timing offsets in the time interleaved ADC by estimating complex coupling coefficients between a desired digital output signal and the blocker signal utilizing a decorrelation algorithm on frequencies within a desired frequency bandwidth. The decorrelation algorithm may comprise a symmetric adaptive decorrelation algorithm. The received analog signal may be generated by a calibration tone generator on the chip. An aliased signal may be summed with an output signal from a multiplier. The complex coupling coefficients may be determined utilizing the decorrelation algorithm on the summed signals. A multiplier may be configured to cancel the blocker signal utilizing the determined complex coupling coefficients.

For analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) which utilize a feedback digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for conversion, the final analog output can be affected or distorted by errors of the feedback DAC. A digital measurement technique can be implemented to determine timing mismatch error for the feedback DAC in a continuous-time delta-sigma modulator (CTDSM) or in a continuous-time pipeline modulator. The methodology utilizes cross-correlation of each DAC unit elements (UEs) output to the entire modulator output to measure its timing mismatch error respectively. Specifically, the timing mismatch error is estimated using a ratio based on a peak value and a value for the next tap in the cross-correlation function. The obtained errors can be stored in a look-up table and fully corrected in digital domain or analog domain.

For analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) which utilize a feedback digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for conversion, the final analog output can be affected or distorted by errors of the feedback DAC. A digital measurement technique can be implemented to determine switching mismatch error for the feedback DAC in a continuous-time delta-sigma modulator (CTDSM) or in a continuous-time pipeline modulator. The methodology forces each DAC unit elements (UEs) to switch a certain amount times and then use the modulator itself to measure the errors caused by those switching activities respectively. The obtained errors can be stored in a look-up table and fully corrected in digital domain or analog domain.

A smart oronasal mask for a positive-airway-pressure device includes a mask body and a temperature sensor. The mask body has an air inlet and an air outlet. The temperature sensor is deposited in the mask body and located between the air inlet and the air outlet for sensing a temperature of a mixture formed by gas entering the mask body through the air inlet of the mask body and gas entering the mask body through the air outlet of the mask body. Then the positive airway pressure device adjusts air feed according to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor in a real-time manner, so as to help keep a patient's respiratory tract clear.

A magnetically enhanced low temperature high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (LT-HDP-CVD) source has a hollow cathode target and an anode, which form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines substantially perpendicular to the cathode surface. A gap magnet assembly forms a magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross the pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. The pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected to a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have negative, positive, floating, or RF electrical potentials. By controlling the duration, value, and sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, plasma ionization can be controlled. Feed gas flows through the gap between the hollow cathode and anode. The cathode can be connected to a pulse power or RF power supply, or cathode can be connected to both power supplies. The cathode target and substrate can be inductively grounded.

A magnetically enhanced HDP-CVD plasma source includes a hollow cathode target and an anode. The anode and cathode form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines that are substantially perpendicular to a cathode target surface. The gap magnet assembly forms a cusp magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross a pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. This pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected with a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have a negative, positive, or floating electric potential. The plasma source can be configured to generate volume discharge. The gap size prohibits generation of plasma discharge in the gap. By controlling the duration, value and a sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, the plasma ionization can be controlled. The magnetically enhanced HDP-CVD source can also be used for chemically enhanced ionized physical vapor deposition (CE-IPVD). Gas flows through the gap between hollow cathode and anode. The cathode target is inductively grounded, and the substrate is periodically inductively grounded.

Water is flowed inside main body section formed from an insulating material such that a specified space remains inside the main body section. Electrodes and are arranged along the outer walls of the main body section and voltage is applied to the electrodes. Processing gas present inside the main body section is plasmarized and plasma is emitted to the water flowing inside the main body section.

Jay Stone looked at home as he took the stage in a burgundy bathrobe last Thursday at The Night Light, a bar near Jack London Square.…

Despite some growing pains, the fest successfully expanded into a ten-day concert series that highlighted outstanding local talent. Jay Stone looked at home as he took the stage in a burgundy bathrobe last Thursday at The Night Light, a bar near Jack London Square. He was headlining the seventh night of Oakland Music Festival, which dominated the local concert calendar from September 30 to October 9 with shows taking place at different venues every night.…

A method of making a MRAM device includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction on an electrode, the magnetic tunnel junction comprising a reference layer positioned in contact with the electrode, a tunnel barrier layer arranged on the reference layer, and a free layer arranged on the tunnel barrier layer; and depositing an encapsulating layer on and along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction; wherein the exposing of the magnetic tunnel junction to hydrogen plasma is performed at a temperature from about 150 to about 250° C. An MRAM device including an encapsulating layer comprising either silicon nitride or aluminum oxide is also provided.

An upper electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes a body portion having a plurality of through-holes, a showerhead disposed below the body portion and having a plurality of jet holes connected to the plurality of through-holes, and a buffer layer interposed between the body portion and the showerhead.

A dry etching apparatus plasma processes a wafer held by a carrier having a frame and an holding sheet. The carrier is placed on an electrode unit of a stage provided in a chamber. The electrode unit is cooled by a cooling section configured to cool the electrode unit. An upper face of the electrode unit is at least as large as the back side of the carrier. The holding sheet and the frame are cooled effectively by the heat transfer to the stage.

A plasma system includes a source electrode, an RF source power generation unit, an RF source power output unit, and a source power output managing unit. The source power output managing unit determines an amplitude and a duty cycle of a pulse RF source power based on information on an amplitude of a continuous wave RF source power.

A plasma processor, including a first gas supplier to supply first gas to the inside of a vacuum vessel, a stage on which a wafer is placed, an electromagnetic wave supplier to supply electromagnetic waves for generating first plasma, a susceptor provided to an outer peripheral portion of the stage, a second high frequency power source connected to the susceptor, and a second gas supplier to supply second gas to the inside of the susceptor. The inside of the susceptor is provided with a high frequency electrode connected to the second high frequency power source and a first earth electrode disposed opposite to the high frequency electrode. The second high frequency power source supplies high frequency power while the second gas supplier supplies the second gas, thereby generating second plasma inside the susceptor.

The present invention discloses a multi-zone active-matrix temperature control system, the control system having a temperature control matrix and a gate driver; the temperature control matrix comprising: N*M temperature control modules forming a N-row M-column matrix, a power supply line, and a power return line; each temperature control module comprising: a temperature control unit adapts to be heated up by electrical power for temperature controlling; a semiconductor switch provided with a gate electrode connected with the gate driver, two ends of the gate, which turn on or off, being connected with the power supply line, and with the power return line through the temperature control unit, respectively. In the temperature control matrix, one ends, which are connected with a power return line, of the temperature control units of temperature control modules in a same row or same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line; one ends, which are connected with the power supply line, of the semiconductor switches of the temperature control modules at a same row or a same column are serially connected, and connected with the power supply line. The present invention may precisely perform temperature control to each zone of the electrostatic chuck and significantly reduces the number of electrostatic chuck lead-out lines.

IT may be small in size but for what The Eclipse Inn lacks in square feet it makes up for with an abundance of character and charm.

FORMER Hampshire star Glenn Maxwell blasted 88 off only 39 balls as Australia romped to the highest team total in cricket World Cup history.

Kevin Pietersen's hopes of a second England chance have been dealt another blow after coach Peter Moores appeared to rule out the possibility while he is in charge of the national team.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has urged England to move on from Kevin Pietersen, believing the controversial batsman no longer merits a place in the side and brings too much baggage as well.

ONLY a small number of mass cycling events would be affected by the proposed cap on cyclists in New Forest events.

A small, corroded key for a locker on the Titanic has sold for £85,000 at auction.

The family of the helmsman of the Titanic, whose final resting place was a mystery for decades, have now marked his grave with a headstone in Aberdeen.

MOVES to put HMRC near the head of the queue for money when businesses become insolvent could damage small businesses and the economy, it is claimed.

As death tolls rise, new testing information surfaces and doctors race to find a vaccine for COVID-19, breaking news is not in short supply.

In this podcast, Thomas Domville gives us a walkthrough of the SmartNews: Local Breaking News app for iOS. SmartNews is the award-winning news app downloaded by 40+ million readers in 100+ countries! SmartNews analyzes millions of articles every day to deliver the top trending news stories influencing the world right now. News from All Sides! SmartNews delivers high-quality news headlines and breaking news from top news publishers: NBC News, MSNBC, USA Today, TIME, The Huffington Post, Bleacher Report, Quartz, The Verge, VICE, VOX, AP, Reuters, Buzzfeed, Fast Company and more.

‎SmartNews: Local Breaking News on the App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smartnews-trending-news-stories/id579581125

Facebook will be awarding financial support to over 30 local small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Policy Manager Diana Doukas was interviewed during this edition of WNCW's Friday Feature Interview of the Week to talk about this exciting news. Facebook, with a center located in Rutherford County, NC has partnered with groups across North Carolina to lend support in this crucial time of need. This discussion first aired on 88.7 FM on April 10th. Posted by Host and Producer of The Friday Feature- Paul Foster, WNCW Senior Producer, News Director, and Morning Edition Regional Host

Legislation introduced in New York this week expands tax exemptions for small businesses.

Copyright 2018 West Virginia Public Broadcasting. To see more, visit West Virginia Public Broadcasting . SCOTT SIMON, HOST: When it comes to making voting more secure, cybersecurity experts say the U.S. should move away from electronic voting machines back towards paper ballots. West Virginia's headed in the other direction. That state is experimenting with allowing service members deployed overseas to vote using an app on their smartphone. But as West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Dave Mistich reports, there are some big security concerns about that app. DAVE MISTICH, BYLINE: Here's the challenge for West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner - federal law says military and overseas voters have the right to cast an absentee ballot. But... MAC WARNER: The real issue here is the difficulty it takes to get that absentee ballot to a deployed soldier on a hillside in Afghanistan or to a sailor under a polar ice cap. The U.S. mail simply doesn't reach those places. And so they do have

In her new filing for the court-ordered protection, Esther Campbell claims that Steve Harwell is not taking his bipolar disorder medication, and has been verbally and mentally abusive toward her.

To support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19, Create NSW is implementing a number of measures. This includes accommodation assistance, new support for creatives to engage with online platforms, and a suite of initiatives that provide employment and development opportunities, and audience engagement and skill-sharing for arts, screen and cultural organisations and individuals across the State. > More detail (Create NSW)

Terry Wills on Albion's misfortunes.

Cory n Chad, are identical twin brothers and stand up comedians known as The Smash Brothers. They have made appearances on Showtime and Fox. Today they join Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt LIVE in studio to celebrate Ralphie May's birthday.

"Birmingham's business community has lost a quiet hero," says Mayoral candidate.

Currently, owing to the ongoing lockdown, kirana (corner) stores on JioMart serve limited inventory. But that will be a thing of the past once restrictions are lifted.

Currently, owing to the ongoing lockdown, kirana (corner) stores on JioMart serve limited inventory. But that will be a thing of the past once restrictions are lifted.

The High Court passed the interim order on Friday as a result of the blatant violation of the conditions that the court had prescribed under which liquor shops could function. These conditions included adhering to social distancing norms while also deploying additional staff to manage the crowd.

The production of high-tech running shoes at its so-called speedfactories in Germany's Ansbach and in the US city of Atlanta "will be discontinued by April 2020 at the latest", Adidas said in a statement.

Sportswear makers say sales in tier II and III towns have grown exponentially in the last few years and contribute a sizable percentage of their revenue now.

​​The Bluetooth-enabled smart sunglasses by Titan’s eyewear division will allow users to listen to music with 8-hour playtime. An in-built mic will give access to Siri and Google assistant and allow hands-free calling.

Jewellery remains the main business of the company, generating most of its operating profit (EBIT). It added 34 jewellery stores in the first nine months and plans to add another 16 by the end of the fiscal taking the total store count to 337.

The watchmaker will form a development centre in Hyderabad with HUG in hardware, firmware, software and cloud technology and has appointed the company's founder Raj Neravati to head technology for wearables at Titan Company.