The present invention provides methods, devices, and kits for separating and selecting top sperm from a sperm sample of a subject. In one aspect, for example, such a method can include removing a portion of negatively charged protein from sperm in the sperm sample, immobilizing the sperm, electrophoretically separating the sperm, and selecting mature sperm based on electromotility properties.

Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.

A method and a semiconductor device for incorporating defect mitigation structures are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a substrate, a defect mitigation structure comprising a combination of layers of doped or undoped group IV alloys and metal or non-metal nitrides disposed over the substrate, and a device active layer disposed over the defect mitigation structure. The defect mitigation structure is fabricated by depositing one or more defect mitigation layers comprising a substrate nucleation layer disposed over the substrate, a substrate intermediate layer disposed over the substrate nucleation layer, a substrate top layer disposed over the substrate intermediate layer, a device nucleation layer disposed over the substrate top layer, a device intermediate layer disposed over the device nucleation layer, and a device top layer disposed over the device intermediate layer. The substrate intermediate layer and the device intermediate layer comprise a distribution in their compositions along a thickness coordinate.

Provided are three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same. The memory devices include semiconductor pillars penetrating interlayer insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on a substrate and electrically connected to the substrate and floating gates selectively interposed between the semiconductor pillars and the conductive layers. The floating gates are formed in recesses in the conductive layers.

An electronic device includes a silicon carbide layer including an n-type drift region therein, a contact forming a junction, such as a Schottky junction, with the drift region, and a p-type junction barrier region on the silicon carbide layer. The p-type junction barrier region includes a p-type polysilicon region forming a P-N heterojunction with the drift region, and the p-type junction barrier region is electrically connected to the contact. Related methods are also disclosed.

Semiconductor devices including a stressor in a recess and methods of forming the semiconductor devices are provided. The methods may include forming a trench in an active region and the trench may include a notched portion of the active region. The methods may also include forming an embedded stressor in the trench. The embedded stressor may include a lower semiconductor layer and an upper semiconductor layer, which has a width narrower than a width of the lower semiconductor layer. A side of the upper semiconductor layer may not be aligned with a side of the lower semiconductor layer and an uppermost surface of the upper semiconductor layer may be higher than an uppermost surface of the active region.

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for a select device that can include a semiconductive stack of at least one semiconductive material formed on a first electrode, where the semiconductive stack can have a thickness of about 700 angstroms (Å) or less. Each of the at least one semiconductive material can have an associated band gap of about 4 electron volts (eV) or less and a second electrode can be formed on the semiconductive stack.

A gliding apparatus includes a gliding board, a first front boot-retaining device for ascending a slope and a second front boot-retaining device for the descent. The first front retaining device comprises a first boot-fastening mechanism, defining a boot pivot axis during the ascent. The second front retaining device comprises a second boot-fastening mechanism, including a movable element incorporating an interface surface capable of contacting a front portion of the boot, the movable element being separate from the first fastening mechanism. The second front retaining device is configurable in a first “inactive” configuration for which the interface surface is away from the boot front portion, and a second “active” configuration for which the interface surface contacts the boot front portion. The first boot-fastening mechanism is capable of cooperating with the movable element of the second front retaining device so as to maintain the second front retaining device in its active configuration.

Improved silicon solar cells, silicon image sensors and like photosensitive devices are made to include strained silicon at or sufficiently near the junctions or other active regions of the devices to provide increased sensitivity to longer wavelength light. Strained silicon has a lower band gap than conventional silicon. One method of making a solar cell that contains tensile strained silicon etches a set of parallel trenches into a silicon wafer and induces tensile strain in the silicon fins between the trenches. The method may induce tensile strain in the silicon fins by filling the trenches with compressively strained silicon nitride or silicon oxide. A deposited layer of compressively strained silicon nitride adheres to the walls of the trenches and generates biaxial tensile strain in the plane of adjacent silicon fins.

Disclosed are molecular and polymeric compounds having desirable properties as semiconducting materials. Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability.

A method for fabricating a photovoltaic device includes depositing a p-type layer at a first temperature and depositing an intrinsic layer while gradually increasing a deposition temperature to a final temperature. The intrinsic layer deposition is completed at the final temperature. An n-type layer is formed on the intrinsic layer.

A printing apparatus includes: a motor which drives a shaft of a roll body around which a medium is wound, in the feeding direction of the medium; a transport roller which transports the medium fed from the roll body; and a control section which supplies electric power for rotating the roll body to the motor, wherein the electric power that the control section supplies to the motor at the time of the start of the feeding of the medium is larger when the diameter of the medium that is wound around the roll body is R2 (

A removable faceplate for a portable electronic device is provided. The faceplate permits a user to change the physical appearance of a surface of the device while retaining access to the mechanisms for controlling the function of the device. Preferably, the removable faceplate and electronic device are configured with a means for association and dissociation that can be activated without the use of a tool and the means is not visible when the faceplate is attached. Additionally, an improved packaging system is provided to enable a vendor or manufacturer to package faceplates with the devices that they will cover and to allow substitution of faceplates in the packaging without disturbing the packaging of the electronic device itself. Further, there is a method for distribution of the packaging system.

A housing shell for electrical measuring, controlling and communication devices, in particular the lower housing part of a cellphone, has very great flexural and torsional rigidity in spite of an extremely small wall thickness if it is formed as a part created by a forming operation from the planar blank of a thermoplastically impregnated long-fibered multi-layered mat. Fine-membered functional elements of likewise thermoplastic material are then molded onto the housing shell in an injection mold.

An amplifying structure includes a main amplifier configured to amplify a first signal; and a peak amplifier configured to amplify a second signal, each of the main amplifier and the peak amplifier including, respectively, a hybrid power device, the hybrid power device including, a first power transistor die configured to amplify signals of a first frequency, and a second power transistor die configured to amplify signals of a second frequency different than the first frequency.

A power amplifier module includes a power amplifier including a GaAs bipolar transistor having a collector, a base abutting the collector, and an emitter, the collector having a doping concentration of at least about 3×1016 cm−3 at a junction with the base, the collector also having at least a first grading in which doping concentration increases away from the base; and an RF transmission line driven by the power amplifier, the RF transmission line including a conductive layer and finish plating on the conductive layer, the finish plating including a gold layer, a palladium layer proximate the gold layer, and a diffusion barrier layer proximate the palladium layer, the diffusion barrier layer including nickel and having a thickness that is less than about the skin depth of nickel at 0.9 GHz. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

A machining system that includes an ultrasonic machining assembly, wherein the ultrasonic machining assembly further includes a machining tool; a collet adapted to receive the machining tool; and an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operative to transmit acoustical vibrations to the machining tool; and a machining apparatus, wherein the machining apparatus is adapted to receive and secure the ultrasonic machining assembly, and wherein the machining apparatus is operative to transmit torque to the machining tool by applying rotary motion to the ultrasonic machining assembly.

The present invention relates to devices and systems that alter intracranial compliance, cerebral blood flow and/or intracranial pressure pulsatility/waveform by oscillating the contraction and expansion of a compressible composition within the cranial or spinal cavities such that they increase intracranial capacity. The contraction and expansion of the compressible composition in the oscillating compliance devices can be due to an individual's intracranial pressure, the result of the expansion and compression of a reservoir which is mediated by the contractility of the heart or driven by a pump gaited to a biorhythm. The invention also relates to methods for protecting an individual's brain from abnormal arterial pulsations and for altering an individual's cerebral blood flow using the devices and systems of the invention. The oscillating compliance devices can be used to treat several diseases and/or conditions characterized by altered/abnormal intracranial compliance, cerebral blood flow and/or intracranial pressure pulsatility/waveform, including hydrocephalus, stroke, dementia and migraine headaches, vasospasms, congestive heart failure, cardiopulmonary bypass or carotid endarterectomy.

Methods and devices are disclosed for identifying objects over a surface and for tracking the position of said objects in relation to the sensing surface. The methods include the steps of providing an array of electrodes or coils that generating electromagnetic radiation having a individual characteristic frequencies of oscillation. Objects in proximity to the sensing surface(s) couple electromagnetically to the array of electrodes or coils, which then alters the characteristic frequency of one or more elements in the array. By monitoring the individual frequency shifts among the array elements, one or more objects in proximity to the surface can be sensed and identified. Quantitative identification and enhanced detection of the objects is achieved through the use of electromagnetic markers affixed or embedded in the objects in specified geometric patterns. In addition, a method is presented for scanning the sensing array, through the use of a second layer of electrodes that selectively mask or modulate the sensing field.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage devices. One storage device is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other storage device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage or charge receiving devices. One of these devices is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge. The present invention further relates to a system for protecting the charging device from being damaged from an electrical surge, such as from a lightening strike.

Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

A system and method of operating the same includes an absorption tank having a compressor communicating gas thereto, a suspended solid filtration tank having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet and a pump comprising a pump inlet coupled to the secondary outlet and a pump outlet communicating fluid to the absorption tank. The absorption tank forms a solution from the fluid and gas. A turbine mechanically couples the pump with a common shaft extending to the pump. The turbine has a turbine inlet coupled to the absorption tank and a turbine outlet coupled to the secondary inlet. The turbine depressurizes the solution. The system may also use a centrifugal pump in place of a turbine and absorption tank.

According to one embodiment, a windshield attachment device for coupling a windshield to a body includes a fastener portion, a bolt, and an elastomeric load isolator. The fastener portion has an opening therethrough. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the fastener portion and couple the fastener portion to the body. The elastomeric load isolator surrounds at least a portion of the fastener portion and separating the fastener portion from the windshield.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices configured to retain, at least for some period, and provide pre-launch support kites such as stunt kites. In certain instances, the device positions stunt kites of various sizes and design, including, for example, delta wing kits, diamond kits and foil kits, in a reclined position to provide pre-launch stability and wind flow/spill-over across the face of the kite to help prevent unintentional or premature launch. If desired, optional control line upright supports can be present that permit minimum control line pull-back thereby reducing the recline of the kite to bring the face of the kite into the wind and thereby launch the kite. The control line upright supports may also prevent the kite from falling completely face down on the surface, thereby requiring a reset of the kite on the device.

A disclosed decorative device includes an elongate, flexible foam body, an elongate, pliable core element, a pair of adapters, and a pair of end pieces. A method for making the decorative device is described, as is a method for retaining hair using the decorative device. The decorative device includes the elongate, flexible foam body surrounding the elongate, pliable core element along its length. The pair of adapters are each configured to fixably receive an end of the elongate, pliable core element, with the pair of end pieces, each being configured to connect to one of the pair of adapters.

Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Interfaces for electrical (e.g., lighting) devices involve use of electrically conductive edge contacts arranged on or protruding from edges of printed circuit boards (PCBs) that provide or facilitate electrical connections to first and second externally accessible electrical contacts, such as may include threaded and foot contacts of a lighting device including a screw-shaped male base. First and/or second edge contacts of a PCB may protrude through first and second openings in a housing to form first and second externally accessible contact, or directly engage first and second externally accessible contact elements associated with (e.g., retained by) the housing. A contact element retained by a housing may define a slot in the interior of the housing to directly engage an edge contact of the PCB. Electric power is supplied to the PCB via edge contacts without need for intervening wires or soldered connections.

Magnetically adjusting color-converting particles within a matrix and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A magnetic-adjustment process can include applying a magnetic field to a mixture including a non-solid matrix and a plurality of color-converting particles (e.g. magnetically anisotropic color-converting particles). The magnetic field can cause the plurality of color-converting particles to move into a generally non-random alignment (e.g., a generally non-random magnetic alignment and/or a generally non-random shape alignment) within the non-solid matrix. The non-solid matrix then can be solidified to form a solid matrix. A magnetic-adjustment process can be performed in conjunction with testing and/or product binning of solid-state radiation transducer devices. For example, a position, direction, strength, or duration of a magnetic field used to perform a magnetic-adjustment process can be controlled according to optical output collected from a solid-state radiation transducer device. Measuring the optical output and performing the magnetic-adjustment process can be at least partially concurrent.

Solid state light emitting devices include multiple LED components providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects. Multiple LED components may be operated simultaneously according to different operating modes according to which their combined output provides the same or similar chromaticity, but provides melatonin suppressing effects that differ by at least a predetermined threshold amount between the different operating modes. Switching between operating modes may be triggered by user input elements, timers/clocks, or sensors (e.g., photosensors). Chromaticity of combined output of multiple LED components may also be adjusted, together with providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects at each selected combined output chromaticity.

The present invention describes novel indenofluorene derivatives which can preferably be employed as matrix materials for phosphorescent dopants or as electron-transport materials, in particular for use in the emission and/or charge-transport layer of electroluminescent devices. The invention furthermore relates to polymers which comprise these compounds as structural units and to a process for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention and to electronic devices which comprise same.

Compounds (including polymers) for use in hybrid host materials which can be used in electroluminescent devices. The compounds comprise at least one electron-transporting moiety and at least one hole-transporting moiety which are joined by a flexible linker. Hybrid host materials comprising the compounds exhibit stability against phase separation, elevated glass transition temperature, morphological stability against crystallization, and isolation of the electron transporting moiety and hole transporting moiety π-systems.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual's adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual's adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual's historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.

A friction reducing element for a hanging device includes a roller configured for positioning on an upper portion of a hook and a tubular elastomeric sleeve stretch-fitted over an outer surface of the roller. The roller is provided with a contoured outer surface and the sleeve is made from a thermoset elastomer such that the friction reducing element facilitates positioning of the hanging device, along a clothing rod. Use of the thermoset elastomer also prevents premature development of areas of deformation on the friction reducing element over time. The friction reducing element may be assembled into an upper portion of a hook for a clothes hanger, or other similar hanging device.

An output device or controller supporting voice activated commands by using a portable electronic device is herein disclosed and enabled. The output device may be a television, a controller connectable to a television, a printer, a sound output device, or a projector. The portable electronic device for wirelessly managing or driving the output device may include a microphone to receive voice activated commands. The output device includes wireless circuitry to establish a direct wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.) with the portable electronic device, and subsequently, the output device, using the established direct wireless connection, is operable to: wirelessly receive first information from the portable electronic device; wirelessly send to the portable electronic device second information in response to receiving the first information; and wirelessly receive from the portable electronic device data related to voice activated commands from a user.

An anti-theft mechanism for electronic devices includes an upper protecting frame and a lower protecting frame. The upper and lower protecting frames of the embodiment provide protection for the 3C products, and the first and second assembling space of the upper and lower protecting frames provide adjustable dimensions to be suitable for different sizes of 3C products. The upper and lower protecting frames can further be provided with a locking mechanism to limit the movement of the positioning member after the upper and lower protecting frames being attached onto the 3C products, which prevents the upper and lower protecting frames from being removed easily. Furthermore, with the steel wire of the locking mechanism can be attached to a secured object to secure the upper and lower protecting frames.

A cutting device includes a cutting unit having a rotary blade, a table for placing a workpiece thereon, and a support device vertically movably supporting the cutting unit relative to the table. The cutting unit includes a blade case. The blade case covers an upper portion of the rotary blade and has a dust discharge member for discharging dust produced at a cutting region. The cutting device further includes a dust guide device disposed on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the dust discharge member with respect to a flow of the dust. A position of at least a part of the dust guide device changes relative to the dust discharge member according to change of the vertical position of the cutting unit.

An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material.

A serial bus is provided with a device (sometimes herein referred to as an I2C serializer device) including circuitry and machine logic that operates as follows: when one of the master devices is using the bus for data communication, then the other master(s) will receive a wait signal until the bus becomes available again. This wait signal allows the master devices to wait as a “hardware response,” rather than requiring the master devices to be equipped with software and/or firmware to control the operation of waiting until the serial bus is available. In some embodiments, the use of the I2C serializer device allows a bus operating under a bus serialization protocol (for example, I2C) to be simultaneously connected to multiple master devices even in the case that one, or more, master device(s) do not include any currently conventional form of multi-master support.

A transmission system includes: a master device; and a plurality of slave devices including a first slave device and a second slave device, each of the plurality of slave devices having its own identifier. The master device includes a processor configured to: transmit a control signal of a clock length that the first slave device does not respond to, to the plurality of slave devices at a first timing; and transmit an identifier that identifies the second slave device to the plurality of slave devices at a second timing after the first timing. The second slave device transmits data to the master device when the second slave device receives the control signal and the identifier that identifies the second slave device.

Techniques for determining whether a cellular device is suspect, i.e., perhaps serving as an activator for a device such as a bomb. One way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the idle state is to use a baiting beacon to bait and automatically call all the cellular telephones in an area that are in the idle state. If the call to a given cellular telephone is not answered by a human voice, the cellular telephone is suspect. Another way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the traffic state is to use surgical analysis to examine the DTX pattern for the telephone. If it indicates persistent silence, the cellular telephone is suspect. The surgical analysis may also be used to trace the DTX pattern back to another telephone that is controlling the suspect cellular device.

A method and system to detect an improvised explosive device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes dispersing a mixture containing a fluorescent material uniformly over a ground cover, illuminating the ground cover with wavelengths of visible light or ultraviolet (UV) light causing the fluorescent material to fluoresce in a visible light spectrum, and detecting where the mixture has been disturbed on the ground cover by visually observing inconsistencies in the fluorescent material on the ground cover that is fluorescing to indicate a location of the improvised explosive device. The method also includes that the mixture is adapted to cling to a person, clothes, or any combination thereof, upon contact.

An apparatus for passively cooling electronics. The apparatus for passively cooling electronics includes at least one heat pipe and at least one heat sink thermally coupled to a bridge plate. When a cradle is thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe, the at least one heat sink draws heat from the cradle.

A silicon-based thermal energy transfer apparatus that aids dissipation of thermal energy from a heat-generating device, such as an edge-emitting laser diode, is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a silicon-based base portion having a first primary surface and a silicon-based support structure. The silicon-based support structure includes a mounting end and a distal end opposite the mounting end with the mounting end received by the base portion such that the support structure extends from the first primary surface of the base portion. The support structure includes a recess defined therein to receive the edge-emitting laser diode. The support structure further includes a slit connecting the distal end and the recess to expose at least a portion of a light-emitting edge of the edge-emitting laser diode when the edge-emitting laser diode is received in the support structure.

Tire changing machines with automated positioning and closed loop control of bead pressing devices are described to maintain and control operation of the bead pressing devices during tire mount and de-mount procedures. Methodology is also disclosed.

A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.