Abstract: An Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) receiver configured to receive an incoming optical beam modulated with data and output an output signal including the modulated data. A lens receives the incoming optical beam. Photodiodes positioned at a distance from the lens and proximal to the focal plane of the lens receive a fraction of the incoming optical beam and generate a photocurrent in correspondence with photons received. The photodiodes are provided in a two-dimensional array including rows and columns wherein outputs of the columns are combined and their photocurrents are summed. An amplifier connected to the combined output of the columns converts the summed photocurrents into an output signal. Interconnections of the photodiodes form at least two parallel branches wherein each branch includes a cascade of at least two photodiodes forming a combined photodetector surface.

Abstract: A method of operating an optical switch (1) arranged in an optical DCN (2), comprising: providing first and second NIC's (3, 10), having first and second label channel parts (5, 12) and first and second data channel parts (6, 13), configured in a first and second ToR (7, 14) of a first and second server rack (8, 15), arranging an optical switch communicating with the first and second data channel parts via first and second data channels (16, 17), configuring a switch controller (18) communicating with the first and second label channel parts via first and second label channels (19, 20), transmitting destination information of data packets (30) carried by paired label packets (31) to the switch controller, transmitting data packets to the optical switch, generating signals (45) to configure the optical switch, and sending the data packets to a destination port.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a silicon substrate having two opposite main surfaces. A first main surface of the two main surfaces is covered with a passivation layer stack, including a POx- and Al-including-layer covering the first main surface, and a capping layer which covers the POx- and Al-including-layer. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A closed-cycle thermal energy storage system includes a thermochemical reactor [400] containing a solid thermochemical material, a heat exchanger [402], a fan [406] for creating forced convection of an air/water mixture circulating around the closed cycle, an evaporator/condenser [408], and a pressure control system that includes a pressure sensor [422], a controller [424], and a pump [404]. The pressure control system actively controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to produce a desired temperature difference across the thermochemical reactor [400]. The adjustable pressure control system controls the pressure of the air/water mixture to a first pressure (e.g., between 10 mbar and 1 bar) during a hydration phase and a second pressure (e.g., between 1 bar and 10 bar) during a dehydration phase.

Abstract: A notochordal cell matrix solution as a bioactive lubricant in the treatment of Osteoarthritis, more specifically for use as a bioactive lubricant in viscosupplementation. The notochordal cell matrix solution is capable of reducing the pain in osteoarthritic joints.

Abstract: A device for generating soft x-rays includes an electron source configured to generate an electron beam comprising electron micro-bunches; an electron accelerator configured to accelerate the electron micro-bunches from the electron source; and a laser configured to generate a laser beam (536) colliding with the accelerated electron micro-bunches (534) in a counterpropagating direction to generate the soft x-rays by inverse Compton scattering. The electron source has a magneto-optical trap configured to produce an ultracold atomic gas; two counterpropagating excitation laser beams configured to produce a standing wave for inducing a periodic spatial modulation of the ultracold atomic gas along a beam propagation direction; and an ionization laser configured to induce photo-ionization of the ultracold atomic gas.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for biosensing a target substance [110] using a collection of particles [104] tethered to a surface [100] by tether molecules [102] and a plurality of capture molecules. A concentration of the target substance is determined from the time sequence of individual association/dissociation rates of the capture molecules. Competitive assay configurations are also described.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device is provided that includes an input optical fiber carrying multiple input optical signals, where each input optical signal includes a unique wavelength, an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) having multiple output fibers, where the input optical fiber is connected to the AWGR, distal ends of the output fibers are arranged in a two-dimensional fiber array, the input optical signals are routed by the AWGR according to each unique wavelength to a unique AWGR output fiber, and a lens, where the distal ends of the output fibers are disposed proximal to a focal plane of the lens, where for each unique position of each output fiber distal end with respect to a the lens, each input optical signal is steered at a unique angle as an output beam emitted from the lens, where changing the wavelength of the input optical signal changes the output signal angles.

Abstract: A small-sized, portable enclosure protects a gas sensor against degradation due to environmental exposure and changes in atmospheric conditions. The protective enclosure includes an inlet for introduction of a gas into the enclosure, an outlet for release of the gas upon completion of a sensing run, and a number of in-line filters that remove from the inflowing gas sample analytes, contaminants, and other materials that can compromise the integrity of the sensor or cause the sensor to degrade over time. The enclosure does not include any filters during the measurement phase of the sensing run in order to allow the gas sensor to accurately measure an unmodified gas mixture and/or analyte.

Abstract: A solubilized notochordal cell matrix powder dissolved in a carrier solvent or formed as a gel is provided. The notochordal cell matrix powder originates from lyophilized and treated porcine nucleus pulposus tissue containing notochordal cells. The powder contains less than 20% of porcine nucleid acids, and the powder contains a substantially unchanged amount of porcine protein content compared to the originating porcine nucleus pulposus tissue. The solubilized notochordal cell matrix powder is capable of stimulating native or stem cells to proliferate and produce a significant increase inglycosaminoglycansand type-II collagen matrix. Embodiments of the invention can be used for the disc regenerative treatment of discogenic back and neck pain in an orthopaedic and/or pharmaceutical setting/approach.

Abstract: A biosensing device for continuous monitoring of an analyte in a fluid matrix includes an electromagnetic excitation element [402], a biosensing surface [406], an opposing surface [410], a separation component [420,422], light collection optics [412], a light sensor [414], an image recording and analysis system [416], and an excitation control system [400]. The separation component is connected to the biosensing surface and to the opposing surface, forming a concave gap region [408] between the biosensing surface and the opposing surface. The biosensing surface comprises biosensing particles sensitive to electromagnetic signals from the electromagnetic excitation element, where an optical response of the biosensing particles to the electromagnetic signals is adapted to change in the presence of an analyte in the gap region. The light collection optics couple light emitted from the biosensing particles on the biosensing surface to the light sensor.

Abstract: Culturing of organized 3D networks of neuronal cells is provided. Individual neuronal cells are encapsulated in gel beads. The gel beads are self-assembled into ordered structures in a bioreactor. Subsequent culturing of the cells in the bioreactor leads to the formation of an organized 3D network of the neuronal cells. Such structures have many applications, especially for as says of neuronal network function and/or structure.

Abstract: A seven-degrees of freedom modular robotic device is provided for controlling an instrument, e.g. a bone-drilling or milling device with a precision of about 50 ?m and maximum force of 50 N. The robotic device is a serial kinematic chain of six rotational degrees of freedom and one translational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method for sensing an analyte uses tethered particle motion. A functionalized particle has a first state in which the functionalized particle is bound to the surface and a second state in which the functionalized particle is not bound to the surface, where the functionalized particle switches between the first and second states depending on the presence and absence of the analyte, thereby changing motion characteristics of the functionalized particle depending on the presence of the analyte. A spatial coordinate parameter of the functionalized particle is measured by a detector, and a processor determines the presence/concentration of the analyte from changes in the measured spatial coordinate parameter.

Abstract: A hard-decision (HD) forward error correcting (FEC) coded signal is decoded by a decoder to produce decoded bits using marked reliable bits of the HD-FEC coded signal and marked unreliable bits of the HD-FEC coded signal. The marked reliable and unreliable bits are computed by calculation and marking blocks based on an absolute value of log-likelihood ratios of the HD-FEC coded signal. The HD-FEC coded signal may be, for example, a staircase code coded signal or a product code coded signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method for quantitative visualization of uterine strain. The method includes receiving a number of 2D or 3D image frames acquired via an imaging technique and selecting a number of confidential points, determining the orientation of the uterus using the confidential points, selecting a region of interest, generating a grid of tracking points inside the region of interest and tracking and estimating the displacement of tracking points between frames. From a varying distance between each couple or set of tracking points, a strain is calculated. The orientation of the grid of tracking points and of the calculated strain is dependent on the determined orientation of the uterus.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample. The method includes optically exciting at least part of the sample. This step includes directing excitation light onto an interface between the sample and a medium. The excitation light is incident onto the interface under an angle of incidence such that total internal reflection of the excitation light occurs at the interface. The method further includes measuring the electric field using a terahertz near-field probe, wherein the terahertz near-field probe is positioned on one side of the interface and the excitation light approaches the interface on another side of the interface. This disclosure further relates to a system and computer program for measuring an electric field in the near-field region of an optically excited sample.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a surgical robotic system for use in a surgical procedure, including a surgical arm having a movable arm part for mounting of a surgical instrument having at least one degree-of-freedom to enable longitudinal movement of the surgical instrument towards a surgical target. Some other embodiments are directed to a human machine interface for receiving positioning commands from a human operator for controlling the longitudinal movement of the surgical instrument, and an actuator configured for actuating the movable arm part to effect the longitudinal movement of the surgical instrument, and controlled by a processor in accordance with the positioning commands and a virtual bound. The virtual bound establishes a transition in the control of the longitudinal movement of the surgical instrument in a direction towards the surgical target. The virtual bound is determined, during use of the surgical robotic system, based on the positioning commands.

Abstract: A notochordal cell matrix solution as a bioactive lubricant in the treatment of Osteoarthritis, more specifically for use as a bioactive lubricant in viscosupplementation. The notochordal cell matrix solution is capable of reducing the pain in osteoarthritic joints.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell is disclosed comprising a silicon substrate having two opposite main surfaces, wherein a first main surface of the two main surfaces is covered with a passivation layer stack, comprising a POx- and Al-comprising-layer covering the first main surface, and a capping layer which covers the POx- and Al-comprising-layer. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic cell.