Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a sample for analysis. The method comprises: providing a sample comprising a surface region of interest on a first face of the sample and a second face oriented at an angle to the first face about a common edge between the first and second faces, the second face extending between the common edge and a second edge on the opposing side of the second face of the sample; and milling the second face of the sample to provide a trench in the surface of the second face, the trench extending from a first position on the second face between the common edge and the second edge to a second position adjacent to the common edge; wherein the trench is arranged so as to provide an electron transparent sample layer comprising the surface region of interest. By milling the second face of the sample only, a surface region of interest on the first face of the sample is fully preserved and remains free of milling beam induced damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consolidated nonwoven consolidated by treatment with an aqueous binder composition comprising: a polymer P, a polyvinyl alcohol, optional a starch compound S and optional at least one metal compound M selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium and zinc, in the form of an oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate, wherein the polymer P is obtainable by free radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture of 75 to 99% by weight of one or more monomers a) selected from the group consisting of esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid with alkanols of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aliphatic conjugated diene and aromatic vinyl compound 1 to 25% by weight of one or more monomers b) selected from the group consisting of N-methylolacrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide, glycidyl methacrylate and carboxylic acid-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers ?0 to 15% by weight of one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomer c) different from any of monomers

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy-absorbing component for absorbing energy of impacts thereon, where the energy-absorbing component can be plastically deformed by an impact and optionally can undergo at least some extent of destruction. The energy-absorbing component contains at least one core structure and at least one ancillary structure. The at least one core structure is manufactured from a first material which is a metal or is a polymer reinforced with continuous-filament fibers, and the at least one ancillary structure is manufactured from a second material which is an unreinforced polymer material or is a polymer material reinforced with short fibers or with long fibers. The at least one ancillary structure may include ribs and may be bonded to at least one core structure, so that the at least one ancillary structure supports the at least one core structure connected thereto. Processes for producing the energy-absorbing component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for analysing electron backscatter diffraction data generated from a sample material. An image data set representative of an image of electron backscatter diffraction bands is obtained from the sample material. A set of estimated first diffraction parameters is then generated, these defining individual electron backscatter diffraction bands in the image data set. A candidate phase is then selected together with a respective orientation for the material, based upon the generated set of estimated parameters thereby identifying diffraction bands in the image data set. Second diffraction parameters of the identified diffraction bands are simulated for the candidate phase according to the respective orientation. These second diffraction parameters are then adjusted for the identified simulated bands so as to fit the simulated bands to the bands in the image data.

Abstract: A method is provided for analysing electron backscatter diffraction data generated from a sample material. An image data set representative of an image of electron backscatter diffraction bands is obtained from the sample material. A set of estimated first diffraction parameters is then generated, these defining individual electron backscatter diffraction bands in the image data set. A candidate phase is then selected together with a respective orientation for the material, based upon the generated set of estimated parameters thereby identifying diffraction bands in the image data set. Second diffraction parameters of the identified diffraction bands are simulated for the candidate phase according to the respective orientation. These second diffraction parameters are then adjusted for the identified simulated bands so as to fit the simulated bands to the bands in the image data.

Abstract: A system for providing collision avoidance in underwater vehicles contains a spectral analysis module for determining expectation value of acoustic (incoherent) intensity. The system also contains an intercept time estimation module for: receiving continuous time series of a current incoherent acoustic intensity and low pass filtering the time series of the current incoherent acoustic intensity; estimating temporal intensity rate of change; determining an estimated time to collision for an approaching source; and performing statistical regression analysis resulting in an estimated time of potential collision and an uncertainty measure.

Abstract: A system for providing collision avoidance in underwater vehicles contains a spectral analysis module for determining expectation value of acoustic (incoherent) intensity. The system also contains an intercept time estimation module for: receiving continuous time series of a current incoherent acoustic intensity and low pass filtering the time series of the current incoherent acoustic intensity; estimating temporal intensity rate of change; determining an estimated time to collision for an approaching source; and performing statistical regression analysis resulting in an estimated time of potential collision and an uncertainty measure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating at least two biocomponents contained in a liquid including having different pI values. The method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first separating path with at least one separating layer comprising one or more pH active components with pH active groups, ii. applying the liquid with the biocomponents to the separating coating, iii: applying a voltage over the separating path, iv. allowing at least some of the biocomponents to travel towards one of the electrodes to one or more collection stations, v. collecting the once separated biocomponents from at least one collection station. The invention also relates to a separating system for use in the method. The separation system comprises a set of separating paths, the separating system comprising 2 or more separating paths that differ from each other with respect to the pH value of the separating coating.

Abstract: An oceanographic sampling system includes two or more underwater vehicles disposed in an array and an array controller for controlling the array of underwater vehicles as data is acquired. Each underwater vehicle includes a propulsion system for moving the underwater vehicle independently of the other underwater vehicles, a sensor for sensing an ocean parameter and providing sensor data representative of the ocean parameter as the underwater vehicle moves, a navigation subsystem for determining position data representative of the position of the underwater vehicle as the sensor data is acquired and a synchronizing subsystem for time synchronizing the sensor data and the position data acquired by the underwater vehicle with sensor data and position data acquired by other underwater vehicles. The array of underwater vehicles may function as a large aperture phased array, and phased array analysis techniques may be applied to the time-synchronized sensor data and position data.

Abstract: An adaptive oceanographic sampling system includes several stationary acoustic tomography units distributed in an ocean volume, a processing and control system and at least one underwater vehicle movable within the ocean volume. Each of the acoustic tomography units includes an acoustic source for transmitting acoustic energy in the ocean volume, a receiver array for generating acoustic tomography data in response to received acoustic energy and a transmitter for transmitting the acoustic tomography data. The acoustic tomography data represents an ocean characteristic in the ocean volume. The processing and control system analyzes the acoustic tomography data and determines a region of interest within the ocean volume. The processing and control system then directs the underwater vehicle to move to the region of interest. The underwater vehicle includes a sensor for sensing an ocean parameter and providing sensor data representative of the ocean parameter in the region of interest.