Abstract: An automated heating and/or foaming apparatus and a method for heating and/or foaming a liquid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a stage, a liquid sensor, a measuring sensor, and a steam pipe. The stage is configured to support a container holding a consumable liquid. The liquid sensor is configured to recognize a type of the consumable liquid. The measuring sensor is configured to detect a surface level of the consumable liquid. The steam pipe includes a nozzle configured to inject water vapor or compressed gas into the consumable liquid to heat and/or foam the consumable liquid. A position of the nozzle in the consumable liquid relative to the surface level of the consumable liquid is adjusted based on the type and/or volume of the consumable liquid detected by the consumable liquid sensor and/or measuring sensor.

Abstract: An acoustic touch device able to distinguish between user finger touches and other noise-making events includes ultrasonic transmitting and receiving units, and a controller. The ultrasonic receiving unit generates low-frequency electrical signals when the acoustic touch device is touched by an external object or affected by acoustic noise. The low frequency electrical signals cause variation in the output electrical signals of the ultrasonic receiving unit. The controller is configured to power on or power off the ultrasonic transmitting unit according to such variation.

Abstract: An acoustic touch device able to distinguish between user finger touches and other noise-making events includes ultrasonic transmitting and receiving units, and a controller. The ultrasonic receiving unit generates low-frequency electrical signals when the acoustic touch device is touched by an external object or affected by acoustic noise. The low frequency electrical signals cause variation in the output electrical signals of the ultrasonic receiving unit. The controller is configured to power on or power off the ultrasonic transmitting unit according to such variation.

Abstract: A TEM specimen kit is disclosed, which comprises: (a) a top substrate and a bottom substrate, the top and the bottom substrates being transparent and substantially parallel to each other; (b) a first spacer and a second spacer, located beneath the top substrate and sitting on the bottom substrate, the second spacer being opposite to and spaced apart from the first spacer at a distance of d; and (c) a chamber formed between the top and bottom substrate and between the first and second spacer, the chamber having two ends open to the atmosphere and characterized by having a height defined by the thickness h of the spacer, wherein the height being smaller than the diameter of a red blood cell. Also enclosed are methods for preparing a dry specimen for TEM nanoparticle characterization, and methods for analyzing TEM images of nanoparticles in a liquid sample.

Abstract: A TEM specimen kit is disclosed, which comprises: (a) a top substrate and a bottom substrate, the top and the bottom substrates being transparent and substantially parallel to each other; (b) a first spacer and a second spacer, located beneath the top substrate and sitting on the bottom substrate, the second spacer being opposite to and spaced apart from the first spacer at a distance of d; and (c) a chamber formed between the top and bottom substrate and between the first and second spacer, the chamber having two ends open to the atmosphere and characterized by having a height defined by the thickness h of the spacer, wherein the height being smaller than the diameter of a red blood cell. Also enclosed are methods for preparing a dry specimen for TEM nanoparticle characterization, and methods for analyzing TEM images of nanoparticles in a liquid sample.