Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminium and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6 mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material.

Abstract: A power distribution system is described that does not rely on a fixed frequency and which therefore allows prime movers to run at different speeds in response to load demand, typically so that fuel consumption and/or harmful exhaust emissions is/are minimised. A marine power distribution and propulsion system can include an ac busbar adapted to carry a variable-frequency ac distribution voltage. A plurality of ac generators are connected to the busbar, each having an associated prime mover such as a diesel engine, turbine etc. A power management controller is adapted to vary the rotational speed of the prime movers with reference to the electrical load on the ac busbar such that the generators provide a variable frequency output during normal operation of the power distribution system. Such operation is to be contrasted with conventional distribution systems which have a fixed frequency.

Abstract: A shower head assembly (2) comprising a body (4) having a flow passage (10) therethrough, said flow passage (10) having an outlet opening (16) at an outer end thereof, and a plurality of inserts (18), each insert (18) being adapted to be releasably mounted within the outlet opening of the body and including a flow restriction adapted to create a spray of water from the shower head, each insert being securable within the outlet opening by cooperating formations (20) formed on an outer wall of the insert (18) and an inner wall of said outlet opening (16) enabling periodic removal and replacement of the insert (18) from the outlet opening (16) of the body (4). Preferably said inserts (18) are visually distinguishable from one another.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etchstop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etchstop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etchstop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etchstop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etchstop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etchstop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: A method of riveting comprising using a punch to push a rivet through a workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is received in a die defined by a die body which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material being removed from the workpiece by the rivet and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (10) for forming joints in stacked sheets of high or low strength, light alloy metals such as aluminum and magnesium. The rivet (10) comprises a head (11) and a substantially cylindrical shank (12) that is at least partially hollow so as to define a bore (13) that extends along at least part of its length. The outside diameter (D1) of the shank (12) is at least 6 mm, the effective length of the rivet is at least 1.3 times the diameter of the shank and the bore (13) has a volume that is at least 38% of the effective solid volume of the rivet (10). The rivet geometry is such that it has enhanced column strength to withstand the high insertion forces required and a high bore volume to accommodate displaced sheet material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of dispensing liquid, and a liquid dispensing device. The method and device include a controller having a multi-phase droplet ejection cycle stored thereon. The multiphase droplet ejection cycle dispenses the droplet in two stages. Advantageously, this provides highly accurate droplets of very small volumes without the formation of satellite droplets.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etchstop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etchstop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etchstop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods using constructs comprising a helicase and an additional polynucleotide binding moiety. The helicase is attached to the polynucleotide binding moiety and the construct has the ability to control the movement of a polynucleotide. The constructs can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antigen binding proteins, such as antibodies, that bind to HER3, polynucleotides encoding such antigen binding proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said antigen binding proteins and methods of manufacture. The present disclosure also concerns the use of such antigen binding proteins in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases associated with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic, gastric, melanoma and other cancers that overexpress HER3.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified helicases with reduced unbinding from polynucleotides. The helicases can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: A spray head comprising a body having a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage having an outlet opening, a mouthpiece being mounted on said body, said mouthpiece having a wall portion defining a through channel communicating with said flow passage, a deflector element being provided comprising a head portion located centrally within said through channel of the mouthpiece to define a flow path between said head portion of the deflector element and said wall portion of the mouthpiece and an elongate stem extending inwardly from the head portion into said flow passage of the body to define a flow restriction within said flow passage, characterised in that the deflector element is supported within the through channel of the mouthpiece by at least one elongate rib or leg extending between said wall portion of the mouthpiece or a wall portion of the flow passage and a portion of the deflector element.

Abstract: The invention relates to mutant forms of lysenin. The invention also relates to analyte characterisation using lysenin.

Abstract: A steering arrangement including a first, second, third and fourth hydraulic chamber, the first and third chambers being operable to steer in a first direction and the second and fourth chambers being operable to steer in a second direction. A pump system supplies fluid to a steering system, which is operable to supply the pressurised fluid to one or more of the first, second, third and fourth hydraulic chambers. The steering system having a first mode wherein fluid is supplied to the first and third hydraulic chambers to steer in the first direction, or pressurised fluid is supplied to the second and fourth hydraulic chambers to steer in the second direction. The steering system having a second mode to steer in the first direction, or to steer in the second direction, such that the steering ratio is higher in the second mode than in the first mode.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.

Abstract: A room or area designed to facilitate a plurality of users moving while they learn, work, or participate in a simulation. sensor relays aid this process by sending and receiving user information to a central hub, a movement device, one another or any combination of the three, in order to safely benefit the users coordination, exercise, or concentration while multitasking, according to their own user defined set points, a set of default set points, or set points determined by an external observer. This room or area may be further enhanced in applications where a treadmill or moving walkway is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining the presence, absence or characteristics of an analyte. The analyte is coupled to a membrane. The invention also relates to nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for using solar panels to power display panels, wherein the solar panels are powered by solar energy which passes through the display panels. Variations of this disclosure include embodiments where cameras are hidden behind the display panels to display false images or video opposing display panels, embodiments where the display panels show prerecorded feed, or variations where a magnifying glass display panel amplifies the energy to the solar panels. In one preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the display panel may serve the dual function of acting as both monitor and magnifying glass thereby amplifying the solar energy absorbed in an environment that obscures said energy. A preferred embodiment of this disclosure comprises solar panels on the front face of the tiles of an led monitor, protruded by LED bulbs, said solar panels behind the display panel and send collected energy to a rechargeable battery.