Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for generating a homogenous and intense magnetic field includes can be adjusted for both transverse and axial gradients after completed assembly while field inhomogeneity is being measured. Gaps between pole piece bodies and pole tips are adjustable to adjust the transverse and axial gradients in a space between the pole tips.

Abstract: An entire complement or plurality of isotopically labeled amino acids are introduced into the diet of a test subject. Sufficient amounts of the isotopically labeled amino acids are provided to the subject in order to ensure that the subject incorporates a large percentage of isotopically labeled amino acids into newly synthesized proteins. Tissue samples are removed from the subject at different points in time and proteins are extracted and separated so that different proteins of different tissues can be individually analyzed and their amount and pattern of isotopic labeling can be determined. In a preferred embodiment, the methodology can be combined with proteolytic digestion to peptides and analysis by mass spectrometry in order to measure rates of protein turnover in vivo relating to thousands of different proteins.

Abstract: A shim coil assembly for positioning shim coils in a narrow gap between magnetic poles of miniature NMR devices around the magnetic center includes electric traces on multiple levels of printed circuit board layers in various, overlapping configurations. Mirror image shim coils can be connected in series in a symmetric sense or connected in series in a antisymmetric sense.

Abstract: An entire complement or plurality of isotopically labeled amino acids are introduced into the diet of a test subject. Sufficient amounts of the isotopically labeled amino acids are provided to the subject in order to ensure that the subject incorporates a large percentage of isotopically labeled amino acids into newly synthesized proteins. Tissue samples are removed from the subject at different points in time and proteins are extracted and separated so that different proteins of different tissues can be individually analyzed and their amount and pattern of isotopic labeling can be determined. In a preferred embodiment, the methodology can be combined with proteolytic digestion to peptides and analysis by mass spectrometry in order to measure rates of protein turnover in vivo relating to thousands of different proteins.

Abstract: A method is provided for acquiring multiple NMR response signal data in rapid succession for averaging NMR spectral data from a sample. The fluid sample is placed in a capillary that extends through the magnetic field of the NMR spectrometer, including through the center of the magnetic field to place a segment of the sample in the magnetic center. After the sample fluid, initially magnetized by the magnetic field, is activated to emit an NMR pulse signal, the fluid in the capillary is advanced rapidly to put another pre-magnetized segment of the sample fluid in the fluid center, acquiring an NRM pulse signal, and continuing the cycle until a desired number of NMR response data signals from the sample have been acquired. Those response data from multiple acquisitions are then averaged.

Abstract: A capillary cartridge assembly for positioning a sample fluid at a geometric center between juxtaposed pole pieces of a NMR magnet assembly for NMR analysis comprises a capillary captured in a channel in a printed circuit board assembly that is sized to fit between the pole pieces. The assembly includes a RF coil surrounding a portion of the capillary. Electric traces shaped to function as shim coils can be included in the printed circuit board. An end of the printed circuit board includes electrically conductive contacts that plug into a receptacle to connect the RF coil and traces to external electrical circuitry when the RF coil is in the geometric center. The capillary can be a continuous flow-through capillary or a closed cartridge.

Abstract: A single-pole, double-throw, transmit/receive switch for switching a NMR coil between a transmit mode and a receive mode comprises two diode bridge switches on opposites sides of a node the is common with the two diode bridges and the NMR coil. One of the two diode bridges is positioned between the coil and a preamplifier for signals received from the coil, and the other diode bridge is positioned between the coil and a RF signal transmitter for connecting and disconnecting transmitted signals to and from the coil. The NMR coil is connected to the switches through a resonant impedance matching network.

Abstract: A micro-manipulator machine for harvesting and cryofreezing crystals for cryogenic storage and subsequent analysis includes a micropositioner mechanism for converting motions manually input to a position control knob to fractionally-scaled motions of a follower mechanism which includes a tool head support arm and tool head that releasably holds a filamentary polymer cryoloop for immersion into a liquid crystal growth media and extraction of a liquid drop containing a selected crystal from the media. A first automatic actuator mechanism orbits the tool head support arm, tool head, cryoloop, liquid drop and harvested crystal from a harvesting location to a retrieval location when the micropositioner input control arm has been moved manually away from the crystal harvesting location by the operator after extracting a crystal drop, and a second automatic actuator mechanism pivots the toll head into a flowing stream of a cryogenic gas to freeze the liquid drop and crystal.

Abstract: A shim coil assembly for positioning shim coils in a narrow gap between magnetic poles of miniature NMR devices around the magnetic center includes electric traces on multiple levels of printed circuit board layers in various, overlapping configurations. Mirror image shim coils can be connected in series in a symmetric sense or connected in series in a antisymmetric sense.

Abstract: A method is provided for acquiring multiple NMR response signal data in rapid succession for averaging NMR spectral data from a sample. The fluid sample is placed in a capillary that extends through the magnetic field of the NMR spectrometer, including through the center of the magnetic field to place a segment of the sample in the magnetic center. After the sample fluid, initially magnetized by the magnetic field, is activated to emit an NMR pulse signal, the fluid in the capillary is advanced rapidly to put another pre-magnetized segment of the sample fluid in the fluid center, acquiring an NRM pulse signal, and continuing the cycle until a desired number of NMR response data signals from the sample have been acquired. Those response data from multiple acquisitions are then averaged.

Abstract: A capillary cartridge assembly for positioning a sample fluid at a geometric center between juxtaposed pole pieces of a NMR magnet assembly for NMR analysis comprises a capillary captured in a channel in a printed circuit board assembly that is sized to fit between the pole pieces. The assembly includes a RF coil surrounding a portion of the capillary. Electric traces shaped to function as shim coils can be included in the printed circuit board. An end of the printed circuit board includes electrically conductive contacts that plug into a receptacle to connect the RF coil and traces to external electrical circuitry when the RF coil is in the geometric center. The capillary can be a continuous flow-through capillary or a closed cartridge.

Abstract: A single-pole, double-throw, transmit/receive switch for switching a NMR coil between a transmit mode and a receive mode comprises two diode bridge switches on opposites sides of a node the is common with the two diode bridges and the NMR coil. One of the two diode bridges is positioned between the coil and a preamplifier for signals received from the coil, and the other diode bridge is positioned between the coil and a RF signal transmitter for connecting and disconnecting transmitted signals to and from the coil. The NMR coil is connected to the switches through a resonant impedance matching network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining NMR signals from a flowing fluid include permanent magnet assemblies for producing magnetic fields for NMR applications and instrumentations, including, but not limited to, flow metering.

Abstract: Molecular dipolar rotors comprising a base, an axle connected to said base and oriented substantially perpendicular to said base, and a rotor portion having an electric dipole moment are provided. The molecular dipolar rotors may be attached to a surface. Arrays of molecular dipolar rotors attached to surfaces are provided. Molecular dipolar rotors are useful in preparation of small devices.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for forming a fusion ball at the end of a wire protruding from an ultrasonic bonding tool preparatory to making a ball bond to a workpiece includes shielding means for attenuating electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions from an electrical arc discharge used to form the ball, which EMI emissions may damage sensitive electronic circuitry on a workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, a ball-forming arc discharge to a wire end occurs with a spark chamber in an electrically conductive electrostatic shield and preferably includes a ferromagnetic shield cup surrounding the chamber. According to the method of the present invention, a capillary ultrasonic bonding tool having a severed end of a gold bonding wire protruding from a capillary bore through the tool is moved away from a vertical line of action between the tool and a workpiece.

Abstract: Molecular dipolar rotors comprising a base, an axle connected to said base and oriented substantially perpendicular to said base, and a rotor portion having an electric dipole moment are provided. The molecular dipolar rotors may be attached to a surface. Arrays of molecular dipolar rotors attached to surfaces are provided. Molecular dipolar rotors are useful in preparation of small devices.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferroelectric and superconducting thin films used in combination to produce low-loss passive microwave and millimeter wave devices which are frequency tuneable. Various metal oxide superconducting and ferroelectric thin films can be deposited in numerous multilayer geometries via a variety of deposition techniques to produce devices which can manipulate microwave and millimeter wave signals through the application of voltage bias signals across the ferroelectric films. Numerous superconducting microwave and millimeter wave devices, including delay lines, phase shifters, resonators, oscillators, filters, electrically-small antennas, half-loop antennas, directional couplers, patch antennas, and various radiative gratings, are made frequency-tuneable by utilizing voltage-tuneable capacitor structures fabricated from voltage-biased ferroelectric thin films.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ferroelectric and superconducting thin films used in combination to produce low-loss passive microwave and millimeter wave devices which are frequency tuneable. Various metal oxide superconducting and ferroelectric thin films can be deposited in numerous multilayer geometries via a variety of deposition techniques to produce devices which can manipulate microwave and millimeter wave signals through the application of voltage bias signals across the ferroelectric films. Numerous superconducting microwave and millimeter wave devices, including delay lines, phase shifters, resonators, oscillators, filters, electrically-small antennas, half-loop antennas, directional couplers, patch antennas, and various radiative gratings, are made frequency-tuneable by utilizing voltage-tuneable capacitor structures fabricated from voltage-biased ferroelectric thin films.