Abstract: Investment casting shell composition binders comprising hydrophilic fibrils having an average diameter between about 1 nm and about less than 1 ?m can be used for the preparation of investment casting shell compositions or slurries. The investment casting shell binders and compositions can be used in an investment casting process to produce investment casting shells with improved shell build thickness and strength.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device and a method of fabrication thereof. Additionally, a system and a method for point of care testing of multiple biomarkers such as glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid, and bilirubin is provided. The microfluidic assembly consists of three layers in which the top and the middle layers are made up of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the bottom layer with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The device integrates screen printed non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors in the bottom layer for simultaneous detection of glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid, and bilirubin. A hand held potentiostat with readout enables readout for the point of care application of integrated sensing device. The device developed has potential to revamp healthcare by providing access to affordable technology for better management a diabetes and related complications at every door step.

Abstract: A machine and method for reducing giveaway material on mint products. The machine may include a conveying assembly for conveying a plurality of mints products to be processed. The machine may also include a processing assembly for processing at least one given mint product at a time, so as to remove an amount of giveaway material from each one of the mint products. The machine may also include a recuperating assembly for recuperating mint products having being processed.

Abstract: A vertically disposed HID lamp fixture for growing plants, which includes a housing having an interior, an exterior, a top hole, and a lower lip defining a light opening towards the plants, further including an inlet duct and outlet duct for the forced air cooling embodiment, a socket tower having an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange affixed around the perimeter of the top hole securing the socket tower to the housing, a reflector having an aperture, the lower flange affixed around the perimeter of the aperture suspends the reflector within the housing such that an isolation chamber is formed between the exterior side of the reflector and the interior of the housing, a HID lamp removably engages within said socket tower longitudinally extending substantially downward and through said aperture vertically disposed above said light opening sealed by a compressively held glass sheet.

Abstract: A multi-channel capacitive sensor for measuring the capacitances of a plurality of sense electrodes to a system reference potential. The sensor comprises a sample capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, a first diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a first sense electrode, and a second diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a second sense electrode. The sample capacitor and diodes are coupled to a control circuit, e.g. implemented in a microcontroller. The control circuit is operable to apply a drive signal, e.g. a series of voltage pulses, to the first terminal of the sample capacitor while simultaneously applying a bias signal to the second terminal of one or other of the diodes to prevent the diode from conducting the drive signal.

Abstract: Stay-in-place forms and methods and equipment for installing thereof. A concrete form includes a vertical component and a horizontal component, the vertical component located substantially perpendicular to the horizontal component. Also, the form includes an interior surface, at least a portion of the interior surface providing a form for supporting uncured concrete; wherein the uncured concrete forms a concrete structural portion upon curing of the uncured concrete; and wherein the interior surface remains attached to the concrete structural portion after curing. The form may include inserts and compatible form attachments. Also, forms including recesses may be utilized to reduce the weight thereof. Lifting equipment and accessories may be utilized to lift the form from a form holder and set same in place. Forms contain the work area as soon as it is installed to minimize fall hazards and the time, costs, and downtime associated with installation of safety measures.

Abstract: A method including applying a first excitation voltage to an electrode of a touch sensor which charges a capacitive node associated with the electrode from a first voltage level to a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level. A first measurement measures a charge to change from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. A second excitation voltage is applied to the electrode which charges the capacitive node from the second voltage level to a third voltage level that is greater than the second voltage level. The capacitive node is discharged from the third voltage level to a fourth voltage level that is less than the second voltage level. A second measurement measures a charge to change from the third voltage level to the fourth voltage level. A measured charge signal is generated based on the first measurement and the second measurement.

Abstract: A method including applying a first excitation voltage to an electrode of a touch sensor which charges a capacitive node associated with the electrode from a first voltage level to a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level. A first measurement measures a charge to change from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. A second excitation voltage is applied to the electrode which charges the capacitive node from the second voltage level to a third voltage level that is greater than the second voltage level. The capacitive node is discharged from the third voltage level to a fourth voltage level that is less than the second voltage level. A second measurement measures a charge to change from the third voltage level to the fourth voltage level. A measured charge signal is generated based on the first measurement and the second measurement.

Abstract: A multi-channel capacitive sensor for measuring the capacitances of a plurality of sense electrodes to a system reference potential. The sensor comprises a sample capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, a first diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a first sense electrode, and a second diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the sample capacitor and a second terminal coupled to a second sense electrode. The sample capacitor and diodes are coupled to a control circuit, e.g. implemented in a microcontroller. The control circuit is operable to apply a drive signal, e.g. a series of voltage pulses, to the first terminal of the sample capacitor while simultaneously applying a bias signal to the second terminal of one or other of the diodes to prevent the diode from conducting the drive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a power tool. One system includes a power tool communication system that includes an external device and a power tool. The external device includes a user interface configured to receive a first selection to enable a feature of a power tool, and receive a second selection of a threshold of a motor characteristic of the power tool. The power tool includes a motor within a housing. The power tool receives the selected feature and the selected threshold from the external device. The power tool includes a sensor configured to monitor the motor characteristic of the motor. The power tool further includes an electronic processor that controls the motor to operate according to the selected feature and adjusts an operating parameter of the motor when the motor characteristic is determined to cross the selected threshold.

Abstract: An attachment combination for positioning an accessory along an elongate structure such as a shoe lace a shoe strap, arm or finger where the accessory has a loop attached to the accessory that at least in part holds the accessory to the elongate structure. In one form the accessory has a closed loop held inside a releasable clasp that has an open position for receiving the closed loop and the elongate structure and a closed position that holds the elongate structure and the closed loop together in a pocket formed by the releasable clap. The releasable clasp is a flexible strap having joinable sections that when spaced apart allow the strap to receive both the loop band and the elongate structure and when joined together surround the elongate structure and hold the loop band together with the elongate structure. The joinable sections may be the hook and loop portions of a hook and loop type strap. In another form the releasable clasp may be attached directly to the accessory.

Abstract: A vertically disposed HID lamp fixture for growing plants, which includes a housing having an interior, an exterior, a top hole, and a lower lip defining a light opening towards the plants, further including an inlet duct and outlet duct for the forced air cooling embodiment, a socket tower having an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper flange affixed around the perimeter of the top hole securing the socket tower to the housing, a reflector having an aperture, the lower flange affixed around the perimeter of the aperture suspends the reflector within the housing such that an isolation chamber is formed between the exterior side of the reflector and the interior of the housing, a HID lamp removably engages within said socket tower longitudinally extending substantially downward and through said aperture vertically disposed above said light opening sealed by a compressively held glass sheet.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor and an impact mechanism. The impact mechanism is coupled to the motor and includes a hammer driven by the motor, and an anvil positioned at a nose of the power tool, and configured to receive an impact from the hammer. The power tool also includes a sensor assembly positioned at the nose of the power tool, and an electronic processor. The sensor assembly includes an output position sensor configured to generate an output signal indicative of a position of the hammer or the anvil. The electronic processor is coupled to the output position sensor and to the motor, and is configured to operate the motor based on the output signal from the output position sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides organic compounds which are capable of releasing carbon monoxide under physiological conditions or pH trigger, and to the use of such compounds for conditioning a cell, tissue or organ, for example, to protect against ischaemic injury during a transplant event.

Abstract: A power tool including a motor and an impact mechanism. The impact mechanism is coupled to the motor and includes a hammer driven by the motor, and an anvil positioned at a nose of the power tool, and configured to receive an impact from the hammer. The power tool also includes a sensor assembly positioned at the nose of the power tool, and an electronic processor. The sensor assembly includes an output position sensor configured to generate an output signal indicative of a position of the hammer or the anvil. The electronic processor is coupled to the output position sensor and to the motor, and is configured to operate the motor based on the output signal from the output position sensor.