Abstract: An optical system for receiving light scanned from different light origination locations in space can include a Liquid Crystal (LC) waveguide (LCW), including first and second LCW light ports. A beamsteering LC electrode can be included in or coupled to the LCW and can be configured to vary a receiving direction of light received at the second LCW light port in response to a varying electrical input signal applied to the LC electrode to scan receiving of light at the second LCW light port from different light origination locations in space. A photodetector can be optically coupled to the first LCW light port, such as to detect waveguided light from different light origination locations in space received in response to the varying electrical input signal applied to the first LC electrode. Ranger, bright-spot locking, laser detection, direct detect and coherent lidar, wavelength detection, and other techniques and use cases are possible.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, resource usage in a data retrieval process may be reduced. In some embodiments, a graph query related to a data request may be obtained. The graph query may be transformed into a query set based on a graph data model and patterns of the graph query. Upon generation, the query set may include queries and query operators linking the queries, where the query operators include a first query operator linking first and second queries of the queries or other query operators. Prior to execution of the first and second queries, a satisfiability issue may be predicted, where the satisfiability issue is related to combining results derived from the first and second queries. Based on the prediction, the first query operator may be removed from the query set to update the query set. The updated query set may be executed to satisfy the graph query.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for combusting an air-fuel mixture in a pre-chamber of a cylinder during an exhaust stroke of the cylinder responsive to fouling of the pre-chamber. In one example, a method may include injecting air into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, injecting fuel into the pre-chamber during the exhaust stroke, and actuating a pre-chamber spark plug in order to combust the air-fuel mixture during the exhaust stroke. In this way, a temperature of the pre-chamber may be increased, which may decrease a soot load of one of a pre-chamber air-injector, a pre-chamber fuel injector, and the pre-chamber spark plug.

Abstract: A closed-loop system for asynchronous brain control of at least one task includes a brain state decoder configured to decode neural signals of a user into control signals for controlling the at least one task, a task interface module configured to transmit the control signals to the at least one task, store status information including a series of messages regarding each of the at least one task, and select one message of the series of messages regarding the at least one task to transmit to the user, and a brain state encoder configured to map the one message received from the task interface module into brain state montages for transmission to the user.

Abstract: A method for processing a raw workpiece into a final workpiece is described, wherein the raw workpiece includes a metallic structure including silicon particles dispersed therein. The raw workpiece is fabricated employing an additive manufacturing process, in one embodiment. The method includes heat-treating the raw workpiece to produce an intermediate workpiece, wherein the heat-treating includes subjecting the raw workpiece to a first temperature environment for a time period to produce an intermediate workpiece to form agglomerated silicon particles, wherein the agglomerated silicon particles are disposed on a surface of the raw workpiece. The method further includes removing the agglomerated silicon particles that are disposed on the surface of the intermediate workpiece.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed invention relate to alignment of standard definition (SD) maps and high definition (HD maps) which may come from different sources. Responsive to input of a destination, a route to that destination may be defined, and SD map waypoints generated from that defined route. A graph may be generated from the HD map. The waypoints may be matched with nodes and edges in the graph. One or more edges may constitute a segment in the HD map. A plurality of segments are identified to match the route.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tracking a fuel puddle mass in the intake port of a deactivated engine cylinder. The difference in fuel evaporation rate in the deactivated cylinder intake is accounted for by applying distinct time constant and gain values to a transient fuel compensation model. A fuel vapor content is clipped once the intake vapor pressure in the intake port of the deactivated cylinder reaches a saturation pressure limit.

Abstract: Provided is a nanoparticle including a scaffold, a single template site for bonding a template polynucleotide to the scaffold, and a plurality of accessory sites for bonding accessory oligonucleotides to the scaffold, wherein the scaffold is selected from one or more scaffold DNA molecules and one or more scaffold polypeptides, the single template site for bonding a template polynucleotide to the scaffold is selected from a covalent template bonding site and a noncovalent template bonding site and the plurality of accessory sites for bonding accessory oligonucleotides to the scaffold are selected from covalent accessory oligonucleotide bonding sites and noncovalent accessory oligonucleotide bonding sites. Also provided are methods of using the nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method for plating a metallic material onto a titanium substrate, wherein the titanium substrate includes an outer surface and an oxide layer on the outer surface. The method includes chemically etching the outer surface of the titanium substrate to remove at least a portion of the oxide layer, thereby yielding an etched titanium substrate. The method also includes establishing a cathodic protection current through the etched titanium substrate while the etched titanium substrate is immersed in a cathodic electrolyte solution. The method further includes strike plating a bond promoter layer onto the outer surface of the etched titanium substrate after the establishing of the cathodic protection current. The method lastly includes plating the metallic material onto the bond promoter layer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for continuous processing of a cable-to-be-recycled simultaneously with being pulled from a pull zone during reconductoring or restringing so as to avoid storing the cable-to-be-recycled on a reel, wherein said cable-to-be-recycled has a cable length equal to a length of the pull zone, wherein the cable-to-be-recycled has aluminum strands surrounding a core, and wherein the cable-to-be-recycled is pulled during a pull from the pull zone by a first puller, the apparatus including: a strand cutter adapted to be used in proximity to the puller and adapted to continuously receive the cable-to-be-recycled and to cut through the aluminum strands of the cable-to-be-recycled, while in proximity to the puller, so as to remove segments of the aluminum strands from the core of the cable-to-be-recycled, for recycling of the segments of the aluminum strands, while leaving the core intact as the cable-to-be-recycled passes through the strand cutter during the pull from the pull zone o

Abstract: A tool holder includes a support stand which provides support for a protective wall that at least in part defines an enclosure within which a tool may be stored, the protective wall including a sheet of heat resistant material which at least in part is selectively releasable from and securable to the support stand, the sheet of heat resistant material being a flexible sheet whereby in a first orientation it serves as the protective wall but at least in part may be released from the support stand to provide a substantially flat heat resistant mat on which to rest a heated tool during periods of use of the tool.

Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second couplings are mounted to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the couplings so as to fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The couplings are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.

Abstract: A liquid crystal waveguide (LCW) can include actively controlled incoupling of light into a LCW, such as by using a voltage-controlled electrode to actively vary a property of an LC material arranged to affect the incoupling of light into the LCW. Actively varying light incoupling into the LCW can be used, for example, such as for calibration or compensation or to provide closed-loop feedback such as to stabilize the amount of light into the LCW while accommodating or reducing sensitivity of the LCW to variations in one or more of: input laser light incidence angle, input laser wavelength, LCW or input laser temperature, input laser optical power level, or the like. This can advantageously help improve or maximize light incoupling efficiency, which can improve performance and robustness of the LCW under actual operating conditions. The LCW can be used for, among other things, beamsteering in in-plane and out-of-plane directions.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed invention relate to alignment of standard definition (SD) maps and high definition (HD maps) which may come from different sources. Responsive to input of a destination, a route to that destination may be defined, and SD map waypoints generated from that defined route. A graph may be generated from the HD map. The waypoints may be matched with nodes and edges in the graph. One or more edges may constitute a segment in the HD map. A plurality of segments are identified to match the route.

Abstract: A passive component includes a body including a dummy portion and a device portion. The dummy portion and the device portion extend in a first direction and are arranged such that a longitudinal axis of the device portion is offset from a longitudinal axis of the body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The passive component further includes first and second electrical contacts on at least one surface of the body.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine torque response during transient condition. In one example, a method may include adjusting intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve based on the operator torque demand and concurrently, scheduling exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and variable cam timing (VCT) based on a predicted torque shortfall ratio. The scheduling of EGR and VCT is independent of the actual position of intake throttle and exhaust waste-gate valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving calibration of a variable compression ratio engine. Cylinder-to-cylinder compression ratio variations are detected and accounted for by comparing cylinder fuel flow and IMEP at each compression ratio setting. Dilution parameters including EGR and VCT schedule are also calibrated to account for the cylinder-to-cylinder compression ratio variations.

Abstract: Computer processor generated analysis and presentation of patent and business data in a common interface is described. The aggregation and analysis includes a method and system for evaluating a patent or patent application and proposed claim text by examining claim related information maintained in databases as well as image related information maintained in databases. The method includes deriving unique signatures of individual claims and ascertaining scope of individual claims relative to other claims in a collection, such as claims found in a classification schema and also deriving unique characteristics from images and ascertaining the scope of similarity between the images. A signature and scope of the patent claims and images may be graphically depicted to a user using various graphic elements in a user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a split exhaust engine system that provides blowthrough air and exhaust gas recirculation to an intake passage via a first exhaust manifold and exhaust gas to an exhaust passage via a second exhaust manifold. In one example, the engine system may be installed in a hybrid vehicle, and, in response to a request to restart the engine while the vehicle is being propelled via motor torque only, the engine may be rotated unfueled via the motor torque at less than cranking speed while at least partially opening a valve disposed in a passage coupled between the first exhaust manifold and the intake passage. In another example, in response to the request to restart the engine, all exhaust valves of a second set of exhaust valves coupled to the second exhaust manifold may be deactivated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions of a variable displacement engine. Fueling is initially disabled in cylinders selected to be deactivated while pumping air through the cylinders to an exhaust after-treatment catalyst, and then valve operation is disabled. On reactivation, if manifold vacuum is dissipated, one bank of cylinders are reactivated while the other bank is operated in DFSO with valves pumping air until manifold vacuum is reestablished.