Abstract: A method of producing nanoscale materials comprising the steps of entraining liquid droplets containing at least one nanoparticle precursor within a gaseous stream, and passing said gaseous stream containing said liquid droplets through a non-thermal equilibrium plasma whereby said plasma interacts with said at least one nanoparticle precursor to produce nanoparticles within said droplets without substantial evaporation of the droplets and conveying the thus produced nanoparticles within said gaseous stream downstream of said plasma.

Abstract: Systems, methods and techniques for monitoring a pairing established between two devices via a short-range pairing mechanism. A security system comprises a server and an electronic device. The electronic device includes a transmitter configured to transmit data to the server, a receiver configured to receive data from the server, and a processing system including a processor. The processing system of the electronic device is configured to establish a pairing between the electronic device and a third party device through the short-range pairing mechanism, to receive information from the third party device via the short-range pairing mechanism, and to determine whether the pairing with the third party device is broken.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of manufacturing a container with a leak resistant seal. The method includes forming an elastomer or a plastic or any combination thereof into a container inside out by forming an outside portion of the container on an internal surface of the container before inverting the container and forming an inside portion of the container on an external surface of the container before inverting the container. In embodiments, the method includes forming or coupling a leak resistant seal on the external surface of the container before inverting the container. The leak resistant seal provides access to the inside portion of the container when the leak resistant seal is open after inverting the container and holds at least liquid internal to the container when applying an external force to the container without use of an external structure to keep the leak resistant seal closed after inverting the container.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises crowd-sourced computer-implemented methods and systems of collecting and transforming portable device data. One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as a system including an electronic device including a sensor configured to collect data, the device configured to begin collection of data based on a command from a user of the electronic device; and a server configured to issue a command to the electronic device to turn on the sensor and transmit data collected by the sensor to the server without any input by the user of the electronic device when a condition is met.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Abstract: Systems, methods and techniques for monitoring a pairing established between two devices via a short-range pairing mechanism. A security system comprises a server and an electronic device. The electronic device includes a transmitter configured to transmit data to the server, a receiver configured to receive data from the server, and a processing system including a processor. The processing system of the electronic device is configured to establish a pairing between the electronic device and a third party device through the short-range pairing mechanism, to receive information from the third party device via the short-range pairing mechanism, and to determine whether the pairing with the third party device is broken.

Abstract: An insect trap apparatus that includes a reusable cover member defining a trap chamber, a suspension assembly operatively connected to the cover member to permit suspension of the cover member at a suspension point, and a trap configured to at least one of lure, trap, and collect insects. The trap may be connected to the suspension assembly to permit suspension of the trap inside the trap chamber. An inner surface of the cover member is provided with a coating to prevent adhering of the trap to the cover member when the trap is in an operating position inside the trap chamber.

Abstract: A portable and expandable solar-powered lantern that includes a light source, at least one solar panel in electrical communication with a battery to power the light source, and a self-erecting coil structure defining a frame covered by a compliant shade member. The frame includes an inner coil member coiled in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and an outer coil member coiled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The coil structure is moveable between a collapsed storage position and an expanded position, the compliant shade member limiting the length of the frame when the coil structure is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A portable and expandable lantern configured to emit light. The lantern includes a self-erecting coil structure that permits manipulation of the lantern between a collapsed storage, position and an expanded, deployed position. The self-erecting coil structure which defines a frame, and includes an inner coil member which is coiled in a first direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the frame, and an outer coil member which is coiled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An interchangeable, compliant shade member acts as a tension member to restrict the length of the frame when the lantern is in the expanded, deployed position.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to attach and secure to an expandable implant. The insertion instrument includes a securement member that is configured to be secured to the implant both when the implant is in a collapsed configuration and when the implant is in an expanded configuration. The insertion instrument further includes a drive member that is configured to actuate the implant to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to attach and secure to an expandable implant. The insertion instrument includes a securement member that is configured to be secured to the implant both when the implant is in a collapsed configuration and when the implant is in an expanded configuration. The insertion instrument further includes a drive member that is configured to actuate the implant to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An expandable intervertebral implant includes a first endplate and a second endplate, a first wedge member and a second wedge member spaced from the first wedge member that couple the first and second endplates together. The first and second wedge members configured to translate along an actuation member housed between the first and second endplates to cause the implant to expand from a first collapsed configuration into a second expanded configuration. The actuation member has a first threaded section spaced apart from a second threaded section where the first and second threaded sections are at an angle with each other. Between the first and second threaded sections on the actuation member there is a section that permits the first and second threaded sections to rotate in the same rotational direction.

Abstract: A system for analyzing data received from at least one mobile electronic device comprises a mobile electronic device and a server. The mobile electronic device includes a sensor configured to collect video, audio and/or imagery data, and the mobile electronic device is configured to initiate collection of data based on a command from a user of the mobile electronic device. The server includes a receiver configured to receive the video, audio and/or imagery data collected by the sensor of the mobile electronic device and a processing system. The processing system of the server includes a processor and is configured to, when a condition is met in accordance with a rule established on the server, issue a command to turn on the sensor of the mobile electronic device and enable the mobile electronic device to transmit the video, audio and/or imagery data collected by the sensor to the server, without any input by the user of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one process parameter of a plasma process being performed on a semiconductor wafer, surface or surface and determine arc events occurring within the plasma tool chamber. The method comprises the steps of detecting the modulated light being generated from the plasma sheath during the plasma process; sampling RF voltage and current signals from the RF transmission line; processing the detected modulated light and the RF signals to produce at least one monitor statistic for the plasma process, and process the monitor signal to determine the occurrence of arcing events during the wafer processing.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises crowd-sourced computer-implemented methods and systems of collecting and transforming portable device data. One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as a system including an electronic device including a sensor configured to collect data, the device configured to begin collection of data based on a command from a user of the electronic device; and a server configured to issue a command to the electronic device to turn on the sensor and transmit data collected by the sensor to the server without any input by the user of the electronic device when a condition is met.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one process parameter of a plasma process being performed on a semiconductor wafer, surface or surface and determine arc events occurring within the plasma tool chamber. The method comprises the steps of detecting the modulated light being generated from the plasma sheath during the plasma process; sampling RF voltage and current signals from the RF transmission line; processing the detected modulated light and the RF signals to produce at least one monitor statistic for the plasma process, and process the monitor signal to determine the occurrence of arcing events during the wafer processing.

Abstract: A container made of an elastomer such as silicone with an integrated leak resistant seal. The seal incorporates press-fit elements with sizes and shapes sufficient to provide a strong seal that resists leakage of liquids from inside the container. The seal is integrated into the container and requires no external clips or clasps. Additional features are provided to facilitate opening such as extended flaps for pulling the sides open, and asymmetric cavities for press-fit elements to reduce the initial opening force. The container itself may be of asymmetrical shape, such as trapezoidal, to provide a wide opening along with a strong seal.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises crowd-sourced computer-implemented methods and systems of collecting requested data. One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as an electronic device including a request creating unit, a transmitter, and a receiver. The request creating unit is configured to create a request. The transmitter is configured to transmit the request for data to a plurality of collecting devices, to transmit an acceptance message to at least one of the plurality of collecting devices, and to transmit payment to each of the plurality of collecting devices to which the acceptance message was sent. The receiver is configured to receive bids from each of the plurality of collecting devices as proposed payment for collecting the data, and to receive the data from each of the plurality of collecting devices.