Abstract: Examples of device structures utilizing layers of rare earth oxides to perform the tasks of strain engineering in transitioning between semiconductor layers of different composition and/or lattice orientation and size are given. A structure comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers separated by transition layer(s) comprising two or more rare earth compounds operable as a sink for structural defects is disclosed.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (REO, N, P) based materials to covert long wavelength photons to shorter wavelength photons that can be absorbed in a photovoltaic device (up-conversion) and (REO, N, P) materials which can absorb a short wavelength photon and re-emit one (downshifting) or more longer wavelength photons is disclosed. The wide spectral range of sunlight overlaps with a multitude of energy transitions in rare-earth materials, thus offering multiple up-conversion pathways. The refractive index contrast of rare-earth materials with silicon enables a DBR with >90% peak reflectivity and a stop band greater than 150 nm.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE+O, N, P) based materials to transition between two semiconductor materials is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacings enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds. Disclosed embodiments include tandem solar cells.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE and O, N, P) based materials to transition between two different semiconductor materials and enable up and/or down conversion of incident radiation is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacing enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds.

Abstract: A sample of nonlinear optical material for use in a nonlinear optical device contains a grating comprising alternating regions of inverted and non-inverted nonlinear coefficient of the material, with the regions separated by boundaries positioned such that the grating can provide quasi-phase matching of a selected nonlinear optical interaction, and compensate for phase mismatch arising from the Gouy phase shift of one or more focused optical beams involved in the interaction. The boundary positions can be calculated for second harmonic generation or optical parametric generation and oscillation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to screen for, identify, select and synthesise amphiphilic mitochondrially targeted antioxidant compounds, and compositions, dosage forms and methods reliant on said compounds. The exemplified compounds are all mitoquinone derivatives, being methoxyphenyl alkyl triphenylphosphonium or methoxy dioxocyclohexadiene alkyl triphenylphosphonium derivatives. The compounds, compositions, dosage forms and methods are useful in, for example, the treatment of diseases or conditions associated with oxidative stress.

Abstract: A method of inducing a periodic variation of nonlinearity value in a sample of ferroelectric material comprises arranging a pair of electrodes on opposite faces of the sample, one electrode defining a desired pattern of nonlinearity variation, applying a pre-bias voltage across the sample for a predetermined time using the electrodes, the pre-bias voltage being less than the coercive field of the ferroelectric material; and after the predetermined time, applying a current-controlled poling voltage across the sample using the electrodes, to produce domain inversion in the sample according to the desired pattern of nonlinearity variation. The pre-bias voltage may be 75% of the coercive field or more, and applied for a pre-determined time between 1 and 100 seconds.

Abstract: A variable grip blind rivet includes a tubular rivet body and a mandrel. The rivet body has a first shank, insertable into a hole in a workpiece, and a flange at a first end of the first shank for abutting the workpiece when so inserted. The mandrel has a head, for engaging a second end of the first shank, and a second shank adapted to extend through the axial bore of the rivet body. The head has an abutment portion for abutting the first end of the first shank, and the second shank has a first reduced diameter portion adapted to break when a predetermined tensile is loaded applied. At least one protrusion adjacent the abutment portion defines a recess for receiving the first end of the first shank during setting of the rivet.

Abstract: A particle is provided with simultaneous delivery of a fertilizer and an active agent that when adhered to foliage causes a chemical burn thereto. A hydrophobic coating is provided intermediate between the fertilizer core and the active agent to inhibit moisture absorption by the particle that renders the particle tacky and therefore adherent to target foliage. The active agent granule is adhered to the hydrophobic coating or at least partially embedded therein based on the nature of the formation process. The particle is also provided that includes a second fertilizer layer exterior to the hydrophobic coating with the second fertilizer layer is substantially devoid of water soluble nitrogen compounds. Active agent granules are then adhered to the second fertilizer layer. The resultant particles reduce chemical burning associated with combined fertilizer and active agent usage, especially under dispersant conditions of high temperature and high humidity.

Abstract: A process for poling a ferroelectric material doped with a metal, which process comprises: (i) defining an electrode pattern on a ?z face of a crystal of the ferroelectric material doped with the metal; (ii) providing an electrode material; (iii) poling at a temperature of not more than 45° C.; and (iv) poling by a two-stage voltage-controlled application of electric field based on a first poling stage of domain nucleation and a second poling stage of domain spreading.

Abstract: A method of producing a planar substrate having waveguide channels, which method comprises: (i) providing a tube (6) of a substrate material; (ii) depositing silica layers (110) on the inside of the tube (6), the silica layers (110) being doped with a photosensitive material; (iii) drawing the tube (6) so that the cross-sectional size of the tube (109) is reduced; (iv) before or after the reducing of the cross-sectional size of the tube (6), causing the tube (6) to collapse into a flat shape by applying a low pressure to the tube, whereby the deposited silica layers together form a photosensitive silica layer (111); (v) cutting to required lengths the tube (6) which has been collapsed and reduced in cross-sectional size; and (vi) using laser writing to define waveguide channels in the cut lengths of the tube (6) and thereby to produce the planar substrate having the waveguide channels.

Abstract: An extension of the capabilities of existing web publishing protocols provide support for web content management features typically found only in web content management systems. Any client that supports these extensions can utilize these features. These extensions allow for additional metadata, additional state information about the page, additional field information, and server styles to be passed to the client, edited or applied, and returned to the server. The extensions model specific information from the server, to the client, and back to the server. All metadata, field values, and styles passed back from the client to the server will be applied to the page on the server. Any state change on the page will be applied to the page on the server. The server and client each interpret and process the extensions in a way that offers the user a better end-to-end story for publishing web pages from a client application.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device (10) comprises a planar substrate with a lower cladding layer (14), a core layer (16) and an upper cladding layer (18), a groove (20) in the substrate that extends at least into the core layer (16), and a waveguiding channel (22) in the core layer (16), wherein at least a part of the waveguiding channel (22), which may contain a Bragg grating, is sufficiently proximate to the groove (20) in the plane of the substrate for an evanescent field of light propagating in the waveguiding channel (22) to extend laterally into the groove (20). Material contained in the groove modifies the properties of the waveguiding channel, so that a sample of material can be analysed or an active material can be used to modulate the propagating light. The groove (20) can be made before the waveguide (22). The groove (20) can be made by cutting into the substrate with a saw and the waveguide (22) can be made by direct writing in the core layer (16) with an ultraviolet beam.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) comprising a cylindrical substrate (4), and an integrated optical circuit which is provided on the cylindrical substrate and which comprises at least one optical waveguide (6). A process for producing the apparatus (2) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE+O, N, P) based materials to transition between two semiconductor materials is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacings enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds. Disclosed embodiments include tandem solar cells.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (RE and O, N, P) based materials to transition between two different semiconductor materials and enable up and/or down conversion of incident radiation is disclosed. Rare earth based oxides, nitrides and phosphides provide a wide range of lattice spacing enabling, compressive, tensile or stress-free lattice matching with Group IV, III-V, and Group II-VI compounds.

Abstract: An optical sensor comprises at least two planar Bragg gratings defined on a single substrate and arranged to receive light from a light source, each grating having a wavelength filtering response that varies with an effective modal index experienced by light propagating in the Bragg grating and a Bragg wavelength different to those of the other gratings, and at least one sample window overlying one or more of the gratings that can receive a sample of fluid that affects the effective modal index and response of the grating, the gratings filtering the light and outputting the filtered light for spectral analysis, from which the refractive index and related properties of the fluid can be determined. One or more of the gratings can be a reference grating used to compensate for temperature and other disturbances to the sensors. Gratings may have individual sample windows for testing separate fluid samples, or may share a common window so that a single fluid can be tested using several gratings.

Abstract: Examples of device structures utilizing layers of rare earth oxides to perform the tasks of strain engineering in transitioning between semiconductor layers of different composition and/or lattice orientation and size are given. A structure comprising a plurality of semiconductor layers separated by transition layer(s) comprising two or more rare earth compounds operable as a sink for structural defects is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes in combination fertilizer particles inclusive of a plant nutrient component and a binder inhibitive of particle disintegration. The fertilizer particles are mixed with and dispersed in concert with bait particles attractive to a pest and inclusive of a pesticide or pest reproduction control agent. The bait particles remain sufficiently devoid of adherent fertilizer particle fragments so as to remain attractive to a target pest. Composition homogeneity is maintained by density matching between the fertilizer particles and bait particles or compensating for differences in density by sizing the lower density particles larger than the higher density particles.

Abstract: The use of rare-earth (REO, N, P) based materials to covert long wavelength photons to shorter wavelength photons that can be absorbed in a photovoltaic device (up-conversion) and (REO, N, P) materials which can absorb a short wavelength photon and re-emit one (downshifting) or more longer wavelength photons is disclosed. The wide spectral range of sunlight overlaps with a multitude of energy transitions in rare-earth materials, thus offering multiple up-conversion pathways. The refractive index contrast of rare-earth materials with silicon enables a DBR with >90% peak reflectivity and a stop band greater than 150 nm.