Abstract: A medium thickness detection device includes: a light emitting element; a constant-current control circuit controlling, in a constant-current manner, the light emitting element to output light passing through a medium for an irradiation time; a light-receiving element receiving the light passing through the medium to obtain an analog signal; a receiver circuit receiving the analog signal; a maximum holding circuit holding a maximum of the analog signal; an analog-to-digital converter circuit reading the maximum of the analog signal and converting the maximum of the analog signal into a digital signal; a reset circuit resetting the maximum holding circuit; and a processor controlling operations of the constant-current control circuit, the reset circuit and the analog-to-digital converter circuit, and determining a thickness of the medium according to the digital signal when a specification of the medium is unknown.

Abstract: A current cycle count associated with a memory sub-system is determined. The current cycle count is compared to a set of cycle count threshold levels to determine a current lifecycle stage of the memory sub-system. A temperature associated with the memory sub-system is measured. The temperature is compared to a set of temperature levels to determine a current temperature level of the memory sub-system. A write-to-read delay time corresponding to the current lifecycle stage and the current temperature level is determined.

Abstract: Pigment compositions are described that advantageously increase total solar reflectance. Also described are methods of making pigment compositions. The pigment compositions can contain copper oxide; copper antimony oxides, copper bismuth oxides, or combinations thereof; and alkaline earth metal oxides, early-transition metal oxides, post-transition metal oxides, metalloid (semi-metal) oxides, rare-earth metal oxides, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: 2-Aminopropane is used as the amine donor in the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral amine from a ketone with a transaminase. In a typical embodiment, (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane is prepared by bringing methoxyacetone into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor until a substantial amount of methoxyacetone is converted to (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane and 2-aminopropane is converted to acetone. In a second embodiment, L-alanine is prepared by bringing pyruvic acid into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor.

Abstract: This invention is for a pump having a series of chambers in a stack wherein electrodeformable material is used to deform a diaphragm to change the volume in the chambers. The architecture of the pump features stacks of chambers having a common diaphragm between adjacent chambers such that when a diaphragm is deformed to increase the volume in one chamber it simultaneously decreases the volume in the adjoining chamber. In one embodiment the stacks of chambers can be combined with other stacks to increase the head pressure in stages. In a second embodiment the stages can be in the same stack.

Abstract: Adjustable gap hydrostatic bearings and adjustable gap seals wherein the adjustable gaps are useful to compensate for wear, thermal expansion, journal speed, and radial deflection of the journal. A housing 10 is adjacent to a journal 2. The housing contains an annular electrodeformable material 5 which will expand or contract radially with the application of voltage and thus adjust the gap between the liner material 3 and the journal.