Abstract: A computed tomography detector module is presented. The detector module includes a substrate having a topside and a bottom side. Additionally, the detector module includes a plurality of detector layers disposed on the top side of the substrate in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the substrate, where each of the plurality of detector layers comprises a direct conversion material configured to absorb radiation, and where each of the plurality of detector layers comprises a first side and a second side. Further, the detector module includes a plurality of pixelated anode contacts is disposed on the first side of each of the plurality of detector layers. Also, the detector module includes a common cathode contact is disposed on the second side of each of the plurality of detector layers.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present technique provides a system for curing a surface material disposed on a vehicle. The system includes an electrically actuated arm having an arm structure, a motorized drive coupled to the arm structure, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the motorized drive. The system also has a radiative curing device coupled to the arm structure, and a curing controller communicatively coupled to the radiative curing device.

Abstract: A liquid core waveguide photon energy material processing system is provided. The system includes a photon energy source configured to generate a high intensity photon beam for material processing. The system also includes a liquid core waveguide configured to transmit the high intensity photon beam towards at least one object for material processing. The liquid core waveguide in-turn includes a liquid core having a first refractive index and a cladding element having a second refractive index and configured to guide the liquid core, wherein the first refractive index is higher than the second refractive index. The system further includes a liquid source configured to generate the liquid core. The liquid core includes a liquid solution.

Abstract: A technique is provided for generating scout or navigational images based upon a series of related images. The related images are analyzed to compute pixels of scout images, such as by determining a characteristic of aligned pixels of each of the related images. The scout or navigational images are then projections of the related images and individual rows or columns of the scout images correspond to individual images of the related set. One or more of the related images may then be accessed by review of the scout image or images. The scout images may be referred to in their own right for an overview of features of interest and may be modified by a user. The technique provides for efficient time management by allowing specific images to be identified in large image series, and facilitates intelligent use of bandwidth for accessing specific images in a viewer workstation.

Abstract: A photodetector for X-ray applications is disclosed incorporating a photodiode design with reduced leakage at each pixel location. The photodiode is of a reduced surface area and has a peripheral edge of reduced length. The length may be minimized by making the photodiode round. The diode is surrounded by a reflective layer that may act as a contact for the diode. Photons are reflected by the reflective layer back towards the reduced area diode to maintain good sensitivity. The reflective/contact layer may form a capacitor with another contact layer by disposing a dielectric layer therebetween, thereby increasing the effective capacitance of the photodiode.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a plurality of capacitive memory elements disposed on a substrate. The substrate may comprise a processor, a memory device or other integrated circuit device. The capacitive memory elements may have a generally oblong shape and may be capacitive elements. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed in a slanted orientation. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed in a non-orthogonal orientation. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed so that an axis through one of the plurality of capacitive memory elements is not generally parallel with an edge of the substrate. The axis may not be generally perpendicular with an orthogonal edge of the substrate. The plurality of capacitive memory elements may be arranged in a first row and a second row so that an axis through one of the plurality of capacitive memory elements located in the first row does not form an axis of any capacitive memory element in the second row.

Abstract: A technique is provided for printing an RFID antenna using conductive ink on a substrate and incorporating that substrate as a layer in a decorative surface such as a high pressure decorative laminate. In addition, a technique is provided for incorporating a conductive mesh into a surface, such as a high pressure decorative laminate, to form an RFID shield which prevents stray signals from reaching an RFID antenna. A technique is also provided for integrating both a printed antenna and conductive mesh shield into a single surface, such as a decorative surface, to allow the reading of desired RFID tags while preventing the reading of undesired RFID tags.

Abstract: A technique for reducing noise in pixel images includes shrinking initial image data, and processing the shrunken image with known segmentation-based filtering techniques which identify and differentially process structures within the image. After processing, the shrunken image is enlarged to the dimensions of the initial data, subsequently processed if necessary and the final image is displayed or analyzed. The resulting technique is versatile and provides greatly improved computational efficiency while maintaining image quality and robustness.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a plurality of capacitive memory elements disposed on a substrate. The substrate may comprise a processor, a memory device or other integrated circuit device. The capacitive memory elements may have a generally oblong shape and may be capacitive elements. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed in a slanted orientation. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed in a non-orthogonal orientation. The capacitive memory elements may be disposed so that an axis through one of the plurality of capacitive memory elements is not generally parallel with an edge of the substrate. The axis may not be generally perpendicular with an orthogonal edge of the substrate. The plurality of capacitive memory elements may be arranged in a first row and a second row so that an axis through one of the plurality of capacitive memory elements located in the first row does not form an axis of any capacitive memory element in the second row.

Abstract: A method of set up and alignment of a structured light system for light gauge testing of an object (A). An initial alignment is made of the system with a test specimen mounted in a fixture. Light stripes (L1–Ln) generated by the structured light system are projected onto the part and images of the reflections are captured by cameras and evaluated to determine the characteristics of each stripe over a section of the specimen. If features are not within predetermined limits, or if intensity distribution is not Gaussian, the test setup is adjusted and the process repeated. An imaging system used in the test is also checked to verify the quality of the images captured and processed. If necessary, viewing windows, polarizers, and other electrical components are evaluated to insure the imaging system is properly focused.

Abstract: A technique is provided for CT reconstruction for use in CT metrology. The boundary based CT reconstruction method includes the steps of initializing a boundary of an object to obtain a boundary estimate, defining a forward model based on the boundary estimate, linearizing the forward model to obtain a system matrix and implementing an iterative image reconstruction process using the system matrix to update the boundary estimate.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to calibrating a measuring device by comparing a set of master measurement data against a set of current measurement data. Adjustments are made to the measuring device based on the difference between the current measurement data and the master measurement data.

Abstract: A method for controlling variability in power output of a wind farm supplying power to a grid includes monitoring a power output level of the wind farm. The monitored power output level is compared to a target power output level. A command is issued to increase or decrease electrical power consumption by an electrolyzer system electrically coupled to the wind farm to maintain a net power output level by the wind farm based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Provided herein are settable spotting compositions that comprise cement kiln dust and associated methods of use. Also provided are methods that comprise providing a settable spotting composition comprising cement kiln dust; introducing the settable spotting composition into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation so as to displace at least a portion of a second fluid from the well bore.

Abstract: A pipelined processor includes a branch acceleration technique which is based on an improved branch cache. The improved branch cache minimizes or eliminates delays caused by branch instructions, especially data-dependent unpredictable branches. The improved branch cache avoids stalls by providing data that will be inserted into the pipeline stages that would otherwise have stalled when a branch is taken. Special architectural features and control structures are supplied to minimize the amount of information that must be cached by recognizing that only selected types of branches should be cached and by making use of available cycles that would otherwise be wasted. The improved branch cache supplies the missing information to the pipeline in the place of the discarded instructions, completely eliminating the pipeline stall. This technique accelerates performance, especially in real-time code that must evaluate data-dependent conditions and branch accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the use of a welding process for welding a weld joint. The method comprises providing a user with requests for data to enable a processor-based system to establish various attributes of welding a specific weld joint using a specific welding process. The various attributes may include the cost of welding the weld joint using the welding process. The various attributes may include the cycle time for welding the weld joint using the welding process. The system comprises a program operable to direct the processor-based system to request data from a user and to process the requested data received from the user to enable a processor-based system to establish various attributes of welding a specific weld joint using a specific welding process.

Abstract: An assembly of a threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion and a standoff portion extending from the washer portion. The threaded fastener has a retaining structure extending about the washer portion and capturing the washer structure in an assembly with the threaded fastener. For example, the retaining structure may have a washer receptacle for the washer portion. The washer portion is captured in the washer receptacle by a deformed catch section below the washer portion.

Abstract: An array of position-sensitive avalanche photodiodes is provided in which output signal contacts from corners of each photodiode are grouped in common for readout. Each photodiode may be provided on a single wafer or chip, with photodiodes being separated by a trench or a groove. Corners of each photodiode include contacts for reading out signals resulting from gamma rays incident events in an adjacent scintillator. Grouping of the contacts into common output channels reduces the number of output channels, while still permitting localization of gamma ray incident events in the scintillator crystals. The photodiode array may be positioned adjacent to one face of a scintillator, with a photomultiplier tube to be positioned adjacent to another. The detector arrangement may be used for positron emission tomography imaging and similar techniques.

Abstract: A power generation system comprising a liquid-cooled electrolyzer operable to produce a supply of hydrogen from water is provided. The power generation system may also comprise a steam turbine and a steam production device operable to produce a supply of steam to the steam turbine. The power generation system may also comprise a system operable to provide cooling liquid to the liquid-cooled electrolyzer and to couple heated cooling liquid from the liquid-cooled electrolyzer to the steam production device.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system. The system comprises one or more hybrid propulsion traction drives having an electric motor operable to produce mechanical power for propulsion. A hybrid propulsion traction drive is operable to receive power from an on-board power generation system. The electric motor is operable to receive power from an energy storage unit and operable to supply power to the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit may be coupled to the electric motor via a switch.