Abstract: A method and the benefits resulting from the product thereof are disclosed for the growth of large, low-defect single-crystals of tetrahedrally-bonded crystal materials. The process utilizes a uniquely designed crystal shape whereby the direction of rapid growth is parallel to a preferred crystal direction. By establishing several regions of growth, a large single crystal that is largely defect-free can be grown at high growth rates. This process is particularly suitable for producing products for wide-bandgap semiconductors, such as SiC, GaN, AlN, and diamond. Large low-defect single crystals of these semiconductors enable greatly enhanced performance and reliability for applications involving high power, high voltage, and/or high temperature operating conditions.

Abstract: An artificial neural network is disclosed that processes holography generated characteristic patterns of vibrating structures along with finite-element models. The present invention provides for a folding operation for conditioning training sets for optimally training forward-neural networks to process characteristic fringe patterns. The folding pattern increases the sensitivity of the feed-forward network for detecting changes in the characteristic pattern. The folding routine manipulates input pixels so as to be scaled according to the location in an intensity range rather than the position in the characteristic pattern.

Abstract: Gas sensor devices are provided having an atomically flat silicon carbide top surface that, in turn, provides for a uniform, and reproducible surface thereof.

Abstract: A reflective display system is disclosed that utilizes four overlapping layers of colored dye injected into channels so as to provide a pixel assembly operatively responsive to present an image for human viewing. Each of the four layers contains one color of the CMYK color method. The reflective display system injects packets of colored liquid or transparent fluid into the channels made of transparent material and each channel carries one of the colored liquids. Each of the pixel assemblies is defined by the width of the channel in one direction and the size of the liquid colored packet within the channel in the orthogonal direction. The color of the pixel is defined by the stacking of the liquid dyed colored packets at a particular location when viewed against a white substrate.

Abstract: A settling tank for separating an emulsion with a known volumetric percentage of oil includes lower and upper settling chambers. The emulsion is settled by gravitational means and can be aided by demulsifying agents. Once settled, a layer of oil floats on top of the water. The volumes of the lower and upper settling chambers are configured so that all of the oil settles within the upper settling chamber. The oil can then be drained from the upper settling chamber leaving only clean water in the tank structure.

Abstract: A portable computer apparatus (1), such as a PDA, has an LCD(3). The LCD(3) can be operated in two modes. In one mode, only a portion of the LCD(3) is active whereas in the other mode, the whole LCD(3) is active. When the apparatus (1) is switched on, it operates according to a first operating program which uses only a portion of the LCD(3). The user may then instruct the apparatus to operate according to a second operating program and use the whole LCD(3).

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus has user input means (7,8), for example a keyboard, disposed in back-to-back relation to a display (25,26). The apparatus may be hinged such that it can be opened and closed in the manner of a book, in which case the display may be in two parts that can be brought together when the apparatus is open or flexible so that it can fold on itself when the apparatus is closed.