Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided with at least one cell including an electrolyte layer, a pair of gas diffusion electrode layers interposing the electrolyte layer between them, and a pair of flow distribution plates for defining passages for fuel and oxidizer gases that contact the gas diffusion electrode layers. The electrolyte layer includes a grid frame provided with a plurality of through holes, and electrolyte retained in each through hole, heater wire being disposed in a grid bar of the grid frame so that the entire catalyst and electrolyte may be heated up to a desired temperature suitable for the reaction, instead of being heated only locally, in a short period of time, and the desired output can be obtained in a short period of time following the start-up.

Abstract: A non-invasive longitudinal method that is sensitive and objective for quantifying progressive loss of neurons in normal aging brains and brains that suffer from a neurodegenerative disease is provided. The method also provides clinicians, patients and drug companies with a method for evaluating the efficacy of various treatments and interventions by assessing a change in brain integrity. The method determines and localizes a change in brain integrity in a compartment of a brain from at least structural images and metabolite brain images, which are acquired for at least two time instances. The time period between two time instances is dependent on the disease pathology and disease progression and could, for instance, be at least 3 months between time instances as well as at least 6 or 12 months between time instances.

Abstract: A micro-optic polarization beam multiplexing system has collimating means for introducing a first pair of polarization-perpendicular input beams, collimating means for introducing a second pair of polarization-perpendicular input beams, a polarization beam combiner for combining the first pair and the second pair of input beams into a first combined light beam with wavelength &lgr;1 and a second combined light beam with wavelength &lgr;2, and a filter for multiplexing the first combined light beam and the second combined light beam into an output beam with wavelengths &lgr;1 and &lgr;2. The micro-optic system can also be used inversely for de-multiplexing an input beam with wavelength &lgr;1 and wavelength &lgr;2 into a first de-multiplexed light beam with wavelength &lgr;1 and a de-multiplexed light beam with wavelength &lgr;2, and then splitting them into two pairs of polarization-perpendicular beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling and positioning wafers or other flat objects. The apparatus has an XY stage with an X-drive and a Y-drive, and a bed attached to the XY stage. A chuck (e.g. a vacuum chuck) is disposed on the bed and an effector is attached to the bed. The effector can rotate about an axis of rotation extending in the Z-direction. The effector can pick up objects and place the objects onto the chuck. The effector can also pick up objects from the chuck. Preferably, the chuck has a recessed region for accommodating the effector so that the effector can be inserted under a flat object on the chuck. The X-drive or Y-drive of the XY stage provides linear motion for the effector so that the effector can pull wafers from a cassette such as used in the semiconductor industry. Alternatively, the effector is attached to a linear actuator disposed on the bed.

Abstract: A client/server text-to-speech synthesis system and method divides the method optimally between client and server. The server stores large databases for pronunciation analysis, prosody generation, and acoustic unit selection corresponding to a normalized text, while the client performs computationally intensive decompression and concatenation of selected acoustic units to generate speech. The units are transmitted from the client to the server in a highly compressed format, with a compression method selected based on the predetermined set of potential acoustic units. This compression method allows for very high-quality and natural-sounding speech to be output at the client machine.

Abstract: An x-ray tube having sensors, magnets, and/or active compensation means operatively coupled thereto or integrated therein for aligning its electron beam with an external magnetic field. Permanent magnets positioned behind the anode and cathode respectively or electromagnets are used to produce a strong, properly aligned internal magnetic field. The x-ray tube is thus less sensitive to other magnetic fields that are not parallel to the anode-cathode axis. The x-ray tube can be mounted in a manner that it can pivot, allowing it to move and align itself. The x-ray tube can also be mounted such that a torque can be sensed. This sensed mechanical force is then used as an input to determine current applied to electromagnetic coils arranged to oppose a transverse magnetic field.

Abstract: A polymer material comprising channels whose temperature-independent conductivity exceeds 106 S/cm is used to form conductive films. Conduction takes place through threads and channels passing through the film which is otherwise a dielectric. The film is produced by first depositing a macromolecular polymer substance on a substrate. During preparation, the substance is preferably in a viscous liquid state. Stable free electrons (polarons) are then created by ionizing the substance. This is assisted by exposure to UV radiation and the presence of strong polar groups in the polymer. Various enrichment techniques, such as applying a strong electric field, are then used to join the superpolarons together into conductive threads within the medium. To stabilize the positions of the threads, the medium then may be solidified, preferably by cooling it below its glass transition point or inducing cross-linking between the macromolecules. The film may be a membrane.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical device capable of filtering, multiplexing, and spectrometry, among other functions. The device has an array of micromirrors disposed under a floating reflector that is partially reflecting. The floating reflector is spaced apart from the micromirrors a certain distance. The micromirrors are each capable of independent vertical motion, and, optionally, tilting motion. In use, light is projected at an oblique angle into the space between the micromirrors. Each reflection from the floating reflector produces an emergent beam from the floating reflector. The emergent light beams are combined with a lens. As a direct result of this structure, different wavelengths are focused to different points in the focal plane of the lens. The focal point positions of the different wavelengths can be moved by manipulating the micromirrors. This allows for reconfigurable filtering, spectrometry, and multiplexing, among other applications.

Abstract: A technique for measuring, evaluating, and presenting virtual network connection latency and virtual network connection stability information allows users to easily evaluate the quality of internet connections in real time. The technique uses audible sounds to represent the round trip time (RTT) of an end-to-end network path as well as other connection qualities. This can be either by sounding tones that depend on momentary measurements obtained by “pinging” a remote host, or by driving the internet connection as the delay loop of a musical tone synthesis process. The synthesized tone is presented to a user in an audio, tactile, and/or visual manner. In a preferred embodiment, the synthesized tone is played to the user. Because the internet connection delay is used in the tone synthesis process, the pitch of the synthesized tone is a direct indicator of the real-time network connection latency. Changes in pitch indicate changes in connection latency.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for distributing multiband wireless communications signals. Downlink RF signals in a plurality of downlink frequency bands are received and then combined into a combined downlink RF signal at the main unit. The combined downlink RF signal is subsequently split into multiple downlink RF-parts, which are converted to multiple downlink optical signals and optically transmitted to the remote units. At each remote unit, a delivered downlink optical signal is first converted back to a downlink RF-part which is subsequently separated into a plurality of downlink RF-groups by frequency band. Each downlink RF-group is individually conditioned (e.g., filtered and amplified). The individual-conditioned downlink RF-groups are then combined and transmitted to a dedicated downlink antenna.

Abstract: A GTIFR interferometer, for use in an interleaver or in a deinterleaver, wherein the GTIFR interferometer includes a Gires-Toutnois interferometer with a 45 degree Faraday rotator between the mirrors of the Gires-Tournois interferometer and further includes a 22.5 degree Faraday rotator in the light path to the Gires-Tournois interferometer and an interleaver or deinterleaver that contains one GTIFR. A dispersion compensated GTIFR interleaver includes a second Gires-Tournois interferometer for providing chromatic dispersion compensation.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a three-dimensional virtual interactive model of an object to be displayed to a viewer. The model is prepared in the form of a VIS tree built up of four types of nodes including primitive nodes indicating geometrical attributes of the object as well as at least one non-geometrical attribute, interaction nodes coding dynamic behaviors of the object, transformation nodes coding transformation behaviors of the object and operations nodes coding combinatorial operations to be performed on a combination of at least one of the primitive, interaction and transformation nodes. The VIS tree constructed in this manner has a small file size, such that a user can view and interact with the model over a network without high link bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing a radiation source with a wavelength near 2 &mgr;m (preferably 1993 nm) to measure the presence of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor using spectroscopic techniques and a reduced measurement pressure is provided. Using radiation substantially near 2 &mgr;m enables one to interrogate the PP3(3)s ammonia transition at a frequency of 5016.977 cm−1, which is isolated from water and carbon dioxide interference; the P(32) carbon dioxide transition at 5017.030 cm−1, which is isolated from both ammonia and water interference, and a water transition at 5017.100 cm−1. Moreover, a tunable radiation source that can sweep over the aforementioned ammonia and carbon dioxide and water features can measure the concentrations of all three species simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for transporting wireless communication signals between a base station hotel and remote cell sites with separately digitized RF carrier signals is provided. Separately digitized carriers are transmitted over a digital network between the hotel and the remote sites, remaining in digital format until reaching terminal antenna units. At the antenna units, downlink digital signals are converted to analog RF signals and transmitted, while uplink analog signals are received and converted to digital signals. A corresponding system comprising a base station hotel, at least one remote site, and a digital data network connecting the hotel to the remote site is provided. The hotel includes a plurality of base stations and a digital hub for interfacing the hotel to the network. The remote site includes a set of antenna units connected via a local data link to a network access node for interfacing to the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a material including conducting and non-conducting materials such as biological tissue, cellulose or plastic while the material is submerged in a conductive liquid medium. The apparatus has a cutting electrode with an elongate cutting portion having an aspect ratio (length to width) of 1 or more and a return electrode. The two electrodes are immersed in the conductive medium and a voltage is applied between them to heat the medium, thus producing a vapor cavity around the elongate cutting portion and ionizing a gas inside the vapor cavity to produce a plasma. The voltage applied between the electrodes is modulated in pulses having a modulation format selected to minimize the size of the vapor cavity, its rate of formation and heat diffusion into the material while the latter is cut with an edge of the elongate cutting portion. The modulation format includes pulses ranging in duration from 10 &mgr;s to 10 ms, as well as minipulses and micropulses, as necessary.

Abstract: A basic chiropody apparatus having a soaping device, a scrubbing device and a brushing device ergonomically shaped and positioned relative to each other in a compact fashion on a triangular base. The apparatus is configured in order to be placed on the floor and in the corner of two walls. As a result, a person operating the apparatus is able to hold itself in a stable position with its arms in perpendicularly pressing against the two walls. The triangular shape of the apparatus provides for a simple repositioning of it in cases where it gets unintentionally replaced during its operation due to wet and soapy floor condition as they may exist in a shower cabin.

Abstract: A database server contains pointers to useful information, such as on the World Wide Web. Users of the server may have hypertext links added automatically into documents they submit. Users may additionally contribute to the link database, thereby extending it, and may add additional qualifying information pertaining to the links.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless communications system, in which a distributed antenna system (DAS) and one or more master Bluetooth access point modules are employed to extend the range of and wirelessly deploy Bluetooth access points (BTAPs) in a scalable and versatile manner. A variety of wireless personal area networks (WPANs) are further created, to support multiple slave Bluetooth devices. As such, the present invention provides a simplified and easily scalable Bluetooth coverage infrastructure, allows pooling the resources of Bluetooth access points for best performance/cost ratio and dynamic RF routing/filtering in capacity management, and simplifies the provisioning in the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for nucleotide or DNA sequencing by monitoring the molecular charge configuration as the DNA moves through a protein that is capable of transcribing the DNA. The apparatus and method provides a nanoscale electrometer that immobilizes the protein. The protein receives the DNA and transcribes the DNA. The nanoscale electrometer is a sensitive device that is capable of sensing and measuring the electronic charge that is released during the transcription process. The apparatus and method of the present invention further provides monitoring means that are attached to the nanoscale electrometer to monitor the electronic charge configuration as the DNA moves through the protein. Once the electronic charge configuration is established, a correlation is computed, using computing means, between the electronic charge configuration and a nucleotide signature of the DNA.

Abstract: A new marker device is provided for increased safety due to a flexible design. The marker device includes a base and a flexible means that is positioned over the base. The bottom part of the flexible means is attached to the base. The flexible means maintains in an original position in absence of a natural or traffic perturbation. However, flexible means deviates from this original position in presence of a natural or traffic perturbation. Moreover, the flexible means restores from this deviated position back to the original position after the perturbation disappears or is removed. Furthermore, the marker device includes a cover to cover the flexible means.