Abstract: A combination pressurized airflow and thermal cutting tool constructed as a dual-use thermal airflow tool for directed heating and drying of a specific area in surgical procedures, such as, by way of example, in eye cataract surgery where it is primarily used for needs related to the operation of a thermal cutting tool. The thermal airflow tool comprises a probe having an elongated, hollow body adapted to provide electrical power to a burning ring formed at a distal end thereof, and an air channel for conducting pressurized airflow to the distal end of the probe, with at least two apertures radially disposed at the distal end of the probe. The thermal airflow tool is in physical and electrical connection with an air pressure unit and thermal power unit, respectively, for directing and concentrating at least one of the pressurized airflow and heat at the distal end of the thermal airflow tool onto a surgical area when electrical power is applied to the thermal airflow tool.

Abstract: An inverted ladder circuit for a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) having an input binary word representing an input value and an output current corresponding to a converted analog value. The inverted ladder circuit includes at least two fine resistor ladders, including at least an upper fine resistor ladder and a lower fine resistor ladder. The inverted ladder circuit also includes a coarse resistor ladder having a corresponding plurality of coarse ladder resistors, wherein the coarse resistor ladder slides upon the at least two fine resistor ladders. The inverted ladder circuit also includes a plurality of upper fine switches and a plurality of lower fine switches, wherein the switches operate in parallel according to the lower five bits of the input binary word. The plurality of fine ladder resistors are matched with the plurality of coarse ladder resistors to obtain current proportional to the input binary word. The output resistance and parasitic capacitance are reduced.

Abstract: A portable beverage preparation device and system for making brews, mixes, and potions on demand by selectively introducing and mixing predetermined quantities of at least one stored, edible, beverage preparation confined in at least one sealed chamber into a portable beverage container containing a predetermined volume of a potable base liquid and having a dispenser means for introducing the at least one beverage preparation into the potable base liquid; wherein the drink container and the at least one sealed chamber are in close physical proximity to each other and separated by at least one thin membrane which, when inwardly perforated by the dispenser means, introduces the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid. The system of the invention further provides a brewing element and a portable heating unit, the heater element of which fits into the beverage container for heating the liquid.

Abstract: A Cd1-xZnxS film material, with a high value of thermal coefficient of resistance, in the range of 1.5% to 3.7%. The Cd1-xZnxS material has excellent characteristics for use in a microbolometer-type uncooled infrared sensor. The film material can be deposited on microbolometer membranes or any other wafer for different applications. The film material can be deposited using the MOCVD technique, thermal evaporation or a different technique to form the film material over the wafer. The Cd1-xZnxS properties can be modified controlling certain deposition parameters and different annealing techniques. The process is performed at temperature compatible with CMOS technology.

Abstract: A method for electrochemical etching of a semiconductor material using positive potential dissolution (PPD) in solutions that do not contain hydrofluoric acid (HF-free solutions). The method includes immersing an as-cut semiconductor material in an etching solution, and positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials, thereby significantly increasing the value of the anodic current density (measured as A/cm2) of the semiconductor material. The application of positive biasing at atypically highly positive (anodic) potentials, is combined with specifically controlling and directing illumination on the semiconductor material surface contacted and wetted by the etching solution. This is done for a necessary and sufficient period of time to enable a positive synergistic effect on the rate and extent of etching of the semiconductor material therefrom.

Abstract: An array of uncooled infrared sensors based on a micro-machined temperature sensitive MOS transistor. The sensor array is fabricated using a commercial CMOS process on SOI wafers, followed by backside silicon dry etching for each sensor pixel. Active sensor pixels may include either, an integrator and buffer, or simply the sensing transistor, serving also as the selection device. The transistor bias controls the selected device and the sensitivity of the sensor. PMOS transistors and switched operation are used for noise minimization.

Abstract: A multi-level decoupled micro-actuator device comprising a first level substrate (410), a second level frame (420) stacked on said first level substrate (410), a third level frame (430) stacked on said second level frame (420).

Abstract: A pivotal bar-lock comprising an anchor hasp having a locking hub and a first locking element integrally formed with a first mounting plate; a locking hasp integrally formed with a second mounting plate and having a mating element and a second locking element formed therein; and a locking bar rotatably mounted on the anchor hasp, the locking bar having a cylinder lock encased therein and an engagement element formed therewith, the cylinder lock being operable such that when rotated into an unlocked mode, the locking bar is pivotally enabled to assume one of open, in-transit, and closed positions in interaction with the first and second locking elements, and when the cylinder lock is rotated into a locked mode, the engagement element of the locking bar engages the mating element of the locking hasp.