Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cyclometalated iridium complexes for detecting poly(amino acids) including peptides, polypeptides, and proteins. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophorectic gels, and on solid supports, including blots. The method of the present invention is rapid, highly sensitive, and extremely facile.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a microorganism in a sample includes a housing that includes a base fixed with a first DNA primer having a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a DNA sequence of the microorganism of interest, a fibrinogen-splitting agent that is bound with a second DNA primer having a nucleotide sequence that is also complementary to a DNA sequence of the microorganism of interest, a rinsing unit configured to rinse the housing; and a fibrinogen adding unit configured to add fibrinogen to the housing so that the fibrinogen chemically reacts with the fibrinogen-splitting agent to produce a viscous substance, an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit ultrasonic signal to the housing, and an ultrasonic receiver configured to receive ultrasonic signal from the housing and transmit the received ultrasonic signal to an ultrasonic analyzer, wherein the ultrasonic analyzer determines whether the microorganism of interest exists.

Abstract: A method of personal identification includes switching between visible and near infrared light, acquiring palmprint image and palm vein image from a person under the visible and the near infrared light, extracting sub-images from the palmprint image and the palm vein image based on a region of interest, extracting multiple features from the sub-images, and matching the extracted multiple features with stored information in a database to authenticate the person.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing pilling on a piece of garment/fabric includes at least one holding member adapted to secure the piece of garment/fabric, a rotatable brush member adapted to brush on the piece of garment/fabric until loose fibers of the garment/fabric migrates to a surface of the garment/fabric to form a layer of pillable fuzz, a shaving member adapted to remove the layer of pillable fuzz on the piece of garment/fabric, and a control unit adapted to control movement of the rotatable brush member and the shaving member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy-saving system for three-phase induction motors and is based on the principle of variable voltage control at constant speed. It is composed of a microprocessor, exampling circuit, sensing circuit, acquiring circuit, firing circuit, and AC to AC converter. The system is to automatically adjust the voltage to the induction motor with the variation in the motor load, in order to obtain high operating power factor and efficiency. The system will result in considerable energy-savings when a three-phase induction motor runs under constant light-load or variable-load with low duty ratio.

Abstract: An optical fiber with long period fiber gratings includes an optical fiber axis, a core region extending along the fiber axis, the core region having a core refractive index, a cladding region surrounding the core region, the cladding having a cladding refractive index, and a plurality of microholes perpendicular to the fiber axis with a portion of the core region removed, the plurality of microholes are spaced apart by a grating period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microvalve having a valve plug, connecting legs, anchors and actuators, allowing the valve plug to move vertically to open or close the valve. The valve plug can contain magnetic materials, and be operated by an actuator.

Abstract: A method for performing ultrasound imaging and elasticity measurement, the method includes scanning an object to obtain a B-mode ultrasound image, selecting an A-mode signal from the B-mode ultrasound image, transmitting a high frame rate ultrasound signal, by a selected group of ultrasound transducers, at the selected A-mode signal location, forming a transient M-mode image based on the high frame rate ultrasound signal, enhancing propagation trace of shear wave based on the transient M-mode image, calculating elasticity of the object based on the propagation trace and displaying result, and displaying, simultaneously, the B-mode ultrasound image and the transient M-mode measurement result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for a multimodal biometric system utilizing a single image to generate hand shape and palmprint features. The invention utilizes a digital camera, and incorporates feature subset selection algorithms to eliminate redundant data. The inventions, through the use of feature algorithm, successfully fuses the hand shape features and palmprint features at the features level.

Abstract: A method of fabricating silicone composite with a layer of antimicrobial coating, the method includes forming an antimicrobial mixture by adding a calculated amount of antimicrobial agent to a solution of water and alcohol, depositing the antimicrobial mixture in a container with a thickness of 0.1 ?m to 10 ?m, evaporating the water and alcohol of the antimicrobial mixture to form the layer of antimicrobial coating, adding silicone resin on top of the layer of antimicrobial coating and allow the silicone resin to permeate and crosslink with the layer of antimicrobial coating and removing the silicone composite with the layer of antimicrobial coating from the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for a joint linkage device suitable for training multi-joints in a single limb. The joint linkage device is capable of rotation at a proximal end and a distal end. The device includes a proximal end having an upper plate, a middle plate, and a lower plate, a distal plate, a side bar, a main bar, a switch mechanism, and an extended bar. In use, a torque from a motor is applied to the upper plate to provide a user with an assistance torque, a resistance torque, or a assistance/resistance torque.