Abstract: An untethered device is configured to inductively couple to a source device. The source device includes a driver circuit configured to generate a varying magnetic field and comprising a drive coil circuit. A phase detector is coupled to the driver circuit and configured to detect a phase of an input impedance of the driver circuit in response to the source device inductively coupling with the resonant circuit of the untethered device. A controller is coupled to the phase detector and the driver circuit, and is configured to adjust a frequency of a source voltage applied to the driver circuit in response to an output signal of the phase detector. The controller adjusts the source voltage frequency so that the phase of the input impedance as indicated by the output signal of the phase detector is substantially zero.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles, where the method comprises step a) of vacuum deposition of material from at least a first carbon target in the presence of nitrogen and step b) of vacuum deposition of material from a second target comprising at least one transition metal, the second target comprising no precious metals. In one embodiment, step a) is carried out prior to step b). In another embodiment, steps a) and b) are carried out simultaneously. Typically the deposition steps are carried out in the absence of oxygen. Typically, the transition metal is iron or cobalt, and most typically iron. The present disclosure also provides a supported catalyst comprising nanostructured elements which comprise microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles made according to the present method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a connector capable of preventing contacts from being touched by fingers or things through an opening of a connector housing, and of thereby improving connection reliability. A plug connector comprising a connector housing and PCB having contacts contained in the connector housing with a contacting surface exposed at one end and which functions as an interface capable of transmitting electric signal or light signal by being fitted to a receptacle connector to connect respective contacts to each other, characterized in that a shutter is provided as a part of a bottom wall of the connector housing to be freely opened or closed at a position covering the contacts formed in PCB, and that, before fitting of the connector, the shutter is in a closed state, and during and after fitting of the connector, the shutter is in a opened state.

Abstract: A virtual model of a dental patient's dentition is provided by obtaining a digital data file of the patient's teeth and orthodontic appliances connected to the teeth, and then combining data from the data file with other data that represents surfaces of the teeth underlying the appliances. The virtual model is useful in preparing a physical model of the patient's current dentition that can be used, for example, to make a dental retainer.

Abstract: An orthopedic support includes a sheet of flexible material having a proximal edge and a distal edge configured to extend at least partially around a portion of the wearer's anatomy and a pair of opposing lateral edges configured to at least partially enclose the portion of the wearer's anatomy. The orthopedic support includes at least one strap attached to the sheet of material and configured to extend over one of the lateral edges, wherein the strap comprises an associated fastening element configured to attach to the sheet of material so as to secure the sheet about the portion of the wearer's anatomy. The orthopedic support further includes an edge binding molded to an edge of the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method includes rectifying AC power and controlling switching of first, second and third currents from and rectified power and a switching sequence that is locked to the AC cycle time by sensing an amplitude of at least one of the AC power and the rectified power. The first, second and third currents are conducted through corresponding first, second and third series of color light emitting devices of different colors. The switching sequence repeats at least twice each AC cycle time.

Abstract: A flexible flow field separator includes a substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces. A structured flow field pattern is defined on the first surface of the substrate layer. The structured flow field pattern defines one or more fluid channels. The separator includes a first layer formed of one or more metals and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer. The first layer is formed of an electrically conductive material. The separator further includes a second layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate layer. The second layer is formed of a flexible electrically conductive material. The first layer contacts the second layer at one or more locations to define an electrical connection between the first and second layers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. The biological growth plate is loaded into the biological scanner via motorized rollers, and an actuator presses the growth plate against a platen once the growth plate is drawn to a scanning position within the scanner. The biological scanner then generates one or more images of the growth plate. Moreover, sensors can be arranged to facilitate sensing and positioning of the growth plate in a plurality of locations for imaging different parts of the plate. Additional embodiments are directed to features such as a hinged door that facilitates access to the scanner, and footings disposed on various sides of the scanner to facilitate flip-over of the scanner for simplified use by right-handed or left-handed users.

Abstract: Briefly, the present disclosure provides a device comprising: a) an LED capable of emitting light at a first wavelength; b) a re-emitting semiconductor construction which comprises a potential well not located within a pn junction; and c) a reflector positioned to reflect light emitted from the LED onto the re-emitting semiconductor construction. Alternately, the device comprises: a) an LED capable of emitting light at a first wavelength; b) a re-emitting semiconductor construction capable of emitting light at a second wavelength which comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction; and c) a reflector which transmits light at said first wavelength and reflects at least a portion of light at said second wavelength.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a protective core having at least two end portions, a plurality of support cores, and at least one cold shrinkable material held in an expanded state over at least a portion of the protective core and at least a portion of each support core. One end of each support core interconnected with a corresponding end portion of the protective core. The support cores, the protective core, and the cold shrinkable material are collectively configured to circumferentially surround an apparatus such that the cold shrinkable material compresses over a portion of the apparatus in response to removal of one of the plurality of support cores from the corresponding end portion of the protective core.

Abstract: A capacitive touch sensing system includes a touch surface and sets of substantially parallel electrodes arranged in relation to the touch surface. Each electrode set includes a primary electrode electrically connected to at least two sub-electrodes. The primary electrode is capable of producing greater capacitive coupling to a touch in proximity with the touch surface in relation to capacitive coupling of the at least two sub-electrodes. The sub-electrodes of the electrode sets are arranged in an interleaved pattern configured to increase an effective area of capacitive coupling associated with each electrode set.

Abstract: A splice system for linear connection of fishing lines includes a female connector and a male connector. Each connector has first and second opposite ends, a longitudinal axis, and a shaped exterior surface. The first end of the female connector is connected to a first fishing line section; the second end has a first opening; and the connector has a raised interior feature. The second end of the male connector is connected to a second fishing line section; the first end is configured for coaxial insertion into the first opening of the female connector, and the first end has a raised exterior feature. The connectors have a first relative position representing a disengaged state and a second relative position representing an engaged state. The first relative position and the second relative position are rotationally displaced about the axis.

Abstract: An electrolyte composition is described. The electrolyte composition includes at least one ionic compound; at least one polar solvent; at least one polymerizable material; at least one nanoparticle based viscosity modifier; at least one chain transfer agent; and at least one initiator. Also described are electrochromic articles and devices including an electrolyte layer including an electrolyte composition. Methods of assembling an electrochromic article are also included.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements projecting from a major surface are described. The microstructured (e.g.) cube-corner elements or interface with an adjacent layer comprises certain nitrogen-containing ingredients. The inclusion of such nitrogen-containing ingredients can improve the adhesion of the (e.g. cube-corner) elements to adjacent (e.g. olefinic) layers such as a body layer, seal film layer, or combination thereof. The flexible retroreflective articles have a light transmissive polymeric body layer having an elastic modulus of less than 7×108 pascals.

Abstract: An adhesive composition comprising a multifunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane polymer, a monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated siloxane macromer, and a vinyl monomer is described. The adhesive composition is used to make adhesive articles that, when applied to a substrate, remain removable or repositionable, even after long periods of time. The adhesive composition may be used in transfer adhesive films, and in laminated articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: A front projection display device includes an optical engine including an illumination system, an imaging system, and projection optics. The projection optics include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The projection optics output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion. For example, when the first lens group is placed at a distance of less than 1 meter from a viewing screen, the output image has a size of about 40 inches diagonal or greater, and requires substantially no keystone correction. In other aspects, the optical engine can be implemented in a wall-mounted projection system, a multimedia system, a compact integrated monitor system, and a portable projection unit.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a host polymer, and A block copolymer comprising a first block and a second block, wherein no block is compatible with the host polymer. In one aspect, the block copolymer is amphiphilic. In another aspect, the block copolymer may comprise a first block and a second block, wherein at least one of the first and second blocks comprises repeating units derived from a monomer having the general formula: (R)2C?C(R)(Rf) wherein Rf is selected from fluorine, a C1 to C10 fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group, and a C1 to C10 fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group; each R is independently selected from F, H, Cl, Rf, a C1 to C10 alkyl group, and R2A, wherein R2 is a C1 to C10 alkylene group and A is selected from CO2M and SO3M, wherein M is selected from H, an ammonium and organo onium group.