Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a first optical Mach-Zehnder interferometric sensor (MZI1) with a large FSR, wherein a plasmonic waveguide (107) thin-film or hybrid slot, is incorporated as transducer element planar integrated on Si3N4 photonic waveguides and a second optical interferometric Mach-Zehnder (MZI2), both comprising thermo-optic phase shifters (104, 106) for optimally biasing said MZI sensor (MZI1) and MZI as variable optical attenuator VOA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and development of a drug delivery nanoplatform that consists of nanoporous, multi-layer biodegradable polymeric (BP) thin films for controlled release of its payload. The method is used notably to synthesize nanoporous BP coatings as drug delivery vehicles exhibiting uniform nanopores with tailored characteristics for control of drug delivery and release. It enables the multiplex delivery of drugs that can be eluted at desirable time intervals in line with each medical need. Atomic Force Microscopy and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry are applied for determining nanoporosity, thickness, drug loading, structural properties, and quality of the BP films ensuring the quality control of the final product. The complete degradation of the polymers minimizes the toxicity within the human body and such nanoplatform can be used in a wide range of drug eluting and other medical implants and biomedical devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and development of a drug delivery nanoplatform that consists of nanoporous, multi-layer biodegradable polymeric (BP) thin films for controlled release of its payload. The method is used notably to synthesize nanoporous BP coatings as drug delivery vehicles exhibiting uniform nanopores with tailored characteristics for control of drug delivery and release. It enables the multiplex delivery of drugs that can be eluted at desirable time intervals in line with each medical need. Atomic Force Microscopy and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry are applied for determining nanoporosity, thickness, drug loading, structural properties, and quality of the BP films ensuring the quality control of the final product. The complete degradation of the polymers minimizes the toxicity within the human body and such nanoplatform can be used in a wide range of drug eluting and other medical implants and biomedical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the in-line determination of thickness, optical properties and quality of thin films and multilayer structures of organic (conductors, semiconductors and insulators), hybrid (organic/inorganic) and inorganic (e.g. metals, oxides) materials in real-time by the use of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry—SE, during their printing and/or treating by roll-to-roll and sheet-to-sheet processes. SE unit is located on a stage with the possibility of movement in the lateral direction in relation to the movement of e.g. the roll, taking measurements in the spectral range of Vis-fUV from 1.5-6.5 eV.

Abstract: A diluter apparatus and a method for sampling of exhaust gas of engines, wherein the diluter has a primary capillary connected to a primary stabilizing chamber. The primary stabilization chamber is kept at a pressure below ambient by means of a vacuum pump connected to the primary stabilization chamber by means of a primary outlet duct and where dilution air in the primary stabilization chamber is introduced by means of a primary dilution air duct through a primary mixing tip, wherein there is provided an excess flowrate arrangement for providing an exhaust gas flowrate in excess of the sample flowrate in the capillary. Exhaust gas flowrate totally surrounds the capillary inlet tip, wherein the primary capillary is immersed in the exhaust gas flowrate with flowrate arrangement, and wherein the diluter receives the exhaust gas via said primary capillary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for refining vegetable oils, in particular cottonseed oil or a possible mixture of it with others, as substitute of diesel fuel remarkable in that a sequence of treatment steps to be performed on crude vegetable oil, including: a) a pre-treatment thereof consisting of the removal of oil insoluble impurities from the crude oil, b) removal of oil soluble impurities therefrom, c) a free acid neutralization thereof, and d) a drying, bleaching and filtration thereof. This invention also relates to an Additive of organic basis, containing ether, ketone, toluene, hexane, turpentine, alcohols in specific concentrations.

Abstract: Construction system (5+6) for strengthening an existing structure (5) with tension sheets (3) provided in the direction of extension of said existing structure (5), said construction structure comprising at least one structural member (5) and respective anchoring device.

Abstract: An integrated printed inductor has a set of open petal loops, connected together in series. For a given inductance value higher quality factor and higher frequency value result using an equal chip surface area. With the same fabrication cost and equal occupied area, higher quality factor values at higher frequency can be achieved. The innovative shape is such that secondary mutual coupling effects occur and contribute to increases of overall inductance values. Small current loops arranged as petals corresponding to inductance value LO are connected in series for the inductance value to add up to a higher value. The loops are connected along a circular path to minimize the total chip area occupied. A secondary loop in the center of the inductor results in a stronger magnetic flux and a higher inductance value, due to both self inductance of the secondary loop and mutual inductance of it with the petals.

Abstract: Exhaust gas treatment is based on metal foams using catalytic coatings. A catalytic converter for diesel and gasoline engines includes oxidation catalysts, 3-way catalysts, de-NOx catalysts, NH3 slip catalysts. Foam high surface areas and high mixing rates enhance catalytic performance. Particulate filtration in both diesel and direct injection gasoline engines uses deep bed filtration. A multiple-pass radial flow uses more than one foam segments, separated by a diaphragm. Filtration, pressure drop and catalytic performance are enhanced using variable foam porosities in axial and radial flow directions and non-uniform catalyst coatings. More than one catalytic functionalities may be incorporated in a single shell. Secondary foam segments are placed within main foam segments. Diaphragms at the entrance and exit of the external shell allow the flow to be divided between the main and the secondary foam segments according to the respective flow resistances.