Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a bipolar transistor, comprising providing a substrate (10) comprising a first isolation region (12) separated from a second isolation region by an active region (11) comprising a collector impurity; forming a layer stack over said substrate, said layer stack comprising a base layer (14, 14?), a silicon capping layer (15) over said base layer and a silicon-germanium (SiGe) base contact layer (40) over said silicon capping layer; etching the SiGe base contact layer to form an emitter window (50) over the collector impurity, wherein the silicon emitter cap layer is used as etch stop layer; forming sidewall spacers (22) in the emitter window; and filling the emitter window with an emitter material (24). A bipolar transistor manufactured in accordance with this method and an IC comprising one or more of such bipolar transistors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a) a component 1 comprising a silane-terminated prepolymer; and b) a component 2 comprising water; and c) a component 3 comprising a silanol condensation catalyst. The composition is packaged in at least two separate packages prior to application, wherein no package contains all three components 1 and 2 and 3. In the composition water is present in an amount of 0.01 to 10 pbw per 100 pbw of prepolymer present in the composition, and the apparent viscosities of each of the packages is at most 95 Pa·s (Brookfield viscosity (A/6/10)) according to ISO 2555 at 23° C. The composition may suitably applied to railway track structures for the dampening of noise and vibrations of rails.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle roof opening comprises a pair of guide rails extending in a non-parallel way and at a distance from each other. At least one closure element is adjustable in order to at least cover and at least partly open the opening. At least one pair of sliding elements opposite of each other on each of opposite sides of the closure element is provided for slidably engaging in the respective guide rail. The sliding elements are slidably connected to the closure element in a substantially lateral direction. A biasing device is used for biasing the sliding elements relative to the closure element in a substantially lateral direction by being attached to the closure element on one end and being operatively connected to each pair of opposite sliding elements on the other end with interposition of a synchronizing device equalizing the movements of the sliding elements.

Abstract: A pet toy comprising a head having a recess and two interlocking arms that extend from the head and are situated such that one arm is wrapped around the other to create a barrier to accessing the recess in the head. The head and interlocking arms are comprised of a single durable, flexible and resilient material.

Abstract: A method for attaching together by means of explosion welding two metal pipes (2; 3) arranged within each other, wherein a mantle of explosive material (5) is arranged around the outer pipe (2) and this mantle is made to explode in order to cause a metallurgical joint between the two pipes, according to the present invention is characterised in that the interior (4) of the inner pipe (3) is filled with granular material (6) and the interstices left free by the granular material (6) are filled with liquid (7) before the explosive material (5) is made to explode.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a radiation source configured to produce a radiation beam, and a support configured to support a patterning device. The patterning device is configured to impart the radiation beam with a pattern to form a patterned radiation beam. A chamber is located between the radiation source and patterning device. The chamber contains at least one optical component configured to reflect the radiation beam, and is configured to permit radiation from the radiation source to pass therethrough. A membrane is configured to permit the passage of the radiation beam, and to prevent the passage of contamination particles through the membrane. A particle trapping structure is configured to permit gas to flow along an indirect path from inside the chamber to outside the chamber. The indirect path is configured to substantially prevent the passage of contamination particles from inside the chamber to outside the chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle maintenance system is disclosed having a power unit, a pump, a foam generator, an air compressor, first and second fluid tanks, a hose reel assembly, a wash gun assembly and a support member.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes a component and a local cooler to apply a local cooling load to the component. The local cooler has a gas passageway including a flow restriction upstream of the component and configured to direct a flow of gas exiting the flow restriction to cool a surface of the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Cucumis sativus, in particular to a new variety of Cucumis sativus designated NUN 5539 CUP (also designated “Mitchell”) plants, seeds and cucumber fruits thereof.

Abstract: A medium support member includes a table having a top surface; an overlay placed on the top surface of the table, the overlay having a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of through-holes; a spacer array provided between the top surface of the table and the bottom surface of the overlay to define a gap between the table and the overlay, and at least one vacuum passage communicating with said gap for creating an underpressure in the gap, wherein at least portions of the overlay and corresponding portions of the table are held together by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a headlamp assembly can comprise: a reflector, a mounting bracket, a housing, and a light source. The reflector can have a lip at a light source opening and a peripheral rim with a reflector portion extending from the lip to a peripheral rim. The mounting bracket can be configured to attach to the reflector. The mounting bracket can comprise attachment structures configured to mate with the lip, and adjustment features that enable horizontal, vertical, and pivotal adjustment. The light source can extend into the reflector through the light source opening.

Abstract: A device for detecting the likelihood of the presence of at least one human finger on a surface, and a method of using the device in the user interface of a machine, device or system. The device comprises at least one element having piezoelectric characteristics, located under a surface, the element arranged in the device in such a manner that a force when exerted on the surface, such as when the surface is pressed by finger, is transferred to mechanical stress of the element, the element then producing a voltage output in response to the mechanical stress. Also included are means for measuring the voltage output in a predefined time period and means for determining the degree of stability of the measured voltage output, and configured to indicate whether or not the degree of stability shows that the measured voltage output is likely to be a human finger or not.

Abstract: A method for ensuring the safety of a wheelchair passenger in a transport vehicle is disclosed. The method ensures that the wheelchair is blocked from moving by fixating the wheelchair to the vehicle floor and ensures that the wheelchair passenger is secured in his wheelchair by a safety-belt system. Prior to transport the method includes sensing if the wheelchair is correctly fixed to the vehicle floor and sensing if the safety-belt system is applied correctly. In a second aspect, a method for ensuring the safety of a wheelchair passenger in a transport vehicle is provided, by instructing the operator of the securing procedure to be followed. The safety of a wheelchair passenger in a vehicle is ensured by allowing the wheelchair user to indicate his status of safety.

Abstract: A multiwall sheet comprises a sheet, comprising walls, wherein the walls comprise a first wall; a second wall; and an outermost rib extending between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall extends longitudinally past the outermost rib to a first wall end and wherein the second wall extends longitudinally past the outermost rib to a second wall end; and an end cap comprising a top wall having a top wall end, a bottom wall having a bottom wall end, and a connecting wall disposed between the top wall end and the bottom wall end; wherein the end cap is disposed over the first wall end and the second wall end and wherein the top wall and the bottom wall extend longitudinally along the first wall and the second wall past the outermost rib.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal tester for a dental clinic for accurately measuring dental pulp thermal sensitivity by rapidly delivering heat at a predetermined temperature to a tooth. The thermal tester for a dental clinic of the present invention comprises: a tester body having on one side a protruding heat transfer terminal provided with a contact surface that comes into contact with the tooth; and a heating unit for heating the heat transfer terminal, wherein the heating unit includes a first heating element and a second heating element, which, in a mutually electrically insulated state, penetrate the inside of the tester body, and extend to the heat transfer terminal, wherein the respective end portions of the first and second heating elements, which face the contact surface of the heat transfer terminal, closely contact each other to generate thermoelectricity.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a transport vehicle of able people and/or people in a wheelchair is described. The device includes a foot support with a foot attachment for attachment to a vehicle floor and a rigid arm having a shoulder end and a foot end. The rigid arm is connected near the foot end to the foot support. The system also includes a safety-belt system including a safety-belt and safety-belt attachment. The safety-belt attachment has a first attachment point with belt-guiding situated near the shoulder end of the rigid arm. The rigid arm is attached to the foot support by one or more arm hinges. The rigid arm is capable of rotating around the arm hinges. In addition, a foldable chair may be mounted on the foot support. The foot support may be connected with the vehicle floor using a connector which fits in a rail in the floor.

Abstract: A radiation source is configured to generate radiation. The radiation source includes a first electrode and a second electrode configured to produce an electrical discharge during use to generate radiation-emitting plasma from a plasma fuel. The radiation source also includes a fuel supply configured to supply a plasma fuel to a fuel release area that is associated with the first electrode and the second electrode, and a fuel release configured to induce release of fuel, supplied by the fuel supply, from the fuel release area. The fuel release area is spaced-apart from the first electrode and from the second electrode.

Abstract: A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk drive uses “shingled” recording and a rectangular waveguide as a “wide-area” heat source. The waveguide generates a generally elliptically-shaped optical spot that heats an area of the recording layer extending across multiple data tracks. The waveguide core has an aspect ratio (cross-track width to along-the track thickness) that achieves the desired size of the heated area while locating the peak optical intensity close to the trailing edge of the write pole tip where writing occurs. The large cross-track width of the waveguide core increases the volume of recording layer heated by the optical spot, which reduces the rate of cooling. This moves the peak temperature point of the heated area closer to the write pole tip and reduces the temperature drop between the peak temperature and the temperature at the trailing edge of the write pole tip where writing occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material, such as a biomass or fodder for cattle, comprises a container having a bottom and an upright wall, and at least one mixing element comprising an upright column and a mixing blade attached to the column. A front edge of the mixing element at least is proximate to the bottom of the container. The mixing element with its column is rotatably mounted in the container and can be coupled to a drive unit. The mixing blade comprises an element which is rotatably supported on a carrier that is fixed to the column. A part of the circumferential edge of the rotatable element may form the front edge and the part of the outer edge of the mixing blade that joins said front edge.