Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a transistor, an UTBOX buried insulating layer disposed under it and a ground plane disposed under the layer. A well is disposed under the plane and a first trench is at the periphery of the transistor and extends through the layer into the well. There is a substrate under the well and a p-n diode on a side of the transistor. The diode comprises first and second zones of opposite doping and the first zone is configured for electrical connection to a first electrode of the transistor. The first and second zones are coplanar with the plane and a second trench for separating the first and second zones. The second trench extends through the layer into the plane to a depth less than an interface between the plane and the well. There is a third zone under the second trench forming a junction between the zones.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible structure including implanting ionic species in first and second source substrates so as to form first and second embrittlement regions respectively, delimiting first and second thin films, providing a flexible substrate, the stiffness R of which is less than or equal to 107 GPa·?m3, securing the first and second thin films to the first and second faces of the flexible substrate respectively so as to form a stack including the flexible structure delimited by the first and second embrittlement regions, the flexible structure having a stiffening effect suitable for allowing transfers of the first and second thin films, and applying a thermal budget so as to transfer the first and second thin films onto the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements comprising the steps of placing nuclear fuel balls in the container made from ultra-porous material, applying a CVI to the container and removing the container. The container for manufacturing fuel elements comprising balls, and is produced from at least one ultra-porous material, for example carbon foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for continuous flow production of nanometric or sub-micrometric powders under the action of laser pyrolysis by interaction between a beam emitted by a laser and a flow of reagents emitted by at least one injector, wherein the laser is followed by an optical device allowing the energy of the beam to be distributed along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the flow of reagents, in an elongated cross-section with adjustable dimensions at least at one interaction area between this beam and the flow of reagents emitted by at least two injectors located perpendicularly to the axis of the beam. It also concerns a method for producing such powders.

Abstract: A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element (26, 46; 146; 227) receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission in such a way that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratios, characterized in that the reducing gear of the heat engine includes a first belt-based reduction stage (6; 286).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming microcavities (118) of different depths in a layer (102) based on at least an amorphous or monocrystalline material, comprising at least the following steps in which: at least one shaft and/or trench is formed in the layer (102) so as to extend through one face (101) thereof, such that two sections of the shaft and/or the trench, in two different planes parallel to the face (101), are aligned in relation to one another along an alignment axis forming a non-zero angle with a normal to the plane of said face (101); and the layer (102) is annealed in a hydrogenated atmosphere so as to transform the shaft and/or trench into at least two microcavities (118).

Abstract: Given a component comprising at least one active area formed on a substrate and designed to be coupled to a light guide, a support is used, at least one hole is formed in the support starting from one face of this support, this hole being designed to receive one end of the guide, the substrate is fixed to the other face of the support by forming the hole facing the active area if the active area has already been formed, and otherwise it is formed on the substrate facing the hole and the end of the guide is placed in the hole. The optical system is obtained by optically coupling two devices thus obtained.

Abstract: A process for the micromechanical fabrication of nozzles for ink jets includes forming a groove on a surface of a first substrate, securing the first substrate to a second substrate to form an assembly in which the second substrate covers the groove to form a channel having walls, and then forming an internal protective coating within the channel by thermal oxidation of the walls of the channel. The first and second substrates are then cut along a plane extending perpendicular to the channel thereby to form a nozzle for dispensing a liquid jet. Scales, formed as a result of the cutting operations, are formed on the internal protective coating rather than directly on the walls of the channel. These scales then are removed from the nozzle by eliminating the internal protective coating.

Abstract: System for the detection of substances and in particular explosives, by neutron irradiation thereof.It comprises means (4) for the irradiating, by neutrons, of an object (6) which may contain a substance, means (14) for detecting the gamma radiation which can be emitted by the object and means (18) for processing the signals supplied by the detection means. These processing means count the gamma photons of each line of a plurality of characteristic lines of at least one chemical element of the substance, determining for each line a probability of false detection of the chemical element associated with said line, determine the product of these probabilities, compare said product with a threshold fixed by users and notify the latter if the product is below the threshold, the object then being assumed to contain the substance.

Abstract: Three-dimensional multichip module.The invention relates to a three-dimensional or 3D multichip module having a plurality of bidimensional, elementary electronic modules (4a-4d), each incorporating at least one chip (10a-10d), a support (6a-6d) on which is placed the chip and a conductive interconnection network or array (8a-8d) covering an upper surface of the support. These elementary modules are substantially superimposed in a displaced manner (in the form of a staircase) and are interconnected by means of their interconnection networks and connection pads (12a-12d) placed on those parts of the elementary modules not covered by the upper elementary module.Application to the association of integrated circuits in microconnection technology.

Abstract: An apparatus for sending a sensor, such as an eddy current sensor, into a condenser, heat exchanger or steam generator tube. The apparatus first sends the sensor, which is attached to a cable, into the tube by means of a pressurized fluid which pushes the sensor along tube interior. At the extreme of the sensor's travel into the tube, a first ferrule attached to the rear of the cable blocks a first hydraulic passage in the apparatus. By virtue of slidable control pistons in the apparatus, this blocking cuts off the pushing pressure behind the sensor and then causes wheels to frictionally engage the cable to pull the sensor back to its starting position. At this time, another ferrule, carried near the sensor end of the cable, blocks a second hydraulic passage to thereby disengage the wheels from the cable. The cycle of (1) sensor pushed into the tube (2) sensor withdrawn from the tube, is now complete.

Abstract: Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Abstract: A duct having the shape of a pyramid frustum for the flow of powder in suspension in a carrier gas is of increasing width and decreasing height in the downstream direction. The duct has a solid end-wall and a wall provided with an opening between the open upstream base joined to a supply pipe and a solid portion joined to the open downstream base so as to form a spray-discharge nozzle. The device comprises a screen having holes for the discharge of carrier gas and a grid formed by flat partitions. Inclined deflectors extend transversely within the duct in the vicinity of the opening, the angle of inclination being of increasing value from the upstream end to the downstream end.