Abstract: A device for directional and wavelength-selective optical coupling formed in a photonic crystal (12) and comprising two parallel waveguides (14, 16) separated by a coupling zone (18) enabling a particular frequency to be extracted from a signal (30) injected in fundamental mode into one of the waveguide (14) and to recover said frequency at the outlet (34) of the other waveguide (16), extraction and injection being performed by coupling between fundamental and high order modes in each waveguide.

Abstract: An integrated imager circuit comprising a monolithic array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) for capturing an image of a scene when said scene is hit by an optical pulse, said array comprising: a plurality of SPADs connected to 2D readout circuits determines the intensity of the light reflected by said scene by counting the number of photons received by said SPADs during a period of time, a plurality of SPADs connected to 3D readout circuits determines the distance to said scene by determining the elapsed time between the emission of each pulse and reception of the corresponding reflected photons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of fabricating the apparatus for dispensing a sample for subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry. The apparatus comprises a polymer substrate (1), in which a covered microchannel (3) has been etched, a wall of the microchannel comprising an electrically conductive material (2) for applying a voltage allowing the sample to be sprayed into a mass spectrometer from the open end (4) of the microchannel. The present application also discloses various applications of the apparatus.

Abstract: An intravascular dilator includes a central body acting as deflector o the blood flow to increase the value of shear stress to the artery wall. Flexible spires soldered to the deflector are radially extensible from a first diameter substantially equal to the deflector diameter to a second diameter greater than the artery diameter, the spires rest against the artery internal wall in operative position.

Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to human or animal bone, said implant having a surface made from a selected metal or a selected metal alloy or a ceramic, whereby said metal resp. metal alloy is selected from chromium, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, zirconium, aluminium, cobalt, nickel, stainless steels or an alloy thereof, said surface having a smooth or rough texture, characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable organic compound carrying at least one phosphonic acid group or a derivative thereof preferably a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or amid thereof and method for producing said implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for locally patterning surfaces. In one such method, an oxidizable thioether is adsorbed onto a conductive surface. The surface is then contacted with a fluid medium. A conducting stamp is then brought into contact with the fluid medium above the thioether-coated surface. Next, a potential is applied between the stamp and the surface. It is expected that the charge will be transferred through the medium to the coated surface along a shortest distance path, thereby locally oxidizing the thioether and effectively creating a negative patterned image of the conducting stamp on the surface. Remaining adsorbed thioether may then be used as a mask for standard etching or material addition procedures.

Abstract: Supported photooxidation catalysts containing a metal oxide or metal ion as catalyst which is fixed to the support by means of carboxylate moieties are an alternative to existing such catalysts, particularly if low cost supports such as organic polymers, particularly polyethylene, are used. The supported photocatalysts can be used in mineralisation of organic pollutants in both liquids and gases and show reduced leaching of the catalyst and good resistance towards reactive oxygen species generated during the degradation process.

Abstract: The application describes ligands for binding targets, the ligands preferably including peptides having at least one sulfated or sulfonated amino acid. The ligand preferably specifically binds to heparin binding sites of biomolecules. Compositions, systems, and methods for making and using the ligands are described.

Abstract: This invention discloses new methods, security devices and apparatuses for authenticating documents and valuable articles which may be applied to any support, including transparent synthetic materials and traditional opaque materials such as paper. The invention relates to moire intensity profiles which occur in the superposition of specially designed random structures. By using specially designed random basic screen and random master screen, where at least the basic screen is comprised in the document, a moire intensity profile of a chosen shape becomes visible in their superposition, thereby allowing the authentication of the document. An important advantage of the present invention is that it can be incorporated into the standard document printing process, so that it offers high security at the same cost as standard state of the art document production.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the reproduction of color images by multi-color dithering. Multi-color dithering is an extension of bi-level dithering for halftoning an input image using as primary colors an arbitrary number of inks. The inks may comprise standard inks or non-standard inks such as non-process color inks, opaque inks, metallic inks, variable color inks and fluorescent inks. Multi-color dithering provides a solution for creating artistic multi-color dithered images, whose screen elements are made of artistic color screen shapes such as micro-letters, symbols and ornaments. When printed at high resolution and at high registration accuracy, multi-color dithering using large dither arrays incorporating artistic dither shapes provides an effective solution for preventing counterfeiting. The use of non-standard inks offers additional protection. Multi-color dithering also offers a solution for printers requiring that all inks are printed side by side, without overlaps.

Abstract: A solid state p-n heterojunction comprising an electron conductor and a hole conductor; it further comprises a sensitising semiconductor, said sensitizing semiconductor being located at an interface between said electron conductor and said hole conductor. In particular, the sensitizing semiconductor is in form of quantum-dots. A solid state sensitized photovoltaic cell comprises such a heterojunction between two electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating fluid samples comprises a micro-chip device having first and second covered channels, each channel having openings at both ends. The channels intersect to form a common intersection. Three of the openings of the channels are connected to a multi-port valve to control pressure in the device.

Abstract: A method of generating an image incorporating a microstructure includes the steps of obtaining an original image, generating a microstructure, and rendering a region or the whole said original image with said microstructure. The operation of generating the microstructure includes an automatic synthesis of microstructure elements from original microstructure shapes.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electroluminescent device comprising first and second substantially parallel mirrors for converting electron-hole pairs into photons, and means for generating electrons and holes. The converting means and the first and second mirrors are designed to ensure the confinement between the first and second mirrors of photons having at least a selected wavelength, associated with a guided propagation mode. Additionally, the device comprises light extracting means which communicate with part at least of the converting means and the generating means, comprised between the first and second mirrors, and are designed to extract therefrom part at least of the photons in guided mode, so that they reach outside.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for emitting addressable locations comprises parallel spaced-apart first conductors (10) intersecting with parallel spaced-apart second conductors (11). The intersecting first and second conductors define addressable locations where electrons (12) are emitted in response to the application of an energizing voltage. One face of the first conductors is covered with an insulating layer (13) against which the second conductors (11) are applied, this insulating layer (13) forming a tunnel barrier for hot electrons (12) that travel ballistically through and are emitted from the second conductors (11) in response to the application of the energizing voltage. The emitted electrons impinge a target (30, 40, 50) which can be a light-emitting screen of a flat panel display, such as an electroluminescent polymer of a flat panel screen, or an electroluminescent phosphorous screen, or a target wafer bombarded by the electrons emitted from a flexible e-beam lithography mask.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for performing digital holographic imaging (DHI), said DHI being characterized by the fact that images of a sample are obtained by applying numerical means to reconstruct holograms of the sample. In the method of the invention, the sample is in a medium with controlled properties that influence the behaviour of the sample, and/or that influence the process of hologram formation. The information content of one hologram, or of a plurality of holograms, recorded with the sample in one medium, or in a plurality of medium, is used to reconstruct one image of the sample, or a plurality of images of the sample, that describe quantitatively one property of the sample, or a plurality of properties of the sample. The present invention is also related to an apparatus with which to perform said method.

Abstract: A tandem cell or photoelectrochemical system for the cleavage of water to hydrogen and oxygen by visible light has two superimposed photocells, both cells being connected electrically. The photoactive material in the top cell is a semiconducting oxide placed in contact with an aqueous solution. This semiconducting oxide absorbs the blue and green part of the solar emission spectrum of a light source or light sources and generates with the energy collected oxygen and protons from water. The not absorbed yellow and red light transmits the top cell and enters a second photocell, the bottom cell, which is mounted, in the direction of the light behind, preferably directly behind the top cell. The bottom cell includes a dye-sensitized mesoporous photovoltaic film. The bottom cell converts the yellow, red and near infrared portion of the sunlight to drive the reduction of the protons, which are produced in the top cell during the photo catalytic water oxidation process, to hydrogen.

Abstract: The manufacturing method for components of the inductive type, in particular inductance coils, transformers or antennae, consists in making by micro-machining simultaneously on a first substrate made of magnetic material a plurality of first parts (1) connected to each other by connecting elements (2) or a connecting support, inserting on the arms (8a, 8b, 8c) of these first parts (1) a printed multi-layered plate (4, 5) having openings for the arms and metal windings ending in at least two contact pads (7a, 7b), in placing and securing a second substrate made of magnetic material on the first substrate and the plate, said second substrate having undergone micro-machining to obtain second parts (13) complementary to the first parts. These second parts are connected to each other by connecting elements or a connecting support.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bone substitute with controlled anatomical shape and macroporous structure made from chemically consolidated cement phosphocalcic materials. Said substitute can be obtained by forming a liquid or plastic paste consisting of calcium phosphate and other hardly soluble calcium slats. The forming by molding used with a paste and its chemical consolidation ex-vivo enables an entity to obtain a substitute having a more or less large size whereof the controllable anatomical shape corresponds to that of the bone block to be replaced, and an adapted macroporous architecture promoting rehabitation and resproption of the substitute, while ensuring the best initial mechanical properties and their being preserved until the graft is definitely replaced by the newly formed bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel protein named Api m 6. Api m 6 was identified in bee venom and is found in four isoforms, each about 8 kD. The purified Api m 6 can be used to modulate immune responses, e.g., in individuals hypersensitive to bee venom.