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 layered heterojunction between two electrodes.

Abstract: We present a method and apparatus for local and superficial measurement of the optical properties of turbid media. The depth probed is on the order of 1 transport mean free path of the photon. The absorption coefficient, reduced scattering coefficient and the phase function parameter ?=(1?g2)/(1?g1) are optical parameters computed from a single measurement of the spatially resolved reflectance close to the source. Images of superficial structures of the medium can be obtained by performing multi-site measurements. An important application of this technique is the characterization of biological tissues, for example for medical diagnostic purposes. Measurements on biological tissues can be achieved using a probe of diameter less than 2 mm, and the average volume probed is on the order of 1 mm3. Separate images of absorption and tissue structure can be achieved with a resolution of approximately one transport mean free path of the considered tissue.

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: A tunable Fabry-Perot vertical cavity photonic device and a method of its fabrication are presented. The device comprises top and bottom semiconductor DBR stacks and a tunable air-gap cavity therebetween. The air-gap cavity is formed within a recess in a spacer above the bottom DBR stack. The top DBR stack is carried by a supporting structure in a region thereof located above a central region of the recess, while a region of the supporting structure above the recess and outside the DBR stack presents a membrane deflectable by the application of a tuning voltage to the device contacts.

Abstract: A displacement of a pedestrian is determined from his or her accelerations by detecting accelerations which is substantially non vertical, determining a characteristic feature in the detected accelerations correlated with a step frequency, determining the displacement on the basis of said determined characteristic. The acceleration data can be submitted to waveform analysis to determine an actualized time interval of an occurring feature, such a maximum values, from which it is determined whether the actualized time period falls within determined limit values. The currently detected characteristic feature is then determined as corresponding to a displacement step if the actualized time period falls within said determined limit value. By using non-vertical acceleration measurements, the invention can make it possible to distinguish between forward, backward, left and right stepping movements and take these into account for the navigation.

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 periodic or aperiodic geometrically transformed structures. By using a specially designed basic screen and 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. If a microlens structure is used as a master screen, the document comprising the basic screen may be printed on an opaque reflective support, thereby enabling the visualization of the moire intensity profile by reflection.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly comprising: (a) means for determining the intensity of a plurality of electromagnetic signals, (b) a correlator for correlating or autocorrelating said signals, (c) means for continuously calculating the variance and/or the standard deviation of said signals. It also concerns a method for analysing the intensity of a plurality of electromagnetic radiations scattered and/or emitted from solid, fluid or gaseous samples.

Abstract: A method for marking a compressed digital video signal by embedding a digital signature in the compressed video signal, the signal representing a series of at least two video images, each image being divided into a plurality of regions, the signal including movement vectors representing the movement of the regions between the first and the second image, characterised in that it consists in modifying at least one of the coefficients X or Y of at least one of the movement vectors.

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.

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: The invention relates to a measuring device which permits a very simple positioning of cells and vesicles respective of cell membranes on planar carriers. The invention also relates to a corresponding highly efficient method for the positioning and electric characterization of such membranes with a consistently high signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, statements concerning interactions of substances with lipid membranes respective of materials bonded thereon or therein respective of signal transduction mechanisms connected thereto are possible.

Abstract: An electrochromic or photoelectrochromic device possessing the property of changing color under the effect of an electric voltage and/or of a variation in the intensity of a light radiation, this device comprising at least one cathode and one anode, at least one of these electrodes being constituted at least in part of a transparent or translucent substrate bearing an electrically conductive coating, and an electrolyte arranged between these electrodes, and an electric circuit connecting said cathode and anode, characterized in that at least one of these electrodes carries a coating constituted of at least one nanocrystalline layer of at least one semiconductive material, having a roughness factor equal to at least 20, and a monolayer of electrically active molecules or of an electrically active polymer, said monolayer being absorbed on the surface of this coating, and in that the device contains at least one auxiliary electrically active compound, possibly dissolved in the electrolyte, having the property of

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a plurality of pyroelectric sensors by forming a thin pyroelectric film or layer on one face of a silicon wafer or substrate, wherein electric polarization of this film is provided between lower and upper electrodes defining pixels forming these sensors. In order to protect the wafer in the event of a short-circuit between two electrodes of a pixel, resistors are arranged in series with the lower or upper electrodes by connecting these electrodes to each other by subsets in order to carry out the electric polarization. Once this polarization has been carried out, the electric connections connecting the upper or lower electrodes are removed to allow each pixel to supply an elementary electric signal when the sensor is operating. In order to minimize the risk of short-circuits and in order to reduce the stray capacity of the electrodes, the upper and lower electrodes of the pixels are structured.

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: A system and a method for sterilizing objects, in particular medical instruments and accessories, using gas plasma, also called ionized gas. The gases used to form the plasma do not require to exhibit an intrinsic sterilizing activity. The sterilizing properties result from the passage through an electric field generating the plasma, an electric field which is provided by microwaves, a gas stream including oxygen in molecular form (O2) or as a gas element, and atomic or molecular species capable of emitting UV radiation once they have been energized. The system and method provide the advantage of making it possible to treat heat-sensitive and thermolabile objects at temperatures less than 50° C. using gases presenting no risks for the operator.

Abstract: A high molecular weight water soluble acrylamide based polymer having improved flocculating and dewatering properties is provided. The polymer is prepared by a process in which a small quantity of a chain branching agent is added to the polymerization reaction mixture continuously or stepwise while the monomers are polymerized. The polymer is useful in solid/liquid separations such as flocculants and coagulants in wastewater treatment applications, and as thickening agents.

Abstract: A method of separating isotopes from polyatomic molecules, in particular 13C from trifluoromethane HCF3, by applying to the polyatomic molecules in the gas phase two infrared laser beams of different frequencies. The first laser has a frequency appropriate to excite a low overtone transition of a light atom stretch vibration and produce vibrationally pre-excited molecules enriched in the desired isotopes, for instance 13C. The second laser has a frequency and energy fluence to selectively induce dissociation of the vibrationally pre-excited molecules by infrared multiphoton excitation.

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: A high molecular weight water soluble acrylamide based polymer having improved flocculating and dewatering properties is provided. The polymer is prepared by a process in which a small quantity of a chain branching agent is added to the polymerization reaction mixture continuously or stepwise while the monomers are polymerized. The polymer is useful in solid/liquid separations such as flocculants and coagulants in wastewater treatment applications, and as thickening agents.

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.