Abstract: Analysis of residual stress in materials is often done in static conditions in a laboratory. Accurate systems and methods for performing these analyses in a dynamic, non-laboratory environment are notoriously difficult and can be very inaccurate. A method using a portable, field deployable apparatus having greater accuracy than currently available is disclosed whereby accurate and repeatable residual stress analysis may be implemented in non-laboratory environments leading to greatly improved diagnostics, maintenance and life limit prediction.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit and a method for its manufacture are provided. In an embodiment, an intermetal dielectric layer, for example, a silicon oxide layer, is contiguous between an upper metal layer and a lower metal layer on a substrate. One or more waveguides having top and bottom faces are formed in respective waveguide layers within the intermetal dielectric layer between the upper and lower metal layers. There is a distance of at least 600 nm from the upper metal layer to the top face of the uppermost of the several waveguides. There is a distance of at least 600 nm from the lower metal layer to the bottom face of the lowermost of the several waveguides. The waveguides are formed of silicon nitride for longer wavelengths and alumina for shorter wavelengths. These dimensions and materials are favorable for CMOS processing, among other things.

Abstract: Cleaning arms for cleaning containers are disclosed that can be used for transportation of food, medical, and/or pharmaceutical products. In some embodiments, a container cleaning arm comprises a main body and rotatable head for cleaning a container interior surface. The main body comprises a proximate end configured for engaging with a motorized drive and a distal end rotatably coupled to the rotatable head. The rotatable head comprises a first washing nozzle or group of washing nozzles and a first air knife dryer positioned adjacent to the first group of washing nozzles.

Abstract: A cooperative driving system includes a processor and a memory having one or more modules. The modules cause the processor to determine a route that includes a road segment to a destination for an ego vehicle based on (1) an ego vehicle operating parameter that has information regarding a preferred operation of an ego vehicle by an occupant, and (2) a location of a like vehicle with respect to the ego vehicle when the ego vehicle is traveling on at least a portion of the route. The one or more modules also cause the processor to determine a road-segment-level decision for the ego vehicle for the road segment based on the ego vehicle operating parameter, communicate with the like vehicle near the road segment to negotiate the road-segment-level decision to generate a negotiated road-segment-level decision, and maneuver the ego vehicle inside the road segment using the negotiated road-segment-level decision.

Abstract: A two-photon stimulated emission depletion composite microscope using continuous light loss, the microscope comprising: a two-photon imaging unit (100) and an STED imaging unit (200), wherein for thicker samples, the two-photon imaging unit (100) can be used, and for regions of interest on the surface of samples, the STED super-resolution imaging unit (200) can be used. The two-photon stimulated emission depletion composite microscope using continuous light loss integrates two functions of STED imaging and two-photon imaging, so as to provide a powerful tool for cutting-edge biomedical research.

Abstract: There is described a method of locating an area of interest in a conduit, comprising: measuring multiple acoustic signals at multiple locations along the conduit; for each acoustic signal, determining its autocorrelation; and applying a relationship to the determined autocorrelations to estimate a location of the area of interest, wherein the relationship is between autocorrelations of acoustic signals measured in a modelled conduit and modelled areas of interest in the modelled conduit, wherein it is assumed that acoustic signals propagating along the modelled conduit reflect from at least one point in the modelled conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a window-glass having a print pattern for a smartphone camera, and has an object of enabling various patterns such as rings, dots, curves, and designs to be implemented within the printable extent on a window-glass for a camera.

Abstract: There is provided a method of cleaning a print roller and a system for performing the same. The method comprises providing an ultrasonic cleaning bar having at least one ultrasonic energy source. The ultrasonic cleaning bar is engaged with an ink-carrying surface of the print roller, the ultrasonic cleaning bar and the ink-carrying surface defining a trough therebetween for containing a cleaning fluid. A cleaning routine is executed, the cleaning routine comprising: filling the trough with the cleaning fluid so that the cleaning fluid contacts the ink-carrying surface; activating the ultrasonic energy source for a period of time to remove contaminants from the ink-carrying surface of the print roller so that the contaminants become suspended in the cleaning fluid; and draining the suspension of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the trough. The method comprises executing the cleaning routine at least two times in succession before cleaning of the print roller is complete.

Abstract: Examples include a structure adapted for monitoring electric charge characteristics of the structure, where the wind turbine generator includes an electric charge monitoring system including one or more electrostatic sensors adapted for measuring polarity, the one or more electrostatic sensors being configured for measuring an electrostatic potential of one or more parts or at locations of the structure, where sensory data from the electrostatic sensors are time-stamped and time-synchronised, and the electric charge monitoring system is configured for monitoring charge characteristics at the one or more parts or locations of the structure.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore, a fracture that extends from the wellbore, and an electromagnetic contrast material positioned within the fracture. The hydrocarbon wells also include a downhole electromagnetic transmitter, which is configured to direct an electromagnetic probe signal incident upon the electromagnetic contrast material, and a downhole electromagnetic receiver, which is configured to receive an electromagnetic resultant signal from the electromagnetic contrast material. Methods for monitoring fracture morphology of a fracture that extends from a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well include flowing an electromagnetic contrast material into a fracture and generating an electromagnetic probe signal. The methods also include modifying the electromagnetic probe signal with the electromagnetic contrast material to generate an electromagnetic resultant signal. The methods further include receiving the electromagnetic resultant signal and determining the morphology of the fracture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for a power electronics assembly that includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an electrical insulation portion. The PCB includes a plurality of embedded power devices and a substrate layer having a plurality of metal inverse opal (MIO) portions. The electrically insulating portion is positioned between each of the MIO portions. The plurality of MIO portions is thermally coupled to the plurality of embedded power devices.

Abstract: A driver monitor system and method of optimizing use of cognitive resources of a user in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes in-cabin video cameras, a display device, and processing circuitry. The method performed by the processing circuitry includes monitoring eye gaze direction using images from the in-cabin video cameras, gradually softening image regions and lines displayed in the display device that are outside a first vision area of the user of the vehicle, and using the eye gaze direction to predict whether the user is transitioning into a new focus vision area that had been outside the first vision area. When the user's eyes begin to move, begin sharpening softened image regions and lines such that by the time eyes have shifted into the new focus vision area, the image regions and lines in the new focus vision area reach full sharpness.

Abstract: A wiring structure includes a test pattern layer. The test pattern layer includes a test circuit pattern and a heat dissipating structure. The heat dissipating structure is disposed adjacent to the test circuit pattern, and is configured to reduce temperature rise of the test circuit pattern when a power is applied to the test circuit pattern.

Abstract: A harmonic drive assembly and fluid-powered linear motors with both axial pistons are rotary piston arrangements incorporating the harmonic drive assembly are disclosed. The motors may be used in downhole drilling applications, but the drive assembly and/or motors may be used in other applications. The assembly, motors and methods use advanced harmonic drives, advanced helical drives, and combinations thereof with 1) motors with axial pistons and reciprocating linear rings to convert reciprocative axial motion to continuous rotary motion, and 2) motors with rotary pistons and reciprocating linear rings to rectify reciprocative rotary motion to continual rotary motion to improve performance over prior configurations. Axial pistons provide a robust simple solution for generating rotation; Rotational pistons provide increased torque generation as the torque generated is proportional to motor length. Since downhole drills are long, a high-torque motor can be produced using this method.

Abstract: A slurry including a density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid and a method for completing a hydrocarbon well using such a slurry are provided herein. The slurry includes a proppant and the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid, where the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid includes a pseudo heavy fluid suspension, a concentrated aqueous solution of a soluble heavy compound, and/or a high-density organic solution. The density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is between 1.25 grams/milliliter (g/ml) and 3.4 g/ml. Moreover, the density of the density-tunable heavy fracturing fluid is selected based on the density of the proppant. According to the method provided herein, the slurry is used to provide for more effective placement of the proppant within the fractures than can be achieved using only a slurry including conventional fracturing fluid and the proppant.

Abstract: A method of confirming an identity of a user, including displaying a first visual indicator, where the first visual indicator is flashing at a first frequency to induce a first brainwave activity. The first brainwave activity of the user may be measured by a sensor. The measured first brainwave activity may be compared against a user profile to confirm the identity of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide for secure communications between a user device and an authentication system. The systems and methods create a dynamic identification for the device that is stored in both the device and authentication system.