Abstract: Embodiments of a thermally modulated photonic switch are presented herein. One embodiment comprises a topology-optimized structure that includes dispersed silicon and silicon dioxide. This topology-optimized structure includes an input waveguide, a first output waveguide, and a second output waveguide. The topology-optimized structure routes a light beam from the input waveguide to the first output waveguide, when the topology-optimized structure is at a first predetermined temperature that causes a refractive index of the silicon in the topology-optimized structure to assume a first predetermined value, and the topology-optimized structure routes a light beam from the input waveguide to the second output waveguide, when the topology-optimized structure is at a second predetermined temperature that causes the refractive index of the silicon in the topology-optimized structure to assume a second predetermined value that is distinct from the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A workpiece-separating device includes: a holding member which detachably holds one of the workpiece and the supporting body; a laser irradiation part which irradiates the separating layer with the laser beam through the other of the supporting body and the workpiece of the laminated body being held by the holding member; and a controlling part which controls an operation of the laser irradiation part, wherein the laser irradiation part has a laser scanner which moves the spot like laser beam along the laminated body, an entire irradiated face of the separating layer in an area of the laser beam irradiated from the laser scanner toward the laminated body is divided into a plurality of irradiation areas each having a band shape that is elongated in one of two directions intersecting a light irradiation direction from the laser irradiation part.

Abstract: A method for removal of a temporary support system for a road bridge pre-fabricated small box girder-type concealed bent cap, and equipment therefor. The removal method comprises the following steps: removing cantilever beams; removing lateral pier support systems and loading same onto a truck; removing outer-side main beam sections connected to lateral pier support systems and loading same onto a truck; removing, horizontally displacing, and lowering a main beam middle section connected to the main pier support system; hoisting, lowering, and laying flat a main truss system, and loading same onto a truck; and removing a main pier vertical support system and a pad beam.

Abstract: Candidate routes, from an origination to a destination, can be produced. Information can be obtained. The information can be of likelihoods of encounters, along the candidate routes, with types of driving situations demonstrated to cause changes in a degree of confidence, of an occupant of an autonomous vehicle, that a controller of the autonomous vehicle will be able to control the autonomous vehicle so that a result of the encounters is not a collision. Take-over probabilities can be obtained. The take-over probabilities can be of likelihoods that the occupant, in response to the encounters, will cause control of the autonomous vehicle to be transferred to the occupant. Based on the information and take-over probabilities, a route from the origination to the destination can be selected from the candidate routes. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to be configured to commence to move in a direction in accordance with the route.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to dynamically updating an existing vehicular micro cloud. In one embodiment, a method includes determining one or more parameters of an environment around a plurality of vehicles, and identifying an impact of the one or more parameters of the environment on one or more of the plurality of vehicles associated with the existing vehicular micro cloud. The method includes identifying one or more properties of the existing vehicular micro cloud. The method includes determining which adjustment to the one or more properties of the existing vehicular micro cloud can address the impact, and updating the one or more properties based on the determination.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for start-up of a system for liquefying a feed gas stream comprising natural gas. The system has a feed gas compression and expansion loop, and a refrigerant system comprising a primary cooling loop and a sub-cooling loop. The feed gas compression and expansion loop is started up. The refrigerant system is pressurized. Circulation in the primary cooling loop is started and established. Circulation in the sub-cooling loop is started and established. A flow rate of the feed gas stream and circulation rates of the primary cooling loop and the sub-cooling loop are ramped up.

Abstract: An absorbent liquid which absorbs at least one of CO2 and H2S from a gas, including a secondary linear monoamine; a tertiary linear monoamine or a sterically hindered primary monoamine; and a secondary cyclic diamine, wherein a concentration of each of the secondary linear monoamine, the tertiary linear monoamine or the sterically hindered primary monoamine; and the secondary cyclic diamine is less than 30% by weight.

Abstract: Examples of methods of hot forming structural components are provided. The methods include heating a blank made from an Ultra High Strength Steel with an aluminum coating and forming the heated blank in a multi-step apparatus.

Abstract: A control method of a drill jumbo is provided. The drill jumbo includes a pre-splitting arm, a drill arm, and a chamber. The pre-splitting arm includes a positioning device, a fixing buckle, a longer rod, an electric telescopic rod, and a water injection opening. The chamber includes a constant pressure valve, an excitation circuit, and a port. A computer controls the positioning device to perform positioning, afterwards, the fixing buckle is opened, the telescopic rod is started, the longer rod is jacked into a position in the hole, and oil is injected into a hydraulic expansion capsule. After blocking of the hole is completed, water is injected into the water injection opening. The port is opened to inject a mixed-phase fluid. The port is closed, the excitation circuit is started, and after a pressure rises to a set value, the constant pressure valve is opened.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method that includes a robotic unit configured to deliver items (e.g., medicine, foodstuff, linens, equipment, etc.) to sites (e.g., rooms, offices, etc.) and/or individuals (e.g., patients, pharmacists, technician, etc.) throughout a facility (e.g., hospital, office building, mailroom, manufacturing facility, etc.). The robotic unit is a mobile unit that operates autonomously to follow predetermined or programmed routes throughout the facility to deliver the items. The system is configured to maintain a chain of custody for the items. In addition, the robotic unit is configured to only allow designated items to be delivered to designated sites and/or to authorized individuals. This can be achieved by the robotic unit having a plurality of containers that are locked within a storage space of the robotic unit, and are only accessible upon successful completion of an authorization process.

Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an engagement plate, a mounting plate, a support structure, and first and second Hall effect sensor assemblies. The mounting plate defines an S-shaped cutout extending through the mounting plate to define first and second finger regions and a perimeter region. The first finger region includes a first distal end spaced from the perimeter region by a first gap defined by the S-shaped cutout. The second finger region includes a second distal end spaced from the perimeter region by a second gap defined by the S-shaped cutout. The support structure includes a base and first and second tabs. The base is sandwiched between the engagement plate and the mounting plate. The first and second tabs extend from the base and into the first and second gaps, respectively. The first and second Hall effect sensor assemblies are configured to detect movement of the first and second tabs, respectively.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying antibody CDR3 clusters using high speed in vitro screening a library selected from the group consisting of cDNA library and nucleic acid aptamer library comprising: (i) preparing a positive spherical shaped structure by binding a target molecule to a spherical shaped molecule, wherein the target molecule is immobilized on the positive spherical shaped structure, wherein the positive spherical shaped structure may contain a fluorescent label; (ii) preparing a negative spherical shaped structure, wherein the target molecule is not immobilized on the negative spherical shaped structure, wherein the negative spherical shaped structure may contain a fluorescent label; (iii) forming a positive spherical shaped conjugate or a negative spherical shaped conjugate by binding a target detecting molecule capable of binding to the target molecule to the positive spherical shaped structure or to the negative spherical structure, wherein the target

Abstract: A method for separating classes of hydrocarbon compounds from a feed stream including a hydrocarbon mixture is disclosed. The method includes the steps of passing a feed stream through a plurality of separation units arranged in a series in any order, wherein each separation unit has an adsorbent material; and separating classes of hydrocarbon compounds from the feed stream. When one of the plurality of separation units comprises an adsorbent material that is a metal organic framework selected from a zirconium, hafnium, cerium, or titanium-based metal organic framework, then another plurality of separation units includes an adsorption material that is different from the metal organic framework. The method is conducted in a liquid phase. The method can also use a single separation unit with a continuous cyclic bed apparatus. The method can be combined with refining and downstream processes.

Abstract: A control system of an electric power distribution system includes processing circuitry and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations that include receiving an indication of a profile, generating a connectivity association key (CAK) based on the profile, distributing a copy of the CAK to a device of the electric power distribution system, and establishing a connectivity association with the device in accordance with the profile based on a verification that the device possesses the copy of the CAK.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device package. The semiconductor device package includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the first substrate. The second substrate has a first surface facing the first substrate and a second surface opposite to the first surface of the second substrate. The semiconductor device package also includes a first electronic component disposed on the first surface of the second substrate and electrically connected to the first surface of the second substrate. The semiconductor device package also includes a first encapsulant and a second encapsulant between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first encapsulant is different from the second encapsulant. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.

Abstract: A printing system 10 configured to generate a product of printing includes: a coater 14 that is a pretreatment machine configured to execute a pretreatment process of performing a predetermined pretreatment on a medium that is a target of the printing; a printer 16 that is a printing device configured to execute a print process of performing the printing by ejecting ink onto the medium after the pretreatment performed by the coater 14; and a controller 12 that is a process management device configured to propose a condition for the pretreatment process based on a condition for the product to be generated.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a parameter of an electrical network includes using sensors to measure a value of a parameter of the electrical network during each sampling period within a selected time section. During each iteration of a plurality of iterations of a sliding window algorithm, wherein within each of the iterations a starting time of a sliding window of the sliding window algorithm within the selected time section is incremented by a selected increment, an average of the measured parameter values over the duration of the sliding window for each of the starting times is calculated. The duration of the sliding window in each iteration is different from the duration of sliding windows in other iterations. A representative value of the calculated averages of the parameter is calculated for each iteration. An alert is issued if indicated by the representative value.

Abstract: An insertion tool may be utilized for placement of a seal into a groove of a component. The insertion tool may comprise a base and a seal lifting portion. The seal lifting portion may comprise a surface configured to selectably engage with a seal to move the seal between a lifted position and an unlifted position within an associated groove of a component. The surface of the seal lifting portion may be configured to continuously move the seal between the lifted position and unlifted position. The seal may have a first height h1 and a second height h2, wherein h2 may be less than h1. The seal may be stretched to h2 in the lifted position and returned to h1 in the unlifted positioned in the associated groove of the component.