Abstract: A secure device for powering a plurality of inductive loads, each coupled to a dedicated converter, the device including a standby converter and, for each inductive load: a flyback diode connected to the inductive load; a circuit for detecting an anomaly of the current flowing through the inductive load; and a selection switch controlled by the detection circuit, adapted to decouple the inductive load from the specific converter and couple the inductive load to said standby converter.

Abstract: A detector of periodic packets of X photons, each packet having a duration shorter than 0.1 nanosecond, comprising a sensor comprising a semiconductor element of type III-V biased in a negative differential resistance region, said sensor being arranged in a resonant cavity tuned to a multiple of the packet repetition frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to boron carbide and to a method for making the same, as well as to a super-abrasive material and a machine device including said boron carbide. The boron carbide of the invention has the following formula BC5 and has a diamond-type cubic structure with a mesh parameter a=3.635±0.006 &angst. The boron carbide of the invention can particularly be used in the field of machining.

Abstract: The invention relates to boron carbide and to a method for making the same, as well as to a super-abrasive material and a machine device including said boron carbide. The boron carbide of the invention has the following formula BC5 and has a diamond-type cubic structure with a mesh parameter a=3.635±0.006 Å. The boron carbide of the invention can particularly be used in the field of machining.

Abstract: A detector of periodic packets of X photons, each packet having a duration shorter than 0.1 nanosecond, comprising a sensor comprising a semiconductor element of type III-V biased in a negative differential resistance region, said sensor being arranged in a resonant cavity tuned to a multiple of the packet repetition frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an atomic force microscope including a microtip placed on a flexible support connected to a microscope head facing a surface to be studied, which includes means for controlling the distance between the head and the surface for a given value and means for inhibiting vibration of the microtip.

Abstract: A device measures or controls a change of a level or a variation in a change of a level between several points. The device includes closed vessels (2) placed respectively at each of the points. The vessels are partially filled with a liquid (53) and are connected by liquid pipes emerging in their lower portion so as to form a liquid circuit (31) and by gas pipes emerging in their upper portion so as to form a gas circuit (36). Each vessel is equipped with a capacitive proximity sensor (11) placed above and at a distance from the upper surface (54) of the liquid which it contains and which provides a signal with respect to position in the vertical direction of a zone of the upper surface of the liquid in the vessel. A device comprises the signals provided by the sensors so as to be able to provide data with respect to the vertical position of the vessels and, consequently, with respect to the points relative to one another or relative to a reference vertical position.