Abstract: An optical and atomic force microscopy measurement integrated system is described. The system has an atomic force microscope having a first probe configured to interact with a sample to be analysed, an optical tweezer, a second probe configured to be held in the focus of the optical tweezer, movement means for moving the two probes, measurement means for measuring the variations of position of the two probes and processing means configured to receive, as an input, the measurement signals of the two probes to generate an output signal representative of the sample.

Abstract: An actuator (10) includes a body (12), an output member (14) slidably received in the body (12) along— a first axis (X1), an electric motor (18) arranged to set into rotation a motor shaft (20) about a, second axis (X2) and a motion conversion mechanism (22) for converting the rotary motion produced by the electric motor (18) about the second axis (X2) into a translational motion of the output member (14) along the first axis (X1). The motion conversion mechanism (22) includes a driving pulley (24) which is drivingly connected for rotation with the motor shaft (20) and an elongated mechanical transmission member which is wound onto the driving pulley (24) and is fastened at its two opposite ends to the output member (14) to draw this latter in either direction along the first axis (X1) as a result of the rotation of the driving pulley (24) in either direction. The output member (14) is shaped as a rod and is received in a cylindrical cavity (16) of the body (12) so as to project partially therefrom.

Abstract: The bioassay process for the determination of alterations in neuronal connectivity and/or morphology comprises the operations of:—identifying the critical distance corresponding to which a pair of spaced single neuronal cells, subjected to the assay, is still able to form reciprocally interconnecting neuritic extensions, after a predetermined incubation period under conditions which favour the formation of such neuritic extensions, wherein each of said single neuronal cells is adhered to a respective spot of a substance promoting the adhesion of said neuronal cells, said spots being deposited at a distance from one another onto a substrate inhibiting the adhesion of neuronal cells, and—comparing the critical distance identified with the critical distance determined, under the same conditions, for reference cells, wherein a decrease in said critical distance for the neuronal cells subjected to the assay, relative to the critical distance for the reference cells, is indicative of an alteration in the neuronal c

Abstract: A device (10) includes a turbine (22, 34) having an impeller (22), and an electric generator (12, 24) having a stator (12) provided with stator windings distributed around a cylindrical surface (X) coaxial to the impeller (22), and a permanent magnet (24) which is rotatable relative to the stator (12) and is drivingly connected for rotation with the impeller (22). The impeller (22) is housed inside the permanent magnet (24) and the assembly formed by the impeller (22) and by the permanent magnet (24) is housed inside the stator (12). The permanent magnet (24) is made as a single hollow cylindrical body of high magnetic density material with diametrical magnetization.

Abstract: A method for preparing a colloid solution of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in a solution of acrylic resin in organic solvent includes mixing titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a solution of acrylic resin in organic solvent, so as to obtain the colloid solution. The colloid solution is subjected to a stabilization treatment suitable for preventing or reducing nanoparticle aggregation, the treatment includes irradiating the colloid solution with pulsed coherent light having a wavelength substantially comprised in the ultraviolet absorption band of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The present invention provides compounds and compositions that suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention also sets forth methods for inhibiting FAAH as well as methods for treating conditions such as, but not limited to, pain, inflammation, immune disorders, dermatitis, mucositis, the over reactivity of peripheral sensory neurons, neurodermatitis, and an overactive bladder. Accordingly, the invention also provides compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the selective inhibition of peripheral FAAH (as opposed to CNS FAAH) would be of benefit.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel cladding tube for a liquid-metal or molten-salt cooled reactor includes a tubular body of metal material and a protective coating applied on an outer surface of the tubular body, to contact the coolant. The coating includes at least one layer of coating material selected from the group consisting of ceramic materials, refractory metals, and FeCrAlY alloys, and includes a matrix composed of the coating material in amorphous phase, inside which nanodomains composed of the coating material in crystalline phase are dispersed.

Abstract: A method for self-calibration of the position of a set of sensors of acoustic signals includes: providing a set of sources of acoustic events designed to generate acoustic waves; measuring times of flight of the acoustic events between each source of acoustic events and each microphone; and reconstructing the positions of the set of sensors and the positions of the sources of acoustic events through a maximum-likelihood estimation procedure executed on the basis of the measured times of flight. Times of emission of the acoustic events are acquired. Times of flight are obtained. Distances between the sources and the sensors are calculated. A matrix of estimated positions of the sensor microphones and a matrix of estimated positions of the sources of events are calculated.

Abstract: This invention relates to the controlled realization of ordered superstructures of octapod-shaped colloidal nanocrystals, formed either in the liquid phase or on a solid substrate. These structures can be applied in many fields of technology.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing branched gold nanoparticles is described, starting from an aqueous solution of gold nanoparticle spherical seeds, which is subjected to a growth treatment with an aqueous solution comprising hydroxylamine or a salt thereof as a reducing agent and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as an agent that directs the shape of the nanostructure, and by subsequent addition of an aqueous solution of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4). The structural features and the properties of the branched gold nanoparticles obtained by the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Elastic rotary actuators are provided having breaking units arranged in such a way as to apply on an output member an adjustable braking torque in order to introduce adjustable damping between an input member and the output member in parallel to elastic members.

Abstract: An interface system (10) for man-machine interaction includes a sensor and actuator arrangement (12) wearable by or coupled to the body (B) of a user. A management unit (14) exchanges data with a control application resident on a remote processing system (PS), to transmit data to the application, indicative of the position and movements of the user in a physical environment, and to transmit sensations to the user, in at least one point of the body of the user, indicative of the interaction with an operating environment. The sensors and actuators are supported by operating modules (16), interfacing on at least one communication channel through respective pairs of input and output communication ports. The operating modules are provided with interconnection devices (18) in such a way as to be assembled to each other into a planar arrangement and/or a stacked arrangement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mold components and imprint lithography techniques applied on the basis of organic mold materials in order to form polymer microstructure elements. It has been recognized that adapting surface characteristics of at least one mold component may significantly enhance performance of the lithography process, in particular with respect to suppressing residual polymer material, which in conventional strategies may have to be removed on the basis of an additional etch process.

Abstract: Electroporation devices are provided which include a forceps-type member carrying first and second electrodes and a grip member carrying a third electrode. The third electrode is independently movable with respect to the first and second electrodes in order to vary the spatial configuration of the electrical field generated by the device and thus enable an improved range of action and efficacy. Methods for carrying out electroporation with such devices are also provided.

Abstract: An electroactive microelectromechanical device of the Artificial Hair Cell type includes a moving cilium structure having a substrate and a cantilever, partly or entirely in piezoelectric material, subject to bending or deformation following the action of a force and/or an applied voltage. The cantilever includes a multilayer inducing a stress-driven geometry in which a portion of the cantilever lies outside of a plane defined by the substrate. According to the invention, the cantilever is associated to a piezoresistive element, in particular of piezoresistive material configured to measure the bending or deformation of the cantilever.

Abstract: Methods are provided for obtaining hollow nano-structures which include the steps of providing a suspended film starting layer on a support substrate, depositing on the starting layer a sacrificial layer, performing, in progressive sequence, a complete erosion phase of said support substrate and starting layer and performing an at least partial erosion phase of the sacrificial layer previously deposited on the starting layer so as to obtain holes passing through the starting layer and passing or non passing through the sacrificial layer, depositing, on the side of the support substrate opposite to that where the starting layer is put, at least one covering layer arranged to internally cover the holes created by the progressive erosion. Hollow nano-structures formed by such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An actuator and a method for controlling the actuator are described. The actuator comprises: an output member rotatable around an axis of rotation; an input member rotatable around the axis and connected for rotation with the output member via a plurality of cylindrical helical springs; a motor assembly arranged to drive the input member to rotate around the axis of rotation; first and second sensors for detecting the angular position of the input member and the relative angular position between the input member and the output member; and an electronic control unit arranged to determine a desired angular velocity of the input member on the basis of a desired value for the impedance of the actuator and to control the motor assembly on the basis of the error between the desired angular velocity of the input member and the angular velocity of the input member.

Abstract: A method for generating a minimal set of Analytical Redundancy Relations representing a system to which a plurality of sensors is associated for the observation of variables indicative of operating conditions and adapted to enable detection and isolation of faults. The minimal set of Analytical Redundancy Relations is derived from a complete set of Analytical Redundancy Relations in implicit form, for which an associated binary Fault Signature Matrix is specified, and comprises the relations associated to a minimal subset of rows of the original matrix, which has the same number of non-zero columns and the same number of distinct columns as the original matrix.

Abstract: An interface for neuronal photoactivation includes a semiconducting polymer material, the semiconducting polymer material being excitable by luminous radiation for photovoltaically generating an electric signal. The semiconducting polymer material forms a substrate for neuronal cell adhesion.

Abstract: A rotary joint (10; 110) includes an output member (12; 112) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (x1), a first actuator device (14) arranged to generate a rotary motion about the first axis (x1), an input member (16; 116) driven by the first actuator device (14; 114) about the first axis (x1), elastic elements (20, 64; 120) between the input member (16; 116) and the output member (12; 112) and configured such that the transmission of the torque takes place via the elastic elements (20, 64; 120). A second actuator device (22; 122) is arranged to change the stiffness of the rotary joint (10; 110).