Abstract: A method of controlling the state of polarization of an optical signal includes injecting the optical signal into a laser diode and matching the wavelength of the optical signal to a longitudinal mode of the laser diode. A stabilizer signal can also be injected in to the laser diode. The wavelength of the stabilizer signal is matched a first longitudinal mode of the laser diode a longitudinal mode of the laser diode to the optical signal.

Abstract: A kind of 2-D variable reluctance planar motor comprises: a stator base combined by a plurality of laminated steel bricks; a moving platform consisting of two rows of spaced coil-shoes; traditional sliding supports to hold said platform above said stator base; two electronic rulers for scaling the real position of the platform; traditional supporting means for holding the platform at a distance above the stator base; computer and software for generating motion command signal to PWM generator; PWM current generator for energizing the coils of the moving platform; when a reference data (the final position of the platform) is input into the computer, the computer will give command to the platform and make it moving; once the moving platform is set in motion, the electronic rules continuously detect and transfer the location data of said platform to the computer; the computer continuously compares the data sent by said rules with reference data and gives command to the platform until said two kinds of data are eq

Abstract: An electrical stimulation device for a body part of a person comprises an orthotic with sensor and electrodes and a controller. The controller receives a sensor signal, compares the sensor signal to a threshold value and generates an electrical output from the electrodes if the sensor signal exceeds the threshold value. A docking station facilitates connection of the electrodes and sensors to a computer. The docking station including a first processor for measuring values of the sensor signal and the electrical outputs and a second processor for generating electrical outputs on the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention involves fabric-supported chitosan modified temperature responsive PNIPAAm/PU hydrogel and the use thereof in preparation of facial mask. The merit of this invention is the hydrogel formed can reversibly swell and deswell near body temperature; the incorporation of PU can suppress the syneresis of PNIPAAm at an elevated temperature; Grafting of PNIPAAm and PU onto the surface of cellulose fabrics can enhance the mechanical strength of hydrogel; Coupling of chitosan to the surface of hydrogel can not only improve the handle and skin affinity, but also render the facial mask antibacterial; The hydrogel is capable of loading a variety of nutrients(or other functional components), which can release at body temperature; the hydrogel facial mask can be reusable with repeated rinsing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining an elastic modulus of a material having a Poisson's ratio v by a Berkovich indenter having an elastic modulus E; a Poisson's ratio v, and a cross sectional area A(h) as a function of depth are provided. The method and apparatus model the Berkovich indenter with a conical shape and a spherical cap.

Abstract: An UV detector, comprising: a sapphire substrate; a high temperature AlN buffer layer grown on the sapphire substrate; an intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer grown on the high temperature AlN buffer layer; a GaN epitaxial layer deposited on the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer; a Schottky junction formed on top of the GaN epitaxial layer; and a plurality of ohmic contacts also formed on top of the GaN epitaxial layer, wherein, the high temperature AlN buffer layer and the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer together form a double buffer layer structure so as to improve the reliability and radiation hardness of the UV detector; and wherein the high temperature AlN buffer layer and the intermediate temperature GaN buffer layer are formed by RF-plasma enhanced MBE growth technology.

Abstract: A storage and delivery vessel for a two-part medicament that has first deformable chamber for holding a first part of a medicament and a second chamber for holding a second part of the medicament. The chambers are separated by a closure which opens when the first chamber is deformed by an external force, to mix the first and second parts of the medicament for dispensing through a dispensing aperture.

Abstract: An acupuncture pen comprises: a casing (11); a blunt tip (13), provided at the front end of the casing moveably; a sensing unit (12), provided in the casing (11) for detecting the movement of the tip (13); An A/D converter (15), provided in the casing (11) for converting the analog signal from the sensing unit (12) into digital signal; a microcontroller (16), provided in the casing (11) for receiving the digital signal from the A/D converter (15), and calculating the force blunt tip (13) applied on the skin on the basis of the received digital signal; and a digital display, provided in the wall of the casing, and electrically connected with the microcontroller (16) for indicating the calculated force. With such structure, the acupuncture pen of this invention can achieve compact configuration and indicate the force applied by the pen visually.

Abstract: An impact mechanism for a hammer drill, which has a housing and a drill bit protruding outside the housing, is provided. The mechanism includes firstly an impact platform within the housing; the impact platform is in connection with the drill bit for receiving impact forces and for transferring the impact forces to the drill bit. The mechanism also has a plurality of cams within the housing, and the plurality of cams are angularly spaced apart and arranged about an axis of rotation. The mechanism further includes a plurality of hammers placed within the housing and interactable with both the impact platform and the plurality of cams. The plurality of hammers are angularly spaced apart and arranged about the axis of rotation, and each hammer is capable of reciprocating along the axis for exerting the impact forces on the impact platform.

Abstract: Existing pressure sensing fabrics may involve two portions, i.e., insulating and conductive portions in the fabric, which increases the complexity of the fabric system and more important, and the instablization of the resistance-strain relationship during dynamic deformation which limits the application fields due to intrinsic properties difference between the two portions. These fabrics commonly employ two or more layers to accomplish the detecting functions. Such arrangements increase the thickness, weight, and cost of the sensors with some other disadvantages such as low accuracy, instability, etc. This invention describes a pressure sensing fabric have a general structure as simple as a plurality of electrically conducting yarns forming interlocking loops of yarns. The pressure sensing fabric is found not only be able to sense pressure but also the magnitude of the pressure.

Abstract: A method for predicting blood glucose level of a person includes performing on the person a near-infrared spectral scan of a body part at a first group of wavelengths and at a second group of wavelengths, determining a first group of near-infrared absorbance values for the first group of wavelengths and a second group of near-infrared absorbance values for the second group of wavelengths, determining a first difference for the first group of near-infrared absorbance values and a second difference for the second group of near-infrared absorbance values, and calculating a blood glucose level for the person using the first and second differences.

Abstract: A process for measuring a property of a sample is provided. The sample has an external surface enclosing an inner portion, and firstly, the sample is deformed by applying a predetermined non-contact pressure to deform a portion of the sample. Then a signal, which is at least suitable for transmission over the air, is directed towards the deformed portion of the sample, and further propagates through the external surface and the inner portion of the sample. Then an echoed signal generated by the inner portion of the sample in response to the propagation of the signal is detected; wherein the echoed signal incorporates information relating to a deformation of the inner portion of the sample. The property of the sample is determined from the deformation of the inner portion of the sample.

Abstract: Most of the dielectric ceramic compositions consist of three or more different lead-based or non-lead ceramics. These materials and their solid solutions can give high dielectric constants (er>10000) but the disadvantage is large fluctuations in the dielectric constant with increasing or decreasing temperature. Most applications of these materials are therefore concentrated on the utilization of their dielectric constants at a specific temperature. This invention provides a dielectric composite of the general formula (x)[Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3]:(1?x)[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3] having improved stability of dielectric constant in the working temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a singles ring yarn, firstly a first twist is supplied to a strand of traveling drafted fibers at a false twist device for producing a preliminary singles yarn. The false twist device rotates at a first speed for twisting the fibers. Immediately after the first twisting step, a joint twist of a second twist in the same direction as the first twist and a third twist in a reversed direction is supplied to the preliminary yarn for producing a final singles ring yarn. The second twist is produced by a rotatable take-up package onto which the final singles yarn is drawn. The reversed twist results in correspondence to the first twist, and the take-up package rotates at a second speed. The final singles yarn is then drawn onto the take-up package. Furthermore, a ratio of the first speed to the second speed is controlled for controlling the amount of a residual torque in the final singles ring yarn.

Abstract: A method of modeling muscular tissue with active finite elements. The motion and stress-strain distribution of the muscular tissue can be predicted using interconnections of the active finite elements. Each active finite element includes a motor element and at least one passive element, such as a dashpot or spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of the formula wherein R is optionally substituted lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; R? is alkyl or aryl; n is zero or an integer of 1 or 2; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of formula (I) are bridged C2-symmetric biphenyldiphosphine analogs and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high diastereomeric and optical purity according to the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a housing and a mechanical sensor placed in the housing for sensing change of the pressure. A characteristic of the sensor varies in correspondence to the change of the pressure. The gauge also includes an optical fiber, at least part of which is in the housing with a first end connected to the sensor such that a characteristic of the fiber varies in correspondence to the variance of the characteristic of the sensor, and an optical signal generator connected to a second end of the fiber for emitting an optical signal into the fiber. The second end of the fiber is distanced from the sensor, and the fiber generates at least a first reflected optical signal towards said second end, which first reflected optical signal contains information relating to the variance of the characteristic of the fiber.

Abstract: A series of paraffin compounds, the phase change materials (PCMs), were microencapsulated in an interfacial polymerization process to form the double-shell microcapsules with relatively low shell permeability. The inner shell is formed through the reaction between polypropylene glycols and bifunctional polyisocyanates and the outer through the reaction between bifunctional polyisocyanates and polyamines added in the continuous aqueous phase. The so prepared microencapsulated paraffin compounds emulsion can be used as the medium for temperature management in many fields.

Abstract: An optical fiber device has at least two cores within the same cladding having different characteristics. The characteristics include including strain optic coefficient, thermo-optic coefficient, thermal expansion coefficient, photo-sensitivity and refractive index. One or more cores can have a Bragg grating.