Abstract: An exponential charge pump uses a number of identical or similar charging stages, each having a first and second capacitor. During a first clock phase, the first capacitor of each stage is charged by the second capacitor of the preceding stage, and, during a complementary second clock phase, the positive plate of the first capacitor of each stage is pushed to an increased voltage by the first capacitor of the preceding stage and charges the second capacitor of the next stage to the increased voltage at the same time. A similar mechanism occurs to the second capacitors in each stage, but with complementary timing. The increased voltage of the first capacitor of the last stage is pumped to an output capacitor during the second clock phase, and the increased voltage of the second capacitor of the last stage is pumped to an output capacitor during the first clock phase.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated circuit (IC) optical detector. The IC optical detector comprises a substrate and an IC. The substrate comprises a plurality of test sites defined thereon. The test sites comprise a surface suitably treated for coating of at least one test sample. The at least one test sample is capable of being changed by a reaction. The IC comprises at least one optical sensor array for simultaneously receiving and sensing optical signals from the test sites during operations Presence of at least one changed test sample at a test site changes the quantity of light directed through the test site. The change in quantity of light is detectable by the sensor array. The optical sensor array further converts the sensed optical signals to electrical signals. The IC automatically processes and outputs the electrical signals during operation. This invention further provides a method for detecting a specific sample within at least one test sample.

Abstract: System and methodologies for low-distortion index assignment for quantization are provided herein. Various aspects described herein utilize a graph theoretic approach for determining an index assignment mapping between a quantization codebook and a signal constellation by employing a variation of the subgraph isomorphism problem. The graph theoretic index assignment algorithms described herein allow efficient determination of index assignment mappings for both binary and non-binary quantization schemes. Further, the topological structure of a signal constellation can be exploited to simplify the set of subgraphs to be searched in select cases. Various aspects described herein can additionally be utilized to determine index assignment mappings for space-time block codes in a multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system.

Abstract: A waveguide structure is described wherein microwaves or radio-frequency waves can be guided in their propagation through channels whose cross-sections contain fractal patterns, with relevant dimensions much smaller than the wavelengths of the guided waves. A finite section of such waveguide can be used as an efficient delay line.

Abstract: A system, structure, and method of making the structure are disclosed for generating a large chemical potential difference between spin-up and spin-down electrons in non-magnetic materials. The device includes an inverse spin valve of a sandwiched layer structure with alternating non-magnetic and magnetic layers. In an embodiment of the invention, the structure is a tri-layer device with a magnetic layer sandwiched by two non-magnetic metals. Once the inverse spin valve structure is provided, an external electric field is applied to the inverse spin valve to generate a large chemical potential difference between the spin-up and spin-down electrons. In an embodiment of the invention, this feature is exploited to create a tunable light emitting diode or laser. In an embodiment of the invention, a dynamical magnetism is induced and controlled in the valve by an electric field. The dynamical magnetization may be used as spin source, or in electronic storage devices.

Abstract: A frequency compensation method for voltage-mode switching regulators is disclosed. A lowpass filter and a bandpass filter are employed in the two signal paths into the dual inputs of PWM comparators. In one embodiment, two zeros are generated to compensate for the L-C output filter poles. Stable operation, low output voltage ripple and fast load transient response are achieved; while the power consumption of error amplifier and the area for implementing on-chip passive components are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is disclosed, which facilitates a switching regulator to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements, to have an improved power efficiency at light load, as well as predictable spectrum at different load levels. The improved modulator automatically determines the switching frequency of a switching regulator according to the load current delivered by the switching regulator from a number of pre-defined frequencies, which are all multiples of a fundamental frequency. By designing the maximum switching frequency of frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator in the MHz range, a switching regulator is able to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements. Light-load efficiency of the switching regulator with the frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is also greatly improved as switching frequency of such switching regulator is reduced with decreased load current.

Abstract: This invention provides a bistable liquid crystal device. The bistable liquid crystal device includes a first substrate having thereon a first conductive layer and a first alignment layer; a second substrate having thereon a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer; and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second alignment layers. The first alignment layer induces a first pretilt angle ?1 in the range of 20°-65° between the liquid crystal layer in contact with the first alignment layer. The second alignment layer induces a second pretilt angle ?2 in the range of 20°-65° between the liquid crystal layer in contact with the second alignment layer. The liquid crystal layer is capable of maintaining a stable bend state or a stable splay state at zero bias voltage and is switchable between the stable bend state and the stable splay state when a switching energy is applied in operation to the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel soy isoflavone product with high purities and strong biological activities and the method of producing the same from natural soybeans, soybean materials (i.e. tofu dregs, soy molasses) and other plant sources. The method includes three steps consisting of extraction with an organic solvent, hydrolysis using an acid and crystallization using an antisolvent. The procedure is very simple and thus can be easily adapted for large-scale manufacturing. Moreover, the procedure is able to produce a high yield of total isoflavones at a lower cost. HPLC analysis and E-Screen bioassay reveal that the obtained product not only contains a high content of isoflavone aglycones by weight of dry matter but also exhibits strong estrogenic activity toward human cells. Therefore, the product should be efficacious for relieving menopausal symptoms and other estrogen-deficient diseases and can be used in health care supplements or as additives for foods, beverages or cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention provides a bistable twisted nematic liquid crystal display, comprising a first substrate having thereon a first conductive layer and a first alignment layer; a second substrate having thereon a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer; a liquid crystal layer in the first and second alignment layers; an alignment layer on each of the substrates, the alignment layer imparting a preferred direction for liquid crystal molecules near the alignment layer, and possessing different azimuthal and polar anchoring energies when used to align a liquid crystal layer: the alignment layers being rubbed in such a way to give a stable twist angle of the liquid crystal of ? where ? can be any value in between ?45° to +45°; and wherein the d/p ratio of the liquid crystal layer is between the values of 0.15+0.5?/? and 0.35+0.5?/?.

Abstract: Pixels of an LCD are divided into two sub-pixels, one for a reflective mode and one for a transmittive mode. The cell gaps of both sub-pixels are the same, improving fabrication ease. A novel photoalignment technique is used together with a shadow mask in an embodiment of the invention. Double exposure of the alignment layer with different orientations produces different alignment directions, thereby achieving the different LCD modes for the sub-pixels.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and an insulating layer formed on the substrate. A multi-layer fin may be formed on the insulating layer and may include two semiconducting layers isolated by an insulating layer in vertical direction. A first MOS type device comprising a first source region, a first channel region and a first drain region is arranged on the first semiconducting layer in the multi-layer fin. A second MOS type device comprising a second source region, a second channel region and a second drain region is arranged on the second semiconducting layer in the multi-layer fin. A gate electrode is provided so as to be vertically adjacent to the first and second channel regions.

Abstract: A technique has been developed to fabricate micro- or nanopumps based on porous alumina thin films. The main body of the nanopump consists of a porous alumina thin film (containing nano-sized channels of about 40-300 nm in diameter) with conductive surfaces (e.g. Au coating layers) on both sides of the film. Through the fabrication of nanochannels in (the alumina films) and the subsequent annealing and surface activation processes, high-efficiency micro- or nanopumps can be made. The nanofluidic flow through the nanochannels of the alumina thin films is driven by an electric field with no moving parts. The flow rate (up to 50 millilitres/(min·cm2)) of water through the alumina thin film can be continuously tuned through the intensity of the electric field, i.e., the DC electric potential applied across the nanochannels.

Abstract: The present invention features a catalytic material which includes a metal catalyst anchored to a nano-sized crystal containing a metal oxide. Furthermore, the present invention features a method of producing the catalytic material described herein. Finally, the present invention features using the catalytic material for removing contaminants and for getting the desired products.

Abstract: Metal induced polycrystallized silicon is used as the anode in a light emitting device, such as an OLED or AMOLED. The polycrystallized silicon is sufficiently non-absorptive, transparent and made sufficiently conductive for this purpose. A thin film transistor can be formed onto the polycrystallized silicon anode, with the silicon anode acting as the drain of the thin film transistor, thereby simplifying production.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) for reducing aging-related mitochondrial antioxidant status changes in a subject, wherein the composition comprises Schisandrin B. The present invention further provides a composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) for reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in an aging subject, wherein the composition comprises Schisandrin B. Also provided are methods for reducing aging-related mitochondrial antioxidant status changes and/or for reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in an aging subject using the same.

Abstract: System and methodologies for timing synchronization in a wireless communication system are provided herein. The provided systems and methodologies can utilize various timing synchronization algorithms and an associated state machine to reduce the down time of a wireless communication system due to the presence of simultaneously operating piconets (SOP) and/or other factors. Frequency band finger pattern detection techniques are additionally described that can reduce boundary mismatch rates for wireless receivers. In one example, by making use of the fact that time frequency codes (TFCs) possess unique frequency hopping patterns, system down time can be reduced and OFDM boundary matching can be enhanced to allow a receiver to obtain correct timing information even for communication channels having a very low SINR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quadrature divider which may be used in a phase locked loop or frequency synthesiser or with a single side band mixer. According to a preferred embodiment the divider takes a quadrature input and has a quadrature output. The divider has four analog mixers 1, 2, 3 and 4. The first two mixers 1, 2 take the in-phase quadrature input, while the second mixers 3, 4 take the quadrature-phase quadrature input. The outputs and feedback loops of the mixers are properly arranged such that the in-phase and quadrature-phase outputs of the divider have a determinisitic phase sequence relationship based on the phase sequence relationship of the corresponding quadrature inputs. Third order harmonics may be minimised or reduced by addition or subtraction of the mixer outputs. As the divider is able to take a quadrature input, there is no need for a dummy divider in the phase locked loop, thus saving space and power.

Abstract: Joint erasure marking Viterbi algorithm (JEVA), decoder schemes, methods, and systems are provided which perform robust trellis decoder techniques. The provided JEVA decoding schemes are shown to be maximum likelihood decoding schemes that find the most likely transmitted code sequence with a set of symbol erasures, without knowledge of the impulsive noise probability distribution function, and can be implemented sequentially such that they are well suited for dynamically changing impulsive noise channels. In addition, the disclosed details enable various refinements and modifications according to decoder and system design considerations. For example, truncated JEVA is provided for continuous transmission and long frame applications.

Abstract: An area-efficient capacitor-free low-dropout regulator based on a current-feedback frequency compensation technique is disclosed. An implementation of a current feedback block with a single compensation capacitor is used to enable capacitance reduction. The resultant low-dropout regulator does not generally require an off-chip capacitor for stability and is particularly useful for system-on-chip applications.