Abstract: A digital controller is easily implemented for variable speed or torque control of an electric motor or generator by using a comparator to determine a choice of control state outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precise angular positioning of an object. A first pivot arm and a second pivot arm each is pivotally mounted with respect to a base. A pivot base flex member is operatively connected to the first pivot arm and allows the first pivot arm to pivot with respect to the base, within a particular plane. A second pivot base flex member is operatively connected to the second pivot arm and allows the second pivot arm to pivot with respect to the base, and also within either the same plane or a different plane as the plane within which the first pivot arm pivots. Support structures maintain each of the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm within the particular plane or planes. An interconnect flex member connects the first pivot arm and the second pivot arm. With a relatively small base and thus overall apparatus, an input movement, such as a linear input of about 10 mm can be translated into an output movement of about 7200 radians.

Abstract: A spirometer for measuring fluid flow, particularly associated with exhalation of respiratory patients. The spirometer of this invention preferably has a fluidic oscillator wherein the fluid oscillates within a chamber of the fluidic oscillator. An oscillation frequency of the fluid flow within the chamber is correlated to a flow rate. A computer is used to process input data, such as data representing frequency of the oscillatory flow within the chamber, to a flow rate passing through the spirometer. The spirometer of this invention may have no moving parts, which results in the need for only a design calibration and no periodic calibrations throughout use of the spirometer.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mass density image of an object. An x-ray beam is transmitted through the object and a transmitted beam is emitted from the object. The transmitted beam is directed at an angle of incidence upon a crystal analyzer. A diffracted beam is emitted from the crystal analyzer onto a detector and digitized. A first image of the object is detected from the diffracted beam emitted from the crystal analyzer when positioned at a first angular position. A second image of the object is detected from the diffracted beam emitted from the crystal analyzer when positioned at a second angular position. The first image and the second image are combined mathematically to derive a mass density image of the object.

Abstract: Communication and Process Migration Protocols instituted in an independent layer of a virtual machine environment allow for heterogeneous or homogeneous process migration. The protocols manage message traffic for processes communicating in the virtual machine environment. The protocols manage message traffic for migrating processes so that no message traffic is lost during migration, and proper message order is maintained for the migrating process. In addition to correctness of migration operations, low overhead and high efficiency is achieved for supporting scalable, point-to-point communications.

Abstract: A method of providing acceleration support to a combustion engine using an integrated starter/alternator. The integrated starter/alternator is in rotational combination with the crankshaft and connected to a battery system. The integrated starter/alternator is adapted to function at times as a power source adding torque to rotate the crankshaft to overcome friction and non-linear hydrodynamic forces within the engine. At other times the integrated starter/alternator functions as a power generator for subtracting torque from the crankshaft to provide electrical current to the battery system.

Abstract: An electrode configuration for use in association with a heat transfer member provided in a thermal energy transfer system. Separate multiple electrical conductors are each received on a respective first surface alteration. Each of the multiple conductors is connected to a different terminal of a multiphase alternating power source so that an electric traveling wave moves in a longitudinal direction of the heat transfer member so as to induce pumping of at least the liquid phase in the longitudinal direction to thereby enhance the thermal energy transfer characteristics of the thermal energy transfer system. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned heat transfer members are provided inside of an outer conduit.

Abstract: A method for detecting an image of an object by measuring the intensity at a plurality of positions of a transmitted beam of x-ray radiation emitted from the object as a function of angle within the transmitted beam. The intensity measurements of the transmitted beam are obtained by a crystal analyzer positioned at a plurality of angular positions. The plurality of intensity measurements are used to determine the angular intensity spectrum of the transmitted beam. One or more parameters, such as an attenuation property, a refraction property and a scatter property, can be obtained from the angular intensity spectrum and used to display an image of the object.

Abstract: Power supply systems and associated methods of operation are provided based on the incorporation of a supply of phase change material in thermal contact with at least one cell element capable of a heat-generating charge or discharge of power. Also disclosed, such as for increased or improved heat transfer and dissipation, is battery module incorporation of a heat-conductive containment lattice member such as having a plurality of openings wherein at least a portion of the supply of the phase change material can be disposed as well as the inclusion of a plurality of module housing-protruding heat transfer fins.

Abstract: An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pump is provided for pumping dielectric liquids, and a particular adaptation for mass transport of isothermal and non-isothermal single phase liquids. The EHD conduction pump does not require direct injection of electric charges into the fluid. The EHD conduction pump includes an EHD pumping section and associated connecting tubes with electrodes arranged in series in the pumping section. The electrodes are coupled to a high voltage low current dc power supply. A positive polarity dc voltage is applied to the electrodes. Various electrode configurations may be used, such as three-needle, hollow-tube, or pin-needle electrode configuration.

Abstract: An intranet mediator for obtaining direct answers to natural language questions allowing users to search both a data warehouse of integrated/structured data sources and unstructured data sources. The intranet mediator allows the user to obtain an answer to a natural language question without having to surf the data sources in which the answer might be contained, or without being limited to one specific factual item return. The intranet mediator operates on the supposition that most answers to business queries are contained within structured data sources which have been integrated into the data warehouse thereby having common schema and known contents. Preselection of the most relevant data source(s) is thus possible before query output. Search of unstructured data is also performed for additional context surrounding either the question or the answer. A direct answer is given in response to the question.

Abstract: An algorithm on a computer readable medium for efficiently creating a message efficient virtual backbone in a wireless ad hoc network utilizes three phases to establish an efficient network among the independent transceivers of a wireless ad hoc network. Independent transceivers within the transmission range of each other are neighbors. A leader election and tree construction phase constructs a tree of neighboring transceivers with one transceiver being designated the root and with each transceiver establishing and recording its location in the tree structure and the identifiers of its neighbors; and reporting when the tree is established. A level calculation phase determines the level of each transceiver away from the root transceiver, with each transceiver recording the level of its neighbors.

Abstract: This invention provides various biquinone and trimeric quinone derivatives. The invention also provides a method for synthesis of a multi-quinone compound including reacting a hydroxyquinone anion with a first quinone possessing a first directing group at a C-2 of the first quinone and a second directing group at a C-3 of the first quinone and obtaining a biquinone having one of the first and second directing groups at a C-3 of a first quinone monomer and a hydroxyl group at a C-3′ of a second quinone monomer. The biquinone can be further reacted to obtain various biquinone derivatives or with a second hydroxyquinone anion to obtain trimeric quinone derivatives, including trimeric naphthoquinone derivatives. The biquinones and trimeric quinones of this invention demonstrate antiviral activity and can be used to treat viral infections, particularly HIV infections.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimal placement of wavelength converters in an optical network while optimizing bandwidth use in which a skeleton undirected graph of a WDM network is generated, a contraction graph is constructed from the skeleton undirected graph, and a minimum vertex cover of the contraction graph is determined.

Abstract: A method for the high-throughput non-photochemical laser induced nucleation of crystals from aged supersaturated solutions in which short high-intensity laser pulses are used to induce nucleation in an array or sequence aged supersaturated solutions. The laser reduces nucleation time and induces nucleation only in the area where the beam is focused or passes through, resulting in fewer nuclei than would be achieved by spontaneous nucleation. The high-throughput methodologies allow more crystals to grow in a given amount of time.

Abstract: A monitoring system for chemical shipments having an apparatus for detection of a leak from a shipment vessel having a shroud. A first chemical sensor is in communication with a chamber of the shroud for detecting the presence of a substance leaking from the vessel. A second sensor is in communication with the ambient environment surrounding the shroud. A monitoring circuit in communication with the first chemical sensor and the second chemical sensor monitors a first chemical sensor output and a second chemical sensor output and signals an information unit dependant on the increase of at least one of the first and second chemical sensors. The information unit emits a signal to an alarm or output device in response to an increase of the magnitude and/or rate of increase of at least one of the first chemical sensor output and the second chemical sensor output. A physical sensor can be in combination with the monitoring circuit.

Abstract: Methods for the crystallization of nano-size crystals of molecular organic compounds while operating at a low supersaturation. The methods are based on controlling the domain size available during the crystallization process. In one exemplary method, microcontacted printed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with local domain area sizes ranging up to 2500 &mgr;m2 and fabricated SAMs generated from electron beam lithography, are employed to control the size, orientation, phase, and morphology of the crystal. In another exemplary method, a continuous micro-crystallizer having a vessel diameter of 25 microns or less is used to ensure that that the maximum size of the crystals in at least one dimension, ad preferably two dimensions is constrained by the vessel itself. The methods allow control of supersaturation and growth conditions, as well as manageability over crystallinity and polymorphism, and each method's domain size has the potential for further reduction.

Abstract: An all-mode, bonding pad-oriented ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection structure, protects ICs against ESD pulses of all modes in all directions. A unique quasi-symmetrical layout design is devised to improve ESD structure. Physical symmetry and rounded layout provide uniform current and thermal distribution as well as symmetrical electrical operation characteristics. The ESD structure allows tunable triggering voltage, low holding voltage, low impedance, low leakage, fast response time and low parasitic effect. The ESD structure can easily be placed under or surrounding a bonding pad and consumes little extra silicon. The ESD structure can be implemented in commercial BiCMOS processes and is suitable for multiple-supply, mixed-signal, parasitic-sensitive RF and high-pin-count ICs.

Abstract: A tutorial or diagnostic aid based on the representation and iterative interpretation of visual images is taught. A teaching or diagnostic session is created by overlaying an interpretation layer via a software application onto the visual image layer and synchronizing the two with the time code of the visual image. The interpretation layer allows the reviewer to identify image areas of interest by gesture and append comments thereto in real time; i.e. images or portions of images within the visual representation playback may be identified and labeled and have the concurrent commentary associated therewith. The comments are indexed and linked to a database of similar topics. The flow of the session is recorded to show the images, deictic gestures associated therewith, and commentary associated with the gestures, to enable subsequent users to playback a session and follow the flow of thought (i.e. image identification and commentary within the original session).

Abstract: A method for the non-photochemical laser induced nucleation in which short high-intensity laser pulses are used to induce nucleation in supersaturated solutions including protein solutions. The laser induces nucleation only in the area where the beam is focused or passes through, resulting in fewer nuclei than would be achieved by spontaneous nucleation. In addition, the laser reduces nucleation time significantly.