Abstract: A multi-chamber processing system is described for depositing materials on multiple workpieces (wafers, display panels, or any other workpieces) at a time in a vacuum chamber. The system includes a sputtering chamber and a separate pre-clean chamber, where wafers can be transferred between the two chambers by a robotic arm without breaking a vacuum. The wafers are mounted one-by-one onto a rotating pallet in the pre-cleaning chamber and sputtering chamber. The pallet is firmly fixed to a rotatable table in the sputtering chamber. Copper tubing in the table couples RF energy to the wafers, and a liquid running through the copper tubing controls the temperature of the wafers. Multiple targets, of the same or different materials, may concurrently deposit material on the wafers as the pallet is rotating. Multiple magnets (one for each target) in the magnetron assembly in the sputtering chamber oscillate over their respective targets for uniform target erosion and uniform deposition on the wafers.

Abstract: Dual axis, beam-steering devices are disclosed. An exemplary device includes a support platform having a top surface. A reflective surface is coupled to the top surface of the support platform. First and second galvanometers are coupled via respective linkages to the support platform such that the first galvanometer rotates the support platform about a first rotational axis, and the second galvanometer rotates the support platform about a second rotational axis that is orthogonal to the first rotational axis. The support platform can be simultaneously rotated with respect to both the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis to steer a beam of electromagnetic energy (e.g. light beam) reflected by the reflective surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property is a curvature. In another embodiment, the altered property is a work function. By altering the property of the selected portions of the surface, the electron beam intensity is increased, and the width is decreased.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for detecting and/or measuring radioactivity comprising sensor means (5, 6), radiation detector means (4) and signal processing means (10, 11), the sensor means being adapted to provide a measure of one or more characteristics of a medium between the radiation detector means and a source of radioactivity, the arrangement being such that, in use, the signal processing means is configured to compensate for varying degrees of interference from unwanted isotopes by taking into account information received from the sensor means.

Abstract: A device for tightening a seat belt has a piston (2) drivable linearly in a piston guide (1) by the gas pressure of a propellant gas. A gearing (3) is also caused to move by the piston (2), the gearing serving the transmission of the piston movement to a pinion (4). The pinion (4) is connected to, or configured to be connected to, a belt spool of a seat belt retractor (13) in a manner whereby rotation of the pinion causes rotation of the belt spool. The gearing (3) on associated with the piston (2) is mounted displaceable transversely to the piston's direction of movement and meshes with the pinion (4) as a result of gas pressure in an expandable bladder (24).

Abstract: A detector panel having therein an X-ray detector, a signal processing circuit for interface, and a battery for power supply, the detector panel includes a first signal processing circuit for processing the detection signals from the X-ray detector, a second signal processing circuit for processing the output signal from the first signal processing circuit, a first power supply circuit for adjusting the output voltage of the battery by means of switching regulation, to supply the output to the second signal processing circuit, a second power supply circuit for adjusting the output voltage of the first power supply circuit by means of switching regulation, to supply the output to the X-ray detector and the first signal processing circuit, and a switching circuit for switching the configuration of the second power supply circuit between a single connection of one linear regulator and a series connection of two linear regulator.

Abstract: An image acquisition module in a transmission device for a scanner is installed in a base of the scanner, a rotating wheel and a first roller are pivotally connected onto two inner sides of the base, and a driving roller is installed below the first roller. A conveyor is respectively put around the rotating wheel, the first roller and the driving roller, and a second roller is pivotally connected onto a place between the rotating and the driving roller and used for withstanding the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the driving roller to allow the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the second roller to be parallel to the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the first roller, and the conveyor is driven by the driving roller to drive the image acquisition module to move.

Abstract: A power converter for converting an input voltage (Vin) into an output voltage (Vout), comprising a first supply potential and a second supply potential established by the input voltage, and at least one primary winding having two terminals, a center tap arranged between the two terminals and connected to the first supply potential, and at least one secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding for providing at least one output voltage (Vout) and a first controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and one terminal of the primary winding and a second controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding and a third controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the one terminal of the primary winding and a fourth controllable switch connected between the second supply potential and the other terminal of the primary winding, and a control unit for controlling the switches such that the first, s

Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments provide sensing devices of the type useable to obtain measurements from a plurality of positions of a substrate, such as in a well, body of water, soil, snow pack, or ice pack. In a particular implementation, the sensing device includes a housing having a length. A plurality of digital sensors are disposed at a plurality of positions along the length of the housing. A communication bus is in communication with each of the plurality of sensors. A data collection or transmission device is in communication with the communication bus. Further implementations provide sensing devices having a housing formed from a plurality of modular sections. Sensors are disposed in at least one of the modular sections. Also disclosed are networks formed from a plurality of the disclosed devices.

Abstract: A process for constructing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes etching the topside of a silicon wafer to form a first support layer having asymmetric pads. The backside of the silicon wafer is etched to form a top layer with a mirror, beam structures extending from the mirror, and rotating comb teeth extending from the beam structures. Before or after the backside of the silicon wafer is etched, the topside of the silicon wafer is bonded to a glass wafer that forms a second support layer. Prior to bonding the silicon wafer to the glass wafer, the glass wafer may be etched to form a recess and/or a cavity that accommodates mobile elements in the silicon wafer. Due to the asymmetry of the pads in the first support layer below the rotating comb teeth in the top layer, oscillation can be initiated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is mirrored index tree where the copies of the nodes of the tree are stored across devices in a distributed system. In one embodiment, nodes that are stored on an offline device are restored, and an offline device that comes back online is merged into the distributed system and given access to the current indexing data structure. In one embodiment, the indexing data structure is traversed to locate and restore nodes that are stored on offline devices of the distributed system.

Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture and method for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting polypeptides in a sample. The method can include the steps of cleaving polypeptides in a test sample to generate peptides; adding a predetermined amount of isotopically labeled peptide standards to the cleaved test sample, wherein the peptide standards correspond to peptides cleaved with the same reagent used to cleave the test sample; contacting the cleaved test sample containing peptide standards with an array of immobilized binding agents specific for the peptide standards; washing the array to remove unbound peptides, thereby retaining affinity captured sample peptides and standard peptides; analyzing the affinity captured peptides using mass spectrometry; and determining the presence of bound test peptides and standard peptides. The method can further include the step of quantifying the amount of the test peptides by comparing the ratio of test peptide to corresponding standard peptide.

Abstract: Methods of modifying properties such as degradation rate and drug release rate of polymer stents with radiation are disclosed.

Abstract: Stents fabricated from hydrolytically degradable polymers with accelerated degradation rates and methods of fabricating stents with accelerated degradation rates are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating metal interconnects and an inter-metal dielectric layer thereof. A first metal interconnect pattern and a second metal interconnect pattern disposed thereon are formed on a substrate by plating processes. Subsequently, an inter-metal dielectric layer is formed on the substrate, the first metal interconnect pattern and the second metal interconnect pattern. The inter-metal dielectric layer is then planarized and the second metal interconnect pattern is exposed.

Abstract: An echogenic catheter, such as a needle catheter, formed at least in part of an intrinsically conductive organic polymer for providing a highly conductive surface in combination with an improved ability to ultrasonically image the catheter, and a method of performing a medical procedure using a catheter of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the outcome of treatment with an antidepressant medication in a patient. In particular, the invention provides a method of screening patients to identify those patients with a decreased risk of non-response to treatment with antidepressant medication by obtaining a sample of genetic material from the patients, and then assaying the sample for the presence of a genotype which is associated with a decreased risk of non-response to treatment with antidepressant medication. The genotype is characterized by a polymorphism in the genes HTR2A, GRIK4, BCL2, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing tight bezel fits between automotive interior panels and their mating subcomponents. The method includes forming at laminate preform, injection molding a substrate layer behind the laminate preform to form a molded automotive interior panel, and forming an opening in the molded automotive interior panel. The method further includes post embossing the molded automotive interior panel adjacent a perimeter of the opening to produce an embossed interface between the molded automotive interior panel and a mating subcomponent installed in the opening, thereby producing a tight bezel fit between the molded automotive interior panel and the mating subcomponent installed in the opening. Alternatively, the method includes utilizing a vacuum wrapped automotive interior panel with the embossing step described above. The invention also provides for an automotive interior panel including a tight bezel fit between the panel and mating subcomponents, formed by the aforementioned methods.