Abstract: There is provided an optical frequency converter comprising: an optical guiding structure having an input and an output, and comprising: a first grating portion adjacent to the input; a second grating portion adjacent to output, and a third grating between the first and second grating portion to form an apodized step-chirped grating extending between the input and the output. Each grating portion comprises a plurality of sections each comprising a plurality of segments. Each segment has a segment width and comprises a poled region having a poled width at least equal to one micron and a reversely poled region. The segment width for all of the grating portions and a duty ratio of the poled width to the segment width are constant within each section. The duty ratio increases within the first grating portion, decreases within the second grating portion, and is constant within the third grating portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the efficiency of sterilization processes by measurement of degradation level of prion protein indicators. When exposed to sterilization conditions, prion indicators are degraded in a manner to proportionally indicate the level of degradation of prion proteins themselves on medical devices or other surfaces usable in surgery and health cares.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a casing having an inner surface surrounding a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending rotor blades, each blade having leading and trailing edges and a tip, the compressor further comprising at least one plasma actuator for suppressing rotating stall inception of the compressor, the at least one plasma actuator being mounted adjacent to the blade tips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for modeling a body part with a high precision. Image data of a body part is collected from an imaging system with a first resolution. After processing the image data collected from the imaging system, a 3-dimensional description of the body part is generated, the 3-dimensional description of the body part having a second resolution higher than the first one. A 3-dimensional parametric description of the body part is then generated. The 3-dimensional parametric description may be used to create a replica of the body part or an implant tightly fitting the said body part.

Abstract: A miniaturized body electronic implant for providing artificial vision to a blind person or for other uses as neuromuscular sensors and microstimulators. The implant has a high resolution electrode array connected to a chip integrating implant stimulation and monitoring circuits, mounted on the back of the electrode array. The implant is powered by and communicates with an external unit through an inductive bi-directional link.

Abstract: An advanced adaptive baseband/RF predistorting device, which advantageously uses the concept of digital receiver technology into power amplifier (PA) linearization area. The predistorting device performs an instantaneous characterization of the PA using two digital receivers to supply its dynamic AM-AM and AM-PM transfer functions used to synthesize Look-Up Tables (LUT) which implement the complex predistortion function in order to compensate for any non-linearity and memory effects.

Abstract: A miniaturized body electronic implant for providing artificial vision to a blind person or for other uses as neuro-muscular sensors and microstimulators. The implant has a high resolution electrode array connected to a chip integrating implant stimulation and monitoring circuits, mounted on the back of the electrode array. The implant is powered by and communicates with an external unit through an inductive bi-directional link.

Abstract: A controllable camera support including a pivoting arm adapted to be rotatably connected to a pivot point defining a first rotational axis. The pivoting arm also defines a radial axis. The camera support also includes a camera holder mounted on the pivoting arm. The camera holder is displaceable along the radial axis. The camera further includes motors coupled to the pivoting arm and to the camera holder. The motors are adapted to impart rotational and radial motions to the camera holder. The camera support also includes a control device for controlling the motors. The invention also covers a system further including a focal adjustable, rotational, tilting camera mounted on the camera holder. When a target that is focused by the camera becomes obstructed, the control device is adapted to move the camera to another position all the while focusing on the target.

Abstract: The apparatus (10) is used for determining the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) of a Newtonian fluid or non-Newtonian power law fluid. A method is also disclosed. Accordingly, the fluid flows in a laminar manner through a first (12) and a second static mixer (14) successively connected together by means of an intermediary pipe (18). A first pressure differential (&Dgr;P1) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the first static mixer (12) is measured. Similarly, a second pressure differential (&Dgr;P2) corresponding to a pressure drop of the fluid through the second static mixer (14) is measured. Finally, the consistency index (k) and the power law index (n) are calculated using the Metzner and Otto concept generalized to static mixers. The apparent viscosity may also be calculated. This invention may be mounted directly on a main supply pipe (16) and allows the rheological properties of the fluid to be known in real time.

Abstract: The system and the method are used to determine the process viscosity (&mgr;) of a fluid (22) in a film metering device (10) used to form a film (24) to be applied on a substrate (20), such as a paper web or any other suitable flexible materials. The apparent shear rate ({dot over (&ggr;)}) of the fluid, indicative of the flow field, may also be calculated. These parameters are calculated using a pressure profile representing the pressure of the fluid between a transfer roll (12) and a metering rod (30) which controls the thickness of the coating film (24). The torque (T) applied on the metering rod (30) is also measured and taken into account in the calculations. The system and method allow the process viscosity (&mgr;) to be easily and accurately determined during the operation of the film metering device (10) without the need of testing the fluid in an external device and attempting to extrapolate the results to the process.