Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a base, and a plurality of deformable fins connected to a surface of the base. Some deformable fins have a free end configured to move away from the surface of the base as a function of a local temperature increase of the base. The deformable fins are distributed on the surface of the base to be exposed to a coolant flowing over the surface of the base, wherein a distribution of the deformable fins on the surface of the base is non-uniform.

Abstract: The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system can have an interrogating subsystem comprising a superconducting path with an alternating plurality series of parallel back and forth segments collectively forming an interrogating surface adjacent the sample area, the interrogating subsystem configured for i) emitting an oscillating magnetic field B1 configured to disrupt a configuration of nuclear spins in the sample in a manner for the disrupted nuclear spins to generate a signal, and ii) receiving the signal.

Abstract: A neck mechanism for a mannequin comprises three or more joint units serially connected to provide joints for three or more rotational degrees of freedom (DOF). A rotational axis of a first DOF is configured to be aligned with a lateral axis of the mannequin. A rotational axis of a second DOF is configured to be aligned with an anterior-posterior axis of the mannequin. A rotational axis of a third DOF is configured to be aligned with a cranial-caudal axis of the mannequin. A bottom one of the joint units is adapted to be connected to a torso of the mannequin, and a top one of the at least three joint units is adapted to be connected to a skull. The mannequin may also have a skull connected to the top one of the joint units, and a trunk connected to the bottom one of the joint units. A system for simulating cervical spine motions is also provided.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

Abstract: A reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.

Abstract: A magnetic field causing a difference of energy level between different spin states in the sample can be applied, a spin transition in the material can be triggered by exposing the sample to electromagnetic radiation of an energy level corresponding to the difference in energy level between the different spin states, a sensing surface of a superconducting element can be exposed to a magnetic field of the spins in the sample, the spin transition can cause, via kinetic inductance, a change in electromagnetic waves carried by the superconducting element which can be detected. A magnetic field component normal to the sensing surface, below a certain magnetic field threshold, can be applied to favor sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for determining the n best positions of frozen bits in a channel decoder for a noisy communication channel. A decoding method and decoding processing unit for implementing the channel having frozen bits at the n worst positions. A method and system that iteratively, for each bit i from the n bits, determines a probability vector for the bit i by traversing a logical graph using contraction identities simplified to specific values, indexes the specific values from the contraction identities newly computed during the determination of the probability vector for subsequent reference during a following iteration based on corresponding contraction identities, fixes the bit i from the probability vector and moving to bit i+1 until all n bits are fixed.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) device comprises an inertial component configured for being connected to a structure by a flexible connection allowing the inertial component to deform or move relative to the structure in response to an external stimulus applied to the structure. One or more resonant components are connected to the structure or inertial component, the resonant component(s) having resonant mode(s). Transduction unit(s) measures an oscillatory motion of the resonant component relative to the inertial component and/or structure. An electronic control unit applies a pump of electrostatic force to induce an oscillatory motion of the resonant component(s) in the resonant mode, the oscillatory motion being a non-linear function of a strength of the electrostatic force.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to rotary turbomachinery methods and integrated processes requiring high-energy efficiency. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to rim-rotor configurations enabling long-term survival under conditions of either high temperature or oxidation resistance or saturated fluid abrasion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a deformation distribution of an object having a longitudinal dimension comprises a structure for supporting the object. A sensor unit comprises a base, a contact member having a body connected to the base by a rotational joint such rotational degrees of freedom are provided between the base and the contact member, an end of the body configured to contact and move along the object, and at least one sensor for determining an orientation of the body relative to the base. A displacement module enables relative movement between the sensor unit and the structure for the sensor unit to relatively move along the object in the longitudinal dimension. A method and system for measuring a rigidity distribution of an object having a longitudinal dimension are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer-based heat transfer device comprising a polymer-based housing having housing walls defining a working fluid chamber, a porous structure extending in the working fluid chamber from at least one of the two opposed ones of the housing walls, and a plurality of housing wall spacers, such as support posts, extending between the two housing walls to maintain the two housing walls in a spaced-apart configuration with the working fluid chamber extending in between is provided. Also described is a polymer-based heat transfer device comprising a polymer-based housing having housing walls defining a working fluid chamber and a porous structure extending in the working fluid chamber from at least one of the two opposed ones of the housing walls, and heat-conductive metal or ceramic-based foam contacting at least one of the housing walls. A process for manufacturing the polymer-based heat transfer device is provided.

Abstract: A quantum dot structure having a split-gate geometry is provided. The quantum dot is configured for incorporation into a quantum dot array of a quantum processing unit. A gap between a reservoir accumulation gate and a quantum dot accumulation gate provides a tunnel barrier between an electric charge reservoir and a quantum dot well. An electrical potential applied to the gates defines a tunnel barrier height, width and charge tunneling rate between the well and the reservoir without relying on any barrier gate to control the charge tunneling rate.

Abstract: The vectorial magnetometer association of the detected spin-state-altering energy level and the corresponding defect orientations can be performed by generating Rabi flopping at each one of the energy levels and performing the association based on the detected Rabi flopping.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises an input rotor adapted to be coupled to a power input, the input rotor having a first set of at least one input shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface. An output rotor is rotatably mounted about the input rotor for rotating about a common axis with the input rotor, the output rotor having a first set of at least one output shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface, the first sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a first annular space and forming a first transmission set, the second sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a second annular space and forming a second transmission set. Magnetorheological fluid is in each of the annular spaces, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the sets of input rotor and output rotor when subjected to a magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a deformation distribution of an object having a longitudinal dimension comprises a structure for supporting the object. A sensor unit comprises a base, a contact member having a body connected to the base by a rotational joint such rotational degrees of freedom are provided between the base and the contact member, an end of the body configured to contact and move along the object, and at least one sensor for determining an orientation of the body relative to the base. A displacement module enables relative movement between the sensor unit and the structure for the sensor unit to relatively move along the object in the longitudinal dimension. A method and system for measuring a rigidity distribution of an object having a longitudinal dimension are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides bacterial ATP synthase inhibitors such as a compound of formula (I): There are provided compositions and kits using such compounds and inhibitors.

Abstract: A method, connector and system for obtaining an indirect measurement of a parameter in a patient with a total liquid ventilation (TLV) system. At least one parameter measurement is obtained of a liquid taken in the TLV system comprising an endotracheal tube having a distal end inserted in a patient's trachea. At least one flow measurement is obtained of a liquid taken in the TLV system. Considering a fluid model of the TLV system, the at least one parameter measurement and the least one flow measurement are processed into the indirect measurement of the parameter in the patient. The indirect measurement may be a temperature or pressure. The temperature can be a lung temperature, a blood temperature or an organ temperature. The pressure may be a tracheal pressure or an alveolar pressure.

Abstract: A method and circuit QED implementation of a control-phase quantum logic gate UCP(?)=diag[1,1,1, ei?]. Two qubits Qi, two resonators Ra, Rb and a modulator. Q1 and Q2, each has a frequency ?qi and characterized by {circumflex over (?)}zi. Ra is associated with Q1 and defined by a quantum non-demolition (QND) longitudinal coupling g1z{circumflex over (?)}1z(â†+â). Rb is integrated into Ra, the QND second longitudinal coupling is defined by Ra as g2z{circumflex over (?)}2z({circumflex over (b)}†+{circumflex over (b)}) or, when Rb is integrated into Ra, the QND second longitudinal coupling is defined by Ra as g2z{circumflex over (?)}2z(â†+â) The modulator periodically modulates, at a frequency ?m during a time t, the longitudinal coupling strengths g1z and g2z with respective signals of respective amplitudes {tilde over (g)}1 and {tilde over (g)}2. Selecting a defined value for each of t, g1z and g2z determines ? to specify a quantum logical operation performed by the gate.

Abstract: A method for determining the n best positions of frozen bits in a channel decoder for a noisy communication channel. A decoding method and decoding processing unit for implementing the channel having frozen bits at the n worst positions. A method and system that iteratively, for each bit i from the n bits, determines a probability vector for the bit i by traversing a logical graph using contraction identities simplified to specific values, indexes the specific values from the contraction identities newly computed during the determination of the probability vector for subsequent reference during a following iteration based on corresponding contraction identities, fixes the bit i from the probability vector and moving to bit i+1 until all n bits are fixed.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.