Abstract: A locking range enhancement technique is described that steers away part of the DC current and reuses it to generate more injected AC current to the injection-locked resonator-based frequency dividers (ILFDs). The injection-enhanced ILFDs maintain the key features of ILFDs, which are high speed and low power consumption, without requiring any extra inductive component and thus extra chip area.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.

Abstract: A method of fabricating AlGaN/GaN enhancement-mode heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFET) using fluorine-based plasma immersion or ion implantation. The method includes: 1) generating gate patterns; 2) exposing the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure in the gate region to fluorine-based plasma treatment with photoresist as the treatment mask in a self-aligned manner; 3) depositing the gate metal to the plasma treated AlGaN/GaN heterostructure surface; 4) lifting off the metal except the gate electrode; and 5) high temperature post-gate annealing of the sample. This method can be used to shift the threshold voltage of a HFET toward a more positive value, and ultimately convert a depletion-mode HFET to an enhancement-mode HFET (E-HFET).

Abstract: A rapid and inexpensive technique for generating nanotextured surfaces is disclosed. The technique involves the (1) creation of regular, nanometer-sized template by microwave assisted hydro- or solvo-thermal treatment of polymer films coated on surfaces followed by (2) coating of a layer of metal, metal oxides, polymers and inorganic materials. The nanometer-sized polymer template could be removed to create regularly shaped, hollow nanostructures (e.g., nano-bottles, nano-bowls, nano-holes etc.).

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: A method of video distribution within a peer-to-peer network. Once the video has initially been downloaded from a server, various fragments of it reside on various peers of the network. At the location of each fragment, the peer which stores it preferably also carries pointers to preceding-fragment, following-fragment, and same-fragment locations. This provides a list-driven capability so that, once a user has attached to any fragment of the program, the user can then transition according to the previous-fragment and following-fragment pointers to play, fast-forward, or rewind the program.

Abstract: There is provided a method for converting an image with N rows of pixels present and N rows of pixels missing to an image with 2N rows of pixels, wherein the missing pixels are generated by performing a deinterlacing algorithm. The algorithm determines whether missing pixels are part of a horizontal edge region, a smooth region, a vertical edge region or a texture region. Based on the determination, a deinterlacing method is selected.

Abstract: A pixel element for an image sensor comprising, a photodiode and a reset transistor coupled to an input node, wherein said reset transistor is a PMOSFET coupled between said input node and the supply voltage, and wherein said pixel further comprises parallel complementary signal paths.

Abstract: A route computation algorithm, a load-balancing scheme inside a router for making a hop-by-hop routing network (such as the Internet) nonblocking are described in this patent. The output of the route computation algorithm includes a set of link weights that determine the paths of the hop-by-hop routing network. The route computation algorithm and the load-balancing scheme also determine the ingress and egress traffic constraints at each edge router such that as long as the traffic entering and leaving the network does not exceed the constraints, none of the internal links will ever have traversing traffic more than its link capacity. The network is thus non-blocking internally. This greatly simplifies flow admission control and allows hard QoS to be supported inside the network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal lens with a variable focal length. The gradient profile of the liquid crystals molecules that causes the gradient profile of the refractive index is achieved by inducing non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and an external electric or magnetic field applied to the liquid crystal layer. Unlike existing electrically controlled liquid crystal lens, the external electric or magnetic field has a uniform spatial distribution within the liquid crystal layer. The focal length of the liquid crystal lens is controlled via the non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and by varying the uniformly distributed electric or magnetic field.

Abstract: A switching regulator is provided herein comprising a voltage source, a plurality of switching elements, an inductive element, and a controller. The controller coordinates the plurality of switching elements as to sequentially and periodically switching the inductive element to generate a plurality of regulated DC voltages. The controller adjusts a switching frequency of the regulator in accordance with at least one characteristic of a load current.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The method includes grinding an iron (II) hydrated salt, an iron (III) hydrated salt, an inorganic salt, and alkali hydroxide in a grinding or milling machine. The inorganic salt may be a salt matrix that prevents growth and aggregation of the synthesized nanoparticles. The aqueous dispersion of ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles may optionally be hydrothermally treated to become an aqueous dispersion of ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Also disclosed is a method for preparing an mixture of ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and ?-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, in which at least an iron (III) hydrated salt, an inorganic salt, and alkali hydroxide are ground in a grinding or milling machine. Uses for the nanoparticles include: a magnetic resonance image contrast agent, a color print ink, an artificial tanning pigment, a photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye, a red pigment, an adsorbent for waste water treatment, a catalyst support, and a catalyst.

Abstract: Algorithms are described that facilitate the inference of a network topology by estimating router co-ordinates and merging anonymous routers. The algorithms have practical applications in the inference of a network topology as part of the provision of a network service that is based on the underlying topology and where knowledge of the actual topology allows improved performance.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for simultaneously separating two highly pure fullerenes from a mixture of fullerenes via crystallization, by (i) adjusting the amount of solvent in the mixture fed to a first crystallizer to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a first fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; (ii) adjusting the amount of solvent in another mixture fed to a second crystallizer, operating at a temperature different from the first crystallizer, to obtain a phase equilibrium behavior so a second fullerene component of the two fullerenes, in the form of pure crystal, solid solution crystal, or solvate crystal is obtained; and additionally (iii) purifying the solid solution or the solvate into highly pure fullerene, when the solid product from the crystallizers is in the form of solid solution or solvate.

Abstract: Described herein is an efficient encryption method and system having improved security features based on randomness. The method and system utilize a random dictionary insertion and a random dictionary permutation, and a key stream generated by a stream cipher. Security analysis results show that the method and system provides a higher level of security without incurring any coding efficiency loss, compared with a existing encoding methods.

Abstract: An optical sensor has at least one pixel that generates an output voltage that changes at a rate dependent on the light intensity incident on the pixel. The time for the pixel output voltage to change from a first predefined level to a second predefined level is measured, so as to produce an output indicative of the incident light intensity.

Abstract: A method and kit of parts for measuring the comfortable shape of a foot for a person. The kit comprises front and rear platforms of adjustable height and a supporting surface for accommodating the plantar surface of a foot extending between said platforms. The aforementioned components can be adjusted to various settings with a view to determining a comfortable plantar foot shape. The foot shape can then be captured by scanning with an optical or mechanical probe or scanner. A method of making a customized shoe and shoe last on basis of the captured foot shape is also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking range enhancement technique is described that steers away part of the DC current and reuses it to generate more injected AC current to the injection-locked resonator-based frequency dividers (ILFDs). The injection-enhanced ILFDs maintain the key features of ILFDs, which are high speed and low power consumption, without requiring any extra inductive component and thus extra chip area.

Abstract: A low-dropout regulator comprises a high-gain error amplifier having a differential input stage and a single-ended output, a high-swing high-positive-gain second stage with input connecting to the output of the error amplifier and a single-ended output, a p-type MOS transistor with gate terminal connecting to the output of the second stage, source terminal connecting to the supply voltage, and drain terminal to the output of the low-dropout regulator. A first-order high-pass feedback network connects the output of the low-dropout regulator and the positive input of the error amplifier, and a damping-factor-control means comprising a negative gain stage with a feedback capacitor connects the input and output of this gain stage. A capacitor is connected between the output of the error amplifier and the output of the low-dropout regulator, while a voltage reference connects to the negative input of the error amplifier.

Abstract: A low-dropout regulator with a single-transistor-control providing improved transient response and stability is disclosed. The single-transistor-control provides a dynamic resistance at the output of the regulator for minimizing undershoot and overshoot, and hence improves transient response. Since the single-control transistor reduces the output resistance of the regulator, the output pole is pushed to a sufficiently high frequency without affecting stability. Therefore, the limited choice of combinations of the output capacitance and its equivalent-series-resistance is substantially relaxed.