Abstract: A moveable joint including a first member and a second member moveably connected to the first member, a shape-memory-alloy member coupled to the first member and engageable with the second member, and a biasing member configured to bias the second member from a first position relative to the first member towards a second position relative to the first member. Movement of the second member between the first position and the second position is limited by the shape-memory-alloy member such that the position of the second member relative to the first member is determined by the shape of the shape-memory-alloy member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) oligomers as markers of RTK activation and signalling. Methods are described based upon determining the presence of RTK oligomers and/or determining the nanometre spatial separation between RTK molecules assembled as RTK oligomers at the cell surface. Such methods are directed to the monitoring of RTK activation in cells and the detection of mutations in RTKs. Methods are also described for determining prognosis for subjects having diseases characterised by aberrant RTK activation and for selecting subjects for treatment with RTK inhibitors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a neutron spectrometry system, comprising a plurality of semiconductor detector portions arranged in close proximity, wherein the detector portions are arranged in at least two non-parallel axes, wherein each detector portion is arranged to output a detection signal indicative of energy deposited in the detector portion by ionising particles induced in the device by incident neutrons, and a control unit arranged to receive the plurality of detection signals, and to allocate detection signals to one or more of a plurality of channels based on a number of substantially coincident detection signals for determining a spectrum of incident neutrons based thereon.

Abstract: A hybrid pixel sensor array is provided. Each pixel of the array comprises: a sensor for generating an imaging signal; a Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) array, coupled to the sensor so as to receive samples from the imaging signal and configured for storage of a plurality of samples; and active CMOS circuitry, coupled to the CCD array for generating a pixel output signal from the stored samples. The sensors of the pixels are part of a sensor portion of the hybrid pixel sensor array that is separate from both the CCD array and active CMOS circuitry of the pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia, and in particular a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia by reacting it with a Group I metal, particularly with sodium, for use in a fuel cell and/or in a prime mover. The method may be carried out in-situ in a vehicle. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen from ammonia.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a retinal densitometer, comprising an illumination unit for outputting bleaching illumination for photo-bleaching an eye and reflectance illumination at one or more wavelengths for determining reflectance of the eye at the one or more wavelengths, an imaging device arranged to output image data corresponding to an image of the eye at the one or more wavelengths of reflectance illumination, and a control unit arranged to control the illumination unit and the imaging device to output the bleaching illumination, the reflectance illumination at the one or more wavelengths and to output image data according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia, and in particular a method of producing hydrogen from ammonia for use in a fuel cell and/or in a prime mover. The method may be carried out in-situ in a vehicle. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen from ammonia.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for external cavity laser absorption spectroscopy There is disclosed an apparatus, and corresponding methods, for determining one or more characteristics of a sample in an absorption cell using laser absorption spectroscopy. For example, the characteristic may be concentration of a species in the sample. The apparatus comprises an external cavity semiconductor laser comprising a semiconductor gain medium within an optical resonator. The absorption cell is located within the optical resonator of the external cavity semiconductor laser so as to be optically coupled with the gain medium. A controller is arranged to provide a varied injection current to the semiconductor gain medium. A photodetector is arranged to detect laser light output by the external cavity semiconductor laser. An analyzer is arranged to determine one or more characteristics of the sample from behavior of the detected laser light output as a function of the varied injection current.

Abstract: A method of electrospinning fibers is disclosed. The fibers have an inner core surrounded by a porous outer shell. The method comprises co-electrospinning first and second liquids as core and shell respectively, the second liquid surrounding the first liquid in a jet issuing from a Taylor cone, wherein the first and second liquids are miscible or semi-miscible with each other, such that pore generation is driven in the shell of the fiber. The liquids may be solutions or melts. The electrical conductivity, viscosity, miscibility and other parameters of the liquids determine the structure of the produced fibers. As well as producing fibers having a porous shell there are described methods of co-electrospraying porous beads as well as core-shell vesicles having a porous shell. The methods may be used to produce hydrogen storage fibers, vesicles and beads. The methods may also be used for producing controlled drug-delivery fibers, vesicles and beads.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a species in a dilute medium, the species having a spectral feature, the apparatus comprising: a beam source arranged to generate a first laser beam and a second laser beam coherent with each other, and having a matching chirp pattern. Beam guide arranged to pass at least the first laser beam through the dilute medium; a beam mixer arranged to mix the first and the second laser beams to form a mixed beam. Detector arranged to detect, during the chirp pattern, the mixed beam and to measure changes in the mixed beam caused by refractive index variations in the dilute medium across a spectral feature. Output providing a signal that changes in response to the measured changes.

Abstract: An imaging sensor device has an array of pixel sensors in rows and columns. The array comprises: a plurality of stitching blocks, each comprising a plurality of pixel sensors disposed in at least one row group; and first and second groups of addressing lines, the arrangement of pixel sensors and addressing lines in each stitching block being the same. Row addressing circuitry is disposed along an external edge of the array parallel to the rows of pixel sensors, coupled to the pixel sensors using the first group of addressing lines for performing a row addressing action and group addressing circuitry is disposed along the same edge of the array, coupled to the pixel sensors using at least some of the second group of addressing lines for performing a group addressing action. Each stitching block combines a row addressing action with a group addressing action to select only one row of one row group of one stitching block simultaneously.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for external cavity laser absorption spectroscopy There is disclosed an apparatus, and corresponding methods, for determining one or more characteristics of a sample in an absorption cell using laser absorption spectroscopy. For example, the characteristic may be concentration of a species in the sample. The apparatus comprises an external cavity semiconductor laser comprising a semiconductor gain medium within an optical resonator. The absorption cell is located within the optical resonator of the external cavity semiconductor laser so as to be optically coupled with the gain medium. A controller is arranged to provide a varied injection current to the semiconductor gain medium. A photodetector is arranged to detect laser light output by the external cavity semiconductor laser. An analyser is arranged to determine one or more characteristics of the sample from behaviour of the detected laser light output as a function of the varied injection current.

Abstract: A mount for an optical element such as in a laser, optical amplifier, or other optical system, is disclosed. The mount is a mounting vane (100) for cooling the optical element (125) by a fluid stream. The optical element may be a gain medium generating heat. The mounting vane comprises: an input section with a leading edge (110) for meeting the fluid stream; a diffuser section (130) which tapers to a trailing edge (135); and a plane section (120) with an aperture for receiving the optical element (125) for cooling by the fluid stream, the plane section arranged between the input section and diffuser section, wherein the diffuser section (130) includes one or more flow guiding fins (140) protruding from the diffuser section. The mounting vane may be stacked with a plurality of other mounting vanes in a manifold. The shape of the vane plate results in a turbulent fluid flow improving the heat exchange between a laser disc heated by optical pumping and a cryogenic He gas used for cooling.

Abstract: An interferometer is disclosed, such as may be incorporated into a hand-held spectrometer. The interferometer comprises enclosed path optics and a detector, the enclosed path optics comprise at least two reflecting elements and a beamsplitter, the beamsplitter is arranged to divide an input beam into first and second beams. The enclosed path optics are arranged to direct the first and second beams in opposite directions around paths enclosing an area and to output the first and second beams towards the detector. The enclosed path optics also focus the first and second beams onto the detector. The detector is arranged to detect a pattern produced by interference of the first and second beams. In a preferred embodiment the two reflecting elements are a pair of concave mirrors, and the enclosed path optics enclose a triangular area. The use of concave mirrors for both reflection and focussing provides the interferometer with compactness.

Abstract: A cryostat (10) is disclosed having a multistage cryocooler (20) with at least first and final cooling stages (22,32), and first and final stage heat exchangers (24,34) thermally coupled to the corresponding cooling stages for cooling a cryogen passing along a cooling path (15). The cooling path (15) further comprises a terminal cooling chamber (40) arranged to receive the cryogen from the final stage heat exchanger (34). The terminal cooling chamber (40) is also thermally coupled to the final cooling stage (32) so as to further cool the cryogen. The terminal cooling chamber (40) may include baffles (210) for directing the cryogen along an extended path through the terminal cooling chamber (40).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a retinal densitometer, comprising an illumination unit for outputting bleaching illumination for photo-bleaching an eye and reflectance illumination at one or more wavelengths for determining reflectance of the eye at the one or more wavelengths, an imaging device arranged to output image data corresponding to an image of the eye at the one or more wavelengths of reflectance illumination, and a control unit arranged to control the illumination unit and the imaging device to output the bleaching illumination, the reflectance illumination at the one or more wavelengths and to output image data according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A multipole magnet for deflecting a beam of charged particles, comprising: a plurality of ferromagnetic poles arranged in a pole plane; a plurality of permanent magnets each having a magnetisation direction, and each being arranged to supply magnetomotive force to the plurality of ferromagnetic poles to produce a magnetic field along the pole plane in a beamline space between the poles; and a plurality of ferromagnetic flux conducting members arranged to channel magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets; wherein the multipole magnet comprises an even number of ferromagnetic poles, each pole being arranged to diametrically oppose another of the poles in the pole plane along a pole axis, wherein each of the plurality of permanent magnets is associated with at least one of the plurality of poles and the magnetisation direction of each permanent magnet isorientated in the pole plane at an angle of at least 45° relative to the pole axis of the associated pole.

Abstract: A device comprising a solid-state actuator (100), means for inputting an acoustic signal to the actuator (104) and means for measuring the resultant signal (104). The measured acoustic signal can be used to determine the extension of the solid-state actuator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a neutron spectrometry system, comprising a plurality of semiconductor detector portions arranged in close proximity, wherein the detector portions are arranged in at least two non-parallel axes, wherein each detector portion is arranged to output a detection signal indicative of energy deposited in the detector portion by ionising particles induced in the device by incident neutrons, and a control unit arranged to receive the plurality of detection signals, and to allocate detection signals to one or more of a plurality of channels based on a number of substantially coincident detection signals for determining a spectrum of incident neutrons based thereon.

Abstract: A spacecraft is described which uses a magnetic field source to generate a shield magnetic field to protect the spacecraft from energetic charged particles. The field may be perturbed to increase the effectiveness of the protection. Injection of material into the shield cavity to enhance the local plasma density may also be used.