Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods relate to use of a time-varying bias for application to an avalanche photodiode. Embodiments include systems and methods of determining an appropriate time-varying bias for application to an avalanche photodiode in linear mode. Avalanche photodiode having appropriate parameters may also be determined. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The reinforced polymer composites from recycled plastic are polymer blends made from recycled polymers that are reinforced with glass fibers and mica. In particular, the reinforced polymer composites are blends of recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) with a mica filler that are reinforced with glass fibers, where the low-density polyethylene forms between 30 wt % and 35 wt % of the composite, the high-density polyethylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the polypropylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the glass fibers form between 15 wt % and 40 wt % of the composite, and the mica forms up to 15 wt % of the structural element. The resultant reinforced polymer composite has a relatively high heat deflection temperature, good mechanical properties (such as increased stiffness and strength), improved thermal stability, and is cost effective to manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for storing, preserving, culturing, and/or differentiating stem cells. The medium employs a synthetic thermo-responsive copolymer, dispersed in an aqueous vehicle, which allows the medium to be readily “switched” between a non-gelatinous (fluid) form and a gelatinous form by simply adjusting temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. As such, stem cells can be easily captured within a 3D gel matrix by simply mixing the stem cells with the non-gelatinous/fluid form of the medium and then gelling the medium by adjusting the temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. The stem cells encapsulated within the gelatinous form of the medium may then be preserved for a significant time period before either using the stem cells directly within the medium (e.g. in therapy, or in culturing, differentiation, and such like), or after their extraction from the medium.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises three semiconductor layers. The semiconductor layers are arranged to form a 2DHG and a 2DEG separated by a polarization layer. The device comprises a plurality of electrodes: first and second electrodes electrically connected to the 2DHG so that current can flow between them via the 2DHG and a third electrode electrically connected to the 2DEG so that when a positive voltage is applied to the third electrode, with respect to at least one of the other electrodes, the 2DEG and the 2DHG will be at least partially depleted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an agent that inhibits the activity of an enzyme that mediates repair of a DNA strand break in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diseases caused by a defect in a gene that mediates homologous recombination.

Abstract: A low-loss GaN-based semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device has the InzGa1-zN layer (where 0?z<1), the AlxGa1-xN layer (where 0<x<1), the InyGa1-yN layer (where 0?y<1) and the p-type InwGa1-wN layer (where 0?w<1) which are sequentially stacked on a base substrate of a C-plane sapphire substrate, etc. At a non-operating time, the two-dimensional hole gas is formed in the InyGa1-yN layer in the vicinity part of a hetero-interface between the AlxGa1-xN layer and the InyGa1-yN layer, and the two-dimensional electron gas is formed in the InzGa1-zN layer in the vicinity part of a hetero-interface between the InzGa1-zN layer and the AlxGa1-xN layer.

Abstract: A process for treating a non-ferrous metal component, comprising placing the component into a process chamber at an elevated temperature, biasing the component to have a potential capable of attracting ions, introducing oxygen into the chamber at a pressure such that a glow discharge comprising oxygen ions is generated, the process chamber additionally comprising a glow discharge ionization enhancing means, and activating the glow discharge ionization enhancing means thereby increasing charged species density of the glow discharge, the oxygen ions flowing towards the component and colliding the surface thereof at least some of which diffuse into the component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor light source structure. The method comprises providing a GaAs substrate; forming a lower cladding layer above the substrate, the lower cladding layer comprising an AIxGa1-xAs alloy; forming an active region above the lower cladding layer, the active region comprising a GaAs separate confinement heterostructure; and forming an upper cladding layer comprising an AIxGa1-xAs alloy above the active region in the form of an elongate stripe bounded on either side by an InGaP current-blocking layer, the elongate stripe defining an index-guided optical waveguide.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for improving the growth characteristics of plants.

Abstract: A power electronic package includes: first and second high thermal conductivity insulating non-planar substrates; and multiple semiconductor chips and electronic components between the substrates. Each substrate includes multiple electrical insulator layers and patterned electrical conductor layers connecting to the electronic components, and further includes multiple raised regions or posts, which are bonded together so that the substrates are mechanically and electrically connected. The number, arrangement, and shape of the raised regions or posts are adjusted to have mechanical separation between the substrates. The electrical conductor layers are separated and isolated one another so that multiple electric circuits are provided on at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting the presence of a substance comprising providing a cantilever (30) comprising a magnetostrictive material (34) and having an original resonant frequency. The method also comprises receiving the substance on the cantilever (30, 36) causing the resonant frequency of the cantilever (30) to change. The method also comprises applying a magnetic field to the cantilever (30) causing the resonant frequency to change to a reference resonant frequency and sensing when the resonant frequency becomes the reference resonant frequency.

Abstract: A machining tool comprises a frame mounting an extendable yoke slidable with respect to the frame in a first direction through one or more mounting pillars. A tool motor is mounted on the yoke. A drive mechanism for the yoke is also mounted in the frame, with a drive motor to drive the yoke drive mechanism. A belt is between pulleys on the drive motor and mechanism to transmit drive between them. A rotatable sleeve is around the tool motor and on which sleeve the belt engages on opposite sides of the tool motor, whereby the tool motor can extend between the drive motor and mechanism, thereby resulting in a compact arrangement of the tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for analysing, designing and manufacturing a body to determine potential discontinuities within the body when subjected to an action.

Abstract: A power electronic package includes: first and second high thermal conductivity insulating non-planar substrates; and multiple semiconductor chips and electronic components between the substrates. Each substrate includes multiple electrical insulator layers and patterned electrical conductor layers connecting to the electronic components, and further includes multiple raised regions or posts, which are bonded together so that the substrates are mechanically and electrically connected. The number, arrangement, and shape of the raised regions or posts are adjusted to have mechanical separation between the substrates. The electrical conductor layers are separated and isolated one another so that multiple electric circuits are provided on at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: A power electronic package includes: first and second high thermal conductivity insulating non-planar substrates; and multiple semiconductor chips and electronic components between the substrates. Each substrate includes multiple electrical insulator layers and patterned electrical conductor layers connecting to the electronic components, and further includes multiple raised regions or posts, which are bonded together so that the substrates are mechanically and electrically connected. The number, arrangement, and shape of the raised regions or posts are adjusted to have mechanical separation between the substrates. The electrical conductor layers are separated and isolated one another so that multiple electric circuits are provided on at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus comprising a semi-permeable membrane capable of being contacted with a water source; a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing water across said semi-permeable membrane; a pressure application surface capable of transmitting pressure to the gel; and a permeable membrane through which absorbed water is capable of being released from the gel upon application of pressure thereto from said pressure application surface, wherein said permeable membrane is isolated in use from the water source by an isolation means

Abstract: Expression vectors, host cells and methods of using a recombinant expression system for the production of hydrogen are disclosed. The expression vectors comprise the a bidirectional hydrogenase protein complex coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: A control system, for controlling a process that repeats in a number of cycles, is arranged to control at least one input to the process and to modify the input or inputs iteratively over successive cycles so that an output of the process approaches a desired reference output, and so that, at each iteration a current input is determined by a two stage process the first being to minimize a cost function, the cost function including the tracking error between a calculated output for the current input and the reference output, and the change between the input of a previous iteration and the current iteration, the second through the introduction of a relaxation parameter obtained by empirical methods or mathematical optimization.