Abstract: A triboelectric generator comprises a first body moveable relative to a second body. Power generation modules are disposed on the first body and one or more actuating elements are disposed on the second body. Each power generation module is electrically connected to a common output and comprises material capable of generating electrical power through the triboelectric effect when contacting another surface. The power generation modules and one or more actuating elements are arranged on the bodies such that relative movement of the bodies causes the one or more actuating elements to come into contact with the power generation modules, wherein the contact causes the material of that power generation module to be brought into contact with said other surface to generate electrical power. The power generation modules may supply electrical power to the common output at different times, providing a more continuous supply of electrical power from the common output.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for constructing a tomographic image of a sample are disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength, at least one angularly-selective detector configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength after the electromagnetic radiation has interacted with the sample, and a controller configured to construct a tomographic image of the sample based on information gathered using the at least one detector. The controller obtains information indicative of an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation detected at a second position by the at least one detector while the source is in a first position. Then, the source and detector positions are interchanged, and the controller obtains information indicative of an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation detected at the first position by the at least one detector while the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the second position.

Abstract: Pyrochlore-based solid mixed oxide materials suitable for use in catalysing a hydrocarbon reforming reaction are disclosed, as well as methods of preparing the materials, and their uses in hydrocarbon reforming processes. The materials contain a catalytic quantity of inexpensive nickel and exhibit catalytic properties in dry reforming reactions that are comparable—if not better—than those observed using expensive noble metal-containing catalysts. Moreover, the Pyrochlore-based solid mixed oxide materials can be used in low temperature dry reforming reactions, where other catalysts would become deactivated due to coking. Accordingly, the catalytic materials represent a sizeable development in the industrial-scale reforming of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical device (40, 50, 60) comprises a first region 42 comprising an active region configured such that electrons and holes recombine in the active region to produce photons when a voltage is applied to the device. The device comprises at least one second region (43, 44, 53, 54, 62, 63) comprising a quantum well structure which is configured to trap electrons only, to trap holes only, or to trap different amounts of electrons and holes. The second region is arranged at a distance from the first region which is sufficiently close to the first region such that a charge imbalance develops in the first region when a voltage is applied to the device, thereby to reduce Auger recombination in the first region.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication network. Apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication network comprises a real modulation branch for modulating a first segment of a bit sequence to obtain a real modulated signal, a complex modulation branch for modulating a second segment of the bit sequence to obtain a complex modulated signal, a signal dividing unit configured to divide the bit sequence into a plurality of alternating first segments and second segments, and to send the first segments and the second segments to the real modulation branch and the complex modulation branch respectively, and a transmitter configured to transmit the real and complex modulated signals. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed for demultiplexing a plurality of data streams, using wide linear zero forcing with successive interference cancellation.

Abstract: A wireless data transmission apparatus is disclosed, comprising one or more antennas for transmitting data as polarised electromagnetic radiation, and polarisation control means for controlling an axial ratio and a tilt angle of the polarised electromagnetic radiation such that the axial ratio and tilt angle conveys information about the data being transmitted. A corresponding wireless data receiving apparatus is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas comprises a patch antenna, and the polarisation means may comprise a mechanism for varying an electrical length of the angled slot. By utilising the tilt angle and axial ratio of polarised electromagnetic radiation to convey information to the receiver, the spectral efficiency of the system can be increased. A further increase in spectral efficiency may be obtained by using the polarisation control means to modulate first and second carrier waves, and transmitting different data on the first and second carrier waves.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified Mycobacterium cells, and their uses as vaccines, and, particularly, modified Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccines. The invention extends to the use of the modified vaccines for vaccination applications in a wide range of animals, including cattle and humans. The invention extends to novel antigens, kits and compositions comprising these novel antigens and to their use in diagnosis. The invention also extends to apparatus comprising the modified vaccine and the antigens, and compositions comprising the antigens.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing an electrical signal that is indicative of a temperature is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a first thin-film transistor TFT comprising a first source, a first gate and a first drain, the first drain being configured to receive a reference current; and a second TFT comprising a second source, a second gate and a second drain, the first and second gates both being configured to receive the same gate voltage, wherein the first and second TFTs are configured such that a temperature dependence of the first TFT differs from a temperature dependence of the second TFT, such that an output current at the second TFT and the second drain is dependent on temperature. The temperature dependence of the output current can be controlled by selecting suitable design parameters for the first and second TFTs. A method of designing the apparatus to produce an output current with a target temperature dependence is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a three-dimensional amorphous trivalent network which reduces the number of modes within a particular frequency range (?c±??). The invention also extends to use of the composition as a structural colouration material and a paint, dye or fabric comprising the structural colouration material. Additionally, the invention extends to use of the composition as an optical filter or as a supporting matrix configured to define at least one optical component, such as a frequency filter, light-guiding structure for a telecommunications application, an optical computer chip, an optical micro-circuit or a laser comprising the supporting matrix.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolysis cell for producing hydrogen. The cell comprises an electrolyte compartment and an electrolyte disposed therein. The electrolyte comprises an aqueous alkaline solution comprising a transition metal ion or p block metal ion. The cell further comprises first and second spaced apart electrodes at least partially disposed in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for depositing a multilayer coating onto a substrate includes supporting the substrate on a platen comprising an electrically conductive material disposed in a deposition chamber, connected to an electrical power supply and electrically insulated from an electrode. The pressure in the deposition chamber is less than 10 Torr when a first feedstock is fed to the substrate. The electrical power supply is activated to create a plasma surrounding the substrate which ionises and/or activates particles within the first feedstock, allowing the ionised and/or activated particles from the first feedstock to deposit on the substrate and polymerise, thereby forming a first a coating on the substrate. Particles of a second feedstock, different from the first feedstock, are fed to the substrate and are ionized and/or activated by the plasma and allowed to deposit on the substrate and polymerise to form a second coating on the substrate.

Abstract: A triboelectric generator comprises a first body moveable relative to a second body. Power generation modules are disposed on the first body and one or more actuating elements are disposed on the second body. Each power generation module is electrically connected to a common output and comprises material capable of generating electrical power through the triboelectric effect when contacting another surface. The power generation modules and one or more actuating elements are arranged on the bodies such that relative movement of the bodies causes the one or more actuating elements to come into contact with the power generation modules, wherein the contact causes the material of that power generation module to be brought into contact with said other surface to generate electrical power. The power generation modules may supply electrical power to the common output at different times, providing a more continuous supply of electrical power from the common output.

Abstract: A multiple-gate transistor is disclosed, comprising a source, a drain spaced apart from the source, a semiconductor region disposed between the source and the drain, and an insulating region disposed over the semiconductor region. The multiple-gate transistor further comprises a current control gate for controlling a magnitude of current flowing between the source and the drain through the semiconductor region in dependence on a first electric field applied to the current control gate, the current control gate being separated from the source by the semiconductor region and the insulating region, and a switching gate for permitting current to flow between the source and the drain through the semiconductor region in dependence on a second electric field applied to the switching gate. The conduction state of the transistor (i.e.

Abstract: An electrospinning device is for manufacturing material that includes aligned nano-fibers. The device includes a rotor and more than one electrically conducting protrusions disposed on the surface of the rotor and spaced apart from one another. The protrusions are configured such that an electrostatic field created when a potential difference is applied between the rotor and a target is concentrated at the tips of the protrusions and decreases between neighboring protrusions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for depositing poly(p-xylylene) onto a component (4). The apparatus comprises (i) a platen, (ii) an electrode, and (iii) a first feed means. The platen comprises an electrically conductive material, is electrically connected to an electrical power supply and is configured to support a component. The electrode is electrically insulated from the platen. The first feed means is configured to feed a poly(p-xylylene) monomer to the platen. Furthermore, the component either comprises an electrically conductive material or consists of an electrically insulating material. If the component consists of an electrically insulating material the electrical power supply is an alternating current power supply and generated an alternating electrical field which couples to the component, and is thereby able to penetrate through the component to create the plasma.

Abstract: A wireless data transmission apparatus is disclosed, comprising one or more antennas for transmitting data as polarised electromagnetic radiation, and polarisation control means for controlling an axial ratio and a tilt angle of the polarised electromagnetic radiation such that the axial ratio and tilt angle conveys information about the data being transmitted. A corresponding wireless data receiving apparatus is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas comprises a patch antenna, and the polarisation means may comprise a mechanism for varying an electrical length of the angled slot. By utilising the tilt angle and axial ratio of polarised electromagnetic radiation to convey information to the receiver, the spectral efficiency of the system can be increased. A further increase in spectral efficiency may be obtained by using the polarisation control means to modulate first and second carrier waves, and transmitting different data on the first and second carrier waves.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for constructing a tomographic image of a sample are disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength, at least one angularly-selective detector configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength after the electromagnetic radiation has interacted with the sample, and a controller configured to construct a tomographic image of the sample based on information gathered using the at least one detector. The controller obtains information indicative of an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation detected at a second position by the at least one detector while the source is in a first position. Then, the source and detector positions are interchanged, and the controller obtains information indicative of an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation detected at the first position by the at least one detector while the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the second position.

Abstract: Components having fibre-reinforced composite structures are disclosed. The component comprises a plurality of structural fibres embedded in a cured matrix material and a plurality of nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes extending from one or more of the structural fibres. In some embodiments a density of the nanostructures is at least 107 nanostructures per cm2 of surface area of the one or more structural fibres. In some embodiments, the nanostructures extend from an outer fibre proximal to an outer surface of the component but not from an inner fibre distal from the outer surface. In some embodiments the one or more structural fibres from which the nanostructures extend are free of a sizing agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication network. Apparatus for transmitting data in a wireless communication network comprises a real modulation branch for modulating a first segment of a bit sequence to obtain a real modulated signal, a complex modulation branch for modulating a second segment of the bit sequence to obtain a complex modulated signal, a signal dividing unit configured to divide the bit sequence into a plurality of alternating first segments and second segments, and to send the first segments and the second segments to the real modulation branch and the complex modulation branch respectively, and a transmitter configured to transmit the real and complex modulated signals. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed for demultiplexing a plurality of data streams, using wide linear zero forcing with successive interference cancellation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing symbol detection on a plurality of mutually interfering information streams transmitted in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detector configured to receive an input signal comprising a plurality of mutually interfering information streams, and to detect a transmitted symbol for one of the plurality of mutually interfering information streams by searching for a vector solution to an optimization problem, and a detection evaluation module configured to classify the detected symbol as reliable or unreliable, and/or to determine whether current system conditions permit reliable symbol detection and to take a predetermined action to improve the detection reliability according to a result of the determination. In some embodiments a decoding algorithm is then applied to the plurality of detected symbols to recover information from said one of the mutually interfering information streams.