Abstract: A method of scheduling transmissions to client devices comprises receiving feedback (f1a-f3d) about a plurality of candidate downlink frequency resources (91-94) from a plurality of client devices and/or measuring channel qualities of a plurality of candidate uplink frequency resources (95-98) from receptions of transmissions, e.g. of the feedback, by the plurality of client devices. The method further comprises selecting a subset (92) of the plurality of candidate downlink frequency resources and/or a subset (96) of the plurality of the candidate uplink frequency resources based on the received feedback and/or the measured channel qualities. The method further comprises scheduling transmissions (dd1-3) to the client devices on the selected subset of candidate downlink frequency resources and/or transmissions (ud1-3) from the client devices on the selected subset of uplink frequency resources.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method of performing scanning probe microscopy on a substrate surface using a scanning probe microscopy system. A probe tip and substrate surface are moved relative to each other in one or more directions parallel to the scanning plane to position the probe tip to a scanning position on the substrate surface with the probe tip; a displacement is measured by an encoder of said probe tip in said one or more directions; and a fiducial pattern is provided fixed relative to the substrate surface, said fiducial pattern having a scannable structure that is scannable by said probe tip and said structure forming a grid of fiducial marks in said one or more dimensions; said grid dimensioned to allow for measuring placement deviations of the probe tip relative to the probe head by identifying one or more fiducial marks in the fiducial pattern.

Abstract: The present document relates to a scanning probe microscopy system and method for mapping nanostructures on the surface of a sample. The system comprises a sample support structure, a scan head including a probe comprising a cantilever and a probe tip, and an actuator for scanning the probe tip relative to the sample surface. The system also includes an optical source, and a sensor unit for obtaining a sensor signal indicative of a position of the probe tip. The sensor unit includes a partially reflecting element for reflecting a reference fraction and for transmitting a sensing fraction of the optical signal. It further includes directional optics for directing the sensing fraction as an optical beam towards the probe tip, and for receiving a reflected fraction thereof to provide a sensed signal. Moreover the sensor includes an interferometer for providing one or more output signals, and signal conveyance optics for conveying the sensed signal and the reference signal to the interferometer.

Abstract: Solar cell and method of manufacturing a solar cell. The solar cell has a silicon substrate (2) and a layer (4) disposed on a substrate side (2a) of the silicon substrate (2). It further has a contact structure (6) extending through the layer (4) from a cell side (1a) of the solar cell (1) to the silicon substrate (2). The layer (4) is composed of a polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and a tunnel oxide layer (10) interposed between the polycrystalline silicon layer (8) and the silicon substrate (2).

Abstract: A method of determining a group of user devices suitable for contributing user content to an interactive media broadcast may comprise: —transmitting a set of requirements to a first plurality of user devices (13), each user device having a set of capabilities, the set of requirements relating to using at least part of the user content in the interactive media broadcast, —transmitting an invitation to a second plurality of user devices (13), the invitation being configured to cause a user device to produce a conditional response if the set of capabilities of the user device matches the set of requirements, and —identifying a group of user devices from which a conditional response was received. The method may further comprise selecting a group of user devices from the identified user devices. The selected group of user devices may include all identified user devices. The media broadcast may include an interactive television broadcast.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for providing a service to a user equipment connected to a first operator network. The second operator network comprises a register containing subscription information of the user equipment. The method comprises a number of steps. One of these steps is receiving from the first operator network a service request of the user equipment, the service request being associated with the service. Another step is obtaining a service-deployment-specification for the second operator network comprising at least one network function associated with the service on the basis of the service request. Yet another step is converting the service-deployment-specification for the second operator network into a generic specification, the generic specification enabling execution of the at least one network function in the first operator network for providing the service to the user equipment. Yet another step is transmitting the generic specification to the first operator network.

Abstract: A process for increasing the productivity of equilibrium-restricted reactions and for increasing the productivity of a target compound includes the steps of (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising reactants; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to the equilibrium reaction in a reactor or sequence of reactors, to obtain a reactor outlet mixture comprising the target compound and at least one of the reactants; (c) regenerating the loaded sorbent obtained in step (e), by flushing the loaded sorbent with the reactor outlet mixture originating from step (b), to obtain regenerated sorbent and an effluent comprising desorbed product; (d) separating the effluent originating from step (c) into a product stream and a reactant stream; and (e) a sorption step to obtain a loaded sorbent and a depleted mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for molten metal pyrolysis of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen gas and carbon. Liquid salt is used to separate produced carbon from the molten metal and to facilitate isolation of produced carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system comprising a mobile device (1), a device (13b) for transmitting information, a device (15) hosting a device registry (14) and a wireless device (3a). The mobile device (1) comprises a receiver, a transmitter, storage means and a processor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved electronic device (100) and resulting product. A patterned layer of non-conductive support material (12m) is printed onto a thermoplastic substrate (11) to form a support pattern. An electrical circuit (13,14) is applied onto the support pattern (12), wherein the electrical circuit (13,14) comprises circuit lines (13) comprising a conductive material (13m) applied onto support lines (12b) of the pattern and electrical components (14) applied onto support islands (12a) of the pattern. A thermoforming process (P) is used for deforming (S) the substrate (11) while a relatively high resistance of the support material (12m) to the deforming maintains a structural integrity of the electrical circuit (13,14).

Abstract: A communication network may be provided having a plurality of network nodes and which may be configured to enable instantiation of different network slices which represent virtual networks with different feature sets, e.g., providing different network functions and/or having different network characteristics. The communication network may be configured to allow a network slice to be used for data communication between i) a user equipment (UE) connected to the network and configured to execute an application, and ii) a content or application server (CAS) configured to provide an application service via the network. Network functions may be provided which allow influencing the UE's slice usage based on requirements of the application service, even if the CAS is located outside the connectivity provider's network, e.g., outside a mobile operator's domain.

Abstract: The invention describes a composite material for heat storage comprising a thermochemical material (TCM) encapsulated in a water vapour permeable polymeric material. The thermochemical material preferably comprises at least one salt, at least one salt hydrate or a mixture of these, wherein the salt is preferably capable of binding water in an exothermic reaction, such as calcium chloride. Encapsulation in a water vapour permeable polymeric material results in an improved stability, cyclability of the thermochemical material, a reduced regeneration temperature and reduced corrosion of the environment. The composite according to the invention is particularly suitable for energy storage, preferably in the field of building and construction, and more preferably in the seasonal storage of solar energy.

Abstract: A system for managing a data stream between first and second networks is described in which a node entity transmits a data stream addressed to a destination device in the second network and a gateway entity receives the data stream from the first network. The gateway entity identifies at least one characteristic of the destination device and transmits it to the node entity in the first network in such a way that the characteristic is relatable to the data stream. The node entity receives the characteristic of the destination device from the gateway entity and relates it to the data stream and performs Quality of Service management on the data stream based on the at least one characteristic. A gateway device and a method of managing a data stream are also described. The system, gateway, node and method extend the application of QoS performance and management.

Abstract: This document is directed at a method of manufacturing a semiconductor element, the method comprising manipulating a surface of a substrate using an atomic force microscope, the atomic force microscope including a probe, the probe including a cantilever and a probe tip, the substrate including at least one or more device features embedded underneath the surface. The method comprises: imaging the embedded device features, and identifying that a position of the probe tip of the atomic force microscope is aligned with the feature; and displacing the probe tip transverse to the surface for exerting a stress for performing the step of surface manipulation, as for example contact holes. Imaging is performed by applying and obtaining an acoustic signal to and from the substrate via the probe tip, including a first and a second signal component at different frequencies. The imaging and surface manipulation are performed using said same probe and probe tip.

Abstract: A device (1) is configured to derive a first security key based on information relating to a first node (17), to request use of or to use a further device (9) as a relay to the mobile communication network and to determine whether the further device is connected to the first node and/or receive a message when another device, e.g. the first node, has determined that the further device is not connected to the first node. The device is further configured to, upon determining that the further device is not connected to the first node or upon receipt of the message, derive a second security key based on information relating to a second node (11) to which the further device is connected and transmit information via the further device, the information being encrypted using the second security key.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for light induced selective transfer of components. A donor substrate (10) with a plurality of components (11,12) divided in different subsets arranged according to respective layouts (A,B). A target substrate (20) comprises recesses (21) and protrusions (25). The donor and target substrates (10,20) are aligned such that a first subset of components (11) is suspended over corresponding recesses (21) in the target substrate (20) and a second subset of components (12) is in contact with corresponding protrusions (25) of the target substrate (20). Light (L) is projected onto the donor substrate (10) to transfer the first subset of components (11) across and into the corresponding recesses (21) while the second subset of components (12) remains attached to the donor substrate (10).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and process for capturing CO2 from air. The device comprises (a) a membrane at least partly permeable for air comprising a solid state CO2 sorbent; (b) at least one sorption chamber; (c) at least one regeneration chamber; (d) means for transporting the membrane from the sorption chamber to the regeneration chamber and back; (e) an inlet for receiving air located on one end of the membrane and an outlet for discharging air depleted in CO2 located on the other end of the membrane in the sorption chamber, wherein the device is configured to allow air to flow from the inlet to the outlet through the membrane; (f) means for flowing stripping gas through the membrane into the regeneration chamber; (g) at least one outlet for discharging CO2, located in the regeneration chamber; and (h) heating means for heating the regeneration chamber. The device according to the invention provides an efficient and low-cost solution for capturing CO2 directly from air.

Abstract: The document relates to a method of performing subsurface imaging of embedded structures underneath a substrate surface, using an atomic force microscopy system. The system comprises a probe with a probe tip, and a sensor for sensing a position of the probe tip. The method comprises the steps of: positioning the probe tip relative to the substrate: applying a first acoustic input signal to the substrate; applying a second acoustic input signal to the substrate; detecting an output signal from the substrate in response to the first and second acoustic input signal; and analyzing the output signal. The first acoustic input signal comprises a first signal component and a second signal component, the first signal component comprising a frequency below 250 megahertz and the second signal component either including a frequency below 2.5 megahertz or a frequency such as to provide a difference frequency of at most 2.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the to the electrochemical preparation of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by electrochemical oxidation, comprising a first oxidation step of oxidizing HMF to 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furan-carboxylic acid (HMFCA) in an electrochemical cell, subsequently a first isolation step of isolating HMFCA, followed by a second oxidation step of HMFCA to FDCA.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of maleic acid or a derivative thereof. Said process comprising an electrochemical oxidation of a furoic acid compound into maleic acid in an electrolyte solution; and optionally further comprising a step of reacting the maleic acid to the derivative thereof. In an alternative embodiment, said process comprising a first step comprising an electrochemical oxidation in an electrolyte solution of a furanic compound into one or more intermediates; followed by a second step comprising a chemo-catalytic oxidation of said intermediates to provide maleic acid or a derivative thereof.