Abstract: The present invention relates to a quantum computing unit comprising a superconducting substrate or other superconducting component, at least three outer Majorana modes, and at least one inner Majorana mode, wherein the at least three outer Majorana modes are located along an outer perimeter, and wherein the at least one inner Majorana mode is located within the outer perimeter. This spatial configuration of the four participating Majorana modes allows to control the time-dependent coupling between the respective Majorana modes. The related quantum gates can be performed perfectly in a finite time, preferably with a frequency of up to several GHz. These include the braiding gate, the ?/8 magic phase gate, the ?/12 phase gate, and, for multi-qubit systems, the CNOT gate. The robustness of the mechanism guarantees that for special times the quantum gate is conducted the quantum gate is perfectly realized. This property is independent of material specific parameters.

Abstract: A transducer supported by the eardrum provides a piezoelectric material exchanging energy with the eardrum through a nanoscale membrane, the latter serving to boost the coupling between the piezoelectric material and the eardrum.

Abstract: A molecule sequencer uses a planar nanochannel for aligning molecules to flow past impedance interrogation electrodes mounted across the channel for rapid sequencing. The electrodes may be fixed to the channel walls to provide improved registration by co-fabrication with the channel. Extended channel length over normally used nanopores can provide improved control of longer molecules and allow parallel sequencers to be readily fabricated on a single substrate.

Abstract: A damping device for damping vibrations of a bridge with a bridge deck comprises at least one damping wing comprising a center and configured to dampen vibrations of the bridge. A longitudinal direction of the at least one damping wing is disposed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bridge deck and the at least one damping wing is stationary upon wind acting on the bridge in a given direction. At least one support structure is laterally attached to at least one side of the bridge deck and configured to attach the at least one damping wing to the bridge deck such that the at least one damping wing is disposed with a lateral offset from an outer edge of the bridge deck facing the at least one damping wing.

Abstract: An electrically conductive nanoscale sensor includes a nanoscale pore that may be employed as a first antenna to provide precise localized measurements of the impedance-altering characteristics of a molecule such as DNA or RNA or the like passing through the pore. The use of radiofrequency measurements via a second antenna communicating with the first antenna promises high-speed analysis of long molecules (polymers).

Abstract: A detector suitable for mass spectroscopy uses a thin membrane that converts the kinetic energy of impinging molecules into corresponding photons, the latter detected with a suitable photosensor. The arrival of molecules at the membrane is detected by detection of the corresponding photons.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of bioinformatics and in particular of biomolecular computing (‘DNA computing’). “Computational genes” comprising nucleic acids are provided which, via autonomous spontaneous self-assembly, can be produced in vivo by means of a biomolecular finite automaton.