Abstract: The present invention relates to a high temperature thermoelectric generator. The generator includes at least one thermocouple thermally connected to a high temperature surface, a power management circuit adapted to receive electric power from the at least one thermocouple and provide a regulated output voltage, and a storage device adapted to receive the regulated output voltage from the power management circuit such that the output voltage charges the storage device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a junction, formed from an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor material, a trench, opening toward the light-incident side of the junction, for trapping reflected light, and two photon conversion layers. A first photon conversion layer, arranged at the light-incident side of the junction, converts photons from a higher energy to a lower energy suitable for absorption by the semiconductor material, and a second photon conversion layer, arranged at the opposite side of the junction, converts photons from a lower energy to a higher energy suitable for absorption by the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel methods for performing noninvasive vasectomies in animals, including humans, and vasectomy clamps for use in such procedures. The invention further presents an apparatus for use in noninvasive male sterilization procedures. More specifically, the invention presents the application of lasers for noninvasive thermal coagulation and occlusion of the vas. Non-contact cooling of the tissue surface, for example, via cryogen or other cooling spray, prevents scrotal skin burns during the procedure. Both the laser radiation and cooling spray are delivered in a non-contact mode to the tissue. This procedure also preserves the surgical field-of-view, potentially allowing the urologist to visually monitor the skin surface during subsurface heating of the vas and preventing the formation of scrotal skin burns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hierarchical computational method to predict the expression value of genes in time-series microarray data. The method may include the step of first applying a nonlinear independent component analysis (NICA) algorithm that extracts the major components covering all considered genes. An autoregressive exogenous (ARX) model may subsequently be used to quantitatively express the dynamic interactions of all components with each other. Then, using the predicted values for the components, and the nonlinear independent component analysis in the inverse form, the data may be used to predict the expression parameters for individual genes. The method may be used for the analysis of a eukaryotic gene expression throughout the cell cycle.

Abstract: A method of using a biological indicator to detect and identify sources of fecal contamination such as leaking sewer lines, septic tanks, and holding lagoons, using a microorganism having a biological indicator including an exogenous DNA indicator sequence incorporated into the genome of the microorganism. The exogenous DNA indicator sequence functions as a detectable signal that may be detected by visual detection methods or direct detection methods of the indicator sequence itself.

Abstract: Disclosed are various systems and methods for assessing and improving the capability of a machine tool. The disclosure applies to machine tools having at least one slide configured to move along a motion axis. Various patterns of dynamic excitation commands are employed to drive the one or more slides, typically involving repetitive short distance displacements. A quantification of a measurable merit of machine tool response to the one or more patterns of dynamic excitation commands is typically derived for the machine tool. Examples of measurable merits of machine tool performance include workpiece surface finish, and the ability to generate chips of the desired length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a perfusion solution comprising specific metabolic agents, antioxidant agents, and membrane stabilizer agents that can help improve preservation, organ viability, and in some cases recover organs that would otherwise being unusable for transplantation. In a further embodiment, the perfusion solution can be used in combination with hypothermic machine perfusion. It has been found that combination of the perfusion solution and hypothermic machine perfusion can help prevent or reduce further damage to the organ and restore the organ's anti-oxidant system, stabilize the cellular cytoskeleton and cellular membranes, inhibit arachidonic acid pathway, provide oncotic support, reduce interstitial edema formation, and help restore energy stores within the organ. As a result, the method can be used to improve the viability of otherwise marginal donor organs.

Abstract: A fiber, such as a photonic bandgap fiber, is provided, the fiber including a core and a cladding. The core can extend longitudinally and can have a gain medium configured to provide laser amplification to laser radiation propagating along the core. For example, the gain medium may include a dopant configured to provide amplification, when activated by one or more modes of excitation radiation, of laser radiation propagating along said core. The cladding can be radially exterior to the core, and can be configured to provide a low-loss propagation the one or more modes of excitation radiation and a lossy propagation of all modes of laser radiation along the core, the lossy propagation higher than the low-loss propagation, in particular when the one or more modes of excitation radiation is substantially absent from the core. Associated methods and apparatuses are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passive vehicle suspension system providing optimal camber gain and avoiding the “bump camber” problem. This vehicle suspension system utilizes a conventional sway bar and a kinematic system to rotate the tire(s) of a vehicle in a direction opposite the roll of the vehicle during turning or cornering, for example. The kinematic design allows for adjustability and optimization, providing optimal camber gain. Although an automotive vehicle suspension system is illustrated and described, and, specifically, a racing or everyday automotive vehicle suspension system, the concepts of the present invention are capable of much broader applicability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alternative methods for the production of crystalline silicon compounds and/or alloys such as silicon carbide layers and substrates. In one embodiment, a method of the present invention comprises heating a porous silicon deposition surface of a porous silicon substrate to a temperature operable for epitaxial deposition of at least one atom or molecule, contacting the porous silicon deposition surface with a reactive gas mixture comprising at least one chemical species comprising a group IV element and at least one silicon chemical species, and depositing a silicon-group IV element layer on the porous silicon deposition surface. In another embodiment, the chemical species comprising a group IV element can be replaced with a transition metal species to form a silicon silicide layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological composition which is storable above cryogenic temperature which is comprised of a vitrification solution in a glassy state. The vitrification solution is comprised of a biological material and a vitrification agent.

Abstract: A bioreactor assembly, including: a housing internally defining a plurality of reaction chambers; a medium flow supply line associated with each of the plurality of reaction chambers, wherein the medium flow supply line associated with each of the plurality of reaction chambers is operable for delivering a medium flow to each of the plurality of reaction chambers; and one or more framed membrane cartridges selectively disposed within each of the plurality of reaction chambers, wherein each of the one or more framed membrane cartridges disposed within each of the plurality of reaction chambers is operable for holding a biochemically active material that is reacted when exposed to the medium flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides mathematical model-based incremental clustering methods for classifying sets of data and predicting new data values, based upon the concepts of similarity and cohesion. In order to increase processing efficiency, these methods employ weighted attribute relevance in building unbiased classification trees and sum pairing to reduce the number of nodes visited when performing classification or prediction operations. In order to increase prediction accuracy, these methods employ weighted voting over each value of target attributes to calculate a prediction profile. The present invention allows an operator to determine the importance of attributes and reconstitute classification trees without those attributes deemed unimportant to further increase classification structure node processing efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for applying independent component analysis (ICA) and other advanced signal processing techniques to automatically identify an optimal number of independent gene clusters and to efficiently separate gene expression data into biologically relevant groups. Embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention provide an interface that allows the user to review the results at various stages during the analysis, thereby optimizing the type of analysis performed for a specific experiment. Also disclosed are methods and systems to mathematically define the relationship for gene expression within a group of interrelated genes.

Abstract: The invention includes a template useful for the fabrication of devices having one, two, or three dimensional geometries. The template can include at least a first patterned surface and a mask integrated into the template for creating an interference pattern when radiation is passed through the mask. The template can be useful in the production of shaped structures including one-, two-, or three-dimensionally shaped patterns, and further including at least one shaped surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating assemblies are described. One method described comprises providing a first element at a first temperature, providing a second element at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, coupling the first and second elements to create an assembly, and changing the first temperature to a third temperature, thereby preloading and interlocking the assembly. The first element comprises a first dimension at the first temperature. The second element comprises a second dimension lesser than the first dimension at the second temperature. The first element comprises a third dimension at the third temperature lesser than the first dimension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photoacid generating compounds, lithographic resists comprising photoacid generating compounds, and to various lithographic processes techniques, and applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a systematic relationship between a plurality of points include determining an estimated systematic relationship representative of the plurality of points according to an estimation function and based on a given set of measured points. The estimated systematic relationship having coordinate data and normal vector data associated with the given set of points and corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of points. Further, an adaptive sampling mechanism may automatically determine whether further measurements are required based on the estimated systematic relationship and based on predetermined measurement criteria. Additionally, a data verification device may remove inaccurate data from the estimation process.