Abstract: A non-linear optical crystal of a compound having the general formula DxM1?xTOZO4, including isomorphs thereof, where: D is a dopant which comprises one or both of Rb and Cs; M is selected from one or both of K and Ag; T comprises one or more of Ti, Sn and Ge, optionally together with one or both of Nb and Ta; Z is selected from one or both of P and As, optionally together with one or both of Ge and Si; and 0<x?0.1.

Abstract: A method of forming a lattice-tuning semiconductor substrate comprises the steps of defining parallel strips of a Si surface by the provision of spaced parallel oxide walls (2) on the surface, selectively growing a first SiGe layer on the strips such that first dislocations (3) extend preferentially across the first SiGe layer between the walls (2) to relieve the strain in the first SiGe layer in directions transverse to the walls (2), and growing a second SiGe layer on top of the first SiGe layer to overgrow the walls (2) such that second dislocations form preferentially within the second SiGe layer above the walls (2) to relieve the strain in the second SiGe layer in directions transverse to the first dislocations (3). The dislocations so produced serve to relax the material in two mutually transverse directions whilst being spatially separated so that the two sets of dislocations cannot interact with one another.

Abstract: In order to reduce dislocation pile-ups in a virtual substrate, a buffer layer 32 is provided, between an underlying Si substrate 34 and an uppermost constant composition SiGe layer 36, which comprises alternating graded SiGe layers 38 and uniform SiGe layers 40. During the deposition of each of the graded SiGe layers 38 the Ge fraction x is linearly increased from a value corresponding to the Ge composition ratio of the preceding layer to a value corresponding to the Ge composition ratio of the following layer. Furthermore the Ge fraction x is maintained constant during deposition of each uniform SiGe layer 40, so that the Ge fraction x varies in step-wise fashion through the depth of the buffer layer. After the deposition of each pair of graded and uniform SiGe layers 38 and 40, the wafer is annealed at an elevated temperature greater than the temperature at which the layers have been deposited.

Abstract: The application discloses supported initiators for transition metal mediated living free radical and/or atom transfer polymerisation comprising an initiator moiety attached to a support via a selectively cleavable link, and their use to produce polymers.

Abstract: A gas injection moulding method comprising injecting a melt into a mould and injecting gas into the melt to form a gas cavity in the melt wherein the melt is cooled by use of injection gas cooled to below the external ambient air temperature and/or by a continuous flow of injection gas through the mould.

Abstract: An ion focussing and conveying device 10 comprises a plurality of electrodes 12 in series. Means is provided to apply a first alternating voltage waveform to each electrode 12, the phase of the alternating voltage in the first waveform is applied to each electrode 12 in the series being ahead of the phase of the first alternating voltage waveform applied to the preceding electrode 12 in the series by less than 180°, preferably by 90° or less, such that ions are focussed onto an axis of travel and impelled along the series of electrodes 12.

Abstract: A gas injection moulding method comprising injecting a melt into a mould and injecting gas into the melt to form a gas cavity in the melt, wherein the melt is cooled by use of injection gas cooled to below the external ambient air temperature and/or by a continuous flow of injection gas through the mould.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having an armature winding 24, 25 and a field winding 10 for generating a magnetomotive force in a direction extending transversely of the magnetomotive force generated by the armature winding. An electronic circuit 40 is provided for controlling the current in the armature winding 24, 25 such that periods in which a magnetomotive force in one direction is associated with a first current pulse alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force in the opposite direction is associated with a second current pulse. A position sensor is provided for monitoring the rotational position of the rotor and for supplying output signals at a rate dependent on the speed of rotation of the rotor. Furthermore a control system supplies control signals to the circuit 40 to control the current in the armature winding 24, 25 in response to the output signals.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having an armature winding 24, 25 and a field winding 10 for generating a magnetomotive force in a direction extending transversely of the magnetomotive force generated by the armature winding. An electronic circuit 40 is provided for controlling the current in the armature winding 24, 25 such that periods in which a magnetomotive force in one direction is associated with a first current pulse alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force in the opposite direction is associated with a second current pulse. A position sensor is provided for monitoring the rotational position of the rotor and for supplying output signals dependent on the speed of rotation of the rotor. Furthermore a control system 32 supplies control signals to the circuit 40 to control the current in the armature winding 24, 25.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having an armature winding (24,25) and a field winding (10) for generating a magnetomotive force in a direction extending transversely of the magnetomotive force generated by the armature winding. An electric circuit (40) is provided for controlling the current in the armature winding (24, 25) such that periods in which a magnetomotive force in one direction is associated with a first current pulse alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force in the opposite direction is associated with a second current pulse. A position sensor is provided for monitoring the rotational position of the rotor and for supplying output signals dependent on the speed of rotation of the moor.

Abstract: An electrical motor or generator comprises a rotor 79 without windings, a stator 78 having armature windings comprising at least two coils A1, A2 having active portions positioned within armature winding slots 81 in a stator iron, and field windings F having active portions positioned within field winding slots 80 in the stator iron. An electronic control circuit is provided for controlling the currents in the coils A1, A2 in synchronism with rotation of the rotor such that periods in which a magnetomotive force is generated in one direction by current flow in one of the coils alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force is generated in the opposite direction by current flow in another of the coils. The armature winding slots and the field winding slots are equal in number and alternate with one another in the stator iron.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry apparatus 105 comprises a serial arrangement of an ion source 110, first time of flight means, a field free region 120, means to fragment the molecules, a second time of flight means and a large area detector 160 The second time of flight means includes an ion mirror 150, the ion mirror 150 being arranged to produce a reflecting substantially quadratic field. The first time of flight means is arranged to provide spatial focusing concomitant with time focusing of ions at or near the entrance to the ion mirror 150. The means provided to fragment the ions from the first time of flight means can be a collision cell 140 or in the field free region 220 or in the first time of flight means. The means to fragment the molecules has a potential which is different from the potential at the entrance to the ion mirror 150, and the detecting surface of the detector 160 is mounted in the time focal surface of the ion mirror 150.

Abstract: A method of design and manufacture of an assembly of components including selecting KCs of the type, Product KCs, Assembly KCs or Manufacturing KCs is provided. The method includes the steps of identifying potential KCs and carrying out a risk assessment for variation of the potential KCs based upon four values, namely probability of failure or variation; the severity of the variation; the detectability of the variation, and the repairability of the variation. Scores attributed to each said value may then be multiplied together to produce the risk assessment. Once the KCs have been selected, a process of feature identification and classification for the KC may be carried out, followed by establishment of assembly precedence of features for the KC.

Abstract: The invention relates to supported ligands and catalysts for use in the polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers such as vinylic monomers, comprising the use of a compound attached to support, the compound being capable of complexing with a transitional metal. Preferably the compound capable of complexing with a transition metal is a diimine such as a 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene, a 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde imine, an oxazolidone or a quinoline carbaldeyde. Preferably the catalysts are used in conjunction with an initiator comprising a homolytically cleavable bond with a halogen atom. The application also discloses processes for attaching ligands to supports, and processes for using the catalysts disclosed in the application.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having an armature winding 24, 25 and a field winding 10 for generating a magnetomotive force in a direction extending transversely of the magnetomotive force generated by the armature winding. An electronic circuit 40 is provided for controlling the current in the armature winding 24, 25 such that periods in which a magnetomotive force in one direction is associated with a first current pulse alternate with periods in which a magnetomotive force in the opposite direction is associated with a second current pulse. A position sensor is provided for monitoring the rotational position of the rotor and for supplying output signals at a rate dependent on the speed of rotation of the rotor. Furthermore a control system supplies control signals to the circuit 40 to control the current in the armature winding 24, 25 in response to the output signals.

Abstract: The thermal regenerative compressive device 20 has a plurality of sorbent vessels 10 arranged circumferentially about a rotational axis X partly within a toroidal conduit 21. A heat carrier fluid flows from an inlet 22 of the conduit to the outlet 23 in counterflow with respect to the rotational movement of the sorbent vessels 10. Separate fluid channels 29, 30 encase the evaporation/condensation zones 15 of the vessels 10 to enable transfer of heat between the vessels 10 and the fluid flowing in channels 29 and 30. With the compressive device 20 heat is regenerated in a particularly simple and convenient manner. As a result the compressive device is capable of achieving greater efficiencies than existing adsorption devices.

Abstract: A two-phase switched reluctance motor comprises a rotor without windings, a stator having windings, and an electronic control circuit for controlling the current in the windings to effect rotation of the rotor. The control circuit includes a capacitance bridge defining a floating point to which one end of each of the windings is coupled to form a resonance circuit. Switching transistors are connected to the windings and are switched in synchronism with rotation of the rotor so as to produce current pulses which are limited by the build-up of voltage at the floating point of the capacitance bridge. This ensures that the current in the windings returns naturally to zero at the end of each excitation pulse, thus providing more efficient power operation and reducing the acoustic noise of the machine.

Abstract: A catalyst is provided for addition polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers comprising a first compound MY, wherein M is a transition metal in a low valency state or a transition metal in a low valency state coordinated to at least one coordinating non-charged ligand, Y is a monovalent, divalent or polyvalent counterion; an initiator compound comprising a homolytically breakable bond with a halogen atom; and an organodiimine, where at least one of the nitrogens of the diimine is not part of an aromatic ring.

Abstract: An electrical machine comprises a four-pole stator 2 provided with a field winding 10 and an armature winding 11, each of the windings 10, 11 being split into two coils 22, 23 or 24, 25 closely coupled and wound so that diametrically opposite portions of both coils are disposed within diametrically opposite stator slots. A two-pole rotor (not shown) without windings is rotatable within the stator 2, and a circuit is provided for energising the armature coils 24 and 25 when direct current is supplied to terminals 26 and 27 of the circuit. Switches 28 and 29 in series with the coils 24 and 25 are switched alternately to effect alternate energisation of the coils 24 and 25 so as to generate, as a result of the opposite winding of the coils, magnetomotive forces in opposite directions.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of controlling one or more genes in plants. The genes may be exogenous genes and produce a desired phenotypic trait in the plants produced. The genes are operatively linked to a heterologous upstream activating sequence (UAS) recognition site, which is activatable by a transactivating protein. The genes linked to the UAS sequence, and nucleic acid encoding for the transactivating protein may originally be in separate transgenic plants, one of which fertilizes the other to produce reproductive material, such as seed, which may be grown into plants expressing the desired phenotype. The desired phenotype may be herbicide resistance or the production of a polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutyrate.