Abstract: A method of encapsulating an active comprising preparing a first mixture comprising the active, a compound that functions as a Michael donor, and a compound that functions as a Michael acceptor, preparing a second mixture comprising water and an emulsifier; preparing a reaction mixture by combining the first mixture, the second mixture, and a compound that functions as a Michael catalyst; agitating the reaction mixture; wherein the active has a water solubility of at most 0.5% (w/w) at 25° C.

Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device according to an embodiment includes a stacked body. The stacked body includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a light emitting layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type provided on the light emitting layer. The stacked body includes a first protrusion on an upper surface of the stacked body. The first protrusion protrudes in a first direction from the first semiconductor layer to the light emitting layer. Length of the first protrusion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction decreases toward the first direction. The first protrusion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first side surface inclined with respect to the first direction. The second portion is provided below the first portion and having a second side surface inclined with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A server includes a processor having hardware. The processor is configured to authenticate, upon acquiring from a first device a gift request for electronic money and a message for a second device, the gift request, execute a gifting process when the authentication is successful, and output gift details and the message to the second device.

Abstract: A processor having hardware is provided. The processor creates, when the processor receives a creation request of group payment means for making a payment by electronic money using a first terminal and a second terminal that are associated with an organizer and a participant of a group, respectively, the group payment means in a wallet in which a plurality of payment means is registrable. The processor outputs a deposit request to a first server designated in the creation request, based on registration information of the group payment means acquired from the second terminal, to a second server designated in the registration information.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery blocks arranged in an X direction and thermal insulating boards that are each disposed between the battery blocks adjacent to each other in the X direction. The thermal insulating boards have a thermal insulating property. Each battery block includes a plurality of cylindrical batteries closely arranged in two or more rows in a staggered formation, with central axes of the cylindrical batteries being parallel to each other, and a block case entirely surrounding a periphery of a battery unit made up of the plurality of the cylindrical batteries so that the plurality of cylindrical batteries stays closely arranged.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a bit line electrically connected to a memory cell, a first node electrically connected to the bit line, a first driver configured to increase a voltage of the first node to a first voltage, a first buffer circuit configured to store data based on the voltage of the first node, a bus electrically connected to the first buffer circuit, a first transistor electrically connected between the first node and the bus, and a second buffer circuit electrically connected to the bus. The first buffer circuit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first driver. The first driver changes a voltage of the bus based on the data stored in the first buffer circuit.

Abstract: A biometric signature system holds a first template indicating a result of transforming, by predetermined transformation, first biometric information acquired from a predetermined part of a user; and a second template indicating a result of transforming, by predetermined one-way transformation, second biometric information acquired from the predetermined part of the user, identifies a parameter for which a similarity between the first template of the person to be authenticated corrected, generates a second template of the person to be authenticated from each piece of corrected second biometric information, and determines whether authentication of the person to be authenticated is successful by comparing each generated second template with the second template.

Abstract: In a battery system, a battery module includes a plurality of cells. A management unit manages charging-discharging of the battery module and a temperature inside the battery module. The management unit estimates a maximum temperature of an inside of a cell in the battery module based on a measured temperature in the battery module, and controls, during charging-discharging of the battery module, a charging-discharging current of the battery module and/or cooling of the battery module in such a way that the estimated maximum temperature does not exceed an upper limit temperature.

Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of battery cells each including a cell case and a battery element contained in the cell case. The battery module includes a lead to electrically connect a terminal of each of the battery cells to a current collector and a heat shutoff mechanism to break electrical connection between the terminal and the current collector by heat from the cell case when the cell case reaches a predetermined temperature or higher.

Abstract: A battery case containing an electrode group including an air electrode and a separator includes main walls on which the air electrode is opposingly disposed and a surrounding portion that is disposed at marginal portions of the main walls and that surrounds a side edge portion of the opposingly disposed air electrode. The surrounding portion is covered by an edge portion of the separator disposed opposing the air electrode.

Abstract: Provided are an electrode active material for a secondary battery containing a first electrode active material and a second electrode active material, in which the first electrode active material expands during charging and contracts during discharging, the second electrode active material contracts during charging and expands during discharging, some of particles constituting the first electrode active material and some of particles constituting the second electrode active material are in contact with each other, and an interface in which the particles constituting the first active material and the particles constituting the second active material are in contact with each other forms a solid solution to form a crystal portion, a solid electrolyte composition, an electrode sheet for an all-solid state secondary battery, and an all-solid state secondary battery for which the electrode active material for a secondary battery is used, and methods for manufacturing the electrode active material for a secondary ba

Abstract: An underwater power supply system includes: a working apparatus arranged underwater with at least one power receiving pad; a first battery unit detachably attached to the apparatus with a power supplying pad and battery, the pad configured to supply electric power to the power receiving pad in a non-contact state, the battery electrically connected to the power supplying pad; and an underwater sailing body configured to shuttle between the apparatus and a surface ship or an underwater station suspended from the surface ship, the body configured to carry a second battery unit to the apparatus, detach the first battery unit from the apparatus, and attach the second battery unit to the apparatus, the second battery unit including a power supplying pad and battery, the pad configured to supply the electric power to the power receiving pad in a non-contact state, the battery electrically connected to the power supplying pad.

Abstract: Reversible optical connectors, and associated devices and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a connector for a communication cable includes a housing comprising a cavity, and a first plug and a second plug coupled to a distal portion of the housing. The first and second plugs are connected to the housing such that the first and second plugs are independently rotatable with respect to the housing. The connector further includes a latch actuator coupled to the housing and configured to disengage one or more latches from an outlet. By rotating the plugs 180 degrees and turning the connector over, the relative arrangement or position of the two plugs can be switched or reversed. The plugs can be rotated or reversed without completely disassembling the connector, in some embodiments. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can improve workflows for a user or operator that in a high-density networking setting.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus, includes: a substrate holder including at least one support column to which a mounting part on which a substrate is mounted is attached and at least one auxiliary support column to which the mounting part is not attached, wherein the substrate holder is configured such that a diameter of the auxiliary support column is smaller than a diameter of the support column, and wherein the substrate holder is configured such that when the substrate is held by the mounting part, an end portion of the substrate and each of the support column is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined length.

Abstract: An ironing plate is attached to a friction stir welding apparatus in such a manner that the ironing plate surrounds an outer peripheral portion of a rotating tool and does not rotate together with the rotating tool, an inside diameter of a portion of the ironing plate into which the rotating tool is inserted is larger than the diameter of the rotating tool, and a material inflow path through which an excessive material of two metallic plates flows in is formed between the ironing plate and the rotating tool when the ironing plate is disposed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the rotating tool.

Abstract: Provided is a signature verification system comprising: a signature terminal including a biometric information acquisition unit for acquiring biometric information of a user, a public template certificate generation unit for generating a public template certificate by subjecting the biometric information to predetermined processing, a key pair generation unit for generating a pair of a secret key and a public key, and a public key certificate generation unit for generating a public key certificate by providing a biometric signature to the public key with the biometric information used as a key; and a verification terminal including a public key certificate verification unit for receiving a transaction including the public template certificate, the public key certificate, and a signature to verify the validity of the public key certificate using the public template certificate, and a signature verification unit for verifying the signature using the public key certificate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating label-less returns. The apparatus may include a memory and a processor(s) configured to receive a shipment identifier of an item(s) responsive to a device scanning a label or marking(s) on the item(s) delivered to a customer for a shipper. The processor is also configured to generate a return authorization number (RAN) or indicator for the item(s) and link the RAN/indicator to the identifier responsive to verifying that the customer is registered and that the item(s) qualifies for return. The processor is further configured to cause return delivery of the item(s) to the shipper using the label or the marking(s) on the item(s) responsive to verifying the RAN/indicator is linked to the identifier. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an exterior component; an image sensor disposed inside the exterior component, the image sensor including a board; a sheet body attached to the image sensor to dissipate heat generated by the image sensors; an elastic body configured to support the sheet body; and a holder configured to hold the elastic body. The sheet body includes a heat receiver attached to the board of the image sensor; and a heat dissipating section attached to the elastic body. The elastic body is compressively deformable between the exterior component and the holder to compress the heat dissipating section against an inner surface of the exterior component.

Abstract: A method for improving a film formation rate and forming a film having a high dry etching resistance is disclosed. The method includes forming a metal nitride layer containing the metal element and the nitrogen element by performing a predetermined number of times in a time division manner supplying a halogen-based source gas containing the metal element to the substrate and supplying a reaction gas containing the nitrogen element and reacting with the metal element to the substrate; and forming a metal carbonitride layer containing the metal element, the carbon element, and the nitrogen element by performing a predetermined number of times in a time division manner supplying an organic-based source gas containing the metal element and the carbon element to the substrate and supplying the reaction gas to the substrate.

Abstract: Reversible optical connectors, and associated devices and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a connector for a communication cable includes a housing comprising a cavity, and a first plug and a second plug coupled to a distal portion of the housing. The first and second plugs are connected to the housing such that the first and second plugs are independently rotatable with respect to the housing. The connector further includes a latch actuator coupled to the housing and configured to disengage one or more latches from an outlet. By rotating the plugs 180 degrees and turning the connector over, the relative arrangement or position of the two plugs can be switched or reversed. The plugs can be rotated or reversed without completely disassembling the connector, in some embodiments. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can improve workflows for a user or operator that in a high-density networking setting.