Abstract: An example material testing apparatus includes: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means for applying force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; automated clamping means configured to apply a releasable clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means, and a controller configured to control the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead.

Abstract: An example material testing apparatus includes: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means for applying force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; automated clamping means configured to apply a releasable clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead to secure the crosshead at a location with respect to the guide means, and a controller configured to control the automated clamping means to apply the clamping force between the guide means and the crosshead.

Abstract: Disclosed example material testing systems include: a material testing apparatus configured to receive an electrical supply, wherein the material testing apparatus comprises: guide means; sample holding means configured for holding a sample; force means configured for applying force to the sample; and a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; a three phase switched-mode power supply unit arranged to provide the electrical supply to the material testing apparatus; and one or more blocking means connected with a power output of the three phase switched-mode power supply unit, wherein the blocking means is arranged to prevent an electrical current at the power output of the three phase switched-mode power supply unit from flowing in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Example material testing apparatus comprise: guide means; sample holding means for holding a sample; force means comprising a first actuator for applying a releasable force to the sample; a crosshead supported on the guide means and arranged to support at least a portion of one or both of the sample holding means and the force means; an energy store arranged to store regenerative energy from at least the first actuator; an energy consumer arranged to, at least in part, consume energy from the energy store, wherein the energy consumer comprises the first actuator; and a controller configured to control the first actuator to release the force applied to the sample, wherein the first actuator is arranged to output the regenerative energy in dependence on the release of the force.

Abstract: An example material testing apparatus includes: guide means; sample test means for holding a sample and applying a test force to the sample; a crosshead arranged to support at least a portion the sample test means, wherein the crosshead is moveable about the guide means; crosshead drive means for moving the crosshead generally vertically about the guide means, wherein the crosshead drive means is driven by an electric machine in a driving configuration; and a controller arranged to: configure the electric machine into the driving configuration; control the crosshead drive means to move the crosshead generally vertically about the guide means; and configure the electric machine into a braking configuration, wherein in the braking configuration a winding of the electric machine is connected together with a low resistance connection.

Abstract: A kit for enabling delivery of an active compound to the skin for penetration into the skin, a delivery device for delivering an active compound, and a method of delivery of an active compound are provided. An active compound delivery kit for enabling delivery of an active compound into the skin of a subject includes an arrangement for providing a pathway into a biological barrier of a subject in an application zone, an active compound provided in dry form, and a delivery device for delivery of dissolved active compound to the application zone. Provision of a pathway into the biological barrier, preferably skin, is provided and the active compound applied in optimum form within a short time frame after forming the pathway ensuring treatment of the desired skin cells is optimised.

Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system of an electromagnetic motor, the electromagnetic motor having a moveable output shaft, comprising the steps of: receiving a velocity signal and/or an acceleration signal based on movement of the output shaft, said velocity signal and/or acceleration signal having a respective frequency spectrum; identifying an event from the velocity and/or the acceleration signal using the respective frequency spectrum, wherein said event corresponds to an uncontrolled movement of the output shaft and has a characteristic frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-X communication apparatus includes a generating device which is designed to generate a vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a signing device which is designed to sign the vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a first verification device which is designed to verify the vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a transmitting device which is designed to send the vehicle-to-X message. The first verification device is configured according to a higher safety integrity level than the generating device, the signing device and/or the transmitting device. Furthermore, a corresponding method as well as the use of the apparatus in a vehicle or an infrastructure facility is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preventing motion of an output shaft (401), of an electromagnetic motor comprising a coil assembly, when a mechanical brake (400) is released, comprising the steps of: determining the position of the output shaft (401); correlating the position of the output shaft (401) with a current such that when applied in the coil assembly induces a force on the output shaft (401) to prevent motion of the output shaft (401) when the mechanical brake (400) is released.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect Automatic Lateral Switch operations. Power down reports indicating power went down at a subset of reporting power meters during a time duration is received, at a monitoring facility. The plurality of reporting power meters receive power from a lateral power feed receiving power through an Automatic Lateral Switch. A respective power restore report indicating power is restored at the respective reporting power meter is received within a recovery time duration after receiving each respective power down report. Based on receiving the respective power restore report within the recovery time duration, an occurrence of an Automatic Lateral Switch operation which includes operating contacts providing power to the lateral power feed by the contacts opening and remaining reclosed is determined. Based on determining the Automatic Lateral Switch operation, an indication of the Automatic Lateral Switch operation is stored into a database system.

Abstract: A kit for enabling delivery of an active compound to the skin for penetration into the skin, a delivery device for delivering an active compound, and a method of delivery of an active compound are provided. An active compound delivery kit for enabling delivery of an active compound into the skin of a subject includes an arrangement for providing a pathway into a biological barrier of a subject in an application zone, an active compound provided in dry form, and a delivery device for delivery of dissolved active compound to the application zone. Provision of a pathway into the biological barrier, preferably skin, is provided and the active compound applied in optimum form within a short time frame after forming the pathway ensuring treatment of the desired skin cells is optimised.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting signals, including a first electronic computing device, and a second electronic computing device, wherein the second electronic computing device has a checking device, wherein the first and second electronic computing devices are designed to receive one or more different signals from one another and/or to emit them to one another, wherein the checking device is designed to check signals received from the second electronic computing device for formal correctness and/or to check the plausibility of said signals and to transmit the signals to the first electronic computing device and/or to a bus for transmitting data on the basis of the plausibility check and/or the check for formal correctness, wherein the second electronic computing device is configured according to a higher safety integrity level than the first electronic computing device. A corresponding method and to the use of the apparatus in a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the performance of a mechanical brake for a linear electromagnetic motor, the linear motor having a linearly moveable output shaft, comprising monitoring travel of the output shaft over the duration of actuation of the mechanical brake and comparing said travel with a predetermined travel threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting signals, including a first electronic computing device, and a second electronic computing device, wherein the second electronic computing device has a checking device, wherein the first and second electronic computing devices are designed to receive one or more different signals from one another and/or to emit them to one another, wherein the checking device is designed to check signals received from the second electronic computing device for formal correctness and/or to check the plausibility of said signals and to transmit the signals to the first electronic computing device and/or to a bus for transmitting data on the basis of the plausibility check and/or the check for formal correctness, wherein the second electronic computing device is configured according to a higher safety integrity level than the first electronic computing device. A corresponding method and to the use of the apparatus in a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle-to-X communication apparatus includes a generating device which is designed to generate a vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a signing device which is designed to sign the vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a first verification device which is designed to verify the vehicle-to-X message to be sent, a transmitting device which is designed to send the vehicle-to-X message. The first verification device is configured according to a higher safety integrity level than the generating device, the signing device and/or the transmitting device. Furthermore, a corresponding method as well as the use of the apparatus in a vehicle or an infrastructure facility is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features a highly sensitive assay for detecting frameshift mutations for high throughput use. Also provided herein are methods for diagnosing or determining a predisposition for developing medullary cystic kidney disease type 1 (MCKD1) in a subject by detecting a frameshift mutation in the GC-rich variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) sequence of the mucin 1 gene (MUC-1).

Abstract: A mechanical brake for arresting movement of the output shaft of a linear electric motor, comprising a pivotally mounted plate having a space for receiving the output shaft of the motor; an electrically operated holding device contacting a free end of the plate and arranged to hold the plate in a condition to permit movement of the output shaft and to permit the plate to pivot to a jamming position; wherein the electrically operated holding device comprises a solenoid to control the movement of the plate.

Abstract: A method for preventing motion of an output shaft (401), of an electromagnetic motor comprising a coil assembly, when a mechanical brake (400) is released, comprising the steps of: determining the position of the output shaft (401); correlating the position of the output shaft (401) with a current such that when applied in the coil assembly induces a force on the output shaft (401) to prevent motion of the output shaft (401) when the mechanical brake (400) is released.

Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system of an electromagnetic motor, the electromagnetic motor having a moveable output shaft, comprising the steps of: receiving a velocity signal and/or an acceleration signal based on movement of the output shaft, said velocity signal and/or acceleration signal having a respective frequency spectrum; identifying an event from the velocity and/or the acceleration signal using the respective frequency spectrum, wherein said event corresponds to an uncontrolled movement of the output shaft and has a characteristic frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the performance of a mechanical brake for a linear electromagnetic motor, the linear motor having a linearly moveable output shaft, comprising monitoring travel of the output shaft over the duration of actuation of the mechanical brake and comparing said travel with a predetermined travel threshold.