Abstract: Disclosed are various examples related to ion or particle spectrometry utilizing a monolithic collimator and energy analyzer. In one example, a particle selection device includes a single substrate including a curved channel energy analyzer section and a straight channel collimator section, wherein particles pass through the collimator section and enter the energy analyzer section of the substrate. The channel outlets in the collimator section are aligned with the channel inlets of the energy analyzer section. Electric and/or magnetic fields can be applied across the channels of the energy analyzer for ion or particle discrimination. A particle detector at the outlet of the energy analyzer section can provide indications of detected ions and/or particles.

Abstract: Various systems, devices and methods are provided for interconnection between wafers and/or chips using catch flexures. In one example, among others, a catch flexure assembly includes a first interconnect affixed to a first wafer. The first interconnect can include a female opening at a distal end of a flexible member that is configured to receive a male extension of a second interconnect affixed to a second wafer when the first wafer is aligned with the second wafer, and retain the male extension during a bonding process of the first and second flexible interconnects. The catch flexure assembly can also include bonding material disposed adjacent to the female opening, which is configured to secure the male extension in the female opening during the bonding process.

Abstract: Disclosed are various examples related to ion or particle spectrometry utilizing a monolithic collimator and energy analyzer. In one example, a particle selection device includes a single substrate including a curved channel energy analyzer section and a straight channel collimator section, wherein particles pass through the collimator section and enter the energy analyzer section of the substrate. The channel outlets in the collimator section are aligned with the channel inlets of the energy analyzer section. Electric and/or magnetic fields can be applied across the channels of the energy analyzer for ion or particle discrimination. A particle detector at the outlet of the energy analyzer section can provide indications of detected ions and/or particles.

Abstract: Various systems, devices and methods are provided for interconnection between wafers and/or chips using catch flexures. In one example, among others, a catch flexure assembly includes a first interconnect affixed to a first wafer. The first interconnect can include a female opening at a distal end of a flexible member that is configured to receive a male extension of a second interconnect affixed to a second wafer when the first wafer is aligned with the second wafer, and retain the male extension during a bonding process of the first and second flexible interconnects. The catch flexure assembly can also include bonding material disposed adjacent to the female opening, which is configured to secure the male extension in the female opening during the bonding process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a loudspeaker with a connection to a microphone located at a listening area in a room. The loudspeaker includes self-calibration functions to adjust speaker characteristics according to effects generated by operating the loudspeaker in the room. In one example, the microphone picks up a test signal generated by the loudspeaker and the loudspeaker uses the test signal to determine the loudspeaker frequency response. The frequency response is analyzed below a selected low frequency value for a room mode. The loudspeaker generates parameters for a digital filter to compensate for the room modes. In another example, the loudspeaker may be networked with other speakers to perform calibration functions on all of the loudspeakers in the network.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for collimator assemblies and/or energy analyzer arrays of plasma spectrometers. In one example, among others, an ultra-compact plasma spectrometer includes a collimator assembly; an energy analyzer array that receives charged particles from the collimator; and a detector plate that detects charged particles exiting the energy analyzer array. The energy analyzer array can include a plurality of analyzer plates having distinct energy channels. In another example, a method includes bonding a stack of analyzer plates to form an energy analyzer array, affixing a collimator assembly to the entrance surface of the energy analyzer array, and affixing an array of detectors to the exit surface of the energy analyzer array. The analyzer plates include energy analyzer bands extending from the entrance surface to the exit surface. The aperture arrays and the detectors can align with the energy analyzer bands.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for collimator assemblies and/or energy analyzer arrays of plasma spectrometers. In one example, among others, an ultra-compact plasma spectrometer includes a collimator assembly; an energy analyzer array that receives charged particles from the collimator; and a detector plate that detects charged particles exiting the energy analyzer array. The energy analyzer array can include a plurality of analyzer plates having distinct energy channels. In another example, a method includes bonding a stack of analyzer plates to form an energy analyzer array, affixing a collimator assembly to the entrance surface of the energy analyzer array, and affixing an array of detectors to the exit surface of the energy analyzer array. The analyzer plates include energy analyzer bands extending from the entrance surface to the exit surface. The aperture arrays and the detectors can align with the energy analyzer bands.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile health and wellness motivational system in which users specify times and/or locations where they know they will need help with lifestyle challenges. Using the smartphone's clock and geo-fencing technologies, a motivational message arrives at the specified time and/or location. Highly personalized, this system provides motivation in the form of text, photo, video, music or launched text or call; using inspiration, deterrent, tips or distraction at the specified time and/or location that the motivation is needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a loudspeaker with a connection to a microphone located at a listening area in a room. The loudspeaker includes self-calibration functions to adjust speaker characteristics according to effects generated by operating the loudspeaker in the room. In one example, the microphone picks up a test signal generated by the loudspeaker and the loudspeaker uses the test signal to determine the loudspeaker frequency response. The frequency response is analyzed below a selected low frequency value for a room mode. The loudspeaker generates parameters for a digital filter to compensate for the room modes. In another example, the loudspeaker may be networked with other speakers to perform calibration functions on all of the loudspeakers in the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a loudspeaker with a connection to a microphone located at a listening area in a room. The loudspeaker includes self-calibration functions to adjust speaker characteristics according to effects generated by operating the loudspeaker in the room. In one example, the microphone picks up a test signal generated by the loudspeaker and the loudspeaker uses the test signal to determine the loudspeaker frequency response. The frequency response is analyzed below a selected low frequency value for a room mode. The loudspeaker generates parameters for a digital filter to compensate for the room modes. In another example, the loudspeaker may be networked with other speakers to perform calibration functions on all of the loudspeakers in the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a loudspeaker with a connection to a microphone located at a listening area in a room. The loudspeaker includes self-calibration functions to adjust speaker characteristics according to effects generated by operating the loudspeaker in the room. In one example, the microphone picks up a test signal generated by the loudspeaker and the loudspeaker uses the test signal to determine the loudspeaker frequency response. The frequency response is analyzed below a selected low frequency value for a room mode. The loudspeaker generates parameters for a digital filter to compensate for the room modes. In another example, the loudspeaker may be networked with other speakers to perform calibration functions on all of the loudspeakers in the network.

Abstract: A system includes a variable amplifier, a source sound processor, an area sound processor, and an adjustment circuit. The variable amplifier adjusts an audio input signal to generate an audio output signal with an appropriate level so that the audio output signal is audible over noise in a listening area. The source sound processor and the area sound processor may split the audio output signal and a monitoring signal into frequency bands, and may compare these signals band-by-band to find differences that represent time-varying noise in the monitoring signal. These differences may be modified to account for the acoustic response of the listening area and for constant-level background noise in the listening area. The adjustment circuit controls the variable amplifier in response to these differences.

Abstract: An ambient noise compensation system determines an ambient noise level of a listening area. The ambient noise level may be calculated from the differences between a desired audio signal in the listening area, a measured background noise level in the listening area, and measured acoustic characteristics of the listening area. Based on the ambient noise level, the system adjusts a level of the desired audio signal so that it is audible over undesirable noise.

Abstract: A processing rack, such as for electroplating, which minimizes shelf areas of an article during processing of the article and during removal of the article from a processing bath and which allows easy mounting of articles on the rack and demounting of articles from the rack includes a frame and a plurality of article mounting fixtures that are each pivotally mounted on the frame and independently pivotable from a first orientation that facilitates mounting and/or demounting of articles, to a second orientation that is most conducive to producing high quality, substantially defect-free plating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ambient noise compensation are disclosed. One example of a system includes a variable amplifier, a source sound processor, an area sound processor, and an adjustment circuit. The variable amplifier adjusts an audio input signal to generate an audio output signal with an appropriate level so that the audio output signal is audible over noise in a listening area. The source sound processor and the area sound processor may split the audio output signal and a monitoring signal into frequency bands, and may compare these signals band-by band to find differences that represent time-varying noise in the monitoring signal. These differences may be modified to account for the acoustic response of the listening area and for constant-level background noise in the listening area. The adjustment circuit controls the variable amplifier in response to these differences.

Abstract: Miter joint cutting apparatus includes a base, and an adjusting member mounted on the base for relative sliding movement to a position along the direction of a saw line. A workpiece locating mechanism is mounted on the base for angular adjustment with respect to the saw line, and includes a pair of elongate guide boxes wherein each box has a lower lateral wall parallel to the base for supporting a workpiece with a forward end of the wall pivoted to the adjusting member, and a vertical wall extending from the lower wall. The lateral wall is coupled to the base via a projection which slides in a lateral slot in the base, as the guide box is moved by operation of the adjusting member.