Abstract: In examples, a method of controlling customer access to an assay system comprises (a) receiving a system identifier; (b) identifying said system identifier; and (c) utilizing information obtained from the system identifier to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) enabling full access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; (ii) enabling partial access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; or (iii) denying access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system.

Abstract: A drill hole logging system (5) incorporates a computing system (58) at the surface and a deployment mechanism (40) for conveying a logging tool (10) configured to measure one or more geophysical parameters into a drill hole (20). A transmission means (57) communicates commands and data representing the geophysical parameters between the surface computing system and the logging tool. A borehole caliper (300) is employed to profile the inside of the borehole.

Abstract: A cable gland sealing member comprising: a sleeve (19) arranged to be slidably received within a passage (9) defined in a body (5) of a cable gland, the sleeve (19) arranged to receive a settable sealing material for forming a seal to a cable passing through the sleeve, wherein the sleeve (19) is defined by an annular side wall extending along an axial length; wherein an outer surface (71) of the sleeve (19) includes a tapered portion (95) such that the external diameter of the sleeve (19) widens in the tapered portion (95); and wherein the outer surface (71) of the sleeve (19) is arranged to form a seal with the cable gland body (5). A cable gland is also disclosed using such a sealing member.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for updating a database with dimensional balancing comprises receiving a transaction request to transfer a portion of a first balance from the first balance to a second balance; determining a subset of the first balance less than or equal to the portion in the first balance compliant with dimensional rules based on one or more attributes of the subset and an identifier of an account holding the second balance; moving the determined subset from the first balance to the second balance; and updating attributes of the moved subset in the second balance.

Abstract: A method for maintaining database integrity comprises: receiving event data from a producer; converting the received event data to a standard set of ledger entries; publishing the converted entries to a database; determining if two accounts in the database balance out; performing a remedial action to maintain the database integrity if the accounts do not balance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a certificate authority system providing authentication to a plurality of devices associated with an organization are described. The method may include receiving, at the certificate authority system, a request from a device to sign authentication information of the device, wherein the device is associated with the organization. The method may also include sending a challenge to the device to perform an action with a system other than the certificate authority system, and receiving the response to the challenge from the device. Furthermore, the method may include verifying that the response was generated correctly based on the challenge, and signing the authentication information of the device with one or more keys of the certificate authority system as an authentication of an identity of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a certificate authority system providing authentication to a plurality of devices associated with an organization are described. The method may include receiving, at the certificate authority system, a request from a device to sign authentication information of the device, wherein the device is associated with the organization. The method may also include sending a challenge to the device to perform an action with a system other than the certificate authority system, and receiving the response to the challenge from the device. Furthermore, the method may include verifying that the response was generated correctly based on the challenge, and signing the authentication information of the device with one or more keys of the certificate authority system as an authentication of an identity of the device.

Abstract: A coupling (1) comprising: a first part (2) sized and shaped to fit through an orifice in a surface and having a mounting surface (5) for abutting against the surface, and comprising a body having a through bore (7); and a first connector part (13) having a termination (15) for at least one conductor, and a connection member (16) for each termination (15); and a second part (3) in threaded engagement with the first part (2), the second part comprising a body having a through bore (10) in communication with the through bore (7) of the first part (2); a second connector part (14) having a connection member (17) complementary to each connection member (16) of the first connector part (13) so that the connection members (16, 17) of the first (13) and second (14) connector parts can engage each other and a termination (19) for a conductor for each connection member (16) of the second connector part (3).

Abstract: A cable gland (1) comprising: an entry component (2) sized to fit through an orifice in a surface and having a flange (11) arranged to bear against the surface around the orifice; a middle component (3) in threaded engagement with the entry component (2); and a back component (4) in threaded engagement with the middle component (3), the cable gland (1) defining a through bore (5) for a cable through the entry component (2), the middle component (3) and the back component (4); the cable gland (1) further comprising a sealing body (6) which is arranged to provide a seal in at least two positions from the group comprising: between the surface and the flange (11) of the entry component (2) (typically acting as a ingress protection washer); between the cable and the back component (4) (typically acting as an ingress protection seal); between the back component (4) and the middle component (3) (typically acting as a shroud); and between the middle component (3) and the entry component (2) (typically acting as a del

Abstract: A battery assembly for a lighting fixture is provided. The battery assembly includes a battery unit comprising a battery unit housing and a first set of conductive pins. The battery unit housing is configured to accommodate one or more batteries configured to power one or more light sources of the lighting fixture. The first set of conductive pins are in electrical communication with the batteries. The battery assembly includes a battery interface comprising a battery interface housing and a second set of conductive pins. The battery interface housing is configured to accommodate the battery unit housing. The second set of conductive pins are coupled to the light source(s) so that the batteries power the light source(s) when the first set of conductive pins contact the second set of conductive pins. In some implementations, the battery unit can be inserted into the battery interface while the lighting fixture is energized.

Abstract: A drill hole logging system (5) incorporates a computing system (58) at the surface and a deployment mechanism (40) for conveying a logging tool (10) configured to measure one or more geophysical parameters into a drill hole (20). A transmission means (57) communicates commands and data representing the geophysical parameters between the surface computing system and the logging tool. A borehole caliper (300) is employed to profile the inside of the borehole.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for updating a database with dimensional balancing comprises receiving a transaction request to transfer a portion of a first balance from the first balance to a second balance; determining a subset of the first balance less than or equal to the portion in the first balance compliant with dimensional rules based on one or more attributes of the subset and an identifier of an account holding the second balance; moving the determined subset from the first balance to the second balance; and updating attributes of the moved subset in the second balance.

Abstract: A sleeve (19) arranged to be slidably received within a passage (9) defined in a body of a cable gland (1), the sleeve (19) arranged to receive a settable sealing material for forming a seal to a cable passing through the sleeve, wherein the sleeve (19) comprises: an annular side wall (79) extending along an axial length and having a first end and a second end; and an end wall (100) capping the first end of the annular side wall (79), in which the annular side wall (79) and the end wall (100) define a void (106) within them into which settable sealing material can be received.

Abstract: A method of sealing a cable (10), the cable having at least one core (11) and at least one sheath (12) surrounding at least one core (11), the method acting to seal each core (11) relative to each sheath (12), the method comprising exposing each core (11) from each sheath (12) to form an exposed part of each core (11), with an unexposed part of a core (11) remaining with each sheath (12), positioning the exposed part of each core (11) and the unexposed part of each core (11) within a tube (1), and filling the tube (1) with a settable sealing material (6).

Abstract: Systems and processes for gas phase-phase synthesis of trisilylamine. One system includes a reactor vessel having a top, bottom, and sidewall having an inner surface. The reactor vessel includes inlets for gaseous reactants, and a gas inlet for an inert gas. In certain reactors the gas inlets are positioned near the top of the reactor vessel and configured to inject the reactant gases in the reactor substantially vertically and downward therefrom. Other reactors are cyclonic-shaped with tangential feeding of the gases. One or more baffles having a peripheral edge and substantially horizontally positioned in the reactor to define a reaction zone above the baffles and a separation zone below the baffles. The baffles are positioned in the reactor vessel such that there is a gap between the baffle peripheral edge and the inner surface of the reactor vessel. Certain systems and processes include mechanical or static mixers.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for updating a database with dimensional balancing comprises receiving a transaction request to transfer a portion of a first balance from the first balance to a second balance; determining a subset of the first balance less than or equal to the portion in the first balance compliant with dimensional rules based on one or more attributes of the subset and an identifier of an account holding the second balance; moving the determined subset from the first balance to the second balance; and updating attributes of the moved subset in the second balance.

Abstract: A method for maintaining database integrity comprises: receiving event data from a producer; converting the received event data to a standard set of ledger entries; publishing the converted entries to a database; determining if two accounts in the database balance out; performing a remedial action to maintain the database integrity if the accounts do not balance.

Abstract: Methods of making a semiconductor layer from nanocrystals are disclosed. A film of nanocrystals capped with a ligand can be deposited onto a substrate; and the nanocrystals can be irradiated with one or more pulses of light. The pulsed light can be used to substantially remove the ligands from the nanocrystals and leave the nanocrystals unsintered or sintered, thereby providing a semiconductor layer. Layered structures comprising these semiconductor layers with an electrode are also disclosed. Devices comprising such layered structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method for updating a database with dimensional balancing comprises receiving a transaction request to transfer a portion of a first balance from the first balance to a second balance; determining a subset of the first balance less than or equal to the portion in the first balance compliant with dimensional rules based on one or more attributes of the subset and an identifier of an account holding the second balance; moving the determined subset from the first balance to the second balance; and updating attributes of the moved subset in the second balance.