Abstract: A system can include a server, various application servers, various database servers, and a system database. The application servers can be divided into application server groups that each include an application server. The server receives data from a data source and the data includes a source identifier and a key identifier associated with the data source. The server determines a particular application server group that is associated with the data source based on the source identifier of the data source and transmits the data from the data source to an application server of the application server group. The application server determines a particular database server associated with the application server group and transmits the data to the database server, which determines a particular partition of a system database in which to store the data based on the key identifier of the data source.

Abstract: A system can include a server, various application servers, various database servers, and a system database. The application servers can be divided into application server groups that each include an application server. The server receives data from a data source and the data includes a source identifier and a key identifier associated with the data source. The server determines a particular application server group that is associated with the data source based on the source identifier of the data source and transmits the data from the data source to an application server of the application server group. The application server determines a particular database server associated with the application server group and transmits the data to the database server, which determines a particular partition of a system database in which to store the data based on the key identifier of the data source.

Abstract: A cosmetic container that includes a lid assembly and a base assembly, the base assembly configured to hold a cosmetic product. The lid assembly and the base assembly are pivotably coupled to one another. The lid assembly may be releaseably secured to the base assembly through a rotatable handle and release mechanism. Rotation of the handle may actuate the release mechanism to move a clasp between a locked and an unlocked configuration to lock and unlock the lid assembly relative to the base assembly.

Abstract: A method for preparing a purple sweet potato concentrate that is free from starch, rich in anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, minerals, and soluble dietary fiber with low viscosity, attractive color, and with natural sweetness is presented. The method first prepares and liquefies the purple sweet potatoes and fixes the colorization by adjusting the pH value. Next, amylase and an enzyme complex of hemicellulase, pectinase, cellulase, glucoamylase and protease are added in sequence under conditions effective to produce the juice with the above mentioned properties. The juice is then centrifuged and membrane-filtered to produce a purified purple sweet potato juice which is vacuum-concentrated to yield a purple sweet potato concentrate. Purple sweet potato powder can be obtained by vacuum drying the sediment and concentrate mixture.

Abstract: A point-of-license data collection and indexing system comprises a form database, a business database, a data entry tool, a rules database, a data association engine, and a reporting tool. The data entry tool is configured to commence a data entry session and to receive data required to complete a business licensing form and non-license business data during the same session. The business database is configured to store the entered business data. The data association engine is configured to consult the rules engine and to determine associations between items of data stored in the business database to facilitate searching of the business database using a search engine. The reporting tool is configured generate reports based on the business database, to make the license business data accessible to a government, and to make the non-license business data accessible to the public using a search engine.

Abstract: A damping apparatus is provided for a positioning stage that is operative to move and position an object along a motion axis. The damping apparatus comprises a motion transformation device operative to rotate the positioning stage about a rotary axis that is substantially perpendicular to the motion axis, in response to forces generated to the positioning stage during acceleration or deceleration thereof. Resilient elements connected to the positioning stage serve to reduce transmission of vibration generated from the positioning stage.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer driver has a giant magnetostrictive element, a fastener for holding the giant magnetostrictive element under mechanical pressure, a first field generator for providing a magnetic bias field, a second field generator for providing a magnetic drive field and a magnetic circuit for channelling the magnetic fields in the magnetostrictive element. An ultrasonic transducer for a bonding apparatus has a horn having a bonding tool at its smaller end and a mounting barrel adjoined onto it. The driver coupled to the larger end of the horn.

Abstract: A tunable vibration absorption device is provided that is suitable for active or semi-active vibration absorption or damping of vibrations in vibrating structures. It comprises a stack including a force actuator mechanism for generating an axial actuation force and a force sensor mechanism which is responsive to an external force acting on the stack to generate a force signal. A controller unit is electrically connected to the force sensor mechanism for receiving the force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism, and it is also electrically connected to the force actuator mechanism for adjusting the axial actuation force generated by the force actuator mechanism in response to the received force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism.

Abstract: A damping apparatus is provided for a positioning stage that is operative to move and position an object along a motion axis. The damping apparatus comprises a motion transformation device operative to rotate the positioning stage about a rotary axis that is substantially perpendicular to the motion axis, in response to forces generated to the positioning stage during acceleration or deceleration thereof. Resilient elements connected to the positioning stage serve to reduce transmission of vibration generated from the positioning stage.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternating piezoelectric layers and magnetostrictive composite layers. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of the concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternating piezoelectric layers and magnetostrictive composite layers. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of the concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is provided that comprises a mechanical amplifier adapted to produce a displacement output and/or receive a force input, and first and second flexible platforms connected to the mechanical amplifier. The first flexible platform is connected to one side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted on the first flexible platform for controllably flexing the first flexible platform. The second flexible platform is connected to another side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted to the second flexible platform for controllably flexing the second flexible platform.

Abstract: The operational frequency of existing magnetoelectric materials having metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Further, these materials may be difficult to machine and fabricate due to their brittleness. Additionally, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternative piezoelectric layer and magnetostrictive composite layer. The magnetostrictive composite layer includes at least one magnetostrictive material dispersed in first concentrated zones within a first polymer matrix, wherein all of said concentrated zones are orientated along a first direction. It is found that the conversion efficiency (i.e., ?E) varies in accordance with applied magnetic control field Hcontrol.

Abstract: A tunable vibration absorption device is provided that is suitable for active or semi-active vibration absorption or damping of vibrations in vibrating structures. It comprises a stack including a force actuator mechanism for generating an axial actuation force and a force sensor mechanism which is responsive to an external force acting on the stack to generate a force signal. A controller unit is electrically connected to the force sensor mechanism for receiving the force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism, and it is also electrically connected to the force actuator mechanism for adjusting the axial actuation force generated by the force actuator mechanism in response to the received force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is provided that comprises a mechanical amplifier adapted to produce a displacement output and/or receive a force input, and first and second flexible platforms connected to the mechanical amplifier. The first flexible platform is connected to one side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted on the first flexible platform for controllably flexing the first flexible platform. The second flexible platform is connected to another side of the mechanical amplifier and piezoelectric material is mounted to the second flexible platform for controllably flexing the second flexible platform.

Abstract: Existing magnetoelectric materials relying on the use of metallic or ceramic magnetostrictive materials and ceramic piezoelectric materials as their constituent phases may have three problems. First, the operational frequency may be limited to a few kilohertz due to the presence of eddy-current losses in the metallic magnetostrictive phase. Secondly, it may be difficult to machine and fabricate devices due to the mechanical brittleness of the ceramic and some metallic magnetostrictive phases as well as of the ceramic piezoelectric phase. Thirdly, it may be difficult to tailor and optimize the properties (i.e., magnetoelectric voltage coefficient ?E, etc.) of the devices due to the limitation of the types of the constituent materials. This invention provides a magnetoelectric element including at least one set of alternative piezoelectric layer and magnetostrictive composite layer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer driver has a giant magnetostrictive element, a fastener for holding the giant magnetostrictive element under mechanical pressure, a first field generator for providing a magnetic bias field, a second field generator for providing a magnetic drive field and a magnetic circuit for channelling the magnetic fields in the magnetostrictive element. An ultrasonic transducer for a bonding apparatus has a horn having a bonding tool at its smaller end and a mounting barrel adjoined onto it. The driver coupled to the larger end of the horn.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes a seating platform, at least one sensor for detecting a state of the seating platform connected to a first wireless communications device, the first wireless communications device for conveying information on the state of the seating platform, and a second wireless communications device for receiving information from the first wireless communications device, and a computing system. The second wireless communications device is for receiving the information carrying signal and is connected to the computing system. The computing system is for initiating an action based upon the information.

Abstract: An ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror for dentistry, medicine and surgery, without the need of fiber optics, includes a slim line elongated member having a wire connection passage, a weighted first proximal end with a battery chamber and a second distal end. A removable disposable non-fogging angled reflective mirror head is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. Light to the mirror is provided by a low heat emitting light source attached to the second end of the rod directed toward the angled reflective head. The power source is connected to the low heat light source by one or more conductive wires within the wire passage and a switch, thereby forming a circuit with the power source and the light source, which is activated by a switch connected to the conductive wire connection.

Abstract: An ergonomic non-obstructive illuminated examination mirror for dentistry, medicine and surgery, without the need of fiber optics, includes a slim line elongated member having a wire connection passage, a weighted first proximal end with a battery chamber and a second distal end. A removable disposable non-fogging angled reflective mirror head is coupled to the second end of the elongated member. Light to the mirror is provided by a low heat emitting light source attached to the second end of the rod directed toward the angled reflective head. The power source is connected to the low heat light source by one or more conductive wires within the wire passage and a switch, thereby forming a circuit with the power source and the light source, which is activated by a switch connected to the conductive wire connection.