Abstract: A climbing formwork system for mass concrete construction comprises a movable panel separating a filling volume from an external environment, a track extending along a longitudinal direction partially inside said filling volume with a sliding channel closed with respect to the filling volume and a longitudinal slit facing the external environment. In addition, the climbing formwork system comprises a climbing element positioned and slidingly inserted in the sliding channel having a connection portion projecting through the slit to be connected with a portion of the movable panel. Fastening elements are operatively connected between the connection portion of the climbing element and the movable panel in order to maintain the latter fixed to the climbing element in a union condition. Also, a subject of this patent application is a method for building a mass concrete construction.

Abstract: Ultra thin back-illuminated photodiode array structures and fabrication methods. The photodiode arrays are back illuminated photodiode arrays having a substrate of a first conductivity type having first and second surfaces, the second surface having a layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate. The arrays also have a matrix of regions of a first conductivity type of a higher conductivity than the substrate extending from the first surface of the substrate to the layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate, a plurality of regions of the second conductivity type interspersed within the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and not extending to the layer of the first conductivity type on the second surface of the substrate, and a plurality of contacts on the first surface for making electrical contact to the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and the plurality of regions of the second conductivity type.

Abstract: Fast silicon photodiodes with high back surface reflectance in a wavelength range close to the bandgap, and methods of fabrication of such photodiodes. The photodiodes have a patterned oxide or nitride layer on the back surface covered by a metal layer that makes electrical contact with the substrate in a pattern complimentary to the pattern of the oxide or nitride layer. This provided high reflectivity over a large percentage of the back surface, while at the same time providing excellent electrical contact to the back surface.

Abstract: The present invention is an anti fall device for use with scissor type mechanically actuated lifting devices. The anti fall device comprises a a slave safety hydraulic cylinder capable of supporting a lifting device upon failure of a drive assembly thereby arresting descent of the lifting device when the lifting device is normally stationary or moving upwardly and a drive assembly of the lifting device fails and the lifting device begins to descend uncontrollably. The hydraulic cylinder includes a one way check valve for preventing reverse hydraulic fluid flow upon uncontrolled descent of the lifting device thereby arresting movement of the hydraulic cylinder and arresting descent of the lifting device. The invention also includes an hydraulic velocity fuse in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder. The velocity fuse is triggered at a preselected fluid flow rate for controllably lowering the lifting device.

Abstract: Ultra thin back-illuminated photodiode array structures and fabrication methods. The photodiode arrays are back illuminated photodiode arrays having a substrate of a first conductivity type having first and second surfaces, the second surface having a layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate. The arrays also have a matrix of regions of a first conductivity type of a higher conductivity than the substrate extending from the first surface of the substrate to the layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate, a plurality of regions of the second conductivity type interspersed within the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and not extending to the layer of the first conductivity type on the second surface of the substrate, and a plurality of contacts on the first surface for making electrical contact to the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and the plurality of regions of the second conductivity type.

Abstract: Ultra thin back-illuminated photodiode array structures and fabrication methods. The photodiode arrays are back illuminated photodiode arrays having a substrate of a first conductivity type having first and second surfaces, the second surface having a layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate. The arrays also have a matrix of regions of a first conductivity type of a higher conductivity than the substrate extending from the first surface of the substrate to the layer of the first conductivity type having a greater conductivity than the substrate, a plurality of regions of the second conductivity type interspersed within the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and not extending to the layer of the first conductivity type on the second surface of the substrate, and a plurality of contacts on the first surface for making electrical contact to the matrix of regions of the first conductivity type and the plurality of regions of the second conductivity type.

Abstract: The present invention is an anti fall device for use with scissor type mechanically actuated lifting devices. The anti fall device comprises a a slave safety hydraulic cylinder capable of supporting a lifting device upon failure of a drive assembly thereby arresting descent of the lifting device when the lifting device is normally stationary or moving upwardly and a drive assembly of the lifting device fails and the lifting device begins to descend uncontrollably. The hydraulic cylinder includes a one way check valve for preventing reverse hydraulic fluid flow upon uncontrolled descent of the lifting device thereby arresting movement of the hydraulic cylinder and arresting descent of the lifting device. The invention also includes an hydraulic velocity fuse in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder. The velocity fuse is triggered at a preselected fluid flow rate for controllably lowering the lifting device.