Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for operating a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical drive system with an electrical high-voltage traction network (2) and an operating network (3) that has a high-voltage unit (7) comprising a power electronics system (5), and a low-voltage unit (6) comprising a control electronics system (4), and a first transformer (8) designed to convert an input voltage (U1) from the low-voltage unit (6) into a first, particularly higher output voltage (U2) for the power electronics system (5). According to the invention, the dev ice comprises at least one second transformer (11) designed to convert the first output voltage (U2) of the first transformer (8) into a second output voltage (U3) for the control electronics system (4), the second output voltage (U3) being higher than the input voltage (U1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for operating a motor vehicle, comprising an electrical drive system with an electrical high-voltage traction network (2) and an operating network (3) that has a high-voltage unit (7) comprising a power electronics system (5), and a low-voltage unit (6) comprising a control electronics system (4), and a first transformer (8) designed to convert an input voltage (U1) from the low-voltage unit (6) into a first, particularly higher output voltage (U2) for the power electronics system (5). According to the invention, the dev ice comprises at least one second transformer (11) designed to convert the first output voltage (U2) of the first transformer (8) into a second output voltage (U3) for the control electronics system (4), the second output voltage (U3) being higher than the input voltage (U1).

Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Abstract: A method for detecting a short circuit within an energy store. The method includeds registering a current which flows through the energy store, registering a first voltage which is made available by the energy store at a first time, registering a second voltage which is made available by the energy store at a second time following the first time, determining whether the energy store is in a state of charge, a discharge state or in an open-circuit state, executing a first detection step when the energy store is in an open-circuit state, a second detection step when the energy store is in a state of charge, and a third detection step when the energy store is in a discharged state, and determining whether a short circuit is present based on the first and second voltage.

Abstract: A coated substrate is formed with aligned objects such as small molecules, macromolecules and nanoscale particulates, such as inorganic, organic or inorganic/organic hybrid materials. In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus or method involves an applicator having at least one surface patterned with protruded or indented features, and a coated substrate including a solution-based layer of objects having features and morphology attributes arranged as a function of the protruded or indented features.

Abstract: Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.

Abstract: A method for detecting a short circuit within an energy store. The method includeds registering a current which flows through the energy store, registering a first voltage which is made available by the energy store at a first time, registering a second voltage which is made available by the energy store at a second time following the first time, determining whether the energy store is in a state of charge, a discharge state or in an open-circuit state, executing a first detection step when the energy store is in an open-circuit state, a second detection step when the energy store is in a state of charge, and a third detection step when the energy store is in a discharged state, and determining whether a short circuit is present based on the first and second voltage.

Abstract: Organic semiconductor material can be patterned from a solution onto a substrate by selectively wetting the substrate with the solution while applying a mechanical disturbance (such as stirring the solution while the substrate is immersed, or wiping the solution on the substrate). The organic semiconductor material can then be precipitated out of the solution, for example to bridge gaps between source and drain electrodes to form transistor devices. In some embodiments, the solution containing the organic semiconductor material can be mixed in an immiscible host liquid. This can allow the use of higher concentration solutions while also using less of the organic semiconductor material.

Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Abstract: Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.

Abstract: Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is coupled to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.

Abstract: A coated substrate is formed with aligned objects such as small molecules, macromolecules and nanoscale particulates, such as inorganic, organic or inorganic/organic hybrid materials. In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus or method involves an applicator having at least one surface patterned with protruded or indented features, and a coated substrate including a solution-based layer of objects having features and morphology attributes arranged as a function of the protruded or indented features.

Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.

Abstract: Organic semiconductor devices exhibit desirable mobility characteristics. In connection with various example embodiments, a monolayer of methyl-terminated molecules exhibits density characteristics that are sufficient to promote two-dimensional growth of organic semiconductor material formed thereupon. In some applications, the methyl-terminated molecules are sufficiently dense to dominate inter-layer interactions between layers of the organic semiconductor material.

Abstract: Organic semiconductor material can be patterned from a solution onto a substrate by selectively wetting the substrate with the solution while applying a mechanical disturbance (such as stirring the solution while the substrate is immersed, or wiping the solution on the substrate). The organic semiconductor material can then be precipitated out of the solution, for example to bridge gaps between source and drain electrodes to form transistor devices. In some embodiments, the solution containing the organic semiconductor material can be mixed in an immiscible host liquid. This can allow the use of higher concentration solutions while also using less of the organic semiconductor material.

Abstract: Organic semiconductor devices exhibit desirable mobility characteristics. In connection with various example embodiments, a monolayer of methyl-terminated molecules exhibits density characteristics that are sufficient to promote two-dimensional growth of organic semiconductor material formed thereupon. In some applications, the methyl-terminated molecules are sufficiently dense to dominate inter-layer interactions between layers of the organic semiconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition of matter comprising an edible, wholly or partially nondigestible low calorie fat material having a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic rheology at body temperature. In particular, at 100° F. (37.8° C.) the fat material has: (a) a viscosity of at least about 2.5 poise at a shear rate of 800 seconds−1, a viscosity of at least about 4.0 poise at a shear rate of 100 seconds−1and a viscosity of at least about 15.0 poise at a shear rate of 10 seconds−1; (b) a yield point of at least about 2,500 dynes/cm2; (c) a thixotropic area of at least about 0.20×106 dynes/cm2-sec.; and (d) a liquid/solid stability of at least about 50%.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition of matter comprising: (a) an edible, non-absorbable, non-digestible low calorie fat material having non-Newtonian pseudoplastic properties at body temperature; and (b) an edible, absorbable, digestible food material which acts as a solvent for the fat material. The rheological properties of the fat material are defined in terms of thixotropy, yield point, thixotropic area, and liquid/solid stability. The composition is useful as a fat substitute in low calorie food products. The composition provides a non-waxy taste in the mouth, and a laxative side effect is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the rate of moisture transmission into and out of foods comprising coating the surface of the foods with a coating containing an effective amount of polyol fatty acid esters. The polyol fatty acid esters have at least 4 fatty acid ester groups, and at least about 80% of the fatty acids contain not less than 12 carbon atoms. The method is particularly useful for preserving the crispness and thereby prolonging the shelf life of cereal and/or starch based snack foods.