Abstract: According to one embodiment, a temperature sensing circuit is described comprising a multiplicity of transistor circuits having a multiplicity of different temperature characteristics and a circuit configured to determine a plurality of mismatch values comprising, for each transistor circuit, a mismatch value representing the temperature characteristic of the transistor circuit and to determine a temperature value using the determined plurality of mismatch values.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is described comprising a load, a power supply node, a first transistor coupled between the supply node and the load such that the input at a control terminal of the first transistor controls current flow from the supply node to the load through the first transistor, a current source, a second transistor coupled between the current source and the load such that the input at a control terminal of the second transistor controls current flow from the current source to the load through the second transistor, a control node coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor and the control terminal of the second transistor and a measuring circuit connected to the point of coupling between the current source and the second transistor configured to measure the difference between the current provided by the current source and the current consumed by the second transistor.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is provided, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir chamber configured for receiving the fluid, the reservoir chamber having a fluid outlet and a cover with a first bearing; and a stirring assembly comprising a stirrer located inside the reservoir chamber, the stirring assembly comprising a shaft connected to the stirrer. The stirring assembly can be moved between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the stirring assembly can seal the fluid outlet, the stirring assembly in the first position being configured to form a second bearing with the reservoir chamber or the fluid outlet such that the stirrer can be rotated about an axis defined by the first and second bearing, and wherein if the stirring assembly is in the second position the fluid can pass through the fluid outlet, the shaft being configured to transmit rotational power to the stirrer.

Abstract: A microfluidic element for thoroughly mixing a liquid with a reagent used for the analysis of the liquid for an analyte contained therein and a method thereof are disclosed. The microfluidic element has a substrate and a channel structure. The channel structure includes an elongate mixing channel and an output channel. The mixing channel has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and is implemented to mix the reagent contained therein with the liquid flowing through the inlet opening into the mixing channel. The outlet opening of the mixing channel is in fluid communication to the output channel. The outlet opening is positioned closer to the middle of the length of the mixing channel than the inlet opening.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a valve. The valve comprises a pumping chamber for pumping the fluid. The valve positions a pumping chamber conduit. The pumping chamber conduit is connected to the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a plunger for changing the volume of the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a reservoir conduit for connecting the reservoir with the valve. The valve positions the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the reservoir conduit. The cartridge further comprises an outlet conduit for dispensing the fluid. The valve further rotates the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the outlet conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method, circuitry and an integrated circuit chip for use in signal processing. The integrated circuit chip comprises an operational amplifier, a reference amplifier, and a control unit. The control unit is coupled to the reference amplifier and to the operational amplifier. The control unit is configured to control the reference amplifier based on a signal received from the reference amplifier.

Abstract: A driving-in apparatus comprises a hand-held housing having an energy transmission element accommodated therein for transmitting energy to a fastening element to be driven in, and a drive device for driving the energy transmission element, wherein the drive device comprises an energy accumulator having a gas chamber which is fillable with a driving gas at a defined overpressure, wherein the overpressure is present in the gas chamber as stored driving energy prior to initiation of a driving-in operation, and wherein a piston of the energy transmission element forms a variable wall section of the gas chamber. The apparatus also includes a heating member providing thermal energy that is transferable into the driving gas enclosed in the gas chamber.

Abstract: A method of performing a measurement of an analyte in a sample using an automatic analyzer is provided. The automatic analyzer comprises: a cartridge for dispensing a fluid, a measurement unit for performing the measurement, a sample holder for receiving the sample, and a pump for pumping the fluid out of the cartridge and into the sample holder. The cartridge comprises: a rigid portion, a flexible bladder, and an outlet. The rigid portion comprises an opening, which is connected to an inner cavity. The flexible bladder seals the opening to form a fluid chamber from the inner cavity. The fluid chamber is at least partially filled with the fluid. The pump is connected to the outlet. The method comprises: placing the sample into the sample holder, controlling the pumping of the fluid from the cartridge into the sample holder, and performing the measurement of the analyte using the measurement unit.

Abstract: A drive-in tool comprises a hand-held housing having an energy-transmitting element accommodated therein for transmitting energy to a fastener to be driven in; and a drive apparatus for driving the energy-transmitting element; wherein the drive apparatus comprises an energy accumulator having a gas chamber, which gas chamber can be filled with a driving gas at a defined overpressure, wherein the overpressure in the gas chamber is present as stored driving energy before a drive-in process is triggered, and wherein a piston of the energy-transmitting element forms a variable wall segment of the gas chamber, wherein the gas chamber has at least one further variable wall segment for changing the chamber volume, wherein a movement of the variable wall segment that enlarges the chamber volume charges a mechanical energy accumulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held machine tool for setting a nail, having a safety mechanism which can be actuated by a user and a button which can be actuated to trigger a setting of the nail. A mixture of flammable gas and air can be ignited in a combustion chamber. A piston is movably arranged in the combustion chamber in order to be accelerated in the setting direction by the combustion gases. There is a stamp on the piston for driving the nail. A compressor for compressing the air in the combustion chamber is directly connected to the combustion chamber via a channel. A valve which connects the channel or the combustion chamber to the environment is opened between the actuating of the safety mechanism=and the actuating of the button.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for a hand-held power tool, comprising, for the purpose of activating an operating function of the hand-held power tool, an electric motor, a power source for supplying the electric motor, and a switch. In response to the switch being operated, the electric motor is accelerated to a desired rotational speed. During the acceleration, a motor controller regulates a power input of the electric motor at a constant desired level of performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand tool machine for placing a nail having a push button that can be activate by a user for placing a nail. A combustion chamber is provided, in which a mixture of combustible gas and air can be ignited. In the combustion chamber, a piston is arranged in a movable manner in order to be accelerated by the combustion gases in the direction of placement. In the direction of placement, the piston has a punch protruding from the piston for driving the nail. A compressor compresses the air in the combustion chamber prior to igniting. The compressor has a fan wheel and an electric motor. At an operating speed of the electric motor, the fan wheel has a rotational speed of at least 2,000 rotations per second.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid. The reservoir chamber has a fluid outlet. The cartridge further comprises a controllable dispenser component for dispensing a dispensing volume of the fluid from the reservoir chamber. The dispenser component is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir. The cartridge further comprises a single compressible fluid pump with a single elastic pumping element and a conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet. The fluid pump discharges a mixing volume of the fluid from the conduit into the reservoir chamber upon compression of the elastic pumping element. The mixing volume depends on the degree of compression of the elastic pumping element. The fluid pump sucks in the mixing volume from the reservoir into the conduit upon decompression of the elastic pumping element.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a valve. The valve comprises a pumping chamber for pumping the fluid. The valve positions a pumping chamber conduit. The pumping chamber conduit is connected to the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a plunger for changing the volume of the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a reservoir conduit for connecting the reservoir with the valve. The valve positions the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the reservoir conduit. The cartridge further comprises an outlet conduit for dispensing the fluid. The valve further rotates the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A temperature sensor may include at least one cell. Each one of the at least one cell may include a bi-stable flip-flop having a first branch and a second branch. The first branch may include an asymmetry element. A processor is configured to receive, from each one of the at least one cell, an output signal indicative of an operational state of the bi-stable flip-flop and to determine a temperature based on the received output signals.

Abstract: A microfluidic element for analysis of a fluid sample having a substrate and a microfluidic transport system having a channel structure enclosed by the substrate and a covering layer. The channel structure comprises a channel with two side walls as well as a chamber that is in fluid communication with the channel. The chamber has a chamber wall with an inlet orifice. The channel comprises a channel section and a valve section adjoining the channel section, wherein the valve section is in fluid communication with the inlet orifice in the chamber wall in such a way that a fluid can flow from the channel through the valve section and into the chamber. The valve section has a fluid transport cross-section, which enlarges in flow direction. The fluid transport cross-section in the valve section is greater than the fluid transport cross-section in the preceding channel section.

Abstract: A microfluidic test carrier having a substrate, covering layer, and capillary structure formed in the substrate is provided. The capillary structure is enclosed by the substrate and covering layer and comprises a receiving chamber, sample chamber and connection channel between the receiving and sample chambers. The receiving chamber has two boundary surfaces and a side wall, wherein one boundary surface forms the bottom and the other forms the cover. The receiving chamber has a surrounding venting channel and dam between the receiving chamber and venting channel. The dam and venting channel form a capillary stop configured as a geometric valve, through which air from the receiving chamber can escape into the venting channel. The connecting channel between the venting channel outflow and sample chamber inflow controls fluid transport from the receiving chamber into the sample chamber. The capillary stop is configured to prevent autonomous fluid transport from the receiving chamber.

Abstract: Method and system for carrying out heterogeneous chemical or biological reactions are disclosed. The method comprising providing an analytical device having at least one liquid processing unit having at least one reaction chamber and a first inlet channel in fluid communication with the reaction chamber. The method further comprises supplying to the reaction chamber via the first inlet channel or a second inlet channel analyte capturing particles, supplying to the reaction chamber via the first inlet channel or the second inlet channel a liquid sample containing an analyte of interest, and confining by an equilibrium of forces the analyte capturing particles in a particle rearrangement zone within the reaction chamber. The forces comprise a drag force Fd generated by flowing liquids and a counter-oriented force Fg. The method also comprises capturing analytes present in the liquid sample with the particles in the particle rearrangement zone.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a temperature sensing circuit is described comprising a multiplicity of transistor circuits having a multiplicity of different temperature characteristics and a circuit configured to determine a plurality of mismatch values comprising, for each transistor circuit, a mismatch value representing the temperature characteristic of the transistor circuit and to determine a temperature value using the determined plurality of mismatch values.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a valve. The valve comprises a pumping chamber for pumping the fluid. The valve positions a pumping chamber conduit. The pumping chamber conduit is connected to the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a plunger for changing the volume of the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a reservoir conduit for connecting the reservoir with the valve. The valve positions the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the reservoir conduit. The cartridge further comprises an outlet conduit for dispensing the fluid. The valve further rotates the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the outlet conduit.