Abstract: Process for making a powder or granule containing (A) at least one chelating agent selected from alkali metal salts of methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and of iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), (B) at least one compound of general formula (I a) or (I b) wherein A1 is selected from (CH2)a wherein the variable a is in the range of from 4 to 20, e is selected from zero and 1, and R1 being the same or different and selected from O—C1-C10-alkyl and C1-C10-alkyl, and, optionally, (C) at least one homo- or copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid, partially or fully neutralized with alkali, said process comprising the steps of (a) providing an aqueous solution or slurry containing chelating agent (A) and said compound (B) and, if applicable, (co)polymer (C), with a pH value in the range of from 10 to 12, (b) removing most of said water by spray drying or spray granulation.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: A rapid and automatic virus imaging and analysis system includes (i) electron optical sub-systems (EOSs), each of which has a large field of view (FOV) and is capable of instant magnification switching for rapidly scanning a virus sample; (ii) sample management sub-systems (SMSs), each of which automatically loads virus samples into one of the EOSs for virus sample scanning and then unloads the virus samples from the EOS after the virus sample scanning is completed; (iii) virus detection and classification sub-systems (VDCSs), each of which automatically detects and classifies a virus based on images from the EOS virus sample scanning; and (iv) a cloud-based collaboration sub-system for analyzing the virus sample scanning images, storing images from the EOS virus sample scanning, and storing and analyzing machine data associated with the EOSs, the SMSs, and the VDCSs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for issuing an input to a computer from a head-mounted device, the head-mounted device comprising a processing unit and a memory as well as at least one position and/or movement sensor, the head-mounted device being in communication with the computer, the method being implemented while the head-mounted device is worn on a wearer's head. The method comprises steps of: acquisition of position and/or movement data representative of the movement of the wearer's head by the position and/or movement sensor, detection of a specific movement pattern based on said position and/or movement data, the specific movement pattern being taken from a library of movement patterns, determination of a specific input associated with the specific movement pattern in the library, and issuance of the specific input to the computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of chemical manufacture. In particular, it relates to a method for manufacturing racemic methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) comprising the steps of contacting a solution comprising or being enriched in D-alanine or L-alanine to an alanine racemase at a temperature of at least 50° C. and alkaline conditions for a time sufficient to allow conversion of said solution into a racemic alanine solution, obtaining a racemic alanine solution, and chemically converting the racemic alanine into racemic MGDA. The invention further contemplates an alanine racemase which is capable of converting a solution comprising or being enriched in D-alanine or L-alanine into racemic alanine solution at a temperature of at least 50° C. and under alkaline conditions as well as the use of said alanine racemase for converting a solution comprising or being enriched in D-alanine or L-alanine into racemic alanine solution at a temperature of at least 50° C. and under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS sample holder comprising an observation section. The observation section includes a first layer, a second layer, and a sample compartment between the first layer and the second layer. The sample compartment is configured for filling a liquid sample and observing the liquid sample filled therewithin. The sample compartment has one, two or more windows through which an electron beam can pass. Each of the windows is formed on two cavities including a first cavity on the first layer and a second cavity on the second layer that is opposite to the first cavity across the sample compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a backscattered electron (BSE) detector comprising two or more detection components that are electrically isolated from each other. Each of the detection components includes a single continuous top metal layer configured for directly receiving incident backscattered electrons and for backscattered electron to penetrate therethrough. The thickness of one of the top metal layers is different from the thickness of another one of the top metal layers. The BSE detector can be used in an apparatus of charged-particle beam for imaging a sample material. Signals from the detection components having top metal layers of different thicknesses can be inputted into different signal amplifier circuits to get different energy bands of BSE image.

Abstract: The system 100 can include a robotic assembly system 110 and a set of barriers 120. The robotic assembly system can include a robot arm, a frame, an optional utensil, an optional bin, and/or any other suitable components. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system 100 functions to facilitate robotic assembly of items/ingredients (e.g., in an assembly line environment). Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can function to guard robotic assembly components during operation. Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 can function to mitigate the influence of a robotic assembly system on surrounding workers (e.g., in an assembly line environment).

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: The system can include: a base structure, a set of support elements, and/or any other suitable components. The system can optionally include a foodstuff bin and a force sensor. However, the system can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to facilitate refilling of ingredients within foodstuff bins and/or replacement of foodstuff bins. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate repeatable positioning of foodstuff bins within a workspace of the robotic arm and/or a robotic assembly module. Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate rapid calibration, servicing, and/or cleaning of foodstuff assembly modules.

Abstract: The foodstuff assembly system can include: a robot arm, a frame, a set of foodstuff bins, a sensor suite, a set of food utensils, and a computing system. The system can optionally include: a container management system, a human machine interface (HMI). However, the foodstuff assembly system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to enable picking of foodstuff from a set of foodstuff bins and placement into a container (such as a bowl, tray, or other foodstuff receptacle). Additionally or alternatively, the system can function to facilitate transferal of bulk material (e.g., bulk foodstuff) into containers, such as containers moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: A rapid and automatic virus imaging and analysis system includes (i) electron optical sub-systems (EOSs), each of which has a large field of view (FOV) and is capable of instant magnification switching for rapidly scanning a virus sample; (ii) sample management sub-systems (SMSs), each of which automatically loads virus samples into one of the EOSs for virus sample scanning and then unloads the virus samples from the EOS after the virus sample scanning is completed; (iii) virus detection and classification sub-systems (VDCSs), each of which automatically detects and classifies a virus based on images from the EOS virus sample scanning; and (iv) a cloud-based collaboration sub-system for analyzing the virus sample scanning images, storing images from the EOS virus sample scanning, and storing and analyzing machine data associated with the EOSs, the SMSs, and the VDCSs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus of electron beam comprising an electron gun with a pinnacle limiting plate having at least one current-limiting aperture. The pinnacle limiting plate is located between a bottom (or lowest) anode and a top (or highest) condenser within the electron gun. A current (ampere) of the electron beam that has passed through the current-limiting aperture remains the same (unchanged) after the electron beam travels through the top condenser and an electron optical column and arrives at a sample space. Electron-electron interaction of the electron beam is thus reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus of charged-particle beam e.g. an electron microscope comprising a plasma generator for selectively cleaning BSE detector. In various embodiments, the plasma generator is located between a sample stage and a sample table having one or more openings or holes. The plasma generator generates plasma and distributes or dissipates the plasma through the openings of the sample table toward and onto surface of the BSE detector. Cleaning contaminants on the surface of the BSE detector frequently and selectively with in-situ generated plasma can prevent the detectors from performance deterioration such as losing resolution and contrast in imaging at high levels of magnification.