Abstract: Disclosed herein are quantum dot devices, as well as related computing devices and methods. For example, in some embodiments, a quantum dot device may include: a quantum well stack; a first gate above the quantum well stack, wherein the first gate includes a first gate metal and a first gate dielectric; and a second gate above the quantum well stack, wherein the second gate includes a second gate metal and a second gate dielectric, and the first gate is at least partially between a portion of the second gate and the quantum well stack.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: Presented are intelligent vehicle communications systems for cellular link monitoring and failure detection, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles equipped with such systems. A method for operating a wireless-enabled vehicle component of a motor vehicle includes a cellular communications device of the vehicle component detecting an uplink (or downlink) network data packet transmitted by (or to) the vehicle. An electronic vehicle controller then establishes an observation period as a function of the time at which the network data packet was transmitted. The opposite downlink (or uplink) of the wireless-enabled vehicle component is monitored to determine if a downlink (or uplink) network data packet is received within the observation period, thereby indicating detection of a cellular link failure.

Abstract: A mobile communication system of a motor vehicle includes a primary antenna. The system further includes a telematics module having a processor and at least one memory including a computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to detect a predetermined vehicle event and measure a primary signal quality of the reference signal received at the primary antenna. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to determine a maximum primary signal quality and compare the maximum primary signal quality with a threshold. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to determine a defect in the primary antenna and activate a diagnostic trouble code associated with the defect, in response to determining that the primary maximum signal quality is below the threshold.

Abstract: A mobile communication system of a motor vehicle includes a primary antenna. The system further includes a telematics module having a processor and at least one memory including a computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to detect a predetermined vehicle event and measure a primary signal quality of the reference signal received at the primary antenna. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to determine a maximum primary signal quality and compare the maximum primary signal quality with a threshold. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the system to determine a defect in the primary antenna and activate a diagnostic trouble code associated with the defect, in response to determining that the primary maximum signal quality is below the threshold.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for simultaneously receiving and processing a satellite signal and a WCS signal. The system and method is operative to receive the signals, amplify and bandwidth covering both signals, splitting the amplified signal into a first and second portions, filtering the first portion to reduce the WCS signal, amplifying the first portion to amplify the satellite signal in the first portion, and processing the satellite signal in the first portion. The system and method is further operative to processing the WCS signal in the second portion.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus for simultaneously receiving and processing a satellite signal and a WCS signal. The system and method is operative to receive the signals, amplify and bandwidth covering both signals, splitting the amplified signal into a first and second portions, filtering the first portion to reduce the WCS signal, amplifying the first portion to amplify the satellite signal in the first portion, and processing the satellite signal in the first portion. The system and method is further operative to processing the WCS signal in the second portion.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamically selecting regional network settings at a wireless device includes: determining a geographic location or a wireless carrier system identifier at the wireless device; accessing, at the wireless device, a database of regional network settings associated with geographic locations or wireless carrier system identifiers; selecting one or more regional network settings at the wireless device based on the determined geographic location or wireless carrier system identifier via a search of the database of regional network settings; and wirelessly transmitting the selected regional network setting(s) to a cell tower of a wireless carrier system.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a container having a base, one or more sidewalls extending upward from the base to a frame-shaped member that forms an upper rim, and one or more access hatches supported by the frame-shaped member and forming a lid. One or more table leaves are attached to the frame-shaped member, each of the one or more table leaves operative to rotate into a respective closed position and into a respective open position. Each of the one or more table leaves is disposed above at least a portion of the container when in its closed position, and each of the one or more table leaves is at least partially disposed above a region to a side of the container when in its open position.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a container having a base, one or more sidewalls extending upward from the base to a frame-shaped member that forms an upper rim, and one or more access hatches supported by the frame-shaped member and forming a lid. One or more table leaves are attached to the frame-shaped member, each of the one or more table leaves operative to rotate into a respective closed position and into a respective open position. Each of the one or more table leaves is disposed above at least a portion of the container when in its closed position, and each of the one or more table leaves is at least partially disposed above a region to a side of the container when in its open position.

Abstract: A refractive optical system may be a collimator, focusing optical system, reducer, or expander and includes an entrance optical element, an exit optical element, and a volume disposed between the entrance and exit optical elements. The volume is configured to have an index of refraction that is insensitive to changes in atmospheric conditions of the ambient environment. A surface of curvature of an input surface of the entrance optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an input light beam and an output surface of the exit optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an exit light beam. Accordingly, the wavefront curvature of the exit light beam is insensitive to the ambient environment permitting the production and operation environments to change without a change to the performance of the optical system.

Abstract: An electrical connector for clamping a cable to an electrical junction box. The connector has a cylindrical body with a flange at one end and a male threaded portion adapted to mate with the threads of a female connector receptacle on the box. The connector includes a cable immobilizer that receives the cable inserted into the box from the flanged end of the connector and which bites into the cable insulation such that the cable cannot be withdrawn after insertion. In a preferred aspect the connector has radially extending protrusions which in concert with the end flange allow the connector to insert into and lock in a non-threaded, knock-out style connector receptacle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether soil is satisfactorily compacted. An operator delivers impact energy to the soil, and the amount of impact energy transmitted through the soil is repeatedly sensed and stored. A modelling formula, which approximates the variation of the stored amounts of impact energy, is used to generate current and target values for the level of compaction; if the current value equals or exceeds the target value, the soil is considered to be satisfactorily compacted.