Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

Abstract: A micromechanical resonator assembly which includes an internal actuator. The internal actuator further includes an oscillation body configured to oscillate about one or more axes, the oscillation body having one or more eigen frequencies. The micromechanical resonator assembly further includes an external actuator that includes an oscillating part. The micromechanical resonator assembly further includes a mounting base that includes electronic driving part. The external actuator being mounted on the mounting base and being electrically connected to the electronic driving part, for allowing excitation of the oscillation body of the internal actuator by transfer of energy from the oscillating part to the oscillating body. The micromechanical resonator assembly provides external actuation of the oscillation body of the internal actuator by use of the external actuator and hence, provides extremely large scan angles of 180°.

Abstract: Generating a steering wheel torque (ML) on a steering wheel in a vehicle steering system as a tactile feedback. A value for a rack force (FZ) may be obtained, and at least a component (MZ) of an actuator-generated target steering wheel torque (MS) utilizing a characteristic curve (K1) that defines the steering wheel torque (MS) as a function of the rack force (FZ). A steering wheel torque (ML) is generated on the basis of the target steering wheel torque (MS) using an actuator mechanically connected to the steering wheel. A steering system for a vehicle, and a control unit for such a steering system may be configured to perform the functions disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus including a micromirror, an excitation structure containing or supporting the micromirror, and at least one piezoelectric sensor. The excitation structure includes at least one piezoelectric actuator, the excitation structure being configured to resonantly excite the micromirror so as to cause a deflection of the micromirror. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is configured to provide a sensor signal dependent on the deflection of the micromirror, the piezoelectric sensor being connected to the excitation structure so that during the resonant excitation of the micromirror, the sensor signal and the deflection of the micromirror exhibit a fixed mutual phase relationship.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus including a micromirror, an excitation structure containing or supporting the micromirror, and at least one piezoelectric sensor. The excitation structure includes at least one piezoelectric actuator, the excitation structure being configured to resonantly excite the micromirror so as to cause a deflection of the micromirror. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is configured to provide a sensor signal dependent on the deflection of the micromirror, the piezoelectric sensor being connected to the excitation structure so that during the resonant excitation of the micromirror, the sensor signal and the deflection of the micromirror exhibit a fixed mutual phase relationship.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the supply profile of at least one micro-nutrient in a biological sample. Cell proteins, in particular cell membrane proteins are removed from the biological sample, in particular after determining the number and/or quantity of cells contained therein, by subjecting the cells to lysis, optionally after isolating them, and micro-nutrients are removed from the lysate, if necessary after denaturing, and their proportion in the sample, in particular their weight, is measured as a measure of the intra-cellular concentration.

Abstract: A loom having harnesses carrying an array of warp yarns defining a warp direction and displaceable in a shed direction transverse to this warp direction to form a main shed adapted to receive a weft passed through the shed in a weft direction transverse to the warp and shed directions has a leno selvage device. This device comprises at least one ground heddle at an edge of the array of warp yarns which carries a ground warp yarn. There is also provided a doup heddle at this edge which carries a doup warp yarn. One of these heddles is displaced synchronously toward the other heddle with the harnesses of the loom to form an edge shed in line with the main shed. A support is provided which defines a rocking axis nondisplaceable in the weft direction and a rocker is pivotal on the support about this axis between a pair of end positions. The doup heddle is operatively engageable with this rocker and can be deflected thereby in the weft direction to either side of the ground heddle.