Abstract: The present document describes a method for the detection of off-flavor maple syrup made from buddy maple sap or maple sap contaminated with buddy maple sap, or off-flavor maple sap. The method involves the measurement of a spectrophotometric property of a nanoparticle reactive with a buddy maple sample having a size of from about 1 nm to about 250 nm contacting a maple syrup or maple sap sample. A change in the spectrophotometric property is associated with an off-flavor maple syrup or maple sap sample, and no change in the spectrophotometric property is associated with a good flavor maple syrup or maple sap sample.

Abstract: A composite spring made of a wire of a longitudinal axis curved around a spring axis in a winding direction and a method of fabrication thereof, the spring, the wire comprising a core; and fibers layers wound around the core, and an angular positioning, relative to the spring axis, of each one of the fiber layers being selected, along a length of the core, depending on the winding direction of the wire about the spring axis, to adjust at least one of: high natural frequency of the spring, resistance to buckling and resistance to tensile and compressive stress components induced by a compressive load on the spring.

Abstract: The present document describes a method for the detection of off-flavor maple syrup made from buddy maple sap or maple sap contaminated with buddy maple sap, or off-flavor maple sap comprising measuring a spectrophotometric property of a nanoparticle reactive with a buddy maple sample having a size of from about 1 nm to about 250 nm contacting a maple sample. A change in the spectrophotometric property is associated with an off-flavor maple syrup or maple sap sample, and no change in the spectrophotometric property is associated with a good flavor maple syrup or maple sap sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising a controllable injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, the injector communicating with a fuel accumulator through which it is supplied with fuel, the method comprising the following steps: determining a first pressure value of the pressure in the fuel accumulator on the basis of a first pressure measurement, determining a second pressure value of the pressure in the fuel accumulator on the basis of a second pressure measurement carried out after the first pressure measurement, and determining an injector opening duration depending on the first and the second pressure value.

Abstract: A composite spring made of a wire of a longitudinal axis curved around a spring axis in a winding direction and a method of fabrication thereof, the spring, the wire comprising a core; and fibers layers wound around the core, and an angular positioning, relative to the spring axis, of each one of the fiber layers being selected, along a length of the core, depending on the winding direction of the wire about the spring axis, to adjust at least one of: high natural frequency of the spring, resistance to buckling and resistance to tensile and compressive stress components induced by a compressive load on the spring.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of operating an internal combustion engine comprising a controllable injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber, the injector communicating with a fuel accumulator through which it is supplied with fuel, the method comprising the following steps: determining a first pressure value of the pressure in the fuel accumulator on the basis of a first pressure measurement, determining a second pressure value of the pressure in the fuel accumulator on the basis of a second pressure measurement carried out after the first pressure measurement, and determining an injector opening duration depending on the first and the second pressure value.

Abstract: A controller for a common-rail injection system includes a plurality of fuel injectors, a common fuel supply line for the fuel injectors, a high-pressure pump for supplying the common fuel supply line with fuel, and a pressure sensor for determining the pressure in the common fuel supply line. A determination unit evaluates data of the pressure sensor and, from the pressure drop caused by an injection in the common fuel supply line, determines the fuel quantity actually injected during this injection or a value derived therefrom. An adaption unit uses the results of the determination unit in order to adapt the actuation of the fuel injectors. The determination unit carries out at least one test injection, and the actually injected fuel quantity or a value derived therefrom is effected by way of the test injection or injections.

Abstract: A controller for an injection system having a plurality of fuel injectors includes a map controller. From a desired injection value, the map controller generates a control value for actuating a fuel injector with reference to a specified map. A determination unit determines the actual injection value for at least one injection made, and an adaption unit uses results from the determination unit in order to adapt actuation of the fuel injectors. The adaption unit determines an adaption value for injector actuation from the at least one actual injection value. In engine operation, the adaption unit receives the control values generated by the map controller as input. From this input, the adaption unit generates adapted actuation values as output by applying a mathematical function to the control values generated by the map controller. The at least one adaption value is included in the first mathematical function as parameter.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance instrument and measuring method, in which a lens collimates light into a light beam, a prism propagates the collimated light beam at a single propagation angle and with internal reflection on a face of the prism, and an analyzer processes the collimated light beam from the prism. The face of the prism is configured to receive a surface plasmon resonance sensor and at least the first lens and the prism are aligned on a single optical axis.

Abstract: A controller for a common-rail injection system includes a plurality of fuel injectors, a common fuel supply line for the fuel injectors, a high-pressure pump for supplying the common fuel supply line with fuel, and a pressure sensor for determining the pressure in the common fuel supply line. A determination unit evaluates data of the pressure sensor and, from the pressure drop caused by an injection in the common fuel supply line, determines the fuel quantity actually injected during this injection or a value derived therefrom. An adaption unit uses the results of the determination unit in order to adapt the actuation of the fuel injectors. The determination unit carries out at least one test injection, and the actually injected fuel quantity or a value derived therefrom is effected by way of the test injection or injections.

Abstract: A controller for an injection system having a plurality of fuel injectors includes a map controller. From a desired injection value, the map controller generates a control value for actuating a fuel injector with reference to a specified map. A determination unit determines the actual injection value for at least one injection made, and an adaption unit uses results from the determination unit in order to adapt actuation of the fuel injectors. The adaption unit determines an adaption value for injector actuation from the at least one actual injection value. In engine operation, the adaption unit receives the control values generated by the map controller as input. From this input, the adaption unit generates adapted actuation values as output by applying a mathematical function to the control values generated by the map controller. The at least one adaption value is included in the first mathematical function as parameter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for fabricating a plasmonic structure for use in a surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising: coating a surface of an optically clear substrate with a monolayer of microspheres forming a sphere mask; etching the sphere mask to produce an array of microholes; depositing an adsorption layer on the etched sphere mask and the surface of the optically clear substrate; depositing a metallic film on the adsorption layer; and removing the sphere mask. This is also disclosed a plasmonic structure for use in a surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising: an adsorption layer; and a metallic film deposited on the adsorption layer; wherein the adsorption layer and the metallic film comprises an array of microholes.

Abstract: Reagents, kits, uses and methods useful for example for decreasing nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules at the surface of a solid support are disclosed. Such reagents and methods, which are based on short heteropeptides, may be used to decrease nonspecific adsorption in for example biosensing applications.

Abstract: Reagents, kits, uses and methods useful for example fo decreasing nonspecific adsorption of biomolecules at the surface of a solid support are disclosed. Such reagents and methods, which are based on short heteropeptides, may be used to decrease nonspecific adsorption in for example biosensing applications.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for fabricating a plasmonic structure for use in a surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising: coating a surface of an optically clear substrate with a monolayer of microspheres forming a sphere mask; etching the sphere mask to produce an array of microholes; depositing an adsorption layer on the etched sphere mask and the surface of the optically clear substrate; depositing a metallic film on the adsorption layer; and removing the sphere mask. This is also disclosed a plasmonic structure for use in a surface plasmon resonance sensor, comprising: an adsorption layer; and a metallic film deposited on the adsorption layer; wherein the adsorption layer and the metallic film comprises an array of microholes.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance instrument and measuring method, in which a lens collimates light into a light beam, a prism propagates the collimated light beam at a single propagation angle and with internal reflection on a face of the prism, and an analyzer processes the collimated light beam from the prism. The face of the prism is configured to receive a surface plasmon resonance sensor and at least the first lens and the prism are aligned on a single optical axis.

Abstract: A method of managing a centralized parking payment system (2), the system (2) including at least one pay and display machine (6) and a payment centralization server (4), the or each pay and display machine (6) permitting payment for parking spaces situated in a corresponding payment zone (44) and being capable of creating payment data for the parking spaces and of recording them in a payment transactions file, and each pay and display machine (6) communicating via a first connection (12) with the centralization server (4), is characterized in that it includes a nominal operating mode in which the or each pay and display machine (6) transmits the transaction file only when one of the transmission conditions, apart from the simple creation of payment data, is verified, in order to reduce its energy consumption.

Abstract: Surface active sensors comprising imprinted functional polymer matrices tailor made to detect specific chemical species of interest, and a label free, surface initiated molecular imprinting technology for applications in surface active sensors are provided.

Abstract: A device for connecting optical components of a fiber optic probe and a jumper in a Surface Plasmon Resonator (SPR) has two high-pressure-liquid-chromatography (HPLC) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) connectors, one containing the optical fibers from a probe and the other containing optical fibers which link to a detector and a light source. A method of joining a probe's distal end to a jumper, with at least two fibers or a multimode fiber connected to a light source and to a detection apparatus, has the steps of covering the distal end of the probe with a plastic sleeve, placing the sleeved distal end into a PEEK connector, trimming the distal end of the probe to be even with the edge of the PEEK connection, and connecting the PEEK connector with the jumper.

Abstract: A device for connecting optical components of a fiber optic probe and a jumper in a Surface Plasmon Resonator (SPR) has two high-pressure-liquid-chromatography (HPLC) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) connectors, one containing the optical fibers from a probe and the other containing optical fibers which link to a detector and a light source. A method of joining a probe's distal end to a jumper, with at least two fibers or a multimode fiber connected to a light source and to a detection apparatus, has the steps of covering the distal end of the probe with a plastic sleeve, placing the sleeved distal end into a PEEK connector, trimming the distal end of the probe to be even with the edge of the PEEK connection, and connecting the PEEK connector with the jumper.