Abstract: Disclosed is an object table for holding an object, comprising: an electrostatic clamp arranged to clamp the object on the object table; a neutralizer arranged to neutralize a residual charge of the electrostatic clamp; a control unit arranged to control the neutralizer, wherein the residual charge is an electrostatic charge present on the electrostatic clamp when no voltage is applied to the electrostatic clamp.

Abstract: A computing system is provided, including a processor and memory executing a reboot tracking module configured to read out a stored reboot request identifier assigned to a node in the computing system including a first value, and receive a first reboot request to reboot the node in the computing system including a first reboot request identifier. The reboot tracking module is further configured to, responsive to identifying a match between a value of the first reboot request identifier and the first value of the stored reboot request identifier, accept the first reboot request and update the stored reboot request identifier with a second value, receive a second reboot request to reboot the node including a second reboot request identifier, and responsive to identifying a mismatch between a value of the second reboot request identifier and the second value of the stored reboot request identifier, reject the second reboot request.

Abstract: Microelectronic assemblies, related devices and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a microelectronic assembly may include a first die, having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a redistribution layer (RDL) having a surface, wherein the first surface of the first die is on and electrically coupled to the surface of the RDL by non-solder interconnects; and a second die at the second surface of the first die, wherein the second die is electrically coupled directly to the second surface of the first die by solder interconnects.

Abstract: A method for assessing a state of fouling of a reverse osmosis system is provided. The method includes deriving a plurality of impedance values from a low frequency region of an electrical impedance spectrum of a reverse osmosis membrane comprised in the reverse osmosis system, and determining a state of fouling of the reverse osmosis system based on the plurality of derived impedance values. Use of the method for in-situ monitoring of fouling on a reverse osmosis membrane, and an apparatus for assessing a state of fouling of a reverse osmosis system are also provided.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing which delimits a flow duct, a shaft which rotates, a flap body attached to the shaft in the flow duct, an actuator which rotates the shaft and thereby the flap body in the flow duct, an actuator housing having the actuator arranged therein, a first bearing seat formed on the flow housing, a second bearing seat formed on the actuator housing, a first bearing arranged in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing arranged in the second bearing seat. The shaft projects into the actuator housing. The shaft is mounted at one side via the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing which delimits a flow duct, a shaft which rotates and which is supported on one side thereof, a flap body attached to the shaft in the flow duct, an actuator which rotates the shaft and thereby the flap body, an actuator housing having the actuator arranged therein, a first bearing seat formed on the flow housing, a first bearing arranged in the first bearing seat to radially surround the shaft, a second bearing, a chamber which surround the shaft, and a bore arranged to open into the flow duct from the chamber. The shaft protrudes into the actuator housing. The shaft is supported on the one side via the first bearing and via the second bearing. The chamber from which the bore opens into the flow duct is arranged between the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: A method for assessing a state of fouling of a reverse osmosis system is provided. The method comprises deriving a plurality of impedance values from a low frequency region of an electrical impedance spectrum of a reverse osmosis membrane comprised in the reverse osmosis system, and determining a state of fouling of the reverse osmosis system based on 10 the plurality of derived impedance values. Use of the method for in-situ monitoring of fouling on a reverse osmosis membrane, and an apparatus for assessing a state of fouling of a reverse osmosis system are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for altering the characteristics of a membrane comprising a dielectric material. The method comprises heating the membrane and applying an electric field in a direction out of the plane of the membrane to at least a portion of the dielectric material. At least a portion of the dielectric material becomes aligned with the applied electric field. In some embodiments, the membrane is piezoelectric and application of an electric signal to the membrane causes out of plane movement of the membrane. Also disclosed are membranes and systems and apparatuses comprising such membranes.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing comprising a flow channel, an actuating shaft, a flap body arranged on the actuating shaft in the flow channel, a housing bore arranged in the flow housing, a lever fixed on the actuating shaft, a bearing bush arranged in the housing bore, and a sealing disk comprising a surface which is at least partially spherically shaped. The housing bore has the actuating shaft protrude outwards therethrough. The lever comprises a rear wall. The bearing bush has the actuating shaft mounted therein. The surface rests under tension against the rear wall of the lever.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing which delimits a flow duct, a shaft which rotates and which is supported on one side thereof, a flap body attached to the shaft in the flow duct, an actuator which rotates the shaft and thereby the flap body, an actuator housing having the actuator arranged therein, a first bearing seat formed on the flow housing, a first bearing arranged in the first bearing seat to radially surround the shaft, a second bearing, a chamber which surround the shaft, and a bore arranged to open into the flow duct from the chamber. The shaft protrudes into the actuator housing. The shaft is supported on the one side via the first bearing and via the second bearing. The chamber from which the bore opens into the flow duct is arranged between the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: An exhaust flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing with a bearing seat, the flow housing delimiting an exhaust duct, a rotating shaft with a thermal conductivity of ?<17 W/mK, a flap body attached to the shaft in the exhaust duct, an electrical actuator with an electric motor and a gearing which has an output gear fixed on the shaft on which the flap body is arranged, an actuator housing having the actuator be arranged therein, and a first bearing with a thermal conductivity of ?>17 W/mK arranged in the bearing seat of the flow housing. The electrical actuator rotates the shaft and thereby the flap body in the exhaust duct. The shaft protrudes into the actuator housing. An inner circumference of the bearing seat corresponds to an outer circumference of the first bearing.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing which delimits a flow duct, a shaft which rotates, a flap body attached to the shaft in the flow duct, an actuator which rotates the shaft and thereby the flap body in the flow duct, an actuator housing having the actuator arranged therein, a first bearing seat formed on the flow housing, a second bearing seat formed on the actuator housing, a first bearing arranged in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing arranged in the second bearing seat. The shaft projects into the actuator housing. The shaft is mounted at one side via the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: A flap bearing system for a flap shaft in a motor vehicle includes a first radial bearing within which is arranged a flap shaft comprising a flap shaft end. A ratable flap body is arranged on the flap shaft. A flow cross-section of a channel housing is controllable by rotating the flap shaft with the flap body. A first bearing housing surrounds the first radial bearing. A bearing housing cover comprises an opening through which the flap shaft end protrudes. The bearing housing cover closes the first bearing housing. A sleeve radially surrounds a section of the first bearing housing. A circumferential groove is formed at an outer circumference at the section of the first bearing housing surrounded by the sleeve. The flap shaft end protruding from the first bearing housing is arranged geodetically so as to be at a same height or above an opposite flap shaft end.

Abstract: A flap device for an internal combustion engine includes a flow housing comprising a flow channel, an actuating shaft, a flap body arranged on the actuating shaft in the flow channel, a housing bore arranged in the flow housing, a lever fixed on the actuating shaft, a bearing bush arranged in the housing bore, and a sealing disk comprising a surface which is at least partially spherically shaped. The housing bore has the actuating shaft protrude outwards therethrough. The lever comprises a rear wall. The bearing bush has the actuating shaft mounted therein. The surface rests under tension against the rear wall of the lever.

Abstract: A valve device for controlling an exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine includes a housing comprising a channel which has the exhaust gas flow therethrough. A shaft is disposed in the housing. The shaft is rotatably mounted about a shaft axis. A flap is connected to the shaft. The flap controls a flow cross section of the channel. The flap comprises two flexurally rigid support plates. The support plates each comprise an outer periphery. An elastic flap body is arranged between the support plates. The elastic flap body comprises an outer periphery which is larger on all sides than the outer periphery of the support plates. A distance between the outer periphery of the elastic flap body and the outer periphery of the support plates is largest in an area of the shaft axis, and smallest at an angle of 90° relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A flap bearing system for a flap shaft in a motor vehicle includes a first radial bearing within which is arranged a flap shaft comprising a flap shaft end. A ratable flap body is arranged on the flap shaft. A flow cross-section of a channel housing is controllable by rotating the flap shaft with the flap body. A first bearing housing surrounds the first radial bearing. A bearing housing cover comprises an opening through which the flap shaft end protrudes. The bearing housing cover closes the first bearing housing. A sleeve radially surrounds a section of the first bearing housing. A circumferential groove is formed at an outer circumference at the section of the first bearing housing surrounded by the sleeve. The flap shaft end protruding from the first bearing housing is arranged geodetically so as to be at a same height or above an opposite flap shaft end.

Abstract: A method for in situ monitoring of a membrane of a membrane separation system comprises measuring a complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide an indication of the electrical conduction and electrical polarization properties of the membrane. The membrane based separation system for removing or reducing the concentration of materials carried in a fluid including a separation membrane has a first pair of electrodes separated by the membrane and arranged for measurement of the complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide the indication of the membrane properties. There may also be a second pair of electrodes separated by the membrane for injecting the stimulus current such that the injecting and monitoring functions are separated.

Abstract: A valve device for controlling an exhaust gas flow of an internal combustion engine includes a housing comprising a channel which has the exhaust gas flow therethrough. A shaft is disposed in the housing. The shaft is rotatably mounted about a shaft axis. A flap is connected to the shaft. The flap controls a flow cross section of the channel. The flap comprises two flexurally rigid support plates. The support plates each comprise an outer periphery. An elastic flap body is arranged between the support plates. The elastic flap body comprises an outer periphery which is larger on all sides than the outer periphery of the support plates. A distance between the outer periphery of the elastic flap body and the outer periphery of the support plates is largest in an area of the shaft axis, and smallest at an angle of 90° relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A method for in situ monitoring of a membrane of a membrane separation system comprises measuring a complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide an indication of the electrical conduction and electrical polarization properties of the membrane. The membrane based separation system for removing or reducing the concentration of materials carried in a fluid including a separation membrane has a first pair of electrodes separated by the membrane and arranged for measurement of the complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide the indication of the membrane properties. There may also be a second pair of electrodes separated by the membrane for injecting the stimulus current such that the injecting and monitoring functions are separated.

Abstract: A method for in situ monitoring of a membrane of a membrane separation system comprises measuring a complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide an indication of the electrical conduction and electrical polarization properties of the membrane. The membrane based separation system for removing or reducing the concentration of materials carried in a fluid including a separation membrane has a first pair of electrodes separated by the membrane and arranged for measurement of the complex impedance of the membrane at a plurality of frequencies to provide the indication of the membrane properties. There may also be a second pair of electrodes separated by the membrane for injecting the stimulus current such that the injecting and monitoring functions are separated.