Abstract: An inertial measurement system having a triangular cupola shaped base structure with three mutually orthogonal sides and a bottom surface surrounding a hollow core. The bottom surface includes an aperture providing access to the hollow core. An inertial module is mounted on each of the sides and includes a gyroscopic rotational rate sensor and a linear accelerometer connected to a circuit board. The inertial measurement system also includes a motherboard and a plurality of metallization elements. The metallization elements extend from the bottom surface to the sides of the base structure and conductively connect the inertial module to the motherboard. The inertial measurement system may also include a non-conductive adhesive underfill positioned between the inertial module and the base structure.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a transducer die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the transducer die. The transducer die includes a transducer element which provides an output signal related to a physical characteristic to be measured, or which receives an input signal and responsively provides a physical output. The transducer further includes a connecting component electrically coupled to the transducer element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the transducer element or the surrounding environment by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the transducer element by the same materials of the bond frame, and the connecting component is electrically isolated from the bond frame.

Abstract: A harsh environment transducer including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is in communication with the environment. The transducer includes a device layer sensor means located on the substrate for measuring a parameter associated with the environment. The sensor means including a single crystal semiconductor material having a thickness of less than about 0.5 microns. The transducer further includes an output contact located on the substrate and in electrical communication with the sensor means. The transducer includes a package having an internal package space and a port for communication with the environment. The package receives the substrate in the internal package space such that the first surface of the substrate is substantially isolated from the environment and the second surface of the substrate is substantially exposed to the environment through the port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) R22N—CH2COCH2—CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 may represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group R1, and both R2 groups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) R22N—CH2COCH2-CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 may represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group R1, and both R2 groups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Abstract: A Coriolis effect device includes a housing defining an interior chamber having a central axis, an inlet, an outlet, a leading disc and a trailing disc. Each disc is supported for oscillatory movement within the interior chamber of the housing. The leading disc defines a leading flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and interior chamber, wherein a portion of the leading flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. The trailing disc is axially spaced from the leading disc. The trailing disc defines a trailing flow path in fluid communication with the interior chamber and the outlet, wherein a portion of the trailing flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. A phase difference between leading and trailing oscillating signals picked up from the disc movement can be used to determine a mass flow rate of fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A harsh environment transducer including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is in communication with the environment. The transducer includes a device layer sensor means located on the substrate for measuring a parameter associated with the environment. The sensor means including a single crystal semiconductor material having a thickness of less than about 0.5 microns. The transducer further includes an output contact located on the substrate and in electrical communication with the sensor means. The transducer includes a package having an internal package space and a port for communication with the environment. The package receives the substrate in the internal package space such that the first surface of the substrate is substantially isolated from the environment and the second surface of the substrate is substantially exposed to the environment through the port.

Abstract: A transducer for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a transducer die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the transducer die. The transducer die includes a transducer element which provides an output signal related to a physical characteristic to be measured, or which receives an input signal and responsively provides a physical output. The transducer further includes a connecting component electrically coupled to the transducer element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the transducer element or the surrounding environment by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the transducer element by the same materials of the bond frame, and the connecting component is electrically isolated from the bond frame.

Abstract: A structure including a first structural component, a second structural component and a bonding structure bonding the first and second structural components together, where the bonding structure contains a hypoeutectic solid solution alloy. The hypoeutectic solid solution alloy may be a gold-germanium solid solution alloy, a gold-silicon solid solution alloy or a gold-tin solid solution alloy.

Abstract: A Coriolis effect device includes a housing defining an interior chamber having a central axis, an inlet, an outlet, a leading disc and a trailing disc. Each disc is supported for oscillatory movement within the interior chamber of the housing. The leading disc defines a leading flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and interior chamber, wherein a portion of the leading flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. The trailing disc is axially spaced from the leading disc. The trailing disc defines a trailing flow path in fluid communication with the interior chamber and the outlet, wherein a portion of the trailing flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. A phase difference between leading and trailing oscillating signals picked up from the disc movement can be used to determine a mass flow rate of fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer. The method further includes depositing or growing a piezoelectric film or piezoresistive film on the wafer, depositing or growing an electrically conductive material on the piezoelectric or piezoresistive film to form at least one electrode, and depositing or growing a bonding layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the electrode. The method further includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate having a bonding layer located thereon, the bonding layer including an electrical connection portion and being patterned in a manner to generally match the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer.

Abstract: An inertial measurement system having a triangular cupola shaped base structure with three mutually orthogonal sides and a bottom surface surrounding a hollow core. The bottom surface includes an aperture providing access to the hollow core. An inertial module is mounted on each of the sides and includes a gyroscopic rotational rate sensor and a linear accelerometer connected to a circuit board. The inertial measurement system also includes a motherboard and a plurality of metallization elements. The metallization elements extend from the bottom surface to the sides of the base structure and conductively connect the inertial module to the motherboard. The inertial measurement system may also include a non-conductive adhesive underfill positioned between the inertial module and the base structure.

Abstract: A method for bonding two components together including the steps of providing a first component, providing a second component, and locating a first eutectic bonding material between the first and second component. The first eutectic bonding material includes at least one of germanium, tin, or silicon. The method further includes the step of locating a second eutectic bonding material between the first and second component and adjacent to the first eutectic bonding material. The second eutectic bonding material includes gold. The method further includes the step of heating the first and second eutectic bonding materials to a temperature above a eutectic temperature of an alloy of the first and second eutectic bonding materials to allow a hypoeutectic alloy to form out of the first and second eutectic bonding materials. The method includes the further step of cooling the hypoeutectic alloy to form a solid solution alloy bonding the first and second components together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) R22N—CH2COCH2-CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 may represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group R1, and both R2 groups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Abstract: A force balanced mass flow meter is disclosed that includes a cylindrical sensor housing having an interior bore, an impeller body supported for axial rotation within the interior bore of the sensor housing, and including structure for converting fluid inertia into flow induced torque when fluid flows relative to the impeller body, a proximity sensor for measuring a rotation angle of the impeller body relative to the sensor housing, an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field about the sensor housing to prevent rotation of the impeller body, electronics for determining electrical values from the proximity sensor when fluid flows relative to the impeller body and a controller for controlling current supplied to the electromagnet in response to electrical values determined from the proximity sensor, to generate a magnetic field sufficient to prevent impeller rotation.

Abstract: A method for forming a transducer including the step of providing a semiconductor-on-insulator wafer including first and second semiconductor layers separated by an electrically insulating layer. The method further includes depositing or growing a piezoelectric film or piezoresistive film on the wafer, depositing or growing an electrically conductive material on the piezoelectric or piezoresistive film to form at least one electrode, and depositing or growing a bonding layer including an electrical connection portion that is located on or is electrically coupled to the electrode. The method further includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate having a bonding layer located thereon, the bonding layer including an electrical connection portion and being patterned in a manner to generally match the bonding layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator wafer.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a sensor die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the sensor die. The sensor die includes a generally flexible diaphragm configured to flex when exposed to a sufficient differential pressure thereacross. The sensor further includes a piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensing element at least partially located on the diaphragm such that the sensing element provides an electrical signal upon flexure of the diaphragm. The sensor also includes an connecting component electrically coupled to the sensing element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the diaphragm by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the sensing element by the same materials of the bond frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds being esters of 5-aminolevulinic acids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (I) R22N—CH2COCH2-CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 may represent alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, oxo or fluoro groups and optionally interrupted by oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur or phosphorus atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a group R1, and both R2 groups may be the identical or different), and their use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in a harsh environment including a substrate and a sensor die directly coupled to the substrate by a bond frame positioned between the substrate and the sensor die. The sensor die includes a generally flexible diaphragm configured to flex when exposed to a sufficient differential pressure thereacross. The sensor further includes a piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensing element at least partially located on the diaphragm such that the sensing element provides an electrical signal upon flexure of the diaphragm. The sensor also includes an connecting component electrically coupled to the sensing element at a connection location that is fluidly isolated from the diaphragm by the bond frame. The bond frame is made of materials and the connecting component is electrically coupled to the sensing element by the same materials of the bond frame.

Abstract: A method for making a pressure sensor including the steps of providing a substrate and forming or locating a pressure sensing component on the substrate. The method further includes the step of, after the forming or locating step, etching a cavity in the substrate below the pressure sensing component to define a diaphragm above the cavity with the pressure sensing component located on the diaphragm. The pressure sensing component includes an electrically conductive electron gas which changes its electrical resistance thereacross upon movement of the diaphragm.