Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides fluidic systems having a plurality of reaction sites surrounded by optical barriers to reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between signals detected from various reaction sites. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing fluidic systems and methods of using the systems.

Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes a connector suspended on a flexible cable and movable along at least one of a plurality of axes perpendicular to one another and a charging port fixed to the vehicle. The connector is movable into a mated position with the charging port.

Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes a connector suspended on a flexible cable and an adapter having a plug at a first end and an adapter port at a second end opposite the first end. The plug is removably disposed in a charging port of the vehicle and the adapter port extends outward from the vehicle. The connector is movable along a plurality of axes perpendicular to one another into a mated position with the adapter port.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved generation of multi-modal transportation routes are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating a network of route segments. At least a portion of the route segments may be associated with a rideable modality. At least one route segment of the network may be updated based on a changed condition of the rideable modality. Routes may be generated, based on the network, that utilize the rideable modality and at least one of the routes may be sent to a computing device for display.

Abstract: A defibrillator for determining a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compression rate, including electrodes adapted to be attached to the subject, an impedance signal measurement system connected to the electrodes and configured to measure at least one impedance signal of the subject, an electrocardiogram signal measurement system connected to the electrodes, an impedance signal processing system connected to the impedance signal measurement system, an electrocardiogram signal processing system connected to the electrocardiogram signal measurement system, a compression rate estimate processing system configured to apply a plurality of criteria to the impedance signal features and the electrocardiogram signal features and use compliance with one or more of the criteria to select one of the plurality of impedance signal compression rate estimates as the cardiopulmonary resuscitation compression rate, and an output unit configured to output feedback based on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation compression rate to

Abstract: The invention is to an optionally piloted aircraft that can takeoff and land conventionally or vertically, and can convert between the two. The aircraft is immune to one or more engine failures during vertical flight through multiple engines and the use of a virtual nozzle. Aerodynamic controls are similarly redundant. Hovering flight is enabled with a novel stabilization system. Long range efficient cruise is achieved by turning off some engines in flight and sealing them into an aerodynamic fairing to achieve low drag. The resulting aircraft is capable of CTOL and VTOL, and is capable of converting between the two modes while in the air or on the ground. The aircraft can also be easily taxied on the ground in the conventional manner. Automatic controls considerably reduce the amount of training a pilot needs to fly and land the aircraft in either VTOL or CTOL mode.

Abstract: The invention is to an optionally piloted aircraft that can takeoff and land conventionally or vertically, and can convert between the two. The aircraft is immune to one or more engine failures during vertical flight through multiple engines and the use of a virtual nozzle. Aerodynamic controls are similarly redundant. Hovering flight is enabled with a novel stabilization system. Long range efficient cruise is achieved by turning off some engines in flight and sealing them into an aerodynamic fairing to achieve low drag. The resulting aircraft is capable of CTOL and VTOL, and is capable of converting between the two modes while in the air or on the ground. The aircraft can also be easily taxied on the ground in the conventional manner. Automatic controls considerably reduce the amount of training a pilot needs to fly and land the aircraft in either VTOL or CTOL mode.

Abstract: The invention is to an optionally piloted aircraft that can takeoff and land conventionally or vertically, and can convert between the two. The aircraft is immune to one or more engine failures during vertical flight through multiple engines and the use of a virtual nozzle. Aerodynamic controls are similarly redundant. Hovering flight is enabled with a novel stabilization system. Long range efficient cruise is achieved by turning off some engines in flight and sealing them into an aerodynamic fairing to achieve low drag. The resulting aircraft is capable of CTOL and VTOL, and is capable of converting between the two modes while in the air or on the ground. The aircraft can also be easily taxied on the ground in the conventional manner. Automatic controls considerably reduce the amount of training a pilot needs to fly and land the aircraft in either VTOL or CTOL mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is to an optionally piloted aircraft that can takeoff and land conventionally or vertically, and can convert between the two. The aircraft is immune to one or more engine failures during vertical flight through multiple engines and the use of a virtual nozzle. Aerodynamic controls are similarly redundant. Hovering flight is enabled with a novel stabilization system. Long range efficient cruise is achieved by turning off some engines in flight and sealing them into an aerodynamic fairing to achieve low drag. The resulting aircraft is capable of CTOL and VTOL, and is capable of converting between the two modes while in the air or on the ground. The aircraft can also be easily taxied on the ground in the conventional manner. Automatic controls considerably reduce the amount of training a pilot needs to fly and land the aircraft in either VTOL or CTOL mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a ceramic composite material may be formed by a method comprising the steps preparing a solid solution comprising aluminium oxide, a second component comprising a cation in a first valent state, and a dopant, wherein the dopant is present in an amount of not more than 1000 ppm by weight of the solid solution; and carrying out a treatment on the solid solution to form the ceramic composite material, wherein the treatment changes the valent state of said cation to a second valent state, forming a ceramic composite material comprising grains containing aluminium oxide and a precipitate of particles comprising the cation in the second valent state. The materials may be useful in the manufacture of various products, including wear resistant products and armour.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a composite material comprising nanotubes oriented in a matrix comprising a ceramic material, the method comprising the steps of: providing an array of substantially aligned nanotubes; providing a ceramic matrix material in the form of a solution; applying the solution to the nanotubes; allowing the solution to infiltrate into the array of nanotubes; and sintering the ceramic matrix material to form the composite material, wherein the nanotubes are substantially aligned in the ceramic matrix. Composite materials obtainable by said method are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for combining an instant messaging experience with a primary media experience in a multimedia system. The method includes providing an instant messaging user interface component and displaying the instant messaging user interface component as an overlay on a screen displaying the primary media experience simultaneously with the primary media experience. The displayed instant messaging user interface component occupies a non-central portion of a screen displaying the primary media experience such that both the primary media experience and the instant messaging user interface component are visible to the user. The user interface instant messaging component may include a conversation window having a text entry section and a conversation. The instant messaging user interface enables user access with a remote control device.

Abstract: Methods of screening for vaccine candidates, vaccines against pathogenic neisscria and intermediaries for such vaccines have been developed. Two vaccine candidates TspA and TspB have been identified and characterised which either alone or in conjunction with the vaccines provide for treatment against pathogenic neisserias in particular Neisseria meningitidis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoea.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing multiple types of content from a broad range of client program modules. A client program module can access multiple types of content without the client program module having a knowledge of what type of content it is accessing. A user can dynamically add or change services to the system. The method and system can also serve as a standard way of exchanging content between services and client program modules.