Abstract: A high-yield, tunable radio frequency (RF) filter includes a plurality of process-dependent capacitors and a plurality of non-volatile RF switches. Each of the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is connected to at least one of the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. An auxiliary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is engaged by an ON-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. A primary capacitor in the plurality of process-dependent capacitors is disengaged by an OFF-state non-volatile RF switch in the plurality of non-volatile RF switches. The auxiliary capacitor substitutes for the primary capacitor.

Abstract: In a first approach, a reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) filtering module includes a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch bank and an RF filter bank. Each RF filter in the RF filter bank is capable to be engaged and disengaged by a PCM RF switch in the PCM RF switch bank. In a second approach, a tunable RF filter includes PCM RF switches and a capacitor and/or an inductor. Each of the capacitor and/or inductor is capable to be engaged and disengaged by at least one PCM RF switch of the PCM RF switches. In a third approach, an adjustable passive component includes multiple segments and a PCM RF switch. A selectable segment in the multiple segments is capable to be engaged and disengaged by the PCM RF switch. In all approaches, each PCM RF switch includes a PCM and a heating element transverse to the PCM.

Abstract: The devices and methods of this disclosure relate to a heart valve prosthesis that is configured to be implanted within a native heart valve having a smaller perimeter annuli with a generally elliptical shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a porous semiconductor region within the semiconductor substrate, and through-substrate via (TSV) within the porous semiconductor region. The porous semiconductor region causes the semiconductor structure and/or the TSV to withstand thermal and mechanical stresses. Alternatively, the semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor buffer ring within the porous semiconductor region, and the TSV within the semiconductor buffer ring.

Abstract: In tuning a radio frequency (RF) module including a non-volatile tunable RF filter, a desired frequency and an undesired frequency being provided by an amplifier of the RF module are detected. The non-volatile tunable RF filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier of the RF module. A factory setting of an adjustable capacitor in the non-volatile tunable RF filter is changed by factory-setting a state of a non-volatile RF switch, such that the non-volatile tunable RF filter substantially rejects the undesired frequency and substantially passes the desired frequency. The adjustable capacitor includes the non-volatile RF switch, and the factory setting of the adjustable capacitor corresponds to a factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch. An end-user is prevented access to the non-volatile RF switch, so as prevent the end-user from modifying the factory-set state of the non-volatile RF switch.

Abstract: A flexible coupling includes a first disc and a second disc arranged along a rotation axis. The first disc and the second disc each include a radially inner hub portion, a radially outer rim portion, and a diaphragm portion extending between the hub portion and the rim portion. The first disc rim portion is connected to the second disc rim portion and the first disc has a diametral response mode that is different than a diametral response mode of the second disc to limit deformation in the flexible coupling when communicating rotation between a drive member and a driven member connected to one another by the flexible coupling. Drive trains and methods of making flexible couplings are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting packets from a transceiver to a repeater in the presence of relative motion between the transceiver and the repeater. In some embodiments, the method includes: adjusting a plurality of transmission times; transmitting each of a plurality of packets, at a respective adjusted transmission time, from the transceiver to the repeater; and retransmitting, by the repeater, each of the packets, at a respective retransmission time, each of the retransmission times being, as a result of the adjusting, more nearly the same as it would have been, in the absence of: the relative motion, and the adjusting.

Abstract: A pest control device comprising a capacitive sensor array including a plurality of sensor pads, the capacitive sensor array being configured to generate an electrical output signal indicating the state of each sensor pad, and an electronic controller electrically connected to the capacitive sensor array, the electronic controller including a processor and a memory including a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive the electrical output signals from the capacitive sensor array, determine a measured capacitance value for each sensor pad based on each electrical output signal, calculate a baseline for each sensor pad based on the measured capacitance value of the sensor pad, determine whether a difference between the measured capacitance value of at least one sensor pad and its corresponding baseline exceeds a first predetermined threshold, update a counter when the first predetermined threshold is exceeded, and record an event indicative of a presence

Abstract: In examples, a relative skin reflectance of a captured image of a subject is quantified. Based on the relative skin reflectance, the captured image is determined as suitable or not suitable for biometric identification. When the captured image is determined not suitable, a remedial capture setting is calculated and provided to an image capturing resource. Another captured image of the subject, captured under the remedial capture setting, is received from the image capturing resource. The relative skin reflectance of the another captured image is quantified and based thereon, there is a determining of whether the another captured image is suitable or is not suitable.

Abstract: In examples, a relative skin reflectance of a captured image of a subject is determined. The determination selects from the captured image pixels of the subject's face and pixels in the background and normalizes luminance values of the skin pixels using the background pixels. The relative skin reflectance value is determined for the captured image, based on the normalized luminance values of the skin pixels. Optionally the relative skin reflectance value is qualified, based on thresholds of skin reflectance values, as suitable for biometric use. Optionally, a non-qualifying captured image is flagged and, optionally, another image is acquired, or the non-conforming image is processed further to transform the image into a suitable image for biometric analysis.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a phase-change material (PCM), a heating element underlying an active segment of the PCM and extending outward and transverse to the PCM, a capacitive RF terminal, and an ohmic RF terminal. The capacitive RF terminal can include a first trench metal liner situated on a first passive segment of the PCM, and a dielectric liner separating the first trench metal liner from a first trench metal plug. The ohmic RF terminal can include a second trench metal liner situated on a second passive segment of the PCM, and a second trench metal plug ohmically connected to the second trench metal liner. Alternatively, the capacitive RF terminal and the ohmic RF terminal can include lower metal portions and upper metal portions. A MIM capacitor can be formed by the upper metal portion of the capacitive RF terminal, an insulator, and a patterned top plate.

Abstract: An extendible or adjustable length level is provided. The level includes a frame, a slidable member, and a bushing. The slidable member is coupled to the frame and extends and retracts along the frame. The bushing is coupled to one of the frame or the slidable member and couples the frame and slidable member together.

Abstract: A process is provided for making esters of FDCA, in which an aqueous feed comprising glucaric acid is first reacted with a high boiling first alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst and with removing water during the reaction, to form a first product mixture comprising a first ester of FDCA and the high boiling first alcohol, then unreacted high boiling first alcohol is removed from the first product mixture. The first ester of FDCA and the high boiling first alcohol is then transesterified with a lower boiling second alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and n-propanol, to form a second product mixture comprising a second ester of FDCA with the lower boiling second alcohol, and the second ester of FDCA with the lower boiling second alcohol is recovered.

Abstract: A device, system, and method of controlling pests are disclosed. A pest control device includes a sensor having a sensor cell and a controller. A surface of the sensor cell is coated with an agent that reacts with a targeted biochemical analyte secreted by pests. The controller is coupled to the sensor and is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor cell indicative of a rate of change in sensor mass detected on the surface of the sensor cell, determine whether the rate of change in the sensor mass based on the received sensor data exceeds a predefined threshold rate, and transmit a pest detection alert notification to a server in response to a determination that the rate of change exceeds the predetermined threshold rate.

Abstract: A non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is coupled to a transceiver in a wireless communication device. The non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a non-volatile radio frequency (RF) switch. In one implementation, the non-volatile RF switch is a phase-change material (PCM) RF switch. In one approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable transmission delay arm and a selectable transmission reference arm. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable transmission delay arm. In another approach, the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter includes a selectable impedance element. A phase shift caused by the non-volatile adjustable phase shifter is adjusted when the non-volatile RF switch engages with or disengages from the selectable impedance element. In either approach, the phase shift changes a phase of RF signals being transmitted from or received by the transceiver.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a heating element and a thermally resistive material adjacent to sides of the heating element. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating material is situated on top of the heating element. A phase-change material (PCM) is situated over the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The PCM has an active segment overlying the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material, and passive segments underlying input/output contacts of the RF switch. The RF switch may include a bulk substrate heat spreader, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) handle wafer heat spreader, or an SOI top semiconductor heat spreader under the heating element.

Abstract: In fabricating a radio frequency (RF) switch, a phase-change material (PCM) and a heating element underlying an active segment of the PCM are provided. A contact uniformity support layer is formed over the PCM. The PCM and the contact uniformity support layer are patterned. A contact dielectric is formed over the contact uniformity support layer. Slot lower portions of PCM contacts are formed extending through the contact dielectric and through the contact uniformity support layer, and connected to passive segments of the PCM. Wide upper portions of the PCM contacts are formed over the contact dielectric and over the slot lower portions of the PCM contacts. The contact dielectric separates the wide upper portions of the PCM contacts from the heating element so as to reduce parasitic capacitance of the RF switch. The contact uniformity support layer maintains a substantially constant thickness of the passive segments of the PCM.

Abstract: An integrated process is useful for producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and/or a derivative thereof from a six-carbon sugar-containing feed. The process includes a) dehydrating a feed containing a six-carbon sugar unit, in the presence of a bromine source and of a solvent, to generate an oxidation feed that contains at least one of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and/or a derivative or derivatives of HMF in the solvent, together with at least one bromine containing species; b) contacting the oxidation feed from step (a) with a metal catalyst and with an oxygen source under oxidation conditions to produce an oxidation product mixture of at least FDCA and/or a derivative thereof, the solvent, and a residual catalyst; c) purifying and separating the mixture obtained in step (b) to obtain FDCA and/or a derivative thereof and the solvent; and d) recycling at least a portion of the solvent obtained in step (c) to step (a).

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a phase-change material (PCM), a heating element underlying an active segment of the PCM and extending outward and transverse to the PCM, and RF terminals having lower metal portions and upper metal portions. At least one of the lower metal portions can be ohmically separated from and capacitively coupled to passive segments of the PCM, while the upper metal portions are ohmically connected to the lower metal portions. Alternatively, the lower metal portions can be ohmically connected to passive segments of the PCM, while a capacitor is formed in part by at least one of the upper metal portions. Alternatively, at least one of the RF terminals can have a trench metal liner separated from a trench metal plug by a dielectric liner. The trench metal liner can be ohmically connected to passive segments of the PCM, while the trench metal plug is ohmically separated from, but capacitively coupled to, the trench metal liner.