Abstract: The present invention is directed to a storage assembly (1) for storing active substances (3) for producing an ingestible product (23). The storage assembly (1) comprises a plurality of storage elements (2), wherein the plurality of storage elements (2) is grouped into two or more groups of storage elements (2). For each group the storage elements (2) of the respective group have stored the same type of an active substance (3). At least one group includes at least two storage elements (2). For each one of the storage elements (2) of the plurality of storage elements (2) the storage element has stored one or more portions of an active substance (3), the portions containing the same amount of the active substance (3), defined as dose bit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product (1) comprising a plurality of portions (21-26) of flavouring substances associated with fastening arrangements (31-36; 41?-46?). The fastening arrangements (31-36; 41?-46?) can be modified with energy trans-mitted from an external device (5) in such a manner that the plurality of portions (21-26) of flavouring substances is divided into a first subset (T1) of the plurality of portions (21-26) of flavouring substances enabled to remain with the product (1) and into a second subset (T2) of the plurality of portions (21-26) of flavouring substances enabled for removal from the product (1). The invention further relates to a device for modifying such a product (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to user located production of a mixture of substances (3). Stored (S1) in a computer database (1) is assignment information (52) relating to a plurality of storage assemblies (51), each storage assembly comprising a plurality of storage elements, each storage element having stored a substance of a particular type, the assignment information (52) providing for each storage element an assignment of a property of the respective storage element to the substance stored in the respective storage element. Determined is first assignment information (52?) of a first storage assembly (51?) being arranged in a user located production device (2). Provided is a mixture definition (3?) defining the mixture of substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for transmitting and producing a taste. The system comprises a first electronic device configured to transmit a taste message, wherein the taste message includes a taste recipe defining a composition of a plurality of taste substances, a second electronic device configured to receive the taste message and to transmit the taste recipe, a controller configured to read the taste recipe, and a taste generator configured to generate the composition of the taste substances defined by the taste recipe on a carrier wherein the taste generator is controlled by the controller.

Abstract: The piezoelectric response of a sample (3) is measured by applying a scanning probe microscope, whose probe (2) is in contact with the sample (3). The probe is mounted to a cantilever (1) and an actuator (5) is driven by a feedback loop (7, 11, 12, 4) to oscillate at a resonance frequency f. An AC voltage with principally the same frequency f but with a phase (with respect to the oscillation) and/or amplitude varying periodically with a frequency fmod is applied to the probe for generating a piezoelectric response of the sample (3). A lock-in detector (20) measures the spectral components at the frequency fmod of the control signals (K, f) of the feedback loop. These components describe the piezoelectric response and can be recorded as output signals of the device. The method allows a reliable operation of the detector oscillator resonator (1) at its resonance frequency and provides a high sensitivity.

Abstract: A mount for a scanning probe sensor package (27) comprises a support structure (1, 5) defining a plane within the mount and at least one movable snap joint element (9) designed for interacting with a respective counterpart (43) in a scanning probe sensor package (27). The snap joint element (9) is movable to a first position in which it exerts a force on a mounted scanning probe sensor package (27) so as to force said scanning probe sensor package (27) in a normal direction of said plane towards the support structure (1,5) and to a second position in which it allows a scanning probe sensor package (27) to be mounted to or dismounted from the support structure (1, 5) along normal direction of said plane.

Abstract: A mount for a scanning probe sensor package (27) comprises a support structure (1, 5) defining a plane within the mount and at least one movable snap joint element (9) designed for interacting with a respective counterpart (43) in a scanning probe sensor package (27). The snap joint element (9) is movable to a first position in which it exerts a force on a mounted scanning probe sensor package (27) so as to force said scanning probe sensor package (27) in a normal direction of said plane towards the support structure (1,5) and to a second position in which it allows a scanning probe sensor package (27) to be mounted to or dismounted from the support structure (1, 5) along normal direction of said plane.

Abstract: The piezo-electric actuator (1) to oscillate the probe of a scanning probe microscope is arranged in the feedback branch (3) of an analog amplifier (4). A current source (10) is provided for feeding a defined alternating current to the input of the amplifier (4). The amplifier (4) strives to adjust the voltage over the actuator (1) such that the current from the current source (10) flows through the actuator (1). As the current through the actuator (1) is proportional to its deflection, this design allows to run the actuator at constant amplitude without the need of complex feedback loops.

Abstract: The scanning probe microscope applies a sum of an AC voltage (Uac) and a DC voltage (Udc) to its probe. The frequency of the AC voltage (Uac) substantially corresponds to the mechanical oscillation frequency of the probe, but its phase in respect to the mechanical oscillation varies periodically. The phase modulation has a frequency fmod. The microscope measures the frequency (f) or the amplitude (K) of a master signal (S) applied to the probe's actuator, or it measures the phase of the mechanical oscillation of the cantilever in respect to the master signal (S). The spectral component at frequency fmod of the measured signal is fed to a feedback loop controller, which strives to keep it zero by adjusting the DC voltage (Udc), thereby keeping the DC voltage at the contact voltage potential.

Abstract: The piezo-electric actuator (1) to oscillate the probe of a scanning probe microscope is arranged in the feedback branch (3) of an analog amplifier (4). A current source (10) is provided for feeding a defined alternating current to the input of the amplifier (4). The amplifier (4) strives to adjust the voltage over the actuator (1) such that the current from the current source (10) flows through the actuator (1). As the current through the actuator (1) is proportional to its deflection, this design allows to run the actuator at constant amplitude without the need of complex feedback loops.

Abstract: The piezoelectric response of a sample is measured by applying a scanning probe microscope, whose probe is in contact with the sample The probe is mounted to a cantilever and an actuator is driven by a feedback loop to oscillate at a resonance frequency f. An AC voltage with principally the same frequency f but with a phase (with respect to the oscillation) and/or amplitude varying periodically with a frequency fmod is applied to the probe for generating a piezoelectric response of the sample A lock-in detector measures the spectral components at the frequency fmod of the control signals (K, f) of the feedback loop. These components describe the piezoelectric response and can be recorded as output signals of the device. The method allows a reliable operation of the resonator at its resonance frequency and provides a high sensitivity.

Abstract: The scanning probe microscope applies a sum of an AC voltage (Uac) and a DC voltage (Udc) to its probe. The frequency of the AC voltage (Uac) substantially corresponds to the mechanical oscillation frequency of the probe, but its phase in respect to the mechanical oscillation varies periodically. The phase modulation has a frequency fmod. The microscope measures the frequency (f) or the amplitude (K) of a master signal (S) applied to the probe's actuator, or it measures the phase of the mechanical oscillation of the cantilever in respect to the master signal (S). The spectral component at frequency fmod of the measured signal is fed to a feedback loop controller, which strives to keep it zero by adjusting the DC voltage (Udc), thereby keeping the DC voltage at the contact voltage potential.