Abstract: Optical fiber photonic integrated chip connector interfaces and photonic integrated chip assemblies utilizing low-profile optical fibers and methods thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical fiber photonic integrated chip (PIC) connector interface includes at least one low-profile optical fiber having an end face, at least one core, and a cladding layer, wherein the end face is non-rotationally symmetric with respect to the at least one core, and the cladding layer includes at least one minimum perimeter point that is a minimum distance from the at least one core as compared to remaining perimeter points of the cladding. The PIC connector interface further includes an interconnect substrate including a fiber mounting surface, and a mechanical coupling surface. The at least one low-profile optical fiber is disposed on the fiber mounting surface such that one or more surfaces of the cladding defining the at least one minimum perimeter point faces away from the fiber mounting surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods and data structures for the processing of data for the secure creation, administration, manipulation, processing, and storage of electronic data useful in the processing of electronic payment transactions and other secure data processes. Aspects of such systems include trusted platforms by which networked communication devices and merchant systems may registered as trusted entities. Information associated with particular payment means, such as accounts or payment tokens, can be stored on device(s) secure data sets known as virtual or electronic wallets, or in the form of secure payment tokens. Among other improvements, the invention enables the use of multiple payment accounts to fund purchases and other electronic transactions.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a damping system, and in particular a clutch mechanism for an extended travel draft gear having components arranged such that movement of clutch mechanism components transforms kinetic energy into thermal energy via friction, while allowing for an extended length of travel. An arrangement of clutch component geometries, lengths, angles, etc. allows for motion along a longitudinal axis of the clutch mechanism to be damped via energy dissipation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and compositions for nematode treatment. In particular, disclosed are compounds of formula (I), a method of treating a plant or a growing media for a nematode with compounds of formula (II), compositions, and methods of use.

Abstract: A optoelectronic assembly is provided including a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) including at least one electronic connection element and plurality of waveguides disposed on a PIC face, a printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one PCB electronic connection element, which is complementary to the at least one electronic connection element of the PIC and the PIC is configured to be flip chip mounted to the PCB, a lidless fiber array unit including a support substrate having a substantially flat first surface and a signal fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers supported on the first surface, and an alignment substrate disposed on the PIC face and configured to align the plurality of optical fibers of the signal fiber array with the plurality of waveguides.

Abstract: A system and method allows an advisor to identify allocations of investments to each of several model portfolios in each of several investment strategies selected by the advisor, and to select asset classes to use and features to supply, as well as to select a primary and secondary investment to use for tax loss harvesting. Each of several investors is linked to an advisor and prompted with questions whose answers provide an initial assignment of the investor to an investment strategy from among those selected by the advisor to which the investor is linked and a model portfolio of that strategy. Investments are made and redeemed and rebalancing occurs in accordance with the model portfolio of the investor and the allocations of the advisor for that model portfolio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing ensiled plant materials using the anaerobic bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii and ensiled plant materials thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial cells, including but not limited to aerobic bacteria cells and anaerobic bacteria cells, as well as yeast cells, and methods for producing the cells, feed additives and compositions comprising the cells, and uses involving administration of the cells to animals.

Abstract: Lens-based optical connector assemblies and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens-based connector assembly includes a glass-based optical substrate includes at least one optical element within the optical substrate, and at least one alignment feature positioned at an edge of the glass-based optical substrate, wherein the at least one alignment feature is located within 0.4 ?m of a predetermined position with respect to the at least one optical element along an x-direction and a y-direction. The lens-based connector assembly further includes a connector element including a recess having an interior surface, The interior surface has at least one connector alignment feature. The glass-based optical substrate is disposed within the recess such that the at least one alignment feature of the glass-based optical substrate engages the at least one connector alignment feature.

Abstract: A heating device for volatizing materials contained in an impregnated pad has a housing including a chamber to receive an impregnated pad for heating, a battery contained in the housing, and a heater arrangement. The heater arrangement in one mode includes at least two heaters, a temperature sensor, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to power the first heater based on a first temperature and then to power the second heater after the first temperature reaches a second temperature. In another mode, the heater arrangement has at least one heater, temperature sensor, and controller, wherein the controller is configured to provide battery power to the at least one heater to volatize materials in the impregnated pad. The housing has at least one opening to allow volatized materials from the impregnated pad to escape from the housing.

Abstract: Bio-based polymer precursors and non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPU) and non-isocyanate polyurethane foams (NIPUF) that can be formed from the precursors, as well as methods for the synthesis of the precursors and the polyurethane products are described. The bio-based polymer precursors are formed through functionalization of a bio-based polyol, e.g., lignin, with cyclic carbonates. The bio-based polyol starting materials need not be pre-processed and can include Kraft lignin. NIPU/NIPUF can be synthesized through a ring opening curing reaction of cyclic carbonates of the bio-based polyol precursor with diamines. The carbonates and diamines can include non-toxic bio-based carbonates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical interconnection device that includes an alignment ferrule assembly formed from an alignment substrate and optical fibers. The optical interconnection device also has an alignment assembly formed by a planar support member with guide features. A receiving region resides between the guide features in which the alignment substrate is secured. An evanescent optical coupler can be formed using the optical interconnection device as a first device and another optical interconnection device as a second device. The second device is constituted by a planar lightwave circuit that operably supports waveguides and an adapter. The adapter of the second device is configured to engage the alignment assembly of the first device to place the optical fibers and the optical waveguides of the respective devices in evanescent optical communication.

Abstract: Multi-fiber interface apparatuses providing a double reflection expanded beam arrangement include one or more substrates being configured to mountably receive a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), a fiber array coupling member mounted to a substrate, optical elements associated with the substrate and/or the fiber array coupling member, and one or more additional features. An additional feature according to certain implementations includes one or more passive substrate alignment features for aligning substrates to promote optical coupling between optical fibers and the PIC. In certain implementations configured for interfacing with printed circuit boards (PCBs), an additional feature includes a recess defined in an optically transmissive substrate in which a PIC is mounted, or includes a recess defined in a PCB into which the PIC is mounted. Various embodiments provide relaxed fiber alignment tolerances with simplified fabrication and system integration capabilities.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and associated methods are provided for testing and tuning radiofrequency (RF) modules. An example system includes a test station including an imaging device, a measurement device, and a robotic arm. The system may include a rotary stage coupled with the robotic arm, measurement probes disposed in the rotary stage and operably coupled with the measurement device, and tuning tips disposed in the rotary stage. The system may include a galvo scanner and laser to remove conductive material. In operation, the test station may perform a testing procedure on an RF module where the measurement probes generate testing data indicative of testing parameters. The test station may perform a tuning procedure on the RF module where a tuning tip or the laser modifies the RF module based on the testing parameters. The testing and tuning may be performed by a user, semi-autonomously, or autonomously.

Abstract: A silicon carbide flow reactor fluidic module comprises a monolithic closed-porosity silicon carbide body and a tortuous fluid passage extending through the silicon carbide body, the tortuous fluid passage lying within two or more layers with the silicon carbide body, the tortuous passage having an interior surface, the interior surface having a surface roughness of less than 10 ?m Ra. A method of forming the fluidic module is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lensed optical fiber connector ferrule end faces having molded contact surfaces. The contact surfaces reduce ferrule end face contact area and thereby reduce the influence of trapped dust and debris on lens angular misalignment.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and associated methods are provided for testing and tuning radiofrequency (RF) modules. An example system includes a test station including an imaging device, a measurement device, and a robotic arm. The system may include a rotary stage coupled with the robotic arm, measurement probes disposed in the rotary stage and operably coupled with the measurement device, and tuning tips disposed in the rotary stage. The system may include a galvo scanner and laser to remove conductive material. In operation, the test station may perform a testing procedure on an RF module where the measurement probes generate testing data indicative of testing parameters. The test station may perform a tuning procedure on the RF module where a tuning tip or the laser modifies the RF module based on the testing parameters. The testing and tuning may be performed by a user, semi-autonomously, or autonomously.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-executable data structures for the processing of data for the secure creation, administration, manipulation, processing, and storage of electronic data useful in the processing of electronic payment transactions and other secure data processes. Aspects of such systems include trusted platforms by which networked communication devices and merchant systems may be registered as trusted entities. Information associated with particular payment means, such as accounts or payment tokens, can be stored on device(s) secure data sets known as virtual or electronic wallets, or in the form of secure payment tokens. Common application programming interfaces executed by devices may facilitate push and pull processes between electronic wallets and other secure data stores. Users may thereby initiate and complete electronic transactions directly from within applications on trusted devices.

Abstract: A method for operating a water distribution system of a building is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for wireless charging are disclosed. A charging device has a plurality of charging cells provided on a charging surface, a charging circuit and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the charging circuit to provide a charging current to a resonant circuit when a receiving device is placed on the charging surface, provide a measurement slot by causing the charging circuit to decrease or terminate the charging current for a period of time and determine whether the receiving device has been removed from the charging surface based on measurement of a characteristic of the resonant circuit during the measurement slot. The characteristic of the resonant circuit may be representative of electromagnetic coupling between a transmitting coil in the resonant circuit and a receiving coil in the receiving device.