Abstract: A MEMS transducer, for instance a MEMS capacitive transducer, comprising: a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane comprising a conductive track; and a continuity testing circuit electrically connected to the conductive track. The conductive track may be electrically isolated from any further conductive regions of the flexible membrane. The continuity testing circuit is configured to test the continuity of the conductive track.

Abstract: A membrane includes a plurality of nanopores, each nanopore including a first opening on a first side of the membrane, a second opening on a second side of the membrane, and an inner surface that extends between the first and second openings, wherein at least one nanopore comprises a positive surface charge zone extending along a portion of a length of the nanopore and a negative surface charge zone extending along a different portion of the length of the nanopore, wherein the inner surface of the nanopore has high-density positive surface charges within the positive surface charge zone and high-density negative surface charges within the negative surface charge zone.

Abstract: An ejection seat is disclosed comprising a seat back; a headrest assembly mounted to or forming part of the seat back; a pair of head support beams stowable in the headrest assembly, configured to be deployed such that they project forwardly from the headrest assembly, for capturing a seat occupant's head therebetween, and a pair of arm retention curtains, wherein at least part of each arm retention curtain is stowed in a rolled condition, configured such that deploying the head support beams and/or drawing the tethers forward from the seat back unfurls the arm retention curtains.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer may comprise a membrane supported relative to a substrate, the membrane comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a central region and plurality of arms which extend laterally from the central region and wherein the second region is separated from the first region by a channel which extends through the membrane.

Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer comprising a substrate having a cavity. The transducer exhibits a membrane layer supported relative to the substrate to define a flexible membrane. An upper surface of the substrate comprises an overlap region between the edge of the cavity and a perimeter of the flexible membrane where the membrane overlies the upper surface of the substrate. At least one portion of the overlap region of the upper surface of the substrate is provided with a plurality of recesses. The recesses are defined so as to extend from the edge of the cavity towards the perimeter of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: A system for automatically scaling provisioned resources includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive an estimate of a required number of processing threads. The processor is configured to determine required resources for processing the required number of processing threads using a model; provision the required resources; indicate to execute client tasks using the provisioned resources; determine server telemetry or logging data for the provisioned resources; provide the server telemetry or the logging data to the model; determine a resource utilization score based at least in part on the server telemetry or the logging data; determine a provisioning performance reward based at least in part on the resource utilization score; and adjust model parameters using the provisioning performance reward.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive transducer with increased robustness and resilience to acoustic shock. The transducer structure includes a flexible membrane supported between a first volume and a second volume, and at least one variable vent structure in communication with at least one of the first and second volumes. The variable vent structure includes at least one moveable portion which is moveable in response to a pressure differential across the moveable portion so as to vary the size of a flow path through the vent structure. The variable vent may be formed through the membrane and the moveable portion may be a part of the membrane, defined by one or more channels, that is deflectable away from the surface of the membrane. The variable vent is preferably closed in the normal range of pressure differentials but opens at high pressure differentials to provide more rapid equalisation of the air volumes above and below the membrane.

Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducer having a flexible membrane and which seeks to alleviate and/or redistribute stresses within the membrane layer. A membrane having a first/active region and a second/inactive region is described.

Abstract: The application describes MEMS transducers comprising a flexible membrane layer supported in a fixed relation relative to a substrate along at least one supporting edge, wherein a plurality of slits are provided through the membrane layer. The slits define a plurality of beams. Each beam defines a path between first and second endpoints of the beam, the path comprising at least one change in direction. Also described are transducers wherein the membrane layer is supported in a fixed relation relative to the substrate along a plurality of supporting edges which define a membrane region that is substantially bounded by the supporting edges.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved intravaginal drug delivery devices, i.e., intravaginal rings, useful for the prophylactic administration of dapivirine in combination with either an antimicrobial compound or a contraceptive to a human. The present invention also provides methods of blocking DNA polymerization by an HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, methods of preventing HIV infection in a female human, methods of treating HIV infection in a female human, methods of preventing unintended pregnancy in a female human, and methods of preparing intravaginal rings.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer and method of forming a MEMS transducer. The MEMS transducer comprises a flexible membrane and a backplate, a membrane electrode being located on a polygon shaped first surface of the flexible membrane, and a backplate electrode being located on a first surface of the backplate facing the membrane electrode. At least one of the membrane electrode and the backplate electrode has an outline shape configured to correspond to a contour of a contour map, the contour map representing relative amounts of displacement of portions of the flexible membrane from an equilibrium position in response to pressure differences generated by incident sound waves.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved intravaginal drug delivery devices, i.e., intravaginal rings, useful for the prophylactic administration of dapivirine in combination with either an antimicrobial compound or a contraceptive to a human. The present invention also provides methods of blocking DNA polymerization by an HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme, methods of preventing HIV infection in a female human, methods of treating HIV infection in a female human, methods of preventing unintended pregnancy in a female human, and methods of preparing intravaginal rings.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer structure comprises a substrate comprising a cavity. A membrane layer is supported relative to the substrate to provide a flexible membrane. A peripheral edge of the cavity defines at least one perimeter region that is convex with reference to the center of the cavity. The peripheral edge of the cavity may further define at least one perimeter region that is concave with reference to the center of the cavity.

Abstract: A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

Abstract: A MEMS transducer, for instance a MEMS capacitive transducer, comprising: a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane comprising a conductive track; and a continuity testing circuit electrically connected to the conductive track. The conductive track may be electrically isolated from any further conductive regions of the flexible membrane. The continuity testing circuit is configured to test the continuity of the conductive track.

Abstract: The application describes a MEMS transducer comprising a substrate having a cavity. The transducer exhibits a membrane layer supported relative to the substrate to define a flexible membrane. An upper surface of the substrate comprises an overlap region between the edge of the cavity and a perimeter of the flexible membrane where the membrane overlies the upper surface of the substrate. At least one portion of the overlap region of the upper surface of the substrate is provided with a plurality of recesses. The recesses are defined so as to extend from the edge of the cavity towards the perimeter of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An improved handrail for a staircase or ramp. In one embodiment, the handrail includes an elongated member such as a cylinder or bar that spans the length of the staircase or ramp and a riser barrier. The riser barrier has an extender portion and a riser portion. The extender portion of the riser barrier keeps the elongated member a sufficient distance horizontally from the riser portion that a person can slide his or her hand on the rail without interference. The riser portion projects vertically a sufficient distance above the elongated member to deter sliding down the elongated member. Thus, sliding on the member is deterred, while the function of the cylinder as a handrail is preserved.