Abstract: An optical system including a dual-layer microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, and methods of fabricating and operating the same are disclosed. Generally, the MEMS device includes a substrate having an upper surface; a top modulating layer including a number of light modulating micro-ribbons, each micro-ribbon supported above and separated from the upper surface of the substrate by spring structures in at least one lower actuating layer; and a mechanism for moving one or more of the micro-ribbons relative to the upper surface and/or each other. The spring structures are operable to enable the light modulating micro-ribbons to move continuously and vertically relative to the upper surface of the substrate while maintaining the micro-ribbons substantially parallel to one another and the upper surface of the substrate. The micro-ribbons can be reflective, transmissive, partially reflective/transmissive, and the device is operable to modulate a phase and/or amplitude of light incident thereon.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a robotic instrument for use with a tool. In some versions, the robotic instrument comprises a hand-held portion to be held by a user and a tool support movably coupled to the hand-held portion to support the tool. The robotic instrument further includes an actuator assembly operatively attached to the tool support and the hand-held portion and configured to move the tool support relative to the hand-held portion in a plurality of degrees of freedom. The robotic instrument may includes a handle alignment member extending from the hand-held portion. At least a portion of the handle alignment member and a tool plane defined by the tool are aligned when the tool support has an optimal range of motion relative to the hand-held portion.

Abstract: Spatial light modulators (SLMs) and systems using same are described. Generally, the system includes a laser, a fixture holding a workpiece to be processed using the laser, illumination optics to illuminate the SLM with laser light, imaging optics to focus modulated light from the SLM onto the workpiece, and a controller to control the laser, the SLM, imaging optics and the fixture to scan the modulated light across a workpiece surface. The SLM includes an array of microelectromechanical system based diffractors, each including an electrostatically deflectable member coupled to a first light reflective surface and to bring light reflected from the first light reflective surface into interference with light reflected from a second light reflective surface in the SLM. The controller is operable to provide analog gray-scale control of an intensity of modulated light reflected from each diffractor by controlling an electrostatic force generated by a driver coupled thereto.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery cooling system, the battery cooling system including a battery chiller, battery pods in fluid connection with the battery chiller, and at least one chiller pump, the at least one chiller pump in fluid communication with the battery chiller and the battery pods. The battery system also includes a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger in fluid communication with the battery cooling system and an inverter loop. In addition the battery system includes the inverter loop including active front end rectifiers (AFE) and LCL filters (LCL), an inverter pump in communication with the AFE and the LCL, and a temperature sensing control valve adapted to stop or start flow of an inverter loop cooling fluid from reaching the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A unit-dose dentifrice composition includes a soluble fibrous composition and a nonfibrous composition. The soluble fibrous composition includes web forming material and tin ion source. The nonfibrous composition includes abrasive. The abrasive and the tin ion source are in separate locations within the unit-dose dentifrice composition.

Abstract: A system is provided comprising a robotic instrument for use with a surgical tool. In some versions, the robotic instrument comprises a hand-held portion to be held by a user and a tool support movably coupled to the hand-held portion to support the surgical tool. A plurality of actuators operatively interconnect the tool support and the hand-held portion to move the tool support in three degrees of freedom relative to the hand-held portion. An optional constraint assembly may operatively interconnect the tool support and the hand-held portion to constrain movement of the tool support relative to the hand-held portion in three degrees of freedom. A visual indicator assists users in positioning hand-held portion of the instrument to maximize the useability of the system.

Abstract: A device for minimally invasive, inter-layer surgical procedures advantageously forms a wedge for advancing between adjacent tissue layers and provides a jaw that can be actuated to create a working space for a cutting tool and other instruments within a plane between the tissue layers. The device may also usefully employ an open or wireframe structure for the opposing jaws to preventing tissue or fluid accumulation between the jaws and maximize visibility around the surgical site.

Abstract: A handswitch (50) for a powered surgical handpiece (54) comprises a mounting base (62), a lever (70), a spring, a run-safe switch (68) and a lever extension. The mounting base defines a pivot axis. The elongated lever defines a lever axis substantially normal to a direction of the pivot axis. The lever includes a proximal end pivotably connected to the mounting base at the pivot axis and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The first track is on an inner side of the lever. The second track is on an outer side of the lever opposite the inner side, with both tracks substantially parallel to the lever axis. The spring is between the base and the lever and biases the lever about the pivot axis. The run-safe switch is slidably disposed on the first track. The lever extension is slidably disposed on the second track.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy plant and a solar plant are disclosed. Thermal energy produced in the plant is used to heat a first volume of water and charge a hot store in the plant. Electricity produced in the plant operates a heat engine or other device, such as a refrigeration unit, to extract heat and consequently cool a second volume of water and charge a cold store. As desired, energy is transferred from the hot store to a heat engine and energy is transferred from the heat engine to the cold store to operate the heat engine to produce power in the plant.

Abstract: The present application relates to the electrochemical extraction of lead (Pb) from a lead-containing material using a deep eutectic solvent. This is of particular use in the recycling of the lead-based materials that result from energy generation processes.

Abstract: An adjustable spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume and/or cross sectional area in the spinal canal and/or neural foramen. The adjustable implant provides a spinal extension inhibitor. The implant includes elliptical or oval shaped adjustable member or spacer for positioning between and adjustably spacing apart the spinous processes.

Abstract: Notification of registration of a mobile device with femto coverage for firmware content management is provided. An attachment component that administers location of mobile devices or a femto access point (AP) conveys a notification to a network platform that manages firmware content updates when a mobile device for which firmware update is available hands off from wireless macro coverage onto femto coverage through the femto AP. The notification is triggered in response to firmware update notification received by the attachment component, or an update flag received by the femto AP. Upon reception of the notification, to exploit wireline bandwidth, the network platform delivers firmware content(s) update through backhaul link to the femto AP to which the mobile device is registered. Femto APs not provisioned to serve a mobile device can be incentivized to authorize the mobile device for coverage and thus facilitate firmware updates.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are providing involving RebH variants with improved properties. directed evolution based on random mutagenesis was employed to generate a series of RebH variants. RebH variants with improved thermostability and increased activity at elevated temperatures were generated.

Abstract: Notification of registration of a mobile device with femto coverage for firmware content management is provided. An attachment component that administers location of mobile devices or a femto access point (AP) conveys a notification to a network platform that manages firmware content updates when a mobile device for which firmware update is available hands off from wireless macro coverage onto femto coverage through the femto AP. The notification is triggered in response to firmware update notification received by the attachment component, or an update flag received by the femto AP. Upon reception of the notification, to exploit wireline bandwidth, the network platform delivers firmware content(s) update through backhaul link to the femto AP to which the mobile device is registered. Femto APs not provisioned to serve a mobile device can be incentivized to authorize the mobile device for coverage and thus facilitate firmware updates.

Abstract: Notification of registration of a mobile device with femto coverage for firmware content management is provided. An attachment component that administers location of mobile devices or a femto access point (AP) conveys a notification to a network platform that manages firmware content updates when a mobile device for which firmware update is available hands off from wireless macro coverage onto femto coverage through the femto AP. The notification is triggered in response to firmware update notification received by the attachment component, or an update flag received by the femto AP. Upon reception of the notification, to exploit wireline bandwidth, the network platform delivers firmware content(s) update through backhaul link to the femto AP to which the mobile device is registered. Femto APs not provisioned to serve a mobile device can be incentivized to authorize the mobile device for coverage and thus facilitate firmware updates.

Abstract: The present application relates to the electrochemical extraction of lead (Pb) from a lead-containing material using a deep eutectic solvent. This is of particular use in the recycling of the lead-based materials that result from energy generation processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinal fusion at the facet joint using an irregularly shaped implant where the orientation of the implant can be preselected before implantation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spinal fusion at the facet joint using an irregularly shaped implant where the orientation of the implant can be preselected before implantation.

Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.