Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving optical signal collection in an integrated device are described. A microdisk can be formed in an integrated device and increase collection and/or concentration of radiation incident on the microdisk and re-radiated by the microdisk. An example integrated device that can include a microdisk may be used for analyte detection and/or analysis. Such an integrated device may include a plurality of pixels, each having a reaction chamber for receiving a sample to be analyzed, an optical microdisk, and an optical sensor configured to detect optical emission from the reaction chamber. The microdisk can comprise a dielectric material having a first index of refraction that is embedded in one or more surrounding materials having one or more different refractive index values.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to photonic bandgap optical nanostructures are described. Such optical nanostructures may exhibit prohibited photonic bandgaps or allowed photonic bands, and may be used to reject (e.g., block or attenuate) radiation at a first wavelength while allowing transmission of radiation at a second wavelength. Examples of photonic bandgap optical nanostructures includes periodic and quasi-periodic structures, with periodicity or quasi-periodicity in one, two, or three dimensions and structural variations in at least two dimensions. Such photonic bandgap optical nanostructures may be formed in integrated devices that include photodiodes and CMOS circuitry arranged to analyze radiation received by the photodiodes.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to highly homogeneous glass sputter targets with a large aspect ratio and a high relative density. The glass sputter targets have properties that are desirable for forming thin films by physical vapor deposition processes such as sputtering.

Abstract: A device comprising means for patching an area. The patching means comprises means for sealing the perimeter of the patching means to an object or surface to create an air-tight sealed area between the patching means and the object or surface. The device further comprises means for dispensing a substance into the sealed area and means for providing a liftable portion on the patching means. The liftable portion of the patching means comprises means for resealing the liftable area to the patching means. The device may further comprise means for providing a middle compartment configured to hold a substance.

Abstract: A software system operates to store information about a plurality of products in a common data management system that serves as a single source of truth for product information. Multiple different computing systems can access and edit item records. As information in the item records is updated, other computing systems can access the updated information immediately. The overall system is a multi-use tool for assortment planning that allows for flexible data sharing across the lifecycle of an item for item definition, budget definition, and vendor negotiation.

Abstract: A urinal for a boat includes an outer shell that has an enlarged opening for accepting liquids (e.g. urine) and a drain. The drain is interfaced to an opening on a bottom surface of the outer shell for draining the liquids away from the boat. In some embodiments, there is a support unit for installing the urinal into an orifice (e.g. fishing pole holder) of the boat.

Abstract: A urinal for a boat includes an outer shell that has an enlarged opening for accepting liquids (e.g. urine) and a drain. The drain is interfaced to an opening on a bottom surface of the outer shell for draining the liquids away from the boat. In some embodiments, there is a support unit for installing the urinal into an orifice (e.g. fishing pole holder) of the boat.

Abstract: A nozzle check valve comprises a valve body (10) and a nozzle (20) centrally arranged within the upstream end of valve body (10), a fluid channel (90) is defined by the outer face of the nozzle (20) and the inner face of the valve body (10). A guide bush (60) is mounted on a nozzle axial extension (26) and an annular disc (30) comprising a disc sealing ring (31) connected to a central barrel (32,33) by a plurality of webs (34) is mounted on the guide bush (60) for axial movement of the annular disc (30) relative to the valve body to open and close the fluid channel (90). A spacer (80) is arranged on the nozzle axial extension (26) downstream of the guide bush (60) and a diffuser (40) is arranged on the downstream side of the spacer (80). A spring (50) between the annular disc (30) and the diffuser (40) urges the disc towards the valve closed position.

Abstract: Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.

Abstract: An actuatable axial piston valve comprising a gear system to transform linear movement from an actuator to linear movement of the valve piston wherein said gear system comprises racks (2,3) and at least one idler pinion (1).

Abstract: In managing the backlog of undelivered publications for durable subscriptions, a maximum quantity of publications stored in connection with a durable subscription to publications of a particular topic can be established on behalf of a particular subscribing end user. A new publication published for the particular topic subscribed to by the end user can be received and it can be determined if storing the new publication in connection with the durable subscription causes a quantity of publications stored in connection with the durable subscription to exceed the maximum quantity. The new publication can be stored in connection with the durable subscription; however, the oldest publication stored in connection with the durable subscription can be removed when it is determined that storing the new publication in connection with the durable subscription causes a quantity of publications stored in connection with the durable subscription to exceed the maximum quantity.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an optic, which comprises a light pipe extending from a proximal end to a distal end about an optical axis, said light pipe being adapted to receive at its proximal end at least a portion of light emitted by a light source. The optic further comprises a central reflector optically coupled to said distal end of the light pipe for receiving at least a portion of the light transmitted through the light pipe and reflecting said received light, a peripheral reflector optically coupled to said central reflector for receiving at least a portion of said reflected light, and an output surface. The peripheral reflect is configured to redirect at least a portion of the light received from the central reflector to said output surface for exiting the optic.

Abstract: A disposable undergarment having fastening means comprising a landing area and a pair of fasteners, wherein the landing area and the fasteners include multiple indicia for providing alignment at least in two, bi-directional orientations for horizontal and vertical alignment thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of generating controlled fractures in geologic formation are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises preconditioning by applying a sufficient amount of energy comprising AC power to the electrodes to induce an electrical field between opposite electrode contact points to generate a least one conductive channel between a pair of electrodes. The generation of the conductive channel is complete when current flow measured by a network analyzer exhibits a measured reduction of channel resistance of 90% ohms or more in 6 hours or less from when preconditioning first began. The method further comprises, subsequent to generating the conductive channel, fracturing by applying electrical impulses to the electrodes. The application of the electrical pulses generates multiple controlled fractures within and about the conductive channel. The energy is applied using a single phase configuration, a multiphase configuration, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: An actuatable axial piston valve comprising a gear system to transform linear movement from an actuator to linear movement of the valve piston wherein said gear system comprises racks (2,3) and at least one idler pinion (1).

Abstract: A nozzle check valve comprises a valve body (10) and a nozzle (20) centrally arranged within the upstream end of valve body (10), a fluid channel (90) is defined by the outer face of the nozzle (20) and the inner face of the valve body (10). A guide bush (60) is mounted on a nozzle axial extension (26) and an annular disc (30) comprising a disc sealing ring (31) connected to a central barrel (32,33) by a plurality of webs (34) is mounted on the guide bush (60) for axial movement of the annular disc (30) relative to the valve body to open and close the fluid channel (90). A spacer (80) is arranged on the nozzle axial extension (26) downstream of the guide bush (60) and a diffuser (40) is arranged on the downstream side of the spacer (80). A spring (50) between the annular disc (30) and the diffuser (40) urges the disc towards the valve closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of generating controlled fractures in geologic formation are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises preconditioning by applying a sufficient amount of energy comprising AC power to the electrodes to induce an electrical field between opposite electrode contact points to generate a least one conductive channel between a pair of electrodes. The generation of the conductive channel is complete when current flow measured by a network analyzer exhibits a measured reduction of channel resistance of 90% ohms or more in 6 hours or less from when preconditioning first began. The method further comprises, subsequent to generating the conductive channel, fracturing by applying electrical impulses to the electrodes. The application of the electrical pulses generates multiple controlled fractures within and about the conductive channel. The energy is applied using a single phase configuration, a multiphase configuration, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).