Abstract: A commercial dumpster includes a bag, a frame that supports the bag in an upright manner, and wheels that are attached to the frame. In some embodiments, the bag includes an open top and a first pair of sleeves that extend from opposing sides of a top edge of the bag. The frame includes a pair of top side bars that extend through the sleeves of the bag.

Abstract: A commercial dumpster includes a bag, a frame that supports the bag in an upright manner, and wheels that are attached to the frame. In some embodiments, the bag includes an open top and a first pair of sleeves that extend from opposing sides of a top edge of the bag. The frame includes a pair of top side bars that extend through the sleeves of the bag.

Abstract: A multi-spectral concealment assembly includes a garnish panel having a panel perimeter and a web spanning the panel perimeter. The web includes garnish bands extending across the panel perimeter. Gaps are positioned between each of the garnish bands. A method for assembling a garment panel includes joining the garnish panel with a liner. Joining includes fixing a garnish panel first location to a liner first location, gathering the garnish panel at the garnish panel first location, and fixing a garnish panel second location at a liner second location. A method for cutting plies of a multi-spectral concealment laminate includes stacking the laminate into plies and interposing an isolation sheet between each ply. The garnish panels are laser cut from the plies, and seared along respective edges. The searing of the edges of each garnish panel is isolated from searing along edges of other garnish panels with the isolation sheet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for developing, tracking and managing legal (and other professional services) projects or matters through the Legal Project Management (LPM) process. The LPM process divides the management of a legal matter or project into three phases: Project Development; Project Execution; and Project Closure. The Project Development Phase includes conflict screening, fee arrangements, identification of the nature and scope of the matter, the goals of the stakeholders, the tasks associated with the matter, and development of a schedule, budget, and a communications plan. The Project Execution Phase involves monitoring the progress of the matter, tracking the actual time and cost to budget, identifying risks and changes to the scope of the matter as they develop, and communicating among team members. The Project Closure Phase includes file closure procedures, and team and client meetings to identify lessons learned in the engagement for future improvement.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage process that utilizes a porous hydrogen storage medium capable of adsorbing hydrogen atoms, and an apparatus for carrying out the process. The process entails applying a charge to the storage medium while displacing one or more hydrogen atoms stored on the storage medium to create one or more danglings bond on the storage medium, and then replacing the hydrogen atoms displaced from the storage medium with placeholders, thereby preventing the dangling bonds from bonding to adjacent dangling bonds within the storage medium.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve structure is provided. The valve structure includes a valve body having a fluid flow passage formed therein for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve boss is configured to move relative to a valve seat to open and close the fluid flow passage. A plurality of flexible support arms extend between a wall of the valve body and the valve boss for supporting the valve boss relative to the valve body such that the valve boss engages and disengages the valve seat to close and open the passage.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) sensor includes a semiconductor material, a circular membrane and a thermopile. The semiconductor material includes a cavity surrounded by a frame. The circular membrane is positioned over the cavity and has a perimeter supported by the frame. The membrane has a first surface for receiving thermal radiation and an oppositely-disposed second surface. The membrane includes at least one infrared absorbing layer. The thermopile includes a plurality of serially connected thermocouples. Each of the thermocouples has dissimilar electrically-resistive materials that define measurement junctions, which are positioned on the membrane, and reference junctions, which are positioned on the frame.

Abstract: A method for making a subsurface electrical contact on a micro-electrical-mechanical-systems (MEMS) device. The contact is formed by depositing a layer of polycrystalline silicon onto a surface within a cavity buried under a device silicon layer. The polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited in the cavity through holes etched through the device silicon and reseals the cavity during the polycrystalline silicon deposition step. The polycrystalline silicon layer can then be masked and etched, or etched back to expose the device layer of the micromachined device. Through the layer of polycrystalline silicon, a center hub of the device may be electrically contacted.

Abstract: A three-axis accelerometer is provided for sensing acceleration in three orthogonal axes. The accelerometer includes a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates fixed to the support substrate, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer includes banks of fixed and movable capacitive plates oriented to sense acceleration in orthogonal X- and Y-axes. Additionally, the accelerometer includes fixed and movable capacitive plates having a height variation between adjacent plates to sense acceleration in the vertical Z-axis. Input signals are applied to certain electrodes coupled to the fixed capacitive plates, and an output signal is generated on the inertial mass, which is indicative of acceleration in each of the sensing axes. The output signal may be further processed to generate individual acceleration outputs for each of the sensing axes.

Abstract: A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.

Abstract: A linear accelerometer is provided having a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. Adjacent capacitive plates vary in height. The accelerometer further includes support tethers for supporting the inertial mass and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing a linear acceleration along a sensing axis. The accelerometer has inputs and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of both magnitude and direction of vertical acceleration along the sensing Z-axis. A microsensor fabrication process is also provided which employs a top side mask and etch module.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and software are provided that are suitable for use in the creation, implementation, use and/or refinement of treatment protocols. The software is configured for use in a client-server environment where the server communicates with client devices such as PDAs, laptops, tablets, or desktop computers. The software is directed to programming for basing an assessment of risk of bacterial infection in a subject on the presence, or lack, of viral illness in that subject. The diagnosis of viral illness is made through the use of results obtained from an enterovirus polymerase chain reaction test or a direct fluorescent assay test for respiratory viruses. Such test data, in conjunction with ‘time to positivity’ data for urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other cultures, is then processed by the software to assess the individual risk of occurrence of various conditions, such as bacterial infection, in a particular subject.

Abstract: A dual-axis accelerometer and processing circuit are provided. The accelerometer has a plurality of fixed electrodes supported on a substrate and fixed capacitive plates arranged in first and second sensing axes. An inertial mass is suspended over a cavity and includes movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive couplings with the fixed capacitive plates. The inertial mass is movable relative to the plurality of fixed electrodes. The accelerometer has a plurality of support arms for supporting the inertial mass relative to the fixed electrodes and allowing movement of the inertial mass upon experiencing acceleration along the first and second sensing axes. The accelerometer further has inputs for receiving input signals and an output for providing an output signal which varies as a function of the capacitive coupling and is indicative of sensed acceleration. The processing circuit extracts the components of acceleration along the first and second sensing axes.

Abstract: A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer, preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers. The capacitive plates are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers, and the capacitive gap therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.

Abstract: The present invention involves an electrical verification method that detects moisture within the cavity of the semiconductor or micro-machined device. The method affects an increase in the time for sufficient water vapor to remain within an unsealed device, so that instability in the diode can be measurable over a longer period of time. The method begins with the step of forming at least one reservoir on at least one of the device wafer and the capping wafer. The at least one reservoir connects to at least one diffusion channel, which is in communication with at least one reservoir port. The method further includes the steps of forming a PN junction diode adjacent to the at least one reservoir port; bonding the device wafer with the capping wafer to form a cavity; and electrically testing the PN junction diode as an indication of the presence of moisture within the cavity.

Abstract: A process using integrated sensor technology in which a micromachined sensing element and signal processing circuit are combined on a single semiconductor substrate to form, for example, an infrared sensor. The process is based on modifying a CMOS process to produce an improved layered micromachined member, such as a diaphragm, after the circuit fabrication process is completed. The process generally entails forming a circuit device on a substrate by processing steps that include forming multiple dielectric layers and at least one conductive layer on the substrate. The dielectric layers comprise an oxide layer on a surface of the substrate and at least two dielectric layers that are in tension, with the conductive layer being located between the two dielectric layers. The surface of the substrate is then dry etched to form a cavity and delineate the diaphragm and a frame surrounding the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for the encapsulation of the upper portion of a piling and header associated with a wharf, pier or the like, whereby this upper portion of the piling and header, while normally above the high tide mark, is often subjected to submergence due to climatic conditions and requires encapsulation by the composition of matter disclosed herein to prevent attack from marine microorganisms or marine borers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a controlled environment about a pile submerged in a body of water in order to prevent marine infestation or further marine infestation, the apparatus in process comprising a tubular jacket installed about the submerged pile exposed to water, and introducing a marine grade foam between the tubular jacket and the pile thereby displacing any water between the tubular jacket and the pile, the foam upon setting, forms a rigid strata between the tubular jacket and the submerged pile thereby denying the surface of the pile exposure to water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine whether or not wrapping of submerged timber or wood piling is efficacious in preventing infestation of the submerged timber or wood which includes a self-contained test kit which permits the testing of the wrapping of the submerged timber or wood pilings to determine whether or not infestation from marine microorganisms or marine borers is continuing despite the wrapping. A sample of the alleged stagnate water between the wrapping and the piling is taken for testing for oxygen content, temperature, and ph, without denigrating the integrity of the wrapping.