Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for liquid transfer and performing reactions. In one aspect, a system includes a liquid transfer device having a housing having a pipette tip and a plunger assembly; and a reaction chamber, wherein the housing of the liquid transfer device is configured to sealably engage with the reaction chamber. In another aspect, a liquid transfer device including a housing having a pipette tip; and a plunger assembly disposed within the housing and the pipette tip, wherein a portion of the plunger assembly is configured to engage a fluid reservoir such that the plunger assembly remains stationary relative to the fluid reservoir and the housing moves relative to the plunger assembly.

Abstract: Resonator and filter devices and methods of fabrication. A resonator chip includes a substrate, a piezoelectric plate, and an acoustic Bragg reflector between the substrate and a back surface of the piezoelectric plate. A conductor pattern on a surface of the piezoelectric plate includes a first plurality of contact pads and an interdigital transducer (IDT). The acoustic Bragg reflector is configured to reflect the shear primary acoustic mode. An interposer has a second plurality of contact pads on a back surface. A seal connects a perimeter of the piezoelectric plate to a perimeter of the interposer. Each contact pad of the first plurality of contact pads is directly connected to a respective contact pad of the second plurality of contact pads.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a sensor enabled geogrid for the monitoring and detection of subgrade deformation in infrastructure such as roadways, railways, working platforms, and marine applications. The system and methods contain a sensor enabled geogrid, inertial measurement units (IMUs), one or more sensors, a data collection apparatus such as a sensor pod, an information transmission apparatus such as a gateway device, a communications network, and a computing device capable of performing analytics on information from the IMU's and other sensors. The disclosure further includes methods of processing information received from a sensor enabled geogrid by a sensor pod. In the example, the sensor pod transmits received information to a gateway device for transmitting to a backend computing system. The backend computing system then performs an analysis on the information to determine variance from an initial sensor position, and alerts of possible infrastructure failure.

Abstract: Acoustic filters, resonators and methods are disclosed. An acoustic filter device includes a substrate; a piezoelectric layer attached to the substrate, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is disposed over a cavity of the acoustic resonator device; and an interdigital transducer (IDT) on a surface of the piezoelectric layer, the IDT including interleaved fingers extending at least over the portion of the piezoelectric layer disposed over the cavity. The cavity has at least one rounded corner, and a portion of interleaved fingers extend from at least one busbar. Moreover, at least a portion of the rounded corner of the cavity is under the at least one busbar in a plan view of the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A filter device is provided that includes a substrate; a piezoelectric layer coupled to the substrate either directly or via one or more intermediate layers; a first interdigital transducer (IDT) of a first bulk acoustic resonator device on the piezoelectric layer and having interleaved fingers over a first cavity the first bulk acoustic resonator device; a second IDT of a second bulk acoustic resonator device on the piezoelectric layer and having interleaved fingers over a second cavity of the second bulk acoustic resonator device; a first dielectric layer having a first thickness disposed between the interleaved fingers of the first IDT; and a second dielectric layer having a second thickness disposed between the interleaved fingers of the second IDT. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant air conditioning system (LDAC). The LDAC has a plurality of modules including at least an initial module and a terminal module that may include one or more intermediate modules. The liquid desiccant is passed through each module and contacts an airstream in each module and subsequently collected in a basin. The liquid desiccant is supplied to a common heat exchanger where thermal energy is exchanged between the liquid desiccant and a refrigerant. The liquid desiccant is supplied from the common heat exchanger to a desiccant distributor for each of the plurality of modules such that the concentration and temperature of the liquid desiccant is essentially the same at each desiccant distributor.

Abstract: A sensor-enabled geogrid system for and method of monitoring the health, condition, and/or status of rail track infrastructure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor-enabled geogrid system includes a sensor-enabled geogrid that further includes a geogrid holding an arrangement of one or more sensors. The sensor-enabled geogrid system further includes a communication means or network for collecting information and/or data from the sensor enabled geogrid about the health, condition, and/or status of rail track infrastructure. Further, a method of using the presently disclosed sensor-enabled geogrid system for monitoring the health, condition, and/or status of rail track infrastructure is provided.

Abstract: A concentration processor for a liquid desiccant air conditioning system (LDAC). The LDAC has a level tank with a level sensor fluidly coupled to the basin (or basins) of the LDAC to provide a height of the liquid desiccant. A pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the basin (or basins) of the LDAC to provide a mass or weight of the liquid desiccant. Optionally, a temperature sensor fluidly coupled to the basin (or basins) to provide the temperature of the desiccant solution. The concentration processor uses the known geometry of the basin (or basins) to calculate the density or concentration of the liquid desiccant. The concentration of the liquid desiccant is determinable in real time and as a result may be used to automatically adjust and/or maintain the concentration to a desired level in order to optimize overall system performance, store concentrated desiccant as a means to store energy, and to operate the overall systems in a way that minimizes energy use.

Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a frame and an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame. The blank includes a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container. The identification tag applicator is configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank. The machine also includes a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.

Abstract: A concealed fastening system suitable for securing a cladding element to a substrate may include a receiver comprising a base section and side sections extending from the base section such that a central cavity is formed, each side section comprising a hook remote from the base section; and a rail comprising a base element and side arms extending from the base element. The rail may seat within the central cavity of the receiver such that the side arms of the rail abut the hook of the receiver. In use, either the receiver or the rail may attach to a substrate and the other of the receiver or rail connects to a cladding element. The system optionally further comprises a bracket to which an adaptor plate is attached. In use, the bracket and adaptor plate may be seated between the substrate and either of the receiver or rail.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a consumable sample partition device and it assembly and use. The sample partition device can be used to test a sample for absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). The sample partition device partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue ablation using radiofrequency energy comprises a housing extending from a first end to a second end. One or more pipes extend from the first end and each of the one or more pipes terminates at a tip. Each tip includes a light source operable to provide light. The apparatus further comprises a probe extending from some of the one or more pipes. Each probe is operable to deliver RF energy and to extend from or retract into the tip.

Abstract: A modular building construction system comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having two spaced apart sheets; an insulating core portion positioned between said spaced apart sheets, wherein edge portions of the spaced apart sheets define a hollow cavity, the cavity extending along peripheral portions of the panel wherein the panel comprises a length (l) and a height (h) wherein top and bottom channel members face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel respectively; and wherein first and second opposite side channels face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel respectively and wherein during use the channel members are adapted to be interconnected with one or more building elements positioned along said peripheral portions.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for liquid transfer and performing reactions. In one aspect, a system includes a liquid transfer device having a housing having a pipette tip and a plunger assembly; and a reaction chamber, wherein the housing of the liquid transfer device is configured to sealably engage with the reaction chamber. In another aspect, a liquid transfer device including a housing having a pipette tip; and a plunger assembly disposed within the housing and the pipette tip, wherein a portion of the plunger assembly is configured to engage a fluid reservoir such that the plunger assembly remains stationary relative to the fluid reservoir and the housing moves relative to the plunger assembly.

Abstract: An elongate connector for connecting a first building panel and second building panel, the connector comprising: a hollow and elongate recess defined by two spaced apart side walls separated by a top wall, the recess being arranged to receive a load bearing member positioned above the first building panel and wherein the top wall and side walls are arranged to be received into a channel of the second building panel thereby positioning and inter-connecting the second building panel above the first building panel; a flashing portion extending along the length of one of the side walls, said flashing portion depending downwardly from one of said side walls to lap over an edge portion of said one of the building panels.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for liquid transfer and performing reactions. In one aspect, a system includes a liquid transfer device having a housing having a pipette tip and a plunger assembly; and a reaction chamber, wherein the housing of the liquid transfer device is configured to sealably engage with the reaction chamber. In another aspect, a liquid transfer device including a housing having a pipette tip; and a plunger assembly disposed within the housing and the pipette tip, wherein a portion of the plunger assembly is configured to engage a fluid reservoir such that the plunger assembly remains stationary relative to the fluid reservoir and the housing moves relative to the plunger assembly.

Abstract: A modular building construction system comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having two spaced apart sheets; an insulating core portion positioned between said spaced apart sheets, wherein edge portions of the spaced apart sheets define a hollow cavity, the cavity extending along peripheral portions of the panel wherein the panel comprises a length (l) and a height (h) wherein top and bottom channel members face outwardly and extend along the length (l) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along in-use top and bottom peripheral portions of the panel respectively; and wherein first and second opposite side channels face outwardly and extend along the height (h) of the panel and are positioned in respective hollow cavities along each of the lateral peripheral portions of the panel respectively and wherein during use the channel members are adapted to be interconnected with one or more building elements positioned along said peripheral portions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a consumable sample partition device and it assembly and use. The sample partition device can be used to test a sample for absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). The sample partition device partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.

Abstract: An apparatus for tissue ablation using radiofrequency energy comprises a housing extending from a first end to a second end. One or more pipes extend from the first end and each of the one or more pipes terminates at a tip. Each tip includes a light source operable to provide light. The apparatus further comprises a probe extending from some of the one or more pipes. Each probe is operable to deliver RF energy and to extend from or retract into the tip.

Abstract: A method of determining an absorption or turbidity coefficient of a liquid involves storing a set of data describing a plurality of droplets or other discrete bodies of liquid of different shapes, sizes and absorption or turbidity coefficients. Each body is captured as a combination of a measurable transmission parameter obtained by modelling the interaction of light with a drop, and of one or more dimensional measurements selected from lengths, areas and volumes. The absorption or turbidity coefficient is indicated also. By measuring the transmission of light through a real body of liquid, and making measurements allowing the droplet to be specified, the absorption or turbidity coefficient associated with a droplet giving rise to the same behaviour in transmitting light can be identified from the data set.