Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for preparing a modified poly (m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) fiber by continuous polymerization-dry-wet spinning. The method includes the following steps: (1) preparing a mixed solution of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and a copolymerized diamine monomer in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) serving as a solvent using a cosolvent; (2) mixing isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) with the mixed solution of the MPD and the copolymerized diamine monomer in the DMAC, and conducting pre-polycondensation and polycondensation in sequence to obtain a modified PMIA resin solution; and (3) subjecting the modified PMIA resin solution to additive addition, filtration, defoaming, and dry-wet spinning to obtain the modified PMIA fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a calibration system (600a) and a calibration support (100a) therefor. The calibration support (100a) comprises: a base (10); a vertical frame assembly (20a), comprising a fixed vertical rod (22) and a movable vertical rod (24), wherein the fixed vertical rod (22) is mounted on the base (10), and the movable vertical rod (24) is capable of moving, within a preset range relative to the base (10), in the length direction of the fixed vertical rod (22); and a cross beam (30a), which is detachably mounted to one of a first mounting seat (35a) and a second mounting seat (36a) which are connected to the movable vertical rod (24), the cross beam (30a) being used for mounting a calibration element, and the calibration element being used for calibrating an advanced driver assistant system of a vehicle.

Abstract: A smoking substitute device is configured to record and store user data that is generated during operation of the device. Analyzing the user data can provide the user with useful information regarding their use of the smoking substitute device as well as useful information regarding the operational performance of the device. Typically, the analysis of the data would be conducted by a remote device and the smoking substitute device therefore includes a communication interface to connect and communicate with the remote device. The smoking substitute device and method of managing the smoking substitute device allows user data to be deleted from the device upon identification of a reset operation wherein the reset operation is able to be triggered from the connected remote device and/or the smoking substitute device. Providing a function to delete user data upon identification of a reset operation provides the user with some control over their information.

Abstract: A system for managing a smoking substitute device, the system comprising; a smoking substitute device comprising; a control unit; a memory configured to store firmware for operating the smoking substitute device and a device-specific encryption key; and a communications interface; and an application server configured to communicate to the smoking substitute device a firmware update message that is encrypted with the device-specific encryption key, wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to obtain an encrypted firmware image, wherein the firmware update message includes a firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image, and wherein the smoking substitute device is configured to use the device-specific encryption key to decrypt the firmware update message, to obtain the firmware key for decrypting the encrypted firmware image.

Abstract: A smoking substitute device is provided comprising a body housing a power source, an auxiliary component, and an airflow sensor for detecting airflow through the body. The body includes a coupling portion arranged to receive a consumable and is selectively operable in a shipping mode and an active mode. In the active mode, the power source is configured to supply power to the auxiliary component. In the shipping mode, the power source is restricted from supplying power to the auxiliary component. The body is configured to transition from the shipping mode to the active mode upon detection of a consumable being received in the coupling portion and a flow of air through the body.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device involves selecting a substrate on which a wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer will be formed, and a piezoelectric polarization and an effective piezoelectric coefficient for the wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer. It is determined whether there is a wurtzite III-nitride alloy composition satisfying the selected effective piezoelectric coefficient. It is also determined whether there is a thickness for a layer formed from the wurtzite III-nitride alloy composition satisfying the selected piezoelectric polarization based on the selected substrate and the selected effective piezoelectric coefficient.

Abstract: A smoking substitute device and a method of operating a smoking substitute device. The smoking substitute device comprising: a control unit; and an accelerometer, configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit. The control unit is configured to trigger an alert when it determines from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. The control unit is configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vaporizable liquid for a predetermined period of time (t1), wherein the predetermined period of time is at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising a graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer, including a wurtzite III-nitride alloy, on a second layer. A polarization doping concentration profile is selected for the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer based on an intended function of the semiconductor device. Based on the selected polarization doping concentration profile for the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer, a composition-polarization change rate of the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer and a grading speed of the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer are determined. The composition-polarization change rate and grading speed are based on a composition of first and second elements of the wurtzite III-nitride alloy.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device involves selecting a substrate on which a wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer will be formed, and a piezoelectric polarization and an effective piezoelectric coefficient for the wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer. It is determined whether there is a wurtzite III-nitride alloy composition satisfying the selected effective piezoelectric coefficient. It is also determined whether there is a thickness for a layer formed from the wurtzite III-nitride alloy composition satisfying the selected piezoelectric polarization based on the selected substrate and the selected effective piezoelectric coefficient.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device comprising a graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer, including a wurtzite III-nitride alloy, on a second layer. A polarization doping concentration profile is selected for the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer based on an intended function of the semiconductor device. Based on the selected polarization doping concentration profile for the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer, a composition-polarization change rate of the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer and a grading speed of the graded wurtzite III-nitride alloy layer are determined. The composition-polarization change rate and grading speed are based on a composition of first and second elements of the wurtzite III-nitride alloy.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device having a heterojunction of a first III-nitride ternary alloy layer arranged on a second III-nitride ternary alloy layer is provided. A range of concentrations of III-nitride elements for the first and second III-nitride ternary alloy layers is determined so that the absolute value of the polarization difference at the interface of the heterojunction of the first and second III-nitride ternary alloy layers is less than or equal to 0.007 C/m2 or greater than or equal to 0.04 C/m2. Specific concentrations of III-nitride elements for the first and second III-nitride ternary alloy layers are selected from the determined range of concentrations so that the absolute value of the polarization difference at the interface of the heterojunction of the first and second III-nitride ternary alloy layers is less than or equal to 0.007 C/m2 or greater than or equal to 0.04 C/m2.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for enhancing the flexibility and resiliency of mobile social networking platforms. Techniques enable dynamic, user-defined check-in points with mobile devices so that users may define ad hoc, location-based communities. Techniques may also selectively determine an appropriate location-sensing mechanism to improve location accuracy or privacy, or to compensate for unavailable location-sensing capabilities. The techniques may assist social networking platforms to have a greater range of check-in options and to enable communication that may not rely on traditional network connectivity. In some cases, devices belonging to participators outside the member group may be used to locate a member who has moved outside the detection zone of a check-in point. In some cases, the participators' devices might not be directly connected to the lost member device but instead are connected via one or more “hops” of indirect communication with other participator devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a heat dissipation assembly including: a cage, a TEC assembly, a mounting kit, an elastic carrier, and a heat pipe, where a window is provided in a side face of the cage, the TEC assembly is located on an outer side of the cage, and a cold side of the TEC assembly passes through the window and thermally communicates with the heat emitting device in the cage; the mounting kit is configured to mount the TEC assembly and enable the TEC assembly to move in a direction leaving or approaching the heat emitting device; and a heat absorption portion of the heat pipe is mounted on the elastic carrier, and the heat absorption portion that is of the heat pipe and that is mounted on the elastic carrier thermally communicates with a hot side of the TEC assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for accurate, low-complexity, scalable indoor localization. Low-complexity anchor nodes generate acoustic beacon signals, which are passively detectable by a mobile device, which may be unmodified smartphones operating in an acoustic frequency range. The acoustic beacon signals are modulated via codes in a boundary band of audio and ultrasound frequencies, imperceptible to humans yet detectable via a voice microphone of an unmodified smartphone. An application on the mobile device passively captures the acoustic beacon signals and determines relative distances to the anchor nodes. Localization and distance update techniques, implemented on the mobile device and/or a remote server, determines and updates in real-time the location of the mobile device. The system may be scalable to support any number of mobile devices.

Abstract: A wireless multi-hope network of nodes including data nodes and at least one sink node. The data nodes include battery-powered nodes (BPNs) having active and sleep periods and mains-powered nodes (MPNs) having only active periods, wherein each data node transmits the packets only within corresponding active periods. A BPN includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data packets and a processor for determining a schedule of active and sleep periods of the BPN independently from the active and sleep periods of other data nodes in the network and independently from commands transmitted by the sink node, and a battery for providing energy to the transceiver and the processor. The processor switches the transceiver ON and OFF according to the schedule.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for enhancing the flexibility and resiliency of mobile social networking platforms. Techniques enable dynamic, user-defined check-in points with mobile devices so that users may define ad hoc, location-based communities. Techniques may also selectively determine an appropriate location-sensing mechanism to improve location accuracy or privacy, or to compensate for unavailable location-sensing capabilities. The techniques may assist social networking platforms to have a greater range of check-in options and to enable communication that may not rely on traditional network connectivity. In some cases, devices belonging to participators outside the member group may be used to locate a member who has moved outside the detection zone of a check-in point. In some cases, the participators' devices might not be directly connected to the lost member device but instead are connected via one or more “hops” of indirect communication with other participator devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a heat dissipation assembly including: a cage, a TEC assembly, a mounting kit, an elastic carrier, and a heat pipe, where a window is provided in a side face of the cage, the TEC assembly is located on an outer side of the cage, and a cold side of the TEC assembly passes through the window and thermally communicates with the heat emitting device in the cage; the mounting kit is configured to mount the TEC assembly and enable the TEC assembly to move in a direction leaving or approaching the heat emitting device; and a heat absorption portion of the heat pipe is mounted on the elastic carrier, and the heat absorption portion that is of the heat pipe and that is mounted on the elastic carrier thermally communicates with a hot side of the TEC assembly.

Abstract: A wireless multi-hope network of nodes including data nodes and at least one sink node. The data nodes include battery-powered nodes (BPNs) having active and sleep periods and mains-powered nodes (MPNs) having only active periods, wherein each data node transmits the packets only within corresponding active periods. A BPN includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data packets and a processor for determining a schedule of active and sleep periods of the BPN independently from the active and sleep periods of other data nodes in the network and independently from commands transmitted by the sink node, and a battery for providing energy to the transceiver and the processor. The processor switches the transceiver ON and OFF according to the schedule.

Abstract: Techniques for accurate, low-complexity, scalable indoor localization. Low-complexity anchor nodes generate acoustic beacon signals, which are passively detectable by a mobile device, which may be unmodified smartphones operating in an acoustic frequency range. The acoustic beacon signals are modulated via codes in a boundary band of audio and ultrasound frequencies, imperceptible to humans yet detectable via a voice microphone of an unmodified smartphone. An application on the mobile device passively captures the acoustic beacon signals and determines relative distances to the anchor nodes. Localization and distance update techniques, implemented on the mobile device and/or a remote server, determines and updates in real-time the location of the mobile device. The system may be scalable to support any number of mobile devices.