Abstract: A method for bonding materials with different thermal expansion coefficients is provided. An intermediary layer of glass, ceramics, polymers, metals or composites is inserted between the materials to be bonded; this intermediary layer has a compositional gradient that could have been formed through diffusion processes. The coefficient of thermal expansion changes across the intermediary layer and on each side it is not substantially different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material that the layer is facing. In that manner there is nowhere within the intermediate layer or on the interfaces to the materials being bonded that thermally induced stress will cause fractures or significant permanent plastic deformation. The thickness of the intermediary layer depends on the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the two materials being bonded, the temperature range the bond will be exposed to and the elasticity.

Abstract: A method to valuating a business opportunity is presented. It takes a starting point in the value to the customer or the buyer and how this value relates to the configuration of the value net. The value is discounted based on the risk for the buyer. The relative market power between seller and buyer is established as a measure for how much of this discounted value the seller will at most be in a position to charge thereby obtaining the maximum market price. The cost to the seller is established and subtracted it from the maximum market price to obtain the possible profit. By analyzing the changes in all of these parameters as the market changes in size the optimal pricing strategy can be found. By analyzing the impact of different value net configurations different business strategies can be evaluated.

Abstract: A method for bonding materials with different thermal expansion coefficients is provided. An intermediary layer of glass, ceramics, polymers, metals or composites is inserted between the materials to be bonded; this intermediary layer has a compositional gradient that could have been formed through diffusion processes. The coefficient of thermal expansion changes across the intermediary layer and on each side it is not substantially different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material that the layer is facing. In that manner there is nowhere within the intermediate layer or on the interfaces to the materials being bonded that thermally induced stress will cause fractures or significant permanent plastic deformation. The thickness of the intermediary layer depends on the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the two materials being bonded, the temperature range the bond will be exposed to and the elasticity.

Abstract: This invention provides a pneumatic active surface capable of sensing, locating, and moving an object on the surface by selective activation of individual segments or portions of the surface. The active surface comprises an array of pneumatic conduits, which are individually adapted to carry air to the surface or suck air from the surface. The tubes are arranged so that the end walls of each tube form a relatively flat surface with air conduits provided by the bores of the tubes. The term pneumatic refers to the air flow patterns at the surface resulting from the blowing and sucking functions of the tubes. The appropriate choice of force, caused by blowing or sucking air flow through an array of tubes of the pneumatic active surface device, causes objects placed on the array of tubes to be moved in useful ways.