Abstract: Dielectrophoretic (DEP) tweezers apparatus and methods for various applications, including particle trapping. Multiple electrodes (e.g., two or three) are disposed on or otherwise constitute an elongated object forming a tip. Exemplary electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, coaxial and triaxial arrangements. A voltage is applied across these electrodes to produce a non-uniform electromagnetic field proximate to the tip thereby creating a dielectrophoretic trap. Once trapped, a particle may be moved to desired locations via manipulation of the elongated object or the medium in which the particle is located. Multiple DEP tweezers apparatus may be arranged to form arrays of tips capable of respectively generating local electromagnetic fields confined to the tips. Such DEP arrays may be employed in nanofabrication processes involving nanolithography or nano-manipulation, as well as data storage and retrieval applications.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for verifying the routing of a call through a network, including: generating an outbound call from a test tool in a first network, the outbound call including a test key and a destination number, the destination number being associated with a communication device accessible to first network, routing the outbound call to second network, receiving outbound call from second network in the form of inbound call to first network, the inbound call including the test key and the destination number, accessing the test key, and based at least in part on the test key, routing the inbound call to the test tool. In some instances, call tracking information may be collected, analyzed, and/or displayed.

Abstract: An engine nacelle inlet lip includes both acoustic treatment and electric heating for ice protection. The inlet lip has a composite outer skin and a composite inner skin, with the composite outer skin having at least one integrated heater element embedded in the composite material. An acoustic cellular core positioned between the outer and inner skin acts to attenuate fan noise from the engine. Covering the outer skin and overlying the acoustic core is a perforated erosion shield having a first set of openings that pass entirely thorough its thickness. The composite outer skin includes a second set of openings such that sound waves can pass from an inner barrel portion of the inlet lip through the erosion shield, outer skin, and heater element to the underlying acoustic cellular core.

Abstract: A diagnostics system comprising a topological map of a target system that has nodes (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) that correspond to components (29, 30, 32, 34, 36) of the target system and links that correspond to connections between the components. Associated with the topological map is a knowledge store (50) that has a structure that reflects or corresponds to that of the topological map. Included in this store (50) is a plurality of sections or libraries each of which is provided for storing design specific data associated with one of the nodes (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) of the topological map. Data received from one or more sensors on the target system is included in the topological map, and used together with the design specific information in the knowledge store to diagnose faults.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for treating water containing particulate or microbial contaminants is provided. The filter apparatus includes a first filter element, such as a viral membrane, disposed within a sealed outer housing and in fluid communication with a first inlet port and a first outlet port. The first filter element is capable of treating water at a first flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants that are larger than a first contaminant size. A second filter element, such as a bacterial membrane, is disposed downstream of the first filter element in fluid communication with a second inlet port and a second outlet port. The second filter element is capable of treating water at a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate and is adapted to remove contaminants that are larger than a second contaminant size. The second filter element may be housed within the sealed housing to form a multi barrier, replaceable filter unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating and manipulating one or more color-coded magnetic resonance images. The method includes acquiring a digitally-stored first gray tone series of images of a region of interest at a first predetermined time on a predetermined plane using a predetermined pulse sequence parameter, and applying a first color mask to the first gray tone series of images to create a first color masked series of images, wherein the first color masked series of images represent a first state of a biophysical property of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a canister and an indexing apparatus that provides for automatic positioning of items in predetermined indexed positions when items are added or removed therefrom, without need of an external tab or positioning member to be adjusted by a user's hand. Merely by adding or removing the items to or from the canister, the items are automatically positioned. A pole having a track with positioning members receives a finger of a platform that rides in the track and automatically adjusts the platform's position when items are placed on or removed from the platform.

Abstract: A container includes a platform supported by legs and a handle extending from the platform and including a base for attaching the handle to the platform. The handle includes a first telescoping section nested within a second telescoping section, a grip attached to the second telescoping section, a rod extending from the grip and a latching member attached to the base for engaging the rod when the handle is in a compressed condition. The legs may be pivotally attached to the platform and each leg may be formed of wire having a generally rectangular shape with a first side and a second side. The platform may be formed of interleaved portions pivotally attached to a central hub and each section may be movable between an open and closed position. The handle may be biased in order to extend the handle when the latch member is released from the rod.

Abstract: An aircraft engine nacelle inlet is provided with an inlet cowling. The inlet cowling includes an inner lip, an outer lip, and a leading edge portion connecting the inner and outer lips. Heating elements are provided proximate the leading edge, either on an inside surface of the cowling or on an outside surface. An inner barrel portion and an outer barrel portion of the nacelle inlet define a space therebetween. Ice protection-related equipment such as controllers, cables, switches, connectors, and the like, may reside in this space. One or more access openings are formed in the outer barrel to enable an operator to gain access to this equipment. The inlet cowling attaches to the inner and outer barrels with its outer lip extending sufficiently far in the aft direction to cover the access opening. When the cowling is removed, the access opening is uncovered, thereby permitting access to the equipment.

Abstract: An aircraft engine nacelle inlet is provided with an inlet cowling. The inlet cowling includes an inner lip, an outer lip, and a leading edge portion connecting the inner and outer lips. Heating elements are provided proximate the leading edge, either on an inside surface of the cowling or on an outside surface. An inner barrel portion and an outer barrel portion of the nacelle inlet define a space therebetween. Ice protection-related equipment such as controllers, cables, switches, connectors, and the like, may reside in this space. One or more access openings are formed in the outer barrel to enable an operator to gain access to this equipment. The inlet cowling attaches to the inner and outer barrels with its outer lip extending sufficiently far in the aft direction to cover the access opening. When the cowling is removed, the access opening is uncovered, thereby permitting access to the equipment.

Abstract: A canister for housing a tool such as a toilet brush or plunger and the canister has a pair of walls which pivot between an open and closed position via actuation of a platform which moves vertically within the canister upon receipt or removal of the tool therefrom. An actuator is provided to actuate the walls and a bias member may retain the walls in an open position when the tool is removed from the canister.

Abstract: An endplate assembly is connected to a fuel cell stack. An endplate assembly has an external surface and an internal surface. The internal surface faces toward the fuel cell stack and the external surface is opposite the internal surface and faces away from the fuel cell stack. The endplate assembly includes at least one internal fluid flow passage located between the internal surface and the external surface. The at least one internal fluid flow passage is configured to direct fluid in a direction transverse to the direction faced by the internal surface and the direction faced by the external surface. Also, an interior portion may be located between the internal surface and the external surface. A port may provide fluid communication between an external component connected to the external surface and the interior portion. In addition, a component that processes, senses or measures a fluid may be integrated with said endplate assembly.

Abstract: A single pump fuel cell system is provided that has multiple valves that have selective positioning to control fluidic flow throughout a fuel cell system. One of the valves provides for high and low concentration fuel dosing. Another valve or series of valves controls an unreacted fuel recirculation loop leading from the fuel cell. Another valve or series of valves control condensate collection by the fuel cell system, and allows the purging of the anode recirculation loop. Each of the valves is selectable between various positions to place the fuel cell system in a desired operating mode. A heat exchanger may also be employed to dissipate heat as desired out of the fuel cell system. A concentration sensor can also be employed to aid in achieving a desired fuel concentration within the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing multi-dimensional tissue characterization images are described. By combining colorized MRI images composited from multiple gray tone MRI images, riffle stacks can be formed and combined to render multidimensional reconstruction of anatomical, physiological and pathological features. Biophysical parameters are therefore automatically segmented, characterized, tagged, mapped and otherwise labeled. In another embodiment, gray tone images are collected by acquiring orthogonally opposed pulse sequences, the images of which are color masked and uniquely rendered in three dimensions to obtain voxels in which the color is determined by the summative color masks applied to original gray tone pixels. This method can be embodied as specific applications designed for the brain, abdomen, breast, pelvis, musculoskeletal and other organs and biophysical systems to facilitate diagnosis, surgical planning and virtual exploration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating and manipulating one or more color-coded magnetic resonance images. The method includes acquiring a digitally-stored first gray tone series of images of a region of interest at a first predetermined time on a predetermined plane using a predetermined pulse sequence parameter, and applying a first color mask to the first gray tone series of images to create a first color masked series of images, wherein the first color masked series of images represent a first state of a biophysical property of interest.

Abstract: A method of reprogramming a field device in a process control network using the standard communications protocol for the network, and a reprogrammable field device in the process control network adapted for being reprogrammed using the standard communications protocol for the network. The method and device of the present invention use the standard communications protocol to transmit the downloaded code to the field device and store the downloaded code in the field device while the device is enabled to perform process control. Once the new code is downloaded and stored in the field device, the field device is disabled from performing process control, reprogrammed to execute the downloaded code, and reenabled to perform process control.

Abstract: An instant dry mix composition produces a beverage having a two-toned foam on the surface upon reconstitution in a hot liquid. The composition includes a foaming creamer for producing a foam layer and a separately enclosed quick dissolving or dispersing flavor/color component and optional sweetener component. The density of the combined flavor/color component and optional sweetener component is higher than the density of the foam layer. A beverage is prepared by combining the foaming creamer and hot liquid until the foaming creamer dissolves and creates a foamed layer on the surface. The combined flavor/color component and optional sweetener component is then added. Upon stirring the resultant mixture, a two-toned effect results in the foam layer.

Abstract: An automated method for analyzing crashes of a computer operating system begins with writing a dump file with the operating system state at the time of the crash. The dump file is processed to collect footprint information from the dump file into a footprint file, and a matching underlying cause is found by searching a footprint rule database for a match against the footprint information. Cause and repair information corresponding to the matching underlying cause is then extracted from a knowledgebase and merged with the footprint information for presentation to a technician.

Abstract: An instant dry mix composition produces a beverage having a two-toned foam on the surface upon reconstitution in a hot liquid. The composition includes a foaming creamer for producing a foam layer and a separately enclosed quick dissolving or dispersing flavor/color component and optional sweetener component. The density of the combined flavor/color component and optional sweetener component is higher than the density of the foam layer. A beverage is prepared by combining the foaming creamer and hot liquid until the foaming creamer dissolves and creates a foamed layer on the surface. The combined flavor/color component and optional sweetener component is then added. Upon stirring the resultant mixture, a two-toned effect results in the foam layer.