Abstract: An electrical device that includes an electrically-conductive substrate having a flexible structure; and wherein the flexible structure is formed by coating, encapsulating, and entangling it with porous silicon nano-particles, and wherein the porous silicon nano-particles are produced according to steps of: (I) alloying a raw silicon material with at least one distillable alloying metal selected from zinc and magnesium to form an alloy; (II) milling the alloy to form alloy nano-particles of 100 nm-150 nm in diameter, and doing the milling in an inert environment to alleviate oxidation of the alloy; (III) distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles so that a porous silicon structure is produced, the distilling being performed in a vacuum furnace; and (IV) milling the porous silicon structure in an inert environment to break the porous silicon structure apart, thereby to produce the porous silicon nano-particles.

Abstract: An automatic cooking system with a cooking tool includes an ingredient storage and feeding apparatus and an ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus. The ingredient storage and feeding apparatus includes a plurality of storage units with inlets and outlets, a plurality of ingredient boxes are provided between the inlets and outlets. The ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus includes a work position located on one side of the cooking tool. The ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus transports the ingredient boxes to the work position and then rotates so that the ingredient boxes are turned over to pour the required ingredients into the cooking tool. The automatic cooking system realizes the integration of the classified storage and transportation of ingredients, a single ingredient is used as a storage unit, and ingredients can be automatically transported from different storage units to the pot according to the order of adding the ingredients to the dishes.

Abstract: An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Abstract: A discharging mechanism for automatic cooking device, an automatic cooking device and an automatic cooking method. In the automatic cooking device, a conveyer belt, a discharging mechanism, a cooking component and other operation units are arranged compactly to significantly reduce floor space. A feed toggle device in the discharging mechanism picks ingredient boxes on the conveyer belt and pushes the ingredient boxes to storage platforms. A feed grip device in the discharging mechanism picks an ingredient box on the storage platform and rotates to move the ingredient box over a cooking pot, thereby pouring the ingredient into the cooking pot. Further, the feed grip device rotates the empty ingredient box over a garbage bag hanging ring and enables the ingredient box to fall into a garbage bag. All units in this automatic cooking device are compactly arranged to save space and cover small area, particularly suitable for small kitchens.

Abstract: A neurosurgical robotic system for bilateral stereotaxy that integrates intraoperative MRI guidance is provided. The robotic system can be implemented in regular diagnostic MRI facilities. Navigation for bilateral brain targets can be performed independently and simultaneously. The robotic system includes a plurality of manipulators, a needle guide (31), a needle (12) disposed within the needle guide (31); and a mounting base (39) with a plurality of screw holes for bone mounting.

Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic cooking system with a cooking tool, further comprising an ingredient storage and feeding apparatus and an ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus; wherein, the ingredient storage and feeding apparatus comprises a plurality of storage units with inlets and outlets, a plurality of ingredient boxes are provided between the inlets and outlets; the ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus is provided with a work position, which is located on one side of the cooking tool; and the ingredient conveying and dispensing apparatus transports the ingredient boxes to the work position and then rotates so that the ingredient boxes are turned over to pour the required ingredients into the cooking tool.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A neurosurgical robotic system for bilateral stereotaxy that integrates intraoperative MRI guidance is provided. The robotic system can be implemented in regular diagnostic MRI facilities. Navigation for bilateral brain targets can be performed independently and simultaneously. The robotic system includes a plurality of manipulators, a needle guide (31), a needle (12) disposed within the needle guide (31); and a mounting base (39) with a plurality of screw holes for bone mounting.

Abstract: An MR marker (501, 601, 803, 902) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided intervention and method of fabricating same. The tracking device can be integrated with an MRI-guided robotic system to provide precise positional tracking of the interventional tools and robotic components, allowing safe operation inside the human body. The MR tracking device includes a plurality of stacked flexible printed circuit boards; a plurality of flat planar spirals comprised of a non-ferromagnetic material and directly disposed on a top surface and a bottom surface side of each flexible printed circuit board, a biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic material encapsulating the flexible printed circuit boards; and an adhesive bonding the flexible printed circuit boards. In another aspect, an orientation-independent device is provided including three or more markers (501, 601, 803, 902) in an array around a cylindrical substrate.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an optical receiver configured to receive a light beam from an optical transmitter wirelessly in free space. The optical receiver includes an array of photodetectors and an electrical circuit. The array of photodetectors is configured to receive the light beam and convert optical signals of the light beam into electrical current. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the array of photodetectors and is configured to combine electrical current from the photodetectors and output a voltage or current signal.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

Abstract: A free space optical communication system includes an optical receiver configured to receive a light beam from an optical transmitter wirelessly in free space. The optical receiver includes an array of photodetectors and an electrical circuit. The array of photodetectors is configured to receive the light beam and convert optical signals of the light beam into electrical current. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the array of photodetectors and is configured to combine electrical current from the photodetectors and output a voltage or current signal.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon nano-particles from a raw silicon material, the process including steps of alloying the raw silicon material with at least one alloying metal to form an alloy; thereafter, processing the alloy to form alloy nano-particles; and thereafter, distilling the alloying metal from the alloy nano-particles whereby silicon nano-particles are produced.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically conductive textile element that includes the steps of modifying a surface of a textile element with a negatively-charged polyelectrolyte; and coating the modified surface of the textile element with metal particles.

Abstract: MRI-guided robotics offers possibility for physicians to perform interventions remotely on confined anatomy. While the pathological and physiological changes could be visualized by high-contrast volumetric MRI scan during the procedure, robots promise improved navigation with added dexterity and precision. In cardiac catheterization, however, maneuvering a long catheter (1-2 meters) to the desired location and performing the therapy are still challenging. To meet this challenge, this invention presents an MRI-conditional catheter robotic system that integrates intra-op MRI, MR-based tracking units and enhanced visual guidance with catheter manipulation. This system differs fundamentally from existing master/slave catheter manipulation systems, of which the robotic manipulation is still challenging due to the very limited image guidance. This system provides a means of integrating intra-operative MR imaging and tracking to improve the performance of tele-operated robotic catheterization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for TCP SYN flood protection. In one embodiment, a TCP SYN flood protection arrangement comprises a first device operable to process packet input and output functions, including performing sender verification with respect to a connection initiation from a sender for a first TCP connection between the sender and a destination server and a second device, separate from the first device, to perform one or more security processing operations on packets of the first TCP connection from the sender after the first device verifies the sender is legitimate.