Abstract: In some examples, systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing a gel to sol transition of a polymer that includes disposing the polymer on a host material, exposing the polymer and the host material to an exposure temperature that causes the polymer to form a gel, and cooling the polymer and the host material to a cooling temperature that causes the gel to transition to a sol.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A superconductor device includes a barrier layer over a substrate including silicon, the barrier layer including silicon and nitrogen, and a seed layer for a superconductor layer over the barrier layer, the seed layer including aluminum and nitrogen, and superconductor layer over the seed layer, the superconductor layer including a layer of a superconductor material, the barrier layer serving as an oxidation barrier between the layer superconductor material and the substrate. In some embodiments, the superconductor device includes a waveguide and a metal contact at a sufficient distance from the waveguide to prevent optical coupling between the metal contact and the waveguide.

Abstract: A processing unit (PU) is configured to generate reference values based on previously displayed frames in order to decode encoded frames having one or more noise-based effects. To this end, the PU includes a noise effect circuitry configured to determine noise values associated with a previously displayed frame. The noise effect circuitry then subtracts respective noise values from the pixel values of the previously displayed frame to determine reference values for decoding an encoded frame. Further, the PU includes a decoder that decodes the encoded frame based on the determined reference values.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device maybe used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: An example multi-element photon detector includes a waveguide configured to guide a set of photons from a photon source, wherein the waveguide includes (i) a first coupling region, and (ii) a second coupling region. The example detector also includes a first photon detector coupled to the first coupling region and configured to detect individual photons from the first coupling region, the first photon detector arranged to have a first coupling efficiency with the waveguide. The example detector further includes a second photon detector coupled to the second coupling region and configured to detect individual photons from the second coupling region, the second photon detector arranged to have a second coupling efficiency with the waveguide, wherein the second coupling efficiency is greater than the first coupling efficiency such that the multi-element photon detector has a first probability of absorption across the first and second single photon detectors.

Abstract: A display stand, for example an artist's easel, consists of an adjustable frame assembly defining a display area for supporting an object. The display area is adjustable to vary its height and width so that it can adjust to the dimensions of an object. The stand includes a set of opposing vertical stand supports adjustably and lockably coupled to opposing sides of the frame assembly so as to vary and lock the height of the frame assembly above a bearing surface. The supports are braceable between the bearing surface and an opposing surface to orient the frame assembly in a user-selected height above the bearing surface. The arrangement allows the display area to be scaled in a rectilinear profile through the range of adjustments.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a beverage preparation machine includes a beverage dispenser, a cup holding region located below the beverage dispenser, a light source configured to transmit light across a portion of the cup holding region, and a receiver configured to receive at least a portion the light transmitted by the light source. A processor determines whether a transparent cup has been sufficiently inserted into the cup holding region or is at a desired height by detecting either a trough in a light level of the portion of the light received at the receiver, or an inverted trough in a light level of the light transmitted by the light source. Upon making the determination that the transparent cup is not sufficiently inserted or at the desired height, the processor prevents the beverage dispenser from dispensing a beverage.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises a first exhaust pipe having a first aperture, a second exhaust pipe having a second aperture and a bridge mechanically and fluidically interconnecting the first and second exhaust pipes. The bridge includes a first plate including a first curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the first exhaust pipe. The bridge includes a second plate including a second curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the second exhaust. The first and second plates each include first and second coupling tubes including first and second frustoconical portions to funnel exhaust from the first exhaust pipe toward the second exhaust pipe and vice versa. The first plate is sealingly coupled to the second plate.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product utilize digital signatures to efficiently identify objects of interest within images and cause graphical presentation data to be accurately displayed for the objects of interest. The method receives one or more images generated by an image capture device. The method determines one or more digital signatures associated with one or more objects within the one or more images. Based on the one or more digital signatures, the method also determines graphical data placement information comprising one or more graphical data placement regions for the one or more objects. The method also receives graphical presentation data comprising one or more graphical assets. The method also causes display of the graphical presentation data that includes overlaying at least one graphical asset of the one or more graphical assets on the at least one graphical data placement region.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product identify objects of interest within images. In a method, the method receives one or more images generated by an image capture device that is configured to be relocated. The method also receives information regarding an estimated location of the image capture device. Based upon a representation of a respective image of the one or more images and respective representations of a plurality of reference images, the method identifies one or more reference images that are associated with the estimated location. The method also identifies an object of interest within the respective image generated by the image capture device based upon respective digital signatures of one or more objects of interest and at least some context associated with the one or more objects of interest that are depicted by the one or more reference images that have been identified.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device may be used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting photon detectors. In one aspect, a photon detector includes: (1) a first waveguide configured to guide photons from a photon source; (2) a second waveguide that is distinct and separate from the first waveguide and optically-coupled to the first waveguide; and (3) a superconducting component positioned adjacent to the second waveguide and configured to detect photons within the second waveguide.

Abstract: A directional solidification casting method includes fluidly coupling a feed line conduit with a source of molten metal and with a directional solidification mold at a gating. The mold has an interior chamber with a shape of an object to be cast using directional solidification in a growth direction. The feed line conduit is fluidly coupled with the gating in a downward direction oriented at an angle that is closer to the growth direction of the mold than to another direction that is perpendicular to the growth direction of the mold. The method also includes positioning a downstream portion of the feed line conduit below the gating, directing the molten metal into the mold via the feed line conduit, and casting the object in the mold using directional solidification.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprises a first exhaust pipe having a first aperture, a second exhaust pipe having a second aperture and a bridge mechanically and fluidically interconnecting the first and second exhaust pipes. The bridge includes a first plate including a first curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the first exhaust pipe. The bridge includes a second plate including a second curved portion sealingly fixed to an outer surface of the second exhaust. The first and second plates each include first and second coupling tubes including first and second frustoconical portions to funnel exhaust from the first exhaust pipe toward the second exhaust pipe and vice versa. The first plate is sealingly coupled to the second plate.

Abstract: A prepreg tape assembly for impregnating a dry fiber tow to make composite components. The prepreg tape assembly can include a bath defining a slurry reservoir, a series of rollers located in the bath, and a take-up drum located outside of the slurry reservoir. The prepreg tape assembly also includes a first metering device capable of metering slurry, where the first metering device has a tow passage. The tow passage includes an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet of the tow passage overlies or is located in the slurry reservoir.

Abstract: A beverage vessel support apparatus including a movable support member configured for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions. An actuation assembly may adjust a height of the movable support member. A beverage vessel rim detector may be configured to determine whether an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the movable support member is at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel. A first beverage vessel detector may be positioned below the beverage vessel rim detector and configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the movable support member. A second beverage vessel detector may be arranged between the beverage vessel rim detector and the first beverage vessel detector and configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the movable support member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection moulding system for forming an oven liner, particularly of the type that is used with microwave ovens. Oven liners are of particular benefit when used inside microwave ovens. They improve hygiene as where food spills or spurts onto the oven liner rather than an interior of the microwave oven.

Abstract: A method of resolving a number of photons received by a photon detector includes optically coupling a waveguide to a superconducting wire having alternating narrow and wide portions; electrically coupling the superconducting wire to a current source; and electrically coupling an electrical contact in parallel with the superconducting wire. The electrical contact has a resistance less than a resistance of the superconducting wire while at least one narrow portion of the superconducting wire is in a non-superconducting state. The method includes providing to the superconducting wire, from the current source, a current configured to maintain the superconducting wire in a superconducting state in the absence of incident photons; receiving one or more photons via the waveguide; measuring an electrical property of the superconducting wire, proportional to a number of photons incident on the superconducting wire; and determining the number of received photons based on the electrical property.

Abstract: A horse saddle with a frame and a body. The frame may be a metal bar and the body may be rotationally molded, over molded or utilize other manufacturing techniques to at least partially enclose the frame in the body, and the exposed portions of the frame functioning as D-rings for rigging loads to the saddle. The saddle functions both for riding, packing or both riding and packing. The saddle may include a metal of a first material and a body of a second material. The body may be mostly hollow and be lightweight with improved comfort resulting from depressions in the saddle seat.