Abstract: A multi-cell inductive wireless power transfer system includes multiple transmitting elements. Each transmitting element includes one or more transmitting windings and one or more transmitting magnetic cores. The multi-cell inductive wireless power transfer system also includes multiple receiving elements. The transmitting elements are separated from the receiving elements by an air gap. Each receiving element includes one or more receiving windings and one or more receiving magnetic cores.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a cutting region and a connecting support region where the support region is designed to connect to an external motor assembly. The cutting tool is also has a porous region that is integrated within a portion of the tool such that as the tool cuts material the porous region can allow samples of the cut material to permeate into an internal chamber of the tool. Once in the internal chamber material samples can be analyzed in-situ for direct composition analysis.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and compositions for detecting the presence of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune polyglandualar syndrome 1 (APS1) in a biological sample. In particular, detection of APS1-specific autoantibodies that specifically bind to certain APS1 associated autoantigens in such methods is described. Also provided are methods of treating subjects with APS1 or at risk of developing APS1 associated conditions. Also provided are devices and kits useful for the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of subjects having APS1 and for assessing subject risk at developing particular APS1-associated conditions.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a cutting region and a connecting support region where the support region is designed to connect to an external motor assembly. The cutting tool is also has a porous region that is integrated within a portion of the tool such that as the tool cuts material the porous region can allow samples of the cut material to permeate into an internal chamber of the tool. Once in the internal chamber material samples can be analyzed in-situ for direct composition analysis.

Abstract: An electride may provide surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The electride, a compound where the electrons serve as anions, may be a ceramic electride, such as a conductive ceramic derived from mayenite, or an organic electride, for example. The textured electride surface or electride particles may strongly enhance the Raman scattering of organic or other Raman active analytes. This may also provide a sensitive method for monitoring the chemistry and electronic environment at the electride surface. The results are evidence of a new class of polariton (i.e., a surface electride-polariton resonance mechanism) that is analogous to the surface plasmon-polariton resonance that mediates conventional SERS.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to pulmonary autoantigens. The disclosure provides methods and kits for assessing whether a subject has or is predisposed to interstitial lung disease. Additionally the present disclosure provides methods of treatment and animal models of interstitial lung disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spectroscopic probe comprising at least one whispering gallery mode optical resonator disposed on a support, the whispering gallery mode optical resonator comprising a continuous outer surface having a cross section comprising a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. A method of measuring a Raman spectrum and an Infra-red spectrum of an analyte using the spectroscopic probe is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to pulmonary autoantigens. The disclosure provides methods and kits for assessing whether a subject has or is predisposed to interstitial lung disease. Additionally the present disclosure provides methods of treatment and animal models of interstitial lung disease.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment of the invention a method for analyzing a sample material using surface enhanced spectroscopy. The method comprises the steps of imaging the sample material with an atomic force microscope (AFM) to select an area of interest for analysis, depositing nanoparticles onto the area of interest with an AFM tip, illuminating the deposited nanoparticles with a spectrometer excitation beam, and disengaging the AFM tip and acquiring a localized surface enhanced spectrum. The method may further comprise the step of using the AFM tip to modulate the spectrometer excitation beam above the deposited nanoparticles to obtain improved sensitivity data and higher spatial resolution data from the sample material. The invention further comprises in one embodiment a system for analyzing a sample material using surface enhanced spectroscopy.

Abstract: An electric drive mower includes an electric traction drive as well as electric drive to the cutting units carried on the mower. A hybrid electric drive system supplies electric power to these motors. The electric drive system includes a genset (an internal combustion engine driving an electrical power generating device such as an alternator) and a battery pack which supply the electric power to the electric motors either individually or jointly. A switch may be provided to permit all battery operation of the mower. A steering system having a non-powered pump is used to effect steering of the steerable wheel(s) of the mower to avoid having a heated oil damage the turf in the event of a leak. A crankshaft driven by a single electric drive motor is linked to all the cutting units through various crankarm and connecting rod linkages to lift and lower the cutting units in a timed manner.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment of the invention a method for analyzing a sample material using surface enhanced spectroscopy. The method comprises the steps of imaging the sample material with an atomic force microscope (AFM) to select an area of interest for analysis, depositing nanoparticles onto the area of interest with an AFM tip, illuminating the deposited nanoparticles with a spectrometer excitation beam, and disengaging the AFM tip and acquiring a localized surface enhanced spectrum. The method may further comprise the step of using the AFM tip to modulate the spectrometer excitation beam above the deposited nanoparticles to obtain improved sensitivity data and higher spatial resolution data from the sample material. The invention further comprises in one embodiment a system for analyzing a sample material using surface enhanced spectroscopy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid lawn mower powered by a fuel cell and an electrical storage system, both of which supply electric power to the drive wheels and cutting units of the mower. The electrical storage system comprises an ultracapacitor pack or a battery pack. The electric motor driving each cutting unit comprises a brushless motor having an integrated gear reduction stage. In addition, the motor includes an integrated electronics housing in which the electronics for controlling and powering the motor are packaged. The cutting units are lifted out of engagement with the ground by a lift and lower system comprising an electric/hydraulic actuator that is driven only during lifting of the cutting units. The cutting units are lowered by releasing fluid pressure in the lift and lower system and permitting the force of gravity to lower the cutting units.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.

Abstract: A walk reel mower has a front mounted reel cutting unit and a rear handle. The operator pushes the handle towards the ground to lift the reel cutting unit off the ground prior to turning the walk reel mower around. When this occurs, the manner in which the reel cutting unit is supported in conjunction with the influence of gravity causes the reel cutting unit to pitch rearwardly relative to the frame of the walk reel mower. This change of orientation is used to close a switch which, in turn, initiates an automatic slow down of the mower to ease the task of turning the mower around. When a turn is completed and the cutting unit is dropped back down into engagement with the ground, the slow down is terminated and the ground speed resumes at whatever predetermined ground speed was previously selected by the operator.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope (AFM) tip is used to selectively produce surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for localized Raman spectroscopy. Spectra of thin films, undetectable with a Raman microprobe spectrometer alone, are readily acquired in contact with a suitably gold-coated AFM tip. Similarly, an AFM tip is used to remove sample layers at the nanometer scale and subsequently serve as a SERS substrate for ultra-trace analysis. This demonstrates the interface of an AFM with a Raman spectrometer that provides increases sensitivity, selectivity and spatial resolution over a conventional Raman microprobe. An AFM guiding the SERS effect has the potential for targeted single molecule spectroscopy.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope (AFM) tip is used to selectively produce surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for localized Raman spectroscopy. Spectra of thin films, undetectable with a Raman microprobe spectrometer alone, are readily acquired in contact with a suitably gold-coated AFM tip. Similarly, an AFM tip is used to remove sample layers at the nanometer scale and subsequently serve as a SERS substrate for ultra-trace analysis. This demonstrates the interface of an AFM with a Raman spectrometer that provides increases sensitivity, selectivity and spatial resolution over a conventional Raman microprobe. An AFM guiding the SERS effect has the potential for targeted single molecule spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a loader to encourage the use of an operator restraint mechanism is disclosed wherein a first signal is generated by a seat sensor to indicate the presence of the operator in the operator seat and a second signal is generated by a sensor in the operator restraint mechanism to indicate use of the mechanism. The hydraulic system will not be enabled unless the second signal is generated immediately subsequent to the generation of the first signal. Unless the first and second signals are generated in the proper sequence, the starting of the engine will also be disabled. The generation of first and second inverse signals, indicating the lack of the presence of the operator in the seat and the disengagement of the operator restraint mechanism, respectively, will disable the loader hydraulic system.

Abstract: A loader having hydraulically operated boom and bucket mechanisms controllable from the operator seat is disclosed wherein switches sense the presence of the operator in the seat and the buckling of the seat belt. An electronic controller is operably associated with the seat and belt switches and solenoid valves in the hydraulic system and the starter relay. The controller requires proper sequencing of the activation of the seat and belt switches before permitting the starter to be energized, thereby controlling the starting of the loader engine, or permitting the energizing of the hydraulic solenoid valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders for the boom and bucket. The controller also includes a delay associated with the seat switch so that a reactivation of the seat switch within the delayed period of time would allow the hydraulic system to operate without requiring a resequencing of the activation of the seat and belt switches.

Abstract: An automatic shotgun choke is provided which is attached to the muzzle of a shotgun barrel and can be adjusted manually by a device mounted within and extending from upper portion of the choke so as to selectively produce a choked and unchoked muzzle. In a modification gas pressure from a fired shell turns fan blades within the choke to operate a choking action upon a charge as it leaves the muzzle.