Abstract: A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter are described making it possible to heat the catalytic converter more quickly. An additional load of the internal combustion engine is applied to heat the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A method for providing an identifier for a semiconductor chip after the manufacture of the semiconductor chip using a fabrication process includes selecting one or more circuit elements formed on the semiconductor chip where each of the circuit elements having an electrical parameter that has a time-invariant statistical process variation, measuring data values of the electrical parameter of the one or more circuit elements, processing the data values, and deriving the identifier for the semiconductor chip using the processed data values. The identifier identifies the semiconductor chip from other semiconductor chips manufactured using the fabrication process. The circuit elements can be selected from the group of bipolar transistors, MOS transistors, light detecting pixel elements, and memory cells. The chip identification method is particularly useful for identifying image sensor chips where the dark current values or the defective pixel locations can be used as the chip identifier.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular frequency division filter having an antenna port that connects to two or three transmission paths. Each transmission path includes either a band pass filter or a duplexer to separate the received signal by frequency. Frequency phase shifters or shunt inductors may be included to further enhance the frequency separation. Following frequency separation, the separated signal is transceived by a device operating at the respective separated frequency.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for receiving and transmitting signals of different frequency bands utilizes a switching device on a bypass current path to selectively route incoming and outgoing signals by circumventing a capacitive device on a receive signal path. The bypass current path is used to selectively conduct current through a variable resistance device on a transmit signal path to transmit or block signals through the variable resistance device.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) waveform generator is provided. The MEMS waveform generator includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. Each of the plurality of capacitive sensors has a movable sensor portion and a corresponding fixed sensor portion. The movable and fixed sensor portions each have a plurality of electrically conductive features. One or more of the electrically conductive features has one or more predetermined non-uniform portions. The MEMS waveform generator further includes an actuator that receives a time-varying input signal and causes each movable sensor portion to move relative to a corresponding fixed sensor portion in response to the time-varying signal. The waveform generator provides a mechanism of synthesizing non-sinusoidal periodic waveforms in an energy-efficient manner. In the context of one exemplary application, the waveform generator provides a mechanism for driving adiabatic logic circuits with extremely low total power dissipation at a given level of performance.

Abstract: The present invention is a coupler built on a semiconductor substrate, e.g. GaAs. Semiconductor processing allows for small trace and space rules. The tighter design rules provide for tighter coupling than can be achieved by ceramic processes. The greater coupling allows for a shorter through line and with less loss, thus closer to ideal coupling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feeding system suitable for mounting to a wheelchair and usable for individuals who have limited or no use of their hands. The system includes a housing that stores food product, and delivers the food product to a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism delivers the food product to a serving assembly that is positioned at a location proximal the user's mouth for consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for in-situ verification and calibration of flow control devices includes a first network physical layer connecting the flow control devices to a flow verification device. A controller of the flow verification device is programmed to communicate with each of the flow control devices through the first network physical layer, receive gas specific information and a transfer function from each of the flow control devices, and verify the flow of each flow control device. The controller of the flow verification device is further programmed to communicate with each of the flow control devices through the first network physical layer and, if necessary, calibrate the flow control devices. The verification and calibration of the flow control devices is preferably carried out based upon a single command provided through a tool controller connected to a second network physical layer connected to the flow control devices.

Abstract: A hardware module for incorporating an electronic unit into an ad-hoc network has a unit to operate a Java virtual machine which supports Java RMI and Jini. The hardware module has at least one interface to a communications interface on the electronic unit. Jini services are generated with interface stubs for the hardware of the electronic unit. The hardware module has at least one interface to a local area network.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing thread-stitched book blocks which comprise folded printed sheets has a conveying apparatus which transports the printed sheets astride a stitching saddle into a stitching position and to which the printed sheets are fed. A stitching apparatus is arranged at a lateral spacing from the stitching saddle which can be driven in an oscillating manner and can be supplied with printed sheets by the stitching saddle. The conveying apparatus is controlled in order to change the conveying speed and/or the stitching position of the printed sheets on the stitching saddle, in that the conveying apparatus is drive-connected to a controlled-rotation electric motor which is controlled by a computer-connected controller.

Abstract: The superconducting winding comprises a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis with a superconducting winding in a thermally conducting winding support. The winding support comprises a central coolant cavity, with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding support connected thereto. A cold head of a refrigeration unit is connected to a condenser unit for condensing refrigerant and is arranged outside the rotor. A fixed heat tube, supplying the refrigerant, is coupled to the condenser unit, extending axially into the rotating lateral cavity and is sealed relative to the cavity. The refrigerant is a mixture of several components having different condensation temperatures.

Abstract: The machine included a rotor which is rotatably arranged about an axis of rotation with a superconducting winding in a winding carrier. In order to hold the winding carrier inside the outer housing of the rotor, a fixing device which extends axially on one-side is provided on the torque-transmitting side of the rotor. The fixing device can be at least partially made of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive device containing a rotor that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that comprises a superconductive winding in a winding support. Said winding support has a central cavity, into which two fixed thermal tubes project axially. One of said tubes forms a cooling finger that is closed at the end and contains a second coolant with a higher condensation temperature. The other tube supplies a first cooling with a lower condensation temperature to the central cavity and evacuates said coolant from the cavity. To condense the coolants, the tubes lead to a refrigeration unit, situated outside the rotor and equipped with a refrigeration head and a condenser device.

Abstract: A refrigeration plant includes at least two cold heads thermally coupled to parts of a particularly superconducting installation. The parts are to be chilled via a conduit system in which a cooling agent circulates according to a thermosyphon effect. The cold heads are connected in parallel by a forking of the conduit system. Sections of the conduit system, which are positioned between the forking and the cold heads, are configured at least in part so as to be low heat conductive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sensors for the detection of molecular interactions between immobilized ligands and non-immobilized interaction partners (receptors). These surfaces use novel ligand-anchor conjugates which allow highly specific interaction with suitable interaction partners. Furthermore the invention relates to methods of providing the sensing surface and in particular methods of synthesising the ligand-anchor conjugates (LAC).

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the encapsulation of antigens in PLGA microspheres for use as vaccines. Such microspheres can also contain adjuvants. Mixtures of microspheres are provided which release antigen at desired intervals to provide boosts with antigen.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided in which a method for delaying a strobe signal for a first pre-specified amount of time is described. A test signal is sent through a first number of delay books and a test is done as to whether it takes the test signal approximately a second pre-specified amount of time to pass the first number of delay books. Then, the number of delay books is increased or decreased by one at a time and until the number of delay books reaches a second number where it takes the test signal approximately the second pre-specified amount of time to pass the second number of delay books. From the second number, a third number of delay books is determined which is needed to cause a propagation delay approximately equal to the first pre-specified amount of time. Finally, the strobe signal is passed through the third number of delay books.

Abstract: Cold parts with a high thermal mass are heated by an electric heating system connectable to an external heating current source and arranged in a thermally insulating cryostat housing for superconductive coils. The electric heating system may be an ohmic heating system mounted parallel to the superconductive coils. The heating current source is an A.C. power source connected to external superconductive feed lines.