Abstract: Cryogenic testing systems for testing electronic components such as wafers under cryogenic conditions are provided. The novel designs enable fast throughput by use of a cryogenically maintained test surface to which wafers may be rapidly introduced, cooled, and manipulated to contact testing elements while maintaining high quality cryogenic conditions. Thermal shielding is achieved by floating shields and/or flexible bellows that provide effective thermal shielding of the test environment while enabling manipulation of wafers with a wide range of motion. Also provided are novel door assemblies, chuck configurations, and vacuum plate bases that enable effective maintenance of cryogenic conditions and high throughput.

Abstract: Improved heat sinking of electronic and/or photonic integrated circuit chips is provided by including thermal-only contacts on unused parts of the chip. The resulting chip can be bonded to a cold plate with a process that ensures that only the thermal contacts of the chip touch the cold plate, thereby avoiding problems caused by the cold plate creating electrical shorts of the chip. For example, the thermal contacts can be higher features than any electrical features on that side of the chip. This approach is expected to be especially useful for applications requiring low temperature operation (e.g., operation at 100K or less, preferably operation at 10 K or less).

Abstract: Provided herein are adipose mimic compositions for use in MRI. The compositions of the invention mimic the MRI properties of human adipose tissue, including T1 relaxation kinetics, T2 relaxation kinetics, magnetic susceptibility, and chemical shift artifact. The compositions of the invention are readily manufactured from inexpensive materials. The compositions of the invention may be used in MRI system calibration or for implementing image correction techniques such as fat suppression.

Abstract: Cryogenic testing systems for testing electronic components such as wafers under cryogenic conditions are provided. The novel designs enable fast throughput by use of a cryogenically maintained test surface to which wafers may be rapidly introduced, cooled, and manipulated to contact testing elements while maintaining high quality cryogenic conditions. Thermal shielding is achieved by floating shields and/or flexible bellows that provide effective thermal shielding of the test environment while enabling manipulation of wafers with a wide range of motion. Also provided are novel door assemblies, chuck configurations, and vacuum plate bases that enable effective maintenance of cryogenic conditions and high throughput.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray system, comprising: a support structure including a mounting surface; a target attached to the support structure on the mounting surface; wherein the target has a grain structure having a first dimension along an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface is longer than a longest dimension along any axis parallel to the mounting surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an x-ray system, comprising: a support structure including a mounting surface; a target attached to the support structure on the mounting surface; wherein the target has a grain structure having a first dimension along an axis perpendicular to the mounting surface is longer than a longest dimension along any axis parallel to the mounting surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel liquid crystal based devices for the facile measurement of temperature in an MRI system. The thermometers comprise a plurality of vessels wherein each vessel contains a liquid crystal composition having a unique phase transition temperature. By scanning with appropriate techniques, the state of the liquid crystals in each vessel can be assessed, and the temperature at the time of the scan can be determined by the state of the liquid crystal compositions. Also provided are novel vessels and assemblies of vessels that can be used as MRI thermometers and which are compatible with MRI phantoms.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel liquid crystal based devices for the facile measurement of temperature in an MRI system. The thermometers comprise a plurality of vessels wherein each vessel contains a liquid crystal composition having a unique phase transition temperature. By scanning with appropriate techniques, the state of the liquid crystals in each vessel can be assessed, and the temperature at the time of the scan can be determined by the state of the liquid crystal compositions. Also provided are novel vessels and assemblies of vessels that can be used as MRI thermometers and which are compatible with MRI phantoms.

Abstract: A golf grip for a golf club is disclosed herein. The golf grip includes a closed end, an open end, a composite shell including a laminate composite fiber material, a foam layer, and a shaft cavity. The foam layer is inward of the composite shell. The shaft cavity extends from the open end towards the closed end. The shaft cavity is inward from the composite shell and the foam layer. In embodiments, the golf grip also includes a core tube inward of the composite shell and of the foam layer. The core tube forms a shaft cavity for receiving a shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: A golf grip for a golf club is disclosed herein. The golf grip includes a closed end, an open end, a composite shell including a laminate composite fiber material, a foam layer, and a shaft cavity. The foam layer is inward of the composite shell. The shaft cavity extends from the open end towards the closed end. The shaft cavity is inward from the composite shell and the foam layer. In embodiments, the golf grip also includes a core tube inward of the composite shell and of the foam layer. The core tube forms a shaft cavity for receiving a shaft of the golf club.

Abstract: Provided herein are adipose mimic compositions for use in MRI. The compositions of the invention mimic the MRI properties of human adipose tissue, including T1 relaxation kinetics, T2 relaxation kinetics, magnetic susceptibility, and chemical shift artifact. The compositions of the invention are readily manufactured from inexpensive materials. The compositions of the invention may be used in MRI system calibration or for implementing image correction techniques such as fat suppression.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing castings are described. The method can include heating a ceramic mold having a gate inlet, and melting a metallic composition. The method can also include presenting the ceramic mold to a casting station such that the gate inlet is in fluid communication with the molten metallic composition, and casting against gravity the molten metallic composition into the heated mold through the gate inlet. Furthermore, the method can include rotating the mold to position with the gate inlet in an upward direction while the metallic composition is at least partially molten within the mold, and quenching the molten metallic composition in a liquid quench medium to solidify the molten metallic composition within the mold.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing castings are described. The method can include heating a ceramic mold comprising a gate inlet, and melting a metallic composition. The method can also include presenting the ceramic mold to a casting station such that the gate inlet is in fluid communication with the molten metallic composition, and casting against gravity the molten metallic composition into the heated mold through the gate inlet. Furthermore, the method can include rotating the mold to position with the gate inlet in an upward direction while the metallic composition is at least partially molten within the mold, and quenching the molten metallic composition in a liquid quench medium to solidify the molten metallic composition within the mold.

Abstract: A detachable magazine for storing and delivering ammunition to a firearm having a magazine well. The magazine has a body with a column adapted for insertion into the magazine well. The column has a passage for transmitting ammunition to the firearm. The body includes a drum housing defining a substantially cylindrical chamber communicating with the column passage. A first sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber and has a serrated periphery, with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A second sprocket element is rotatably received in the chamber, and is concentric with the first sprocket element, having a serrated periphery with each serration adapted to receive an ammunition cartridge. A spring element is connected to at least one of the sprocket elements, and operates to rotatably bias the sprocket elements to transmit cartridges from the drum chamber to the column passage.

Abstract: A method of transferring monies from a non-citizen resident of one country to their family members residing in another country, including setting up an account at a local bank in which funds will be deposited and from which funds will be transferred from, requesting an EFT from the bank to a non-banking institution in another country, providing for the recipient to present a cash equivalent device, adding the transferred monies to the recipient's cash equivalent device, and providing a call center where parties to the transaction may report issues and have issues resolved by personnel fluent in the native language of the parties.

Abstract: A device for directly measuring a person's respiratory exchange ratio (RER) utilizes a Zn-air battery cell and a constant current load circuit as an O2 pump capable of drawing oxygen from expired air. A thermistor located in the flow path forms a leg of a bridge circuit whose output is proportional to oxygen concentration in the expired air and, therefore, to oxygen uptake. The thermistor flowmeter circuit utilizes the thermal conductivity differences between O2 and CO2 to provide a measure at the relative ratio of the two gases present.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the efficient entry and display of ground taxi routes on an electronic airport map display. The system may include a touchscreen entry device, a display device, a computer, a map database, a vehicle position sensor and a transmitter/receiver. The system may be configured to check the ground taxi entries to ensure that each successive segment is contiguous with the last or next segment, and any gaps or discontinuities in the displayed taxi instructions may be annunciated. An intelligent display of next possible segments may be incorporated into the system.