Abstract: A multi-layer reconfigurable reflective intelligent surface (RIS). The RIS includes a unit-cell of a reconfigurable intelligent surface. The unit-cell includes a first layer composed of a conductive material and structured according to a sub-wavelength reflective pattern. The first layer reflects an impinging wave at a predetermined phase and steers the reflected impinging wave toward an intended receiver. The unit-cell includes a second layer composed of a first dielectric substrate material. Between the first and second layers, the unit-cell includes a middle layer composed of a second dielectric material having tunable dielectric properties. Tuning a dielectric constant of the second dielectric material modifies the predetermined phase of reflection of the impinging wave.

Abstract: A rotary device with an unbalance drive, a carrier unit, which rotates around a first axis of rotation R1, which is rotatably mounted, at least two unbalances (U1; U2; . . . Ux) of first type, each around a corresponding unbalance axis (UA1; UA2; . . . UAx) running parallel to the first axis of rotation R1 and at a distance (dUA1; dUA2; . . . dUAx) and are arranged from the first axis of rotation R1 and an unbalance drive device, which is arranged stationary with respect to the carrier unit and at least for driving the unbalances (U1; U2; . . . Ux) and rotationally coupled with the unbalances (U1; U2; . . . Ux).

Abstract: A multi-layer reconfigurable reflective intelligent surface (RIS). The RIS includes a unit-cell of a reconfigurable intelligent surface. The unit-cell includes a first layer composed of a conductive material and structured according to a sub-wavelength reflective pattern. The first layer reflects an impinging wave at a predetermined phase and steers the reflected impinging wave toward an intended receiver. The unit-cell includes a second layer composed of a first dielectric substrate material. Between the first and second layers, the unit-cell includes a middle layer composed of a second dielectric material having tunable dielectric properties. Tuning a dielectric constant of the second dielectric material modifies the predetermined phase of reflection of the impinging wave.

Abstract: A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.

Abstract: A wideband, linear, direct-digital RF modulator (DDRM) for a digitally-intensive transmitter (DTX) includes an interpolation filter and an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q)-interleaving RF digital-to-analog converter (RF-DAC). The interpolation filter suppresses sampling replicas in the DDRM's output RF spectrum. I/Q interleaving performed by the interleaving RF-DAC avoids problems associated with using two separate I- and Q-path RF-DACs. Each unit cell of the interleaving RF-DAC is capable of producing four unique non-overlapping waveforms covering all four quadrants of the I/Q signal plane. In one embodiment of the invention, the interleaving RF-DAC includes three parallel-connected RF-DACs operating in accordance with a multi-phase set of LO clocks to both cancel 3rd-order and 5th-order LO harmonics generated by the RF-DAC unit cells' interleaving logic and prevent 3rd-order intermodulation from occurring in the DTX's final stage RF power amplifier.

Abstract: An antenna includes, in part, first and second flexible boards separated from one another by air/vacuum gap dielectric. The first flexible board includes a radiating patch and a foldable, collapsible, and deployable feed transition. The second flexible board includes a ground layer and a transmission line. The feed transition is adapted to deliver an RF signal to the radiating patch from the transmission line. By pressing forward the first flexible board, the feed transition folds towards the second flexible board thereby causing the first flexible board to collapse onto the second flexible board. The feed transition may be tapered. The antenna may further include an interdigital capacitor having a first multitude of metal fingers connected to the radiating patch and a second multitude of metal fingers connected to the tapered section of the feed transition.

Abstract: A submerged wave energy conversion apparatus and pressurized fluid or electricity production system are provided that harvests energy from a motive force derived from pressure differentials created by the interaction of the system with ocean water. The system is capable of capturing energy from up to six different modes of motion of the absorber body in response to the energy of incident waves. The apparatus has an absorber body that is attached to one or more damping mechanisms like a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic circuit that can create useful mechanical torque, a restoring mechanism such as an air spring to restore the absorber system to stable equilibrium, and a buoyant artificial floor to create an opposing reaction force. The apparatus may also have a controller for system monitoring and control, to maintain optimized energy extraction, and for load management to avoid damaging loads.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage (12) defining a forward end and an aft end, the fuselage accommodating at least one engine (56), a left wing (18) and a right wing (20) extending from either side of the fuselage, a lift fan drive system (22) accommodated within each wing, a forward thrust fan drive system (24) fitted proximate the aft end of the fuselage, and a stabiliser arrangement (26) proximate the forward thrust fan drive system. In an embodiment, each wing comprises a rotor housing portion (18.1, 20.1) extending away from the fuselage and a wing tip portion (18.2, 20.2) extending away from the rotor housing portion, the wing tip portion being angled towards the rear and side of the aircraft. In an embodiment, the rotor housing portion comprises two rotor housings, one forward of the aircraft's centre of gravity and one aft of the aircraft's centre of gravity.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, compositions, and kits for the complete characterization of targeted nuclease specificity which necessitates techniques that can assess the full possibility space of off-target activity and genomic stability following genome editing. Also provided are the materials and techniques which enable the comprehensive genomic stability accompanying a range of cellular perturbations, including genome editing (ZFN, TALEN, CRISPR, and future technologies) and disease modeling among other applications.

Abstract: A wideband, linear, direct-digital RF modulator (DDRM) for a digitally-intensive transmitter (DTX) includes an interpolation filter and an in-phase/quadrature (I/Q)-interleaving RF digital-to-analog converter (RF-DAC). The interpolation filter suppresses sampling replicas in the DDRM's output RF spectrum. I/Q interleaving performed by the interleaving RF-DAC avoids problems associated with using two separate I- and Q-path RF-DACs. Each unit cell of the interleaving RF-DAC is capable of producing four unique non-overlapping waveforms covering all four quadrants of the I/Q signal plane. In one embodiment of the invention, the interleaving RF-DAC includes three parallel-connected RF-DACs operating in accordance with a multi-phase set of LO clocks to both cancel 3rd-order and 5th-order LO harmonics generated by the RF-DAC unit cells' interleaving logic and prevent 3rd-order intermodulation from occurring in the DTX's final stage RF power amplifier.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks involving human review of media data (e.g., images, audio clips, video clips, etc.), such as to identify one or more targets of interest. The media data review may be performed for various reasons, such as to assist in locating one or more target objects in a large geographical area (e.g., one or more missing people or vehicles) based on human review of large quantities of images that each correspond to a small subset of the geographical area. When one or more of the reviewed media data pieces are identified as being relevant, information about those identified media data pieces may be used in various ways. Furthermore, in at least some situations, the media data review may be part of a charitable effort that uses human volunteers to review the media data without monetary payment or other compensation.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.

Abstract: A submerged wave energy conversion apparatus and pressurized fluid or electricity production system are provided that harvests energy from a motive force derived from pressure differentials created by the interaction of the system with ocean water. The system is capable of capturing energy from up to six different modes of motion of the absorber body in response to the energy of incident waves. The apparatus has an absorber body that is attached to one or more damping mechanisms like a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic circuit that can create useful mechanical torque, a restoring mechanism such as an air spring to restore the absorber system to stable equilibrium, and a buoyant artificial floor to create an opposing reaction force. The apparatus may also have a controller for system monitoring and control, to maintain optimized energy extraction, and for load management to avoid damaging loads.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, compositions, and kits for the complete characterization of targeted nuclease specificity which necessitates techniques that can assess the full possibility space of off-target activity and genomic stability following genome editing. Also provided are the materials and techniques which enable the comprehensive genomic stability accompanying a range of cellular perturbations, including genome editing (ZFN, TALEN, CRISPR, and future technologies) and disease modeling among other applications.

Abstract: A solvent diluted bitumen is produced by a method that includes adding paraffinic solvent to bitumen froth to form a solvent diluted bitumen froth, and discharging the solvent diluted bitumen froth into a vessel, such that settlement of the solvent diluted bitumen froth in the interior of the vessel establishes a heavier phase zone, a lighter phase zone, and an interface. A discharge point is located above the interface and within the lighter phase zone. Lighter phases separate up toward an overflow outlet of the vessel while heavier phases separate down toward an underflow outlet of the vessel. The solvent diluted bitumen is collected from the overflow outlet, and a solvent diluted underflow stream is collected from the underflow outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a feed such as bitumen froth feed are provided. The apparatus comprises a vessel having a top, side walls, and a base. An inlet delivers feed to the vessel interior whereby settling of the feed establishes a heavier phase zone in the vicinity of the base and a lighter phase zone above an interface with the heavier phase zone. The height/diameter ratio of the vessel, the dimensions and position of the inlet and the fluid properties of the feed are selected to allow a feed velocity of the feed discharging from the inlet into the interior to dissipate in the lighter phase zone as the discharged feed entrains lighter phases above the interface and spreads across the vessel interior such that the lighter phases of the feed separate up to an overflow outlet and the heavier phases separate down to an underflow outlet.

Abstract: A chip card substrate is provided, which includes a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers includes a first polymer layer including a first polymer material, a second polymer layer disposed over the first polymer layer and a second polymer material different from the first polymer material. The plurality of layers further includes a third polymer layer disposed over the second polymer layer and including the first polymer material. The second polymer layer includes a plurality of cutouts at an edge of the second polymer layer so that the first polymer material of the first polymer layer and of the third polymer layer form a coupling through the plurality of cutouts.

Abstract: Embodiments of packet loss concealment for phone-to-hearing-aid streaming are generally described herein. A method for packet loss concealment can include receiving a first frame at a hearing assistance device, determining, at the hearing assistance device, that a second frame was not received within a predetermined time, and determining a first set of sequential samples that match the first frame. The method can include cross-fading the first frame and the first set of sequential samples to create a first cross-faded frame and extrapolating a third frame to replace the second frame using the first set of sequential samples and an autoregressive model.

Abstract: A method of operating an audio system having first and second sources includes outputting a first audio signal from the first source on first and second speakers. In response to a listener input, the first audio signal and a second audio signal from the second source are output simultaneously on the first and second speakers. The first signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the first signal is perceived by a listener to originate from a first direction toward the listener. The second signal is output from each of the first and second speakers such that the second signal is perceived by the listener to originate from a second direction toward the listener. The second direction is offset at least ninety degrees from the first direction.

Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage (12) defining a forward end and an aft end, the fuselage accommodating at least one engine (56), a left wing (18) and a right wing (20) extending from either side of the fuselage, a lift fan drive system (22) accommodated within each wing, a forward thrust fan drive system (24) fitted proximate the aft end of the fuselage, and a stabiliser arrangement (26) proximate the forward thrust fan drive system. In an embodiment, each wing comprises a rotor housing portion (18.1, 20.1) extending away from the fuselage and a wing tip portion (18.2, 20.2) extending away from the rotor housing portion, the wing tip portion being angled towards the rear and side of the aircraft. In an embodiment, the rotor housing portion comprises two rotor housings, one forward of the aircraft's centre of gravity and one aft of the aircraft's centre of gravity.