Abstract: The invention provides an energy generation and/or conversion system and method wherein an electrical power generator is controlled to periodically alternate between a contact-mode, during which elements of the generator are brought into contact to induce a state of charging, and a non-contact mode, during which plates of the generator are separated from one another and electrical energy is generated through electrostatic induction. Timing and duration of contact and non-contact modes are controlled by a controller, or by user commands, in dependence on a charge state of the elements of the generator: In this way elements are controlled to come into contact only when surface charge has fallen below a certain level, and re-charging is necessary; contact time between the elements may hence be minimised—thereby minimising incurred noise and surface wear—whilst still maintaining a given desired threshold power output.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: A wide band through-body communication system communicates data through the body ultrasonically. A MEMS device such as a CMUT transducer is configured to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic data signals within a broad band of operating frequencies. The transducer transmits the ultrasonic data signals through the body to a similarly configured ultrasonic receiver, and/or receives ultrasonic data signals which have been conveyed through the body from a similarly configured ultrasonic transmitter for decoding and processing. In a preferred implementation a CMUT transducer is operated in a collapsed mode.

Abstract: A power transmitter (101) provides power transfer to a power receiver (105) using a wireless inductive power transfer signal. The power transmitter (101) comprises an inductor (103) generating the power transfer signal when a voltage drive signal is applied. A measurement unit (311) performs measurements of a current or voltage of the inductor (103). The measurements are performed with a time offset relative to a reference signal synchronized to the voltage drive signal. An adaptor (313) can vary the time offset to determine an optimum measurement timing offset resulting in a maximum demodulation depth which reflects a difference measure for measurements for different modulation loads of the power transfer signal. A demodulator (309) then demodulates load modulation of the inductive carrier signal from measurements with the time offset set to the optimum measurement timing offset. In some scenarios, both the timing and duration of measurements may be varied. The approach improves communication reliability.

Abstract: A power transmitter (2) for transferring power to a power receiver comprises a first inductor (307) for providing power and a second inductor (407) for receiving data signals from a power receiver. The first (307) and second (407) inductors are separate inductors in a power transfer circuit (701) and a data signal receiving circuit (702). The data signal receiving circuit (702) comprises a data extracting circuit (1007) for extracting the data signals received by the second inductor (407). The power transmitter comprises a control circuit (401) for controlling the power in dependence on the data signals. The power transmitter transfers power during power transfer periods and receives data during communication periods, communication periods corresponding to periods wherein power is low.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing a geological formation, the methods include retrieving measured data provided by a measuring tool along one or more logged borehole length for a borehole, another borehole or both in order to produce a borehole imaging log. Selecting depth-defined intervals of the borehole imaging log as training images for inputting in a multi-point geostatistical model. Determining pattern based simulations for each training image using a pixel-based template of the multi-point geostatistical model so as to obtain training image patterns. Using the pattern based simulation of each training image to assign to each of the training image a corresponding training image pattern. Constructing from the training image patterns one or more fullbore image log of a borehole wall of the borehole. Repeat the second to fourth steps through the one or more logged borehole length in order to construct fullbore images from successive, adjacent training images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data communication system (100) and a method that can particularly be applied for communicating data from a medical instrument like a catheter or a guide-wire via a high-speedlink (101). The system (100) comprises (in-vivo) a slave component (150) with a controllable slave clock (153) and a transmitter (151) for transmitting a data signal (ds) that is clocked by the slave clock signal (clk). Moreover, it comprises (ex-vivo) a master component (110) with a clock controller (114,115,116) that receives a master clock signal (ref_clk) and the data signal (ds) and that generates a clock control signal (ccs) for adjusting the slave clock (153) to the master clock (113). The slave clock (153) may thus be realized with low space and energy requirements, e.g. by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). Moreover, the link (101) via which the data signal (ds) and the clock control signal (ccs) are exchanged may be realized by just two signal wires.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by lysing the cells to form a lysed cell composition and then recovering the oil from the lysed cell composition. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PU-FAs) from one or more microbial cells by lysing the cells to form a lysed cell composition and then recovering the oil from the lysed cell composition. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by lysing the cells to form a lysed cell composition, treating the lysed cell composition to form an oil-containing emulsion and then recovering the oil from the oil-containing emulsion. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power receiver (105) and a power transmitter (101) generating a wireless inductive power transfer signal for powering the power receiver (105) during a power transfer phase. An apparatus, often the power transmitter (101) comprises a first communication unit (305) communicating with a second communication unit of an entity using an electromagnetic communication signal. The entity may typically be the power receiver (105). The apparatus comprises a reference processor (307) for measuring and storing a reference value of a characteristic of the communication signal and a measurement unit (309) which repeatedly during the power transfer phase determines a measured value of the characteristic. A comparator (311) compares the measured values to the reference value and an initiator (313) triggers an entity detection process if the comparison indicates that a measured value and the reference value do not meet a similarity criterion.

Abstract: A system for separating components defining a cavity for receiving the fluid. The system further includes a rigid insert slidably disposed in the cavity, the insert including a funnel-shaped upper portion and a hole therethrough. The insert has a density such that upon centrifugation a selected component of the fluid resides within the upper portion of the insert. A bone marrow aspiration device includes an introducer needle assembly and an aspiration needle assembly. The introducer needle assembly includes an introducer cannula and a removable trocar. The aspiration needle assembly includes a flexible aspiration cannula and a flexible stylet. The length of the aspiration cannula is substantially greater than the length of the introducer cannula. The aspiration needle assembly is receivable in the introducer cannula when the trocar is removed from the introducer needle assembly. The aspiration cannula forms a channel for aspirating bone marrow when the stylet is removed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining wettability in a subsurface reservoir. Embodiments of the method utilize image analysis techniques for determining wettability indicator values. Wettability indicator values may be determined based on a hydrocarbon wet fraction and a water wet fraction of pore linings, which may both be determined by image analysis of pore walls lined with hydrocarbons using images of sections obtained from core samples. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more detail herein.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power receiver (105) and a power transmitter (101) generating a wireless inductive power transfer signal for powering the power receiver (105) during a power transfer phase. An apparatus, often the power transmitter (101) comprises a first communication unit (305) communicating with a second communication unit of an entity using an electromagnetic communication signal. The entity may typically be the power receiver (105). The apparatus comprises a reference processor (307) for measuring and storing a reference value of a characteristic of the communication signal and a measurement unit (309) which repeatedly during the power transfer phase determines a measured value of the characteristic. A comparator (311) compares the measured values to the reference value and an initiator (313) triggers an entity detection process if the comparison indicates that a measured value and the reference value do not meet a similarity criterion.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (101) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (105) via a wireless inductive power transfer signal where the power transfer signal is provided in a power time interval of a repeating power transfer signal time frame. The time frame furthermore comprises a reduced power time interval. An apparatus (typically being the power receiver (105) or the power transmitter (101)) comprises a short range communication unit (305, 405) arranged to communicate data messages with a second entity (which is the complementary unit, i.e. either the power transmitter (101)) or the power receiver (105)) using short range communication. The short range communication has a range not exceeding 20 cm. The apparatus further comprises a synchronization unit (309, 409) arranged to synchronize the short range communication to the power transfer signal time frame such that short range communication is restricted to the reduced power time intervals.

Abstract: A system for separating components defining a cavity for receiving the fluid. The system further includes a rigid insert sSidably disposed in the cavity, the insert including a funnel-shaped upper portion and a hole therethrough. The insert has a density such that upon centrifugation a selected component of the fluid resides within the upper portion of the insert. A bone marrow aspiration device includes an introducer needle assembly and an aspiration needle assembly. The introducer needle assembly includes an introducer cannula and a removable trocar. The aspiration needle assembly includes a flexible aspiration cannula and a flexible stylet. The length of the aspiration cannula is substantially greater than the length of the introducer cannula. The aspiration needle assembly is receivable in the introducer cannula when the trocar is removed from the introducer needle assembly. The aspiration cannula forms a channel for aspirating bone marrow when the stylet is removed.

Abstract: A power transmitter (501) transfers power to a power receiver (505) using a wireless inductive power signal between inductors of the devices. In the power transmitter (501) a power source (601) provides a power source signal which may have level variations. A power signal generator (603) generates a drive signal from the power source signal by means of a frequency converter (605) which increases the frequency of the drive signal relative to the power source signal. A limiter (607) for restricts the power of the drive signal fed to the inductor (503) to be below a threshold in repeating time intervals. A synchronizer (611) synchronizes the repeating time intervals to the power source signal. In the power receiver(505) a load coupler (1001) decouples the power load (1003) from the inductor (507) during the repeating time intervals and a synchronizer (1005) synchronizes the repeating time intervals of the receiver to the power signal.

Abstract: Methods for upscaling digital rock modeling data are described. Core-plug samples for pore-scale modeling are chosen using whole-core mini-permeability grids and conventional CT scans. Pore models or pore-network models are used for flow modeling. Borehole-scale models use MPS (Multi-Point Statistics) to combine mini-permeability grids and conventional CTscans of whole core with electrical borehole images to create 3D numerical pseudocores for each RRT (Reservoir Rock Type). Effective SCAL properties computed from various MPS borehole-scale realizations or models are used to populate interwell-scale models for each RRT. Effective properties computed from flow simulations for interwell volumes are used to populate full-field scale models. At the full-field scale, outcrop analogs, sequence stratigraphy, forward stratigraphic models, diagenetic models, and basin-scale models are combined using MPS to improve flow simulations.