Abstract: A nonlinear fiber interferometer is disclosed suitable for fiber sensor and other applications. A first nonlinear fiber section amplifies probe and conjugate sidebands of a pump through four-wave mixing. A second section introduces a phase shift to be measured, for example from a sensor. A third nonlinear fiber section amplifies with phase-sensitive gain to increase signal-to-noise ratio. Based on phase-sensitive output power of probe and/or conjugate components, the phase shift can be measured. Superior performance can be obtained by balancing gain between the (first and third) nonlinear sections. Non-fiber, for example photonic integrated circuit, embodiments are disclosed. Differential sensing, alternative detection schemes, sensing applications, associated methods, and other variations are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and processes that may use touch-free document reading at self-service interaction stations. Some embodiments relate to a self service station for conducting a passenger interaction process in transit environment, including, a display screen to display a visual prompt to present a travel document in a field of view of a video image recording device as part of the passenger interaction process, and configured to determine from the received live video images a document face image present on the travel document, to determine from the received live video images a machine-readable zone (MRZ) of the travel document and store a captured MRZ image of the MRZ, to process the captured MRZ image to determine identification information on the travel document, and store the document face image and the identification information for use in the passenger interaction process.

Abstract: A pipe (12) coupling assembly (16, 116) includes a body (64, 120), a rib (65, 122), and teeth (56, 124). The body (64, 118) has an outer diameter and first and second inner diameter sections (68, 128, 70, 130). The first inner diameter section (68, 128) is wider than the second inner diameter section (70, 130). The rib (65, 122) extends around the first diameter section (68, 128) and projects radially inwardly therefrom. The teeth (56, 124) are situated within the second inner diameter section (70, 130) and project radially inwardly toward a central axis (38, 134) of the body (64, 120).

Abstract: The present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated handling of samples, e.g., biological or chemical samples. The apparatuses and the methods of the present teachings allow automated performance of various sample manipulation steps without manual intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated enrichment of templated beads produced by PCR.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of Black Soldier Fly breeding are provided. The method includes emitting a lure light to lure Black Soldier Flies into an interior space of a fly enclosure, emitting a mating light to induce Black Soldier Flies in the interior space to mate, and illuminating the interior space to a first illuminance above an ovipositing illuminance threshold and below a mating inducing illuminance threshold. The lure light has a first wavelength range that attracts recently hatched Black Soldier Flies into the fly enclosure through one or more lure ports formed in the fly enclosure. The mating light has a second wavelength range that induces Black Soldier Flies to mate. The method may also include illuminating the interior space to a second illuminance below the ovipositing illuminance threshold so that Black Soldier Flies in the interior space are encouraged to rest.

Abstract: A system is provided for securely performing 3D printing. The system includes: (a) computing equipment configured to: (1) display a list of items available for 3D printing to a user; (2) receive a selection from the user of a particular item; (3) authenticate an acquisition of the particular item by the user; and (4) send, to a 3D printer of the user, a secure 3D print file that includes a description of 3D geometry of the particular item, a description of access restrictions for 3D printing of the particular item, and secure access controls preventing unauthorized access to 3D printing of the particular item; and (b) the 3D printer configured to: (1) authenticate that the user has acquired the particular item and validate that the access restrictions for 3D printing of the particular item do not restrict 3D printing of the particular item by the 3D printer; and (2) in response to authenticating and validating, construct the particular item using the description of 3D geometry of the particular item.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selectively removing a first charged species from a plurality of charged species in solution, which process comprises: treating a solution with a functionalised polymer and a surfactant, wherein the solution comprises a plurality of charged species dissolved in a solvent, wherein the plurality of charged species comprises the first charged species and at least one further charged species which is different from the first charged species, and wherein the functionalised polymer comprises groups that bind preferentially to the first charged species.

Abstract: A passive flow induced vibration reduction system for use in a temperature conditioning system that controls the temperature of at least one component within a lithographic apparatus. This FIV reduction system includes: a conduit that provides a flow path for a liquid through the system; a liquid filled cavity in fluid connection with the conduit, wherein the fluid connection is provided via one or more openings in the wall of the conduit; a membrane configured such that it separates the liquid in the liquid filled cavity from a gas at a substantially ambient pressure and the membrane is configured such that compliance of the membrane reduces at least low frequency flow induced vibrations in the liquid flowing through the conduit; and an end-stop located on the gas side of the membrane, wherein the end-stop is configured to limit an extent of deflection of the membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a detonation interrupt device. The detonation interrupt device, in one aspect, includes a first detonation train member positioned within a housing, and a mechanical member positioned proximate the first detonation train member. In this aspect, the mechanical member is movable between a first position physically separating the first detonation train member from a second detonation train member and thereby preventing the first detonation train member from detonating the second detonation train member, and a second position not physically separating the first detonation train member from the second detonation train member and thereby allowing the first detonation train member to detonate the second detonation train member, wherein the mechanical member is configured to automatically move from the first position to the second position as the housing and the second detonation train member move linearly with respect to each other.

Abstract: A nonlinear fiber interferometer is disclosed suitable for fiber sensor and other applications. A first nonlinear fiber section amplifies probe and conjugate sidebands of a pump through four-wave mixing. A second section introduces a phase shift to be measured, for example from a sensor. A third nonlinear fiber section amplifies with phase-sensitive gain to increase signal-to-noise ratio. Based on phase-sensitive output power of probe and/or conjugate components, the phase shift can be measured. Superior performance can be obtained by balancing gain between the (first and third) nonlinear sections. Non-fiber, for example photonic integrated circuit, embodiments are disclosed. Differential sensing, alternative detection schemes, sensing applications, associated methods, and other variations are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a road making material and a road making material, the road making material comprising more than 10% polyvinylchloride (PVC) by weight and the polyvinylchloride having a glass transition temperature of no more than 180° C.

Abstract: An extraction body for a support apparatus of a lithographic apparatus. The support apparatus is configured to support an object. The extraction body is formed with an opening at a surface thereof. The opening extends within the extraction body forming a first passageway. The first passageway is configured to fluidly communicate an extraction channel in the extraction body to liquid between the surface and the object. A first pressure in the extraction channel is less than ambient pressure. At least a part of the first passageway is sized and dimensioned such that when the liquid enters the first passageway via the opening, a second pressure in the first passageway associated with surface tension of the liquid is lower than the first pressure such that at least a portion of the liquid is retained in the first passageway.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for providing a protective shade covering for protecting a container of craft beer or similar, to reduce exposure of the beverage to light that may cause spoiling of the beverage. The device may consist of a base for placement upon a table or other surface, a back perpendicular to the base, and a top coupled to the back such that the top may be positioned over the top of a glass or tankard and provide a physical shield between the drink and light from a substantively overhead source such as a ceiling light or the sun. In preferred applications, the device may be provided as an amenity at a restaurant, taproom, or similar which serves tap beer to customers, particularly for enjoyment of the served beverage utilizing outdoor seating.

Abstract: A wireless detonation system having a dongle for removable connection with a computer system and for wirelessly communicating with and controlling one or more trigger devices and a trigger device for wirelessly communicating with the dongle. The dongle includes a dongle processor programmed to communicate with the computer system via the communication interface to operate the radio transceiver to wirelessly communicate with one or more trigger devices, a radio transceiver coupled to the dongle processor, a communication interface coupled to the dongle processor and one or more contact communication terminals in communication with the dongle processor.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring activation in a heart comprises a probe (100), a plurality of electrodes (102) supported at respective electrode positions on the probe and each arranged to contact a respective detection position on the heart. Each of the electrodes (102) is arranged to detect electrical potential at the respective detection position during movement of a series of activation wavefronts across the heart and to produce a respective electrode signal. Processing means is arranged to analyse the electrode signals to: identify pairs of the electrode signals between which there is a degree of Granger causality; define a causality vector between the electrode positions of each of the pairs of electrodes; identify a potential driver location; and analyse the direction of a plurality of the causality vectors around the potential driver position to generate an indicator of the presence of a driver at the potential driver location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a road making material comprising aggregate, bitumen, and a plastics material, wherein: (a) when the road making material is 10 mm stone mastic asphalt, the bitumen comprises at least 4.7% but no more than 5.69% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; (b) when the road making material is 6 mm, 10 mm, or 20 mm asphaltic concrete, the bitumen comprises at least 3.1% but no more than 4.09% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; (c) when the road making material is hot rolled asphalt, the bitumen comprises at least 4.9% but no more than 5.89% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; or (d) when the road making material is heavy duty 32 mm, the bitumen comprises at least 2.4% but no more than 3.39% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in a telephone having computer instructions to execute a web server application in the telephone. The web server application can be operable to detect an incoming plain old telephone service call, identify a calling party identifier from the incoming plain old telephone service call, and direct one of a plurality of devices detected by web server application to present the calling party identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced nonwoven composites having a wide variety of uses (e.g., leisure goods, aerospace, electronics, equipment, energy generation, mass transport, automotive parts, marine, construction, defense, sports and/or the like) are provided. The fiber-reinforced nonwoven composite includes a plurality of carbon fibers and a polymer matrix. The plurality of carbon fibers have an average fiber length from about 50 mm to about 125 mm. The fiber-reinforced nonwoven composite comprises a theoretical void volume from about 0% to about 10%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a road making material comprising aggregate, bitumen, and a plastics material, wherein: (a) when the road making material is 10 mm stone mastic asphalt, the bitumen comprises at least 4.7% but no more than 5.69% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; (b) when the road making material is 6 mm, 10 mm, or 20 mm asphaltic concrete, the bitumen comprises at least 3.1% but no more than 4.09% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; (c) when the road making material is hot rolled asphalt, the bitumen comprises at least 4.9% but no more than 5.89% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix; or (d) when the road making material is heavy duty 32 mm, the bitumen comprises at least 2.4% but no more than 3.39% by weight of the aggregate, bitumen, and plastics material mix.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to a low-profile adjustable fastener for charge orientation of a downhole perforating tool. The perforating tool may include a first tubular comprising apertures; a second tubular comprising apertures, the first tubular disposed in the second tubular, wherein the apertures of the first tubular are configured to align with the apertures of the second tubular upon movement of the first tubular; and a fastener comprising: a first component configured to pass through the apertures on a first side of each of the first and second tubulars; and a second component configured to pass through the apertures on a second side of each of the first and second tubulars.