Abstract: Photoelectrodes and photoelectrochemical redox flow batteries incorporating the photoelectrodes are disclosed. The photoelectrodes include a photoactive semiconductor and a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which includes a plurality of edges and/or points, e.g., nanostars, nanopyramids, nanorods, etc.

Abstract: A method for producing alane is provided. The method comprises forming a solution comprising an alane adduct and a Lewis acid. The alane adduct comprises alane and a coordinating ligand. The method further comprises exposing the solution to a laser or high-power light at a at least one wavelength selected to cause dissociation of a bond between the alane and the coordinating ligand, resulting in crystallization of the alane and binding of the coordinating ligand to the Lewis acid after dissociation and separating the crystallized alane from the coordinating ligand and Lewis acid.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a steering control mechanism, an imaging endoscopy system incorporating a steering control mechanism, and a method of assembling a steering control mechanism. The steering control mechanism is configured for controlling bending of a steering section of an endoscope in a first plane via first and second steering wires. It comprises a first rotational drive wheel comprising first and second drive wheel body portions, the first drive wheel body portion comprising a first drum element coupled to the first steering wire, and the second drive wheel body portion comprising a second drum element coupled to the second steering wire. The rotational drive wheel is configured to provide one-way relative rotation of the first drum element and the second drum element.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an imaging endoscopy system comprising a hand controller, an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip, and a steering control mechanism comprising a first continuous steering wire. The first continuous steering wire has first and second ends coupled to a user control assembly at the hand controller, and an intermediate portion fixed at the distal tip of the insertion section, thereby defining two steering wire portions extending from the hand controller to the distal tip, said steering wire portions capable of being tensioned to cause bending of the steering section in response to operation of the user control assembly of the hand controller.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an imaging endoscope system and method for assembling an imaging endoscope system from a kit. The imaging endoscope system comprises a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section for releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller, and an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject. The base unit is configured for provision of electrical power and one or more fluids to the insertion section via the umbilical section and the hand controller. The umbilical section comprises an umbilical section connector configured to be releasably engageable with a corresponding base unit connector via a single connection action to make at least one mechanical connection, at least one electrical connection, and at least one fluid connection between the umbilical section connector and the base unit connector during said single connection action.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bendable member for an imaging endoscope and an imaging endoscope incorporating said bendable member. The bendable member comprises a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, wherein, when the bendable member is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements.

Abstract: A system and method for providing updates to medical devices is disclosed. In one example, the medical devices are configured to pull update files in response to the reception of an update message from a server. Once the update files are downloaded by a medical device, the update files can be installed. While the medical device pulls the update files, the medical device can continue with its normal operation. If desired, a user can select which medical devices should be updated, based on any desired factors, such as the physical location of the device, the model of the device, the type of device, and the way the device is being used.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for collecting light directed through an architectural opening includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening. A portion of light from a light source is absorbed by the plurality of optical fibers. One or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are configured to transmit the absorbed light to one or more light collection elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are high enthalpy thermochemical energy storage materials that exhibit high thermal conductivity and stability at high temperature reaction conditions. Disclosed materials include hydride-based alloys that can undergo high temperature reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions without phase change of any metal or metalloid components of the alloy. The materials undergo a reversible exothermic hydrogenation reaction to form a metal hydride and a ternary alloy that includes a high thermal conductivity metal that, in its pure state, would exhibit a phase change at the hydrogenation reaction conditions.

Abstract: An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.

Abstract: A system and method for providing updates to medical devices is disclosed. In one example, the medical devices are configured to pull update files in response to the reception of an update message from a server. Once the update files are downloaded by a medical device, the update files can be installed. While the medical device pulls the update files, the medical device can continue with its normal operation. If desired, a user can select which medical devices should be updated, based on any desired factors, such as the physical location of the device, the model of the device, the type of device, and the way the device is being used.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for collecting light directed through an architectural opening includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening. A portion of light from a light source is absorbed by the plurality of optical fibers. One or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are configured to transmit the absorbed light to one or more light collection elements.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a substrate holder assembly configured to support a plurality of elongated substrates relative to a sputtering source. Each elongated substrate of the plurality of elongated substrates extends along a respective substrate axis. The sputtering apparatus also includes a holder drive assembly that is configured to rotate the substrate holder assembly about a holder axis. Each respective substrate axis is oriented non-parallel relative to the holder axis. Further, the sputtering apparatus includes a substrate drive assembly that is configured to individually rotate each elongated substrate about its respective substrate axis. The sputtered material is configured to be deposited onto the plurality of elongated substrates as the substrate holder assembly is being rotated about the holder rotational axis simultaneous with the rotation of each elongated substrate about its respective substrate axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are high enthalpy thermochemical energy storage materials that exhibit high thermal conductivity and stability at high temperature reaction conditions. Disclosed materials include hydride-based alloys that can undergo high temperature reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions without phase change of any metal or metalloid components of the alloy. The materials undergo a reversible exothermic hydrogenation reaction to form a metal hydride and a ternary alloy that includes a high thermal conductivity metal that, in its pure state, would exhibit a phase change at the hydrogenation reaction conditions.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for collecting light directed through an architectural opening includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening. A portion of light from a light source is absorbed by the plurality of optical fibers. One or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are configured to transmit the absorbed light to one or more light collection elements.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for collecting light directed through an architectural opening includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned within the architectural opening. A portion of light from a light source is absorbed by the plurality of optical fibers. One or more optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are configured to transmit the absorbed light to one or more light collection elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermochemical energy storage materials that exhibit high enthalpy of reaction for an exothermic hydrogenation reaction at high temperature reaction conditions. Disclosed materials include titanium-aluminum-vanadium based alloys that can undergo high temperature reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions. The materials include aluminum and vanadium in conjunction with titanium in amounts designed to encourage the high enthalpy of reaction and are substantially free of materials that would lower the enthalpy of reaction.

Abstract: In Example implementations provide a computer program product to authenticate a set of components associated with a device; the components having associated respective shares (s1..sn) of a private key of a private-key/public key pair (sk,pk); the computer program product comprising: instructions to create a signature from the shares (s1..sn) and a message, m, associated with the components; and instructions to generate authentication data comprising at least the signature for transmitting to an authentication server.

Abstract: Centralized systems execute one or more applications for monitoring and operating a plurality of network enabled medical devices. An indication to start a selected application at the centralized system or at a network enabled medical device is received at the centralized system/network enabled medical device. The selected application may require a license to operate and, at the time the indication is received, may have a first license available. Instead of using the first license, the centralized system/network enabled medical device may determine to inherit at least a portion of a second license to operate the selected application. The centralized system/network enabled medical device may inherit at least the portion of the second license to form an inherited license, where the inherited license enables features of the selected application. Using the inherited license, the selected application is started with the enabled features. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that utilize a solid hydrogen storage material, e.g., a metal hydride as a fuel source for operating a vehicle. Disclosed systems utilize the pressure of a hydrogen storage tank as a controlling factor for release of hydrogen from a solid hydrogen storage material. Disclosed systems are particularly beneficial for use with unmanned aerial vehicles.