Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, devices, and optical components are described. One or more materials used in an optical system may be bonded together using a pulsed laser beam. The bonding process may include transmitting a pulsed laser to irradiate an interface between two components, which may include two optical components or an optical component and a mounting component. The pulsed laser may generate one or more bonding locations where the components are in relatively close contact with each other, which may secure the components together via at least partial melting of material at one or more surfaces of the components. In some examples, the pulsed laser may be scanned over the bonding locations some quantity of times and/or using a pattern to achieve the bond. In some aspects, one or more absorbing layers may be added to the components.

Abstract: A method for expanding features of a gas engine replacement device that drives power equipment including controlling, by an electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device, a power switching network to selectively provide power from a battery pack to rotate a motor of the gas engine replacement device. A module interface of the gas engine replacement device receives an external electronics module. A type of the external electronics module received by the module interface is detected by the electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device. The gas engine replacement device is configured by the electronic processor based on the type of the received external electronics module. The electronic processor communicates with the external electronics module via the module interface.

Abstract: A method for expanding features of a gas engine replacement device that drives power equipment including controlling, by an electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device, a power switching network to selectively provide power from a battery pack to rotate a motor of the gas engine replacement device. A module interface of the gas engine replacement device receives an external electronics module. A type of the external electronics module received by the module interface is detected by the electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device. The gas engine replacement device is configured by the electronic processor based on the type of the received external electronics module. The electronic processor communicates with the external electronics module via the module interface.

Abstract: A method for expanding features of a gas engine replacement device that drives power equipment including controlling, by an electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device, a power switching network to selectively provide power from a battery pack to rotate a motor of the gas engine replacement device. A module interface of the gas engine replacement device receives an external electronics module. A type of the external electronics module received by the module interface is detected by the electronic processor of the gas engine replacement device. The gas engine replacement device is configured by the electronic processor based on the type of the received external electronics module. The electronic processor communicates with the external electronics module via the module interface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a remotely controllable gas engine replacement device including a housing, a battery receptacle coupled to the housing, the battery receptacle configured to removably receive a battery pack, a motor located within the housing, a power take-off shaft receiving torque from the motor and protruding from a side of the housing, a power switching network configured to selectively provide power from the battery pack to the motor, and one or more remote control device interfaces configured to communicate with the remote control device. The remotely controllable gas engine replacement device also includes an electronic processor coupled to the power switching network and the remote control device interface. The electronic processor configured to control the power switching network to rotate the motor, receive a control signal from the remote control device, and execute a responsive action to the control signal from the remote control device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ionic polymers incorporating an cationic atom in the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A digestive profiling system comprises a breath analysis device comprising an inlet arranged to receive a breath sample from a user, a gas sensor arranged to generate a gas measurement of an amount of gas in the breath sample, and a first communication interface arranged to transmit a plurality of gas measurements generated by the gas sensor. The system further comprises a remote user interface device. The remote user interface device comprises a second communication interface arranged to receive the gas measurements generated by the gas sensor, a storage module arranged to store the received gas measurements, and a display arranged to display information to the user based on the stored gas measurements. The remote user interface device is remote from the breath analysis device.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to a sample retrieval device and to system including such a device in combination with biopsy needle. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of using the sample retrieval device in combination with the biopsy needle to retrieve a biopsy sample from a patient and to prepare the sample for examination.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ionic polymers incorporating an cationic atom in the polymer backbone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and kits for the retrieval of samples from a biopsy needle and to methods of using such devices. In one embodiment, components of the system are supplied in the form of a kit contained in packaging that is utilized during the retrieval of the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for on-site remediation and sanitization of household items preferably uses a HEPA vacuum to remove surface microbials from the item being remediated. The item is then placed into a sealable plastic vacuum bag having a connection port that allows a vacuum to remove air from the bag, collapsing the bag over the item (which has first been braced to the extent necessary to prevent damage to the item). Once the air has been extracted from the vacuum bag air is introduced into the bag, preferably by using a blower, whereby a fogger can be used to introduce a remediating fog into the bag with the remediating fog surrounding the item. Next, the vacuum is used to again collapse the bag around the item, thereby infusing the remediating fog into the item. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the steps of inflating, fogging, and collapsing may be repeated one or more times to thoroughly infuse the remediating solution into the item, after which the item is removed from the vacuum bag.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention generally relates to a sample retrieval device and to system including such a device in combination with biopsy needle. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of using the sample retrieval device in combination with the biopsy needle to retrieve a biopsy sample from a patient and to prepare the sample for examination.

Abstract: The provision of blunt protrusions on a grounded screen of a plasma reactor in combination with a working gas diluted with a predominant quantity of an inert gas provides enhanced back corona discharge and greatly increased quantities of neutral radicals near and below the grounded screen of a plasma reactor vessel operated at near atmospheric pressure. Use of helium as the inert gas allow production of reactive species of oxygen, nitrogen or both.

Abstract: A door lock for preventing a door from being opened by intruders. The door lock includes a ring having an open central area, wherein the ring can be positioned over a doorknob to prevent the door from being opened. The ring has a substantially circular shape and includes a recessed area that can be positioned over the neck of the doorknob so as to secure the ring onto the doorknob. The ring includes one or more slides thereon for securing the ring in position on the doorknob. The ring is connected to a bracket that is mountable to a doorframe via an elongated chain. The bracket includes a planar panel that can be affixed to the doorframe via any suitable fasteners. Thus, the door lock helps to prevent a door from being opened when installed thereon, and can be removably positioned on the doorknob as desired by the user.

Abstract: A vehicle voice interface system calibration method comprising electronically convolving voice command data with voice impulse response data, electronically convolving audio system output data with feedback impulse response data, and calibrating the vehicle voice interface system. The voice command data is electronically convolved with voice impulse response data representing a voice acoustic signal path between an artificial mouth simulator and a first microphone, to simulate a voice acoustic transfer function pertaining to the passenger compartment. The audio system output data is convolved with feedback impulse response data representing a feedback acoustic signal path between a vehicle audio system output and a second microphone, to simulate a feedback acoustic transfer function pertaining to the passenger compartment. The voice interface system is calibrated to recognize voice commands represented by the voice command data based on the simulated voice and feedback acoustic transfer functions.

Abstract: A system for treating at least one surface of a material may include a reaction vessel containing a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a gap. A power source may generate an electrical potential across the first electrode and the second electrode. A mixture of a non-reactive fluid and a reactive fluid exposed to the electrical potential may produce a back coronal plasma discharge from the second electrode to the first electrode. The reactive gas may further form a treatment material within the plasma. Depending on the reactive fluid introduced in the reaction vessel, a substrate disposed distally with respect to the second electrode may be coated with the treatment material, thereby increasing the hydrophobic character of the substrate. The treated substrate may be incorporated into a composite composition composed of a hydrophobic matrix.

Abstract: A system and method for a terrain awareness warning system. The system includes a radar system configured to transmit a first radio frequency wave and receive a second radio frequency wave and a display for receiving a display signal representative of a terrain and a terrain awareness warning system. The terrain awareness warning system includes a forward-looking terrain logic configured to be in communication with the radar system and to process a terrain signal from the radar system.

Abstract: A vehicle voice interface system calibration method comprising electronically convolving voice command data with voice impulse response data, electronically convolving audio system output data with feedback impulse response data, and calibrating the vehicle voice interface system. The voice command data is electronically convolved with voice impulse response data representing a voice acoustic signal path between an artificial mouth simulator and a first microphone, to simulate a voice acoustic transfer function pertaining to the passenger compartment. The audio system output data is convolved with feedback impulse response data representing a feedback acoustic signal path between a vehicle audio system output and a second microphone, to simulate a feedback acoustic transfer function pertaining to the passenger compartment. The voice interface system is calibrated to recognize voice commands represented by the voice command data based on the simulated voice and feedback acoustic transfer functions.

Abstract: An audio broadcast processing method includes a plurality of steps. One step involves processing an audio broadcast having at least one occurrence of signal degradation that adversely affects audio quality of a corresponding segment of the audio performance. Another step involves modifying the segment of the audio performance with a plurality of differing signal degradation compensation factors to selectively compensate for the at least one occurrence of signal degradation to produce a plurality of compensated audio performances. Another step involves evaluating the compensated audio performances. Still another step involves determining at least one preferred signal degradation compensation factor based on data from the evaluating of the compensated audio performances. Yet another step includes configuring an audio device with the at least one preferred processing factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for remediating environmental fungal sites in an environment to which a patient experiencing sinusitis and chronic rhino sinusitis brought on by fungal antigens is exposed. The formulation includes grapefruit seed extract, together with lemon, lime, and tangerine seed extracts. The method removes both air borne antigens and mold colonies from the environment.