Abstract: Metallic matrix composites include a high strength titanium aluminide alloy matrix and an in situ formed aluminum oxide reinforcement. The atomic percentage of aluminum in the titanium aluminide alloy matrix can vary from 40% to 48%. Included are methods of making the metallic matrix composites, in particular, through the performance of an exothermic chemical reaction. The metallic matrix composites can exhibit low porosity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wire comprising aluminum oxide particles formed in situ in a fully dense matrix of titanium aluminide intermetallic material by means of the combustion synthesis of aluminum and titanium oxide followed by thermo-mechanical forming. The pre-combustion aluminum may be elemental, or an aluminum alloy containing one or more of the elements vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, or boron. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electric power transmission cable comprising a plurality of wires manufactured according to the present invention.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and sanitizing a moving handrail, such as those found on escalators and moving walkways. The device can automatically and continuously sanitize a handrail as it moves past or through the device, thereby preventing the spread of germs and viruses and encouraging users to make contact with the handrail for safety reasons without worrying about disease transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for generating a shared function binding arrangement comprising a first module and a shared module which includes a plurality of functions and having means for binding a function shared between the first module and the shared module. The process comprises a linking phase for creating the first module and the shared module, a preparation phase for preparing the first module for calling the shared module without exposing details of the call, and a loading phase for loading the modules and linking the first module to a respective function in the shared module without exposing details of the call. The invention also provides a method and system for binding a function shared between a first module and a shared module by means of a linking arrangement a linking arrangement that enables the first module to call a respective function in the shared module without exposing details of the call.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wire comprising aluminum oxide particles formed in situ in a fully dense matrix of titanium aluminide intermetallic material by means of the combustion synthesis of aluminum and titanium oxide followed by thermo-mechanical forming. The pre-combustion aluminum may be elemental, or an aluminum alloy containing one or more of the elements vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, or boron. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electric power transmission cable comprising a plurality of wires manufactured according to the present invention.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and sanitizing a moving handrail, such as those found on escalators and moving walkways. The device can automatically and continuously sanitize a handrail as it moves past or through the device, thereby preventing the spread of germs and viruses and encouraging users to make contact with the handrail for safety reasons without worrying about disease transmission.

Abstract: An all-natural fiber biodegradable generally planar mat for use in the germination, growth enhancement and propagation of plants and trees and the suppression of weed growth is provided. The present invention comprises a generally planer layer of at least one or a combination of natural fibers including, but not limited to, human hair, animal hair, coconut fiber, seaweed, kelp, cotton, corn silk and peat moss, and alternatively may incorporate a plurality of man-made fibers. Such mat may be constructed using needle punching, hydro-entanglement, or aero-entanglement. The generally planar mat in a wide variety of constructions is used in various methodologies of promoting seed germination, root growth, spot growth on existing plantings, landscaping under-laminate, soil additive, and as a weed control and pest deterrent in the horticultural field.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and apparatus for displaying a 2D image data set combined with a 3D range data set. A 3D range data set and at least one 2D image data set which differs from the 3D range data set in resolution, origin, or both, are provided. The 3D range data set is represented as a first displayed image while each 2D image data set is represented as at least a second displayed image. Corresponding features are identified within each displayed image. 3D transformation is computed between the 3D range data set and at least one 2D image data set using the specified corresponding features to establish geometric correspondence. At least one 2D image data set is represented as a third displayed image, wherein a 3D coordinate can be computed for any specified pixel of each 2D image data set using the 3D transformation and 3D range data set.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for making and displaying measurements based upon multiple 3D range data sets obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. At least a first and a second 3D range data sets are provided. A 3D transformation is computed therebetween. The first 3D range data set is represented as a first displayed image and the second 3D range data set is represented as a second displayed image. At least two features are identified within the first and second displayed images respectively. A measurement is computed based on at least the first feature and the second feature utilizing the 3D transformation between the first and second 3D range data sets. The computed measurement may be displayed within at least one of the first displayed image and the second displayed image.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for obtaining the geometric correspondence between at least two 3D range data sets obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. First and second 3D range data sets are provided. The first 3D range data set is displayed as a 2D displayed image. The second 3D range data set is displayed as one of a second 2D displayed image and a 3D displayed image. Corresponding features within the first 2D displayed image and within the second displayed image are respectively specified. A 3D transformation between the first 3D range data set and the second 3D range data set is computed based on the geometry of the specified corresponding features. As such, that the geometric correspondence between the two 3D range data sets may be determined.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for displaying a calculated geometric entity within at least one 3D range data set obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. At least a first 3D range data set is provided. Each 3D range data set is displayed as at least one displayed image. A calculated geometric entity selected from the group consisting of a vector, a surface, and a volume, is specified. The calculated geometric entity may be displayed merged within at least one displayed image.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for specifying, making, and displaying measurements within a 3D range data set obtained using a 3D rangefinder device. A 3D range data set is provided and represented as a first 2D displayed image and a second displayed image. The second displayed image is selected from the group consisting of a second 2D displayed image and a 3D displayed image. At least one feature is identified in the first 2D displayed image and the second displayed image, such that a measurement can be computed based on the identified features. The computed measurement is displayed in at least one of the first 2D displayed image and the second displayed image.

Abstract: An all-natural fiber biodegradable generally planar mat for use in the germination, growth enhancement and propagation of plants and trees and the suppression of weed growth is provided. The present invention comprises a generally planer layer of at least one or a combination of natural fibers including, but not limited to, human hair, animal hair, coconut fiber, seaweed, kelp, cotton, corn silk and peat moss, and alternatively may incorporate a plurality of man-made fibers. Such mat may be constructed using needle punching, hydro-entanglement, or aero-entanglement. The generally planar mat in a wide variety of constructions is used in various methodologies of promoting seed germination, root growth, spot growth on existing plantings, landscaping under-laminate, soil additive, and as a weed control and pest deterrent in the horticultural field.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanner may display volume renderings of objects in real time. In particular, the system can scan an object at a first time using the ultrasound scanner to provide a first 3D ultrasound dataset that represents the object and of an instrument at a first position. A volume rendering of at least a portion of the object and instrument can be displayed. The first position of the instrument can be adjusted relative to the object based on the displayed volume rendering to provide a second position of the instrument. The object is scanned at a second time using the ultrasound scanner to provide a second 3D ultrasound dataset that represents at least a portion of the object and the instrument at the second position.

Abstract: A first ultrasound dataset that represents an object in a first coordinate system can be acquired at a first time. Three landmarks of the object can be located in the first ultrasound dataset to define a second coordinate system. A first transform from the first to the second coordinate system can be determined for the first ultrasound dataset. A second ultrasound dataset that represents the object in the first coordinate system can be acquired at a second time. The same three landmarks in the second ultrasound dataset can be located to define a third coordinate system. A second transform from the first to the third coordinate systems can be determined for the second ultrasound dataset.

Abstract: A millimeter wave multilayer phased array assembly has a multilayer board consisting of several laminated printed wiring boards (PWBs) and a frame having a waveguide input and waveguide output. The PWBs are made of a high frequency laminate material and have a pattern of metalization to perform varying electronic tasks. These tasks include electrical interconnection, RF signal transmission, DC current routing and DC signal routing.

Abstract: A volumetric ultrasound system is used to determine the velocity of tissue using 3D echo data. In particular, the velocity of tissue in a 3D volume is determined by steering ultrasound beams to the tissue in the 3D volume and forming 3D echo data from receive ultrasound beams formed from reflections of the steered ultrasound beams from the tissue in the 3D volume. The velocity of the tissue associated with the 3D echo data can be determined using velocity determination techniques. The velocity of the tissue can be displayed in real-time. For example, in one embodiment, a sub-volume of the 3D volume can be scanned and the determined velocity of the tissue displayed in about 50 milliseconds (ms).

Abstract: A high frequency microwave integrated circuit assembly (14,20) includes a fragile monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) chip (22) mounted in an MMIC subassembly (20) that is completely assembled, tested and burned in independent of the main high frequency microwave integrated circuit assembly and is mechanically attached to the main assembly by a captivation screw (100). The MMIC chip (22) is bonded to an uppermost tier (30) of a multi-tier spaced pedestal (26) and is received within an aperture (46) within a slave board (44) that itself is mounted and bonded to a lower tier (28) of the pedestal (26). The main integrated circuit assembly is formed with a rectangular opening (84) in an upper portion of its substrate to non-rotationally receive the rectangular slave board and a slightly larger internally threaded circular hole (94) in a lower portion of the main assembly substrate that threadedly receive the captivation screw (100).