Abstract: Semiconductor processing tools with wafer back-side processing capabilities are disclosed. Such tools may be configured to only contact wafers being processed through edge contact, as opposed to underside/planar contact. Such tools may also include wafer-centering features that may allow such wafers to be precisely centered with regard to a particular wafer processing station thereof.

Abstract: A computer-implemented real-time payment system for clearing and settlement of transactions is described. The real-time payment system is adapted to implement a method of automated liquidity maintenance. The real-time payment system receives transactions for clearing and settlement from a plurality of participants, each of which has a liquidity position in the real-time payment system. At least some of the participants have a funded liquidity position in a central bank. The real-time payment system determines whether the liquidity position of each of the participants meets predetermined rules. If the liquidity position of any of the participants does not meet a predetermined rule applicable when the determination is made, the system requests an adjustment for that liquidity position so that it complies with that predetermined rule. The real-time payment system also coordinates with the central bank to use one of the funded liquidity positions to support that adjustment to a liquidity position.

Abstract: A system and method for providing fault isolation in a power distribution network. The network includes a power line, a recloser coupled to the power line and a plurality of switching devices coupled to the power line downstream of the recloser, where each switching device is capable of detecting fault current in response to the fault and detecting presence of voltage. In one non-limiting embodiment, the method includes detecting overcurrent, loss of voltage and return of voltage by the switching devices and includes sequentially opening and closing switching devices from the recloser to a switching device immediately upstream of the fault in response to detecting overcurrent, loss of voltage and return of voltage.

Abstract: A humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet, an outlet, a gases flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a permeable wall, a liquid reservoir, and a heater. The permeable wall separates the gases flow path from the liquid reservoir. The heater heats liquid stored in the liquid reservoir to form vapour, and the vapour passes through the permeable wall to the gases flow path to humidify gases in the gases flow path. Another inline humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet and an outlet and holds a tape made of hydrophilic or hygroscopic material. The tape is pre-soaked with water and can include a heating element. The heating element heats the tape and the stored water to release the stored water as vapour and thereby humidify gases passing through the inline humidifier.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices, subsystems, and systems for holographically displaying three-dimensional objects are provided. In one aspect, a device includes a plurality of elements arranged in rows and columns and a controller coupled to the plurality of elements, the controller comprising a plurality of driving circuits and a plurality of row scanners. Each of the plurality of elements is coupled to a respective driving circuit of the plurality of driving circuits. The plurality of row scanners include a row scanner having a series of selectors that are arranged in a column between two adjacent columns of elements, each selector of the series of selectors being configured to select a corresponding row of elements through corresponding driving circuits coupled to the corresponding row of elements.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for liquid transfer and performing reactions. In one aspect, a system includes a liquid transfer device having a housing having a pipette tip and a plunger assembly; and a reaction chamber, wherein the housing of the liquid transfer device is configured to sealably engage with the reaction chamber. In another aspect, a liquid transfer device including a housing having a pipette tip; and a plunger assembly disposed within the housing and the pipette tip, wherein a portion of the plunger assembly is configured to engage a fluid reservoir such that the plunger assembly remains stationary relative to the fluid reservoir and the housing moves relative to the plunger assembly.

Abstract: A method of writing voxels to a substrate using a laser writing system comprises forming a first voxel at a first position in a substrate using a first laser pulse; detecting light emitted or scattered by the substrate as a result of forming the first voxel; determining whether the detected light satisfies a predetermined constraint; and, when the detected light does not satisfy the predetermined constraint, adjusting an amplitude of a second laser pulse. Light emission or scattering from the substrate as a result of forming a voxel is related to the properties of the formed voxel. By monitoring such emission or scattering, it is made possible to compensate for variations in performance of the laser writing system. Also provided herein are a laser writing system and computer program product which implement the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating ocular inflammatory diseases by administering ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions of roflumilast. Administration of ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions of roflumilast can provide significant immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity relative to existing immunomodulatory, immunosuppressant, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapies, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, while also providing an improved safety and convenience profile relative to one or both agents.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices, subsystems, and systems for holographically displaying three-dimensional objects are provided. A system includes a display and a controller. The display includes: a backplane having a plurality of circuits and a plurality of display elements arranged on the backplane. The plurality of display elements form an irregular pattern. Each of the plurality of display elements is coupled to a respective circuit of the plurality of circuits. The controller is coupled to the display and configured to transmit at least one control signal to at least one display element of the display for modulating at least one property of the at least one display element.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices, subsystems, and systems for holographically displaying three-dimensional objects are provided. In one aspect, a device includes: an optical guiding device configured to guide light to propagate along a first direction within the optical guiding device, an in-coupling diffractive structure configured to diffract the light to propagate in the optical guiding device, and one or more out-coupling diffractive structures arranged downstream the in-coupling diffractive structure along the first direction and configured to diffract at least part of the light out of the optical guiding device along a second, different direction. The in-coupling diffractive structure is configured to cause a first optical dispersion for the light, and at least one out-coupling diffractive structure is configured to cause a second optical dispersion for the light.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a front panel that can be opaque, and a body that includes a sidewall extending from a rear wall. Further, the front panel is coupled to the body and an interior cavity is formed therebetween. The sidewall includes an illuminating portion and a viewing portion. The illuminating portion is translucent and the viewing portion is transparent. The viewing portion is located between the front panel and the rear wall and the viewing portion and the illuminating portion indicate a refill status.

Abstract: Various aspects include devices, systems, and methods for securing an anchoring element to a seafloor. The methods may use a subsea anchorage installation system that may include a subsea grout supply assembly. The subsea grout supply assembly may include a variable volume grout storage chamber, a paddle, and a subsea grout pump. The variable volume grout storage chamber may be configured to transport dry grout to a seafloor. The variable volume grout storage chamber may include a water injection port configured to receive water for mixing with the dry grout on the seafloor. The variable volume grout storage chamber may also be configured to expand from a collapsed configuration as water is injected.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A power coupler for transferring rotary power from a rotary power device to a load device includes a shear thickening fluid (STF) and a chamber that contains the STF. The power coupler further includes a drive shaft housed radially within a drive side section of the chamber and protruding outward from an end of the chamber for coupling to the rotary power device. The power coupler further includes a load shaft housed radially within a load side section of the chamber and protruding outward from another end of the chamber for coupling to the load device. The power coupler further includes a drive turbine housed radially within the drive side section and coupled to the drive shaft. The power coupler further includes a load turbine housed radially within the load side section at a fixed operational distance from the drive turbine and coupled to the load shaft.

Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a secondary object sensor, shear thickening fluid (STF), and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit system further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypasses to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, devices, subsystems, and systems for holographically displaying three-dimensional objects are provided. In one aspect, a device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and having instructions executable by the at least one processor to perform operations including: obtaining primitive data of a plurality of primitives corresponding to at least one object based on information of the plurality of primitives, the information of the plurality of primitives comprising respective primitive identifiers of the plurality of primitives; for each primitive of the plurality of primitives, determining an electromagnetic (EM) field contribution to each of a plurality of display elements of a display based on primitive data of the primitive; and for each of the plurality of display elements of the display, generating a sum of the EM field contributions of the plurality of primitives to the display element.

Abstract: A cartridge for use with chemical or biological analysis systems, as well as methods of using the same, is provided. The cartridge may include a floating microfluidic plate that is held in the cartridge using one or more floating support brackets that incorporate gaskets that may seal against fluidic ports on the microfluidic plate. The floating support brackets may include indexing features that may align the microfluidic plate with the seals.

Abstract: A system may include a turbine and a recuperative heat exchanger system. The recuperative heat exchanger system is configured to receive exhaust gases from the turbine. The recuperative heat exchanger system may include a precool section to cool the exhaust gases, a major heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases, and a minor heating section to receive the cooled the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a transparent substrate comprises forming a first voxel by focusing a first laser pulse on a first location in a transparent substrate; and forming a second voxel by focusing a second laser pulse on a second location in the transparent substrate. The first laser pulse and the second laser pulse have different amplitudes, resulting in the first and second voxels having different strengths. Also provided are a system useful for implementing the method; an optical data storage medium obtainable by the method; and a method of reading data from the optical data storage medium.

Abstract: A battery runtime extender may be configured to provide electrical power to an electronic device via electrical terminals disposed internally to the electronic device, such as within a battery compartment. The battery runtime extender may physically mount to the electronic device via fasteners associated with the battery compartment of the electronic device, where the battery runtime extender forms a seal between the housing of the battery runtime extender and the battery compartment of the electronic device that is resistant to ingress of water and/or dust. The electronic device may be configured to be mounted to equipment worn by or otherwise carried by an individual, such as a protective helmet. The battery runtime extender further provides electrical power capacity greater than would be provided by battery cells installed within the battery compartment.