Abstract: An automated grid handling apparatus for an electron microscope including a transport module having a multistage shuttle comprising a first shuttle stage having a single degree of freedom of motion and a second shuttle stage having a single degree of freedom of motion independent of the first stage, an end effector connected to at least one of the first and second shuttle stages, the end effector configured to hold a grid carrier and transport the grid carrier into and out of an electron microscope through a transport interface that communicates with a multi-axis positioning stage port of the microscope, the end effector having a range of motion defined by the first and second stage degrees of freedom of motions and the multi-axis positioning stage internal to the electron microscope, and an automated loading module connected to the frame and communicating with the transport module, the automated loading module including a load port module through which grids are loaded into the automated loading and transpor

Abstract: Patient care equipment includes a wireless coupler that transfers power and/or data between an architectural unit and the patient care equipment. The patient care equipment may also include additional wireless couplers that transfer power and/or data between first and second components of the equipment. The second component may be movable relative to the first component. A structure or hot swapping batteries is also disclosed, the swapped battery being charged on an inductive charging mat.

Abstract: A system and method of performing maintenance on a wing cock valve coupled to a pressurized gas delivery pipe is provided. The method removing a plug from a port on the valve. A threaded portion of a grease tool is coupled to the port, the grease tool having a body coupled to the threaded portion and a fitting on an opposite end, the fitting, body and threaded portion defining a flow path. A hose is coupled on a grease gun to the fitting; and actuating the grease gun to flow a grease from a reservoir through the flow path and into the valve.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and methods for assisting individuals in controlling respiratory rates. For example, a respiratory regulation apparatus is provided in the form of a plush animal toy that operates components to simulate the breathing rate of anxious individuals. The apparatus may include actuators that are controlled by a slotted cam that is dynamically rotated at varying speeds in a determined rotational direction. The actuators move inward and outward in relative directions to move a torso of the plush animal toy to simulate breathing. In certain aspects, actuators may expand outward while at the same time another actuator contracts inward to cause the torso to simulate realistic breathing movements. A processor controls the speed of the cam such that the simulated breathing of the animal toy apparatus can be reduced at a controlled rate to assist an individual in reducing their breathing rate to a calmer state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for reducing particles in the vicinity of an electrostatic chuck (300) in which a cleaning reticle or substrate (320) is secured to the chuck, the cleaning reticle or substrate having surfaces partially devoid of conductive material so that an electric field from the chuck can pass through to a volume adjacent the substrate to draw particles (360) in the volume to the surface of the substrate. Voltage supplied to the chuck may have an alternating polarity to enhance the attraction of particles to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cyber security using light polarization. Data may be encoded in an optical signal. A seed may be converted to a target degree of polarization. The optical signal may be polarized to have the target degree of polarization and transmitted. The polarized optical signal may be received at a receiver and a degree of polarization of the received polarized optical signal measured. A seed may be converted by the receiver to an expected degree of polarization. The received polarized optical signal may be determined to be compromised based on a difference between the expected degree of polarization and the degree of polarization of the received polarized optical signal.

Abstract: Control systems and methods to secure maintenance access to aircraft control system. The aircraft control system includes a control node operably coupled to an engine health monitoring node that includes a maintenance port. The aircraft control system also includes an enclosure preventing physical access to the maintenance port. The enclosure includes a key lock that, when activated, allows for physical access to the maintenance port. The engine health monitoring node can determine whether to allow a maintenance port data transfer access request to transfer data across the maintenance port based on the validity of received credentials, such as a password. The engine health monitoring node can also determine whether to allow or disallow encrypted or unencrypted data transfers based on whether a keep alive message is periodically received. The engine health monitoring node can also store data related to the maintenance port data transfer access request to memory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments for stronger and more powerful high speed laser arrays. For example, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises an epitaxial material comprising a mesa structure in combination with an electrical waveguide, wherein the mesa structure comprises a plurality of laser regions within the mesa structure itself, each laser region of the mesa structure being electrically isolated within the mesa structure itself relative to the other laser regions of the mesa structure.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) power devices (e.g., MOSFETs, IGBTs, etc.) In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a gate oxide layer disposed on top of a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor device also includes a gate electrode having a tapered sidewall. Further, the gate electrode includes a polysilicon layer disposed on top of the gate oxide layer and a metal silicide layer disposed on top of the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: Control systems and methods to secure communications within the control system. The control system includes a control node operably coupled to a concentrator node via a first data link. The control node can communicate with the concentrator node over the first data link at a first communication frequency and first communication rate. The control node can also change the first communication frequency in response to an event, such as a cyber-security threat. The concentrator node can communicate with the control node at the changed first communication frequency in response to receiving a frequency change indication. In some examples, the control node is also operably coupled to the concentrator node via a second data link. The second data link may operate at a second communication rate that is different from the first communication rate. The control node may send redundant data on the first data link and the second data link.

Abstract: A food peeler for peeling an outer layer of a foodstuff, is described. The food peeler can include several members having respective surfaces that appose each other. At least one of the apposing surfaces can have a texture. Relative movement between the members while a foodstuff is in direct contact with the apposing surfaces causes an outer layer of the foodstuff to be peeled and removed from a core of the foodstuff. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In a network of data devices having routing functions, a controller within the network core is arranged to monitor the status and capabalities of each data device and to check for the availability of network functions which alter the capabilities of the data devices. The controller changes the configuration of the data devices to gain the new functionality, or alters the routing behavior so that certain control data packets are forwarded to a function processor which performs processing on behalf of the data devices in a proxy manner. The function processor provides virtual functions to the data devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical clip for ligating a blood vessel or tissue structure. The surgical clip includes a first leg member including a first inner surface and a first plurality of protrusions disposed on the first inner surfaces. The surgical clip also includes a second leg member including a second inner surface and a second plurality of protrusions disposed on the second inner surface. The surgical clip further includes a hinge member joining the first leg member and the second leg member. The at least one of the first and second plurality of protrusions includes a gable structure that extends along a longitudinal direction of the first or second inner surface. The orientation and the geometric shape of the protrusions of the surgical clip allow for increased resistance to the migration or sliding of the clip along a longitudinal direction of the blood vessel or tissue structure, while providing a balanced closure force.

Abstract: A wearable device, e.g., a smart watch, may be connected to a communication device, such as a mobile smart phone, via Bluetooth or other Near Field Communication (NFC). In particular, the wearable device may have a touch screen that may serve as an extended display and/or user input device of the communication device. For example, a user may receive payment related notifications on the wearable device. The user also may operate the wearable device to make and/or receive payments, view transaction history, view and/or accept offers from nearby merchants, view and/or check in to nearby stores and etc. Further, the wearable device also may allow the user to make payment transactions in extreme environments not suitable for the communication device, such as under water.