Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to: sensing and/or authentication using luminescence imaging; diagnostic assays, systems, and related methods; temporal thermal sensing and related methods; and/or to emissive species, such as those excitable by white light, and related systems and methods.

Abstract: A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel stand-off distance chemical detector system such as can be used, for example, for standoff detection of explosives. Instead of a conventional lasing medium, a Pr:YAG or Pr:BYF based UV laser is used which can be advantageously implemented in Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: In embodiments of an autonomous vehicle interface system, system nodes are each implemented as a distributed node for independent data processing of low-level sensor data and/or high-level system data. The high-level system data is abstracted from the low-level sensor data, providing invariance to system configuration in higher-level processing algorithms. The autonomous vehicle interface system includes at least one real-time bus for data communications of the low-level sensor data and the high-level system data between the system nodes. The system also includes an application programming interface (API) configured for access by the system nodes to the low-level sensor data and the high-level system data that is published on the real-time bus and accessible via the API.

Abstract: A multi-energy storage device system includes an electric drive coupled to a load, a DC link coupled to the electric drive, and a bi-directional voltage converter having an output channel coupled to the DC link and an input channel. A first energy storage device (ESD) is coupled to the input channel, and a switch is coupled to the DC link and to a second ESD. A system controller causes the switch to couple the second ESD to the DC link for delivering energy stored in the second ESD to the electric drive. The system controller also causes the voltage converter to convert a voltage of the first ESD to a higher voltage and to deliver the higher voltage to the DC link, wherein the higher voltage is greater than the voltage of the second ESD and causes the switch to decouple the second ESD from the DC link.

Abstract: An electric drive system includes a permanent magnet machine having a rotor and a stator and a power converter electrically coupled to the permanent magnet machine and configured to convert a DC link voltage to an AC output voltage to drive the permanent magnet machine. The power converter includes a plurality of silicon carbide switching devices having a voltage rating that exceeds a peak line-to-line back electromotive force of the permanent magnet machine at a maximum speed of the permanent magnet machine.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe head is provided. The microfluidic probe head comprises a processing surface. The processing surface has a first and second aperture and a fluid injection channel, which leads to the first aperture. The microfluidic probe head comprises also a first fluid aspiration channel which leads to the second aperture. Thereby, the second aperture forms a slot in the processing surface. Furthermore, a microfluidic probe may be provided comprising the microfluidic probe head.

Abstract: A microfluidic device may be provided. The microfluidic device comprises a processing surface having an aperture. The microfluidic device comprises a liquid ejection channel. The liquid ejection channel guides to the aperture. The microfluidic device comprises a first liquid injection channel guiding to the liquid ejection channel. The first liquid injection channel has a first end and a second end and is arranged to provide a fluid flow from the first end to the second end. At least a portion of the first liquid injection channel is closer to the processing surface than (both) the first and second ends to sediment particles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fluidic device is provided. The method comprises providing a capillary, providing a structure having a fluidic channel and an opening, reducing an outer diameter of a portion of the capillary to be smaller than the opening of the structure. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting, at least partly, the portion of the capillary through the opening of the structure into the fluidic channel and applying heat to the structure to expand the inserted portion of the capillary to fit the capillary to the structure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable medium are described for customizing an application. A method includes receiving, by a network-based transaction facility, a selection of a first geographically targeted website. The method also includes receiving, by the network-based transaction facility, geographically targeted site preferences for the selected first geographically targeted website. Finally, the method includes receiving a request to create a first transaction listing, the first transaction listing to be created at the first geographically targeted website based on the first geographically targeted website preferences.

Abstract: The present invention provides 5-[5]-[2-cycloalkyl]-6-pyridazin-3-yl]-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit the activity of CD73 and are useful in treating cancer.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the air cleaner assembly includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and including an access opening between the inlet and outlet. The air cleaner also includes a filter cartridge received within the housing and covering the access opening. The air cleaner also includes a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is movable between an unlocked position in which the filter cartridge can be installed and removed from the housing and a locked position in which the filter cartridge is secured within the housing. The filter cartridge and lock mechanism include interacting features allowing the lock mechanism to be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position only when the filter cartridge is installed within the housing.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for detection of volatile ions and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, the components, systems, and methods are configured for use with mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry. In some embodiments, a characteristic of an article (e.g., identity, authenticity, property, adulteration, product associated information such as age or quality, etc.) may be determined by determining the presence (e.g., an amount) or absence of one or more ionic species emanating from the article. For example, the presence or absence of the one or more ionic species emanating from the article identifies a characteristic of the article. In some embodiments, the one or more ionic species have been proactively added to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a surface has a vehicle including an extensible boom. A multi-purpose hood is attached to the boom. The hood includes at least one nozzle for spraying a fluid through an outlet of the hood, the nozzle adapted for reciprocating, non-rotational movement in a generally linear direction relative to the opening in the hood. The multi-purpose hood may be adapted for rotating independently about three different axes, and may include a first actuator for controlling a roll of the hood, a second actuator for controlling a yaw of the hood, a third actuator for controlling a pitch of the hood, and a fourth actuator for controlling an extension of the boom and a second actuator for controlling a swing of the boom. The extensible boom may be connected to a telescoping conduit for communicating fluid along the boom to or from the multi-purpose hood. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a modular inverter system having a single device enclosure with a plurality of module receptacles capable of receiving one or more modules having tailored functionality. Such modules work in conjunction with each other to handle control of various power sources and power sinks in a mixed use power generation and consumption system. In various embodiments, these swappable modules include a charge controller module configured to control charging a battery, an inverter/charger module configured to convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage for charging the battery and configured to invert a DC voltage to an AC voltage for supplying AC power, a controller module configured to control the plurality of inverter/charger modules and the charge controller module; and a backplane disposed in the enclosure such that each module receptacle facilitates engaging a respective module with the backplane.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a check of a plurality of checks where the check was previously issued from a first party to a second party, including receiving first information from the first party, storing the first information in a file of a third party and receiving the check. The check has first party identifying information, a unique pseudorandom number of a pseudorandom sequence, and an amount. A status of activating the plurality of checks is determined. At least a portion of the first party identifying information included with the check, the unique pseudorandom number included with the check and the check amount included with the check are authenticated. The received check is authenticated if the first party, the unique pseudorandom number included with the check and the amount included with the check are authenticated and if the plurality of checks have been activated.

Abstract: Components, systems, and methods for gas sensing identification are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, a characteristic of an article (e.g., identity, authenticity, property, product associated information such as age or quality, etc.) may be determined by determining the presence (e.g., an amount) or absence of a chemical compound (or compounds) emanating from the article. For example, the presence or absence of the compound (or compounds) emanating from the article identifies a characteristic of the article. In some embodiments, the chemical compound(s) has been proactively added to the article. That is to say, in some embodiments, the chemical compound is not inherently associated with the article but is added in order to, for example, identify a characteristic of the article.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.