Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to auditory nerve stimulation to create the perception of sound in the brain of a subject such as an animal or human being. In one form, a system includes an implantable electrode array including a plurality of spaced apart micro-needles. The system also includes a first electrical lead electrically coupled to and extending from the implantable electrode array, and an auditory signal device configured to produce one or more electrical signals representative of communications received from an external processor. An interposer is configured to electrically couple the implantable electrode array and the auditory signal device in an arrangement where one or more electrical signals produced by the auditory signal device may be transmitted through the first electrical lead to the implantable electrode array. Various novel stimulation strategies can be employed, such as place modulated stimulation signals.

Abstract: A plasma confinement system includes an enclosure, one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure in a plasma region, and one or more supports configured to support the one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure. Each support of the one or more supports includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is coupled to an interior portion of the enclosure and the second end is coupled to a component disposed within the plasma region. Each support further includes electrical conducting material disposed between the first end and the second end. The electrical conducting material is configured to, when supplied with one or more electrical currents, generate a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient that varies along the support from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fastener includes a flexible head and a shank coupled to the flexible head. The flexible head includes a center head portion and a plurality of wing portions coupled to the center head portion. Each of the plurality of wing portions includes a contact area configured to contact a first surface of a part to be fastened. The shank includes a clip groove configured to hold a retainer clip against a second surface of the part to be fastened. The second first surface of the part to be fastened is opposite the first surface of the part to be fastened.

Abstract: A monolithic heating element is provided. In one embodiment, the heating element includes a monolithic structure that is not a filament and a plurality of electrodes attached to the monolithic structure. Application of an electric current between the plurality of electrodes generates heat in the monolithic structure which can be tailored to any desired heating profile and is robust to single point failures due to thermal runaway.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a cathode and a thermionic emitter installed at least partially within the cathode tube of the cathode. The thermionic emitter is in a shape of a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder includes an outer surface and an unsmooth inner surface. The outer surface is configured to contact an inner surface of the cathode tube. The unsmooth inner surface includes a plurality of structures that provide an increase in surface area over a smooth surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a cathode and a thermionic emitter installed at least partially within the cathode tube of the cathode. The thermionic emitter is in a shape of a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder includes an outer surface and an unsmooth inner surface. The outer surface is configured to contact an inner surface of the cathode tube. The unsmooth inner surface includes a plurality of structures that provide an increase in surface area over a smooth surface.

Abstract: A plasma confinement system includes an enclosure, one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure in a plasma region, and one or more supports configured to support the one or more internal magnetic coils suspended within the enclosure. Each support of the one or more supports includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is coupled to an interior portion of the enclosure and the second end is coupled to a component disposed within the plasma region. Each support further includes electrical conducting material disposed between the first end and the second end. The electrical conducting material is configured to, when supplied with one or more electrical currents, generate a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient that varies along the support from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A system for the continuous monitoring of wear and/or pressure within a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] is disclosed. The system may comprise a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] having a cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one detector [34] may be provided to at least one of the cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one integrated or handheld sensor [60] may be provided adjacent to portions of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10], the sensor [60] being configured to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with the at least one detector [34] during operation of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10]. In use, the cone [30] may wear away and ultimately affect a function of the least one detector [34]. In use, pressure changes within the water jacket [40] may change and ultimately affect a function (e.g., an output signal) of the least one detector [34].

Abstract: A system for the continuous monitoring of wear is disclosed. The system comprises a flotation cell having at least one flotation component. At least one detector is provided to the at least one flotation component, and at least one sensor is provided to the flotation cell which is configured to communicate with the at least one detector during operation of the flotation cell. In use, the at least one flotation component wears away and ultimately affects a function of the least one detector. The at least one sensor is configured to monitor said function of the least one detector. When the at least one sensor detects a change in the signal of the at least one detector, an operator is notified that maintenance or flotation component replacement may be necessary.

Abstract: A system for the continuous monitoring of wear is disclosed. The system comprises a flotation cell having at least one flotation component. At least one detector is provided to the at least one flotation component, and at least one sensor is provided to the flotation cell which is configured to communicate with the at least one detector during operation of the flotation cell. In use, the at least one flotation component wears away and ultimately affects a function of the least one detector. The at least one sensor is configured to monitor said function of the least one detector. When the at least one sensor detects a change in the signal of the at least one detector, an operator is notified that maintenance or flotation component replacement may be necessary.

Abstract: A method of generating reference pressures by a pressure generator, which generates a reference pressure according to a mass applied to an end face of a piston using a mobile data processor including the steps of: selecting the standard instrument out of a plurality of standard instruments which are measured as regards characteristic properties and the characteristic properties of which are stored in the form of reference data at a central storage location; connecting the mobile data processor to the central storage location and automatically downloading the reference data of the selected standard instrument and storing the same in the mobile data processor; and for processing the reference data, each applied mass and the local environmental data in the measuring environment into the pressure values assigned to the masses applied in each case as the reference pressures of the standard instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft (10) for conveying one or more recording apparatuses, such as recorders, sensors, cameras, infrared cameras, microphones or the like, through the air. For this purpose, the aircraft (10) has one or more rotors (11) which control the flight movement, as well as a holder (12) for the recording apparatus. Moreover, a framework (13) is provided, on which all of the elements can be attached directly or indirectly. The invention now proposes that the framework (13) includes a body (20) with at least four arms (21) bent inward (24), at the ends (22) of which in each case at least one rotor (11) is arranged. Moreover, a bridge (30) is provided which, at its first end (31), comprises a holder (12) for the recording apparatus, wherein a counterweight (34) is provided at its second end (32). The bridge (30) is gimbaled with its center-of-gravity axis (33) via a central module (40) on the center-of-gravity axis (23) of the body (20) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices and device components for detecting, sensing and analyzing molecules. Detectors of the present invention provide good detection sensitivity over a wide range of molecular masses ranging from a few Daltons up to 10s of megadaltons, which does not decrease as function of molecular mass. Sensors and analyzers of the present invention detect emission from an array of resonators to determine the molecular masses and/or electric charges of molecules which impact or contact an external surface of a membrane that is used to mount and excite the resonators in the array. Resonators in the array are excited via piezoelectric and/or magnetic excitation of the mounting membrane and, optionally, grid electrodes are used in certain configurations for electrically biasing for the resonator array, and for amplification or suppression of emission from the resonators so as to provide detection and mass/electric charge analysis with good sensitivity and resolution.

Abstract: For the uniform heating of substrates or surfaces of metallic, mineral, organic or nonmetallic materials an infrared radiation source of at least one elongated tubular radiator is provided, while electrical terminals for supplying the radiator are situated in the cold area of a radiation housing; an infrared radiator with bases at least at both ends is configured as the infrared radiation source, which is situated with its radiating part in a tube chamber (1) with reflective surface which is open in the direction of emission, while the terminal ends of the radiator are each in end chambers (4, 5) closed off from the tube chamber (1) for protection against heating; the infrared radiation source has advantageously a plurality of infrared radiators which are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of emission.