Abstract: A processing method comprises positioning a substrate in a processing chamber and setting a temperature of the substrate to a range of 50° C. to 500° C.; conducting an atomic layer deposition (ALD) cycle on the substrate; and repeating the ALD cycle to form a silicon oxide film. The ALD cycle comprises: exposing the substrate to an aminosilane precursor in the processing chamber by pulsing a flow of the aminosilane precursor; purging the processing chamber of the aminosilane precursor; exposing the substrate to an oxidizing agent by pulsing a flow of the oxidizing agent for a duration in a range of greater than or equal to 100 milliseconds to less than or equal to 3 seconds; and purging the processing chamber of the oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) device includes a substrate having a top surface, an optical waveguide on the top surface of the substrate to receive light propagating substantially parallel to the top surface of the substrate, a seed layer of metal nitride on the optical waveguide, and a superconductive wire on the seed layer. The superconductive wire is a metal nitride different from the metal nitride of the seed layer and is optically coupled to the optical waveguide.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a feed mixer (1) comprising a container (2), a support structure (3) and a weighing element (4), wherein the weighing element (4) is configured to be removably mounted to the support structure (3) such that it is arranged below the container (2) for measuring a weight of the container (2), and wherein the support structure (3) is configured to allow removal of the weighing element (4) by moving the weighing element (4) in a vertical direction (V) and/or by tilting the weighing element (4) in a vertical direction and/or by moving the weighing element (4) in a lateral direction (T).

Abstract: A cooperative life insurance fund with a variable payout is described. Insurance payout is determined by multiplying the policyholder's contribution with a base benefit multiplier, determined based on the policyholder's personal profile, and a benefit adjustment factor that depends on the overall financial performance of the fund at payout time. The benefit adjustment factor is computed via either (i) the current claims reserve size compared to target claims reserve size with future cash flows taken into account, (ii) the difference between actual claims at payout time and projected claims at the time of policy initiation, or (iii) using the fund's excess loss ratio over the target loss ratio. The fund is backed by at least one fund operator that invests the fund's pool and returns a portion of the profit. The fund's surplus is computed and redistributed to all policyholders using a multiplier proportional to each policyholder's total contributions.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to flat optical devices and encapsulation materials for flat optical devices. One or more embodiments include a substrate having a first arrangement of a first plurality of pillars formed thereon. The first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars includes pillars having a height h and a lateral distance d. The first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars includes a gap g corresponding to a distance between adjacent pillars of the first plurality of pillars. An aspect ratio of the gap g to the height h is between about 1:1 and about 1:20. A first adhesion-promoting material is disposed over the first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars. A first encapsulation layer is disposed over the first adhesion-promoting material. The first encapsulation layer fills the gap g between adjacent pillars of the first plurality of pillars. The first encapsulation layer includes a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: An RF transmitter (1) having a gate-segmented power output stage (2) and a digital driver (5). The gate-segmented power output stage (2) includes a field-effect transistor with a plurality of gate fingers (32) and drain fingers (31) that define a gate periphery. The field-effect transistor comprises a plurality of power output stage segments (3) that each correspond to a respective part of the gate periphery, and that each have a respective power output stage segment input (4). The digital driver (5) has control outputs (6) which are connected to corresponding ones of the respective power output stage segment inputs (4), and is configured for individually switching each of the power output stage segments (3) between an on mode and a cut-off mode in dependence of one or more input signals to obtain a modulated RF carrier signal at an output (7) of the gate-segmented power output stage (2).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing micronized rubber powders including grinding of a rubber granulated feedstock, size classification and storage of the micronized rubber powders thus obtained. A rubber formulation including at least one natural or synthetic rubber, a micronized rubber composition and optionally one or more of processing aids, antidegradants, fillers, accelerators and curatives. A method for manufacturing a rubber product, as well as to a solid rubber product.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to apparatus, systems, and methods of a compact, high numerical aperture light engine, for example thin optics-based light engine systems using meta-surfaces for wearable displays. One implementation includes an optical device. The optical device includes one or more spatial light modulators, wherein each spatial light modulator is an array of pixels that are individually controllable to output visible light. The optical device also includes a surface defining an exit pupil that is arranged to allow the output visible light to exit the optical device via the exit pupil. The optical device also includes one or more metasurfaces disposed between the one or more spatial light modulators and the exit pupil. The one or more metasurfaces are to focus the visible light that is output by the one or more spatial light modulators.

Abstract: A downhole tool, with an elongate tool housing that extends around a central longitudinal tool axis, houses a sting, a press device, and a bending arm. The sting is movable in a radially outward direction. The press device acts on the sting, to force the sting in the radially outward direction upon relative movement of the press device, in longitudinal direction, with respect to the sting whereby the sting may extend outside the tool housing. The sting is mounted on a distal end of the bending arm. At its proximal end the bending arm is longitudinally secured stationary relative to the tool housing. The sting and the distal end of the bending arm are movable in unison in a longitudinal-radial plane from the central longitudinal tool axis. The downhole tool can be used to perforate a wall of a downhole tubular arranged within a borehole in the Earth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a (co)polyester, comprising, in the presence of a catalyst, esterification of at least one monomer selected from hydroxycarboxylic acids to form oligomers, followed by polycondensation to form a (co)polymer comprising monomeric units derived from the at least one monomer, wherein the at least one monomer is selected from ?- and/or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids; and in the process also a monohydric alcohol is added in which the hydroxy group is the only reactive functional group, in an amount of 5-150 weight % with regard to the total weight of monomers, the alcohol having a boiling point at ambient pressure of equal to or higher than 175° C. and an acid dissociation constant (pKa) of equal to or less than 12.0 and equal to or more than 7.0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chemical production of a polyester (co)polymer starting from monomers and/or oligomers, comprising reacting a mixture of at least (a) one or more diol monomers, and (b) one or more dicarboxylic acid monomers and/or esters thereof, and/or one or more oligomers comprising monomer units of (a) and (b); wherein at least one diol monomer (a) is a secondary diol monomer; and wherein in the process also is added (c) a monohydric alcohol with a boiling point at ambient pressure of equal to or higher than 175° C. and an acid dissociation constant determined at 25° C. in water of equal to or less than 12.0 and equal to or more than 7.0, in an amount of 2.5-100 weight % with regard to the total weight of monomers and/or oligomers.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) deposition system includes two deposition chambers, a transfer chamber between the two deposition chambers, a metrology system having one or more sensors to perform measurements of the workpiece within the transfer chamber, and a control system to cause the system to form an organic light-emitting diode layer stack on the workpiece. Vacuum is maintained around the workpiece while the workpiece is transferred between the two deposition chambers and while retaining the workpiece within the transfer chamber. The control system is configured to cause the two deposition chambers to deposit two layers of organic material onto the workpiece, and to receive a first plurality of measurements of the workpiece in the transfer chamber from the metrology system.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to flat optical devices and methods of forming flat optical devices. One embodiment includes a substrate having a first arrangement of a first plurality of pillars formed thereon. The first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars includes pillars having a height h and a lateral distance d, and a gap g corresponding to a distance between adjacent pillars of the first plurality of pillars. An aspect ratio of the gap g to the height h is between about 1:1 and about 1:20. A first encapsulation layer is disposed over the first arrangement of the first plurality of pillars. The first encapsulation layer has a refractive index of about 1.0 to about 1.5. The first encapsulation layer, the substrate, and each of the pillars of the first arrangement define a first space therebetween. The first space has a refractive index of about 1.0 to about 1.5.

Abstract: Feed mixer for shredding and mixing feed, in particular fibrous plant material, comprising a mixing container for receiving feed, wherein the mixing container has a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base, wherein the mixing container comprises a mixing auger arranged to be rotatable in the mixing container, wherein the mixing auger comprises at least one cutting knife, wherein the at least one cutting knife comprises a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments each comprises a blade edge, and wherein the segments are spaced from one another by recesses.

Abstract: A polymerization process for the chemical production of a polyester copolymer starting from monomers and/or oligomers may include reacting a mixture of (a) one or more secondary diols, (b) a further diol and (c) one or more dicarboxylic acids and/or esters thereof, and/or one or more oligomers comprising monomer units of (a) and/or (b) and (c); in a process comprising (trans)esterification followed by polycondensation. The process may include addition of an inert solvent (d) which does not participate as a reagent in the polymerization reaction and which has a boiling point at ambient pressure of equal to or higher than 175° C., in an amount of 2.5-100 weight % with regard to the total weight of diols and dicarboxylic acids and/or esters thereof; to generate a polyester copolymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn), as measured by gel permeation chromatography, of 15000 daltons or more.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods of selectively depositing organic and hybrid organic/inorganic layers. More particularly, embodiments of the disclosure are directed to methods of modifying hydroxyl terminated surfaces for selective deposition of molecular layer organic and hybrid organic/inorganic films. Additional embodiments of the disclosure relate to cyclic compounds for use in molecular layer deposition processes.

Abstract: A middleware system and corresponding methods are described whereby data communications, either inter-device or intra-device, are coordinated using a set of cryptographic identifiers that correspond to computing elements, such as interfaces, methods, parameters, classes, among others, the identifiers used for authentication against an access control list to determine whether an originator device is permitted to use a computational element. The cryptographic identifiers are coupled to data messages being sent across the middleware system.

Abstract: A polymerization process for the production of a polyester copolymer A comprising simultaneously reacting a polyester (i) with one or more diols (ii) and one or more dicarboxylic acids or any esters thereof (iii), wherein the polyester (i) is polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene furanoate, a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene furanoate, or polyethylene terephthalate-co-furanoate; and wherein no terephthalic acid or ester thereof is added as a dicarboxylic acid or ester thereof (iii) if the polyester (i) is polyethylene terephthalate; and wherein the one or more diols (ii) is/are selected from primary diols selected from C3-C18 aliphatic diols; and wherein the components (i) and (ii) are used in sufficient quantities to produce a polyester copolymer A comprising at least 40 mole % of ethylene glycol derived from the starting polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene furanoate or polyethylene terephthalate-co-furanoate, and at least 5 mole %, preferably equal to or more than 10 mole %, of

Abstract: A middleware system and corresponding methods are described whereby data communications, either inter-device or intra-device, are coordinated using a set of cryptographic identifiers that correspond to computing elements, such as interfaces, methods, parameters, classes, among others. The cryptographic identifiers are coupled to data messages being sent across the middleware system and processed to indicate adherence to protocol standards and/or to cause transformation of the data messages such that the receiver receives a data message adhering to their acceptable protocol standards.

Abstract: A downhole tool, with an elongate tool housing that extends around a central longitudinal tool axis, houses a sting, a press device, and a bending arm. The sting is movable in a radially outward direction. The press device acts on the sting, to force the sting in the radially outward direction upon relative movement of the press device, in longitudinal direction, with respect to the sting whereby the sting may extend outside the tool housing. The sting is mounted on a distal end of the bending arm. At its proximal end the bending arm is longitudinally secured stationary relative to the tool housing. The sting and the distal end of the bending arm are movable in unison in a longitudinal-radial plane from the central longitudinal tool axis. The downhole tool can be used to perforate a wall of a downhole tubular arranged within a borehole in the Earth.