Abstract: A silicon on insulator (SOI) photonic device having a waveguide is provided that includes a mode overlap portion with a topology optimized structure situated below an electrode of the capacitance structure. The device can significantly change a refractive index in a volume of mode overlap depending upon the applied potential to the capacitor and allows for a ? phase shift in a modest mode overlap volume. The topology optimized structure has a waveguide and substrate that are partitioned in three dimensions using an extruded projection design. The electrode is a transition metal di-chalcogenide monolayer sheet (2D TMD). The enhanced mode overlay from the topology optimized waveguide portion allows a large reduction in the length of the waveguide with the mode overlap to achieve the needed phase shift for a photonic device.

Abstract: A window can be used to detect objects located within an opening. A structure can define the opening. The window can be operatively positioned within the opening. The window can be movable to selectively open and close the opening. The window can include an optical grating operatively positioned near a closing edge of the window. A light source configured to emit light toward the optical grating. A detector operatively positioned to acquire spectroscopic data of the light emitted from the light source after the light has interacted with the optical grating. A processor can be operatively connected to the detector. The processor can be configured to: determine a temperature based on the spectroscopic data; determine, based on the temperature, whether an object is located in the opening; and responsive to determining that an object is located in the opening, control a movement of window.

Abstract: A method for leaching a PCD table for a cutter element includes (a) positioning a PCD table within a leaching chamber. The method also includes (b) submerging the PCD table in an acid within the leaching chamber. In addition, the method includes (c) sealing the leaching chamber. Further, the method includes (d) increasing the pressure within the leaching chamber to a pressure greater than or equal to 20,000 psi after (c).

Abstract: A method for leaching a PCD table for a cutter element includes (a) positioning a PCD table within a leaching chamber. The method also includes (b) submerging the PCD table in an acid within the leaching chamber. In addition, the method includes (c) sealing the leaching chamber. Further, the method includes (d) increasing the pressure within the leaching chamber to a pressure greater than or equal to 20,000 psi after (c).

Abstract: A composition dispensing apparatus which can deliver an repeatable and accurate unit dose of a composition including: a compressible container; a unit dose delivery system comprising an entry element, an exit element, side walls and a dosage chamber; a dispensing aperture; wherein the linear movement ratio of the exit element to the entry element is about 1 or less.

Abstract: A composition dispensing apparatus which can deliver an repeatable and accurate unit dose of a composition comprising: a compressible container; a unit dose delivery system comprising an entry element, an exit element, side walls and a dosage chamber; a dispensing aperture; wherein the linear movement ratio of the exit element to the entry element is about 1 or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling tasks within a computing device such as a communication switch. When a task is to be scheduled, other tasks in the work queue are analyzed to see if any can be executed simultaneously with the task to be scheduled. If so, the two tasks are combined to form a combined task, and the combined task is placed within the job queue. In addition, if the computing device has insufficient resources to execute the task to be scheduled, the task is placed back into the work queue for future scheduling. This is done in a way which avoids immediate reselection of the task for scheduling. Task processing efficiency is increased, since combining tasks reduces the waiting time for lower priority tasks, and tasks for which there are insufficient resources are delayed only a short while before a new scheduling attempt, rather than rejecting the task altogether.