Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for generating a cryptographic authentication key. A computing device receives a request to generate a cryptographic key. The device generates a defined sequence of security questions, each question associated with a difficulty value. The device generates the key using the defined sequence of questions, comprising: a) presenting a first question and receiving an answer to the first question, b) generating a hash string corresponding to the received answer, c) determining a next question based upon the hash string, d) presenting the next question and receiving an answer to the next question, e) concatenating the answer to the next question with the hash string, f) applying a hash function to the hash string with the concatenated answer to update the hash string, g) repeating steps c-f until the difficulty values of the questions reaches a threshold, and h) generating the key from the updated hash string.

Abstract: A method of forming an article, comprising: forming an adhesion layer comprising MnOx on a glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic wafer; calcining the adhesion layer such that a first portion of the MnOx of the adhesion layer is chemically bonded to the wafer; depositing a metal layer on the adhesion layer; and processing the metal layer and the adhesion layer such that a portion of the MnOx of the adhesion layer is chemically bonded to the metal layer.

Abstract: A high-density optical fiber ribbon is formed by two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers each having an outer surface and that do not individually include a protective polymer coating. A common protective coating substantially surrounds the outer surfaces of the two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers so that the common protective coating is common to the two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers. A fiber ribbon cable is formed by adding a cover assembly to the fiber ribbon. A fiber ribbon interconnect is formed adding one or more optical connectors to the fiber ribbon or fiber ribbon cable. Optical data transmission systems that employ the fiber ribbon to optically connect to a photonic device are also disclosed. Methods of forming the cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers and the high-density optical fiber ribbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of launching a game application includes: providing a game application launch object to an operating system, providing data specifying a plurality of modes of operation for the game application in association with the game application launch object, providing a user interface in which at least a subset of the plurality of modes of operation are presented to a user when that user performs a predetermined interaction with the game application launch object, receiving a user selection indicating a selected mode of operation, and launching the game application into a playable game state that is dependent upon the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: An article including a glass or glass ceramic substrate, a noble metal layer, an adhesion promoting layer positioned between and bonded to the substrate and the noble metal layer, and a conductive metal layer positioned on and bonded to the noble metal layer. The adhesion promoting layer includes a siloxy group bonded with the substrate and a thiol group bonded to the noble metal layer. A method for manufacturing an article including applying an adhesion promoting layer comprising mercaptosilane to at least a portion of a glass or glass ceramic substrate, wherein siloxane bonds are formed between the mercaptosilane and the substrate, applying a noble metal layer to the adhesion promoting layer, the noble metal layer bonds with a thiol present in the mercaptosilane, thermally treating the noble metal layer, and applying a conductive metal layer to the noble metal layer.

Abstract: A method for bonding a conductive metal to an oxide substrate includes applying a porous coating to a surface of the oxide substrate, the porous coating including a porous oxide and catalyst nanoparticles dispersed therein, and depositing a conductive metal onto the porous coating. A portion of the conductive metal may be deposited within the pores of the porous coating to couple the conductive metal to the porous coating. Articles are also disclosed that include the oxide substrate, the porous coating coupled to a surface of the oxide substrate, and the conductive metal coupled to the porous coating. The porous coating may include a porous oxide and catalyst nanoparticles dispersed within the metal oxide. A portion of the conductive metal may be deposited within the pores of the porous coating to interlock the conductive metal to the porous coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating which exhibits fast oleophobic-hydrophilic switching behaviour with, for example, equilibration of high oil contact angle (hexadecane=80°) and low water contact angle (<10°) values which occur within 10 s of droplet impact. These optically transparent surfaces display excellent anti-fogging and self-cleaning properties. The magnitude of oleophobic-hydrophilic switching can be further enhanced by the incorporation of surface roughness and in one embodiment the coating is applied to a surface in the form of a mesh in order to form an effective filter.

Abstract: Provided herein are articles including repellent coatings, as well as methods of making as using these articles. The articles can comprise a substrate and a repellent coating disposed on a surface of the substrate. The repellant coating can comprise hydrophobic particles dispersed within a polymer binder. The hydrophobic particles can be aggregated within the polymer binder, thereby forming a multiplicity of re-entrant structures embedded within and protruding from the polymer binder. The repellent coatings, and by extension the articles described herein, can exhibit selective wetting properties (e.g., superhydrophilicty/super-oleophobicity, or super-hydrophobicity/superoleophilicity).

Abstract: An aircraft, such as a drone, includes (i) an authentication module, such as a 3G SIM card, and (ii) a communications module, such as a 3G module. The authentication module (a) stores an identity uniquely associated with or identifying a specific pilot or operator (“pilot ID”) and (b) sends that pilot ID, or data related to the pilot ID, to the communications module. The communications module sends that pilot ID, or related data, to a secure integrated airspace management (SIAM) system that determines whether the pilot or operator is permitted to fly that aircraft and, if it is permitted, then the communications module receives from the SIAM an authorisation signal that permits the aircraft to operate.

Abstract: Articles including repellent surfaces and methods of making and using these articles are disclosed. The repellant surface can comprise a polymer having a roughened surface and a fluorinated silane and a lubricating liquid deposited on the roughened surface. The repellent surface, and by extension the articles described herein, can exhibit superomniphobic properties. The methods for producing the repellant surface can comprise dissolving a polymer in a solvent to produce a polymer solution and optionally adding a non-solvent to the polymer solution to produce a casting mixture. The polymer solution or casting mixture can be deposited on a surface of a substrate and the solvent and/or the non-solvent evaporated to provide a coated-substrate having a roughened surface. A functional layer comprising a fluorinated silane followed by a lubricating liquid can be deposited on the roughened surface to form the repellant surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making functional surfaces, including liquid repellant surfaces that can exhibit selective wetting properties. Methods of forming a functional surfaces can comprise providing a dispersion of nanoparticles; and applying the dispersion to a polymer surface to form a multiplicity of re-entrant structures embedded within and protruding from the polymer surface. The re-entrant structures are formed from aggregates of the nanoparticles. Also provided are functional surfaces prepared by these methods, as well as articles comprising these functional surfaces.

Abstract: Multilayer coatings, articles comprising multilayer coatings, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The multilayer coating can contain two or more oppositely charged alternating layers, comprising at least one fixed layer comprising a first polymer and at least one inorganic layer comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the inorganic layer forms a surface of the two or more oppositely charged alternating layers. The multilayer coating can further contain an adhesion layer disposed on the at least one inorganic layer, the adhesion layer comprising a second polymer having a charge opposite that of the plurality of particles. The multilayer coating can also contain a functional layer disposed on the adhesion layer, wherein the functional layer forms a surface of the multilayer coating. In some embodiments, the coatings can separate a liquid mixture comprising a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a coating which exhibits fast oleophobic-hydrophilic switching behaviour with, for example, equilibration of high oil contact angle (hexadecane=80°) and low water contact angle (<10°) values which occur within 10 s of droplet impact. These optically transparent surfaces display excellent anti-fogging and self-cleaning properties. The magnitude of oleophobic-hydrophilic switching can be further enhanced by the incorporation of surface roughness and in one embodiment the coating is applied to a surface in the form of a mesh in order to form an effective filter.

Abstract: A neuro-electronic interface device has a micro-electrode electrically connected to an interconnect that has scaling gradients between 1.1 and 1.9 over a scaling range of at least one order of magnitude. The device preferably has an array of such fractal interconnects in electrical contact with an array of micro-electrodes. Such fractal interconnect arrays may be components of implants including a retinal implant device having an array of photodetectors in electrical contact with the array of micro-electrodes. The interconnects may be fabricated by forming nanoscale particles and depositing them onto a non-conductive surface that is smooth except for electrodes which serve as nucleation sites for the formation of fractal interconnect structures through diffusion limited aggregation.

Abstract: A precise and reproducible method of making a cutter element for a cutting tool includes positioning at least a first material layer of powder; a substrate and sintering. Whereby the positioning is performed by a fill to weight system, and comprises depositing the first material at a rate of about 1 mg per second to about 300 mg per second by the automated system.

Abstract: A neuro-electronic interface device has a micro-electrode electrically connected to an interconnect that has scaling gradients between 1.1 and 1.9 over a scaling range of at least one order of magnitude. The device preferably has an array of such fractal interconnects in electrical contact with an array of micro-electrodes. Such fractal interconnect arrays may be components of implants including a retinal implant device having an array of photodetectors in electrical contact with the array of micro-electrodes. The interconnects may be fabricated by forming nanoscale particles and depositing them onto a non-conductive surface that is smooth except for electrodes which serve as nucleation sites for the formation of fractal interconnect structures through diffusion limited aggregation.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention discloses a gas cooktop which is relatively easy to clean and which is not visually complex. The gas cooktop surface is provided with a trivet having two operating conditions. In a first condition the trivet is retracted and is substantially flush with the cooktop surface. In a second condition the trivet is extended Lo support a cooking vessel above a gas burner. In another aspect the invention discloses an improved gas burner with a high turn-down ratio. The improved burner includes first and second gas flow passages, a flame front locator, in one of the passages and a burner head. Fuel gas is injected into an end of one of said passages and is ignited to establish a flame at the flame front locator. Secondary combustion air is provided through the other of the passages which on a high setting enables secondary combustion and on a low setting may mix with the hot gases and cool them resulting in a lower temperature at the cooking vessel.

Abstract: Nanoscale or mesoscale structures are fabricated on the surface of a substrate (e.g. silicon) by the aggregation of atomic clusters (e.g. antimony or bismuth) into V-grooves. These structures, preferably in the form of nanowires, are used as etching masks for the subsequent etching of the substrate. In an embodiment the V-grooves are metallised (e.g. with titanium or gold) prior to the deposition of the clusters. In this case the use of the nanostructures (e.g. antimony or bismuth) as an etching mask results in the formation of nanostructures of the underlying metal (e.g. titanium or gold). In this way the dimensions of the nanowires are transferred into the underlying metal film and the method allows fabrication of nanowires from materials (e.g. titanium or gold) that cannot be deposited as clusters.

Abstract: Methods of preparing electrically conducting wire-like structures for use in for example electronic devices, and the devices formed by such methods are described. One example of such a method of preparing said structures relies on the assembly of conducting particles using surface templates to assist in the formation of a wire-like structure. Said structures may be prepared on the nanoscale, but also up to the micronscale.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1): wherein B is optionally substituted C2-4alkenyl or C2-4alkynyl; useful in the inhibition of one or more metalloproteinases and in particular TACE.