Abstract: The present invention relates to a satellite communications system comprising a satellite with a spatial digital modulator for transmitting an incoming bit stream in multiple beams, wherein the spatial digital modulator is configured to generate transmit symbols by dividing the incoming bit stream into symbols of a symbol alphabet and to allocate each transmit symbol to a specific beam. The invention further relates to a method for transmitting a bit stream by such a satellite communications system.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor for sensing target molecules, the field-effect transistor comprising: a substrate; an electric field sensitive layer on the substrate; a hexagonal boron nitride layer comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the hexagonal boron nitride layer is on the electric field sensitive layer and wherein the second surface of the hexagonal boron nitride layer is functionalized with a plurality of receptor molecules; two or more electrical contacts wherein each of the electrical contacts are in electrical contact with the electric field sensitive layer.

Abstract: A method of producing hexagonal boron nitride by chemical vapour deposition on a substrate, the method comprising: (a) a step of heating the substrate at a first temperature for a first time; (b) a step of exposing the substrate to a precursor containing boron and a precursor containing nitrogen at a first partial pressure of the precursor(s) at a second temperature for a second time, wherein either a single precursor is used as the precursor containing boron and as the precursor containing nitrogen or different precursors are used as the precursor containing boron and the precursor containing nitrogen; (c) a step of heating the substrate at a third temperature for a third time without the precursor; and (d) a step of exposing the substrate to the precursors at a fourth temperature at a second partial pressure of the precursor(s) for a fourth time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a carbon composite, the method comprising the step of heating a mixture of graphene oxide and an active material, such as a carbon active material, such as activated carbon, at a temperature in the range 200 to 650° C., such as about 300° C. Also provided is the carbon composite obtained or obtainable from the method. The carbon composition may be provided on a backing plate, such as an electrically conductive backing plate. The carbon composite may be a component, such as the electrode, of a capacitor, such as a supercapacitor, and also provided are methods for charging and discharging the supercapacitor comprising the carbon composite.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyether siloxanes are provided in which unsaturated polyethers are reacted with one or more SiH-functional siloxanes in the presence of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines Also, provided is the use of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines for producing polyether siloxanes and to the use of the polyether siloxanes thus obtained.

Abstract: Processes for producing polyether siloxanes are provided in which unsaturated polyethers are reacted with one or more SiH-functional siloxanes in the presence of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines Also, provided is the use of Pt(0) compounds and tertiary amines for producing polyether siloxanes and to the use of the polyether siloxanes thus obtained.

Abstract: A soldering iron includes a soldering tip which is adapted to be heated by means of a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron. The soldering iron further includes an energy converter provided for absorbing the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the same.

Abstract: A soldering iron includes a soldering tip which is adapted to be heated by means of a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron. The soldering iron further includes an energy converter provided for absorbing the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the same.