Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilising an article. The method comprises placing an article in a sterilisation container, generating oxidizing plasma radicals at atmospheric pressure, and providing the oxidizing plasma radicals to the sterilisation container to sterilise the article in the container.

Abstract: A junction box for electrically connecting a photovoltaic (PV) module to a power distribution system having a mating conductor. The junction box includes a housing configured to be mounted on the PV module, the housing comprising a mating interface and an opening formed in the housing for engaging foil of the PV module. The housing is configured to mate with a mating conductor of the power distribution system at the mating interface. Engagement features positioned in the housing to secure a component form an electrical connection between foil of the PV module and the mating conductor.

Abstract: In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for obtaining network usage information about a plurality of users, analyzing the network usage information to detect a plurality of subjects and determine a set of relationship scores describing the strength of the relationship between users and subjects, and analyzing the sets of relationship scores to detect a plurality of virtual communities formed among the users. The virtual communities are used to detect subjects to recommend to members of the virtual communities, such as topics or content items that other users of the community have found of interest.

Abstract: A combination of a mobile station and electronic toll collection device includes a transponder configured to communicate with an automatic toll collection station. This provides an identification of the transponder for toll collection purposes. The mobile station antenna and a mobile transceiver are electrically linked and the mobile transceiver transmits and receives mobile communication signals via the antenna. Further, the transponder can use its own antenna or the mobile station antenna to communicate with the toll collection station. The mobile station includes a battery which is also electrically linked to the transponder to power both the transponder and the mobile station.

Abstract: A solid substrate coating capable of swelling by a factor of at least 2 on contact with an aqueous solution. The solid substrate coating may be prepared by activating the surface of a solid substrate by treatment with a plasma, depositing a first layer of siloxane onto the surface of the solid substrate using plasma, and depositing a second layer of at least on chemical functionality on top of the first layer using plasma.

Abstract: A stylus may have a flat portion on a movable tip at one end for contact with a flat surface, or a stylus may have movable pins adjustable in response to contact pressure for use with a non-flat surface.

Abstract: A plasma system (1) has a circuit including a DC source (6), a power supply line (9), an electrodes (2, 3), and a return line (18). A perturbation signal source (8) delivers a perturbation signal into the circuit in addition to DC voltage from the DC source (6). Acquisition (10) and analysis (11) systems measure response to the perturbation. The analysis system (11) measures variation in impedance of the circuit and phase between voltage and current in the circuit. It also uses a frequency domain reflectrometry technique to measure signal reflection modulus of a supply line of the circuit over a defined frequency range.

Abstract: A photonic network includes a plurality of nodes each supporting add and drop of at least Y wavelengths, a plurality of optical links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, the plurality of optical links support up to X wavelengths and Y?X, an optical routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of nodes on the plurality of links, the loop-free path is computed for one of the X wavelengths or a group of the X wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain, and optical components at each of the plurality of nodes configured to selectively block at least one of the X wavelengths based on the computed loop-free path. A photonic routing method and photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition of matter with of the creation of a low molecular weight hydrocarbon fluid called Wood Phytoleum from woody Pinaceae and Myrtaceae biomass and a process for the extraction and refinement in making the same composition of matter through the reduction of the particle size of the raw woody biomass to form a solvent permeable particle and a phased multi-wash solvent system of extraction and refinement.

Abstract: A composition of matter with of the creation of low molecular weight hydrocarbon fluid called Phytoleum from Euphorbia tirucalli biomass and a process for the extraction and refinement in making the same composition through the creation of a batting mat and multi-phase solvent extraction. A preferred embodiment includes the steps of manufacturing a fibrous batting mat from the raw biomass, crushing the biomass, shearing the biomass with a rotating knives blade array, compressing the biomass by passing the biomass through press rollers, amalgonating the biomass into a Batting Mat, subjecting the Batting Mat to a phased multi-wash solvent system, extracting the solvents and oils liquid solution for recovery, subjecting the liquid solution to a centrifugation system to extract the Phytoleum hydrocarbon oil from the other components, and refining the final product to yield Phytoleum which is a composition of matter including Tirucallene A and Tirucallene B and other oligomerized pentenes.

Abstract: A LED module and interconnection system is disclosed. The LED module includes a lens, a housing, and a printed circuit board PCB having at least on LED disposed within the housing. The housing includes a plurality of openings providing physical and electrical access to the PCB. The interconnection system includes at least one LED module and a cable assembly. The cable assembly is configured to provide electrical connectivity to the LED module through an opening in the LED module housing.

Abstract: A low profile photovoltaic connection system for placement in space restricted areas. The connection system includes a connection box, diodes, and heat sinks inside of the connection box. The heat sink element is maintained in contact with the diode element such that the heat sink dissipates heat externally of the junction box and the contacts are arranged with a flat surface parallel to the solar panel to reduce vertical elevation of the junction box when mounted to the solar panel.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a photovoltaic module includes a locator having a support rib configured to hold a buss of the photovoltaic module, and a connector housing holding a contact. The connector housing is configured to be mounted to the photovoltaic module over the locator such that the contact is mated to the buss in a press-fit connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the real-time identification of seizures in an Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. The method provides for patient-independent seizure identification by use of a multi-patient trained generic Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. The SVM classifier is operates on a large feature vector combining features from a wide variety of signal processing and analysis techniques. The method operates sufficiently accurately to be suitable for use in a clinical environment. The method may also be combined with additional classifiers, such a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) classifier, for improved robustness, and one or more dynamic classifiers such as an SVM using sequential kernels for improved temporal analysis of the EEG signal.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a photovoltaic module includes a locator having a support rib configured to hold a buss of the photovoltaic module, and a connector housing holding a contact.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a photovoltaic package having a substrate with a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric housing removably receives the photovoltaic package. The dielectric housing holds contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads. A metal shell receives the housing and the photovoltaic package, and the metal shell has a window providing access to the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A method and system for providing network management communication between a plurality of network elements are disclosed. A method includes creating a tunnel configured for transmitting data between the network elements and transmitting network management information over the tunnel using a network management protocol. The tunnel passes through a gateway network element configured to communicate with the network elements utilizing the network management protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstituting consumable powder(s) with a liquid to provide a food liquid such as milk, cappuccino-type beverage, or soup with or without froth. The powder is introduced into a container and pre-wetted by an intersecting liquid spray. Further mixing occurs in the container. The container may have additional liquid streams feeding into the container for increased mixing. This food liquid can then be aspirated by the Venturi effect by steam generation to produce a frothed/aerated food liquid.

Abstract: A connecting box, gland nut, and electrical connector for the solar connector industry is disclosed. The connecting box, the gland nut, and the electrical connector require a tool to disengage, are being resistant to external environmental stressors, and/or provide the ability to monitor information regarding the connecting box, the gland nut, and/or the electrical connector.