Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method, a system, and a computer program product of indicating a status of an analytical instrument on a screen of the analytical instrument. In an embodiment, the method, the system, and the computer program product include receiving data from an analytical instrument monitoring a liquid sample, segmenting the received data into data segments for at least two characteristics of at least one of the instrument, the sample, and an operating environment of the instrument, analyzing each of the data segments for the at least two characteristics, retrieving threshold values for the at least two characteristics from a computer data source, calculating at least one status of at least one of the instrument, the sample, and the operating environment, with respect to the analyzed data segments and the threshold values, and displaying the at least one status on a display of the instrument.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.

Abstract: A downhole logging tool includes a tool body housing an opto-electronics assembly. The opto-electronics assembly includes a circuit board and an opto-electronics module coupled to the circuit board and receiving control signals from the circuit board. The opto-electronics module includes a light source, a reference detector, a measurement detector, and a first beam splitter positioned with respect to the light source and the reference detector. The first beam splitter directs a first portion of light emitted from the light source into the reference detector and a second portion of the light emitted from the light source into an optical conduit. The opto-electronics module also includes a second beam splitter positioned with respect to the optical conduit and the measurement detector. The second beam splitter directs at least a portion of light received from the optical conduit into the measurement detector.

Abstract: A pet toy and feeder includes a main container, an insert, a lid, a ring, and an optional jar. In an example configuration the main container holds the jar, and the insert is placed within the jar. The lid attaches to the main container and the ring connects around the outside of the main container such that the pet toy and feeder is in an assembled state. In another example configuration the jar replaces the main container with the lid and the ring connecting to the jar. In use the inserts collects portions of a food item, e.g. peanut butter, within the main container or jar. The ring tilts the orientation of the pet toy and feeder such that the insert is accessible to a pet via one or more openings in an end of the pet toy and feeder.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy harvesting (PVEH) device comprises a single-junction photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell includes a light converting element made of a wide band-gap III-V active material spectrally matched to an ambient light source, a light receiving side that is free from front metal contact gridlines, and at least one discrete metal contact element placed on the light receiving side that realizes power extraction. The active material of the light converting element may be made of (Al)GaInP compounds. The active material of the light converting element may be spectrally matched to ambient light in the form of at least one of an artificial light source and natural sunlight, and combinations thereof. The PVEH device may have a plurality of photovoltaic cells inter-connected in series to achieve a higher open-circuit voltage. A total fractional power loss due to series resistance, shunt resistance and contact shading is less than 20%.

Abstract: A vehicle remote control device includes a communications device for transferring vehicle movement control signals to a remote vehicle and a touch-screen interface configured to present a graphical representation of the remote vehicle and to allow a user to manipulate the graphical representation on the touch-screen. A conversion component converts the manipulation of the graphical representation into vehicle control signals for transfer by the communications device.

Abstract: A resonant tunneling device includes a first semiconductor material with an energy difference between valence and conduction bands of Eg1, and a second semiconductor material with an energy difference between valence and conduction bands of Eg2, wherein Eg1 and Eg2 are different from one another. The device further includes an energy selectively transmissive interface connecting the first and second semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A method/system for estimating a state of a device and at least one target in an environment. The process involves computing a state vector using an error state form of the position of the device in a local coordinate reference frame.

Abstract: A method of growing a thin film comprises growing a thin film by conformally forming at least one layer over a substrate having structures extending from a surface of the substrate, whereby the or each layer is formed over the surface of the substrate and over the structures extending from the surface. The thickness of the conformal layer, or the sum of the thicknesses of the conformal layers, is at least half the average spacing of the structures, and; at least one of the height of the structures, the average spacing of the structures and the size of the smallest dimension of the structures is set so as to provide an enhanced growth rate for the or each conformal layer (compared to the growth rate over a planar substrate).

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle to follow at least one person includes a detection device for detecting a location of at least one person. The system further includes a storage device for recording locations of at least one person at a plurality of points in time, and a path determination device for determining a driveable path for a vehicle based on the recorded locations. The system further includes a control device for operating vehicle to follow one or more persons over the driveable path.

Abstract: A one story high building block with the capability of having window or door openings, or a variety of other desirable features; pre-cast within the body of the building block itself. The building block can be colored and stamped or etched to provide an almost endless variety of visual effects. The building block can be connected to a number of other building blocks, each with their own variety of features, to create a dynamic building.

Abstract: A non-close-packed vertical junction photovoltaic device includes a substrate, a two-dimensional array of elongate nanostructures extending substantially perpendicularly from a surface of the substrate, and a thin film solar cell disposed over the nanostructures such that the thin film solar cell substantially conforms to the topography of the nanostructures. An average separation of nearest neighbor solar cell coated nanostructures is greater than zero and less than a vacuum wavelength of light corresponding to a band gap of absorption. The thin film solar cell may include an active region that conforms to the elongate nanostructures, a first electrode that conforms to a surface of the active region, and a second electrode. A separation of opposing outer surfaces of the first electrode extending along adjacent elongate nanostructures is greater than zero and less than the vacuum wavelength of the light corresponding to the band gap of the active region.

Abstract: A vertical multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a structured substrate including a plurality of substantially vertical elongated structures protruding from a planar surface of the structured substrate. An areal density of the elongated structures at a first sliced plane parallel to the planer surface is different than an areal density of the elongated structures at a second sliced plane parallel to the planar surface. The device further includes least a first sub-cell and a second sub-cell, each having a corresponding vertical p-n or p-i-n junction formed of conformal layers, the first sub-cell being formed in a first region incorporating the first sliced plane and the second sub-cell being formed above the first sub-cell in a second region incorporating the second sliced plane.