Abstract: A guide rail system for guiding containers moved by a conveyor defining a path with a curved segment. The guide rail system includes a number of contact portions, for engaging the containers, to at least partially locate the containers in preselected positions on the conveyor, and a number of adjustable point devices, for locating the contact portions in predetermined locations respectively relative to the conveyor. Each adjustable point device includes an adjustment element on which one or more of the contact portions is mounted. The system also includes a drive element connected to the adjustable point devices to locate the adjustment elements, including a flexible shaft substantially aligned with the curved segment, which is connected with selected ones of the adjustable point devices are spaced apart from each other along the curved segment.

Abstract: A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct. Also provided is a method for detecting protein having certain amino acid sequences, the method comprising supplying a collection of proteins each with unknown amino acid sequences, contacting the collection with a moiety having a plurality of binding sites capable of binding with the protein having certain amino acid sequences so as to form a moiety-protein complex, and mixing the complex with a marker specific for the moiety in an amount sufficient to indicate existence of the complex.

Abstract: A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct.

Abstract: A system and related method for managing of a geographic area, such as an area of land having at least one resource wherein direct and indirect revenue streams may be obtained is disclosed. The system allows for determination of the value of an area of land based on a selected utilization strategy that may specify a schedule for harvesting of any resources produced by the geographical area. A plurality of inputs is then retrieved, including at least one financial input and at least one biological input for the area of land. The value of one of retrieved inputs is then varied over a selected range of values for one or more time intervals. The development of at least one resource is predicted for the same one or more intervals. A variation in value for the area of land is then calculated for each of the one or more time intervals for each utilization strategy.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main housing and a battery pack that is detachable from the main housing. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing configured to attach to the main housing, a battery in the battery pack housing, and a power connection in the battery pack housing for connecting the battery to the portable electronic device. The battery pack further includes one or more integrated circuits in the battery pack housing, the functional electronics including a chipset, and a data connection in the battery pack housing for connecting the one or more integrated circuits to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods of optical communication and optical communication systems are described. According to a first aspect, a method of optical communication includes providing an optical signal and providing a plurality of data signals. This aspect also includes passing a plurality of desired portions of the optical signal using a plurality of respective optical modulators, the desired portions individually having at least one predefined wavelength. The method also includes optically modulating the desired portions of the optical signal using the respective optical modulators and responsive to respective ones of the data signals and outputting the desired portions of the optical signal to an optical communication medium after the modulating.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna array has array elements arranged in element rows and element columns and subarrays arranged in subarray rows and subarray columns, for which the subarray phase centers have non-uniform spacing. The adaptive antenna array provides good detection and tracking performance when used in a radar system, while being inexpensive and easy to manufacture. A radar system and a method of adapting a radar array both employ the above described adaptive antenna array.

Abstract: A bearing seat includes a cylindrical scat defining a cylindrical pocket for at least partially containing a bearing. The cylindrical seat includes a cylindrical first wall and an end wall extending from the cylindrical first wall. The cylindrical first wall has an inner face and the end wall includes an integral shim extending outwardly therefrom. The integral shim is configured to contact a side of an outer race of a bearing such that the side of the outer race of the bearing seats firmly against the integral shim.

Abstract: Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch includes an optical path and a cavity intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid, which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator generates pressure that selective moves the liquid between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring thin film deposition are described. In one aspect, a thin film deposition sensor includes an acoustical resonator (e.g., a thin film bulk acoustical resonator) that has an exposed surface and is responsive to thin film material deposits on the exposed surface. A substrate clip may be configured to attach the thin film deposition sensor to a substrate. A transceiver circuit may be configured to enable the thin film deposition sensor to be interrogated wirelessly. A method of monitoring a thin film deposition on a substrate also is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring thin film deposition are described. In one aspect, a thin film deposition sensor includes an acoustical resonator (e.g., a thin film bulk acoustical resonator) that has an exposed surface and is responsive to thin film material deposits on the exposed surface. A substrate clip may be configured to attach the thin film deposition sensor to a substrate. A transceiver circuit may be configured to enable the thin film deposition sensor to be interrogated wirelessly. A method of monitoring a thin film deposition on a substrate also is described.

Abstract: A bearing seat includes a cylindrical seat defining a cylindrical pocket for at least partially containing a bearing. The cylindrical seat includes a cylindrical first wall and an end wall extending from the cylindrical first wall. The cylindrical first wall has an inner face and the end wall includes an integral shim extending outwardly therefrom. The integral shim is configured to contact a side of an outer race of a bearing such that the side of the outer race of the bearing seats firmly against the integral shim.

Abstract: Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch includes an optical path and a cavity intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid, which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator generates pressure that selective moves the liquid between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.

Abstract: Methods of optical communication and optical communication systems are described. According to a first aspect, a method of optical communication includes providing an optical signal and providing a plurality of data signals. This aspect also includes passing a plurality of desired portions of the optical signal using a plurality of respective optical modulators, the desired portions individually having at least one predefined wavelength. The method also includes optically modulating the desired portions of the optical signal using the respective optical modulators and responsive to respective ones of the data signals and outputting the desired portions of the optical signal to an optical communication medium after the modulating.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring thin film deposition are described. In one aspect, a thin film deposition sensor includes an acoustical resonator (e.g., a thin film bulk acoustical resonator) that has an exposed surface and is responsive to thin film material deposits on the exposed surface. A substrate clip may be configured to attach the thin film deposition sensor to a substrate. A transceiver circuit may be configured to enable the thin film deposition sensor to be interrogated wirelessly. A method of monitoring a thin film deposition on a substrate also is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring thin film deposition are described. In one aspect, a thin film deposition sensor includes an acoustical resonator (e.g., a thin film bulk acoustical resonator) that has an exposed surface and is responsive to thin film material deposits on the exposed surface. A substrate clip may be configured to attach the thin film deposition sensor to a substrate. A transceiver circuit may be configured to enable the thin film deposition sensor to be interrogated wirelessly. A method of monitoring a thin film deposition on a substrate also is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical cavity surface emitting laser having high gain and high reflectivity in the desired wavelength range and good thermal and electrical conductivity. The laser structure is comprised of a first mirror region, a second mirror region, and an active region positioned between the first and second mirror regions. Unlike, prior VCSELs, the active region is fused to both the first mirror region and the second mirror region. This allows the laser designer to optimize laser performance for the desired wavelength range by allowing the choice of different materials for the first mirror region, the second mirror region, and the active region.

Abstract: A stator includes projecting portions extending from an outer edge of a plurality of stator laminations. The projecting portions form a point. When the stator is inserted into a motor housing, the projecting portions scrape along an inner surface of the housing. The contact between the projecting portions and the housing achieves a bond between the stator and the housing.

Abstract: A method of precisely mounting a planar optical component on a mounting member includes the step of placing a plurality of balls on the mounting member to precisely define a geometric plane. The planar optical component is then placed against each of the balls on the mounting member such that the planar optical component is along the defined geometric plane on the mounting member. In addition, the planar optical component can also be mounted on the mounting member by first forming a groove in the mounting member. An end of the planar optical component is then shaped to match that of at least one wall of the groove. The planar optical component can then be placed in the groove such that the shaped end of the planar optical component is placed against the wall of the groove.

Abstract: A switch for selectively coupling light from an input optical fiber to a selected one of a plurality of output optical fibers. The switch includes a first carriage having one end of the input optical fiber attached thereto and a second carriage having the output optical fibers attached thereto such that one end of each of the output optical fiber lies between first and second distances with respect to the end of the input optical fiber when the output optical fiber is aligned with the input optical fiber. A lens that is fixed with respect to the end of the input optical fiber images light leaving the input optical fiber onto a plane lying between the first and second distances from the end of the input optical fiber. In one embodiment of the present invention, an encoder is integrated into the first and second carriages. The encoder includes an encoding input optical fiber having one end attached to the first carriage, the encoding input optical fiber being a single mode optical fiber.