Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The optical sensor includes a photodiode and a differential current integrator. The differential current integrator includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The first input terminal of the differential current integrator is connected to the photodiode. The second input terminal of the differential current integrator is coupled to a first reference voltage.

Abstract: A two-stage common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuit and a fully differential operational amplifier are provided. The two-stage CMFB circuit includes a first CMFB circuit and a second CMFB circuit. The first CMFB circuit includes a first CMFB component that receives a first differential pair of output signals of the first amplifier and a first reference signal. The first CMFB component generates a first control signal to regulate a first common-mode voltage of the first amplifier to a first reference voltage of the first reference signal. The second CMFB circuit includes a second CMFB component that receives a second differential pair of output signals of the second amplifier and a second reference signal. The second CMFB component generates a second control signal according to a second reference signal, so as to regulate a second common-mode voltage of the second amplifier to a second reference voltage of the second reference signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide a comparator circuit arrangement. The comparator circuit arrangement may include a preamplifier having a first input configured to be coupled to a first input voltage, a second input configured to be coupled to a second input voltage, and an output configured to generate a preamplifier output signal based on the first input voltage and the second input voltage. The comparator circuit arrangement may also include a switch circuit arrangement coupled to the preamplifier, the switch circuit arrangement configured to deactivate the preamplifier upon the second input voltage exceeding the first input voltage and further configured to activate the preamplifier upon a fall of the second input voltage, and a pull-up circuit arrangement coupled to the output of the preamplifier, the pull-up circuit arrangement configured to provide a boost voltage to the preamplifier output signal for a predetermined duration upon the fall of the second input voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide a comparator circuit arrangement. The comparator circuit arrangement may include a preamplifier having a first input configured to be coupled to a first input voltage, a second input configured to be coupled to a second input voltage, and an output configured to generate a preamplifier output signal based on the first input voltage and the second input voltage. The comparator circuit arrangement may also include a switch circuit arrangement coupled to the preamplifier, the switch circuit arrangement configured to deactivate the preamplifier upon the second input voltage exceeding the first input voltage and further configured to activate the preamplifier upon a fall of the second input voltage, and a pull-up circuit arrangement coupled to the output of the preamplifier, the pull-up circuit arrangement configured to provide a boost voltage to the preamplifier output signal for a predetermined duration upon the fall of the second input voltage.

Abstract: A preform is easily and speedily sterilized. A number of preforms, each having a bottomed tubular shape, are laid on a conveyer in a scraggly overturned manner, these preforms passes inside a chamber together with the conveyer, and hydrogen peroxide water mist is sprayed from both sides of the conveyer in a direction crossing the conveyer in the chamber, thereby adhering the sprayed hydrogen peroxide water to inner and outer surfaces of the preforms on the conveyer.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an inverter-based resistor may be provided. The inverter-based resistor may include at least one digital inverter, wherein each of the at least one digital inverter is configured to receive an input and provide an output, each of the at least one digital inverter further includes a positive voltage rail and a negative voltage rail, wherein the digital inverter input is connected to the inverter output and the positive voltage rail is connected to the negative voltage rail, and wherein a current flowing through the inverter-based resistor varies in direction and magnitude in response to a digital input provided to the positive voltage rail and the negative voltage rail.

Abstract: A method and devices for controlling a potentiostat control loop circuit to provide an accurate cell voltage for electrochemically sensing a sample, wherein the cell voltage corresponds to a difference between electrode voltages a working electrode and a reference electrode of a three-electrode potentiostat are provided. The devices include a potentiostat control loop circuit having a first amplifier with an output connected to a counter electrode of the three electrode potentiostat and a first input connected to a first potential and a first switched capacitor network including a first capacitance device having a first electrode connected to a second input of the first amplifier. The first switched capacitor network is also operatively connected to the first amplifier for operating in a first mode and a second mode t switchably couple the second input of the first amplifier to the reference electrode of the three-electrode potentiostat.

Abstract: A preform is easily and speedily sterilized. A number of preforms (1), each having a bottomed tubular shape, are laid on a conveyer (4) in a scraggly overturned manner, these preforms passes inside a chamber (5) together with the conveyer, and hydrogen peroxide water mist is sprayed from both sides of the conveyer in a direction crossing the conveyer in the chamber, thereby adhering the sprayed hydrogen peroxide water to inner and outer surfaces of the preforms (1) on the conveyer (4).

Abstract: According to various embodiments, an inverter-based resistor may be provided. The inverter-based resistor may include at least one digital inverter, wherein each of the at least one digital inverter is configured to receive an input and provide an output, each of the at least one digital inverter further includes a positive voltage rail and a negative voltage rail, where-in the digital inverter input is connected to the inverter output and the positive voltage rail is connected to the negative voltage rail, and wherein a current flowing through the inverter-based resistor varies in direction and magnitude in response to a digital input provided to the positive voltage rail and the negative voltage rail.

Abstract: A preform is easily and promptly sterilized. Superheated steam (S) generated from water, and having a temperature of 200° C. to 500° C. and a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is blasted to entire inner and outer surfaces of a preform (1) including a mouth portion (1a) thereof.

Abstract: A method and devices for controlling a potentiostat control loop circuit to provide an accurate cell voltage for electrochemically sensing a sample, wherein the cell voltage corresponds to a difference between electrode voltages a a working electrode and a reference electrode of a three-electrode potentiostat are provided. The devices include a potentiostat control loop circuit having a first amplifier with an output connected to a counter electrode of the three electrode potentiostat and a first input connected to a first potential and a first switched capacitor network including a first capacitance device having a first electrode connected to a second input of the first amplifier. The first switched capacitor network is also operatively connected to the first amplifier for operating in a first mode and a second mode t switchably couple the second input of the first amplifier to the reference electrode of the three-electrode potentiostat.

Abstract: A preform is easily and speedily sterilized. A number of preforms (1), each having a bottomed tubular shape, are laid on a conveyer (4) in a scraggly overturned manner, these preforms passes inside a chamber (5) together with the conveyer, and hydrogen peroxide water mist is sprayed from both sides of the conveyer in a direction crossing the conveyer in the chamber, thereby adhering the sprayed hydrogen peroxide water to inner and outer surfaces of the preforms (1) on the conveyer (4).

Abstract: A preform is easily and promptly sterilized. Superheated steam (S) generated from water, and having a temperature of 200° C. to 500° C. and a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is blasted to entire inner and outer surfaces of a preform (1) including a mouth portion (1a) thereof.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel beam guiding bellows for laser cutting machine, and a method of manufacturing the beam guiding bellows for laser cutting machine, which no longer need a process of placing any special plates such as reflective plates, therefore enabling manufacturing in a shorter time at low costs.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first pre-amp circuit that provides a first pre-amp current and a second pre-amp circuit that provides a second pre-amp current. A first threshold circuit is configured to generate a first output signal responsive to a difference between a variable current and the first pre-amp current. A second threshold circuit is configured to generate a second output signal responsive to a difference between the variable current and the second pre-amp current. One of the branches of a differential interpolation circuit includes a first transistor that is connected in a current mirror configuration with the first pre-amp circuit. The first transistor has a width/length ratio equal to the product nk, where n<1. A second transistor is connected in a current mirror configuration with the second pre-amp circuit. The second transistor has a width/length ratio equal to the product mk, where m<1 and n+m is about 1.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first pre-amp circuit that provides a first pre-amp current and a second pre-amp circuit that provides a second pre-amp current. A first threshold circuit is configured to generate a first output signal responsive to a difference between a variable current and the first pre-amp current. A second threshold circuit is configured to generate a second output signal responsive to a difference between the variable current and the second pre-amp current. One of the branches of a differential interpolation circuit includes a first transistor that is connected in a current mirror configuration with the first pre-amp circuit. The first transistor has a width/length ratio equal to the product nk, where n<1. A second transistor is connected in a current mirror configuration with the second pre-amp circuit. The second transistor has a width/length ratio equal to the product mk, where m<1 and n+m is about 1.