Abstract: A turnover apparatus and method for turning over articles such as lumber or board pieces being conveyed sideways on one or more conveyor drive loops in which each piece is retarded on the conveyor loops by structure engaging the underside of the pieces to shift the piece back against a lug mounted on each respective conveyor chain loop, the piece thereafter rotated up to an on edge position by flipper arms also mounted on the conveyor loops which each engage a cam ramp at a turnover station, the piece thereafter tipped over forwardly to complete the turnover. Optional pivoted let down arms may be arranged to engage the leading side of the pieces to controllably lower the same by motion induced by second cams at the turnover station.

Abstract: A conveyor device for bottles in particular, having a frame and a replaceable guide for the material, the guide being lockable on the frame for the material to be conveyed. To make such a guide easier to handle, easier to store and easier to install, the guide is designed in multiple parts, a first guide part being provided with a central lock device and designed as a locking means for a second guide part which is equipped with a locking stop.

Abstract: A switch including a housing, a face plate having a slot formed therethough, and a rocker that extends from housing for manually activating and controlling the load applied to an electrical circuit. The rocker is biased to be in a center or neutral position and when a user presses on side of the rocker, circuitry contained within the housing switches on the electrical load for a predetermined period of time. Manual movement of the rocker into the first position for a second time switches on the electrical load for a second predetermined period of time. Manual movement of the rocker into the second position turns off the electrical load. The switch also includes mechanisms allowing a user to adjust the first and second predetermined time periods.

Abstract: A timepiece button structure has a base having a first cavity, a first button member, a second button member having a second cavity part, first and second urging members, and first and second movement-limiting members. The second button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the first cavity part with the second urging member urging the second button member in the direction protruding from the first cavity part and the second movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction. The first button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the second cavity part with the first urging member urging the first button member in the direction protruding from the second cavity part and the first movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction.

Abstract: A control switch connection structure is proposed, in which a control switch of an electronic device is set up on a frame, and two conducting strips are adhered onto the frame. The control switch is electrically connected to a circuit board via these two conducting strips. The setup steps of flexible printed circuit board and flat flexible cable of the control switch in the prior art can thus be saved to lower the manufacturing cost and shorten the manufacturing process of electronic device.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus of an engine electrical system reliably starts the engine even in a battery-less apparatus or in a condition that the battery is completely discharged. The power generated in an AC generator 11 is supplied to a power supply line L via a regulator 12. The power supply line L is connected to a capacitor 13 and electronic control unit (ECU) 14. A fuel injection system (FI system) 15 is connected to the power supply line L1 via a first switch 17. The electronic control unit 14 monitors the voltage of the power supply line L1. In kick starting, the first switch 17 is set at OFF, and turned ON when the measured voltage is a reference voltage value or more.

Abstract: An assisted manual actuating device includes a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, a control member, which is designed to actuate the controlled member, and a mechanical transmission, which connects the control member to the controlled member. The mechanical transmission includes a shape-memory element, which is supplied by electrical-supply means that can be activated when the control member reaches an actuation position. The assisted manual actuating device includes an activation device having anchoring means for constraining the mechanical transmission when the control member reaches the actuation position of the device in such a way as to enable the mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing the controlled member into the second position.

Abstract: A high-frequency MEMS switch comprises a signal conductor which is arranged on a substrate and an oblong switching element which has a bent elastic bending area and is fastened on the substrate in a cantilevered manner. An electrode arrangement generates an electrostatic force which bends the switching element toward the signal conductor. The switching element is arranged longitudinally parallel to the signal conductor, and has a contact area which extends transversely to the switch element over the signal conductor. Under the effect of the electrostatic force, the elastic bending area of the switching element progressively approaches the electrode arrangement in a direction parallel to the signal line. The switching element has, for example, two mutually parallel extending switching arms, which are mutually connected by a bridge as the contact area and are arranged on both sides of the signal line and parallel thereto.

Abstract: A microswitch comprises a deformable membrane including two substantially parallel flexure arms, attached to a substrate via at least one end thereof and comprising thermal actuating means. An elongated contact arm, substantially parallel with the flexure arms, is arranged therebetween and attached thereto at the high deformation areas thereof. The contact arm moves in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate upon actuation of the microswitch, and comprises electrostatic holding electrodes and a conducting pad.

Abstract: A MEMS thermal switch is disclosed which couples a hot, expanding beam to a cool flexor beam using a slideably engaged tether, and bends the cool, flexor beam by the expansion of the hot beam. A rigidly engaged tether ties the distal ends of the hot, expanding beam and the cool, flexor beam together, whereas the slideably engaged tether allows the hot, expanding beam to elongate with respect to the cool, flexor beam, without loading the slideably engaged tether with a large shear force. As a result, the material of the tether can be made stiffer, and therefore transmit the bending force of the hot, expanding beam more efficiently to the cool, flexor beam.

Abstract: What I believe makes these Pull chain ornaments unique from others currently on the market is their shape which resembles that of the overhead fan and light. These pull chain ornaments once attached allow the user to differentiate the existing pull chains light and fan on/off switches. Taking the guess work out and becoming a Universal language, even in total darkness.

Abstract: A slide switch (100) comprises a housing (1), a plurality of stationary contacts (2) embedded in the housing, a slide member (4) moveably contained in the housing, a moveable contact (3) fixed to the slide member, and a cover (5) attached to the housing. The housing comprises a bottom surface (10) and a plurality of side surfaces (11) therearound, and said bottom surface and side surfaces cooperatively define a cavity. The moveable contact is fixed to said slide member to be connected to and disconnected from said stationary contacts. Each end of the housing defines a pair of protrusions (131) at upper portions of two lateral sides thereof, and therefore a channel is formed between said two protrusions. A pair of recesses (133) is defined below the protrusions respectively, and the recesses are recessed into the side surface of the end/channel.

Abstract: An electronic device, comprises a housing including circuitry mounted therein and a touch screen removably mounted on the housing so that a first surface of the touch screen faces out from the housing to display output and receive contact input from a user in combination with a plurality of first electrical contacts receiving from the touch screen electrical signals corresponding to the contact input, the first electrical contacts located on a second surface of the touch screen and a plurality of second electrical contacts coupled to the circuitry, the second electrical contacts being positioned so that, when the touch screen is mounted on the housing, each of the second electrical contacts electrically couples to a corresponding one of the first electrical contacts electrically coupling the touch screen to the circuitry.

Abstract: A structure for extreme thermal cycling has a support element that supports a vessel primarily by bearing and frictional forces rather than by welds. The support element has a bearing portion that tapers inwardly beneath a knuckle that separates a cylindrical section of the vessel from a sloped lower section. The bearing portion of the support element follows that slope, providing an extended area of contact between the support element and the vessel. An annular section of the support element can be heated and expanded before placing it around the cylindrical section of the vessel to provide pre-stressing. If required, a strap may extend downwardly from the vessel over an upper edge of the support element.

Abstract: A method and a system to produce a distillate stream from an aqueous stream containing at least one dissolved solid by a distillation process using at least one of a heated aqueous stream from a turbine system intercooler and a stack heater as a heat source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of oxidizing a substance in a liquid containing nitrous oxide (N2O) and an oxidation apparatus therefor. In this method, oxidation of a substance is conducted by allowing a substance to be present in a solution containing nitrous oxide (N2O) and irradiating the solution with light including a wavelength of at least 240 nm or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isomerisation method of vitamin D analogues, such as compounds useful for the synthesis of calcipotriol, and to and to the use of a flow-through photoreactor or continuous flow photoreactor reactor for making said vitamin D analogues. The present invention relates further to the use of intermediates produced with said method for making calcipotriol or calcipotriol monohydrate, or pharmaceutical formulations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the oxide sintered body substantially containing zinc, tin and oxygen, useful as a target, which can be sputtered under charging of high DC power, without generation of arcing or crack, and a manufacturing method for an oxide transparent conductive film formable in high-speed, and the oxide transparent conductive film excellent in chemical resistance. The oxide sintered body substantially containing zinc, tin and oxygen; containing tin at an atomic number ratio, Sn/(Zn+Sn), of 0.23 to 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating an article, such as a printed circuit board, includes a tank filled with electrolytic solution, a clamp for retaining the article fixed in place within the solution and a movable roller assembly disposed within the solution. The roller assembly includes a pair of vertically disposed, parallel rollers that are rotatably coupled to a rigid frame, with one roller preferably being spring biased towards the other roller. In use, the application of electrical current causes metal ions present in the solution to plate out on the article. To promote greater plating within through-holes or other similar surface depressions in the article, the roller assembly is linearly displaced by a motor-driven linkage so that the pair of rollers squeegee opposing surfaces of the article.

Abstract: An electrode containing a dielectric layer on a surface of the electrode and an active zone containing a metal embedded below the surface of the electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to form a groove pattern on a workpiece by an electrochemical machining process is disclosed. The electrode is capable of manufacturing a workpiece such as a counter plate, a sleeve journal or a conical bearing containing a groove pattern for fluid dynamics bearing, the groove pattern having a pitch of less than 80 microns. The electrode could be made by a method including depositing a dielectric layer on a surface of a metal, depositing a photoresist layer on the dielectric layer, printing a groove pattern on the photoresist layer, etching or physico-chemically removing portions of the dielectric photoresist layers to form grooves in the dielectric layer; removing the photoresist layer; and filling the grooves with a metal to produce the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode of an inductive output tube (IOT) is provided with channels for guiding cooling fluid. In one aspect of the invention, the channels are in a confronting relationship with a jacket surrounding the electrode and spaced from the electrode so as to define an interior region. Cooling fluid such as oil is circulated in the channels in fluid communication with the interior region, providing an escape mechanism for trapped bubbles in order to prevent localized heating of the electrode. In another aspect of the invention, the channels form multiple intersecting helical patterns of different pitches, with the steeper-pitched channels providing a more direct escape route for the bubbles.

Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for electrochemical devices, in particular for membrane fuel cells. The membrane-electrode assembly has a semi-coextensive design and comprises an ion-conducting membrane, two catalyst layers and gas diffusion layers of differing sizes on the front side and rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, while the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane. As a result, the ion-conducting membrane has a surface which is not supported by a gas diffusion layer on the front side. The membrane-electrode assembly has, owing to the particular construction, a stable structure which can be handled readily and displays advantages in the sealing of the reactive gases from one another and also in terms of the electrical properties. In particular, the hydrogen penetration current is significantly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for the attachment of a target or target segment (9) of a coating source includes a target or target segment (9) and a target holder (1) which includes a cooling body (3) and connecting means (6,7,8,11) for the attachment of the target or target segment to the cooling body. The connecting means include (3,6,7,8,10,11) electrically and/or thermally conductive means, so that the power supply takes place in a uniform distribution across the target or target segment, and also the heat arising at the target or target segment during the coating method can be uniformly conducted away into the cooling body, by which means more power can be coupled into the coating source and the coating rate is raised.

Abstract: A sputtering target is pre-conditioned prior to use of the target in a sputtering process by removing a damaged surface layer of a sputtering surface of the target. In one version, the sputtering surface of the sputtering target is lapped to remove a thickness of at least about 25 microns to obtain a sputtering surface having a surface roughness average of from about 4 to about 32 microinches. In another version, an acidic etchant is used to remove the layer. In yet another version, the damaged surface layer is annealed by heating the surface.

Abstract: An ion-selective potentiometric measuring chain having the I3?/I? redox system as the reference electrolyte is described, in which the components of the reference electrolyte that determine the potential are regenerable. In particular, iodine or I3?/I? solution can be released in a controlled manner from a body situated in the reference electrolyte.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor membrane. The sensor membrane comprises one or more conversion layers wherein the one or more conversion layers are capable of converting a non-charged analyte into a charged species, one or more polymeric layers wherein the one or more polymeric layers act as matrices to host the one or more conversion layers and wherein the one or more conversion layers and one or more polymeric layers create oppositely charged regions within the membrane.

Abstract: A nucleic acid detection device includes a flow channel which allows a solution containing a nucleic acid recognition body to flow therethrough, at least two first electrode portions including a probe electrode to which at least one nucleic acid probe is immobilized, and at least two second electrode portions including a reference electrode to be used for measuring a reference value. The first and second electrode portions are arranged in the flow channel to form a row along the flow channel. One of the second electrode portions is adjacent to one of the first electrode portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic analyzer making it possible to reduce the cost for serum information measurement and prevent a decrease in processing capacity. An automatic analyzer comprises a calorimetric analysis section provided with a reaction vessel to mix a sample with a reagent and a measurement section to measure the color change of the mixture in the reaction vessel; and an electrolyte measurement section to measure the concentrations of electrolytes in a sample, wherein the sample included in the reaction vessel is diluted to be measured in the measurement section of the calorimetric analysis section, and at least one of the degrees of hemolysis, lipemia and icterus in a sample is measured in the electrolyte measurement section.

Abstract: A gas sensor element and related manufacturing method are disclosed comprising the steps of preparing a gas sensor element body, including a solid electrolyte body having both sides formed with a measuring-gas-side electrode and a reference-gas-side electrode, respectively, and a diffusion resistance layer formed the solid electrolyte body so as to surround the measuring-gas-side electrode, coating a trap layer forming slurry, having an aluminum ion content equal to or less than 1.2 wt %, on at least an outer sidewall of the difflusion resistance layer of the gas sensor element body, and baking a coated layer of the trap layer forming slurry to form a trap layer on the outer sidewall of the diffusion resistance layer.

Abstract: A gas sensor element and a related manufacturing method are disclosed. The gas sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte body 11, having oxygen ion conductivity, which has both surfaces formed with a measuring gas detecting electrode and a reference gas detecting electrode, respectively, and a porous layer, covering the measuring gas detecting electrode and permeating measuring gases, which is formed using a porous layer green sheet containing fibrous organic materials, oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a thickness direction thereof, which are caused to burn down to form a coarse layer with large porosity in one area closer to the solid electrolyte and a dense layer with less porosity than that of the coarse layer in the other area remote from the solid electrolyte body to provide capability of permeating measuring gases in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the porous layer.

Abstract: A gas concentration measuring apparatus is provided which may be employed in measuring the concentration of oxygen contained in exhaust emissions of automotive engines. The apparatus includes a gas sensor equipped with a solid electrolyte body and a pair of electrodes affixed to opposed surfaces of the solid electrolyte body. The apparatus includes an applied voltage controller which works to apply the voltage to the electrodes of the gas sensor to create an electric current as a function of a concentration of gas to be measured. The applied voltage controller is designed to have an enhanced gain of the voltage to the value of the current, as produced by the gas sensor, in a predetermined frequency band, thereby increasing the response of the gas sensor without inducing the oscillation of the voltage to be applied to the gas sensor.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor has a sensing element having a sensing area that detects certain components in exhaust gas, a holder that supports a base end portion of the sensing element and has a sensor-mounting structure for sensor installation, and a protector that is fixed to the holder and protects the sensing area of the sensing element. To support the sensing element, a sensing element insertion hole for receiving the base end portion of the sensing element is formed at the holder. Then, a clearance between an inner surface of the sensing element insertion hole and a surface of the sensing area is set to be smaller than a clearance between an inner surface of the protector and the surface of the sensing area.

Abstract: End Labelled Free Solution Electrophoresis (ELFSE) provides a means of separating polymer molecules such as ssDNA according to their size, via free solution electrophoresis, thus eliminating the need for polymer separation via gels or polymer matrices. Here, significant improvements in ELFSE are disclosed via concurrent exposure of the polymer molecules to an electroosmotic flow. When the methods are applied to DNA sequencing by ELFSE, significant improvements in read length are observed.

Abstract: A method sequentially performs electrophoresis depositing carbon nanotube of field emission display. Only one cathode strip is subjected to electrical field at one time during electrophoresis deposition. Therefore, the electrophoresis deposition is confined to local area. A cathode plate includes a plurality of cathode strips and the cathode strips sequentially have potential difference with respect to the anode strips, whereby only one electrical field is present for one pixel at one time and carbon nanotube is formed at that pixel. The cathode strips are sequentially applied with voltage for global electrophoresis deposition.

Abstract: A treatment system and method for continuous deionization of a biologically derived feed stream includes a plurality of electrodialysis units (3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) arranged in stages along a treatment line, and stages are controlled such that the feed stream attains a certain quality before entering the next stage. The feed and concentrate streams move in generally opposite sense along the line, matching fluid characteristics of dilute and concentrate cells. The treatment line has two or more stages. Systems may have phased staging operations, and cell constructions may adapt the electrodialysis units for enhanced processing of difficult process fluids. A controller sets operating potentials in different electrical stages, and simple control parameters optimize ion removal and current efficiency without polarization of the fluid. The invention also includes phased staging of reversal operation, and cell constructions or fillings that adapt the treatment cells for enhanced processing.

Abstract: The claims describe methods for isolating functionally active Factor VIII using a membrane-based separation system containing a separation membrane to create a first and second interstitial volume between at least two restriction membranes. One or more stabilizing agents are added to the sample and/or an interstitial volume. A solvent in the first interstitial volume maintains FVIII in a desired charge state. Applying a potential between the first and second interstitial volumes separates FVIII on one side of the separation membrane from unwanted molecules on the other side of the separation membrane. These methods may also be used as a substitute for one or more steps in a conventional purification scheme for the separation of native or recombinant FVIII.

Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.

Abstract: A bipolar chamber is used in an electrochemical liquid treatment apparatus such as an electrodialyzer and an electrolyzer. The bipolar chamber includes an anion-exchange membrane (1), an electrode (2), and a cation-exchange membrane (3). A liquid is supplied between the cation-exchange membrane (3) and the anion-exchange membrane (1). The anion-exchange membrane (1), the electrode (2), and the cation-exchange membrane (3) are arranged in this order from an anode side of the bipolar chamber. The liquid may include pure water or a nonelectrolyte aqueous solution.

Abstract: Self-assembly of magnetic microparticles in AC magnetic fields. Excitation of the system by an AC magnetic field provides a variety of patterns that can be controlled by adjusting the frequency and the amplitude of the field. At low particle densities the low-frequency magnetic excitation favors cluster phase formation, while high frequency excitation favors chains and netlike structures. For denser configurations, an abrupt transition to the network phase was obtained.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the filling performance of a copper plating formula for microvia filling includes measuring a first potential value at a first rotation speed and a second potential value at a second rotation speed with a Cu-RDE of a plating solution. Then, a potential difference is obtained by subtracting the potential measured at the second rotation speed from the first rotation speed. The filling performance is defined by the potential difference; that is, a high potential difference indicates a good filling performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical fabrication platform for making structures, arrays of structures and functional devices having selected nanosized and/or microsized physical dimensions, shapes and spatial orientations. Methods, systems and system components of the present invention use an electrochemical stamping tool for generating patterns of relief and/or recessed features exhibiting excellent reproducibility, pattern fidelity and resolution on surfaces of solid state ionic conductors and in metal. Electrochemical stamping tools of the present invention are capable high throughput patterning of large substrate areas and, thus, enable a robust and commercially attractive manufacturing pathway to a range of functional systems and devices including nano- and micro-electromechanical systems, sensors, energy storage devices and integrated electronic circuits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for in-situ cleaning of semiconductor electroplating electrodes to remove plating metal without requiring the manual removal of the electrodes from the semiconductor plating equipment. The electrode is placed into the plating liquid and an electrical current having reverse polarity is passed between the electrode and plating liquid. Plating deposits which have accumulated on the electrode are electrochemically dissolved and removed from the electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which specially electroplated and electrocoated items may be post cured dyed any suitable color using a fast and easy process is provided. The color of the item can be changed as often as desired by removing the dye and repeating the post cured dying process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrolytic production and refining of metals having a melting point above about 1000° C., particularly silicon, where there is provided a first electrolytic cell having an upper molten electrolyte layer of a first electrolyte, a lower molten alloy layer of an alloy of the metal to be refined and at least one metal more noble than the metal to be refined. The lower alloy layer is the cathode in the first cell and an anode is positioned in the upper molten electrolyte layer. A second electrolytic cell is also provided with an upper molten metal layer of the same metal as the metal to be refined, said layer constituting a cathode, a lower molten alloy layer, said lower layer constituting an anode, said alloy having a higher density than the metal to be refined, and an intermediate molten electrolyte layer having a density between the density of the upper and lower molten layers.

Abstract: A method of making hydrocarbons from polyalcohols, such as carbohydrates. The polyalcohols and carbohydrates may be provided from biomass, including paper, cardboard or urban generated paper product waste; wood and wood products, including forest slash and deadfall; agricultural waste; and the like. The polyalcohols and carbohydrates are combined with hydroiodic acid in aqueous solution to form the hydrocarbon and elemental iodine. Hydroiodic acid is then electrochemically regenerated by reducing the elemental iodine in a parallel reaction. A method of electrochemically generating hydroiodic acid from elemental iodine in aqueous solution is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing, capturing and storing hydrogen in a hydrogen absorption rod. The hydrogen absorption rod comprises a zeolite core material surrounding a conductive rod, wherein the zeolite core material is suitable for releasing captured hydrogen to a hydrogen fuel cell. More specifically, the apparatus and method utilize solar-generated electric current to separate hydrogen from water, whereupon the released hydrogen is captured in the hydrogen absorption rod. The hydrogen absorption rod is configured to allow for ease and safety of transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen gas in hydrogen fuel cells.

Abstract: Polishing tools and associated methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a tool for polishing a work piece is provided. Such a tool may include a solid substrate with a polymer matrix infiltrated with a conductive material sufficient to allow the substrate to carry an electrical bias. The solid substrate may have a working surface which has asperities having a tip-to-tip RA value of less than or equal to about 10 ?m, and the working surface may have a surface roughness RA value of less than or equal to about 50 ?m. A method for making such a tool and a method for polishing a work piece are also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing an electrically conductive part through electrochemistry is disclosed. The cathode electrode is configured so as to fit simultaneously in one or more windows or pockets or in a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention a disc-covering cathode electrode is provided that can simultaneously finish all of the windows and pockets using an electrolyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electroprocessing with recessed bias contact. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a platen, a processing pad disposed on the platen and having at least a first aperture and a second aperture formed therethrough, a first electrode positioned under the processing pad and exposed to a polishing surface of the processing pad through the first aperture, wherein an upper surface of the first electrode is recessed from the polishing surface; a plurality of second electrodes exposed to the polishing surface through the second aperture, wherein upper surfaces of the second electrodes are recessed from the polishing surface, and an electrical circuit coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to bias each of the second electrodes independently relative to the first electrode.