Abstract: A hanger for sheet material and method of hanging sheet material. An embodiment of the hanger for sheet material includes a base, a magnet assembly support member adjacent the base, and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly may include one or more holding members and one or more magnets. Each magnet may be attached to a holding member. Each holding member may be hinged to the magnet assembly support member.

Abstract: A holster for a plaster's hawk. The holster is adapted on a first end to mount upon the lip of a plaster bucket or the belt of a user. Two parallel portions define a space therebetween to frictionally engage the board portion of a hawk. A centrally located gap in said second portion engages with a handle projecting from the board portion and is spaced from the first portion sufficiently to accommodate any padding at the intersection of the handle and the board portion of the hawk.

Abstract: A device for holding archery bows and/or other hunting accessories is provided. The hunting accessory holding device includes a base member that attaches to a mounting substrate such as a tree, an arm assembly that is configured to hold the archery bow, and a lift mechanism that connects the arm assembly to the base member. The lift mechanism automatically retracts the arm assembly upwardly, from an extended position to a retracted position, when the bow is removed from the arm assembly, thereby removing the arm assembly from the hunter's view and way. The lift mechanism can include a spring that provides a retracting force for moving the arm assembly. As desired, the lift mechanism can also provide an adjustable or variable braking force that opposes the retracting force and enables the hunter to determine a rate of arm retraction, as desired.

Abstract: A support frame with an adjustable mechanism includes a fasten base, a displacement cylinder and an air pressure bar. The fasten base has a guiding cylinder. The displacement cylinder is sleeved with the guiding cylinder and has a relative motion relative to the guiding cylinder. One end of the air pressure bar is fastened with the fasten base and is located in the guiding cylinder. The displacement cylinder is fastened with another end of the air pressure bar and moves as the length of the air pressure bar changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an object to a wall includes a backbone, a ledge, and a spacer. The backbone has a means for mounting the backbone parallel to the wall. The ledge is attached to a bottom of the backbone and extends away from the wall. The spacer is located between the backbone and the ledge. A bottom of the object rests on the ledge and leans over the spacer such that a top of the object rests on the wall above the backbone.

Abstract: Described herein is a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic structures. The mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table. The support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that are mounted approximately perpendicular to the beams. Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with prefabricated slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.

Abstract: A TV set lifter comprises a guide rail (8), a guiding component (4), a TV set support (1) and a lifting mechanism (9). The guiding component is connected to the TV set support directly or indirectly and there is a rolling or sliding fit between the guiding component and the guide rail. There is a transmission connection between the lifting mechanism and the guiding component, the guide rail includes a face board (8-1) and two side boards (8-2), the lifting mechanism is positioned on the back of the face board, and the TV set support is positioned on the front of the face board. The device is decorative and can be produced easily.

Abstract: A beverage holder that can be attached to a surface and repositioned. The holder has a clamp portion. The clamp portion positioned along a generally vertical axis. The clamp portion has an upper jaw portion, horizontal portion, vertical portion, a second horizontal portion and lower jaw portion. The lower jaw portion being generally shaped like the top of a candy cane, a shepherd's crook or a hook. The curve of the lower jaw portion allows for flexing and enables secure attachment to a range of horizontal surfaces.

Abstract: A suspension device (10) with a carrier segment (12) and with at least one extension arm (14) that can be mounted pivotably thereon for moving in space devices (16, 18) that can be mounted thereon. The carrier segment (12) has a base part (24) for mounting the suspension device (10) at a mounting site. The suspension device has one or more quick-release rod modules (26) that can be detachably connected with the base part (24). The quick-release rod module (26) or each quick-release rod module (26) has a bus module (32), which contacts either a bus module (32) of a quick-release rod module (26) already embraced by the suspension device (10) or a contact device in the base part (24) when a quick-release rod module (26) is mounted on the suspension device (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable brace 1 for supporting a building member 6 relative to a foundation 8. The invention also relates to a foot 4 and an elongate member 2, 3 both forming part of the brace 1. The invention provides a relatively lightweight brace 1 particularly suited for temporarily bracing a concrete panel 6 at an angle relative to a foundation 8.

Abstract: A lower rail or an upper rail has a first wall provided at a position on a first one of opposite sides in a widthwise direction thereof, and a second wall provided at a position on the other, second, side in the widthwise direction and disposed opposed to the first wall. At least one of the first wall and the second wall has an opening. At least one of an outer portion of the holding member in the widthwise direction and an outer portion of the nut member in the widthwise direction is inserted in the opening and disposed opposed to an inner side-surface of the opening facing in a frontward-rearward direction.

Abstract: An anchor is generally provided with an elongated stem and a leg that extends outwardly from one end of the stem at an angle with respect to a long axis of the stem. The anchor is passed through a portion of a deck or patio area and the leg of the anchor is positioned beneath a lower surface of the deck. A securement line extends from the opposite end of the anchor and engages a structural feature of an article supported on the deck. One or more anchors may be used together, the securement line extending between the anchors. Structural features at one end of each anchor enable engagement with the securement line and resist passage of the anchor through the deck unintentionally.

Abstract: A connection device includes: a pedestal having a placement face; a connector provided in the placement face of the pedestal; a support provided adjacent to the pedestal and extended in a direction crossing the placement surface of the pedestal and having a face to define a space for placing a portable terminal on the connector and on a contact face in the face of the support, the contact face being movable in a thickness direction of the support; and an elastic member that is deformed by the movement of the contact face and applies an elastic force generated by the deformation in a direction of blocking the movement of the contact face with respect to the thickness direction of the support.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold having a protective layer includes forming a mold substrate having at least one substantially planar surface, depositing a layer of mold protection material onto the at least one substantially planar surface, and etching a plurality of cavities into the at least one substantially planar surface through the mold protection layer.

Abstract: An optical tracking system comprises an array of point source emitters that output respective optical emissions, and a plurality of angle of arrival sensors. Each sensor comprises one or more optical elements and a focal plane array (FPA), with the optical elements arranged to resolve the optical emissions into one or more linear patterns on the FPA. A processing system in communication with the sensors establishes the orientation and position of each of the optical emitters using the linear patterns. A headgear tracking system employs point source emitters on a piece of headgear, with front and rear arrays of angle of arrival sensors located in an aircraft cockpit; a processing system in communication with the sensor arrays establishes an orientation and position for each of the optical emitters on the headgear.

Abstract: An imaging device including a plurality of photo-sensitive elements suitable for imaging small objects less than 500 nm in size. Each of the photo-sentive elements forms a passive pixel which comprises at least one nanowire structured photodetector and a switch transistor. The nanowire structured photodetector is configured to receive the photons and store the photo generated charges and behave as a waveguide. The switch transistor is formed either in the substrate or at the same body of the nanowire and is configured to allow photo-genereated charges in the nanowire to accumulate when off and to drain from the nanowire when on. The pixel array is configured to allow high resolution imaging by arranging in a penny round pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.

Abstract: A quantum tunneling photodetector array and a method of generating an image. The photodetector array comprises an array of pairs of opposing first and second electrodes; a photo-sensitive insulating material disposed between the opposing first and second electrodes of the respective pairs; an electrical circuit for detecting photo-assisted quantum tunneling currents between the opposing first and second electrode of the respective pairs.

Abstract: In a pixel part, in a first active region, a photodiode and a transferring transistor are formed. In a second active region, a resetting transistor is formed. In a pixel part, in a first active region, a photodiode and a transferring transistor are formed. In a second active region, an amplifying transistor is formed. The first and second active regions are respectively the same in shape in image pixel parts. The resetting transistor and the amplifying transistor are shared by the pixel parts.

Abstract: A silicon photo-detection module is disclosed, in which a silicon photodiode detection unit and a parasitical vertical bipolar junction transistor amplification unit can be simultaneously formed by a CMOS process. The silicon photo-detection module has a silicon substrate, a silicon photodiode detection unit comprising a positive portion and a negative portion, and a parasitical vertical bipolar junction transistor amplification unit comprising a collector, a base, and an emitter. The silicon photodiode detection unit and the parasitical vertical bipolar junction transistor amplification unit are formed on the silicon substrate by a CMOS process. Besides, the positive and negative portions of the silicon photodiode detection unit are electrically connected respectively with the base and the collector of the parasitical vertical bipolar junction transistor amplification unit.

Abstract: A sensor and method of sensing is disclosed. The sensor is designed with a number of layers that are each able to sense a range of electromagnetic radiation. The sensor has two terminals for measuring the output signal of the sensor. The output signal of the sensor can be separated to identify the contributions to the output signal from each layer in order to determine the layer(s) that detected electromagnetic radiation. An array of sensors may be fabricated to increase the number of samples taken.

Abstract: Electron microscope support structures and methods of making and using same. The support structures are generally constructed using semiconductor materials and semiconductor manufacturing processes. The temperature of the support structure may be controlled and/or gases or liquids may be confined in the observation region for reactions and/or imaging.

Abstract: A particle beam system 1 for cleaning itself comprises an irradiation system to direct electromagnetic radiation onto the surfaces to be cleaned and a supply system 61 to supply a precursor gas to the interior of the vacuum chamber 11 of the particle beam system 1. The precursor gas is activated in a vicinity of the surfaces to be cleaned and is converted into a reaction gas which reacts with the contaminants present on the irradiated surfaces such that said contaminants may be pumped out then.

Abstract: An optical microscope for optically measuring a sample (30) includes: a fluorescent thin membrane (13) which at least partly contains fluorescent substance and on which the sample (30) is placed; an electron source (11) for generating an electron beam; an electron lens (12) for focusing the electron beam generated by the electron source (11) in such a manner as to excite a minute light source having a wavelength shorter than a visible light wavelength from the fluorescent thin membrane (13) so as to irradiate the fluorescent thin membrane (13) with the electron beam, and further, scanning the focused electron beam; and an optical detector (22) for detecting a measurement light beam which is generated in the minute light source and acts on the sample (30).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Uni-axis type lens module for a thermal imaging camera.

Abstract: A dual-mode includes a light source configured to project a structured illumination from which visible light can be filtered. The dual-mode imager also includes a detector configured to capture both the structured illumination and visible light from the scene. A temporal or spatial filter is used to selectively block visible light from one or more portions of the detector while passing the structured illumination to the one or more portions of the detector.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube and a night vision system fitted with such a tube. The tube body of the image intensifier tube includes a multilayer ceramic substrate fixed in a sealed manner to an input device and to an output device so as to assure leaktightness of a vacuum chamber delimited by the tube body. The multilayer substrate also maintains a microchannel plate arranged between a photocathode and a phosphorus screen, and supplies voltage to the photocathode, the plate, and the phosphorus screen.

Abstract: Phthalocyanine dyes, naphthalocyanine dyes, and/or bridged phthalocyanine/naphthalocyanine dyes represented by one of the general structures I to XVII, inkjet ink formulation comprising said dyes, and detection systems using said dyes are disclosed and described.

Abstract: An infrared positioning apparatus comprises a plurality of infrared diodes, a plurality of amplifying units, a plurality of converting units and a positioning unit. The plurality of infrared diodes is configured to detect at least one infrared signal. The plurality of amplifying units are configured to amplify the at least one infrared signal for obtaining at least one amplified signal. The plurality of converting units are configured to convert the at least one amplified signal for obtaining at least one strength value of the at least one amplified signal. The positioning unit is configured to obtain the emitting direction of the at least one infrared signal in accordance with the at least one strength value of the at least one amplified signal.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: System and method for blind echo cancellation in a received terahertz signal in a pulsed terahertz system for imaging or spectroscopy. Blind signal processing methods estimate the impulse response of the reflection mechanism and do not require a reference measurement to be taken. The reference signal may be recovered using a successive approach wherein the reference is first estimated using cross-correlation with the received signal and the received signal is represented as a function of the reference signal. For each successive echo, the calculated echo may be subtracted from the received signal and then the estimate of the reference signal is refined. Using an analytical approach, the parameters of a transfer function modeling the reflection mechanism may be estimated by optimizing a cost function.

Abstract: An aperture arrangement is disclosed, such as an aperture arrangement suitable for use with a dual wavelength infrared detector. A detector is disclosed which includes a casing; an aperture defined in one end of the casing; and a filter having an inner region and an outer region substantially (e.g., greater than 50%) covering the aperture; wherein the outer region of the filter transmits radiation within a first range of wavelengths and reflects radiation within a second range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) scanner system, including a detector that acquires PET event information, the detector being configured to move during acquisition of the PET event information; a first motion unit that acquires first event information of a position of a patient bed, the patient bed being configured to move during acquisition of the PET event information; a second motion unit that acquires second event information of the detector; an event collector that generates an event list of events that includes the PET event information, the first event information, and the second event information; and a list-mode reconstructing unit that reconstructs an image by processing the generated event list.

Abstract: A method of processing positron emission tomography (PET) information obtained from a PET detector having a plurality of detector regions, each detector region having at least one detector module and a corresponding regional collector, the method including the steps of receiving PET event information for a single PET event, the PET event information including energy information and crystal position information of the single PET event; receiving non-detector event information; generating an event list that includes (1) a PET event entry, the PET event entry including a fine time stamp, the energy information, and the crystal position information, and (2) a non-detector event entry that includes the received non-detector event information; and transmitting the generated event list to a computer for off-line processing.

Abstract: Two different collimation geometries are interleaved. Each collimation geometry samples a transaxial slice through the object being imaged. The even slices are of the same fan-beam geometry as the central head, but the odd slices are of different collimation geometry. Each slice covers an axial range that is the same as the pixel size of the solid-state detector, and aligns with the corresponding pixels in the axial direction.

Abstract: An imaging system employing a coded aperture mask having multiple pinholes is provided. The coded aperture mask is placed at a radiation source to pass the radiation through. The radiation impinges on, and passes through an object, which alters the radiation by absorption and/or scattering. Upon passing through the object, the radiation is detected at a detector plane to form an encoded image, which includes information on the absorption and/or scattering caused by the material and structural attributes of the object. The encoded image is decoded to provide a reconstructed image of the object. Because the coded aperture mask includes multiple pinholes, the radiation intensity is greater than a comparable system employing a single pinhole, thereby enabling a higher resolution. Further, the decoding of the encoded image can be performed to generate multiple images of the object at different distances from the detector plane. Methods and programs for operating the imaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a first material to produce a first light in response to receiving a target radiation. The radiation detection system can also include a second material to propagate a second light to a first end of the second material and to a second end of the second material, in response to receiving the first light. The radiation detection system can also include a reflector coupled to the first end of the second material. In an embodiment, the reflector can reflect the second light, so that the reflected second light can be received by a photosensor coupled to a second end of the second material.

Abstract: A photon-counting Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode intensity imaging array includes an array of pixels (200), each having an avalanche photodiode (250). A pixel senses an avalanche event and stores, in response to the sensed avalanche event, a single bit digital value therein. An array of accumulators (320) are provided such that each accumulator is associated with a pixel. A row decoder circuit (310) addresses a pixel row within the array of pixels. A bit sensing circuit (300) converts a precharged capacitance into a digital value during read operations.

Abstract: A radiation detector is disclosed. The detector has an entrance opening etched through a low-resistivity volume of silicon, a sensitive volume of high-resistivity silicon for converting the radiation particles into detectable charges, and a passivation layer between the low and high-resistivity silicon layers. The detector also has electrodes built in the form of vertical channels for collecting the charges generated in the sensitive volume, and read-out electronics for generating signals based on the collected charges.

Abstract: A photodetector for detecting megavoltage (MV) radiation comprises a semiconductor conversion layer having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, a first electrode coupled to the first surface, a second electrode coupled to the second surface, and a low density substrate including a detector array coupled to the second electrode opposite the semiconductor conversion layer. The photodetector includes a sufficient thickness of a high density material to create a sufficient number of photoelectrons from incident MV radiation, so that the photoelectrons can be received by the conversion layer and converted to a sufficient of recharge carriers for detection by the detector array.

Abstract: A charged particle multi-beamlet system for exposing a target (11) using a plurality of beamlets. The system comprises a charged particle source (1) for generating a charged particle beam (20), a beamlet aperture array (4D) for defining groups of beamlets (23) from the generated beam, a beamlet blanker array (6) comprising an array of blankers for controllably blanking the beamlets (23), a beam stop array (8) for blanking beamlets (23) deflected by the blankers, the beam stop array (8) comprising an array of apertures, each beam stop aperture corresponding to one or more of the blankers, and an array of projection lens systems (10) for projecting beamlets on to the surface of the target. The system images the source (1) onto a plane at the beam stop array (8), at the effective lens plane of the projection lens systems (10), or between the beam stop array (8) and the effective lens plane of the projection lens systems (10), and the system images the beamlet aperture array (4D) onto the target (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electron lens for use in an microcolumn, and more particularly to a multipole electron lens wherein the electron lens includes two or more electrode layers, each of the electrode layers has a slit aperture extending across a central optical axis along which an electron beam passes, and the two electrode layers are aligned on an electron optical axis such that the slit apertures are staggered with each other. Further, the present invention relates to a microcolumn using the multipole lens. The multipole lens according to the present invention can be manufactured and controlled in a simple fashion, reduces the defocusing of the microcolumn, and increases an active deflection area.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing a sports ball comprises a housing; a door for the housing for opening and closing the housing and for permitting manual location of a ball in the housing; a sterilizing light for sterilizing a ball placed in the housing. The ball is rotatable in the housing such that the surface of the ball is exposed to the light. An elongated track extends from one end of the housing towards another end, and the light can be elongated from one end towards another end. There can be a support pivot on an outer surface of the housing permits the housing to be rocked about the pivot. There can be a series of rollers and one of the rollers can be motorized to rotate a ball. An outlet from the housing is directed to a tray for receiving a sterilized ball. The housing can include an internal surface with a light reflective material.

Abstract: The reaction of aromatic nitriles with perylenetetracarboximides affords colorants which fluoresce strongly in the long-wave region and are of the formula in which one pair Q1 and Q2 or one pair Q2 and Q3, and optionally from 0 to 3 pairs Q3 and Q4, Q5 and Q6, Q6 and Q7 and/or Q7 and Q8, in each case in pairs, together form a heterocyclic ring the remaining Q1, Q4, Q5 and Q8 which do not form a heterocyclic ring are each hydrogen, and the remaining Q3, Q6 and Q7 which do not form a heterocyclic ring are each independently R5 or R6. R1 to R8 are each H, CN, halogen or optionally mono- or polysubstituted hydrocarbon groups. Establishing a suitable pH achieves a large Stokes shift in these colorants via the ESPT mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a test sample using complementary techniques, such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and optical emission spectroscopy (OES), are disclosed for registering two or more test instruments, in relation to the test sample, such that each of the instruments analyzes substantially the same region as is analyzed by the other instrument(s), and for communicating analytical results between or among the instruments, or between the instruments and another component, to enable one or more of the instruments, or the other component, to combine the results and, thereby, more completely and accurately determine the composition of the test sample. Such registration and communication enables, for example, separate XRF and OES instruments to collectively determine the composition of the test sample, including the absolute amounts of light and heavy elements in the test material.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for a pen that can include a writing end for writing an image on an erasable medium and an erasing end for locally erasing an image from the erasable medium.

Abstract: An EUV light source is disclosed which may comprise a plurality of targets, e.g., tin droplets, and a system generating pre-pulses and main-pulses with the pre-pulses for irradiating targets to produce expanded targets. The system may further comprise a continuously pumped laser device generating the main pulses with the main pulses for irradiating expanded targets to produce a burst of EUV light pulses. The system may also have a controller varying at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses. In addition, the EUV light source may also include an instrument measuring an intensity of at least one EUV light pulse within a burst of EUV light pulses and providing a feedback signal to the controller to vary at least one pre-pulse parameter during the burst of EUV light pulses to produce a burst of EUV pulses having a pre-selected dose.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an EUV (extreme ultraviolet) illumination system. The system can include at least one EUV light source, and an aperture stop and sensor arrangement for the measurement of intensity fluctuations and/or position changes of the EUV light source, in particular in the range of the effectively utilized wavelengths, or of one of the intermediate images of the EUV light source. The aperture stop and sensor arrangement can include an aperture stop and an EUV position sensor. The aperture stop and sensor arrangement can be arranged in such a way that the aperture stop allows a certain solid angle range of the radiation originating from the EUV light source or from one of its intermediate images to fall on the EUV position sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an activated charcoal filter for storing and releasing gaseous hydrocarbons which originate from a fuel supply means of a motor vehicle. The activated charcoal can be supplied with gaseous hydrocarbons via an inlet. A heating means for heating of the activated charcoal is made available by a tank shutoff valve by means of which the inlet can be shut off. Since the tank shutoff valve is being operated as a heating means, an additional heating means for regenerating the activated charcoal can be omitted. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such an activated charcoal filter and a method for operating an activated charcoal filter.