A method for producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides with a high content of inert components includes passing the synthesis gas through a synthesis reactor so as to catalytically convert a part of the carbon oxides to methanol. The methanol is separated from the obtained mixture from the reactor. The mixture liberated from methanol is separated into a cycle stream and a purge stream. The cycle stream is recirculated so as to form a synthesis circle and combined with a fresh gas stream including hydrogen and carbon oxides before being charged into the synthesis reactor. The purge stream is supplied to a secondary reactor so as to catalytically convert a further part of the hydrogen and carbon oxides to methanol. Further methanol is separated the obtained mixture including synthesis gas, inert components and methanol vapor.

The present invention is for extremely pure solutions of chlorine dioxide, methods for making such solutions and to compositions and methods for storing, shipping and using such solutions. Generally, the chlorine dioxide solutions of the invention are aqueous solutions containing about 2500 ppm or less of total impurities. The chlorine dioxide solution can be prepare by passing dilute highly pure chlorine gas through a bed of substantially solid sodium chlorite and contacting the resulting chlorine dioxide gas with a liquid.

Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. In some cases, the system can be used for PCR processing. The different processing locations may include a preparation location where samples can be prepared and an analysis location where samples can be analyzed. To assist with the preparation of samples, the system may also include a number of processing stations which may include processing lanes. During the analysis of samples, in some cases, thermal cycler modules and an appropriate optical detection system can be used to detect the presence or absence of certain nucleic acid sequences in the samples. The system can be used to accurately and rapidly process samples.

The present invention includes a device comprising a lid and a vessel forming an interface that allows transfer of waste from a purification chamber to a waste chamber and method for purification of an analyte are disclosed wherein a supernatant is separated from a solid phase to which an analyte is bound by centrifugation via the lid of the device. The present invention also includes methods for use of the device.

Provided are emissions treatment systems for an exhaust stream having an ammonia-generating component, such as a NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalyst or a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst, and an SCR catalyst disposed downstream of the ammonia-generating catalyst. The SCR catalyst can be a molecular sieve having the CHA crystal structure, for example SSZ-13 or SAPO-34, which can be ion-exchanged with copper. The LNT can be layered, having an undercoat washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and at least one NOx sorbent selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, and combinations thereof and a top washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and ceria in particulate form, the top washcoat layer being substantially free of alkaline earth components. The emissions treatment system is advantageously used for the treatment of exhaust streams from diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines.

A propulsion apparatus for an endoscope includes a propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of the endoscope, for propulsion in a body cavity. First and second wire devices are disposed to extend from the tip device in a proximal direction, having a coil winding, for rotating to drive the propulsion assembly. First and second motors are connected with proximal ends of respectively the first and second wire devices, for rotating the first and second wire devices. A timer is actuated if a speed difference between rotational speeds of the first and second motors becomes equal to or more than a reference speed value, for measuring an elapsed time. A break detector detects breakage of the first wire device if the elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. A controller controls the first and second motors in response to an output of the break detector.

A noncontact optical three-dimensional measuring device that includes a projector, a first camera, and a second camera; a processor electrically coupled to the projector, the first camera and the second camera; and computer readable media which, when executed by the processor, causes the first digital signal to be collected at a first time and the second digital signal to be collected at a second time different than the first time and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a first point on the surface based at least in part on the first digital signal and the first distance and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a second point on the surface based at least in part on the second digital signal and the second distance.

The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data.

A 3D image sensor includes a depth pixel that includes; a photo detector generating photo-charge, first and second floating diffusion regions, a first transfer transistor transferring photo-charge to the first floating diffusion region during a first transfer period in response to a first transfer gate signal, a second transfer transistor transferring photo-charge to the second floating diffusion region during a second transfer period in response to a second transfer gate signal, and an overflow transistor that discharges surplus photo-charge in response to a drive gate signal. Control logic unit controlling operation of the depth pixel includes a first logic element providing the first transfer gate signal, a second logic element providing the second transfer gate signal, and another logic element providing the drive gate signal to the overflow transistor when the first transfer period overlaps, at least in part, the second transfer period.

The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities QL, QR output from the units. One of the units is provided with a charge generating region (region outside a transfer electrode 5) where charges are generated in response to incident light, at least two semiconductor regions 3 which are arranged spatially apart to collect charges from the charge generating region, and a transfer electrode 5 which is installed at each periphery of the semiconductor region 3, given a charge transfer signal different in phase, and surrounding the semiconductor region 3.

A handheld distance measuring instrument includes a first emission device, a first reception device and a second reception device. The first emission device is configured to emit an optical measurement radiation onto a target object. The first reception device is configured to detect the radiation returning from the target object. The second reception device is configured in order to detect a reference radiation internal to the instrument. The reception devices respectively include a first detector unit, a second detector unit, a first time measurement unit, and a second time measurement unit. The first time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit. The second time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit.

An approach for IR-based metrology for detecting stress and/or defects around TSVs of semiconductor devices is provided. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a beam of IR light will be emitted from an IR light source through the material around the TSV. Once the beam of IR light has passed through the material around the TSV, the beam will be analyzed using one or more algorithms to determine information about TSV stress and/or defects such as imbedded cracking, etc. In one embodiment, the beam of IR light may be split into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion will be passed through the material around the TSV while the second portion is routed around the TSV. After the first portion has passed through the material around the TSV, the two portions may then be recombined, and the resulting beam may be analyzed as indicated above.

A defect inspection device has: an illumination optical system which irradiates a predetermined region of an inspection target with illumination light; a detection optical system which has a detector provided with a plurality of pixels by which scattered light from the predetermined region of the inspection target due to illumination light from the illumination optical system can be detected; and a signal processing portion which is provided with a correction portion which corrects pixel displacement caused by change in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the inspection target with respect to a detection signal based on the scattered light detected by the detector of the detection optical system, and a defect determination portion which determines a defect on the surface of the inspection target based on the detection signal corrected by the correction portion.

A system and method for mounting a section onto a substrate, the system comprising: a fluid channel including: a fluid channel inlet that receives the section, processed from a bulk embedded sample by a sample sectioning module positioned proximal the fluid channel inlet, a section-mounting region downstream of the fluid channel inlet, and a fluid channel outlet downstream of the section-mounting region; a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid channel outlet; and a manifold, fluidly coupled to the reservoir, that delivers fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel inlet, thereby transmitting fluid flow that drives delivery of the section from the fluid channel inlet toward the section-mounting region.

Spectroscopy apparatuses oriented to the critical angle of the sample are described that detecting the spectral characteristics of a sample wherein the apparatus consists of an electromagnetic radiation source adapted to excite a sample with electromagnetic radiation introduced to the sample at a location at an angle of incidence at or near a critical angle of the sample; a transmitting crystal in communication with the electromagnetic radiation source and the sample, the transmitting crystal having a high refractive index adapted to reflect the electromagnetic radiation internally; a reflector adapted to introduce the electromagnetic radiation to the sample at or near an angle of incidence near the critical angle between the transmitting crystal and sample; and a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the sample. Also, provided herein are methods, systems, and kits incorporating the peri-critical reflection spectroscopy apparatus.

A transmissive diffraction grating includes a polarization conversion layer, a first diffractive layer disposed on one surface side of the polarization conversion layer, and a second diffractive layer disposed on the other surface side of the polarization conversion layer. Both the first diffractive layer and the second diffractive layer include refractive index modulation structures arranged with a period P in a first direction, and diffraction efficiency for a TE polarized light component is higher than a diffraction efficiency for a TM polarized light component.

A method of optically determining the presence of volcanic ash within a cloud comprises emitting a circularly polarized illuminating beam within a cloud and analyzing backscatter light to identify the presence of volcanic ash within the cloud. The method further includes determining the degree to which the cloud has altered the polarization state of the emitted beam. The index of refraction of the backscatter light and the opacity of the backscatter light are also analyzed.

A dual scanning and FTIR system for application in the Terahertz and broadband blackbody frequency range including sources for providing Thz and broadband blackbody range and electromagnetic radiation, at least one detector of electromagnetic radiation in the THZ and broadband blackbody ranges, and at least one rotating element between the source and detector.

An estimation device is configured to estimate a feature value of a specific component contained in a sample and includes: a spectral estimation parameter storage module; a calibration parameter storage module; a multiband image acquirer; an optical spectrum operator configured to compute an optical spectrum from a multiband image using a spectral estimation parameter; and a calibration processor configured to compute the feature value from the optical spectrum using a calibration parameter.

A system and method for detecting analytes using a conformal filter. A conformal filter, which may comprise a tunable filter, is configured to filter interacted photons conforming to a spectral shape correlated with an analyte of interest. Conformal filter configurations may be selected by consulting a modified look-up table associated with an analyte. An iterative methodology may be used to calibrate a conformal design for an analyte of interest, refine a previous conformal filter design for an analyte of interest, and/or generate a new conformal filter design for an analyte of interest.

A system for characterizing crude oil fractions includes a maltenes sample reservoir, a first solvent reservoir, a second solvent reservoir, and a third solvent reservoir. The system further includes a valve in fluid communication with the first solvent reservoir, the second solvent reservoir, and the third solvent reservoir and a pump in fluid communication with the valve. The system further includes a packed bed in fluid communication with the maltenes sample reservoir and the pump, a flowthrough cell in fluid communication with the packed bed, a spectrometer operably associated with the flowthrough cell, and a computer operably associated with the spectrometer. A method for characterizing crude oil fractions includes providing a maltene sample, eluting saturates, aromatics, and resins of the maltene sample, determining an optical density of each, and determining a concentration of each of the saturates, aromatics, and resins based upon optical densities over time for each.

Techniques and devices for measuring polarization crosstalk in birefringence optical media including polarization maintaining fiber.

[Problem to be Solved] To improve the measurement accuracy of an interference measurement device which utilizes interference of light. [Means for Solution] An interference measurement device includes a light source 10 for emitting supercontinuum light (SC light), an optical fiber coupler 11 for splitting the SC light into measurement light and reference light, a dispersion compensation element 12, a drive unit 13 for moving the dispersion compensation element 12, and light-receiving means 14 for measuring an interference waveform produced as a result of interference between the measurement light and the reference light. A measurement object 15 to be measured is an Si substrate having a thickness of 800 μm. The dispersion compensation element 12 is an Si substrate having a thickness of 780 μm. Namely, the dispersion compensation element 12 is formed of the same material as that of the measurement object 15 and is 20 μm thinner than the measurement object 15. The interference caused by reflection on the back surface of the measurement object 15 and reflection on the back surface of the dispersion compensation element 12 has a narrow peak width because wavelength dispersion is cancelled almost completely. Thus, the accuracy in measuring the peak position improves. As a result, the accuracy in measuring temperature, etc., improves.

A surface wave assisted system having an aperture layer with a surface and an aperture, and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate an optical transfer function at the aperture by inducing a surface wave for interfering with transmission of light of a range of spatial frequency.

A method of compensating for sample misalignment in an optical measurement apparatus (40), comprises the steps of: determining an expected response from a detector (58) in said optical measurement apparatus given a particular set of parameters defining a path that light can take through the optical measurement apparatus from a source (42), via a sample (50), to the detector (58); measuring a response from the detector for the sample under test; and refining the set of parameters until the expected response and the measured response converge so as to determine the set of parameters giving rise to the measured response.

An optical system for occupancy sensing according to the invention includes a plurality of optical line sensors, each consisting of a linear array of light sensing elements; and an optical light integrating device that integrates light from rays with incidence angles subject to geometric constraints to be sensed by a light sensing element.

A system, that includes a hybrid sensor that comprises: a monochromatic portion that is arranged to obtain a monochromatic image of a first area of an object; a multiple-color portion that is arranged to obtain a multi-colored image of a second area of the object; wherein the monochromatic portion comprises monochromatic sensing elements that sense radiation of a same frequency band; wherein the multiple-color portion comprises color sensing elements of different types, wherein different types of color sensing elements are associated with different frequency bands.

A projection exposure tool for microlithography for imaging mask structures of an image-providing substrate onto a substrate to be structured includes a measuring apparatus configured to determine a relative position of measurement structures disposed on a surface of one of the substrates in relation to one another in at least one lateral direction with respect to the substrate surface and to thereby simultaneously measure a number of measurement structures disposed laterally offset in relation to one another.

An optical electrical field enhancing device includes: a transparent substrate having a structure of fine protrusions and recesses on the surface thereof; and a metal structure layer of fine protrusions and recesses formed on the surface of the structure of fine protrusions and recesses. The metal structure layer of fine protrusions and recesses has a structure of fine protrusions and recesses, in which the distances among adjacent protrusions are less than the distances among corresponding adjacent protrusions of the structure of fine protrusions and recesses of the transparent substrate.

There is provided a profile measuring apparatus which measures a profile of an object including: a projection unit which projects a pattern on the object from a projection direction; a measurement unit, which is displaced at a difference position for the projection unit and takes an image of the pattern from a direction different from the projection direction to measure a position on a surface of the object based on an image data obtained with the taken image; an object-rotation unit which rotates the object in two directions; and a pattern-rotation unit which is connected to the projection unit so as to be able to rotate the pattern relative to the object-rotation unit.

A reflection type optical sensor that detect a surface condition of a moving body and that is used for an image generation apparatus which forms images on a recording media includes a light-emitting device which has a plurality of light emitter systems including at least two light-emitting members and a light-emitting optical system having a plurality of light-emitting lenses corresponding to a plurality of the light emitter systems and guiding light emitted from the light emitter systems to the moving body and a light-receiving device which has a light receiver system including at least two light-receiving members and a light-receiving optical system having light-receiving lenses corresponding to the at least two light-receiving members and guiding light reflected by the moving body to the light receiver system. The image generation apparatus has further a surface condition judging device in addition to the reflection type optical sensor.

There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.

An adaptive optics scanning system using a beam projection module with four or more axes of motion that can project and control the position and angle of a beam of light to or from an adaptive optics element. The adaptive optics scanning system is compact in size, overcoming the challenges of a traditional lens and mirror based pupil relay design. The adaptive optics scanning system has little to no dispersion, chromatic aberration, and off-axis aberration for improved optical performance. The system and methods for calibrating and optimizing the system are described. A modular adaptive optics unit that scans and interfaces an adaptive optics element is described.

In order to newly provide a folder that facilitates insertion of a document fastener into a narrow slit and that is improved in durability by making use of a property of a document fastener whose folded state can be kept due to resin, the document fastener is so arranged to comprise a plate material (a) made of resin having a body part (11) extending longitudinally and a pair of folded pieces (12) extending from the body part (11), wherein a thickness of both end portions (14) of the plate material (a) is formed to be thinner than a thickness of other portions of the plate material (a), a boundary (13) between the body part (11) and the folded piece (12) is made to be foldable, and the folded state on the boundary (13) can be kept by making use of the properties of the resin itself.

A sheet holder for holding a sheet of paper and exposing an edge of the sheet, has a press for holding the paper sheet and exposing the edge, and a lever for operating the press. The lever is movable between a released position for placing of the edge of the paper sheet in the press and a holding position for operating the press. There is also an abutment for abutment by the edge of the paper sheet to position the edge relative to the press while the lever is in the released position. The abutment is associated with the lever for moving away from the edge of the paper sheet when the lever moves towards the holding position, thereby exposing the edge of the paper sheet.

Disclosed herein is an organizer comprising a unique structural configuration to house and store both non-perforated documents and perforated documents. The organizer comprises a ring binder that is associated with an expandable compartment that is arranged peripheral to the ring binder.

Disclosed herein is an organizer comprising a unique structural configuration to house and store both non-perforated documents and perforated documents. The organizer comprises a ring binder that is associated with an expandable compartment that is arranged peripheral to the ring binder.

A biochip for the integration of all steps in a complex process from the insertion of a sample to the generation of a result, performed without operator intervention includes microfluidic and macrofluidic features that are acted on by instrument subsystems in a series of scripted processing steps. Methods for fabricating these complex biochips of high feature density by injection molding are also provided.

A desk leaf base has a base formed of a trapezoidal tubular body in a trapezoidal shape in a side view, closed from a bottom surface to a certain height in both sides, and opened in an upper portion therefrom. An inclined front wall of the tubular body is removed from one side to the other side, in a range from the height to a higher height lower than a top surface. A binder mounted along an elongated top surface of the base has an elongated body and rings. The elongated body is mounted along the top surface of the base with an approximately same width as the top surface. The rings are mounted on the body and capable of opening and closing. Each ring includes linear portions that protrude from the body inclining upward on front and back sides when closing.

A contact organizing system has a ring device and a hole punching device. The ring device is shaped for holding the business cards. The hole punching device for adapted punching holes in the business cards. The hole punching device includes a hanging aperture through the hole punching device for hanging the hole punching device on the ring device.

Provided is a document reading apparatus capable of suppressing a shock that may occur when a trailing edge of a tabbed sheet passes through a roller pair. In an image reading section, when a document to be read is the tabbed sheet, a timing to start separation of the roller pair in response to detection of a trailing edge of the document is delayed by a time period corresponding to a tab length with respect to the timing to start separation when a document other than the tabbed sheet is conveyed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the shock when the trailing edge of the tabbed sheet passes through the roller pair, and to thereby suppress image reading failure due to the shock.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a compound power converter in which the majority of power passes from input to output through only a single stage of power conversion. At least one embodiment includes a main converter with an auxiliary output. The auxiliary output energizes a reservoir that provides input power for a supplemental converter capable supplying the main output. The supplemental converter improves regulation and can provide holdover power for Power Factor Correction (PFC) or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) operation.

A system, method, and apparatus for providing three level inverter modulation is disclosed. In one embodiment, control signals can be provided to control a three level inverter in a power converter based on at least one feedback signal.

An additional electric power receiving method replacing conventional grounding with a negative voltage source includes the step of transmitting electromagnetic wave or current from a power supply source to a rectifier, wherein a grounding end of the rectifier is in electrical communication with the negative voltage source, and the negative voltage source is selected from a negative potential intrinsic of an organism. A device applicable to the electric power receiving method includes a rectifier having an input end and two output ends, wherein the input end is in electrical communication with a power supply source, and rectified direct current is transmitted from the output ends. With the method and device, not only an increase in additional electric power obtained is achieved, but conversion efficiency and stability of current and electromagnetic wave is enhanced.

Methods and apparatus are presented for detecting phase loss and/or excessive ripple in a power converter, in which bandpass filters are used to obtain harmonic voltage amplitudes associated with the power converter DC bus, and phase loss is detected if a ratio of the second harmonic to the sixth harmonic and/or a ratio of the fourth harmonic to the sixth harmonic exceed predetermined threshold values.

A power supply can provide brown-out protection and overheat protection. The power supply includes a rectifier, a transformer, and a power management device. The rectifier is used for receiving an alternating current voltage. The alternating current voltage has a voltage cycle. The transformer coupled to the rectifier has an inductor coupled to a switch for supplying an output voltage. The power management device is used for controlling the switch to make the inductor save power or release power. The power management device has a multi-functional pin coupled to the rectifier for receiving a detection voltage corresponding to a positive half cycle of the alternating current voltage. The multi-functional pin is also coupled to a thermistor for receiving an overheat protection signal.

The present invention is applied to a frequency converter used for a receiver. The frequency converter according to the present invention includes an LO signal generator (11) that generates an LO signal and outputs the LO signal; and a mixer (10) that multiplies a received signal that has been band-limited to a usable bandwidth of said receiver by the LO signal so as to convert the frequency of the received signal and outputs the resultant signal. Said LO signal generator is capable of varying a phase resolution.

A power converter and a method for balancing voltages across input capacitors are disclosed in the present application. The power converter includes: two DC input terminals; a first input capacitor and a second input capacitor; a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm connected in series with one another; and an output circuit configured to generate a signal required by the power converter based on the signals at a midpoint of the first bridge arm and a midpoint of the second bridge arm. The power converter further includes: a first voltage balancing unit and a second balancing unit configured to reduce a voltage difference between the first input capacitor and the second input capacitor. The power converter provided by the present application solves the problem of imbalance in the voltages across the first input voltage and the second input voltage.

Embodiments include circuits and methods to determine peak current for current regulation. A control signal circuit monitors a current on the primary side of a transformer based a turn on time of a switch coupled to the primary side. The control signal circuit determines whether the monitored current exceeds an over-current protection threshold, and determines a duration that the monitored current exceeds the over-current protection threshold. The control signal circuit determines a peak primary current in the primary side based on the over-current protection threshold, the duration that the monitored current exceeds the over-current protection threshold, and the turn on time of the switch. The control signal circuit controls the turn on time for the switch based on the determined peak primary current.

A series resonant power converter includes a power stage comprising a switching circuit operating at least a resonant frequency. To achieve soft switching and provide current at a voltage through an inductive element. The power converter can also include a control circuit for controlling a phase angle of the current, for controlling a duty cycle of the switching circuit.