The invention relates to a nematic liquid-crystal composition for active matrix displays with high voltage holding ratio and extremely good low temperature stability.

The invention relates to a nematic liquid-crystal composition based on terminally and laterally fluorinated compounds. This composition is especially useful for active matrix application.
Active matrix displays (AMD) are highly favored for commercially interesting displays with a high information content. Such AMDs are used for TV application and also for displays with high information content for computer terminals, automobiles and airplanes.
AMDs have non-linear electrical switching elements which are integrated at each picture element. As non-linear driving elements thin film transistors (TFT) (Okubo, U., et al., 1982, SID 82 Digest, pp. 40-411 or diodes (e.g. : metal insulator metal: MIM) (Niwa, K., et al., 1984, SID 84, Digest, pp. 304-307) can be applied. These non-linear driving elements allow use of an electro-optical effect with a rather flat electro-optical characteristic if a good viewing angle characteristic can be obtained. Consequently, a TN-type LC cell [Schadt, M. and Helfrich, W., 1971, Appl. Phys. Lett., 18, 127] with a twist angle of 90.degree. can be used. To provide good contrast over a wide viewing angle, operation in the first minimum of transmission [Pohl, L., Eidenschink, R., Pino, F. del., and Weber, G., 1980, German Pat., DBP 30 22 818, and 1981, U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,803; Pohl, L., Weber, G., Eidenschink, R., Baur, G., and Fehrenbach, W., 1981, Appl. Phys. Lett., 38, 497; Weber, G., Finkenzeller, U., Geelhaar, T., Plach, H. J., Rieger, B., and Pohl, L., 1988, Int. Symp. on Liq. Cryst., Freiburg, to be published in Liq. Crys.] is required. These AMDs are very well suited for TV applications and consequently are of high commercial interest. For these applications some physical properties of the liquid crystals become more important than for passive TN displays. Some of-the decisive properties for the performance of an AMD are resistivity and stability of the liquid crystal [Togashi, S., Sekiguchi, K., Tanabe, H., Yamamoto, E., Sorimachi, K., Kajima, E., Watanabe, H., Shimuzu, H., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, Sep. 1984: A 210-288 Matrix LCD Controlled by Double Stage Diode Rings, p. 144 ff, Paris; Stromer, M., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, Sep. 1984: Design of Thin Film Transistors for Matrix Addressing of Television Liquid Crystal Displays, p. 145 ff, Paris].
In an AMD the non-linear switching elements are addressed in a multiplex scheme, and they charge the electrodes of a pixel in the limited time they are active. Then they become inactive until they are addressed again in the next cycle. Consequently the change of the voltage on an activated (charged) pixel is a nondesired but a very decisive feature of such a display. The discharge of a pixel is determined by two factors. They are the capacity of the electrodes of the pixel and resistivity of the dielectric material between the electrodes, namely the liquid crystal. The characteristic time constant of the decay of the voltage at a pixel (RC-time) has to be significantly bigger than the time between two adressing cycles (tadr.). A parameter frequently used to describe the performance of an AMD is the voltage holding ratio HR of a picture element: ##EQU1## As the voltage at a pixel decays exponentially an increase of the holding ratio necessitates liquid crystal materials with exceptionally high resistivities.
There are several points of importance for the resistivity of the liquid crystal inside a display, e.g. orientation layers, curing condition of the orientation material. But by no means less important are the electrical properties of the liquid crystal used. Especially the resistivitiy of the liquid crystal in the display determines the magnitude of the voltage drop at the pixel.
There is thus still a great need for liquid-crystal composition having a high resistivity and other suitable material properties for use in AMDs such as a broad nematic mesophase range with an extremely low transition temperature smecticnematic and no crystallization at low temperatures.

Nematic liquid-crystal composition for active matrix application

Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit besrankter Haftung


The present disclosure relates to a camera module including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board, an image sensor and a lens assembly, wherein the PCB formed with an opening, a staircase sill formed at an edge of the opening to insert a lens assembly, and an accommodation structural unit provided at a lower distal end of the opening to insert the image sensor, and wherein the image sensor is assembled to the accommodation structural unit of the PCB, and the lens assembly is inserted into the staircase sill of the PCB for assembly.

1. Field
The teachings in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this present disclosure generally relate to a camera module and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Background
Recently, demands on a small-sized compact camera module are on the increase for use in various multimedia fields including notebook type personal computers, camera phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), smart phones and toys, and in image input equipment including monitoring cameras and information terminals for video tape recorders. Particularly, designs have become such elements that have a great influence on sales of mobile phones, whereby small-sized camera modules are greatly on demand.
The camera module is generally manufactured using an image sensor chip or a photoelectric conversion device of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type to converge light from an object to a photosensitive element and to form an image of the object on a display medium such as a display device.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a camera module according to prior art, from which the camera module according to prior art will be briefly described.
Referring to FIG. 1, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board, 10) is mounted with an image sensor (20), and a lens assembly (30) mounted with a plurality of lenses on a light irradiation path is positioned at an upper surface of the image sensor (20). Furthermore, a housing (40) is also mounted for supporting and guiding a position of the lens assembly (30).
The lens assembly (30) in the conventional camera module is bonded to an upper periphery of the PCB (10) by an adhesive to allow light to be irradiated from the plurality of lenses to the image sensor (20). On the drawing, an adhesive (50)) is coated to a bottom surface of the lens assembly (30) or an upper surface of the PCB (10) to adhesively fix the lens assembly (30), where there occurs the following problems in a case the adhesive (50) of conventional epoxy is coated to the bottom surface of the lens assembly (30) or the upper surface of the PCB (10). However, the conventional method using the epoxy generates the following problems.
That is, a relatively evenly coated thickness must be applied, but if even thickness is not coated, a vertical tilting is generated from the bonded lens assembly (30) to have an influence on a resolution, whereby the adjacent image sensor (20) on the PCB (10) is applied with a physical influence during curing of the coated epoxy to ill affect the resolution of the image sensor (20).
Another problem is that a direct contact between the lens assembly (30) and the PCB (10) may cause a physical damage to the lens assembly (30). Still further problem is that a coated surface is too narrow to weaken an adhesive strength and a product may develop a failure if epoxy is introduced into the image sensor side.

Camera module and manufacturing method thereof


This disclosure describes, in part, embodiments of a material dispenser configured to dispense material while tracking an amount of dispensed material and messaging to a user, in near-real-time, the amount of dispensed materials, a running cost of the dispensed materials, and/or the like. The material dispenser may include one or more weight sensors to track an amount of dispensed material and a display to indicate to a user a running amount of material that has been dispensed and a running cost to the user.

Food dispensers are ubiquitous in grocery stores for dispensing bulk or unpackaged products such as candy, cereal, coffee, and the like. Often times, a user will dispense the food item into a plastic bag provided by the grocery store and will proceed to measure the weight of the filled bag at the cash register for determining a cost of the item to the user. Therefore, the user typically does not know how much an item will cost until after the user has dispensed the item into the bag and weighed the filled bag.


According to a method for pushing a notification provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a to-be-notified event is obtained; a first notification condition and a second notification condition are determined; a first notification page is displayed on the display when the first notification condition is met, to display, to a user, first association information when the first notification condition is met, for example, event status information, to-be-executed behavior information, and operation association information; and a second notification page is displayed on the display when the second notification condition is met after the first notification page is displayed, to display, to the user, second association information when the second notification condition is met. A plurality of notification pages are pushed for a to-be-notified event, and each notification page is pushed when a notification condition is met as the event develops.

A mobile phone information notification is a basic function of a current smartphone, and is used to remind a user that there is a new instant message or a new event. For example, when a user successfully reserves a hotel room or a movie ticket, a mobile phone receives reservation success notification information that is sent by a corresponding hotel or movie service provider and that is provided to the user; or when a user submits a taxi request and the request is accepted, a mobile phone receives vehicle information that is sent by a corresponding vehicle service provider and that is provided to the user.
In the prior art, mobile phone information notifications are all based on a service application. When an event occurs in the service application, a notification pops up on the top of a mobile phone screen, or a notification is displayed in a strip form in the middle of a lock screen, or a notification is displayed on a notification bar. The notification is retained if a user has not tapped the notification. All these notifications are used by the service application to simply notify the user of what happened, and the notification ends after the user taps or pulls down the notification to enter the application or perform simple interaction, for example, make an SMS reply.
During actual use of the user, when the user needs to view content in these notifications, the user needs to manually search a corresponding mobile phone application or SMS message list for details. For example, a user reserves a flight ticket one week in advance, and receives information such as a flight number and a departure time during the reservation. When the user wants to search for the information on the day of departure, the user needs to search a large quantity of notification SMS messages or a corresponding mobile phone application for the information. Consequently, operations are complex, and it is relatively difficult to obtain the information. Therefore, in the prior art, a notification can be pushed based on only simple content of a service application, and the notification cannot be pushed based on a service status change, in other words, a push manner is undiversified.

Method and apparatus for pushing notification, mobile terminal, and graphical user interface


A viscous fluid heater has a heating chamber and a radiator chamber defined in a housing and transfers heat generated by shearing viscous fluid in the heating chamber with a rotor to circulating fluid in the radiator chamber. The housing includes outer and inner housing parts, which are secured to each other. An inner wall surface is formed on the outer housing part, and an outer wall is formed on the inner housing part. The radiator chamber is defined between the inner wall and the outer wall to conduct the circulating fluid through the radiator chamber.

The present invention relates to viscous fluid heaters that have a rotor, a heating chamber and a radiator chamber. More particularly, the present invention relates to a viscous fluid heater that has a multi-part housing.
Much attention has recently been focused on engine-driven viscous fluid heaters as auxiliary heat sources for vehicles. Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 4-11716 discloses a viscous fluid heater that has a heating chamber and a cylindrical radiator chamber. The radiator chamber is defined about the heating chamber and constitutes a part of a coolant circulation passage. The housing of the heater consists of two parts combined with each other. More specifically the housing consists of a casing having an opening and a cover that closes the opening of the casing. The casing has a double cylinder structure including a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall with one end closed by a bottom wall. The inner wall defines the heating chamber therein and the outer wall is formed about the inner wall. A plurality of radiator fins protrude from the outer surface of the inner wall into the radiator chamber. The radiator chamber is provided with an inlet port, through which circulating water enters the chamber, and an outlet port, through which the water is discharged to an external heating circuit.
A drive shaft is rotatably supported in the casing by a bearing. The drive shaft has a plurality of disk-shaped inner plates, which are secured to the drive shaft and accommodated in the heating chamber. The inner plates constitute a rotor, which integrally rotates with the drive shaft. A plurality of annular outer plates are formed on the inner surface of the inner wall of the casing. Each outer plate faces, or is aligned with, one of the inner plates of the rotor at a predetermined distance from the corresponding inner plate. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the inner plates, or the rotor, relative to the outer plates in the casing inner wall. This causes the rotor to shear the viscous fluid and produces friction between the viscous fluid and the inner and outer plates. The viscous fluid is heated accordingly. Heat exchange takes place between the heated viscous fluid and the circulating water in the radiator chamber. This heats the circulating water and warms the passenger compartment as the water flows into the heating circuit.
In the above described prior art heater, the radiator chamber is defined about the heating chamber. If the heating chamber and the radiator chamber are relatively long in the axial direction, a guiding member must be provided in the radiator chamber for guiding the flow of circulating water along a desired course. However, forming the guiding member in the radiator chamber is difficult because the radiator chamber has a relatively narrow annular clearance between the inner wall and the outer wall of the casing and the inner wall and the outer wall are formed only on the casing. Further, forming fins in the radiation chamber for improving the heat exchange efficiency of the radiator chamber is difficult. Without the guiding member and the fins, circulating water entering the radiator chamber through the inlet port is not evenly distributed in the radiator chamber but directly flows from the inlet port to the outlet port and is discharged from the outlet port. This degrades the heat exchange efficiency of the radiator chamber.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho


A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.

Bulk material handling apparatus are used in connection with the storage and movement of bulk materials such as grain, sand, gravel, coal and the like. Bulk material handling apparatus include primary apparatus and secondary or accessory apparatus. Primary apparatus include conveyors, conveyor transfer points, transfer chutes, bins, silos, hoppers, associated structures and the like. Accessory apparatus include conveyor belt cleaners, air cannons, industrial vibrators, belt tracking devices and the like that are used in combination with primary bulk material handling apparatus. For example, accessory apparatus such as air cannons and industrial vibrators are used in combination with primary apparatus such as transfer points, transfer chutes, bins, silos and hoppers to facilitate and control the flow of bulk material through the primary apparatus and improve the performance of the primary apparatus. Similarly, secondary apparatus such as conveyor belt cleaners are used in combination with primary apparatus such as conveyors to improve the performance of the primary apparatus.
In some cases, such as in the combination of an industrial vibrator with a transfer chute, the accessory apparatus is adapted to create vibrations and to transfer vibrations to the primary apparatus to induce the flow of bulk material through the primary apparatus. In other cases, such as in the combination of a conveyor belt cleaner with a belt conveyor, vibration of the belt cleaner accessory apparatus with respect to the belt conveyor primary apparatus is preferably reduced or eliminated.
Conveyors include an endless belt for moving bulk materials from one location to a second location. As the bulk material is discharged from the conveyor belt, a portion of the bulk material often remains adhered to the belt. Conveyor belt cleaners having one or more scraper blades are used to scrape the adherent material from the belt and thereby clean the belt. The scraper blades of a conveyor belt cleaner are typically attached to a cross shaft that extends transversely across the width of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt cleaner may include one or more tensioning devices that bias the scraper blades into engagement with the conveyor belt with a force that provides a scraping pressure between the scraper blade and the belt. The scraping edge of each scraper blade wears during use due to its scraping engagement with the moving conveyor belt. Tensioners move the scraper blades as the scraper blades wear to maintain the scraper blades in biased scraping engagement with the conveyor belt.
In order to obtain adequate performance from the conveyor belt cleaner, the scraper blades are biased into scraping engagement with the conveyor belt with a selected amount of force to generate a desired scraping or cleaning pressure between the scraper blade and the belt, and that the scraper blades be disposed at a selected cleaning angle with respect to the belt depending upon operating conditions. If the scraper blades are biased against the conveyor belt with an excessive amount of force, this may result in excessive wear to the scraper blades, may cause damage to the conveyor belt, and may cause the tip of the scraper blade to develop an excessively high temperature due to the friction generated between the scraper blade and the moving conveyor belt. If the scraper blades are biased against the conveyor belt with too small of a force, the scraper blades may not effectively clean the conveyor belt.
In addition, the scraper blades may vibrate or chatter against the conveyor belt, thereby potentially damaging the conveyor belt cleaner and/or the belt, and decreasing cleaning efficiency. Scraper blade chatter may be caused by unevenness of the conveyor belt, such as sagging of the belt, defects in the belt, or splices in the belt, and by frictional forces generated between the scraper blade and the moving belt. Chatter typically decreases as scraping pressure increases. Absent chatter, cleaning efficiency generally increases as scraping pressure increases up to the limit where the belt cover strength is exceeded. Thus, the cleaning angle of the scraper blades and the force at which the scraper blades engage the conveyor belt effect vibration or chatter of the scraper blades against the conveyor belt cleaner as well as the cleaning efficiency.
Moreover, every primary and secondary apparatus has a design mass and therefore a characteristic vibration frequency. The characteristic frequency is affected by rotating or moving components such as the belt, gear boxes, motors plus changes that occur over time with the apparatus such as quantity of bulk material conveyed or stored, wear and corrosion or by unwanted buildup of bulk solids in the form of fugitive materials such as carry back, spillage and dust. Changes in the characteristic frequency of an apparatus can be an indication of a change in its mechanical condition or its operating efficiency.

Bulk material handling system and control


An electrical connector includes a connector body to be mounted on a circuit board of an electrical appliance by means of protruding terminal legs of contacts incorporated in the connector body and by means of fixing legs of a shell as a worked body of a metallic plate forming an outer casing of the connector body. A mating connector socket of the shell is positioned so as to open outwardly of the electrical appliance. The shell has an auxiliary leg to be fixed to the circuit board. The auxiliary leg is formed by extension pieces extending from part of the shell on the side of the mating connector socket with respect to the fixing legs of the shell. The auxiliary leg serves to mount the electrical connector on the circuit board with great stability which is maintained for a long time.

This invention relates to an electrical connector which is able to be mounted on a circuit board of an electrical appliance with great stability maintained for a long time.
With electrical or electronic appliances, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one connector body 20 of an electrical connector 10 is often mounted on a circuit board 1 arranged in an electrical appliance in a manner such that a mating connector socket 21a forming part of the shell 21 of the connector body 20 as its outer casing is positioned in a connector opening 2a formed in a panel plate 2 as part of a casing of the electrical appliance, thereby enabling a mating connector (plug) 30 to be inserted into the mating connector socket 21a of the shell 21.
The connector body 20 is a resin-molded body having contacts arranged in its inside. The shell 21 forming the outer casing of the connector body 20 is a worked body made of a metallic plate, for example, a copper plate coated with nickel plating or solder layer, which is worked by punching and bending processes. The shell 21 is formed with fixing legs 22 extending from its bottom surface as shown in FIG. 8. In mounting the shell 21 onto the circuit board 1, the fixing legs 22 of the shell 21 and protruding terminal legs 40 of the contacts are inserted into predetermined fixing apertures (through-holes) and fixed thereat by soldering as shown in FIG. 7.
Such a soldering can simply be performed, for example, by moving along the surface of molten solder in a bath the circuit board 1 having the connector body 20 temporarily fixed thereto. This soldering method is effective owing to its high productivity and ensures the reliable fixation of a connector body 20 to the circuit board 1 substantially with a sufficient strength.
Therefore, even if the shell 21 of the connector body 20 is only positioned in and spaced from the connector opening 2a of the panel plate 2, no troubles occur in use, so long as the mating connector 30 is accurately inserted into the socket 21a of the shell 21 taking particular precautions.
However, problems will arise with any inaccurate insertion of the mating connector 30 into the socket 21a, for example, in oblique directions misaligned with the correct insertion axis in every direction, or mishandling insertion. With such cases, the shell 21 would be subjected to great loads (stresses).
When the shell 21 is subjected to such loads, the shell itself tends to deform so that the rectangular shape of the shell is distorted or the fixing legs 22 of the shell 21 are deformed and, in extreme cases, are broken. Once such deformations or distortions have occurred, they make it more difficult to insert the mating connector into the shell 21 and forced insertions are unavoidably repeated due to the difficulty of insertion, finally resulting into exchange of the connector body 20 itself for new one or even together with the circuit board.
In general, the shell 21 is a worked body made of a metallic plate which is worked by punching and bending processes as described above and is simply arranged over the outside of the resin-molded connector body 20 as by press-fitting. Therefore, on being subjected to undue forces thereon, the close contact between the shell 21 and the connector body 20 may be adversely affected and shell 21 itself may be deformed.
Particularly, with the shell 21 as shown in FIG. 8 having the mating connector socket 21a formed as a frame structure 23 in the form of a container by folding the metallic plate, including butt faces 23a at a center of the bottom surface, on being subjected to the undue forces the butt faces 23a abutting against each other will tend to open or separate from each other in many cases.
When the butt faces 23a of the frame structure 23 are opened or separated, the shielding effect of the shell itself and the grounding effect disappear and cause troubles such as delicate change in characteristics of the connector body 20. Moreover, the separation of the butt faces 23a of the frame structure 23 causes the mating connector socket 21a to widen or enlarge so that the mating connector 30 inserted in the socket 21a l becomes likely to be dislodged therefrom.
If the undue force acting upon the shell 21 cannot be sufficiently supported by it, great stresses are caused in the protruding terminal legs 40 of the contacts and the circuit board 1. As a result, there is a risk of failures such as cracks and peelings in printed circuits on the circuit board, connections between the connector body and the contacts, and other locations, which may finally cause malfunctionings and troubles of the appliance itself.


A compact brake system for a wheeled vehicle fits substantially within the profile of a tire and rim to reduce wheel box width to increase cargo space between wheel boxes. In one embodiment, a caliper bracket is mounted on a spindle lever connected to a wheel spindle, eliminating the need for a standard brake flange extending from the spindle and thereby reducing the width of the brake system. The spindle lever is mounted on a torque bar rotatably mounted on an axle to allow vertical movement of the spindle to be reacted in a dampening mechanism. A brake caliper is mounted on the caliper bracket for brakingly engaging a brake rotor. The brake caliper, caliper bracket, spindle lever and spindle are substantially or entirely disposed within the tire profile. Alternately, the brake caliper may be mounted on a drop center spindle or used with a spindle mounted on an axle.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to a brake system for use with wheeled vehicles or trailers. More particularly, the invention relates to such a brake system which fits substantially within the rim of a wheel to enlarge cargo space by reducing the size of the wheel box of the vehicle or trailer. Specifically, the invention relates to such a brake system which fits substantially within the profile of the vehicle wheels.
2. Background Information
In the transportation of cargo via tractor-trailer rigs and other trucks and vehicles, cargo space is at a premium. Typically this cargo space is within a trailer being hauled by a truck or tractor rig. One factor that reduces the available cargo space within a trailer is the existence of inwardly extending wheel boxes or fenders which house the upper portion of the wheels of the trailer or other vehicle. Because there are legal width standards which a cargo trailer may not exceed for travel on public roads, it is impractical to eliminate these wheel boxes. These wheel boxes take up a substantial amount of space within the cargo area and as a result it is desirable in the art to reduce the size of the wheel boxes to provide additional cargo space.
One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,251 granted to Smith, which discloses an axleless vehicle suspension system. In addition to allowing a widened cargo area, the Smith patent also allows the trailer body to be lowered closer to the ground to increase cargo space in that dimension. However, the structure of the Smith invention eliminates the vehicle axle and requires other substantial changes to conventional structures and thus is likely to be a relatively costly solution. There remains room for improvement for increasing cargo space by reducing the size of wheel boxes and Applicant's invention adds a significant step in this direction.

Brake system and suspension for use therewith


A dishwashing appliance is provided herein. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub, a sump, a chamber pump, a vane, and a threaded engagement joint. The chamber pump housing may be mounted within at least a portion of sump. The chamber pump housing may define an inner wall surface. The vane may be positioned within the chamber pump housing. The vane may extend from an inner radial end to an outer radial end. The vane may define a foil profile. The threaded engagement joint may include a first radial thread profile and a second radial thread profile. The first radial thread profile may extend radially from the vane at the outer radial end. The second radial thread profile may be formed on the inner wall surface. The second radial thread profile may be complementary to the first radial thread profile.

Dishwashers or dishwashing appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A door provides or permits selective access to the wash chamber. During wash and rinse cycles, dishwashing appliances generally circulate a fluid through the wash chamber over articles, such as pots, pans, silverware, etc. The fluid can be, for example, various combinations of water and detergent during the wash cycle or water (which may include additives) during the rinse cycle. After the rinse cycle is complete, a drain cycle can be performed to remove the fluid from the wash chamber. Typically, one or more pumps are provided to motivate the fluid through or from the wash chamber. For example, the fluid within a dishwashing appliance is typically circulated during a given cycle using a circulation pump. Fluid is collected in a sump at or near a bottom of the wash chamber and pumped back into the wash chamber through, for example, nozzles in spray arms and other openings that direct the fluid against the articles to be cleaned or rinsed. After the rinse cycle is complete, the drain pump may be activated to pump fluid out of the wash chamber.
Generally, the circulation or drain pumps include a housing having lines or defined channels for directing fluid through the housing. However, challenges exist with existing configurations. For instance, it is often difficult to guide fluid to various portions of the dishwashing appliance without incurring significant variations in pressure. In some instances, these may greatly reduce the efficiency of the corresponding pump or dishwasher. Features, such as fluid channels or vanes, that create a predefined path to gradually redirect fluid flow or mitigate pressure variations may be difficult to assemble or incorporate into existing designs. Moreover, they may be difficult to seal and ensure that fluid does not deviate from the predefined path.
As a result, it would be useful to provide a dishwashing appliance addressing one or more of the above identified issues. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide a dishwashing appliance that includes features for directing fluid through a pump housing while preventing fluid or pressure leaks therein.

Dishwashing appliances and pump assemblies


A keypad is comprised of a supporting frame, a plurality of snap action domes, and a plurality of pushbuttons each overlying a dome, all of the above being integrated and formed of a single piece of elastomeric material, the pushbuttons each being surrounded by a thin piece of the material buttressing the pushbutton upwardly, each of the thin pieces of material and an associated portion of the pushbutton forming a dome. The thin pieces of material extend from and are continuous with the frame. Each conducting button is disposed below a corresponding dome and is located such that when a pushbutton is pushed downwardly, its associated dome collapses, moving an associated button downwardly.

Certain types of electronic equipment such as calculators, telephones, etc. require a means of inputting data. A common form of these structures is comprised of a housing which retains a keypad, and a keypad which itself is formed of several piece parts. Typically the parts of the keypad are separately manufactured and the housing is injection molded, after which the parts of the keypad are assembled into the housing. In some cases the keypad parts are assembled together, after which the complete keypad is attached to the housing.
The above-described structure and assembly has been found to be labor intensive and therefore costly to manufacture. For example, each of the piece parts of the keypad must be manufactured using separate molds, often using different kinds of plastic or rubber to provide different characteristics of the various parts, and then the parts are combined into the keypad or into the housing, which is labor intensive.


A temperature compensated ECL output driver circuit incorporates an ECL output gate (Q4,Q3) coupled between high (V.sub.CC) and low (V.sub.EE) potential power rails with output voltage swing resistors (R2, R1). The ECL output gate provides an output node (N1) at the collector node of one of the ECL output gate transistors (Q4). A first current sink (Q5,R4) is coupled between the common emitter node coupling (N3) of the ECL output gate (Q4,Q3) and low potential power rail (V.sub.EE). A compensating current source (Q11,R5) is coupled to the ECL output gate output node (N1) for generating a supplementary compensating current during operation of the ECL output driver circuit in intermediate and high temperature operating ranges. A compensating current switch (Q9,Q10) is coupled in the compensating current path and is constructed for switching off the supplementary compensating current in a specified low temperature operating range to maintain the logic high output signal V.sub.OH within specifications. The compensating current switch is an ECL compensating current switch (CCS) gate (Q9,Q10) and the compensating current source is a second current sink (Q11,R5) coupled to the ECL CCS gate.

A conventional temperature compensated ECL output driver circuit is illustrated in FIG. 1. An ECL output gate having first and second ECL output gate transistors Q4,Q3 with a first common emitter node coupling N3 is coupled between high V.sub.CC and low V.sub.EE potential power rails. The ECL output gate transistors Q4,Q3 provide alternative collector current paths through respective collector node output voltage swing resistors R2,R1 according to a data input signal at a base node input V.sub.IN of the ECL output gate transistor Q3. A first current sink Q5,R4 is coupled between the common emitter node coupling N3 of the ECL output gate transistors and low potential power rail V.sub.EE. At least one emitter follower transistor output circuit Q12 is coupled to a collector node output N1 of the ECL output gate transistor Q4 for delivering logic high V.sub.OH and logic low V.sub.OL potential level output signals at an output V.sub.OUT. A temperature compensating crossover network Q1,Q2,R3 is coupled between collector nodes N1,N2 of the respective ECL output gate transistors Q4,Q3.
Disadvantages of the conventional ECL output driver circuit of FIG. 1 occur during operation in the relatively low temperature range of, for example, -10.degree. C. or -20.degree. C. to -55.degree. C. Relevant operating currents and voltage drops in the ECL output driver circuit vary with temperature because of the negative temperature coefficient of the base emitter voltage drops V.sub.BE across the base emitter junctions of the bipolar transistors, and the positive temperature coefficient of the doped semiconductor material resistors. At very low temperatures the amplification factor .beta. of the bipolar transistors may decrease for example from 100 at room temperature to e.g. 50 at -55.degree. C. In particular, as the operating temperature of the ECL output driver circuit falls through the low temperature range, the base current I.sub.B Q12 through output emitter follower transistor Q12 during the logic high potential level signal V.sub.OH at the ECL output gate output V.sub.OUT increases.
Approaching, for example, -55.degree. C., the base current I.sub.B Q12 becomes a non-negligible factor in the voltage drop V.sub.R2 across output voltage swing resistor R2. Typically, the output base current I.sub.B Q12 may be neglected at intermediate and high temperature operating ranges relative to the large collector currents through respective bipolar transistors for a logic high potential level signal at the output node N1 and final output V.sub.OUT. By way of example, V.sub.R2 remains approximately, e.g. 0.15 v. At the low temperature operating ranges of -10.degree. C. or -20.degree. C. to -55.degree. C. required for example for military specifications, however, the voltage drop V.sub.R2 across output voltage swing resistor R2 may increase to the extent that the voltage level of the final output high signal V.sub.OH falls below the permitted specification range, of, e g., -0.870 v (V.sub.OHMAX) to -1.085 v (V.sub.OHMIN) and the preferred nominal value for V.sub.OH of -0.95 v.
According to conventional methods of maintaining specifications for the output high signal V.sub.OH in the low temperature operating range, the collector path resistor R2 which along with R1 and R4 sets the swing voltage at the output node N1, is selected to have a relatively low resistance value. This permits the output logic high signal V.sub.OH to remain within the permitted specification range even at low temperature, as the base current I.sub.B Q12 increases. The logic high potential output signal V.sub.OH at the final output V.sub.OUT is given by the equation: EQU V.sub.OH =V.sub.CC -(V.sub.R2 +V.sub.BE Q12).congruent.-0.95 v 1)
The ECL output gate current sink Q5,R4 is generally operated with a current source voltage V.sub.CS so that: EQU V.sub.CS =V.sub.R4 +V.sub.BE Q5.congruent.1.32 v 2)
and: EQU V.sub.R2 =R2/R4 V.sub.R4. 3)
Swing voltage resistors R1,R2 are generally selected to have the same resistance value and tail resistor R4 is selected to have a resistance value substantially one half that of R1,R2. If the resistance value of R1,R2 is reduced to meet military specifications, the current sink tail resistor R4 is therefore also required to have a lower resistance value with the result that there is higher current and higher power dissipation necessary for operation in the low temperature range while meeting specifications for V.sub.OH.
It is noted that the conventional temperature compensating network Q1,Q2,R3 coupled between collector nodes N1,N2 of ECL output gate transistors Q4,Q3 provides temperature compensation only in the intermediate and high temperature operating ranges. The swing voltage difference of the logic high and low levels of approximately 750 mV between N1 and N2 causes a "bleed" current to flow across the network which varies with temperature to provide temperature compensation for the output base drive current I.sub.B Q12 in the intermediate and high temperature ranges. In the low temperature range noted above, the bleed current of the conventional temperature compensating crossover network saturates at approximately -10.degree. C. to -20.degree. C. and the compensating crossover network is essentially inoperative from -10.degree. C. or -20.degree. C. to -55.degree. C. The output base drive current and the value of V.sub.OH are then dependent only on the value of R2 and the voltage drop V.sub.R2 which may be too large to keep V.sub.OH within required specifications. It is for this reason that low values are selected for R2 and R4 increasing current and power dissipation for example from 2.8 mA to 4.3 mA.

Low power low temperature ECL output driver circuit


The disclosed computer-implemented method for providing an integrated cyber threat defense exchange platform may include (i) receiving unnormalized security data from a plurality of disparate security data sources that generate security data in differing formats, (ii) normalizing, using a security data schema, the unnormalized security data into normalized security data, (iii) identifying a security action that is responsive to at least one security event identified within the normalized security data, and (iv) coordinating performance of the security action within a plurality of networked computing devices. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

The internet has enabled easy access to transformative digitized information on a global scale, in turn improving lifestyles and providing businesses with manifold opportunities for growth and optimization. Over time the internet has fostered, and been used to interconnect, a wide variety of different networked computing devices in many different digital environments. Each of these different networked computing devices and digital environments may provide their own sets of benefits and may facilitate access to internet-connected resources under many different circumstances.
The utility of providing access to a wide variety of different networked computing devices in different digital environments is clear. Unfortunately, networked computing devices and environments also offer an ever-growing target for malicious actors. Today's cyberattacks range from petty phishing attempts to denial of service attacks to advanced persistent threats. Commonly, disparate software security products functioning as sources of disparate security data have been tailored to the unique threats faced by the specific networked computing devices and digital environments they are designed to protect. While this approach has been useful for protecting those networked computing devices, these disparate security data sources may produce security data in a similarly disparate range of formats, making a coordinated strategy immensely complicated and/or impractical.

Systems and methods for providing an integrated cyber threat defense exchange platform


Various semiconductor chip solder bump and underbump metallization (UBM) structures and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes depositing a layer of a first metallic material on a semiconductor chip. The first layer has a first physical quantity. A layer of a second metallic material is deposited on the layer of the first metallic material. The second layer has a second physical quantity. The first and second layers are reflowed to form a solder structure with a desired ratio of the first metallic material to the second metallic material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to semiconductor processing, and more particularly to semiconductor chip solder bump structures and methods of making the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flip-chip mounting schemes have been used to mount semiconductor chips to circuit boards, such as semiconductor chip package substrates. In many conventional flip-chip variants, a plurality of solder joints are established between input/output (I/O) sites of a semiconductor chip and corresponding I/O sites of a circuit board. In one conventional process, a solder bump is metallurgically bonded to a given I/O site or pad of the semiconductor chip and a so-called pre-solder is metallurgically bonded to a corresponding I/O site of the circuit board. Thereafter the solder bump and the pre-solder are brought into proximity and subjected to a heating process that reflows one or both of the solder bump and the pre-solder to establish the requisite solder joint.
In one conventional process, solder bumps are fabricated on a semiconductor in a printing process. A stencil or mask with suitable openings leading to underlying conductor pads is formed. The openings are next filled with a solder paste and the stencil is then removed. A reflow is then performed to convert the solder paste into a solder bump. In another conventional process, solder bumps are fabricated in a plating process. A stencil or mask with suitable openings leading to underlying conductor pads is formed. Using a metal film, typically some blanket-deposited film, on the semiconductor chip as a plating bar, the openings are next filled by plating a solder mixture. The stencil is removed and the plated solder is reflowed to round out the bump.
A difficulty associated with conventional solder bump plating processes is composition control. For example, plating a tin-copper solder involves plating a pre-mixed solution of copper and tin. The solution will typically have a particular ratio of copper to tin. However, during the plating process, the mixture of the tin and copper that actually adheres to the plating bar may vary from the desired composition. While such deviated bumps will still conduct current, another issue may arise. The melting temperature of some types of solders are quite sensitive to solder composition. For example, some types of tin-copper solder can exhibit melting temperatures that significantly approach or exceed desired reflow temperatures if the copper content varies by 1% or so from the desired composition ratio. Structures in and around the solder bumps, such as a circuit board or components thereof, may not be able to withstand the unexpectedly high temperatures necessary to reflow such deviated bumps, and the solder may not even liquify.
The present invention is directed to overcoming or reducing the effects of one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.

Methods of fabricating semiconductor chip solder structures


An improved multi-point locking mechanism in combination with a lamp assembly and a support assembly with mating, cooperating plug connectors providing a detachable lamp assembly for use on vehicles, such as boat trailers, for quick removal before exposure to corrosive water. The improved locking mechanism, in addition to providing a means for quick detachment and removal of the light assembly, provides a stronger and durable engagement with the support assembly preventing accidental dislodgement while towing vehicles, like boat trailers. The locking mechanism comprising a corrosive resistant L-shaped member having a horizontal extending plate with a hole through the distal end, and a downward depending section retractably positioned within the support assembly. In the engaged position, the L-shaped member being in a downward position, a receiving pin on the lamp assembly is mated with the support assembly by alignment with the hole in the horizontal plate and the depending section being in communication with a cut-out section in the cooperating plug connector providing the multi-point locking mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved locking mechanism in combination with a detachable light system for use on vehicles, such as boat trailers and more particularly, pertains to a multi-point locking means providing quick and easy removal of trailer lights with respect to a boat trailer, quick engagement of the trailer lights and a durable locking means preventing inadvertent detachment when towing the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A detachable light system for use on a boat trailer is highly desirable to eliminate exposure of the lighting system to corrosion from repeated launching of a boat from a boat trailer. The ease of quick and easy removal of trailer lights, in particular, and quick re-engagement is essential features of these devices. Of equal importance, a highly desirable feature is a device that provides improved durability and security eliminating the inadvertent dislodgment of the trailer light during towing of the vehicle creating a hazardous condition from lack of illumination of the vehicle.
The improved locking mechanism allows for easy and quick assembly and disassembly of the detachable light system and also provides a more durable and secure locking mechanism preventing inadvertent disengagement from the boat trailer during travel. The present improvement provides a quick and easy system to detach the light assemblies from the boat trailer prior to submersion into the water for launching and loading of the boat preventing corrosion to the light assembly. In addition, upon removal of the boat and trailer for traveling, the improved locking mechanism allows quick and easy reattachment with the additional security of a multi-point locking means to ensuring the light assembly will not detach from the trailer during travel even on hazardous roadways.
The prior art systems provide a cumbersome means in attempt to produce the advantages of the present improved locking system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,022 discloses the use of a pair of posts and apertures having a fishing rod holding chamber. This invention requires the additional purchase of posts for the light assembly and may not be used on all trailers without adaptation of the trailer if not designed with the built-in rod holders. The present improved locking mechanism for a detachable light assemble is adaptable to any trailer without any alterations required.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,188 discloses a detachable light system in which the light assembly is quickly and easily removed from a support assembly. The locking means disclosed is a latch mechanism engaging the removable lamp assembly to provide a unitary operable light system. The latch mechanism disclosed is a flexible leaf-spring arm attached to either the light assembly or the support assembly. After repeated use of said latch mechanism in engaging and disengaging the lamp assembly, the latch mechanism has a tendency to provide a less secure attachment increasing the likelihood of inadvertent detachment or resulting in loose contact of the lighting system during obverse driving conditions or repeated use over time. In addition since the latch mechanism is mounted on either the lamp assembly or the support assembly it is exposed to come in contact with debris or any matter during travel that could cause inadvertent release of the latch mechanism resulting in complete loss of a light assembly or dysfunctional operation from loose contacts.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that a need for a new and improved locking mechanism in combination with a detachable lighting system exists to prevent the potential of inadvertent detachment from the vehicle of these detachable light systems during travel. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A light source unit includes a primary light source configured to emit primary light, and a connection portion provided on an optical path of the primary light and to and from which an optical conversion unit is attachable and removable, the optical conversion unit including an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light source unit, an optical conversion unit, a light source apparatus, and a light source system.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0152926 proposes a light emitting apparatus with a combination of a first unit with a second unit. In this case, the first unit uses a blue laser light source and a light guide to guides laser light emitted by the blue laser light source and also uses a wavelength conversion member provided at a distal end of the light guide to convert the wavelength of the laser light. The second unit uses a laser light source for a wavelength shorter than the wavelength of blue light, a light guide, and a wavelength conversion member. U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0152926 discloses that the combination of the first unit with the second unit improves a color rendering index compared to the first unit alone.
In recent years, for observation light source apparatuses such as endoscopes, much effort have been made to improve the visibility of an observation target by appropriately selecting a brightness level, a peak wavelength, a luminescent color, that is, a spectral shape, a radiation angle, and the like according to the purpose of the observation.
In connection with such effort, to obtain light that meets the purpose, the light source apparatus in U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0152926 needs preparation of units each using a laser light source, a light guide, and a wavelength conversion member and the number of which is equal to the number of types of light needed for the purpose. However, preparing a large number of units is difficult in a practical sense in terms of costs, a storage site, and the like.

Light source unit, optical conversion unit, light source apparatus and light source system for an endoscope


Apparatus and method for manufacturing an electroacoustic transducer for, for instance, a hearing aid, with a diaphragm arranged in a housing. The diaphragm is attached onto a film or punched from a sheet of material, such that along the circumferential edge of the diaphragm, a free strip of film or a strip of material remains present, in a capillary space between the circumferential edge of the film and the inner wall of the housing, or in a capillary space between the diaphragm and the strip of material, a polymer of a low viscosity is provided to connect to diaphragm with the housing wall. Through the method, the production of the transducer is greatly simplified.

Such a transducer is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,677, entitled "Electroacoustic Transducer With Improved Diaphragm Attachment," and finds application especially in hearing aids.
For the proper functioning of such a transducer, various requirements are imposed on the construction of, inter alia, the diaphragm. On the one hand, the diaphragm must be able to move freely, on the other hand it is, of course, necessary to secure the diaphragm somehow. It is therefore customary to attach the diaphragm by its circumferential edge to a support frame or to the case, whereby the central portion of the diaphragm remains unattached in order to be able to vibrate. Often, between this central diaphragm portion and the edge portion, a transition portion is formed as a groove, or bellows are included to give the central diaphragm portion as much freedom of vibration as possible.
Alternatively, the edge portion can be omitted from the design, and a transition portion between the case and the diaphragm can allow for both attachment of the diaphragm to the case and freedom of vibration.
From U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,677, it is also known to attach the diaphragm to a film, which film is attached to the case. To this end, the film can be folded to enable free movement of the diaphragm. A complete suspension of the diaphragm is necessary to obtain proper acoustic separation between the volume in the transducer above and under the diaphragm.
As already mentioned, an acoustic transducer is applied in, for instance, hearing aids, intended to be positioned in the exterior auditory canal of a person. Hence, there is, within this technical field, a continuous pursuit of ever increasing miniaturization, demanding a great sensitivity of the various applied parts.
Apart from this pursuit of miniaturization, it is desired to enlarge the volume displacement by the diaphragm as much as possible, to which end it is desired that the central diaphragm portion be as large as possible.
A drawback of all hitherto proposed manners of connecting a diaphragm to the case is the necessity of different production steps, each involving the possible occurrences of errors, which sometimes can and sometimes cannot be corrected, but always entail additional activities and hence additional costs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electroacoustic transducer with a diaphragm and method for fixing a diaphragm in such transducer


An image capturing device and an auto-focus method thereof are provided, where the method includes the following steps. An exposure time is calculated by using an optical sensing element of the first lens. Whether the exposure time exceeds a time threshold is determined. If so, a global maximum search is concurrently performed by the first lens with a first resolution and a first step size as well as by the second lens with a second resolution and a second step size, where the first resolution is higher than the second resolution, and the first step size is less than the second step size. When a focus region in which a focus position is located is obtained by using the second lens, the focus position would be searched out from the focus region by using the first lens so as to obtain a new focus image.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to an image capturing device, in particular, to an image capturing device and an auto-focus method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
With development in technology, various smart image capturing devices, such as tablet computers, personal digital assistants and smart phones, have become indispensable tools for people nowadays. Camera lenses equipped in high-end smart image capturing devices provide same or better specifications than those of traditional consumer cameras. Some high-end types not only provide specifications such as 10 or more megapixels, large aperture, anti-handshake, and dual lenses, but also provide near-equivalent pixel qualities to those of digital single lens reflex cameras.
In terms of an image capturing device with dual lenses, it may attain a stereo image display by using depth information obtained during image capturing and dynamically adjust a focus region for captured images to provide additional features unavailable in an image capturing device with a single lens. When such dual-lenses image capturing device captures images, it often turns off one of the lenses to become a conventional single-lens image capturing device and performs an auto-focus algorithm according to the clarity of the images captured by the single lens. However, while the single lens is performing auto-focus, the rate for capturing an image per second (i.e. frame per second, fps) in a darker scene would need to be lower due to a longer exposure time and thus cause a slow focus speed.

Image capturing device and auto-focus method thereof


A method of installing a threaded fastener from one side of a hole through a substrate. The fastener includes a collar and a bolt having a head, a threaded tail portion and a tool engagement portion extending from the tail. The method includes: (a) engaging the tool engagement portion with a bolt engagement portion of a tool (b) passing the bolt through to the far side of the hole and supporting it there by way of the tool, (c) passing the collar through the hole while supporting it with the tool; (d) assembling the bolt and collar to form the threaded fastener having a head larger than the hole; (e) engaging a nut to tighten the fastener; and (f) detaching the tool from the fastener. Separation of the bolt engagement portion and the tool engagement portion is prevented by a moveable member, which engages both portions.

This invention concerns the use of threaded fasteners, particularly the field of bolts adapted to be installed entirely from one side of a hole. Such fasteners are commonly referred to as blind bolts.
There is a need for threaded fasteners, particularly in structural steel applications, which can be installed from only one side of a hole so they may be used where the other side of the hole is inaccessible for some reason.
One type of fastener, which can be installed from one side of a hole, includes those commonly called blind bolts. These have evolved over many years and may be suitable for limited structural applications. Examples are described in Australian patent specifications AU-A-67133/90, AU-A-20458/92 and AU-A-20279/95. However a major problem with bolts of that type is that the failure load has a high dispersion and hence the use in structural applications is limited. Also these bolts are relatively expensive to manufacture.
An improved type of fastening system is described in International patent specification WO 00/19113. That system comprises passing a bolt portion of a fastener completely through a hole into which it is being assembled, supporting the fastener on the far side of the hole by means of a tool into which the bolt is screwed, passing a folded collar through the hole and unfolding the collar in order to provide, in conjunction with the head on the bolt portion, a fastener head which is large enough to not pull back through the hole.
While the system described in WO 00/19113 works well, it has now been improved to provide additional advantages. The operation of threading and unthreading the bolt from the tool has been sometimes perceived by users as tedious, and the tool has in some cases been damaged by careless use. Furthermore, the left hand thread provided in the previous invention will not restrain the bolt when undoing the nut hence making it difficult to undo the fasteners. Various aspects of the present invention are intended to provide a fastener, fastening tool and fastening system which overcome these difficulties. The invention may also provide a means whereby a larger diameter collar portion may be passed through the hole.

Method of installing a blind threaded fastener


In a coupling arrangement for a drive arrangement and an adjustable positioning plate of a medical system, the positioning plate is adjustable at least in the direction of its longitudinal axis via the drive arrangement as well as by hand. A friction connection between the drive arrangement and the positioning plate can be produced and cancelled via the coupling arrangement such that the positioning plate can be adjusted at least in the direction of its longitudinal axis via the drive arrangement given a friction connection, and by hand given a neutralized friction connection. The coupling arrangement acts directly between the drive arrangement and the positioning plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an arrangement for coupling and decoupling a drive mechanism from an adjustable patient positioning plate, of the type used in a medical diagnostic or treatment system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Patient positioning tables are employed in medical systems in order to position examination subjects, particularly patients, for specific medical examinations and/or treatments. An exact adjustment and positioning of the positioning plate of such a patient positioning table must be assured in radiological examinations, particularly computed tomography examinations, magnetic resonance examinations as well as radiation treatment, but also for other treatments, whereby a subject must be positioned exactly, particularly reproducibly, with resect to a treatment instrument or device. For adjustment of the positioning plate, it is known to provide a drive that has a toothed belt guided on wheels at which engages the positioning plate for adjustment. A drive motor is connected to at least one of these wheels via a controllable coupling means. In the coupled state, it is cosequently possible to adjust the positioning plate via the drive at least along its longitudinal axis. A precise positioning of the patient for the diagnostic or therapy system is consequently possible. In addition, it makes the work of the medical personnel easier since no exertion is required. In order to make it possible to quickly adjust the positioning plate given a power outage or for medical treatment of the patient, the drive can be decoupled from the wheel, so that the positioning plate is adjustable at least along its longitudinal axis. This is then particularly advantageous when the patient is introduced into a tube or a tunnel for the treatment, as is required for computed tomography or magnetic resonance examinations. When the patient is to be examined or treated further, e.g. after the medical treatment, then the patient must be positioned with the positioning plate optimally exactly at the original examination treatment location. The use of encoders and reference switches at the drive in connection with the drive means and/or the positioning plate is known.
The adjustment of the positioning plate into the examination position ensues on the basis of the signals of the encoders via the drive motor and is controlled by software.
German OS 3126 643 discloses a radiation diagnosis device having a means for adjusting a positioning device for an examination subject using a stepping motor in conjunction with a spindle.
An object of the present invention is to implement a coupling arrangement of the type initially described wherein the positioning plate can be decoupled from the drive arrangement in a simple fashion, and wherein a precise re-coupling to the drive arrangement as well as an exact re-positioning of the positioning plate are possible after decoupling and adjusting the positioning plate.
The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention in a patient positioning apparatus having a motorized drive and an adjustable positioning plate, and a coupling arrangement directly connected between said drive and said positionable plate which is selectively operable to couple said drive to said plate, allowing adjustment of the plate along its longitudinal axis by the drive, and to decouple the drive from the plate, thereby allowing manual adjustment of the positioning plate. Coupling and decoupling takes place by making and breaking a coupling retention. The retention can be produced magnetically or mechanically.
An advantage of the invention is that the positioning plate is adjustable at least in the direction of its longitudinal axis via the drive arrangement as well as by hand. Using a coupling arrangement to cancel a retention connection between the drive arrangement and the positioning plate, the positioning plate is adjustable at least along its longitudinal axis via the drive arrangement given a retention connection, and by hand given a canceled retention connection. The coupling arrangement inventively acts directly between the drive arrangement and the positioning plate, so that slackness or imprecision do not arise, as are caused in convention devices by the elasticity of the toothed belt or due to the graduation of the encoder.
It is advantageous to implement the coupling arrangement as a magnetic arrangement, particularly having at least one permanent magnet. Such permanent magnets are inexpensive, in that they do not require energy in order to produce or cancel the magnetic fields.
The coupling arrangement can have at least one magnetic plate and a permanent magnet, with the plate and the permanent magnet being rotatable relative to one another around an axis, the rotation ensuing via a lever. Coupling is thereby achieved in a simple fashion between the plate and the permanent magnet, and thus between the positioning plate and the drive arrangement in a simple and precise way.
As an alternative to magnetic coupling, a mechanical coupling with limited linkage play can also be used.
It is particularly advantageous, when the drive arrangement has a drive mechanism that engages and rotates a threaded spindle for longitudinal displacement of the positioning plate. The spindle is in communication with the positioning plate via a spindle nut and the coupling arrangement. A very precise positioning of the positioning plate is possible via the spindle in conjunction with the spindle nut.
In a first version of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a carrier engages the spindle nut, and extends at least approximately vertically to the longitudinal axis of the spindle, and has at least one area with magnetic material. At least one magnetic element allocated to the area is arranged at the positioning plate, the magnetic element being in communication with a lever, with which it can swivel around the swivel axis, and the magnetic connection can be neutralized by swiveling the lever. According to an alternative version of the invention, at least one carrier extends from the spindle nut at least approximately vertically to the longitudinal axis of the spindle for at least one magnetic element, and at the positioning plate, at least one magnetic area allocated to the magnetic element is provided. The magnetic area is in communication with a lever, with which it can be swivelled around the swivel axis, and the magnetic connection can be canceled by swivelling the lever. Thus, a precise coupling and decoupling between the drive arrangement and the positioning plate is assured in a simple fashion.
In order to assure symmetrical forces and consequently to avoid a tilting of the positioning plate, the spindle and the spindle nut, it is advantageous when the coupling arrangement has two sub-arrangements on both sides of the center axis of the positioning plate that are linked to one another via the lever.
To compensate tolerances, it is advantageous when the magnetic devices, or the magnetic areas, are seated so as to be adjustable in a direction along the swivel axis.

Apparatus for coupling a drive to an adjustable patient positioning plate in a medical system


Fishing trawl device comprised of an outer net and inner net of differing mesh sizes that excludes undesirable objects and organisms incidental to trawling. The device consists of an outer net of net mesh size as may be necessary or legally prescribed to contain a particular species and an inner net of larger net mesh size relative to the netting comprising the outer net, as may be necessary or legally prescribed to filter and exclude objects or organisms. The outer and inner nets are joined at the forward extremity of the device and are connected at the aft end of the inner net to an opening in the body portion of the outer net by an inner tubular section of fabric or netting. The inner tubular section of fabric or netting prevents escape of the target species by protecting the opening in the body portion of the outer net, while facilitating the exclusion of objects or organisms.

Trawling involves the deployment of a funnel shaped trawl net from a fishing vessel in the ocean to harvest marine organisms. The trawl net is suspended horizontally between opposite side paravane members (trawl boards), which cause the trawl net to assume a position suitable for fishing. The outward pitch of the opposite side paravane members relative to the towing force of the vessel, causes a hydraulic pressure that creates a substantial outward lateral force on the sides of the trawl net. This force holds the trawl net open and close to the sea bottom.
Typically, the constructions of trawl nets require a tubular, funnel-shaped section of net material, known as the trawl body. Lining the opening of the trawl body is a reinforcing rope, which also attaches the trawl net of the trawl doors. The upper reinforcing rope of the trawl is the headrope. This rope limits the outward lateral movement of the trawl boards. The limiting force of the headrope, combined with the hydraulic resistance of the trawl, causes the trawl to assume a horseshoe shape when viewed from the top. Furthermore, multiple floats lift the headrope and weights hold down the lower boundary rope, or footrope. These features serve to further spread open the mouth or collection portion of the trawl. Boundary ropes on either side of the trawl, or side ropes, connect the headrope with the footrope and reinforce the forward end of the trawl side panels.
At the central aft end of the trawl body, connects another tubular net section known as an extension. Connecting to the extension is a terminal tubular net section known as the cod-end or tailbag. The tailbag is of substantial construction and constricting lines restrain the tailbag opening, confining the catch while the trawl net is in operation.
The body of the trawl net serves to collect and guide objects and organisms, unable to avoid capture, through the extension into the tailbag. The extension adds length to the trawl net, adding significant handling characteristics to the retrieval and emptying of the tailbag while towing trawl nets "double-rigged" or with one trawl net on each side of the fishing vessel.
In fishing for a small crustacean, shrimp, for example, the mesh of the trawl net is typically small. Because a trawl net filters a substantial swath of the ocean, significant other objects and organisms are captured while trawling. These objects and organisms are either useless to the fisherman or protected by public law. For example, marine reptiles, such as sea turtles, are easily captured because they are unable to swim against the flow produced by the trawl towing speed. The National Marine Fisheries Service, a branch of the United States Government, has developed regulations (50 C.F.R. 217, 222 and 227) governing the use of trawl nets without certified turtle excluder devices (TED's). Said regulations significantly limit tow times for trawl nets not equipped with TED's. The increased need for retrieval and redeployment of the trawl net to release captured turtles increases the expense and labor of the fisherman. Besides this, trawl nets capture unwanted organisms, trash, litter, and other inanimate objects during the trawling operation. A trawl net device or apparatus providing the function of separating and excluding objects and other organism from the targeted species is of a necessity to fishermen using fishing trawls.
Such a trawl net device must positively exclude legally protected species, such as sea turtles, and simultaneously, fisherman must understand and safely handle the device. Preferably, the trawl net device should be constructed of soft, commercially available fabric or netting material. The trawl net device should not provide for openings in the collection areas through which the target species could escape.
Prior art includes metal and/or hard plastic devices installed in the collection areas of trawl nets. Such devices usually provide for an angled barrier of parallel bars that cause large objects and organisms to be forced upward or downward through a flap, door or other opening. Simultaneously, large amounts of the target species escape with the object or organism as it exits through the opening. Similar other devices substitute net webbing for the metal or plastic angled bars. In 50 CFR 22.772 (4) (ii) (G.) of the Federal Register (Vol. 55, No. 195, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 1990, Page 41090 and 41091), the Andrews TED uses a fabric barrier and provides an opening forward of the trawl extension. However, significant amounts of the target species escape through the unprotected opening in the outer trawl fabric.
Other devices are designed to exclude fish or other organisms with superior swimming ability. These devices provide for an opening in the top, side or bottom of the extension or tailbag portions of the trawl. Fish or other organisms escape, due to hydraulic variations produced by these devices in the trawling stream flow. Again, unprotected openings in the collection areas of the trawl, allow escape of the target species.

Selective excluding fishing trawl device


Information embedded in a displayed object is transferred from one browser window to another. Each of the browser windows display a Web page. The object is displayed on one of the Web pages and, by “dragging” and “dropping” the embedded information to the other Web page, a function is performed on the embedded information, such as one that converts text associated with the embedded information into an audible output. A user who has difficulty reading text displayed on a Web page can click on an image embedded in the text, or drag and drop the information embedded in the displayed image to another Web page used to perform the conversion function.

Many current computer programs that operate with a graphical user interface allow "drag and drop" methods to move objects from one place to another, either within a program or electronic document, between programs or electronic documents, or within the system files of the computer or its network. However, security concerns have prompted limitations on this technology with respect to browser programs. A major concern has been to prevent information from passing from one browser window to another, unbeknownst to the user, and then passing back over the Internet to others.
Currently, if a simple image embedded in a Web page is displayed in one browser window on a user's computer and the user then drags that image into another browser window on the same computer, the second browser window will display the image. However, it will not display any information contained in the image tag. Text cannot in general be dragged from one browser window to another browser window, but only to a text box displayed in the second browser window.
Currently if a clickable link (whether a text link or an image that acts as a clickable link) is displayed in one browser window, and that linked object is dragged into another browser window, then that second browser window will not display the text or image, or any information within the text, image, or associated tags. Rather the second browser window will "execute" the linkage, that is, the second browser window will navigate to the website to which the text or image links.
Many people have difficulty reading any specified text document, even if they are not blind. People have difficulty reading a document that is not written in their native or ethnic language. (In the United States, this literacy problem is attacked by the special educational programs and efforts referred to as "ESL" programs or "English as a Second Language".) People have difficulty reading a document that is written with technical terms that they are not familiar with. People have difficulty reading a document that is written with more difficult words or sentence constructions than they are competent to decipher. (For example, in the United States, almost a quarter of the adult population reads at or below the fourth grade level and has difficulty reading and understanding the directions on the back of a medicine bottle.) Other people have difficulty reading any text because of dyslexia, mental retardation, or various developmental disabilities. Other people have difficulty reading because of cultural or educational disabilities.
Some electronic texts (such as some websites) provide alternate texts in a few different languages. Some websites provide automated machine translation of any text or Web page that is submitted to them, by displaying text in the requested language. There are a variety of text-to-speech software packages that a user can install and submit text to, whereby the text is converted to the sound of a synthesized voice speaking the words. These applications generally require that the user is competent with reading and manipulating high school level text in at least one language. Text-to-speech browsers are also expensive for those in the lower socio-economic levels, frequently costing end users over $100. Use of such specialized browsers is also likely to stigmatize the users who may otherwise effectively hide their reading difficulties.
Some electronic texts embed audio clips, such as songs, interviews, commentary, or audio descriptions of graphics. However, production time and storage capacity requirements limit their use.

Method of processing information embedded in a displayed object


The invention relates to charged single-wall carbon nanotubes and their use in sensing and monitoring devices. The charged single-wall carbon nanotubes, have been found to have spectral shifts in certain regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The charged single wall nanotubes are very sensitive to environmental perturbations and the nanotube's optical properties will be affected by these perturbations. Accordingly, the charged single wall carbon nanotubes can be used as sensors for a wide variety of applications, such as salt concentrations and pH, signal generators, measuring length of DNA molecules, as well as optical tags for biological detection and mapping of malignant cell activity. Optimal sensor devices are achieved in the present invention when the charged single-wall carbon nanotube carries a linear charge density close to that of DNA. The invention further describes an optical pH sensor comprising at least one charged carbon nanotube in solution.

Carbon nanotubes are intriguing structures that have sparked much excitement in recent years and a large amount of research has been dedicated to their understanding.
Carbon nanotubes are unique cylindrical carbon-based, seamless tubes of graphite sheets having molecular structures that exhibit interesting and novel properties that make them potentially useful in a wide variety of applications (e.g., nano-electronics, optics, materials applications, etc.). They exhibit extraordinary strength and unique electrical properties, and are efficient conductors of heat. Two general types of carbon nanotubes are referred to as multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). SWCNTs have a cylindrical sheet-like, one-atom-thick shell of hexagonally-arranged carbon atoms, and MWCNTs are typically composed of multiple coaxial cylinders of ever-increasing diameter about a common axis. Thus, SWCNTs can be considered to be the structure underlying MWCNTs and also carbon nanotube ropes, which are uniquely-arranged arrays of SWCNTs. Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) have shown promising sensing properties in terms of sensitivity.
The above carbon nanotubes which are also known as buckytubes are members of the fullerene structural family, which also includes buckyballs. Buckyballs are spherical in shape, while a nanotube is cylindrical, with at least one end typically capped with a hemisphere of the buckyball structure. Their name is derived from their size, since the diameter of a nanotube is on the order of a few nanometers (approximately 50,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair), while they can be up to several centimeters in length.
Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), have unique and very attractive physical properties, such as high strength, stiffness, thermal and electrical conductivity. SWCNTs are hollow, tubular fullerene molecules consisting essentially of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms similar to graphite and typically arranged in hexagons and pentagons. The sp2 bonding structure is stronger than the sp3 bonds found in diamond therefore providing the molecules with their unique strength. Nanotubes naturally align themselves into "ropes" held together by Van der Waals forces. Under high pressure, nanotubes can merge together, trading some sp2 bonds for sp3 bonds, giving great possibility for producing strong, unlimited-length wires through high-pressure nanotube linking. Single-wall carbon nanotubes typically have diameters in the range of about 0.5 nanometers (nm) and about 3.5 nm, and lengths usually greater than about 50 nm. Useful information on single-wall carbon nanotubes can be found in B. I. Yakobson and R. E. Smalley, American Scientist, Vol. 85, July-August, 1997, pp. 324-337.
In 1991, Sumio Iijima, a researcher with the NEC Laboratory in Tsukuba, Japan, observed that carbon fibers produced with a carbon arc were hollow. This feature of nanotubes is of great interest to physicists because it permits experiments in one-dimensional quantum physics.
The diameter of most SWCNTs is a few nanometers, with a tube length that can be many thousands of times larger. The structure of a SWCNT can be conceptualized by wrapping a one-atom-thick layer of graphite (called graphene) into a seamless cylinder. The way the graphene sheet is wrapped is represented by a pair of indices (n,m) called the chiral vector. The integers n and m denote the number of unit vectors along two directions in the honeycomb crystal lattice of graphene. If m=0, the nanotubes are called "zigzag". If n=m, the nanotubes are called "armchair". Otherwise, they are called "chiral".
A very important variety of carbon nanotube is a SWCNT because they exhibit important electric properties that are not shared by the multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) variants. SWCNTs are the most likely candidate for miniaturizing electronics past the microelectromechanical scale that is currently the basis of modern electronics. The most basic building block of these systems is the electric wire, and SWCNTs can be excellent conductors. One useful application of SWCNTs is in the development of the intramolecular field effect transistors (FETs).
The synthesis of fullerenes is typically accomplished by the condensation of vaporized carbon at high temperature. Fullerenes, such as C60 and C70, may be made by carbon arc methods using vaporized carbon at high temperature. Carbon nanotubes have also been produced as one of the deposits on the cathode in carbon arc processes.
Single-wall carbon nanotubes have been produced in very low yields in a DC arc discharge apparatus by simultaneously evaporating carbon and a small percentage of Group VIIb transition metal from the anode of an arc discharge apparatus. The above technique produces a population of carbon nanotubes which exhibits significant variations in structure and size.
An alternative method to synthesize carbon nanotubes is by catalytic decomposition of a carbon-containing gas by nanometer-scale metal particles supported on a substrate. The carbon feedstock molecules dissociate on the metal particle surface and the resulting carbon atoms combine to form nanotubes. The method typically produces imperfect multi-wall carbon nanotubes, but under certain reaction conditions, can produce excellent single-wall carbon nanotubes. One example of this method involves the disproportionation of CO to form single-wall carbon nanotubes and CO2 catalyzed by transition metal catalyst particles comprising Mo, Fe, Ni, Co, or mixtures thereof residing on a support, such as alumina. The method often results in tangled carbon nanotubes and also requires the removal of the support material for many applications.
Another way of producing single-wall carbon nanotubes involves laser vaporization of a graphite substrate doped with transition metal atoms (such as nickel, cobalt, or a mixture thereof) to produce single-wall carbon nanotubes. The single-wall carbon nanotubes produced by this method tend to be formed in clusters, termed "ropes," of about 10 to about 1000 single-wall carbon nanotubes in parallel alignment, held by van der Waals forces in a closely packed triangular lattice. Nanotubes produced by this method vary in structure, although certain structures may predominate. The laser vaporization process can produce improved yields of single-wall carbon nanotubes, however the resulting product is still heterogeneous, and the nanotubes tend to be too tangled for many potential uses of these materials. In addition, the laser vaporization of carbon is a high energy process.
The known methods of synthesizing single-carbon nanotubes also produce a distribution of reaction products, including, but not limited to, single-wall carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon, metallic catalyst residues, and, in some cases, multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The distribution of reaction products will vary depending on the process and the operating conditions used in the process. In addition to the distribution of reaction products, the process type and operating conditions will also produce single-wall carbon nanotubes having a particular distribution of diameters and conformations.
The electronic properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes are very dependent on the conformation. For example, armchair tubes are metallic and have extremely high electrical conductivity. All single-wall carbon nanotubes can be categorized as metallic, semi-metals, or semiconducting depending on their conformation. In the present specification, both metallic tubes and semi-metal tubes will be referred to collectively as metallic nanotubes. For single-wall carbon nanotubes, about one-third of the tubes are metallic and about two-thirds are semiconducting. Metallic (n, m)-type nanotubes are those that satisfy the condition: 2n+m=3q, or n−m=3q where "q" is an integer. Metallic nanotubes are conducting with a zero band gap in energy states. Nanotubes not satisfying either condition are semiconducting and have an energy band gap. Generally, semiconducting nanotubes with smaller diameters have larger energy band gaps. Regardless of tube type, all single-wall nanotubes have extremely high thermal conductivity and tensile strength.
The properties of a collection of a particular (n, m) selected carbon nanotube will differ from those of a mixture of single-wall carbon nanotubes that are made by the different production processes. The properties of mixtures of nanotube types represent a composite value over a distribution of property values. This composite value is generally not "average" behavior. In fact, the properties of composites can not only be inferior to, but also lacking altogether in a mixture of single-wall carbon nanotubes compared to those of a particular selected (n, m) type nanotube. Additionally, in the diameter range of single-wall carbon nanotubes, generally about 0.5 nm to about 3.5 nm, the alignment of the nanotubes to each other in closely-packed arrays, such as the well-known single-wall carbon nanotube "ropes", can be optimized when all the nanotubes are of the same diameter, minimizing misfits between tubes of different diameter.
No effective process for making single-wall carbon nanotubes is known whereby significant quantities of carbon nanotubes made are of a single (n, m) type. Furthermore, to date, no methods for separating quantities of single-wall carbon nanotubes by (n, m) type are known, and no macroscopic quantity of such single (n, m) type single-wall carbon nanotube material has been produced. Macroscopic amounts of type-sorted single-wall carbon nanotubes that would provide the broadest range of possible nanotube properties and applications are heretofore unknown.
The particular nanotube diameter and conformation affects the physical and electronic properties of the single-wall carbon nanotube. For example, the stiffness, strength, density, electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, crystallinity, thermal conductivity, absorption, response to doping, utility as semiconductors, optical properties such as absorption and luminescence, utility as emitters and detectors, energy transfer, heat conduction, reaction to changes in pH, buffering capacity, sensitivity to a range of chemicals, contraction and expansion by electrical charge or chemical interaction, nanoporous filtration membranes and many more properties are affected by the diameter and conformation of the single-wall carbon nanotube.
Little work has been done on the unique chemical properties of carbon nanotubes in solution, particularly, in aqueous solutions. As an extended conjugated double-bond system with high surface area, carbon nanotubes are expected to stabilize and accumulate charges far better than small molecules. The accumulated charges on a carbon nanotube can be potentially used for many applications including reactions that are hard to carry out using small molecules.
Industry, academia, experimentalist and theoreticians have given a great deal of attention in trying to understand the electronic transport and optical properties of carbon nanotubes. For example, the plasmon excitation properties have been studied for singlewall and multiwall nanotubes as well as a linear array of nanotubes. Plasmon excitations display many new features in the presence of an applied magnetic field, such as many cusps in the plasmon spectrum as a function of the magnetic flux through the tubule. The flux-dependent plasmon frequency has been shown to be proportional to the induced persistent-current density in the tubule.
Despite their unique properties, the low solubility of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution has impeded further development of useful applications in biologically related systems. The common approach to enhance their solubility in aqueous solution is to either physically or chemically incorporate charged groups into a carbon nanotube. Sonication has been a widely used physical method. Recently, Chiang et al. (J. Phys. Chem. B 105, 8297 (2001)) have reported a procedure to prepare protonated single-wall carbon nanotubes through sonication of carbon nanotubes in acidic solution. It is believed that the hydronium ions strongly intercalate into the ropes of carbon nanotubes, which cannot be removed by simple vacuum drying. Protonated single-wall carbonnanotubes may be considered as charged nanotubes.
In addition to positively charged nanotubes, negatively charged nanotubes have been obtained by sonication of the mixture of double stranded DNA and nanotubes in aqueous solution. Nakashima et al. (Chem. Lett. 32, 456 (2003)) have shown that DNA and nanotube complexes are water soluble. Meanwhile, the negative charge sign of DNA-nanotube complexes has been confirmed by Zheng et al. (Science 302, 1545 (2003)). In other words, both positively and negatively charged carbon nanotubes can be synthesized.
An alternative to add charges onto a carbon nanotube may be achieved by surface modification. Water-soluble SWCNTs have been obtained by surface modifications such as functionalization with carboxylate groups and surface coatings with surfactants or single stranded DNA. As a matter of fact, there has been great interest in using single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as nanoscale probes and sensors in biological electronics and optical devices because the electronic and optical properties of SWCNTs are extremely sensitive to the surrounding environmental changes. To date, most research on SWCNTs has focused on electronic devices, with relatively little work on optical biosensors.
SWCNTs possess unique optical properties as a result of their one-dimensional nature. Sharp peaks in the density of states, called van Hove singularities, arise from a quantization of the electronic wave vector in the 1-D system. As a result of these singularities, SWCNTs possess peaks in their optical spectra that correspond to interband transitions from the valence band to the conduction band. In addition, the transitions are found to be grouped in spectral space according to nanotube type (metallic vs. semiconducting) and band index, which are responsible for the observed sharp and pronounced optical absorption peaks in individual SWCNTs.
The abovementioned water-soluble SWCNTs, obtained by surface modifications, have displayed undisrupted characteristic optical absorption features. It has been observed that the optical characteristics of surface modified SWNTs are pH sensitive, which suggests new opportunities for SWCNTs based optical biosensor applications yet to be explored. Nanotubes may even be combined with recently developed nanolasers, nano waveguides and nano optical fibers, to make optical nanosensors in the near future.
Additionally, the probing, characterization, and manipulating of single polymers like DNA has been accomplished with the aid of optical methods, e.g., observing evanescent field fluorescence of dye molecules, deflecting light beams in atomic force microscopes, or trapping attached dielectric objects with optical tweezers. Also, there has been some progress at the molecular level in the study of the electrical ionic conduction signals from voltage biased nanoscale biopores. Recently, a voltage bias on an alpha hemolysin biopore has been shown to induce charged single-stranded DNA and RNA molecules to translocate through the pore. Each translocating molecule blocks the open pore ionic current providing an electrical signal that depends on several characteristics of the molecule. The system has limits for studies of biological molecules: the pore is of a fixed size, and its stability and noise characteristics are restricted by chemical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal constraints.
Therefore, a long felt need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. The prior art is silent on the use of charged carbon nanotubes for applications such as optical pH sensors, biosensors and many other applications. Also, there is a need for new methods for studying polymer molecules such as DNA.

Charged carbon nanotubes for use as sensors