Abstract:
A system and method for facilitating commerce, the system and method including the steps of allowing a user to select one or more items from a list presented to the user, associating the one or more items with at least one alias, mapping the one or more items into a preselected format and cataloging the mapped data so that it can be accessed by at least the user, so that the mapped data is integrated with a storefront so that the items may be located and sold using the mapped data.
Abstract:
A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occurr in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.
Abstract:
An apparatus for testing flip-chip packages has a programmed computer, a test-engine stage for applying an impact to at least one package under test, and a monitoring stage. The test-engine stage causes an impact on the package on the side opposite its ball-grid array. The test-engine stage has actuators connected to the test-engine stage and the computer, for moving and aligning the test-engine stage. The monitoring stage has a digital camera connected to the computer for transmitting digital images from the ball-grid array side of the package to the computer. A microscope is preferably connected to the digital camera. A sample stage located between the test-engine stage and the monitoring stage holds the package under test. The sample stage has an acoustic transducer capable of being removably connected to the package under test. The acoustic transducer is connected to the computer for transmitting signals from the acoustic transducer to the computer.
Abstract:
A kit for preparing TEM sample holders includes at least one TEM coupon made of a sheet of material and having one or more paths from its edge to a TEM sample holder form embodied in the TEM coupon. There is at least one hole in the coupon defining the outer boundary of the TEM sample holder form. This hole has a mouth that defines a land of material. This land connects the TEM sample holder form to the edge of the sheet. The kit preferably includes at least one probe tip, where the probe tip has a probe-tip point, and finally, a press. The press has inner and outer dies and a former rod opposing the inner and outer dies. A shear punch is situated coaxially with the former rod. Thus, when an actuator drives the shear punch toward the inner and outer dies, the shear punch severs the land and cuts an opening in the TEM sample holder form, and simultaneously the former rod presses the probe tip point or points into the sheet of material. The result is a TEM sample holder with probe-tip points embedded in it, ready for inspection in a TEM of samples attached to the probe-tip points.
Abstract:
A TEM sample holder is formed by cutting the TEM sample holder form from a coupon in a press. The cutting at the same time joins the tip point of a nano-manipulator probe tip with the formed TEM sample holder. The tip point of the probe has a sample attached for inspection in a TEM. The cutting process also creates a gap in the sample holder to allow for FIB milling of the specimen.
Abstract:
An apparatus for performing automated in-situ lift-out of a sample from a specimen includes a computer having a memory with computer-readable instructions, a stage for a specimen and a nano-manipulator. The stage and the nano-manipulator are controlled by motion controllers connected to the computer. The nano-manipulator has a probe tip for attachment to samples excised from the specimen. The computer-readable instructions include instructions to cause the stage motion controllers and the nano-manipulator motion controllers, as well as an ion-beam source, to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen.
Abstract:
The system (2) includes a catheter drive unit (22) and a catheter (24) extending therefrom movably mounted to a catheter drive sled (26). The catheter drive unit rotates and translates the catheter core (34) within the catheter sheath (36). The sled has a serrated, conical drive unit interface (82), with a bag-piercing tip (86) mateable with a translator drive output (92) so that a sterile drape (112) enclosing the catheter drive unit is automatically pierced when the catheter drive unit is mounted to the sled. A control unit (6) is spaced apart from the catheter drive unit and provides power and commands to the catheter drive unit and receives information and data from the catheter drive unit. The rotator and translator drive motors (54, 90) are operated from both the control unit and the catheter drive unit. Both the control unit and catheter drive unit have translation displacement displays (10, 30).
Abstract:
We disclose a gas injection system having at least one crucible, each crucible holding at least one deposition constituent; at least one transfer tube, the number of transfer tubes corresponding to the number of crucibles, each transfer tube being connected to a corresponding crucible. There is at least one metering valve, the number of metering valves corresponding to the number of transfer tubes, each metering valve being connected to a corresponding transfer tube so that the metering valve can measure and adjust vapor flow in the corresponding transfer tube. A sensor is provided capable of sensing reactions between deposition constituents and a focused ion beam A computer is connected to receive the output of the sensor; the computer is also connected to each metering valve to control the operation of the valve, and the computer is programmed to send control signals to each metering valve to control the operation of the valve; the control signals being computed responsive to feedback from the output of the sensor.
Abstract:
A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.
Abstract:
A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.