University of Minnesota, et al.; Notice of Decision on Application for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments, 6831 [2016-02558]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 6831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


University of Minnesota, et al.; Notice of Decision on 
Application for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

    This is a decision pursuant to Section 6(c) of the Educational, 
Scientific, and Cultural Materials Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89-
651, as amended by Pub. L. 106-36; 80 Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301). 
Related records can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Room 
3720, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC.

    Docket Number: 15-041. Applicant: University of Minnesota, 
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0149. Instrument: IVVI Measuring System with 
Modules. Manufacturer: Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. 
Intended Use: See notice at 80 FR 65984-85, October 28, 2015. Comments: 
None received. Decision: Approved. We know of no instruments of 
equivalent scientific value to the foreign instruments described below, 
for such purposes as this is intended to be used, that was being 
manufactured in the United States at the time of order. Reasons: The 
instrument will be used to uncover novel quantum properties of certain 
semiconductors or superconductors, such as InAs, GaSb or devices 
combining these with superconductors such As Al and Nb, using high-
sensitivity electronic current and voltage measurements. Unique 
properties of this instrument include modular integration of pA 
sensitivity ammeter, required to measure very small electrical currents 
down to several pA, low-noise transimpedance amplifier, required to 
transform the electrical currents into voltage signals of a few mV that 
can be measured with conventional laboratory voltmeters, and low-noise 
digital-to-analogue converter and signal switchboxes. The entire setup 
is battery-operated and is programmable via an optically-decoupled 
input to minimize electrical noise interference from electrical power 
lines or other instruments.

    Docket Number: 15-042. Applicant: Purdue University, West 
Lafayette, IN 47907. Instrument: SuperK EXTREME EXR-20 20 MHz with 
SuperK VARIA High 50dB with Power Lock. Manufacturer: NKT Photonics, 
Denmark. Intended Use: See notice at 80 FR 65984-85, October 28, 2015. 
Comments: None received. Decision: Approved. We know of no instruments 
of equivalent scientific value to the foreign instruments described 
below, for such purposes as this is intended to be used, that was being 
manufactured in the United States at the time of order. Reasons: The 
instrument will be used to image tissue or tissue like materials with 
high optical scatter using Optical Diffusion Tomography (ODT), 
providing useful information for the study of biological and chemical 
processes. The instrument has a wide turning range, which is important 
for exciting different fluorophores of interest, providing specificity 
to chemical processes, a short pulse width which is important for 
performing time-gated measurements, high laser power which is important 
for obtaining a high SNR from laser light traveling through centimeters 
of tissue or related scattering medium, and a 20MHz repetition rate 
which is important for time-gated measurements given the temporal 
response time of tissue.

    Docket Number: 15-045. Applicant: University of Massachusetts 
Medical School, Worchester, MA 01655. Instrument: Vitrobot. 
Manufacturer: FEI Electron Optics, B.V., the Netherlands. Intended Use: 
See notice at 80 FR 65984-85, October 28, 2015. Comments: None 
received. Decision: Approved. We know of no instruments of equivalent 
scientific value to the foreign instruments described below, for such 
purposes as this is intended to be used, that was being manufactured in 
the United States at the time of order. Reasons: The instrument will be 
used to understand the three-dimensional structure of purified proteins 
and complexes at the atomic level, and how this is related to their 
function, by freezing them, then examining them in the frozen state in 
an electron microscope. The instrument can precisely control the 
humidity at any level, and can also control the temperature of the 
chamber, which is essential to freeze the proteins and complexes under 
exactly defined conditions, which is a requirement for all of the 
studies. The specimen remains in the humidity-controlled environment 
until the instant of freezing, which is essential to prevent any 
evaporation of water from the specimen before freezing.

    Docket Number: 15-050. Applicant: Rutgers University, Brunswick, NJ 
08901. Instrument: Junior Micromanipulator unit with remote control 
system, shifting table and chamber unit parts. Manufacturer: Luigs & 
Neumann, Germany. Intended Use: See notice at 80 FR 79307-08, December 
21, 2015. Comments: None received. Decision: Approved. We know of no 
instruments of equivalent scientific value to the foreign instruments 
described below, for such purposes as this is intended to be used, that 
was being manufactured in the United States at the time of order. 
Reasons: The instrument will be used to simultaneously measure the 
microscopic electric signals generated from neurons, specifically the 
patch-clamp whole cell recordings from neurons, to identify specific 
alterations in synaptic transmission that leads to neuropsychiatric or 
neurological disorders. The instrument is a highly flexible, highly 
precise system, offering the highest mechanical resolution and 
smoothest movement because of its patented spindle nut system, which 
guarantees a unique and extraordinary stability for long term 
recordings. The step motor is decoupled preventing a thermal bridge 
from the motor to the machine and also prevents vibration during 
movement. The experiments require high precision equipment to precisely 
determine the measurement of voltage in the mV range and current in the 
pA range.

    Dated: February 2, 2016.
Gregory W. Campbell,
Director, Subsidies Enforcement Office, Enforcement and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-02558 Filed 2-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P