Abstract: Methods of fabricating a uranium-bearing foil are described. The foil may be substantially pure uranium, or may be a uranium alloy such as a uranium-molybdenum alloy. The method typically includes a series of hot rolling operations on a cast plate material to form a thin sheet. These hot rolling operations are typically performed using a process where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant percentage. The sheet is typically then annealed and then cooled. The process typically concludes with a series of cold rolling passes where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant thickness amount to form the foil.

Abstract: A flexible thermally conductive structure. The structure generally includes a plurality of thermally conductive yarns, at least some of which are at least partially disposed adjacent to an elastomeric material. Typically, at least a portion of the plurality of thermally conductive yarns is configured as a sheet. The yarns may be constructed from graphite, metal, or similar materials. The elastomeric material may be formed from urethane or silicone foam that is at least partially collapsed, or from a similar material. A thermal management garment is provided, the garment incorporating a flexible thermally conductive structure.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing inspections using infrared cameras through in-field displays and operator-assisted performance calculations. A handheld infrared imaging system typically includes an infrared camera having a programmed computer and an interactive user interface suitable for displaying images and prompting response and accepting input from the infrared camera operator in the field during an inspection. An operator may designate at least one thing of interest on a displayed infrared image; and the programmed computer may uses a performance algorithm to estimate performance associated with the thing of interest. The programmed computer may extract information or parameters from previously measured data. The programmed computer may vary the way in which it displays new measurements based on the information extracted from the stored data. One or more of the parameters extracted from the IR image may be adapted to provide an automated alert to the user.

Abstract: A method for constructing an error map for a lithography process, by constructing a first error map using spatial error data compiled on a lithography tool used in the lithography process, and constructing a second error map using spatial error data compiled on a mask used in the lithograph process, and then combining the first error map and the second error map to produce an overall error map for the lithography process. In this manner, the spatial error is determined prior to committing product to the process, and excessive error can be corrected or otherwise resolved prior to such commitment. In various embodiments, the spatial error data includes lens error data and stage movement error data. In some embodiments the spatial error data compiled on the mask is constructed by comparing mask pattern placement data to mask pattern source files. Some embodiments include the step of adjusting process variables to reduce errors represented in the overall error map.

Abstract: Carrier activation and end-of-range defect density of ultra-shallow junctions in integrated circuits are determined using modulated optical reflectance signals, DC reflectances of pump or probe laser beams, and in-phase and quadrature signal processing. A method for determining characteristics of an ultra-shallow junction includes periodically exciting a region of the substrate using a pump laser beam, and reflecting a probe laser beam from the excited region. A modulated optical reflectance signal is measured along with DC reflectance of the probe laser beam. The modulated optical reflectance signal and DC reflectance are compared with reference signals generated from calibration substrates to determine carrier activation and end-of-range defect density in the junction.

Abstract: A dummy instrument for use in a simulator, the instrument comprising a control body (101) with user manipulatable angulation control (105), an insertion tube (102) and an umbilical (103) extending from the control body. In a real instrument corresponding to the one being simulated, at least one angulation cable would extend from the user manipulatable controls to the tip of the insertion tube such that movement of the angulation control changes the angulation of the tip. In the dummy medical instrument the angulation cable extends from the user manipulatable angulation control, and down the umbilical. The umbilical is releasably attached to a main unit (105). A motor (20,21) within the instrument at the distal end of the umbilical to applies a variable force to the cable. A position detector (30,31) within the instrument detects the angular position of the angulation control.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to charge air using an injector (116) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fuel. The amount of fuel supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116) operates in each cycle. A desired fuel demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fuel demand is rounded to a near integer to provide an output fuel demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The controller calculates an aggregate number of operations for a plurality of engine cycles which is closer to an aggregated desired fuel demand for the plurality of cycles than if for each cycle of the plurality of output cycles the output fuel demand is calculated independently.

Abstract: A chemical sensor for assessing a chemical of interest. In typical embodiments the chemical sensor includes a first thermocouple and second thermocouple. A reactive component is typically disposed proximal to the second thermal couple, and is selected to react with the chemical of interest and generate a temperature variation that may be detected by a comparison of a temperature sensed by the second thermocouple compared with a concurrent temperature detected by the first thermocouple. Further disclosed is a method for assessing a chemical of interest and a method for identifying a reaction temperature for a chemical of interest in a system.

Abstract: A gas operated firearm having a gas venting system which configures the carrier key and the gas tube so that a substantial portion of the recoil gas is vented from the gas tube into the cavity defined by a hand guard to reduce fouling and high temperatures associated with conventional venting systems which route gases into the receiver.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes an interfacing circuit that enables a current source inverter to operate from a voltage energy storage device (voltage source), such as a battery, ultracapacitor or fuel cell. The interfacing circuit, also referred to as a voltage-to-current converter, transforms the voltage source into a current source that feeds a DC current to a current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also provides means for controlling and maintaining a constant DC bus current that supplies the current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also enables the current source inverter to charge the voltage energy storage device, such as during dynamic braking of a hybrid electric vehicle, without the need of reversing the direction of the DC bus current.

Abstract: An improved gas tube system for a firearm having a gas tube with a distal end that is selectively openable to permit access to the distal end of the gas tube for cleaning thereof.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument with an elongate shaft and a plurality of inverted frusto-conical sections with radial cutting edge disposed along a working portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A containment medical apparatus for use in association with medical treatments requiring radioactive substances has a tubular housing with a cap configured for closing an open end of the tubular housing. A quick release mechanism holds the cap on an open end of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A foot support having straps which receive the calcaneous and wrap around the midfoot in a tensioned state for stabilizing the rearfoot and the midfoot to avoid excessive inversion and eversion of the foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid nutrient media composition having alkaline pH, useful for isolating and identifying alkaliphilic microorganisms in pure form. The media composition consists of 5-15 g of carbon source, 2.5-10 g of peptone, 2.5-10 g of yeast extract, 0.5-1.5 g of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate; 0.1-0.5 g of magnesium sulphate heptahydrate, 30 ?l-4 ml of super saturated solution of sodium hydroxide, 5-20 g of potassium chloride and 10-30 g of ?-carrageenan in one liter of distilled water. The potassium salt in combination with ?-carrageenan in specific proportion has been found to be a suitable replacement of agar in solidifying bacteriological media especially, for isolation of extreme alkaliphiles. The present invention also provides a method of using the solid nutrient media composition having alkaline pH to study biodiversity of cultivable alkaliphilic bacteria.

Abstract: A method for producing personalized cards on a substantially continuous basis. The method includes providing multiple supply rolls of card stock having a thickness of at least about 12 mils. The card stock is corona treated in an in-line corona treating unit to provide a printable surface having a surface tension energy of at least about 38 dynes/cm. Fixed and variable data are printed on individual card units of the card stock in first and second printing units of the in-line printing system. A removable activation label may be applied by an in-line label application unit to the variable data. The card units are die cut in an in-line die-cutting unit to a predetermined size. The first and second printing units are shaft driven printing units and the card units are capable of producing card units at a rate of at least 50,000 card units per hour.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing reaction of fluids and separation of products with increased residence time. The apparatus includes a stationary shell, a rotating hollow cylindrical component disposed in the stationary shell, a residence-time increasing device external to the stationary shell, a standpipe for introducing fluid into an interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the residence-time increasing device, a first outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a less dense phase fluid, and a second outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a more dense phase fluid.

Abstract: A target system having a base, a stationary member inclined from the base and having a cap, a rotating tube having a cap and positioned over the stationary tube, a bearing between the caps of the stationary member and the rotating tube to permit substantially free rotation of the rotating tube, and a plurality of target sides secured to the rotating tube, with impact of a fired round onto one of the target sides initiating movement of the rotating tube relative to the stationary member.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate valve for use in a high vacuum environment of an electron gun by machining a core of non-magnetic nickel-chromium-molybdenum-iron-tungsten-silicon-carbon alloy that is weldable with nickel alloys and has a tensile strength of about 750 megapascals, machining a cladding of nickel-iron, welding the core to the cladding to form the gate valve, and machining the gate valve so as to remove any dimensional differences at an interface between the core and the cladding. In this manner, because the final mechanical tolerance is controlled by machining instead of part assembling, extremely high alignment accuracy is obtained. The final part provides field shielding as provided by the nickel alloy shell, low stray field provided by the non-magnetic alloy, good vacuum performance, and tight mechanical tolerance control.