Abstract: A continuous inkjet method in which liquid passes through a nozzle, the liquid being jetted comprising one or more dispersed or particulate components and where the particle Peclet number, Pe, defined by Pe = 1.25 ? ? T · d eff 3 ? ? S kT ? ? ? ? U 3 x is less than 500 and where the effective particle diameter, deff, is calculated as d eff = ( ? 0 ? ? d 3 ? ? ? ( d ) ? ? ? d ? 0 ? ? ? ? ( d ) ? ? ? d ) 1 / 3 where ?(d) is the volume fraction of the particles or components of diameter d (m) and where ?T is the total volume fraction of dispersed or particulate components, ?S is the viscosity of the liquid without particles (Pa·s), ? is the liquid density (kg/m3), U is the jet velocity (m/s), x is the length of the nozzle in the direction of flow (m), k is Boltzmann's constant (J/K) and T is temperature (K).

Abstract: A display element comprising a single layer of porous material and a discrete drop of liquid. Application of a voltage between the liquid and the layer causes movement of the liquid and consequential optical changes to the element.

Abstract: A method and device for passively periodically perturbing the flow field within a microfluidic device to cause regular droplet formation at high speed.

Abstract: A method and device for periodically perturbing the flow field within a microfluidic device to provide regular droplet formation at high speed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric compound, comprising discrete particles responsive to an external stimulus, that is resistant to aggregation in high-shear fields, which includes the addition of a polymerization initiator to a reaction mixture comprising a monomer corresponding to the polymeric compound, wherein the method comprises the portion-wise addition of aliquots of a cross-linking agent to the reaction mixture, wherein an aliquot of the cross-linking agent is added to the reaction mixture both before the addition of the polymerization initiator and after the polymerization has progressed substantially to completion. The polymer particles are largely immune to the effects of transient shear rates at least as high as 106 s?1, whilst maintaining their thermal responsiveness and being present at moderate concentration. The structural and chemical modifications brought by the delayed portion-wise addition of the cross-linking agent allow an improvement in stability in a high-shear field.

Abstract: A stimulus-responsive polymer particulate composition, comprising a first monomer, such as an aqueous microgel derived, for example, from N-isopropylacrylamide, may be rendered less susceptible to aggregation at high shear (e.g. at least as high as 106 s?1) by incorporating into the structure of the particle (e.g. by copolymerisation) of a further monomer, which is not a stimulus-responsive polymer-forming monomer. The further monomer may be incorporated in an amount of up to 25 mol % based on the amount of the first monomer. Such modified polymer particles are suitable for inkjet printing applications (e.g. for printing of aqueous microgels onto low-energy surface substrates).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of patterning flowable material on a surface. The method comprises providing the surface with at least one channel and at least one deposition region connected to the at least one channel, the width of the channel being less than the width of the deposition region, and depositing flowable material in the deposition region such that when the material makes contact with the channel the material is directed into said channel by capillary forces, the receding contact angle of the flowable material in the deposition region being less than 30°.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet method in which liquid passes through a nozzle, the liquid being jetted comprising one or more dispersed or particulate components and where the particle Peclet number, Pe, defined by Pe = 1.25 ? ? T · d eff 3 ? ? S kT ? ? ? ? U 3 x is less than 500 and where the effective particle diameter, deff, is calculated as d eff = ( ? 0 ? ? d 3 ? ? ? ( d ) ? ? ? d ? 0 ? ? ? ? ( d ) ? ? ? d ) 1 / 3 where ?(d) is the volume fraction of the particles or components of diameter d (m) and where ?T is the total volume fraction of dispersed or particulate components, ?S is the viscosity of the liquid without particles (Pa.s), ? is the liquid density (kg/m3), U is the jet velocity (m/s), x is the length of the nozzle in the direction of flow (m), k is Boltzmann's constant (J/K) and T is temperature (K).

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer electronic device having electrodes, formed on a laterally extending first layer, the lateral position of each of at least two adjacent electrodes being defined by a channel in the first layer. Each channel is adjacent a deposition region, the material which forms each electrode substantially covering the deposition region to form a continuous conductive structure.

Abstract: A pulley suspension assembly for assisting a user to vertically transport a cable to an elevated location may include a base member adapted to be positioned at the elevated location. A plurality of prongs may be statically coupled the base, extended upwardly therefrom, and seated adjacent to a rear edge thereof. A rectilinear guide rail may be statically mated to the prongs and spanned therebetween. Additionally, a plurality of stabilizing brackets may be statically affixed to the top surface and front of the base member. Further, a rectilinear shaft may be connected to the brackets and spanned therebetween. A plurality of pulleys may be journaled about the rectilinear shaft and rotatable thereabout. Such pulleys may be uniformly juxtaposed side-by-side and freely reciprocated along the shaft while rotating about the fulcrum axis. Anchor cables may be included and engaged with the prongs and an existing support surface at the elevated location.

Abstract: A method for creating composite droplets for use in an ink jet system includes a first fluid (1) brought into contact with a second fluid within a set of channels (5,14). The interface between the fluids is characterised by an interfacial tension. The first fluid forms spaced droplets (8) within the second fluid, the composite of the first and second fluids passing through an orifice (6) to form a jet (9).

Abstract: A droplet generating device for use as part of a continuous inkjet printer comprises a set of channels for FLUID providing a composite flow of a first fluid (11) surrounded by a second fluid (12) and an expansion cavity (3) having an entry orifice (2) and an exit orifice (4). The cross sectional area of the cavity is larger than the cross sectional area of either orifice such that the composite flow breaks up to form droplets of the first fluid within the second-fluid within the cavity, the exit orifice also forming a nozzle of an inkjet device, the passage of the droplets of the first fluid through the exit orifice causing the composite jet to break into composite droplets.

Abstract: A liquid jet is ejected out of a nozzle, the liquid comprising one or more components, the flow of one or more of said components, the active components, being separated such that the liquid that flows within a boundary layer thickness ?, of the nozzle wall is substantially comprised of a liquid without the active components, the continuous phase, and the said active components flow substantially outside said boundary layer where ? is defined by formula (I): where ? is the continuous phase viscosity in Pa·s, U is the jet velocity in m/s ? is the continuous phase density in kg/m3 and x is the length of the nozzle in m in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A method of creating substantially monodisperse droplets comprising supplying a first fluid (1) and a second immiscible fluid (2) within a set of channels, the second fluid surrounding the first fluid and filling the channels to form a composite jet. The composite jet passes through an entrance channel (4) into a wider cavity (3), where the first fluid breaks into droplets (5), the resulting composite of droplets of the first fluid within the second fluid passing through an exit channel (6). The cross sectional area of the exit channel perpendicular to the flow is smaller than the cross sectional area of the cavity and the passage of a droplet of the first fluid out of the cavity via the exit perturbs the composite flow field within the cavity such that the incoming jet of the first fluid is perturbed.

Abstract: An exchangeable air-conditioning unit (1) is described for attachment to mobile equipment. The air-conditioning unit includes a compressor (5) operable to compress a refrigerant and a hydraulic motor (17) operable to drive the compressor. Hydraulic fittings (11) are provided in fluid communication with the hydraulic motor for transporting hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fittings (11) are adapted to be releasably connected to a hydraulic system of the mobile equipment. Refrigerant fittings (7) are provided in fluid communication with the compressor for transporting refrigerant. The refrigerant fittings (7) are adapted to be releasably connected to a refrigeration circuit of the mobile equipment. An enclosure (3) houses the compressor and hydraulic motor and has at least one releasable connector (21) for releasably connecting the enclosure to the mobile equipment. The exchangeable unit may be pre-charged with gas in and stored in readiness for attachment to the mobile equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous inkjet ink composition comprises a polymeric compound comprising discrete particles responsive to an external stimulus, and a functional material, wherein the functional material may be incorporated as part of the polymeric particles, the particles causing the composition to have a first rheological state and a different second rheological state in response to a stimulated change in conditions, the first rheological state being associated with a first lower viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a first lower volume, enabling the composition to pass through an inkjet printhead orifice and the second rheological state being associated with a second higher viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a second higher volume, enabling immobilisation of droplets of the composition on a substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system comprising a plurality of static inkjet printing units each comprising at least one inkjet printing head; an ink-receiving element comprising a poorly-absorbing or impermeable substrate; an aqueous inkjet composition which comprises a polymeric compound comprising discrete particles responsive to an external stimulus, and a functional material, which may be incorporated as part of the polymeric particles, the composition having a first rheological state and a different second rheological state in response to a stimulated change in conditions, the first state being associated with a first lower viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a first lower volume, and the second state being associated with a second higher viscosity of the composition, wherein the particles have a second higher volume, and of drying the aqueous ink composition only positioned downstream of the plurality of the printing units.

Abstract: A device comprises one or more dielectric layers, one side of the layer or layers being conductive. A hydrophobic layer is provided on the other side of the dielectric layer. First and second fluids are located on the surface of the hydrophobic layer, the fluids being immiscible with each other. The first fluid comprises at least one ionic liquid. The conductive layer and first fluid are arranged such that they can be electrically connected.

Abstract: A flexible display comprises a flexible dielectric layer (2) having a conductive layer (3) on one side and a hydrophobic layer (1) on the other side. Two fluids (4, 5) are located on the hydrophobic surface, the fluids being immiscible with one another. One fluid is a liquid conductor (5). When a potential is applied between the conductive layer and the liquid conductor the interface between the two fluids changes.

Abstract: A display element comprising at least two conductive porous layers and a conductive liquid, the conductive porous layers comprising a plurality of connected conductive particles insulated from the conductive liquid by a dielectric and lyophobic covering, and means for separately connecting a voltage across the at least two porous layers and the liquid such that on sequential application of a voltage to each conductive layer the liquid is displaced from one location to another location, the liquid only returning to the original location upon alternate sequential application of a voltage.