Abstract: A brewed beverage product is provided that, in some embodiments, may comprise an oxygen permeable container containing a frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage, the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage including a coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate having been its dissolved oxygen content reduced to less than 2.0 parts per million (ppm) in order to reduce oxidation of coffee or tea-based flavor compounds in the degassed coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate. The frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage may further have an exterior surface formed from a frozen deoxygenated liquid so as to be substantially void-free in order to limit the ingress of oxygen into the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage.

Abstract: A coffee-based beverage preparation system is disclosed that receives a brewed coffee frozen ice block and, in certain embodiments, prepares a brewed coffee beverage at a desired temperature without the requirement to add water from a water reservoir. In one embodiment, the coffee-based beverage preparation system includes a preparation chamber for receiving a degassed frozen brewed coffee beverage and a plurality of heating elements configured to apply heat to the preparation chamber to melt the degassed frozen brewed coffee beverage. The coffee-based beverage preparation system also includes an outlet port comprising in fluidic communication with the preparation chamber and an electronically controlled valve secured to the outlet port that is configured release the fluid content of the preparation chamber into a receiving vessel, such as when the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A security device that exhibits at least one dynamic response upon change of orientation of the security device with respect to gravity, wherein the security device includes a hollow capsule completely filled with a liquid and one or more microscopic elements. In addition, the dynamic response continues after cessation of the change of orientation with respect to gravity. The dynamic response includes a transition of the one or more microscopic elements from substantial mechanical equilibrium to non-equilibrium upon action of the change of orientation with respect to gravity and back to substantial mechanical equilibrium after cessation of the change of orientation with respect to gravity. During the dynamic response, the one or more microscopic elements undergo at least one of a rotational motion and a translational motion relative to the liquid.

Abstract: A security device that exhibits at least one dynamic response upon change of orientation of the security device with respect to gravity, wherein the security device includes a hollow capsule completely filled with a liquid and one or more microscopic elements. In addition, the dynamic response continues after cessation of the change of orientation with respect to gravity. The dynamic response includes a transition of the one or more microscopic elements from substantial mechanical equilibrium to non-equilibrium upon action of the change of orientation with respect to gravity and back to substantial mechanical equilibrium after cessation of the change of orientation with respect to gravity. During the dynamic response, the one or more microscopic elements undergo at least one of a rotational motion and a translational motion relative to the liquid.

Abstract: A security device that elicits at least one dynamic response upon acceleration, or upon change of orientation with respect to gravity, wherein the dynamic response continues after cessation of the acceleration or the change of orientation. In addition, the dynamic response can be optical, such that it is visually observable by an unaided human eye. Alternatively, the response can be machine readable. In some cases, the dynamic response has duration of from about 0.01 s to about 100 s, or from about Is to about 10 s.

Abstract: A brewed beverage product is provided that, in some embodiments, may comprise an oxygen permeable container containing a frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage, the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage including a coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate having been its dissolved oxygen content reduced to less than 2.0 parts per million (ppm) in order to reduce oxidation of coffee or tea-based flavor compounds in the degassed coffee or tea based beverage or concentrate. The frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage may further have an exterior surface formed from a frozen deoxygenated liquid so as to be substantially void-free in order to limit the ingress of oxygen into the frozen deoxygenated brewed beverage.

Abstract: Methods for producing brewed beverages include brewing the beverage, degassing the beverage prior to storing the beverage in a sealed container, and freezing the beverage. A frozen brewed beverage is configured to be reheated prior to consumption and does not require reconstituting. A brewed beverage is in a sealed container, has a dissolved oxygen content less than about 2 ppm, is configured to be reheated prior to consumption, and does not require reconstituting.

Abstract: Gravitational Janus microparticle having, a center-of-mass, a center-of-volume, and a non¬uniform density, wherein: the center-of-mass and the center-of-volume are distinct. When suspended in a fluid, the microparticle substantially aligns with either: i) the gravitational field; or ii) the direction of an acceleration, such that the Janus microparticle is in substantial rotation equilibrium. After perturbation from substantial rotational equilibrium, the Janus microparticle reversibly rotates to return to substantial rotational equilibrium. The gravitational Janus microparticle may comprise at least two portions, each having distinct physical and/or chemical characteristics, wherein at least one portion provides a detectable effect following rotation and alignment of the microparticle.

Abstract: A coffee-based beverage preparation system is disclosed that receives a brewed coffee frozen ice block and, in certain embodiments, prepares a brewed coffee beverage at a desired temperature without the requirement to add water from a water reservoir. In one embodiment, the coffee-based beverage preparation system includes a preparation chamber for receiving a degassed frozen brewed coffee beverage and a plurality of heating elements configured to apply heat to the preparation chamber to melt the degassed frozen brewed coffee beverage. The coffee-based beverage preparation system also includes an outlet port comprising in fluidic communication with the preparation chamber and an electronically controlled valve secured to the outlet port that is configured release the fluid content of the preparation chamber into a receiving vessel, such as when the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Gravitational Janus microparticle having, a center-of-mass, a center-of-volume, and a non-uniform density, wherein: the center-of-mass and the center-of-volume are distinct. When suspended in a fluid, the microparticle substantially aligns with either: i) the gravitational field; or ii) the direction of an acceleration, such that the Janus microparticle is in substantial rotation equilibrium. After perturbation from substantial rotational equilibrium, the Janus microparticle reversibly rotates to return to substantial rotational equilibrium. The gravitational Janus microparticle may comprise at least two portions, each having distinct physical and/or chemical characteristics, wherein at least one portion provides a detectable effect following rotation and alignment of the microparticle.

Abstract: A security device that elicits at least one dynamic response upon acceleration, or upon change of orientation with respect to gravity, wherein the dynamic response continues after cessation of the acceleration or the change of orientation. In addition, the dynamic response can be optical, such that it is visually observable by an unaided human eye. Alternatively, the response can be machine readable. In some cases, the dynamic response has duration of from about 0.01 s to about 100 s, or from about Is to about 10 s.

Abstract: Methods for producing brewed beverages include brewing the beverage, degassing the beverage prior to storing the beverage in a sealed container, and freezing the beverage. A frozen brewed beverage is configured to be reheated prior to consumption and does not require reconstituting. A brewed beverage is in a sealed container, has a dissolved oxygen content less than about 2 ppm, is configured to be reheated prior to consumption, and does not require reconstituting.

Abstract: Methods for producing brewed beverages include brewing the beverage, degassing the beverage prior to storing the beverage in a sealed container, and freezing the beverage. A frozen brewed beverage is configured to be reheated prior to consumption and does not require reconstituting. A brewed beverage is in a sealed container, has a dissolved oxygen content less than about 2 ppm, is configured to be reheated prior to consumption, and does not require reconstituting.

Abstract: Methods for producing brewed beverages include brewing the beverage, degassing the beverage prior to storing the beverage in a sealed container, and freezing the beverage. A frozen brewed beverage is configured to be reheated prior to consumption and does not require reconstituting. A brewed beverage is in a sealed container, has a dissolved oxygen content less than about 2 ppm, is configured to be reheated prior to consumption, and does not require reconstituting.

Abstract: An electronic device made by a process that includes forming a first layer over a substrate and placing a first liquid composition over a first portion of the first layer. The first liquid composition includes at least a first guest material and a first liquid medium. The first liquid composition comes in contact with the first layer and a substantial amount of the first guest material intermixes with the first layer. An electronic device includes a substrate and a continuous first layer overlying the substrate. The continuous layer includes a first portion in which an electronic component lies and a second portion where no electronic component lies. The first portion is at least 30 nm thick and includes a first guest material, and the second portion is no more than 40 nm thick.

Abstract: The invention describes a method or methods to create, or extend a two-dimensional (two-dimensional) electronic delocalization of a deposited solution processible material by energetic and/or chemical means for use in electronic devices. The process allows for a high degree of tunability in the extent of delocalization that occurs. Therefore the electronic properties can be tailored to various electronic target applications such as thin film transistors and photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: An adaptive optical waveguide router in which routing paths may be dynamically created by the use of a scanning system. The optical router interconnects at least one optical input to a at least optical output. The optical waveguide layer employed is substantially comprised of a photosensitive material which has a change in index of refraction at one optical wavelength when exposed to a different optical wavelength and which, in some way, may be restored to it's original state. One such material is Bacteriorhodopsin which shows a photocycle in the visible region of the optical spectrum. The scanning system, in response to routing information, traces a routing path(s) between an input(s) and a selected output(s) which alters the index of refraction in the path(s) traced in the photorefractive material. An optical input signal then propagates along the traced path between the selected input(s) and the selected output(s).

Abstract: An adaptive optical waveguide router in which routing paths may be dynamically created by the use of a scanning system. The optical router interconnects at least one optical input to a at least optical output. The optical waveguide layer employed is substantially comprised of a photosensitive material which has a change in index of refraction at one optical wavelength when exposed to a different optical wavelength and which, in some way, may be restored to it's original state. One such material is Bacteriorhodopsin which shows a photocycle in the visible region of the optical spectrum. The scanning system, in response to routing information, traces a routing path(s) between an input(s) and a selected output(s) which alters the index of refraction in the path(s) traced in the photorefractive material. An optical input signal then propagates along the traced path between the selected input(s) and the selected output(s).

Abstract: An adaptive optical waveguide router in which routing paths may be dynamically created by the use of a scanning system. The optical router interconnects at least one optical input to a at least optical output. The optical waveguide layer employed is substantially comprised of a photosensitive material which has a change in index of refraction at one optical wavelength when exposed to a different optical wavelength and which, in some way, may be restored to it's original state. One such material is Bacteriorhodopsin which shows a photocycle in the visible region of the optical spectrum. The scanning system, in response to routing information, traces a routing path(s) between an input(s) and a selected output(s) which alters the index of refraction in the path(s) traced in the photorefractive material. An optical input signal then propagates along the traced path between the selected input(s) and the selected output(s).