Abstract: Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are substituted heterocyclic thiols. The heterocyclic thiol has 2 nitrogen groups and a third group that may be an NH, N—NH2, O, or S group. The substituent group is an aromatic or heterocyclic aromatic group. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

Abstract: A strain compensated heterostructure comprising a substrate comprising silicon carbide material; a first epitaxial layer comprising single-crystal aluminum nitride material formed on a top surface of the substrate; a second epitaxial layer formed on the first epitaxial layer opposite the top surface of the substrate, the second epitaxial layer comprising single-crystal scandium aluminum nitride material; and a third epitaxial layer formed on the second epitaxial layer opposite the first epitaxial layer, the third layer comprising single-crystal aluminum nitride material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: An automated printing press (10) is provided with a plurality of printing stations (13), each having a printing mechanism (60) which prints at least one component image at spaced apart locations along a web (11). Each printing mechanism (60) is positionable to one side of the press for servicing. The print roller (61) is driven through a swingable gear assembly (268) that maintains gear spacing as the print roller to impression roller spacing varies and that engages and disengages tangentially to improve meshing. Microprocessor based computer controllers (400, 405) at each station (13) precisely and repeatably control positions of the printing mechanism (60) and precisely register the component images being printed at the stations (13).

Abstract: A method for monitoring water filter performance and efficiency, by correlating particle size and distribution to turbidity measurement. The method includes the steps of installing and calibrating the filter system, and periodically testing the filter system efficiency. The calibration of the filter system includes the step of preparing a calibration "challenge" solution having a predetermined count of particles of known size which will serve as "surrogates" for the particles which are to be removed during normal filtration. The turbidity of the calibration challenge solution is measured, and correlated to the particle count information. Similarly, the effluent turbidity is measured and a particle size distribution count made to verify the percent removal specified.

Abstract: A printing plate roller including a cylindrical tube and two journaled end caps plugging opened ends of the cylindrical tube, thereby forming a vacuum chamber within the tube. At least one groove is formed in the outer surface of the cylindrical tube with at least one bore hole formed through the wall of the tube interconnecting the at least one groove with the vacuum chamber. It is desirable for a plurality of such grooves to be formed in the outer surface of the cylindrical tube. The vacuum chamber is connectable to a vacuum producing source.