Abstract: A particle mass spectrometer includes a supersonic flow expansion nozzle, and a source of a gas having particles entrained therein. The source is in gas-flow communication with an inlet of the expansion nozzle. The particle mass spectrometer further includes a vacuum chamber in gas-flow communication with an outlet of the expansion nozzle, wherein the vacuum chamber has a sufficient vacuum that a gas flow through the expansion nozzle is supersonic, and a microphone having an active element and an output signal responsive to a movement of the active element. The active element is disposed within the vacuum chamber and is positioned so that particles that flow from the outlet of the expansion nozzle impact upon the active element. The output signal of the active element of the microphone is a measure of the masses of the entrained particles.

Abstract: An electronic mail system and method enables the originator of a message sent by electronic mail to select a date, time, or event at which the message and all incarnations of the message to self-destruct, regardless of the number and types of computers or software systems that may have interacted with the message, and/or to include processing and handling limitations. The necessary control over the message is achieved by encrypting the message and enabling viewing only through a viewer applet arranged to facilitate destruction of the message upon the occurrence of the selected expiration time, date, or event, and/or to implement the handling and processing limitations. A central server can be used to exercise additional control over the message by serving as a proxy destination, and by transmitting the encrypted message to the viewer applet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser positioned adjacent a platform for ejecting a plurality of droplets of build material; and dispenser positioners for relatively positioning the dispenser in five degrees of freedom with respect to the platform. Accordingly, the dispenser may be rotated and flipped to permit construction of a cantilevered portion of an article without requiring support material. The dispenser positioners include a Z-direction positioner for positioning the dispenser vertically relative to the platform, an X-Y positioner for positioning the dispenser in an X-Y planar direction relative to the platform, a flip angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally horizontal axis, and a phi angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally vertical axis.

Abstract: A method for controlling a closed-loop processing system (100) including the steps of receiving and analyzing an element to be processed to identify the contents thereof. The method further includes the steps of processing and converting the element into a residue which is stabilized, to prevent physical interaction therewith, and then deposited in a permanent landfill storage facility (124). Finally, a plurality of parameters of the residue and the environment surrounding the closed-loop processing system (100) are monitored to provide a plurality of control signals. The control signals are utilized to control each stage of the processing system to ensure a negligible environment effect. Thus, the invention provides a method for controlling a processing system in a closed-loop automated manner with negligible environmental impact. In a preferred embodiment, the closed-loop automated system (100) for processing waste of the present invention receives and analyzes waste.