Abstract: Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning and decoding barcodes includes an imager, a sample imaging area, and a processor. The imager is configured to capture images within a selectable field of view. The sample imaging area is configured to support a plurality of sample/tissue containers. Each sample/tissue container of the plurality of sample/tissue containers comprises a respective barcode. At least a portion of the plurality of sample/tissue containers are positioned within the field of view, such that a plurality of the respective barcodes is within the field of view. The processor is configured to receive captured images from the imager. The processor is configured to detect and decode each of the plurality of respective barcodes present in a first image of the captured images. The processor is also configured to define an associated region of interest for each barcode present in the first image.

Abstract: Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather.

Abstract: A vise jaw combination used with a milling machine vise to hold a work-piece having either parallel edges or non-parallel edges. Wherein, the milling machine vise in this application disposes at least one movable member having threaded holes cooperating with fasteners to join the movable member and the vise jaw combination comprising a vertical axis tool post, a horizontal axis tool post, and a rotatable vise jaw. Wherein, the vertical axis tool post comprises a detachable wall disposing correlative thru holes for cooperating with the threaded holes and fasteners disposed at the movable member, whereby the vertical axis tool post is joined to the movable member disposed at the milling machine vise. Wherein, the horizontal axis tool post comprises a rectangular base disposing a thru hole for receiving a vertical shaft disposed at the vertical axis tool post, whereby the horizontal axis tool post is joined to the vertical axis tool post.

Abstract: Rotating vise jaws comprising first, second, third, and forth elements used with a milling machine vise to hold objects having either parallel or nonparallel edges. Wherein, said first element consists of a vertical axis tool post adapted to fit either a movable or stationary wall disposed at a milling machine vise. Said vertical axis tool post disposes a cylindrical shaft defining a vertical axis for cooperating with said second element comprising a vertical axis vise jaw having beveled side walls and a correlative through hole for cooperating with said vertical axis. Thus, said vertical axis tool post is attached to a milling machine vise and said vertical axis vise jaw is connected to said vertical axis, thereby providing a self-aligning vise jaw with a reversible clamping face; wherein said vise jaw is rotatable about a vertical axis for holding objects having either parallel or nonparallel edges.

Abstract: An improved mechanical face seal is provided which includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces. At least one of the seal faces includes a reverse trapezoidal face pattern having a sine wave depth profile wherein individual face features are circumferentially spaced over the seal face. The reverse trapezoidal face pattern serves to generate a hydrodynamic lift which provides a stable separation of the seal faces that permits formation of a fluid film between the seal faces. The individual trapezoidal grooves have a sinusoidal or similarly shaped depth profile wherein the trapezoid shape is arranged with the narrower edge communicating with the high pressure side of the seal, and the wider edge forms a circumferential dam region towards the low pressure side of the seal.

Abstract: An improved mechanical face seal is provided which includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces. At least one of the seal faces includes a reverse trapezoidal face pattern having a sine wave depth profile wherein individual face features are circumferentially spaced over the seal face. The reverse trapezoidal face pattern serves to generate a hydrodynamic lift which provides a stable separation of the seal faces that permits formation of a fluid film between the seal faces. The individual trapezoidal grooves have a sinusoidal or similarly shaped depth profile wherein the trapezoid shape is arranged with the narrower edge communicating with the high pressure side of the seal, and the wider edge forms a circumferential dam region towards the low pressure side of the seal.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine compressor component that has an airfoil such as a compressor blade with a metallic airfoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and at least one laser shock peened surface extending radially along at least a portion of the leading edge and a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by laser shock peening (LSP) extending into the airfoil from the laser shock peened surface.

Abstract: A method for facilitating at least one donor's management of charitable monies held in at least one donor account is provided wherein the method includes the step of providing at least one central system having organization information regarding at least one philanthropic organization and donor account information regarding said at least one donor account. The next step includes inputting into said system a query requesting said organization information about said at least one philanthropic organization followed by retrieving and displaying said organization information. The method of present invention further includes inputting into said system a request to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization and generating an order to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization. The final step includes fulfilling the generated order to complete transfer of said monies.

Abstract: The invention includes an assembly for adjustably supporting and positioning a fence rail at a user-selected, user-modifiable elevation and at an user-selected, user-modifiable angle. The assembly includes: A slotted member containing a plurality of uniformly-sized and uniformly-shaped slots spaced at regular intervals along its length and a bracket member including (1) a handle, (2) a first slot-engaging portion detachably insertable into a first slot among the plurality of slots, (3) a second slot-engaging portion detachably insertable into a second slot among the plurality of slots, and (4) a fence rail contacting portion with a fence rail contacting surface.

Abstract: A method for facilitating at least one donor's management of charitable monies held in at least one donor account is provided wherein the method includes the step of providing at least one central system having organization information regarding at least one philanthropic organization and donor account information regarding said at least one donor account. The next step includes inputting into said system a query requesting said organization information about said at least one philanthropic organization followed by retrieving and displaying said organization information. The method of present invention further includes inputting into said system a request to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization and generating an order to transfer said charitable monies from said donor account to said philanthropic organization. The final step includes fulfilling the generated order to complete transfer of said monies.