Abstract: An apparatus for producing features having a surface roughness in a substrate includes, according to one embodiment, a conductive first electrode disposed in opposition to a conductive second electrode, where the first and second electrodes are spaced apart from each other by a distance adapted for generating a microplasma therebetween. The second electrode is a substrate, and the first electrode and the substrate are configured for relative motion in at least two opposing directions. A feature comprising a surface roughness of greater than about 10 nm is formed in the substrate when the microplasma is generated. Preferably the feature has a width of about 300 nm or less. A plurality of the features (e.g., an ordered array of features) may be produced in the substrate, if desired. The substrate may be a silver-coated glass substrate used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis of biochemical molecules.

Abstract: A dual component dispenser for simultaneous delivery of two fluid products at a preset ratio, includes a cylindrical container having in series a front (28) and a back chamber (30) in axial alignment, each of said chambers (28, 30) having an interior volume being defined by a fixed front wall (11, 24), side walls (12, 14), and a plunger (20, 22). The plungers (20, 22) are formed such that they are slidably movable inside the side walls (12, 14) of their respective chambers, wherein movement of the back plunger (22) effects synchronous movement of the front plunger (20). The dispenser further includes a nozzle (10) attached to the front wall (11) of the front chamber (28) and a conduit (26) within the container for conveying the content of the back chamber (30) directly to the nozzle (10). The conduit (26) is a cylindrical telescopic tube consisting of a front inner tube (16) and a back inner tube (18).

Abstract: A protective foam layer is provided. The protective layer has a foam substrate that is at least partially enclosed by a formed skin adjacent the outer surface of the foam substrate. The formed skin is substantially non-porous. The combination of the foam substrate with the formed skin results in a protective layer that is effective to absorb and/or dissipate impact force for both high- and low-speed impacts that can be experienced during a sporting event such as cycling. The formed skin can also be provided with a plurality of protective zones having vent holes through the formed skin to regulate the degree of energy absorption in the respective zones. In this manner, a single continuous protective foam layer can be provided having multiple protective zones having distinct energy absorption characteristics instead of providing discrete protective layers that must be joined or meet at a seam.

Abstract: A vibration-damping laminate having a constraining layer secured to a viscoelastic layer. The constraining layer includes a mat of non-thermoplastic fibers. The viscoelastic layer includes a thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: An FT-IR spectrometer (10) operated for analysis by reflectance spectroscopy, has a window (56) having a body (58) which generally transmits radiation in the visible range there through. The window has a surface (60) for supporting a sample (72) of material to be analyzed. The surface of the window has a coating (62) that generally transmits visible radiation while generally reflecting radiation across the infrared range. The window provides for fast and reliable set up of sample and background scans through use of a visual microscope portion of the spectrometer. The window also has a long life, is durable and is low in cost.