Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber and an anode segment of an electrode assembly extends into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting process direction registration errors in a printer. The errors are detected by analyzing a metric of a dash minimum response obtained from a test pattern. The test pattern contains dashes. At least one dash is shifted in the process direction in relation to another dash.

Abstract: A fluid jet based micromachining device and method include a workpiece, and fluid jets directing synchronized forces at the workpiece so as to converge forces at a dynamic contact zone on the workpiece and provide mechanical support to the workpiece during periods of contact with the fluid jets.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are temperature sensing and temperature control devices and methods of making them. The temperature sensing and control devices can include a composite member, the composite member including a non-metallic binder material, and one or more non-metallic, electrically conductive fibers disposed in the non-metallic binder material. The temperature sensing and control devices can also include a plurality of contacts disposed on the one or more non-metallic, electrically conductive fibers, wherein the composite member has a substantially continuous decrease in electrical resistance with an increase in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a component comprising a substantially homogeneous composition of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxies, acetals, polyesters, non-ionic rubbers, non-ionic polyurethanes, polyether sulfones, polyether ether ketones, polyether imides, polystyrenes, polyethylene terephthalates, polyamides, polyimides, polyvinylchlorides, polyphenylene oxides, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, silicones, fluropolymers, and polyolefins, a filler, and a metal plating catalyst. A method of making a component also is described comprising obtaining a polymeric material, a liquid, a filler and a metal plating catalyst; combining the metal plating catalyst with the polymeric material, liquid, and filler to form a substantially homogeneous mixture; and evaporating and/or curing the mixture to form a solidified component.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber and an anode segment of an electrode assembly extends into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.

Abstract: A fluid jet based micromachining device and method include a workpiece, and fluid jets directing synchronized forces at the workpiece so as to converge forces at a dynamic contact zone on the workpiece and provide mechanical support to the workpiece during periods of contact with the fluid jets.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomas. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber. An electrode assembly includes a bound segment and an anode segment extending into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide precision resistive composite members and methods for manufacturing and using them. The resistive composite member can have controllable dimensions, geometric shapes, mechanical properties and resistance values. The resistive composite member can be used for high-performance sensors or instrument probes that require, for example, high contact pressure, ultra-high frequency, and/or enable state-of-the-art digital signal transmission, characterization, or measurement. The resistive composite member can include one or more “twisted-fiber-tow” or one or more arrays of “twisted-fiber-tow” contained in a suitable non-metallic or essentially non-metallic binder material. The “twisted-fiber-tow” can further include a number of fibers that are twisted individually and/or in bundles in order to control the mechanical properties and fine-tune the resistance of the resistive composite member and thus to customize the high-performance instrument probes.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide composite materials, methods for making and processing these materials, and systems for using the composite materials. The disclosed composite material (or composite member) can include fiber-like and/or particulate materials incorporated within a binder polymer. For example, the composite member can include fibril-shaped, semi-conductive elements that are contained in a suitable binder polymer to achieve a particular resistance value, wherein the fibrils can be integrated and interlinked in a manner as to create an array of resistive elements that precisely define and control current flows through the related device. The composite member can therefore have resistive characteristics and, none or neglectablely low amount of capacitive or inductive characteristics. The composite member can be used in electric test market, e.g., as high performance, dynamic probes/sensors for very frequency and/or complex mixed-frequency signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting process direction registration errors in a printer. The errors are detected by analyzing a metric of a dash minimum response obtained from a test pattern. The test pattern contains dashes. At least one dash is shifted in the process direction in relation to another dash.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting process direction registration errors in a printer. The errors are detected by analyzing a metric of a dash minimum response obtained from a test pattern. The test pattern contains dashes. At least one dash is shifted in the process direction in relation to another dash.

Abstract: A lead edge and/or trail edge sheet curl sensing and constraint method and system. First and second light emitters and detector pairs are aligned such that the light beams from the first light emitter and second light emitter cross at the transport media sheet substrate path, which constitutes the path of a media sheet substrate with zero curl. A media sheet substrate with either positive or negative curl on the lead edge of the sheet substrate interrupts light beams from the first and second light emitters, as detected by first and second light detectors. A similar approach can be used to detect the trail edge curl. The time delay between the light beam interruptions is proportional to the sheet substrate curl, and the order of interruptions indicates whether the sheet substrate curl is positive or negative. A first pair and a second pair of substrate constraint rollers can also be provided in the paper path upstream and downstream of the sensing system.

Abstract: A lead edge sheet curl sensor apparatus and method are disclosed. In general, a first and a second light emitter are aligned wherein the light beams from the first light emitter and second light emitter cross. The first and second light emitter beams cross at the transport media sheet substrate path wherein the transport media sheet substrate path is the path of a media sheet substrate with zero curl. First and second light detectors are aligned to receive the light beams from the first and second light emitters. A media sheet substrate with either positive or negative curl on the lead edge of the sheet substrate interrupts light beams from first and second light emitters, as detected at first and second light detectors. The time delay between the light beam interruptions is proportional to the sheet substrate curl, and the order of interruptions indicates whether the sheet substrate curl is positive or negative.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining registration errors in the cross process direction of a printer. A first straight line is obtained by detecting line centers of a first plurality of dashes in a test pattern. A second straight line is obtained by detecting a line center positions of a second plurality of dashes in the test pattern. A difference between the off-set of the first straight line and the off-set of the second straight line is used in determining registration errors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical component comprising a segment having a diameter in the range of about 1 micrometers to about 10 cm, the segment comprising a plurality of non-metallic, resistive fibers in a non-metallic binder. The segment is precisely trimmed to impart to the segment an electrical resistance within 1% of the desired resistance value. A manufacturing system and methods of manufacturing components having precise specifications also are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting intermittent, weak or missing jets of a printer. The detection is implemented using a test pattern. Detected failed jets may be confirmed using a verification target. A printhead containing nozzles corresponding to detected failed jets may be wiped or purged.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting intermittent, weak or missing jets of a printer. The detection is implemented using a test pattern. Detected failed jets may be confirmed using a verification target. A printhead containing nozzles corresponding to detected failed jets may be wiped or purged.

Abstract: A lead edge and/or trail edge sheet curl sensing and constraint method and system. First and second light emitters and detector pairs are aligned such that the light beams from the first light emitter and second light emitter cross at the transport media sheet substrate path, which constitutes the path of a media sheet substrate with zero curl. A media sheet substrate with either positive or negative curl on the lead edge of the sheet substrate interrupts light beams from the first and second light emitters, as detected by first and second light detectors. A similar approach can be used to detect the trail edge curl. The time delay between the light beam interruptions is proportional to the sheet substrate curl, and the order of interruptions indicates whether the sheet substrate curl is positive or negative. A first pair and a second pair of substrate constraint rollers can also be provided in the paper path upstream and downstream of the sensing system.

Abstract: A lead edge sheet curl sensor apparatus and method are disclosed. In general, a first and a second light emitter are aligned wherein the light beams from the first light emitter and second light emitter cross. The first and second light emitter beams cross at the transport media sheet substrate path wherein the transport media sheet substrate path is the path of a media sheet substrate with zero curl. First and second light detectors are aligned to receive the light beams from the first and second light emitters. A media sheet substrate with either positive or negative curl on the lead edge of the sheet substrate interrupts light beams from first and second light emitters, as detected at first and second light detectors. The time delay between the light beam interruptions is proportional to the sheet substrate curl, and the order of interruptions indicates whether the sheet substrate curl is positive or negative.