Abstract: A method for closing the holes on the end face of a nano-engineered fiber having a core, a cladding with non-periodically disposed voids, and at least one of a coating and a buffer, comprises the steps of: (i) cleaving the fiber portion, thereby forming a cleaved end face; and (ii) applying a predetermined amount of energy via a laser beam to the cleaved end face, the amount of energy being sufficient to collapse and seal the voids exposed at the cleaved end face only to a depth of less than 11 ?m.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for joining together pieces of low thermal expansion glass to form parts that can be used in the manufacturing of mirror blanks. The parts are then used as a basis for the fabrication, using the method described herein, of hexagon sub-assemblies that would then be joined for assembly into mirror blanks.

Abstract: A sealing device and method are described herein that can be used to manufacture a hermetically sealed glass package. In one embodiment, the hermetically sealed glass package is suitable to protect thin film devices which are sensitive to the ambient environment (e.g., oxygen, moisture). Some examples of such glass packages are organic emitting light diode (OLED) displays, sensors, and other optical devices. The present invention is demonstrated using an OLED display as an example.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of fabricating a micro-reactor comprise providing a base layer comprising glass or glass ceramic material, providing a plurality of layers comprising glass or glass ceramic material, adhering the plurality of layers together to form a multilayer substrate, cutting a serpentine pattern of channels into the multilayer substrate, forming a plurality of serpentine layers by separating the serpentine patterned multilayer substrate, and forming a micro-reactor by bonding together the base layer, at least one serpentine layer, and one or more additional layers.

Abstract: A method for forming microstructure cavities in a glass substrate includes directing a first laser pulse onto the glass substrate thereby forming a first microstructure cavity having a tapered configuration. The first laser pulse may have first spot area on the surface of the glass substrate. A second laser pulse having a second spot area on the surface of the glass substrate may be directed onto the glass substrate thereby forming a second microstructure cavity having a tapered configuration. The second spot area may be substantially the same as the first spot area and may overlap the first spot area such that a portion of the sidewall disposed between first microstructure cavity and the second microstructure cavity is ablated. After the portion of the sidewall is ablated, the diameter of each of the first and second microstructure cavities may be less than the diameter of the first spot area.

Abstract: A localized deposition system is provided comprising a substrate support, a feed material supply, a feedstock laser source, a substrate laser source, and a deposition control system. The feedstock laser source is configured to heat feed material positioned for localized deposition on the deposition surface of the substrate. The substrate laser source is configured to heat a localized portion of the substrate. The deposition control system is programmed to synchronize the relative movement between the deposition surface of the substrate and the localized deposition position of the feed material supply with operation of the feedstock laser source, the substrate laser source, and the feed material supply to execute a deposition operation. Methods of localized deposition are also provided.

Abstract: A universal impression tray can be reshaped shortened or lengthened allowing a clinician the ability to use one tray in any clinical situation. The tray itself can be used with patients requiring complete removable dentures, root supported and implant-supported overdentures and in some selected dentate cases. The tray can be infinitely modified allowing total control by the clinician. Trays in accordance with features of the present invention are made of a material composition including thermoplastic resin and thermochromic pigment. The material composition softens and changes color in warm water but tends to hold its shape until manipulated by the dentist. The thermoplastic resin portion of the tray can include polycaprolactone resin, styrene resin and dental modeling compound and can vary for specific uses to roughly 50% polycaprolactone /styrene resin and 50% dental modeling compound. Thermochromic pigment can represent up to 5% of the overall material composition of a tray.

Abstract: A method of sealing a plurality of frame-like frit walls disposed between two substrates. The frit walls are arranged in rows and columns and divided into groups, each group being sealed by a separate laser beam. Several strategies are disclosed for the order in which the frit walls are heated and sealed by a laser beam to optimize the efficiency of the sealing process.

Abstract: Articles having multiple surface depressions and process and apparatus for making the same. The invention is useful in making, inter alia, glass plates having a surface depression array which can be used in semiconductor and electronics manufacture, drug discovery and display devices.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of coated brittle material comprises the steps of providing a sheet of layered brittle material comprising a brittle layer and a coating material adhered to a surface of the brittle layer and applying a laser along a separation line in the sheet, thereby cutting the coating material and separating the brittle layer by inducing a stress fracture therein.

Abstract: The present invention affords means for decontaminating biological fluids such as blood and blood components. The method involves contacting a biological fluid with a diphenylpyrilium compound, and irradiating the mixture with red light. The method is a potent and effective means for eliminating or diminishing active pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, without causing substantial hemolysis or otherwise degrading the storage stability of the decontaminated biological fluid.

Abstract: Asymmetric cyanine dyes of Formula I bind nucleic acid but not red blood cell membrane, and function as photosensitizers when rigidly bound but not when free in solution. Unbound dye thus causes minimal oxidative damage. The dyes do not substantially accumulate in red blood cells, thereby minimizing hemolysis due to oxidative damage. Biological fluids can be disinfected by mixing the fluid with these asymmetric cyanine dye that binds to nucleic acid, irradiating the mixture, and recovering clinically significant components from the biological fluid and/or assaying the fluid for pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the rapid and efficient collection and purification of activated monocytes. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide means for effecting the collection and purification in an aseptic environment. The method involves filtering a blood component mixture through a monocyte-adhering filter; washing the blood component mixture; backflushing the filter with a physiological solution; and backflushing the filter with Dextran-40/serum albumin.

Abstract: Provided are chalcogenoxanthylium compounds which can effectively be used as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy, virucides in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and reversal agents of Pgp function in cancer cells. Further provided is a general method for the preparation of chalcogenoxanthylium compounds.