Abstract: A nozzle is provided for use in a dynamic electrostatic air filter, in which the nozzle includes an internal electrode that charges a semiconductive liquid, and includes an external electrode that assists in breaking the liquid into droplets in a predetermined direction. Banks of multiple nozzles are also disclosed, which are separated by a charged “separation electrode” to prevent interference with spray patterns between adjacent banks. An electrostatic fountain is also disclosed which discharges a fragrance, or an inhalable medicine.

Abstract: A nozzle spray head is provided for use in a dynamic electrostatic air filter, in which the nozzle spray head assembly exhibits multiple nozzle orifices as outlet ports, which extend from the bottom of the nozzle body such that the distances between the outlet ports and a target member are not constant. The charged multiple outlet ports exhibit a more uniform electric field at their tips, thereby enabling a better and more uniform spray pattern to be emitted by each of the individual outlet ports. In one embodiment, the outlet ports are grouped in concentric circles, in which the innermost circle comprises outlet ports of the greatest lengths, and the outermost circle comprises outlet ports of the smallest lengths.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing microstructures that can penetrate skin layers, in which the microelements are formed during a molding process while fluidic jets produce openings in the microelements. The structures used in the molding process are formed by tooling that creates the shapes of the microelements in a material deposition step, and also creates the sizes and shapes of the openings that will be formed by the fluidic jets.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a photosensitizer that can be used to provide aqueous fluids with bleaching capabilities, aqueous fluid photobleaching compositions having bleaching capabilities and processes of making and using same. Such compositions can provide bleaching and/or cleaning benefits that are similar to or better than hydrogen peroxide bleaching systems.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes a container having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and an electrochemical cell disposed within said container, said cell having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a cell voltage measured across said positive and said negative electrodes of said cell. The battery further includes a housing containing electronic circuitry associated with said container, said electronic circuitry electrically connected between said electrodes of said cell and said terminals of said container to create an output voltage measured across said positive and said negative terminals of said container and wherein the container and housing substantially enclose the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A microvalve (10) for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion (14) having a plurality of spaced openings (18) formed therein, a shutter (12) located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings (16) formed therein, a drive mechanism (20, 22) for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism (36, 38, 40, 42) for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A method of assessing damage of a fibrous substrate comprises the steps of: (a) providing said fibrous substrate having a length, a root end, and a tip end; (b) providing a means for assessing substrate moisture content; (c) using said means for assessing substrate moisture content to obtain at least a first measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a first position along the length of said fibrous substrate and a second measured moisture content value for said fibrous substrate at a second position along the length of said fibrous substrate; (d) comparing said measured moisture content values with each other to obtain a measured moisture content differential; and (e) correlating said measured moisture content differential to a substrate damage value for said fibrous substrate.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: Improved microneedle arrays are provided having a sufficiently large separation distance between each of the individual microneedles to ensure penetration of the skin while having a sufficiently small separation distance to provide high transdermal transport rates. A very useful range of separation distances between microneedles is in the range of 100-300 microns, and more preferably in the range of 100-200 microns. The outer diameter and microneedle length is also very important, and in combination with the separation distance will be crucial as to whether or not the microneedles will actually penetrate the stratum corneum of skin. For circular microneedles, a useful outer diameter range is from 20-100 microns, and more preferably in the range of 20-50 microns.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: A directional coupler sensor is provided for measuring the moisture content of a substrate, such as hair. The sensor incorporates a high frequency directional coupler having a pair of generally parallel plates defining a coupling gap therebetween. A high frequency signal generator generates an electromagnetic field across the gap with the substrate placed across the coupling gap. The coupled power relates to the moisture content of the substrate. A pressure sensor is provided to ensure that the desired compactness of the substrate across the coupling gap is achieved to obtain accurate, reliable and consistent results.

Abstract: A microvalve (10) for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion (14) having at least one opening (18) formed therein, a shutter (12) located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism (20, 22) for causing the shutter to pivot with resect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus.

Abstract: A directional coupler sensor is provided for measuring the moisture content of a substrate, such as hair. The sensor incorporates a high frequency directional coupler having a pair of generally parallel plates defining a coupling gap therebetween. A high frequency signal generator generates an electromagnetic field across the gap with the substrate placed across the coupling gap. The coupled power relates to the moisture content of the substrate. A pressure sensor is provided to ensure that the desired compactness of the substrate across the coupling gap is achieved to obtain accurate, reliable and consistent results.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A multiple-cell battery having a built-in controller is disclosed that extends the run time of the battery. The controller may extend the run time of the battery, for example, by converting the cell voltage to an output voltage that is greater than a cut-off voltage of an electronic device, by converting the cell voltage to an output voltage that is less than the nominal voltage of the electrochemical cell of the battery, or by protecting the electrochemical cell from current peaks. The controller may also include a ground bias circuit that provides a virtual ground so that a converter may operate at lower cell voltages. The battery may be a single-cell battery, a universal single-cell battery, a multiple-cell battery or a multiple-cell hybrid battery. The individual cells of the multiple-cell battery may be connected in series or parallel. In addition, the individual cells may have a controller in each cell that is capable of performing one or more functions to extend the run time of the cell.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus.

Abstract: Noninvasive methods for monitoring at least one hair characteristic on a human or animal comprise magnifying a predetermined skin area having reference indicia to provide a first magnified image, digitally capturing the first magnified image to form a reference image, after a predetermined time period, magnifying the predetermined skin area to provide a second magnified image, and superimposing the second magnified image on the reference image to align the reference indicia in the second magnified image with the reference indicia in the reference image. Apparatus for noninvasive monitoring of at least one hair characteristic on a human or animal comprise a fiber optic remote head microscope, means for digitally capturing a first magnified image provided by the microscope to form a reference image, and means for superimposing a second magnified image provided by the microscope on the reference image and aligning reference indicia in the second magnified image with reference indicia in the reference image.

Abstract: A device is provided for the measurement of the moisture content of a substrate. The device utilizes a high-Q LC circuit having a resonant frequency. The LC circuit utilizes a high-Q inductor and a capacitor. The device also utilizes a high frequency signal generator, operable to couple power to the capacitor, electrically coupled to the LC circuit and a fiber matrix modification unit. The resonant frequency of the LC circuit is changeable in response to the moisture content of the substrate placed within the fiber matrix modification unit and proximate to the capacitor.