Abstract: A method and device are disclosed which prevent the intrusion of insects onto wood structures by using a controlled release device capable of releasing insecticide. In the disclosed method, the device maintains a minimal effective level of insecticide for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed which preventing the decay and deterioration of wooden objects caused by pests by using a controlled release device. This controlled release device utilizes polymers which incorporate pesticides. In the disclosed method, the controlled release device is placed in contact with the wood of the wooden object. The pesticide is gradually released from the device and absorbed into the wood structure. The pesticide absorbed by the wood creates a barrier or an exclusion zone to penetration by inserts. The controlled release device maintains a minimal effective level of pesticide in the barrier or exclusion zone for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and device are used for controlling growth of plants in pavement splits by preventing seeds from germinating and by preventing growth of plants from existing roots in the vicinity of the splits. The growth of plants is controlled for extended periods of time (2 to 20 years). A pre-emergence herbicide and a systemic herbicide are incorporated into a polymeric matrices. The polymeric matrices are formed into shaped objects, such as, bands or cords which are then inserted into splits. The split is then filled with a sealer which permits easy migration of the herbicides therethrough. The herbicides gradually released from the shaped objects at a rate sufficient to maintain a minimal effective level of herbicide outside said sealer for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and device are used for controlling growth of plants in pavement splits by preventing seeds from germinating and by preventing growth of plants from existing roots in the vicinity of the splits. The growth of plants is controlled for extended periods of time (2 to 20 years). A pre-emergence herbicide and a systemic herbicide are incorporated into a polymeric matrices. The polymeric matrices are formed into shaped objects, such as, bands or cords which are then inserted into splits. The split is then filled with a sealer which permits easy migration of the herbicides therethrough. The herbicides gradually released from the shaped objects at a rate sufficient to maintain a minimal effective level of herbicide outside said sealer for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Microelectrodes for use in stimulating and detecting activity in neurons of living organisms, and a method of manufacturing such microelectrodes. An electrically conductive electrode core member is sharpened and coated with a thin layer of a dielectric material. An extremely small area of the core at the sharpened point is exposed by ablating the dielectric material by the use of ultraviolet laser beam scanned over the material. Multiconductor microelectrodes include multiple fine wires which may be arranged in helical strands, optionally supported by a central core member of stiffer material. Multiple conductors may also be supported within a tubular support such as a hollow needle whose distal end is cut at a slant to expose the conductors, or in flat ribbon configuration with openings in dielectric material defining active electrode sites.

Abstract: A miniature, electrically-insulated multi-conductor electrical cable suitable for implantation in living bodies and readily connected to sensors or electrodes, and implantable microelectrodes attached to such cables. Individual electrical conductors are coated with at least one layer of, insulating material and stranded together, or optionally bound together by an additional layer of insulating material which is compatible with implantation in living bodies. The individual conductors are separated from one another in terminal portions of the cable and are held by a ribbonizing resin at a predetermined pitch to facilitate connection of each of the conductors. The terminal portions may define microelectrodes. Another microelectrode includes an electrically conductive electrode core member sharpened and coated with a thin layer of a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method and system for long-term control of root growth without killing the plants bearing those roots involves incorporating a 2,6-dinitroaniline in a polymer and disposing the polymer in an area in which root control is desired. This results in controlled release of the substituted aniline herbicide over a period of many years. Herbicides of this class have the property of preventing root elongation without translocating into other parts of the plant. The herbicide may be encapsulated in the polymer or mixed with it. The polymer-herbicide mixture may be formed into pellets, sheets, pipe gaskets, pipes for carrying water, or various other forms. The invention may be applied to other protection of buried hazardous wastes, protection of underground pipes, prevention of root intrusion beneath slabs, the dwarfing of trees or shrubs and other applications. The preferred herbicide is 4-difluoromethyl-N,N-dipropyl- 2,6-dinitro-aniline, commonly known as trifluralin.

Abstract: A miniature, electrically-insulated multi-conductor electrical cable suitable for implantation in living bodies and readily connected to sensors or electrodes with terminal pads or to conductors such as printed flex circuit traces of electrical circuits, and a method for preparing such cables. Individual electrical conductors are coated with at least one layer of insulating material. The insulated individual conductors are stranded together, or optionally bound together by an additional layer of insulating material which is compatible with implantation in living bodies. The individual conductors are separated from one another in terminal portions of the cable and are encapsulated in a ribbonizing resin which is trimmed to expose portions of the individual conductors, held by the ribbonization resin at a predetermined pitch to facilitate connection of each of the conductors to a respective conductor trace of a printed circuit or flex circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a porous sheet material is provided at intervals with bodies of a polymer which contain a 2,6-dinitroaniline. The sheet material is made porous to permit free passage of water. It may be either a perforated sheet or a woven or non-woven textile material. A particularly desirable embodiment is a non-woven fabric of non-biodegradable material. This type of material is known as a "geotextile" and is used for weed control, prevention of erosion on slopes, and other landscaping purposes. In order to obtain a root repelling property, a dinitroaniline is blended with a polymer which is attached to the geotextile or other porous material.

Abstract: A method and system for long-term control of root growth without killing the plants bearing those roots involves incorporating a 2,6-dinitroaniline in a polymer and disposing the polymer in an area in which root control is desired. This results in controlled release of the substituted aniline herbicide over a period of many years. Herbicides of this class have the property of preventing root elongation without translocating into other parts of the plant. The herbicide may be encapsulated in the polymer or mixed with it. The polymer-herbicide mixture may be formed into pellets, sheets, pipe gaskets, pipes for carrying water, or various other forms. The invention may be applied to other protection of buried hazardous wastes, protection of underground pipes, prevention of root intrusion beneath slabs, the dwarfing of trees or shrubs and other applications. The preferred herbicide is 4-difluoromethyl-N,N-dipropyl-2,6-dinitro-aniline, commonly known as trifluralin.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium including a substrate and a dual layer of a first material and a second material on the substrate. The dual layer is susceptible to expansion and contraction, to writing data thermally, to erasing data thermally and mechanically, and to reading data optically, the first material and the second material, respectively, being bonded together and remaining in the same physical state upon the expansion and relaxation of the dual layer. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for recording data bits on the medium.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium has an integral recording layer including an expansion zone and a retention zone having different optical and thermal-mechanical properties. A uniform integral layer of dyed polymer material has the dye leached out of the surface region and a second dye diffused into the surface region to create a retention zone. The retention zone has a higher elastic modulus and glass transition temperature than the underlying expansion zone and is adapted to absorb and transmit light which is centered about a different wavelength than the expansion zone. The medium is adapted to be used with a non-ablative and non-vesicular method to create and erase optically detectable deformations in the retention zone.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium includes a triple layer recording structure having an expansion layer, a retention layer and a very thin reflective layer interposed between the retention and expansion layers. The three layers are strongly bonded together so that the thermally and mechanically active expansion and retention layers can mechanically act upon each other through the intermediate reflective layer. The expansion and retention layers are dyed to selectively pass or absorb light of preselected wavelengths. The thin reflective layer is adapted to partially pass and partially reflect light of preselected wavelengths.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium including a substrate and a dual layer of a first material and a second material on the substrate. The dual layer is susceptible to expansion and contraction, to writing data thermally, to erasing data thermally and mechanically, and to reading data optically, the first material and the second material, respectively, being bonded together and remaining in the same physical state upon the expansion and relaxation of the dual layer. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for recording data bits on the medium.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium has an embedded servo track and a subsurface recording interface. An erasable recording structure having two dyed polymer layers is separated from the servo track by a compression layer. The servo track is formed in a hard substrate which provides mechanical support for the medium. The medium is adapted to form non-vesicular data bumps projecting into the compression layer when exposed to a write laser beam of predetermined wavelength projected through the substrate and compression layer. The embedded servo track and recording interface are sufficiently close to each to be read simultaneously in the same focal plane.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium has a polymer dual recording layer including an expansion layer bonded to a retention layer, each of the layers dyed to selectively absorb light in respective narrow wavelength bands. The retention layer has a glass transition temperature substantially above the glass transition temperature of the expansion layer, and is capable of undergoing substantial viscoelastic shear deformation while below its glass transition temperature. A first laser beam heats the expansion layer causing it to expand and cause viscoelastic deformation in the retention layer while the retention layer is below its glass transition temperature. A second laser beam is used to heat the retention layer above its glass transition temperature and relax the deformation, erasing the medium.

Abstract: An erasable optical data storage medium including a substrate and a dual layer of a first material and a second material on the substrate. The dual layer is susceptible to expansion and contraction, to writing data thermally, to erasing data thermally and mechanically, and to reading data optically, the first material and the second material, respectively, being bonded together and remaining in the same physical state upon the expansion and relaxation of the dual layer. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for recording data bits on the medium.