Abstract: A dispenser is provided for viscous condiments. The dispenser includes a tubular sidewall having opposite ends. One opposite end is open and can receive a plunger or piston therein for applying force to condiment contained within a compartment inside of the sidewall. The other end of the sidewall includes a dispenser valve assembly comprising a member secured to an inturned flange portion of the sidewall with the flange portion being generally normal to the sidewall. The dispenser valve assembly is suitably secured to the flange portion as by heat sealing to form a composite laminated structure that is resistant to the penetration of liquids from the condiments. A bead of hot melt can be provided to seal an exposed outer edge of the dispenser valve assembly and to seal the dispenser valve assembly to the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a flexible and self-supporting insulating end cone liner comprising resilient and compressible non-intumescent material molded into a single, continuous piece having a three dimensional cone shape, with the insulating material comprising inorganic fibers and a binder, as well as a method of making a pollution control device that includes such an end cone liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic injection device including a container provided with a needle; a housing receiving a container movable relative to the housing between an initial position to an insertion position; a needle shield for receiving the needle and in which the needle is embedded prior to use of the device; and a deshielder coupled to the needle shield by a first connecting arrangement and removably assembled to the distal part of the housing by a second connecting arrangement. The first and second connecting arrangements are designed so that a rotational movement of the deshielder about the device axis of the device with respect to the housing causes an axial displacement of the needle shield in the distal direction with substantially no rotational movement of the needle shield with respect to the needle.

Abstract: A mountable attachment apparatus and method includes an attachment shaft where the attachment shaft is at least partially tapered. A combination headless drive shaft-hang shaft is connected with the attachment shaft. The headless drive shaft-hang shaft includes a hang shaft connected to the attachment shaft and the hang shaft includes a mounting element in the hang shaft. The combination headless drive shaft-hang shaft also includes a drive shaft connected to the hang shaft and the drive shaft includes a drive element in the drive shaft. In combination the attachment shaft and the combination headless drive shaft-hang shaft form a single, rigid, undivided, straight shaft. Further, a stability plate is connected transversely between, and extending outwardly from, the attachment shaft and the hang shaft where the stability plate includes a first side facing the attachment shaft and a second side.

Abstract: An accessory for installation in an orifice of a wall of a molded product has a base portion that has an interface area. The orifice of the molded product has side(s) protruding into the molded product inwardly away from the wall of the molded product. A cross-sectional shape of the interface area is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the orifice. The cross-sectional dimensions of the interface area is substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimension of the orifice, thereby the interface area of the base portion fits into the orifice (either loosely or tightly fitting). There is at least one seat circumscribing the interface area and each seat contains a closed-loop elastomer seal. A feature portion (e.g. a spa-jet face) interfaces to the base portion and the feature portion holds the interface area within the orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relief image printing blank between stations of a printing element manufacturing process and a method of using the same is described. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mandrel for supporting the relief image printing element which includes means for securing the relief image printing blank to the mandrel. The mandrel is capable of transferring the relief image printing blank into and/or out of various stations of the printing element manufacturing process.

Abstract: An exemplary method of assembling an elevator machine frame includes situating at least a portion of a motor in a desired position, placing an elevator frame support plate against the portion of the motor, connecting a plurality of support rods to the support plate and connecting another support plate to the support rods such that the support plates are spaced from each other and in a desired alignment with each other.

Abstract: A body hanger bracket aligns and attaches an accent panel to a vehicle body panel. The hanger bracket includes selectively detachable first and second alignment tabs. The first alignment tab engages a horizontal indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket horizontally and the second alignment tab engages a vertical indexing feature on the vehicle body panel for aligning the hanger bracket vertically. After the hanger bracket is aligned and attached to the body panel, the first and second alignment tabs are detached. The accent panel is then attached to the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A wellbore screen including: an apertured base pipe; an intermediate filtering layer including a plurality of metal fibers wrapped helically around the apertured base pipe and a fluid tracing filament wrapped helically about the apertured base pipe, the fluid tracing filament including a filament structure and a tracer carried by the filament structure, the tracer being entrainable produced fluids in a wellbore environment; and an outer apertured shell over the intermediate layer. A method for producing a wellbore screen, the method comprising: forming a filter tube by wrapping an intermediate layer, including a metal wool fiber strip and a fluid tracing filament, about an apertured base pipe in a helical arrangement under tension; positioning the filter tube within the long bore of an outer apertured sleeve; and securing the outer apertured sleeve and the filter tube together.

Abstract: A low emissivity and EMI shielding transparent composite film typically for use in association with window glazing and comprising a transparent film substrate having on one side thereof an underlayer of abrasion resistant hardcoat material with at least one infrared reflective layer covering the underlayer, typically a metallic layer which may be encased in metal oxide layers, which is then covered with a thin external protective top coat of a cured fluorinated resin.

Abstract: A body panel assembly and a method for manufacturing a body panel assembly are disclosed herein. In a non-limiting embodiment, the body panel assembly includes, but is not limited to, an inner panel having a lower portion. The body panel assembly further includes an outer panel that is connected to the inner panel. The outer panel has a main portion, a transitional portion, and a bent portion. The main portion and the bent portion are positioned on opposite sides of the lower portion. The main portion, the transitional portion, and the bent portion are arranged to form a cavity having an elongated configuration below the inner panel. The bent portion defines an opening extending therethrough. The opening is positioned at least partially below the lower portion of the inner panel. The opening provides ventilation to the cavity.

Abstract: This is a novel design for a porous ceramic electrode with metallic coating and a high quantity of iron particles/iron alloys applied to the top side of the wet ceramic electrode which will be the first layer of the bonding process for metallic bonding to ceramics. The Iron particles will be added to the wet porous ceramic electrode and then attracted to one side of the electrode using the magnetic process; by turning a magnet on and drawing the doped iron particles to the bottom side of the ceramic electrode. The second layer of metallic coating will be a material that that makes the electrode work more efficiently. The metallic coating will be applied using the atomic layer deposition method or vapor deposition; this secondary metallic deposit will improve the efficiency of the ceramic electrode on products such as fuel cell electrodes, hydrogen generator electrodes and batteries.

Abstract: An elongated optical guidewire assembly, such as for optically imaging a patient from within another catheter, can have a lead portion and a probe portion. A connector between the lead and probe portions can include a bore including first and second bore ends. The first bore end can include a substantially circular cross-sectional profile. The second bore end can include a substantially non-circular cross-sectional profile. The bore can be configured to receive the optical guidewire assembly at the first bore end and configured to deform the optical guidewire assembly at the second bore end such that probe and lead ends of the optical guidewire assembly are deformed into a substantially non-circular profile and located between the first and second bore ends.

Abstract: A penetrating fastener has a fastener head and fastener tip spaced apart by a longitudinally oriented fastener shaft. A tetherable washer has a substantially planar base surface having a fastener aperture extending therethrough. A longitudinally oriented wall extends longitudinally upward from at least a portion of the base surface to form a concave fastener cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener head. Two tether apertures extend laterally through the wall and are laterally spaced apart along the wall. Both of the tether apertures are laterally arranged along the wall in a rotationally asymmetric configuration. A first one of the tether apertures is located a second longitudinal distance from the base surface and a second one of the tether apertures is located a third longitudinal distance from the base surface. The tether apertures are configured to simultaneously accept a tether extending through both of the tether apertures.

Abstract: A machine and method for reducing giveaway material on mint products. The machine may include a conveying assembly for conveying a plurality of mints products to be processed. The machine may also include a processing assembly for processing at least one given mint product at a time, so as to remove an amount of giveaway material from each one of the mint products. The machine may also include a recuperating assembly for recuperating mint products having being processed.

Abstract: A polishing head configured to hold a workpiece at the time of polishing the workpiece by bringing a front surface of the workpiece into sliding contact with a polishing pad attached to on a turn table, the polishing head includes: a workpiece-holding board configured to hold a back surface of the workpiece, the workpiece-holding board being flexible and being composed of ceramics; a sealed space defined on a surface of the workpiece-holding board on an opposite side of a surface on which the workpiece is held; and a pressure-controlling device configured to control a pressure in the sealed space, the polishing head being capable of adjusting a shape of the flexible workpiece-holding board into a convex shape or a concave shape by controlling a pressure in the sealed space by the pressure-controlling device.

Abstract: A method for forming windings of a stator assembly in a blower includes providing a stationary portion for the blower including a tube adapted to support a rotor and using the tube as a mandrel to form the windings of the stator assembly.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rotor portion adapted to be used in a rotatable transverse flux electrical machine (TFEM) is presented, the method comprising assembling at least one concentrator to a concentrator-receiving jig, applying bonding material between the concentrator and a magnet-and-concentrator supporting frame, assembling the concentrator-receiving jig to the magnet-and-concentrator supporting frame wherein a radial reference portion of the concentrator-receiving jig is material to set a distance between the concentrator assembled to the concentrator-receiving jig and the magnet-and-concentrator supporting frame, curing the bonding material to secure the concentrators to the magnet-and-concentrator supporting frame, and removing the concentrator-receiving jig without the at least one concentrator that remains secured to the magnet-and-concentrator supporting frame. A tool thereof is also encompassed by the present application.

Abstract: After a separator is brought into a tension-free state, a plurality of guide members are crossed in a horizontal direction between rows of the guide members to fold the separator or a superposed body zigzag. Positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are inserted into the resulting furrows to produce a secondary battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for packaging a thin film battery. The method for packaging the thin film battery comprises: a first step of measuring a stacking depth of a package housing stacking space; a second step of correcting a stacking position of each unit battery in order to equalize the average depth formed by stacking each unit battery and the stacking depth of the package housing stacking space, and then sequentially stacking the unit batteries at the corrected stacking positions thereof in the stacking space; and a third step of thermosetting the unit batteries that have finished being stacked. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for a thin film battery package.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The method allows: avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment; and relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter. The present invention includes the steps of: preparing an epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a porogen; forming a cured product of the epoxy resin composition into a sheet shape or curing a sheet-shaped formed body of the epoxy resin composition, so as to obtain an epoxy resin sheet; removing the porogen from the epoxy resin sheet by means of a halogen-free solvent so as to form a porous epoxy resin membrane; and subjecting at least one surface of the porous epoxy resin membrane to atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment so as to remove a surface portion of the porous epoxy resin membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator for an electrochemical device. The method contributes to formation of a separator with good bondability to electrodes and prevents inorganic particles from detaching during an assembling process of an electrochemical device.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning within a system design to allow the storage and IO resources to scale with compute resources are provided.

Abstract: Several apparatuses and methods for providing cooling system interchangeability. One apparatus includes a thermally conductive plate thermally coupled to an integrated circuit. The thermally conductive plate is configured to couple interchangeably to a liquid cooling assembly or an air cooling assembly, and the liquid cooling assembly and the air cooling assembly are separate devices.

Abstract: A dummy trace portion is provided in a region between at least a suspension board with circuit on one end side and a support frame of a suspension board assembly sheet with circuits. A base insulating layer is formed on a support substrate in the dummy trace portion. A plurality of conductor traces are formed on the base insulating layer, and a cover insulating layer is formed on the base insulating layer to cover each conductor trace. At least one of the base insulating layer and the cover insulating layer in the dummy trace portion has a groove.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board including: preparing a carrier member including a metal layer and a transfer circuit pattern sequentially formed on one surface thereof; preparing a base substrate having an inner layer circuit; forming an insulating layer on the base substrate; disposing the carrier member so that the transfer circuit pattern faces the insulating layer; embedding the transfer circuit pattern in the insulating layer through a heating and compressing process; and removing the carrier member, wherein the metal layer has a melting point lower than that of the transfer circuit pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable is disclosed, which includes providing a preformed substrate member comprising an elongated podium member having a plurality of wire receiving slots on an outer edge of the podium member and a plurality of electrical connector slots positioned within the podium member, wherein the plurality of wire receiving slots are arranged in pairs having a first and a second wire receiving slot, which are configured to receive one wire each of a pair of insulated electrical wires, an electrical connector in each of the plurality of electrical connector slots, each electrical connector having a pair of electrical contacts extending therefrom, and at least one insulated electrical wire attached to a first end of each of the electrical contacts; placing the substrate member in a mold; and injecting a dielectric material by a force of greater than 1 g into the mold.

Abstract: An electromagnetic contactor manufacturing method includes a step of forming an arc extinguishing chamber connection portion by simultaneously brazing a fixed terminal and a pipe penetrating and fixed to a tub-shaped arc extinguishing chamber, and a tube portion of a first connection member in communication with an open end portion of the arc extinguishing chamber; a step of forming a cap connection portion having a flange portion extending outward in a radial direction from an open end of a bottomed tubular cap; and a step of disposing a flange portion of the first connection member and a flange portion of a second connection member in close contact with a base plate in which an aperture hole is formed, and welding each of the flange portions to the base plate so that the arc extinguishing chamber connection portion and the cap connection portion are in communication through the aperture hole.

Abstract: A method of working a gas turbine engine component, for example, a turbine airfoil platform having a heat crack, is disclosed. The presented method may allow turbine airfoils to be repaired, modified, manufactured or otherwise worked and subsequently assembled into a turbine section of a gas turbine engine. This method may help to reduce the costs of operating a gas turbine engine by allowing damaged turbine airfoils to be repaired rather than discarded.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrally bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine according to one aspect, includes a 3-dimensional scanning process to generate a 3-dimensional profile of individual blades before being welded to the disc of the rotor. A blade distribution pattern on the disc is then determined in a computing process using data of the 3-dimensional profile of the individual blades such that the fabricated integrally bladed rotor is balanced.

Abstract: A positioner used to fasten a pair of structural members together includes side walls, lateral flanges extending from the side walls, and an interior web interconnecting the side walls. Each side wall is interconnected at vertices to one of the lateral flanges and to the interior web, and the interior web includes web sections interconnected at a vertex to each other. Each vertex interconnecting one of the side walls with the interior web terminates at a void extending between adjacent portions of the one of the side walls and the interior web, and the vertex interconnecting the web sections is displaced from the lateral flange surfaces so as to avoid contact with a positioner supporting surface. A support frame and a fastening process utilizing such a positioner are also discussed. The positioner is particularly suitable for use in constructing photovoltaic panel supports.

Abstract: Method for continuously producing a mesh-type support by welding a lower member arrangement, which comprises at least one lower member, in particular two lower members, and an upper member, which is arranged at a specific height in relation to the lower member arrangement, and has at least one diagonal member running back and forth between the at least one lower member and the upper member, in particular in a zigzagging form, wherein the welding of the at least one lower member and the upper member to the at least one diagonal member is performed by means of a lower-member welding device and an upper-member welding device, wherein the height of the upper member in relation to the lower member arrangement is changed during the continuous production of the mesh-type support. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A portable cutting device having a cutting tool for cutting a material. The cutting device includes a motor driving the cutting tool and a shroud at least partially enclosing the cutting tool. The shroud defines a debris accumulation chamber for gathering debris created by the cutting tool cutting the material. An impeller is operatively coupled to the motor and driven by the motor to create suction pressure to draw the debris out of the debris accumulation chamber and into a collection bag.

Abstract: A retractable knife with a multistage positioning function has a handle, a blade slidably mounted in the handle, and an operating assembly connected to the handle and the blade. The handle has a guiding panel with a guiding hole and multiple pairs of positioning recesses formed in an inner sidewall defined around the guiding hole. The operating assembly has a guiding rod with a positioning head selectively engaging between one of the pairs of the positioning recesses. The blade is capable of protruding out of the handle with a multistage function for the convenience of using the knife. Since a resilient element pushes the guiding rod to allow the positioning head to abut the guiding panel, the blade does not easily slide out of the handle, so the knife can be used safely.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a hand operated seam ripping or cutting instrument. It comprises a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide toward or away from each other when the handles opposite to the pivot are brought close to or separate from each other.

Abstract: The invention discloses utilizing isostatic-press (IP) processes apply a polymeric material (e.g, a PTFE foil) to uncoated razor blade edges forming thin, dense, and uniform coatings on blade edges which in turn exhibit low initial cutting forces correlating with more comfortable shaves. The isostatic press may be a hot isostatic press (HIP) or a cold isostatic press (CIP) or any other isostatic press process. The HIP conditions may include an environment of elevated temperatures and pressures in an inert atmosphere. The CIP conditions may include room temperature and elevated pressure. The polymeric material may be a fluoropolymer or non-fluoropolymeric material or any composite thereof. The lower surface of the polymeric material may be modified (e.g., chemical etching) to enhance adhesion to the blade edge. Two or more layers of polymeric material of similar or different properties may be isostatically pressed onto the uncoated blades.

Abstract: An easy to operate, extremely quiet, efficient can engagement and opening mechanism is provided for use in an opener for a can, and that provides a pair of missing teeth operating endpoints at opposite ends of its opener cycle, along with an eccentrically operating idler gear and cutter gear urging mechanism that produces a non-jamming foolproof mechanism that can be urged forward to a closed and operating position or reversed to a disengagement and non-operating position.

Abstract: An adjustably positionable razor assembly includes a body. A handle is movably coupled to a top of the body. An articulating member is movably coupled to a bottom of the body. A head is movably coupled to a bottom of the articulating member. A blade is coupled to the head.

Abstract: A garment inspection system uses a digital measuring tape measure to measure and check dimensions of produced garments. The measured dimensions are transmitted to a computer via a wireless radio frequency connection between the digital tape measure and the computer. A software program is installed in the computer in a stand-alone or networked environment to read, store, analyze and manage the data and inspection results.

Abstract: A clinometer apparatus includes a first measurement member, a second measurement member, and a coupling member. The first measurement member includes a first plate on which first angle indices are formed, and a first coupling unit that has a circumferential :surface on which second angle indices are carved. The second measurement member includes a second plate, a second coupling unit that is coupled to the first coupling unit due to the coupling member, and a compass that is coupled to the second plate. The coupling member couples the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit so that the second measurement member rotates relative to the first measurement member about a rotational axis of the first coupling unit.

Abstract: A spirit level includes a housing, a cap at one end of the housing, a battery assembly at an other end of the housing, a LED indication assembly at a center of the housing, a vertical orientation indication assembly between the LED indication assembly and the cap, a forty-five-degree orientation indication assembly between the LED indication assembly and the battery compartment, and a PCB and angle sensing circuit electrically connected to the battery assembly, the LED indication assembly, the vertical orientation indication assembly, and the forty-five-degree orientation indication assembly respectively.

Abstract: A compass includes a case, a first support shaft, a second support shaft, and a needle. The case includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a side wall that connects edge portions of the upper plate and the lower plate. The first support shaft is coupled to the lower plate and protrudes toward the upper plate, and the second support shaft is coupled to the upper plate and protrudes toward the lower plate. The needle includes a support unit, a first indicator unit, and a second indicator unit. The support unit is disposed between the first support shaft and the second support shaft, and includes a first support groove that is formed close to the first support shaft and a second support groove that is formed close to the second support shaft. The first indicator unit is coupled to one side of the support unit, and the second indicator unit is coupled to the support unit to face the first indicator unit with the support unit therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-axis educational graphing ruler is described. The ruler includes: a first set of markings placed such that the markings extend vertically if the ruler is placed in a first orientation; and a second set of markings oriented such that the markings extend horizontally if the ruler is placed in a second orientation that is perpendicular to the first orientation. A ruler includes: a first set of markings and labels associated with a first axis; and a second set of markings and labels associated with a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A plotting tool includes: a first set of markings and labels along a first surface of the tool; and a second set of markings and labels along a second surface of the tool, wherein the second surface is perpendicular to the first surface.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) having opposed first and second ends and a plurality of connected arm segments each having at least one position transducer for producing a position signal; an electronic circuit configured to receive the position signals; a first bus for communication with the electronic circuit, wherein at least a portion of the first bus is an optical communication bus configured to transmit light; and a rotary coupler having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion configured to rotate relative to the first portion, the first portion affixed to the first arm segment, the rotary coupler configured to transfer signals on the optical communication bus between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the thickness of a measurement object, preferably a measurement object in the form of a web or piece goods, in a measuring gap, with a measuring mechanism which is fitted to a machine frame, wherein the measuring mechanism for measuring the thickness comprises one or more travel measurement sensor(s) aimed at the measurement object, is characterized in that a compensation sensor which is coupled to a travel measurement sensor measures the distance to a reference rule in order to detect and compensate for a change in the measuring gap, in that the reference rule is in the form of a side of a frame-shaped reference device integrated in the measuring mechanism, and in that the reference device is configured in such a manner that the distance between the reference rule and that side of the reference device which is opposite the reference rule is known during the thickness measurement. A corresponding method for measuring the thickness is also stated.

Abstract: An absolute position-measuring device includes a first subassembly having a measuring standard on which at least one code track is disposed, and a scanning unit with which, by scanning the at least one code track in a measuring direction, position signals are able to be produced, from which an absolute digital position value is able to be generated. The position-measuring device includes a second subassembly having at least one peripheral unit adapted to perform an additional or auxiliary function of the position-measuring device. The first subassembly and the second subassembly are connected to each other by a plurality of electric lines for the transmission of electrical signals. The first subassembly exclusively includes components which are suitable for use in a radiation area of a machine.

Abstract: A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium, the moistening liquid having a moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-supply system provides a heating liquid. A liquid-heating system warms the heating liquid to a temperature greater than the moistening-liquid boiling point. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto a surface of the moistened medium. Heat is thus transferred from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium.

Abstract: A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium having first and second surfaces. A liquid reservoir contains a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the medium entrained around the liquid-blocking member so that the first surface of the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. An entrained portion of the moistened medium passes through the liquid reservoir and is submerged in the warmed heating liquid. The heating liquid contacts the inner surface of the liquid-blocking layer so that heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, or heat is transferred from the warmed heating liquid to the second surface of the moistened medium.

Abstract: A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A heating member rotatable around an axis has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A backing layer affixed to the liquid-blocking layer defines a liquid cavity not including the axis. A heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point is sealed between the liquid-blocking layer and the backing layer and in contact with the inner surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium so it contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member. The moistened medium contacts the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer, heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, and the moistening liquid is vaporized and removed from the moistened medium.

Abstract: A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A liquid-supply system provides a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium along a transport path in which the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking member in a contact zone. A liquid-delivery system impinges the warmed heating liquid onto the inner surface of the liquid-blocking member so that heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking member from the heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium.