Abstract: The present invention is a design paradigm for molecular scale electronic systems wherein electronic information is transmitted and processed, and electronic logic is obtained by changing the electrostatic potential of a molecule. The signal may be restored using an external potential through the underlying substrate. Several convergent synthetic routes are shown to conjugated molecules with various potential electronic device applications including a two-terminal molecular wire with a transport barrier, a molecular wire with two transport barriers, three-terminal junctions, three-terminal structures with switch-like possibilities, and four-terminal systems that could serve as logical gates without the use of multiple transistors.

Abstract: A method is provided for fusion-splicing with a laser beam at least two optical components to a different optical component, the different optical component (e.g., an optical element such as a lens) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than a surface of the other optical components (e.g., at least two optical fibers).

Abstract: A method and system for limiting access to a media storage device such as a tape drive unit. In accordance with the inventive method, a set of control parameters is generated for the device for a given application program. A tape control unit uses the parameters to process commands from the application program and thereby control access to the tape. In an illustrative application, an extent is defined on the tape and controls are defined which govern the type of access permitted within the extent. The system rejects any commands which attempt to access medium outside of the defined extent. Write and formatting commands within the extent are limited and partition changes, loads and unloads are prohibited.

Abstract: A dietary supplement is provided that comprises creatine combined with ginseng and astragalus and, optionally, glutamine. The dietary supplement enhances the general energy boost and muscular strength increase achieved from the consumption of creatine alone.

Abstract: A novel throat spray composition is provided that is useful for topical application to sore throats. The throat spray composition contains Piper methysticum (Kava Kava) as its main active ingredient, and is a suitable alternative to phenol-based over-the-counter throat sprays. Piper methysticum is used for its little known or utilized analgesic property, which provides a soothing and numbing effect to the throat. Additional ingredients include Echinacea angustifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Thymus vulgaris, Lycopodium clavatum, Phytolacca decandra, Capsicum annum, Mentha piperita, and Phosphorus, which, together with Piper methysticum, offer temporary relief of sore throat pain, irritation, difficulty swallowing, and symptoms of hoarseness or laryngitis.

Abstract: A sandwich device was prepared by electrodeposition of an insoluble layer of oligomerized tris(4-(2-thienyl)phenyl)amine onto conducting indium-tin oxide coated glass, spin coating the stacked platinum compound, tetrakis(p-decylphenylisocyano)platinum tetranitroplatinate, from toluene onto the oligomer layer, and then coating the platinum complex with aluminum by vapor deposition. This device showed rectification of current and gave electroluminescence. The electroluminescence spectrum (.lambda..sub.max =545 nm) corresponded to the photoluminescence spectrum of the platinum complex. Exposure of the device to acetone vapor caused the electroemission to shift to 575 nm. Exposure to toluene vapor caused a return to the original spectrum. These results demonstrate a new type of sensor that reports the arrival of organic vapors with an electroluminescent signal.

Abstract: A golf swing practice mat for placement on an underlying base is provided to aid a golfer in improving his or her swing of a golf club having a club head, said swing comprising a swing arc having a bottom-most portion thereof, said golf swing practice mat comprising: (a) a low friction, flexible and resilient top sheet that is directly contacted by the club head, and has a rigidity of 40 pounds per square inch or less; (b) a supporting pad for supporting the top sheet and for providing space for the top sheet to yield to and accommodate the bottom-most portion of a reasonably well-aligned swing arc, the supporting pad being compressible to 50% of its resting height in any area near its center line by an applied pressure thereupon of 0.

Abstract: In the field of golf equipment, a new shaft design incorporates passive damping to suppress the vibrations excited in the shaft before and after impact. The design comprises a viscoelastic material sandwiched between multiple layers of composite plies which induce large shear strains in the viscoelastic when the shaft is subjected to bending, extension, or twist, thus increasing damping losses over conventional golf shafts. In one embodiment, the sandwiching layers are of opposing orientation. In another embodiment, the layers are oriented in an opposing V-shape laminate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a high-resolution, compact spectrometer is provided for dispersing wavelengths .lambda. of an incoming beam for detection by a detector. The spectrometer comprises: (a) an entrance slit through which the incoming beam passes; (b) a first mirror for collimating the beam from the entrance slit; (c) a first reflectance grating for dispersing the collimated beam to form a beam having a spectral intensity distribution, the first reflectance grating having a number of grooves N.sub.1 ; (d) a second reflectance grating for further dispersing the collimated beam, the second reflectance grating having a number of grooves N.sub.2 ; and (e) a second mirror for focusing the collimated and dispersed beam, wherein the spectrometer has a substantially symmetrical construction. The symmetrical construction of the spectrometer doubles the resolution and dispersion of the gratings.

Abstract: A sandwich-type, organic p-n junction photodiode is prepared by electrode-position of an insoluble layer of oligomerized tris(4-(2-thienyl)phenyl)amine onto conducting indium-tin oxide coated glass, spin-coating the stacked platinum compound, bis(cyanide)-bis(para-dodecylphenylisocyanide)platinum (II), from chloroform onto the oligomer layer, and then coating the platinum complex with a micro-array of aluminum electrodes by vapor deposition. This device shows rectification of current and gives a measurable photocurrent. The photocurrent action spectrum follows the absorption spectrum of the platinum complex; changes in the action spectrum with layer thickness point to a p-n junction formed at the interface of the molecular layers as the site of rectification. Exposure of the device to acetone vapor causes the action spectrum to shift dramatically to longer wavelength. Exposure to chloroform vapor causes a return to the original spectrum.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the readout, and in certain applications the display, of information stored within incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed volume holographic optical elements. Such multiplexed volume holographic optical elements are based on parallel incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed volume holographic recording and readout principles, and are designed to exhibit maximum optical throughput efficiency and minimum crosstalk. Applications for this novel holographic readout apparatus, when used in conjunction with the aforementioned incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed volume holographic optical elements, include photonic interconnections for neural networks, telecommunications switching, and digital computing; optical information processors and optical memories; and optical display systems.

Abstract: A procedure is disclosed for assembly of novel two-sided monolayer or multilayer device architectures out of self-assembly or self-organizing amphiphilic compounds derived from molecules that undergo a type of valence tautomerization known as asymmetric narcissistic reactions. The two-sided monolayer architectures are constructed by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) transfer or self-assembly (SA) techniques while the multilayer architectures are formed by Y-type LB depositions, where the two layers or bilayers of the assemblies are alternate depositions of mirror-image forms of the amphiphiles. The resulting three-dimensional supramolecular assemblies described herein are uniquely capable of commutation between two non-centrosymmetric states which have, on a macroscopic scale, an optically antipodal relationship and a third central symmetric state which is, accordingly, optically racemic.

Abstract: A method of improving the breakdown strength of polymer multi-layer (PML) capacitors is provided and of providing a window in food packaging is provided. The method comprises patterning the aluminum coating, either by selective removal of deposited aluminum or by preventing deposition of the aluminum on selected areas of the underlying polymer film. Apparatus is also provided for patterning metal deposition on polymer films comprising masking for defining regions in which metal is deposited. The apparatus comprises: (a) a rotating drum; (b) a monomer evaporator for depositing a monomer film on the rotating drum; (c) a radiation curing element for curing the monomer film to form a cross-linked polymer film; and (d) a resistive evaporator for depositing a metal film on the cross-linked polymer film. The foregoing elements are enclosed in a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A high energy density, high power density capacitor having an energy density of at least about 0.5 J/cm.sup.3 is provided. The capacitor comprises a plurality of interleaved metal electrode layers separated by a polymer layer. The interleaved metal electrode layers terminate at opposite ends in a solder termination strip. The high energy density aspect of the capacitors of the invention is achieved by at least one of the following features: (a) the dielectric thickness between the interleaved metal electrode layers is a maximum of about 5 .mu.m; (b) the polymer is designed with a high dielectric constant .kappa. of at least about 3.5; (c) the metal electrode layers within the polymer layer are recessed along edges orthogonal to the solder termination strips to prevent arcing between the metal electrode layers at the edges; and (d) the resistivity of the metal electrode layers is within the range of about 10 to 500 ohms per square, or a corresponding thickness of about 200 to 30 .ANG..

Abstract: CPVC adhesives for joining CPVC substrates, pipes and articles are provided which comprise (a) about 5 to about 25 wt. % CPVC resin, (b) about 20 to about 90 wt. % of a single pentanone or blends of pentanones, (c) 0 to about 20 wt. % total heterocyclic solvent, and (d) 0 to about 45 wt. % total of non-heterocyclic solvents other than component (b) (such as MEK, acetone, cyclohexanone, and so forth). The CPVC adhesive compositions of this invention permit a reduction in the content of heterocyclic solvents to be achieved while meeting performance standards applicable to CPVC pipe joining, such as hydrostatic burst strength and hydrostatic sustained pressure test.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing daily stress and anxiety in adults employing a novel dietary supplement composition that serves as a general relaxant. The supplement comprises pharmaceutical grade Kava root extract and at least one additional relaxing herb selected from the group consisting of Passion Flower, Chamomile Flower, Hops, and Schizandra Fruit. The most preferred composition of the dietary supplement, in capsule form, comprises: (a) about 200 mg pharmaceutical grade Kava root extract; (b) about 50 mg Passion Flower; (c) about 50 mg Chamomile Flowers; (d) about 50 mg Hops; (e) about 50 mg Schizandra Fruit; (f) about 5 mg talc; and (g) about 5 mg magnesium stearate. The method comprises administering the dietary supplement. A method is also provided for preparing the dietary supplement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a specific concentration of gaseous species within a calibrated range in a gas sample are disclosed. The ILS gas detection system of the present invention simply comprises an ILS laser and an optical detector. However, the spectral bandwidth of the ILS laser is preferably entirely included within one of the absorption bands or regions assigned to the intracavity gaseous species being monitored. Thus, within the calibrated range, the presence of the gaseous species changes the temporal characteristics of the ILS laser. Consequently, only a temporal characteristic of the output of the ILS laser need be monitored in order to quantitatively determine the concentration of the absorbing gaseous species when using the ILS method of the present invention.

Abstract: A solar concentrator is provided that comprises two stages. The first stage comprises either a trough-shaped concentrator cusp unit having two major opposed sides joined by two ends. The inner surfaces of the first stage concentrator are mirrored. Further, the ends have two flat, angled surfaces, while the two sides have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The second stage comprises a bi-axial gradient refractive index (GRIN) element, in which two gradient refractive index materials, each having a high index surface and a low index surface, are joined together along their high index surfaces. The two ends of the bi-axial element are flat, while the two sides also have a Bezier-generated cylindrical shape that approximate parabolic surfaces followed by a straight section. The top surface of the bi-axial element is provided with a cylindrical surface, while the bottom, or exit, surface is ground flat.

Abstract: A lens system having a reduced number of injection-molded singlet lens elements with at least one diffractive surface to control axial and lateral chromatic aberrations is disclosed. In one embodiment, the diffractive surface is placed on the first surface of the third lens, which is closest to the image plane. An opaque spacer provides suppression of stray light from reaching the image plane.