Abstract: A new and useful Dome Kit, dome shaped structural system and method of assembling a dome shaped structural system are provided. The Dome Kit and method are used to form a dome shaped structural system comprising a compression ring, a lower ring that is larger than the compression ring and spaced below the compression ring, and a plurality of ribs connected with the compression ring. The lower ring, the compression ring, lower ring and connected ribs form a dome shaped structural system; i.e. a structural system with a dome shaped appearance.

Abstract: A new and useful traverse rod structure, designed to maintain or improve the functionality of a traverse rod, while improving the aesthetics of the traverse rod is provided. The traverse rod is designed to improve the functionality of the rod, while minimizing the risk of damaging the aesthetic features of the traverse rod as the hanging object is manipulated. Still further, the traverse rod is designed with an attractive and aesthetic external appearance. In addition, the traverse rod is designed to be efficient to assemble and operate. In its preferred form, a traverse rod comprises (a) a longitudinally extending tube having an opening extending along the tube, (b) a longitudinally extending track located within the tube, the track comprising a pair of substantially co-planar track sections with a gap therebetween, and (c) one or more moveable carriers each of which is configured to engage a wall covering. Each moveable carrier has a follower extending through the opening in the tube.

Abstract: A new and useful method and system for correcting for ghost images in a telecentric optical system is provided. Ghost images generated from planar optical surfaces in the image space after the major elements of a telecentric optical system are shift invariant. In other words the ghost images produced by these optical elements do not change their shape with different field angles or points. The ghost image's invariance with field position will allow the ghost image to be subtracted or removed from the image of an object recorded on a digital detector such as CCD or CMOS detector when its optical system is telecentric in image space. This subtraction may be accomplished, for example, with a removal technique using a measured ghost function germane and invariant to that particular optical system. The combination of the ghost image and scatter functions is linearly shift invariant and therefore, both noise contributions could be removed from the resulting digital image using similar removal techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for language teaching that involves training to an automatic level a set of core vocabulary items, and then presenting learned items in combination as a means of implicitly teaching grammar. In one aspect, a method for teaching a language, consistent with the invention, comprises: (a) while displaying to a learner a graphical representation of a vocabulary item comprising at least one word, playing to the learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of the vocabulary item; and (b) while displaying to a learner both a graphical representation of the vocabulary item and the written form of the vocabulary item, playing to the learner an audio recording comprising the spoken form of the vocabulary item.

Abstract: This invention describes non-planar electrochromic mirrors that are made by combining planar electrochromic elements with non-planar reflectors. This results in lower cost mirrors by circumventing several issues related to the difficulty of making non-planar EC elements.

Abstract: A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables, and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or the radiation-cured acrylate polymer. A ceramic layer may be deposited on the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secondary electrochemical cell comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising active materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound serving as the positive electrode or cathode and the second electrode comprising a carbon-carbon composite material infiltrated with polymeric binder and serving as the negative electrode or anode. Such an electrochemical cell has improved mechanical properties and cycle life as compared with similar secondary non-aqueous electrochemical cells having carbon-carbon composite anodes that are not incorporated with polymeric binder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting fiducial marking on a material are disclosed. The fiducial marking is characterized by the ability to absorb light in a first wavelength range and to fluoresce in a second wavelength range that is outside the first wavelength range. An excitation source is configured to direct light at the material in the first wavelength range, to cause the fiducial marking material absorb the light in the first wavelength range and to fluoresce in the second wavelength range. A detection device is located at a predetermined site and is configured to optically examine the material at the predetermined detection site, to determine whether fluorescence from the fiducial marking which is in the second wavelength range is detected at the predetermined detection site.

Abstract: A new and useful propulsion apparatus for use by a swimmer is provided. The propulsion apparatus comprises (a) a support structure configured for connection to a swimmer's foot, and (b) a fin connected with the support structure by a flexible coupling in a manner that enables the fin to be stroked in alternating downstrokes and upstrokes by flexion of a swimmer's knees. The flexible coupling is configured to enable the fin to rotate in a first direction relative to the support structure during a downstroke, and the propulsion apparatus has a mechanical stop for limiting rotation of the fin in the first direction to physically set the angle of attack on the fin during a downstroke. The flexible coupling comprises an elastic suspension extending between the support structure and the fin, the elastic suspension being configured to (a) allow the fin to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction during an upstroke and (b) dynamically set the angle of attack during an upstroke.

Abstract: A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables, and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or the radiation-cured acrylate polymer. A ceramic layer may be deposited on the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier film.

Abstract: A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables, and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or the radiation-cured acrylate polymer. A ceramic layer may be deposited on the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture barrier film.

Abstract: A new and improved intraoral sensor for use in a filmless radiography system is disclosed. The sensor is configured to fit comfortably and close to a target area in an intraoral cavity. By providing a comfortable relative fit to the target area, the sensor is ergonomically improved, in terms of its comfort and feel to a dental patient. In addition, the configuration of the sensor is designed to allow the sensor to be placed closer to a target area in an oral cavity than prior sensors (i.e. closer to target teeth, gum, etc). Moreover, the sensor is configured so that it can easily be located in a correct position relative to the target area, and when located correctly to properly position its sensing structure for receiving radiant energy. These features are believed to reduce refractive error in the image received by the sensor, thereby improving the image data transmitted by the sensor.

Abstract: A new and useful method and system for estimating LFG generation and gas permeability in a landfill or other subsurface-gas producing body of material is provided. The gas generation rate in a portion of a landfill or other subsurface-gas producing body of material is estimated by obtaining a time history record of atmospheric pressure that is representative of atmospheric pressure at a surface boundary of the portion of the landfill or the subsurface gas producing body of material, measuring the gas pressure at least at one selected location at the landfill (or subsurface body of material) site over a time period that is included in the time history record, and using the atmospheric pressure and the measured gas pressure over the time period to estimate LFG generation rate and gas permeability of the portion of the landfill or the subsurface gas producing body of material.

Abstract: A polymer film capacitor is provided, utilizing a metallized film formed by a first vacuum-formed plasma treated surface, a vacuum-deposited, first radiation polymerized acrylate monomer film having first and second surfaces, the first surface being disposed on the first plasma-treated surface of the polymer substrate, and a metal layer disposed on the second surface of the first polymerized film. The metallized film is wound into a capacitor.