Abstract: A method and system for tracking the location of a device within the field of view of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method comprises computing a centroid of signal intensity in a region centered about a location of maximum signal intensity, Lmax of acquired magnetic resonance (MR) signals corresponding to the device.

Abstract: A sensor device is disclosed, as well as methods and systems for determining a barrier property of each coating of an array of barrier coatings deposited onto a fluid-permeable or fluid-impermeable substrate. The systems and methods include the sensor device having a sensing layer responsive to a fluid of interest for which the barrier property of the array of coatings are desired to be determined. The sensor device further includes an overlayer disposed between the array of barrier coatings and the sensing layer. The overlayer protects the sensing layer from being damaged by the coatings.

Abstract: A catalyst system and method for making carbon fibrils is provided which comprises a catalytic amount of an inorganic catalyst comprising nickel and one of the following substances selected from the group consisting of chromium; chromium and iron; chromium and molybdenum; chromium, molybdenum, and iron; aluminum; yttrium and iron; yttrium, iron and aluminum; zinc; copper; yttrium; yttrium and chromium; and yttrium, chromium and zinc. In a further aspect of the invention, a catalyst system and method is provided for making carbon fibrils which comprises a catalytic amount of an inorganic catalyst comprising cobalt and one of the following substances selected from the group consisting of chromium; aluminum; zinc; copper; copper and zinc; copper, zinc, and chromium; copper and iron; copper, iron, and aluminum; copper and nickel; and yttrium, nickel and copper.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for characterizing the barrier properties of an array of coatings. The method including providing a plurality of acoustic wave devices, wherein each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices comprises at least one surface, and providing a plurality of coating materials suitable for forming a plurality of coatings on the at least one surface of each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices. The method also including coating each of the plurality of acoustic wave devices with at least one of the plurality of coating materials to form a plurality of coated acoustic wave devices and measuring a predetermined output parameter of each of the plurality of coated acoustic wave devices.

Abstract: UV reflectors incorporated in UV LED-based light sources reduce the amount of UV radiation emission into the surroundings and increase the efficiency of such light sources. UV reflectors are made of nanometer-sized particles having a mean particle diameter less than about one-tenth of the wavelength of the UV light emitted by the UV LED, dispersed in a molding or casting material surrounding the LED. Other UV reflectors are series of layers of materials having alternating high and low refractive indices; each layer has a physical thickness of one quarter of the wavelength divided by the refractive index of the material. Nanometer-sized textures formed on a surface of the multilayered reflector further reduce the emission of UV radiation into the surroundings. UV LED-based light sources include such a multilayered reflector disposed on an encapsulating structure of a transparent material around a UV LED, particles of a UV-excitable phosphor dispersed in the transparent material.

Abstract: A seal is provided for controlling flow of a fluid in a fluid path in a rotary machine. The seal comprises a brush seal carrier having a front plate and a back plate disposed therein. A brush seal is disposed between the front plate and the back plate. In addition, a flexible member is disposed between the brush seal and the back plate for reducing stress in the brush seal.

Abstract: Linear extended polymeric paramagnetic chelates for use as MRI contrast agents are synthesized by conjugating DTPA chelator moieties to higher than 90% of the monomer residues of the polyamino acid backbone chain. The resulting polymer can be labeled with Gd, since each chelator moiety holds a Gd ion, and the resulting conformation is of an unfolded, extended linear type, capable of entering small pores and moving around obstacles in the extracellular space of tissues. The efficient production of these extended polymers is critical for the application of such contrast agents to medical imaging. One such agent is a reptating polymer containing technetium-99.

Abstract: The invention comprises UV/visible spectroscopic analysis of polycarbonate composition. The method comprises determination of the concentration of Fries products, as either total Fries products or as separate determinations of linear and branched components. The method also allows for simultaneous determination of uncapped phenolic end-groups. Determinations may be performed at a single wavelength or over the entire absorption band. The method is suitable for measuring of Fries products in samples ranging in size from small scale combinatorial formats to production scale reactors. The method is independent of reaction variables such as polymer molecular weight, reactor type, and reaction temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a uniform coating on a large area, non-planar surface using an array of multiple plasma sources. The apparatus comprises at least one array of a plurality of plasma sources for generating a plurality of plasmas, wherein each of the plurality of plasma sources has a cathode, anode, and an inlet for a non-reactive plasma source gas disposed in a plasma chamber, and at least one reactant gas injector for differentially injecting at least one reactant gas into the plurality of plasmas. The reactant gas injector and substrate are located in a deposition chamber in fluid communication with each plasma chamber. Individual adjustment of the flow of deposition precursor into each of the plasmas generated by the multiple plasma array compensates for changes in substrate processing conditions due to local variations in the working distance between the plasma source and the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the efficiency characteristics and performance statistics of an air compressor system, comprising, an air compressor system, an air compressor system monitoring module operable for receiving input data and sending results data, the monitoring module having an analyzer for analyzing input data relating to air compressor system operation and generating output data relating to air compressor system performance and efficiency, and a communications network operably coupled to the air compressor system and air compressor system monitoring module, the communications network operable for acquiring the air compressor system data and for communicating the air compressor system data to the air compressor system monitoring module.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reactivating a deactivated carbonylation catalyst composition previously used in a carbonylation reaction involving an aromatic hydroxy compound, carbon monoxide and oxygen, so that the re-activated catalyst composition is effective at carbonylating an aromatic hydroxy compound in a subsequent oxidative carbonylation reaction.

Abstract: An experimental space comprising levels of factors is designed according to an incomplete block design and an experimental space comprising levels of factors is designed by random selection. Separate combinatorial high throughput screening experiments are effected on each experimental space to produce sets of results and best results are selected from the sets. A system for conducting an experiment includes a reactor for effecting a combinatorial high throughput screening method on an experimental space to produce results and a programmed controller that defines an experimental space comprising levels of factors according to an incomplete block design and defines an experimental space comprising levels of factors by random selection.

Abstract: A digital x-ray imaging system employs a pixelated flat panel digital x-ray detector separated by a space from a source of x-rays which is selectively switchable between first and second, different x-ray energy levels, the space accommodating a body to be subjected to x-ray irradiation and imaging. A computer controls the x-ray source to irradiate the body with the first and second energy level x-rays and produce corresponding first and second x-ray images respectively of the first and second energy levels on the detector, the computer processing the respective digital signal outputs of the detector for the first and second digital images respectively of the first and second energy levels for each pixel, in individual succession for all pixels, and selectively produces and displays a soft tissue image or a bone/calcification image.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a first gas in a lamp, including: cooling at least a first portion of a lamp below the condensation temperature of the first gas contained in the lamp while operating the lamp; maintaining the temperature of the first portion below the condensation temperature of the first gas until essentially all the available first gas contained in the lamp condenses on the surface of at least the first portion of the lamp; removing a second portion of the lamp, the second portion containing the condensed first gas; and analyzing at least one of the condensed first gas or the remaining bound gas.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a causal network is provided. A new apriori probability is determined for a repair or a configuration factor within the causal network and compared to an old apriori probability. If the new apriori probability differs from the old apriori probability by more than a predetermined amount, the causal network is updated. Further, in another aspect, a causal network result is stored for a causal network, wherein the causal network includes a plurality of root causes with a symptom being associated with each of said root causes. An existing link probability is related to the symptom and root cause. An expert result or an actual data result related to each of the symptoms is stored. A new link probability is computed based on the stored causal network result, and expert result or the actual data result.

Abstract: A perforated electrode has strategically distributed flushing holes through which a flushing medium is discharged. The electrode can be used for either electrochemical machining (ECM) or electrodischarge machining (EDM). The flushing medium is either electrolyte in ECM or a dielectric fluid in EDM. It is discharged from the tool electrode directly against the workpiece surface or surfaces which are undergoing material removal. This removes heat and sludge or debris.

Abstract: A temperature controlled apparatus comprises a reversible solid state device having a first section and a second section; portions of the first and the second sections are disposed in intimate contact. The first section is disposed adjacent to a portion of an external wall surface of a compartment and the second section is disposed adjacent to a portion of an internal wall surface of the compartment. A compartment fan is disposed within the compartment. The reversible solid state device and the compartment fan are coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to modify a compartment air temperature inside the compartment by controlling the reversible solid state device and the compartment fan to flow a compartment air across the second section. The controller is configured to control the reversible solid state device and the compartment fan in at least one temperature operational mode.

Abstract: In an imager having an array of light-sensitive elements and employing striped common electrodes, exposed edges of preimidized polyimide layers above the light-sensitive imaging elements are sealed with the material of the common electrode (e.g., indium tin oxide). Similarly, exposed preimidized polyimide edges in electrical contacts for the array and bridge members electrically coupling adjacent light-sensitive imaging elements are also sealed with the material of the common electrode.

Abstract: A method for filtering undesired light reflections in a structured light measurement system during the inspection of shiny metal prismatic objects having uncoated prismatic surfaces, such as turbine blades, using polarized light.

Abstract: A method of forming a toroidal winding assembly comprises: forming a longitudinal assembly having a first assembly end and a second assembly end; bending the longitudinal assembly to form a generally toroidal assembly; and bonding the first assembly end to the second assembly end to form the toroidal winding assembly.