Abstract: Methods of manufacturing glass sheets with manufacturing systems that including platinum-containing components are provided. The method includes providing a barrier coating to reduce the hydrogen permeability of the platinum-containing components which reduces the propensity for blistering of glass sheets made using the components.

Abstract: Compositions, articles and methods for making such articles are disclosed. The compositions, articles and methods include calcium aluminate materials having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing the strength of ceramic honeycomb structures are described. The apparatus includes a chamber that utilizes a flexible, generally cylindrical member including integral flanges to apply compressive force to the periphery of the honeycomb structure. According to some embodiments, a portable apparatus with an open chamber is provided to allow for rapid testing of multiple honeycomb structures.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and substrates for the detection of reactions between biomolecules or cells and a second compound are disclosed. The invention detects interactions between ligands and receptors by utilizing detecting the diffusion of a species proximate a sensing area. Absorbance detection and diffraction sensors are utilized to monitor the rate of diffusion from the sensing area.

Abstract: A device, a kit and a method for the hybridization reactions between biomolecules are disclosed. The invention relates to a hybridization chamber including a generally planar substrate which includes a specimen area containing at least one biomolecule. The hybridization chamber also includes a frame surrounding at least a portion of the specimen area. The frame defines walls of a well for holding a fluid when the frame is in contact with the substrate. The frame includes a connector adapted to connect to tubing for supplying fluids to the well. Tubing connected to the connectors may be used to supply wash fluid and hybridization fluid, and waste tubing may be connected to a second connector for removing waste material from the well.

Abstract: Fused silica articles containing at least 50 ppb aluminum are disclosed. The fused silica articles containing these levels of aluminum exhibit improved internal transmission and decreased absorption change when irradiated with a laser when compared with fused silica articles containing lower levels of aluminum.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer surfaces whose level of protein binding is less than about 50-80 ng/cm2 are achieved by: (1) applying a coating solution composed of a solvent and a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB number of less than 5 to the surface; and (2) drying the surface to remove the solvent and thereby bring the surfactant into direct contact with the hydrophobic polymer. The combination of a low HLB number and the drying step have been found to produce low binding surfaces which can withstand multiple washes with water and/or protein-containing solutions. Alternatively, the low binding surfaces can be produced by applying the non-ionic surfactant to the mold surfaces which contact molten polymer and form the polymer into a desired shape, e.g., into a multi-well plate, a pipette tip, or the like. Further, the low binding surfaces may be produced by incorporating non-soluble, non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number of less than or equal to 10 into a polymer blend prior to molding the article.

Abstract: Polarized glass articles and method of manufacturing polarizing glass articles are disclosed. Optical isolators using the polarizing glass articles have reduced coupling and surface losses when compared with conventional optical isolators.

Abstract: A family of titania lanthana aluminosilicate glasses, and products such as an electronic device having a poly-silicon coating on such glass as a substrate, are disclosed. The glasses have a strain point in excess of 780° C., a coefficient of thermal expansion of 20-60×10−7/° C., a Young's modulus of greater than 12 Mpsi and are chemically durable.

Abstract: Optical sensors and methods are disclosed. The resonance energy transfer between a donor and acceptor pair on a surface is monitored. The change in resonance energy transfer as a function of the change in refractive index of a sensing area disposed between the donor and acceptor pair is utilized to provide various sensing methods and structures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making silica. A liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing compound capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO2 is provided and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, which converts the compound to silica, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The soot is vaporized at the site where the liquid is converted into silica by pneumatically atomizing the liquid with a stream of oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making an optical fiber or cane (600) that has optical properties that vary axially. Core glass (100) and clad glass (200) are fed into a furnace to form the cane or fiber. The velocities of the feeding of the clad and core are controlled so that the total combined mass per unit time is constant. The diameter of the core (604) varies along the length of the fiber or cane in accordance with the control of the velocities. The variance in the core diameter results in the variance of the axial optical properties of the fiber or cane.

Abstract: A method of making a segmented core optical waveguide preform for making fiber that is resistant to attenuation increases due to hydrogen and heat aging. A first core region comprising a silica glass rod containing at least a first dopant is inserted into a central opening of a second core region comprising silica soot containing a second dopant. The first core region and second core region are consolidated together to form a segmented core region and cladding is deposited on the outer surface of the segmented core region.

Abstract: A method of printing electrode and electronic circuit patterns. A metal frit containing part is transferred from an intaglio recessed imaging pattern to a suitable substrate. The frit pattern is preferrably cured during deposition to the substrate.

Abstract: This invention is related to glasses for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, more specifically to a family of aluminosilicate glasses in which less than 0.2 mole percent and preferably no As.sub.2 O.sub.3 is used as a fining agent and the .beta.-OH of the glass is maintained below about 0.5.

Abstract: Improved single-mode optical waveguide fibers having a central core region, surrounded by an inner cladding region through which light at a chosen signal wavelength will propagate to an appreciable degree along with propagation of same in the central core region, the inner core region further surrounded by an outer cladding region, the improvement comprising germanium dioxide in the inner cladding region at a concentration within the range of about 0.005 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of said inner cladding region, effective to significantly reduce the concentration of oxygen atoms in the inner cladding region which are available to form defects that cause hydrogen-induced attenuation. Also provided are core preforms, overclad preforms, and processes for making the fibers, core preforms and overclad preforms.

Abstract: A method of making an imaged ink pattern, wherein an ink receiving surface is formed which has a raised surface pattern thereon and ink is transferred to the raised surface pattern by bringing the raised surface pattern into contacting relationship with an intaglio ink imaging pattern. The raised surface pattern is extended into the intaglio ink imaging pattern so that only the raised surface pattern of the ink receiving surface contacts the ink in the intaglio ink imaging plate.

Abstract: A method for making an optical attenuating device comprising an optical waveguide having a core doped with a transition metal and a cladding. The transition metal is deposited in the core during a core blankmaking process. The transition metal doped core is exposed to gaseous hydrogen in a furnace to significantly increase the attenuation of the device.

Abstract: The lubricant of this invention is a combination of a PLURONIC.RTM. polyol and a phospholipid. The lubricant is applied to the surface to be lubricated by forming a solution of water and the lubricant. This solution may also include Vitamin E or its derivative. In addition, a solution stabilizer and an antimicrobial agent may be used to clarify the solution and to inhibit microbial growth in the solution.

Abstract: Microplates and methods for manufacturing microplates. The microplate is designed to allow UV radiation to pass through the bottom wells of the microplate so that the microplate can be used for assaying samples by use of UV absorbance. In one embodiment, the microplate comprises at least first and second wells, each well having a UV permeable bottom. In another embodiment, the microplate comprises a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion contiguous with the upper portion and a sheet disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion and defining the bottom of at least one well of the microplate.