Abstract: A method of measuring fluid properties of a polymer melt, undergoing shear and/or extensional flow which utilizes fluorescent anisotropy. The method utilizes a polymeric chromophore which includes a bifunctional anthracene that is covalently bonded to polybutadiene. The invention also involves an optical probe which is designed to be inserted into existing temperature and/or pressure probe ports in processing equipment. The probe includes a rotatable polarizer and emission collection fibers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a circuit board from a copper clad board comprises the steps of designing a circuit configuration of the circuit board on a computer-aided design system and then determining a desired circuit configuration outline on the computer-aided design system from the circuit configuration. The desired circuit configuration outline is provided to a computer-aided machining system which controls a laser, milling machine and the like to remove conductive material along the outline, leaving conductive material formed adjacent the removed material as the circuit configuration.