Abstract: A membrane contactor includes: a cap has an internally beveled surface and a cap port; a cup body has an externally beveled surface in sealing engagement with the internally beveled surface, a side port on a side of the cup body and an end port located on an end of the cup body; and a membrane cartridge is located within the cup body, is sealed to an open end of the cup body, and is in sealed fluid communication with the end port. A method of making a membrane contactor includes the steps of: sealingly mating a perforated center of a membrane contactor with the end port of a cup body; sealingly joining an end of the membrane cartridge adjacent an open end of the cup body; and sealingly joining a beveled surface of the cap to a beveled external surface of the cup body.

Abstract: An abrasive article (100) comprising a backing (102); a make resin (112) contacting the backing (102); abrasive particles (114) contacting the make resin (112); and a size resin (116) contacting both the abrasive particles (114) and the make resin (112), wherein the make resin (112) includes an alkyl quaternary ammonium clay, which can take the form of Garamite.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: Multilayer optical film reflective polarizers previously considered to have excessive off-axis color can provide adequate performance in an LC display in an “on-glass” configuration, laminated to a back absorbing polarizer of the display, without any light diffusing layer or air gap in such laminate. The reflective polarizer is a tentered-one-packet (TOP) multilayer film, having only one packet of microlayers, and oriented using a standard tenter such that birefringent microlayers in the film are biaxially birefringent. The thickness profile of optical repeat units (ORUs) in the microlayer packet is tailored to avoid excessive perceived color at normal and oblique angles. Color at high oblique angles in the white state of the display is reduced by positioning thicker ORUs closer to the absorbing polarizer, and by ensuring that, with regard to a boxcar average of the ORU thickness profile, the average slope from an ORU(600) to an ORU(645) does not exceed 1.

Abstract: The method generally involves the steps of filling the cavities in a production tool each with an individual abrasive particle. Aligning a filled production tool and a resin coated backing for transfer of the abrasive particles to the resin coated backing. Transferring the abrasive particles from the cavities onto the resin coated backing and removing the production tool from the aligned position with the resin coated backing. Thereafter the resin layer is cured, a size coat is applied and cured and the coated abrasive article is converted to sheet, disk, or belt form by suitable converting equipment.

Abstract: A touch sensor is provided that includes a transparent, insulating substrate and at least one U-shaped electrically conductive micromesh that includes traces disposed on the substrate. The traces include an elemental metal or an alloy of elemental metal. The touch sensor may be configured to determine a location and a magnitude of a force of a touch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preformed dental composite crown being characterized by its shape and chemical composition, the shape being characterized as follows: having an occlusal top surface and depending buccal, mesial, distal and lingual side surfaces, the side surfaces being connected to each other and forming a crown cervix, the wall thickness of the crown at the crown cervix being lower than 0.6 mm; at least two of opposing depending side surfaces having a concave shape; the chemical composition of the material the preformed dental composite crown is made of being a hardened composition comprising the following components: nano-filler(s) in an amount from 20 to 70 wt. %, resin matrix in an amount from 20 to 75 wt. %, wt. % with respect to the weight of the chemical composition, the resin matrix comprising urethane(meth)acrylate(s) and (meth)acrylate(s) not comprising a urethane moiety.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles comprising a substrate, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a release layer, wherein the release layer comprises at least one silicone carbonate polymer.

Abstract: A crosslinkable composition is provided including an asymmetric isocyanate, a polyether polyol, and a crosslinker. Polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives, articles, and solutions are also provided. The polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives have advantageous adhesive properties, low glass transition temperatures, and cohesion following thermal cycling.

Abstract: An exposure-indicating supplied air respirator system comprises a head top, a clean air supply source and a portable personal communication hub. The head top comprises a visor that is sized to fit over at least a user's nose and mouth, a position sensor secured to the head top, and a head top communication module. The clean air supply source is connected to the head top that supplies clean air to the interior of the head top. The position sensor detects whether the visor is in a closed position or in an open position and the head top communication module communicates the visor position to the personal communication hub. If the personal communication hub receives a signal indicating the presence of a hazard, and if the visor is in an open position, an alert is generated.

Abstract: A first method comprises using an imaging device to produce a plurality of images of a culture device, analyzing a first image to identify a microorganism colony at a first location, analyzing a second image to identify a gas bubble at a second location, and determining whether the first location is proximate the second location. A second method comprises analyzing an image of a culture device to detect gas bubbles and classifying the gas bubbles according to a size parameter associated with each of the gas bubbles. A third method comprises analyzing a first area of an image of a culture device to detect a first number of gas bubbles, analyzing a second area of the image to detect a second number of gas bubbles, and comparing the first number of gas bubbles to the second number of gas bubbles.

Abstract: Buoyancy modules (200) are made from a foam composition that includes a combination of a thermally fusable powder and glass microspheres heated in a manner that provides a hardened syntactic foam having both low density and a high degree of compressive strength. An outer barrier (220) may enclose the buoyancy module.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a light detection device and a method of using the device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the light detection device can include a housing that extends along a housing axis between top and bottom surfaces. The device can also include a port that is adapted to receive a sample, and a door connected to the housing. The door can include an actuator portion adapted to selectively move the door between a closed position and an open position, and a cover portion connected to the actuator portion and adapted to close the port when the door is in the closed position and open the port when the door is in the open position to allow external access to the port.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.

Abstract: Film forming gel compositions, useful in creating conformable and flexible gel bandages, can be formulate from a film forming polymer, a tackifier, and a volatile solvent. The film forming gels can also include antiseptics, cationic polymer coagulants, fillers, and other additives. The gel compositions form relatively thick films when dried on tissue, and can exhibit enhanced breathability to promote wound healing.

Abstract: Optical diffusing films are made by microreplication from a structured surface tool. The tool is made using a 2-part electroplating process, wherein a first electroplating procedure forms a first metal layer with a first major surface, and a second electroplating procedure forms a second metal layer on the first metal layer, the second metal layer having a second major surface with a smaller average roughness than that of the first major surface. The second major surface can function as the structured surface of the tool. A replica of this surface can then be made in a major surface of an optical film to provide light diffusing properties. The structured surface and/or its constituent structures can be characterized in terms of various parameters such as optical haze, optical clarity, Fourier power spectra of the topography along orthogonal in-plane directions, ridge length per unit area, equivalent circular diameter (ECD), and/or aspect ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a receiving module, a conversion module, first and second rollers, a motor, and a cutting head. The receiving module receives a desired weight value. The conversion module converts the desired weight value to a first length of wheel weight material based on a linear density of the wheel weight material. The first and second rollers engage first and second opposing sides of a continuous strip of the wheel weight material. The linear density of the wheel weight material is approximately constant along the continuous strip. The motor directly drives the first roller based on the first length. The cutting head is selectively actuated to cut the wheel weight material.

Abstract: Polarizing beam splitter plates and systems incorporating such beam splitter plates are described. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first substrate and a multilayer optical film reflective polarizer that is disposed on the first substrate. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first outermost major surface and an opposing second outermost major surface that makes an angle of less than about 20 degrees with the first outermost major surface. The polarizing beam splitter plate is adapted to reflect an imaged light received from an imager towards a viewer or screen with the reflected imaged light having an effective pixel resolution of less than 12 microns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.