Abstract: Structural supports for elements, particularly supports for filtration materials and membranes, and methods of manufacturing such supports are disclosed. The membrane support structure includes one or more tapered through-holes that enable a much larger area of the membrane to be exposed to fluid flow, thereby enhancing separation processes and membrane efficiency. In addition, through-holes having smaller openings on one side of the structure produce improved support and mechanical stability/rigidity. Thus, the structural support increases the surface area of the membrane through which filtration may take place, yet preserves the mechanical strength and stability of the support structure.

Abstract: A photoresist etching process and system can be used for the etching of non-planar or three-dimensional surfaces by using a non-planar shaped fiber optic array or fiber optic panel. The array or panel has a contour or shape that may nest a non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface. The non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface has a photoresist composition on its surface facing the optical fibers of the fiber optic array or panel, and the article or surface is nested against the contour or shape of the array or panel. Radiation is transported through the optical fibers and exposes the photoresist composition. The optical fiber array may perform an image-wise exposure of the photoresist composition by appropriate blockage of the radiation before it enters or as it enters a distal end of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A flat or curved photochromic laminate structure and a plastic photochromic lens blank can be produced in a simple and efficient manner from relatively low-cost polymeric sheet materials. These laminates can be used to provide goggles, face shields, windows, window coverings, skylights, and optical lenses having efficient, uniform and high quality photochromic properties. The use of a polyesterurethane as the binder for the photochromic material has been found to improve the performance of the photochromic material. There may be a desire to have a protective exterior layer (e.g., an abrasion resistant layer) in combination with the lens system, but that may be provided in various methods. In the case of using the laminate in a goggle application, the laminate may be hard coated on one or both outer surfaces with an abrasion resistant coating, antireflective coating, and/or an anti-fog hard coating.

Abstract: In an improved method of etching apertures in a thin metal sheet to form a shadow mask for a color picture tube, the metal sheet has a first acid-resistant stencil on one major surface thereof and a second acid-resistant stencil on the other major surface thereof. At least one of the stencils has openings therein at locations of intended apertures. The improvement comprises the steps of magnetically holding the metal sheet with a flat magnetic assembly, and moving the magnetic assembly magnetically holding the metal sheet thereon through an etching chamber. The magnetic assembly includes a magnetic layer that is supported on an acid-resistant board.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of flexible tubular elements, particularly stents for the medical field, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a hollow metal tube (or metal coated tube) with an open pattern of a chemical-etch-resistant coating layer; b) supporting the hollow metal tube with a coating thereon onto a chemical etch resistant support element; c) contacting the open pattern with a solution capable of etching the metal of the hollow metal tube so that said metal is etched away from physically exposed surfaces of the metal tube and openings in the metal tube corresponding to the open pattern of the coating layer are created in the metal tube element without etching the chemical etch resistant support element; and d) removing the metal tube from the chemical etch resistant support element.

Abstract: A photoresist etching process and system can be used for the etching of non-planar or three-dimensional surfaces by using a non-planar shaped fiber optic array or fiber optic panel. The array or panel has a contour or shape that may nest a non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface. The non-planar or three-dimensional article or surface has a photoresist composition on its surface facing the optical fibers of the fiber optic array or panel, and the article or surface is nested against the contour or shape of the array or panel. Radiation is transported through the optical fibers and exposes the photoresist composition. The optical fiber array may perform an image-wise exposure of the photoresist composition by appropriate blockage of the radiation before it enters or as it enters a distal end of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Etch resistance of protein-based resist compositions can be improved by treatment of the resist coatings with oxidizing salts prior to exposure of the resist coating to etchant solutions. For example, protein-based, film forming compositions comprising casein, fish glue or albumin can be hardened by the treatment of oxidizing salts (such as chlorates, chlorites, perchlorates, bromates, iodates, periodates, perbromates, and hypochlorite). These salts can be used to harden the protein-based film-forming compositions without environmental damage by appropriate selection of the cation (e.g., sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, organic cations, and the like). Etch resistance is improved such that ferric chloride or other acidic etchant solutions can be used in etching the metal surface or substrate containing the casein-based photoresist.

Abstract: A process for the etching of multiple layers of at least two different metals comprisies: forming a resist pattern over a first layer of metal, said resist pattern having a pattern of openings therein, applying a first etch solution onto said resist pattern so that at least some etch solution contacts exposed areas of the first layer of metal, etching away the majority of the depth of the first metal in exposed areas of metal in the first layer of metal, applying a second etch solution onto the resist pattern the second etch solution having a rate of etch towards the first metal as compared to the first etch solution that is at least 20% less than the millimeter/minute rate of etch of the first etch solution at the same etch solution temperature, removing the second etch solution from said resist pattern after at least the first metal layer has been etched sufficiently to expose areas of a second metal layer underlying the first metal layer by forming an etched first metal layer, and applying a third etch so

Abstract: A process for the formation of an article having multiple electrical circuits comprises: providing a first sub-element comprising in sequence a first metal layer of copper in electrical contact with a second metal layer of aluminum in electrical contact with a third metal layer of copper; etching an electrical circuit design in the first metal layer and in a separate etch step, etching away at least 10%, but less than 100% of the second metal layer to provide electrical connections between the first metal layer and the third metal layer; etching an electrical circuit design into the third metal layer; adhering an etched surface comprising the circuit design of the first or third metal layer to a first surface of a support layer to form a circuit board. The process may etch the first and third metal layers simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: In an improved method of etching apertures in a thin metal sheet to form a shadow mask for a color picture tube, the metal sheet has a first acid-resistant stencil on one major surface thereof and a second acid-resistant stencil on the other major surface thereof. At least one of the stencils has openings therein at locations of intended apertures. The improvement comprises the steps of magnetically holding the metal sheet with a flat magnetic assembly, and moving the magnetic assembly magnetically holding the metal sheet thereon through an etching chamber. The magnetic assembly includes a magnetic layer that is supported on an acid-resistant board.

Abstract: A process for the formation of an article having multiple electrical circuits comprises: providing a first sub-element comprising in sequence a first metal layer of copper in electrical contact with a second metal layer of aluminum in electrical contact with a third metal layer of copper; etching an electrical circuit design in the first metal layer and in a separate etch step, etching away at least 10%, but less than 100% of the second metal layer to provide electrical connections between the first metal layer and the third metal layer; etching an electrical circuit design into the third metal layer; adhering an etched surface comprising the circuit design of the first or third metal layer to a first surface of a support layer to form a circuit board. The process may etch the first and third metal layers simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: A process is described for the manufacture of flexible tubular elements, particularly stents for the medical field, the process comprising the steps of:a) providing a hollow metal tube (or metal coated tube) with an open pattern of a chemical-etch-resistant coating layer;b) supporting the hollow metal tube with a coating thereon onto a chemical etch resistant support element;c) contacting the open pattern with a solution capable of etching the metal of the hollow metal tube so that said metal is etched away from physically exposed surfaces of the metal tube and openings in the metal tube corresponding to the open pattern of the coating layer are created in the metal tube element without etching the chemical etch resistant support element; andd) removing the metal tube from the chemical etch resistant support element.

Abstract: A laser probe for measuring apertures in a sheet of material has a laser beam and a detection system. The laser beam has a major axis and a minor axis which are orthogonal to each other. The major axis is much larger than the minor axis. The dimensions of the apertures are determined from the fraction of the laser beam which passes through the sheet of material. Slot widths are measured by identifying relatively constant amounts of light passing through the sheet as the sheet moves relative to the laser beam.

Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, and R.sub.11 are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a first stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a first nitrogen-substituted group, and a first nitrogen-substituted ring compound; A and B are each selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, substituted phenyl, and substituted naphthyl, provided that at least one of A or B is substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl; and any substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at A or B is selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen, a second stable organic radical, a heterocyclic group, halogen, a second nitrogen-substituted group, and a second nitrogen-substituted ring compound, provided that at least one substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at either A or B is phenyl, naphthyl, or furyl.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shadow mask for use in a cathode ray tube includes providing a thin metal web having a first and second major surfaces. Photosensitive layers are formed on the first and second major surfaces. The first photosensitive layer is exposed to a first patterned light and the second photosensitive layer is exposed to a second patterned light. The exposure is continued until respective accumulated exposure of the photosensitive layers reaches a predetermined value. Next, a first protective film is applied to the second photosensitive layer to prevent etching of the second surface. The first surface is then etched to form a first cavity. The first cavity has a depth that is less than a distance from the first surface to the second surface. A second protective film is applied to the first surface to prevent additional etching of the first surface. Then the first protective film is removed and the second surface is etched to form a second cavity.

Abstract: The present includes a progressively variable focal power ophthalmic lens that has a unique geometry which significantly reduces aberrations in the lens. The aberrations are reduced by altering the traditional geometry associated with peripheral areas of the lens from a spherical shape to an aspherical shape. Still another advantage of the lens geometry of the present invention is that the aberrations remain low after the lens is rotated to accommodate the left or right eye.

Abstract: An etching system for etching openings in a metal web including multiple etching station for etching a metal web from opposite sides, with each of the etching stations including a set of first bank of oscillatable nozzles located in a first chamber in the etching station, with the first bank of oscillatable nozzles having predetermined spacings from one another and operable for directing etchant at a first side of a metal web and a second bank of oscillatable nozzles located in a second chamber in the etching station, with the second bank of oscillatable nozzles having a predetermined spacing substantially identical to the first bank of oscillatable nozzles, with the second set of oscillatable nozzles laterally offset from the first set of nozzles, so they do not spray on directly opposite regions located on the metal web, with the banks of the nozzles in adjacent etching stations offset from each other with the oscillation axis of the nozzles at an angle off normal, so that etchant is sprayed in elliptical p

Abstract: A shadow mask for use in forming a television tube having a plurality of openings therein with the mask grade side having an average centerline roughness R.sub.ag, which is less than cone side average centerline roughness R.sub.ac so that when a plurality of aperture masks are stacked with the grade side of one mask in contact with the cone side of an adjacent mask, the greater roughness of the cone side provides sufficient spacing between the shadow masks to allow gasses to enter between the stacked masks to permit batch annealing of the stack of masks without having the stacked masks adhere to one another during the annealing process.

Abstract: An etching system for etching openings in a metal web including multiple etching station for etching a metal web from opposite sides with each of the etching stations including a set of first bank of oscillateable nozzles located in a first chamber in the etching station, with the first bank of oscillateable nozzles having predetermined spacings from one another, and operable for directing etchant at a first side of a metal web and a second bank of oscillateable nozzles located in a second chamber in the etching station, with the second bank of oscillateable nozzles having a predetermined spacing substantially identical to the first bank of oscillateable nozzles with the second set of oscillateable nozzles laterally offset from the first set of nozzles, so as not to spray on directly opposite regions located on the metal web with the banks of the nozzles in adjacent etching stations offset from each other with the oscillation axis of the nozzles is at an angle off normal so that etchant is sprayed in elliptic

Abstract: The present invention includes a glass multifocal light polarizing ophthalmic lens having a glass multifocal lens portion with a multifocal element fused to a convex outer surface of the multifocal lens portion, a single vision lens portion opposing the multifocal lens portion and a polarizing film sandwiched between the multifocal lens portion and the single vision lens portion. The present invention also includes a method for making the glass multifocal light polarizing ophthalmic lens.