Abstract: Multi-core optical fiber ribbons and methods for making multi-core optical fiber ribbons are described herein. In one embodiment, a multi-core optical fiber ribbon includes at least two core members formed from silica-based glass and oriented in parallel with one another in a single plane. Adjacent core members have a center-to-center spacing ?15 microns and a cross-talk between adjacent core members is ??25 dB. In this embodiment each core member is single-moded with an index of refraction nc, and a core diameter dc. In an alternative embodiment, each core member is multi-moded and the center-to-center spacing between adjacent core members is ?25 microns. A single cladding layer is formed from silica-based glass and surrounds and is in direct contact with the core members. The single cladding layer is substantially rectangular in cross section with a thickness ?400 microns and an index of refraction nc1?nc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for etching flexible glass sheets (13) in which the sheets (13) are transported in a vertical or near vertical orientation past non-contact, liquid-ejecting bearings (3) which apply an etching solution (e.g., an aqueous NaF/H3PO4 solution) to one or both sides of the sheets (13). In certain embodiments, the uppermost liquid-ejecting bearing (3) is above the top edge of the sheet (13) and thus is able to apply etching solution to the top of the sheet. In other embodiments, a top shower (11), which includes a set of spray nozzles (21) located above and distributed along the length of the apparatus, is used to apply etching solution to the top of the sheet (13). Using the disclosed methods and apparatus, glass sheets (13) produced by a fusion process are provided which have areas greater than five square meters and average surface roughness values in the range of 0.5 nanometers to 1.1 nanometers.

Abstract: An enhanced process for the production of a dianhydrosugar, such as isosorbide, from the corresponding sugar alcohol is described. The sugar alcohol is combined with an acid catalyst and reacted at elevated temperatures and at atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for a vacuum. High selectivity and yields are achieved.

Abstract: An anti-foaming agent containing (A) an organopolysiloxane and a finely powdered inorganic filler, (B) a polyoxyalkylene group-containing branched chain organopolysiloxane, and (C) an anionic surfactant. This anti-foaming agent exhibits stable anti-foaming performance even at high temperatures that reach, for example, 80 QC or under strongly alkaline conditions and produces no aggregates.

Abstract: A metal oxide thin film substrate for an organic light-emitting device (OLED) which exhibits superior light extraction efficiency and can be easily fabricated at low cost and a method of fabricating the same and a method of fabricating the same. The metal oxide thin film substrate for an OLED includes a base substrate and a metal oxide thin film formed on the base substrate, the metal oxide thin film being made of a mixture of at least two metal oxides having different refractive indices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glass-ceramics having crystalline phases including ?-spodumene ss and either (i) pseudobrookite or (ii) vanadium or vanadium containing compounds so as to be colored and opaque glass-ceramics having coordinates, determined from total reflectance—specular included—measurements, in the CIELAB color space of the following ranges: L*=from about 20 to about 45; a*=from about ?2 to about +2; and b*=from about ?12 to about +1. Such CIELAB color space coordinates can be substantially uniform throughout the glass-ceramics. In each of the proceeding, ?-quartz ss can be substantially absent from the crystalline phases. If present, ?-quartz ss can be less than about 20 wt % or, alternatively, less than about 15 wt % of the crystalline phases. Also Further crystalline phases might include spinel ss (e.g., hercynite and/or gahnite-hercynite ss), rutile, magnesium zinc phosphate, or spinel ss (e.g., hercynite and/or gahnite-hercynite ss) and rutile.

Abstract: A method of producing silicon containing thin films by the thermal polymerization of a reactive gas mixture bisaminosilacyclobutane and source gas selected from a nitrogen providing gas, an oxygen providing gas and mixtures thereof. The films deposited may be silicon nitride, silicon carbonitride, silicon dioxide or carbon doped silicon dioxide. These films are useful as dielectrics, passivation coatings, barrier coatings, spacers, liners and/or stressors in semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include stacked fiber optic modules and fiber optic equipment supporting stacked fiber optic modules. In one embodiment, a stacked fiber optic module is provided. This embodiment of the stacked fiber optic module comprises a body having a first sub-body and a second sub-body where the second sub-body can translate relative to the first sub-body. The stacked fiber optic module further comprises a first plurality of fiber optic components disposed in a first longitudinal axis in the at least one front side. The stacked fiber optic module also further comprises a second plurality of fiber optic components disposed adjacent the first plurality of fiber optic components in a second longitudinal axis parallel or substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis in the at least one front side.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrolyte solution involves combining ammonium tetrafluoroborate and a quaternary ammonium halide in a liquid solvent to form a quaternary ammonium tetrafluoroborate and an ammonium halide. The ammonium halide precipitate is removed from the solvent to form an electrolyte solution. The reactants can be added step-wise to the solvent, and the method can include using a stoichiometric excess of the ammonium tetrafluoroborate to form a substantially halide ion-free electrolyte solution.

Abstract: Described herein are polarizing articles and methods of making the same. The methods are useful in preparing polarizing articles having high durability and increased polarizing efficiency. The polarizing articles are useful in any article where it is desirable to reduce or remove glare.

Abstract: A cell culture microcarrier includes a polymer formed from copolymerization of a mixture including (i) an uncharged hydrophilic unsaturated monomer having a hydroxyl group; (ii) a hydrophilic carboxylic acid containing unsaturated monomer; and (iii) a hydrophilic multifunctional unsaturated monomer. The microcarrier may further include a polypeptide, such as a polypeptide that promotes cell adhesion, conjugated to the surface of the microcarrier; e.g. via the carboxyl group from the hydrophilic carboxylic acid containing unsaturated monomer. Some of the microcarriers support attachment of human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: A new and distinct Guzmania hybrid named ‘BLITZ’ characterized by solid growth habit; funnel-form rosette plant, measuring about 20 cm to 25 cm in height (above the pot when flowering); numerous, green color foliage (measuring about 25 to 30 cm length and about 3.0 to 3.5 cm in width) Superior floral bract production; bracts are red in color (closest to RHS 45A), singular head inflorescence, measuring about 8 cm in height and about 18 cm in diameter; and long-lasting habit.

Abstract: A method comprises separate and consecutive steps (i) and (ii). Step (i) includes contacting a copper catalyst with hydrogen gas and a halogenated silane monomer at a temperature of 500° C. to 1400° C. to form a silicon-containing copper catalyst comprising at least 0.1% (w/w) of silicon. Step (ii) includes contacting the silicon-containing copper catalyst with an organohalide at a temperature of 100° C. to 600° C. to form a reaction product. The organohalide has formula HaCbXc, where X is a halogen atom, subscript a is an integer of 0 or more, subscript b is an integer of 1 or more, and subscript c is an integer of 2 or more. The method produces a reaction product. The reaction product includes a halogenated silahydrocarbylene.

Abstract: A method for producing an amorphous activated carbon material includes heating a carbon precursor to a temperature effective to form a partially-dense amorphous carbon, and activating the partially-dense amorphous carbon to produce an amorphous activated carbon. To facilitate efficient activation of the amorphous carbon, the carbonization is controlled to produce an amorphous carbon material that, prior to activation, has a density of from 85% to 99% of a maximum density for the amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber, and a method of making the fiber, are provided according to the following steps and elements: forming a core preform with a graded refractive index that includes silica and an up-dopant; drawing the core preform into a core cane; forming an inner annular segment preform that includes silica soot and an up-dopant surrounding the core cane; and forming a depressed-index annular segment preform that includes silica soot surrounding the inner annular segment preform. The method also includes the steps: forming an outer annular segment preform that includes silica soot and an up-dopant surrounding the depressed-index annular segment preform; doping the inner, depressed-index and outer annular segment preforms simultaneously or nearly simultaneously with a down-dopant; and consolidating the segment preforms simultaneously or nearly simultaneously into inner, depressed-index and outer annular segments.

Abstract: Methods of capturing improved-contrast mode spectra of a double ion-exchanged (DIOX) glass sample using prism coupling of index np. The DIOX glass sample has a refractive index profile with a first region adjacent the surface that satisfies 0.0005 ? ? ? n ? ? n ? x ? ? 0.0009 , where ? is a wavelength of measuring light. The prism-sample interface includes an interfacing liquid of index nf that differs from np by no more than 0.03, and that can exceed np. The mode spectra have a contrast that is higher than that obtained by conventional prism coupling by using gradient illumination or partially blocked illumination that reduces the amount of background reflected light from the coupling prism. The improved-contrast mode spectra can be processed using conventional means to determine at least one stress characteristic of the DIOX glass sample.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the disclosure pertain to an article including an optical film structure disposed on an inorganic oxide substrate, which may include a strengthened or non-strengthened substrate that may be amorphous or crystalline, such that the article exhibits scratch resistance and retains the same or improved optical properties as the inorganic oxide substrate, without the optical film structure disposed thereon. In one or more embodiments, the article exhibits an average transmittance of 85% or more, over the visible spectrum (e.g., 380 nm-780 nm). Embodiments of the optical film structure include aluminum-containing oxides, aluminum-containing oxy-nitrides, aluminum-containing nitrides (e.g., AlN) and combinations thereof. The optical film structures disclosed herein also include a transparent dielectric including oxides such as silicon oxide, germanium oxide, aluminum oxide and a combination thereof. Methods of forming such articles are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of characterizing the thickness profile of laminated glass structures are disclosed, wherein the laminated glass structure has at least one gradual transition region between adjacent glass layers. The method includes sequentially focusing laser light at different focuses along a line within the laminated glass structure. The sequentially formed focuses define corresponding micro-volumes from which fluorescent light emanates due to a multiphoton process. The variation in the intensity of the detected fluorescent light from each micro-volume as a function of distance into the laminated glass structure is used to determine the relative locations of the multiple layers and the at least one gradual transition region.

Abstract: A combination of a pulling grip assembly and a fiber optic cable assembly for installing the fiber optic cable, including: a flexible grip having an open loop region for pull-force engagement and a closed region engaged with the strength member in a fiber optic cable assembly; a first heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the distal end of the fiber optic cable assembly and the distal end of cable; and a second heat shrunk member positioned about a portion of the closed region of the flexible grip and the proximal end of the fiber optic cable assembly. A method of using the pulling grip assembly and a quick release pulling grip kit for installing fiber optic cable, as defined herein, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Manufacturing an optical fiber by using an outside vapor deposition technique for making a substrate, applying one or more layers to the substrate using a radial pressing technique to form a soot blank, sintering the soot blank in the presence of a gaseous refractive index-modifying dopant, and drawing the sintered soot blank, provides a more efficient and cost effective process for generating complex refractive index profiles.