Abstract: This invention relates to a transparent or translucent transaction card having a base comprising a core of substantially transparent or translucent material with a plurality of coats, including optically recognizable ink comprising one or more infrared blocking dyes and other nanoparticles, such as rare earth nanophosphors and other metal nanoparticles, and/or optically recognizable film comprising nanoparticles, such as rare earth nanophosphors, and other metal oxide and/or non-oxide complexes, and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: Methods of additive manufacturing a superalloy component are disclosed. In one method a powder bed of superalloy powder is selectively scanned with a focused laser beam in a line-by-line manner; and the spacing between adjacent scan lines is no more than twice the layer thickness being formed. In another method a compressive stress treatment is applied to the surface of the final component prior to separation of said component from the substrate. In a further method a superalloy component is formed on a substrate and the method includes Hot Isostatic Processing of the component wherein the mass of the substrate is reduced prior to the Hot Isostatic Processing. The methods may be combined in a multi-step process.

Abstract: Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape).

Abstract: A method of forming an article in a layer wise manufacturing process from a computer software file representing the article includes dividing the file into sub files in dependence of the size or other characteristics of features of the article to be created, applying a process characteristic selected independence on a characteristic feature to each sub file and manufacturing the article in accordance with the subfiles.

Abstract: A metallic laminate composite having a first alloy layer having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second alloy layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion. Additional and optional layers may be included in the laminate composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transparent or translucent transaction card having a base comprising a core of substantially transparent or translucent material with a plurality of coats, including optically recognizable ink comprising one or more infrared blocking dyes and other nanoparticles, such as rare earth nanophosphors and other metal nanoparticles, and/or optically recognizable film comprising nanoparticles, such as rare earth nanophosphors, and other metal oxide and/or non-oxide complexes, and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: There is provided a cochlear implant for improving the hearing ability of a patient suffered from hearing impairment comprising an internal receiving unit implanted into the body, which comprises a receiving part for receiving external signal, an active electrode and a reference electrode, characterized in that the active electrode is constructed with a single electrode wire having different thickness in at least two different regions. The active electrode of the internal receiving unit is inserted into a space formed at between the mastoid bone and the ear canal skin and end of the active electrode is inserted into the scala tympani of the cochlea and directly stimulates spiral ganglion. The cochlear implant provides easier implantation into the body and improved hearing ability at a lower cost.

Abstract: A method of forming an article includes forming a layer of a mixture of at least two distinct metal powders selected such that when combined they are chemically in the proportions of a superalloy containing a gamma prime phase, and fusing the powders locally without diffusion to define the shape of a part of the article such that the materials of the distinct metal powders remain substantially chemically segregated forming regions of different chemical composition. The method further includes repeating the forming and fusing until the derived article is formed, and heat treating the finished article such that at least one of the distinct separate materials diffuses to form a gamma prime phase containing superalloy with the other.

Abstract: A powder bed additive layer manufacturing system includes a linear traversing re-coater and a build plate. The build plate is mounted for rotation relative to the re-coater on an axis extending through the build plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of verifying a scan speed in a laser scanning system. The method includes modulating the laser of the system to form a periodically modulated feature from which the actual scan speed can be read or deduced.

Abstract: A method of forming an article using a powder layer manufacturing process includes providing a first support, forming a part of an article up to a level at or beneath the lowest point of a to-be-formed part which has a base spaced from the first support, locating a preformed support beneath the location in which the to-be-formed part will lie so that part can be formed on the preformed support and wherein the preformed support does not project beyond the level, and removing the preformed support when the to-be-formed part and/or the article is completed.

Abstract: 1. A powder bed additive layer manufacturing system including a linear traversing re-coater and a build plate characterised in that the build plate is mounted for rotation, relative to the re-coater or movement about an axis.

Abstract: A method of making an article having at least one re-entrance surface includes the steps of (a) forming a layer of metal powder on a base, (b) selectively laser fusing portions of the layer, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to form the article, each step (a) being performed on the preceding layer characterised in that prior to performing step (a) in a layer which will initiate the formation of a re-entrant feature reversibly bonding at least some of the unfused underlying powder such that it is stable under the application of the laser.

Abstract: An interactive whiteboard system includes a combination electrical writable and dry erase marker, an interactive whiteboard to receive writing on the interactive whiteboard with the combination electrical writable and dry erase marker, and a computer operatively coupled to the interactive whiteboard to capture writing on the interactive whiteboard with the combination electrical writable and dry erase marker.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus performing a part at a location on the workpiece. In particular the object is to form a bund to contain a powder around a forming part. In different aspects the retained powder may not be heated above half its melting point and/or the powder dispensing systems may include a delivery hopper which can be translated across a flat area and carries the recoater blade on the hopper.

Abstract: A method of forming an article in a layer wise manufacturing process from a computer software file representing the article includes dividing the file into sub files in dependence of the size or other characteristics of features of the article to be created, applying a process characteristic selected independence on a characteristic feature to each sub file and manufacturing the article in accordance with the subfiles.

Abstract: From one aspect, a method of forming a support for use in a selective sintering or melting process includes forming a body on a platen having a plurality of generally parallel channels each channel being open at least one end. The base of the channels may be formed by the platen. Preferably the support is formed by a selective sintering or melting process.

Abstract: A writing system includes a pen with a two-dimensional optical sensor and a three dimensional acceleration sensor positioned to indicate movement of the pen. A calibrator is coupled to receive path coordinate signals from the two-dimensional optical sensor and the three dimensional acceleration sensor. The calibrator and the two-dimensional optical sensor and the three dimensional acceleration sensor are configured to operate in one of two modes, a contactable mode of operation wherein both the two-dimensional optical sensor and the three dimensional acceleration sensor supply path coordinate signals to the coordinator and a contactless mode of operation wherein only the three dimensional acceleration sensor supplies path coordinate signals to the coordinator.

Abstract: A method of making an article having at least one re-entrance surface includes the steps of (a) forming a layer of metal powder on a base, (b) selectively laser fusing portions of the layer, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to form the article, each step (a) being performed on the preceding layer characterised in that prior to performing step (a) in a layer which will initiate the formation of a re-entrant feature reversibly bonding at least some of the unfused underlying powder such that it is stable under the application of the laser

Abstract: A method of making an article includes determining the greatest dimension of an article along a selected axis, and manufacturing a first part of the article between an end and a face lying in the laterally extending plane containing the dimension. The method further includes placing the article on the support of direct layer deposition (DLD) apparatus with the face upwards, and forming the remaining part of the article using the DLD apparatus.