Abstract: A method and system are presented for monitoring a process sequentially applied to a stream of substantially identical articles by a processing tool, so as to terminate the operation of the processing tool upon detecting an end-point signal corresponding to a predetermined value of a desired parameter of the article being processed. The article is processed with the processing tool. Upon completing the processing in response to the end-point signal generated by an end-point detector continuously operating during the processing of the article, integrated monitoring is applied to the processed article to measure the value of the desired parameter. The measured value of the desired parameter is analyzed to determine a correction value thereof to be used for adjusting the end-point signal corresponding to the predetermined value of the desired parameter for terminating the processing of the next article in the stream.

Abstract: An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine the orientation of randomly arranged birefringent fibers are disclosed. One method comprises emitting light, creating Ni polarization states of the emitted light, illuminating the birefringent fibers with the emitted light so polarized, thereby generating IRi internal reflection components of the light in the birefringent fibers, observing the light from the illuminated birefringent fibers, creating Oi polarization states of the observed light, forming Ii images of the observed polarized light, each image comprising an information (Ni, Oi, IRi), wherein i=1, 2, . . . , n and n?3, separating the i-th internal reflection component from the i-th image, and calculating an angle of a neutral axis of the birefringent fibers using the IRi internal reflection components.

Abstract: A robotic mechanism comprising a chassis having a first side and an opposite second side, a first leg member rotatably coupled to the chassis proximate the first side and a second leg member rotatably coupled to the chassis proximate the second side. The first leg member and the second leg member being of generally spiral shape. The first leg member and the second leg member rotating generally about a common axis. The chassis having a center of mass lying below the common axis.

Abstract: A multi-channel laser interferometric method and apparatus are provided for optically measuring transient motion from a surface (17). A laser beam (11) is generated and then divided into first and second beams having respective intensities representing minor and major fraction of the predetermined laser intensity. The reference beam (18) illuminates the surface (17) at which deformation is expected. The light back-scattered by the surface is collected by a single aperture lens (15) and then made to interfere with the probe beam (67) which has been expanded (32), onto a two-dimensional array of detectors (71). Each signal (83) corresponding to each detector of the array is converted individually to an electrical signal, each electrical signal is amplified and processed (84), and the plurality of processed signals (85) is then averaged in an electrical summing means (45).

Abstract: Expandable or pre-expanded thermoplastic particles, e.g. polystyrene particles, used to form foam containers e.g. cups, bowls, are coated with a coating composition comprising a liquid part consisting of a) liquid polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 200 to 800; and a solid part comprising components selected from the group consisting of b) polyolefin wax, e.g. polyethylene wax, c) a metal salt of higher fatty acids, e.g. zinc stearate or calcium stearate; d) polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 900 to 10,000; and e) a fatty bisamide or fatty amide, e.g. ethylene bis-stearamide; and combinations of b) through e). The coating composition prevents or resists leakage of liquids and foods with oil and/or fatty components and improves the rim strength and ATF properties of foam containers.

Abstract: A method of performing data/information recording and retrieval utilizing a multilevel patterned magnetic medium, comprises providing a magnetic recording system including a read/write head and a multilevel patterned magnetic recording medium including a plurality of spaced apart data/information storage elements each comprising a stacked plurality n of magnetic recording cells with different magnetic properties and magnetically decoupled from overlying and/or underlying cells; providing relative movement between the write head and magnetic recording medium; and writing to the medium by supplying the write head with a modulated write current comprising a plurality n of pulses of different magnitudes while the head passes over each element, thereby applying n different magnetic field strengths to each element, such that the writing occurs in a single pass of the write head over each element.

Abstract: The method and apparatus consist of a robot body having at least two, but preferably six appendages. The appendages are organized into appendage groups of one to six appendages. The appendages are linked mechanically into groups of two or more and each group is actuated using a single drive actuator. A selective engagement mechanism is used to selectively engaged and disengage one or more appendages at a time in a way that allows for at least one appendage and at most all but one appendage per group to be engaged to a group's drive actuator. When the appendage is disengaged it is preferably locked in place to resist a reasonable force applied to them externally, such as the force equivalent to the weight of the robot.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a test sample from a specimen using a lancet system includes engaging a lancet driver against a drive wing of a lancet system, the lancet system having a major portion of a lancet member slidably engaged within a lancet carrier and a sensor strip with a sample chamber attached to the lancet carrier, the lancet system having a lance connected to a first end of a lancet body of the lancet member wherein the lance is movable from a retracted position within the lancet carrier to an extended position outside the lancet carrier, the drive wing extending outwardly and transversely from the lancet body, the major portion of the lancet member having a sinuous portion with a distal end restricted from movement by the lancet carrier, the sinuous portion being non-compressible when initially disposed within the lancet carrier wherein the drive wing prevents the sinuous portion from being compressed, moving the drive wing with the lancet driver a predetermined distance causing the lancet tip to move

Abstract: A lightweight cementitious composition containing from 22 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition and from 10 to 78 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, where after the lightweight cementitious composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39. The cementitious composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles and can be included as a layer on wall panels and floor panels and can be used in insulated concrete forms. Aspects of the lightweight cementitious composition can be used to make lightweight structural units.

Abstract: A composite building panel that includes a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, containing an expanded polymer matrix, having opposite faces, a top surface, and a bottom surface; at least one embedded framing stud longitudinally extending across the central body between the opposite faces, having a first end embedded in the expanded polymer matrix, a second end extending away from the bottom surface of the central body, and one or more expansion holes in the embedded studs between the first end of the embedded stud and bottom surface through which the polymer matrix expands. A concrete layer can optionally cover a portion of the top surface and/or bottom surface. The building panel can be positioned perpendicular to a structural wall and/or foundation to provide a floor panel. The second end of the framing studs can be embedded in a second central body to provide an insulated concrete form.

Abstract: A composite building panel that includes a central body, substantially parallelepipedic in shape, containing an expanded polymer matrix, having opposite faces, a top surface, and a bottom surface; at least one embedded framing stud longitudinally extending across the central body between the opposite faces, having a first end embedded in the expanded polymer matrix, a second end extending away from the bottom surface of the central body, and one or more expansion holes in the embedded studs between the first end of the embedded stud and bottom surface through which the polymer matrix expands. A concrete layer can optionally cover a portion of the top surface and/or bottom surface. The building panel can be positioned perpendicular to a structural wall and/or foundation to provide a floor panel. The second end of the framing studs can be embedded in a second central body to provide an insulated concrete form.

Abstract: Interpolymer resin particles comprised of 20% to 60% by weight of uncross-linked polyolefin e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, and from 40% to 80% by weight based on the weight of the particles of a vinyl aromatic monomer, e.g. styrene, that is polymerized in a suspension process to form an interpenetrating network of polyolefin with polymerized vinyl aromatic monomer particles and having a gel content of 0 to 1.5% by weight based on the weight of the particles for improved processability in end-use applications and improved ESCR properties. The interpolymer resin particles have a VICAT softening temperature from about 90° C. to about 115° C., and a melt index from 0.2 to 35.0 g/10 minutes (Condition G). The particles can be mixed with a blowing agent to form extruded foam articles, such as foam board, and can be used in extrusion, injection molding, rotomolding, and thermoforming processes to form a layer, e.g.

Abstract: A system for more accurately measuring glucose in a sample includes a first glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of glucose oxidase, a second glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of PQQ-glucose dehydrogenase, a reference electrode, and means for selecting between a first glucose measurement made with the first glucose-sensing electrode and a second glucose measurement made with the second glucose-sensing electrode.

Abstract: An electronic memory device is presented. The device comprises at least one basic unit (FIG. 2), which is configured as a memory cell for storing at least one bit of information. The basic unit comprises a vacuum cavity (FIG. 2, 2) for free charge carriers propagation therethrough, a region of charge carriers emission or entry into the vacuum cavity (FIG. 2, 10), an anode electrode (FIG. 2, 11) which are kept under controllable voltage conditions, and at least one floating gate electrode (FIG. 2, 12) accommodated in a path of said free charge carriers propagating through the vacuum cavity between the emission or entry region and the anode. The floating gate electrode serves for storing therein a charge indicative of the at least one bit of information.

Abstract: A bilirubin sensor has a working electrode with a first chemical matrix disposed thereon that contains a binder, a substrate electrode with a second chemical matrix dispose thereon that contains a binder and a chemical agent that consumes bilirubin, a reference electrode, a sample chamber containing the working electrode, the substrate electrode and the reference electrode, and a method of measuring bilirubin in a body fluid.

Abstract: A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘Flame Thrower’ characterized by medium large bicolor orange and red ray florets, dark cones, free flowering, well-branched flower stalks, early bloom time, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Tiarella plant characterized by small palmately-lobed leaves, with the terminal lobe the longest, an excellent trailing habit, distinct, dark brown markings following the veins, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct form of Begonia plant characterized by deeply cut maple-shaped leaves, heavily silver-spotted foliage, and vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘Heavenly Dream’ characterized by medium size inflorescences, broad, white ray florets that curl down slightly, broad, white ray florets that curl down slightly, yellow orange cones, a low spreading habit, a free flowering, very well-branched flower stalks, and excellent vigor.