Abstract: A method for forming an optical fiber includes drawing the optical fiber from a glass supply and treating the fiber by maintaining the optical fiber in a treatment zone wherein the fiber is cooled at a specified cooling rate. The optical fiber treatment reduces the tendency of the optical fiber to increase in attenuation due to Rayleigh scattering, and/or over time following formation of the optical fiber due to heat aging. Methods for producing optical fibers along nonlinear paths incorporating fluid bearings are also provided thereby allowing for increased vertical space for the fiber treatment zone.

Abstract: Methods of drawing glass sheet via a downdraw process are provided. In certain aspects, the methods utilize rapid cooling below the root (70) of the forming apparatus (10). Such rapid cooling can, for example, facilitate the use of glass having a liquidus viscosity less than about 100,000 poise. In other aspects, the methods utilize slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises. Such slow cooling can facilitate the production of glass substrates which exhibit low levels of compaction. In further aspects, substrates are removed from the glass sheet at elevated temperatures which can facilitate increases in the production rates of downdraw machines. In still further aspects, rapid cooling below the root, slow cooling between the viscosities of 1011 poises and 1014 poises, and/or substrate removal at elevated temperatures are combined. Such combinations can facilitate economically effective utilization of downdraw equipment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing an anisotropic material comprising providing a viscoplastic material having a yield stress, and a plurality of magnetic particles disposed therein, and then subjecting the viscoplastic material to a magnetic field for a time sufficient to at least partially align at least a portion of the magnetic particles to at least one of a predetermined position or orientation. Also disclosed is an article having anisotropic properties comprising a viscoplastic material, and a plurality of magnetic particles distributed therein and at least partially aligned to a predetermined orientation. An article having anisotropic properties, comprising a fixed viscoplastic material, and a plurality of magnetic particles distributed and at least partially anisotropically aligned in the fixed viscoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a glass sheet with reduced zircon inclusions in the glass sheet is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises heating elements distributed vertically between the weirs of a forming wedge and the root of the forming wedge, and wherein a thermal barrier is disposed between adjacent heating elements. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for electrostatic deposition (ESD) of aerosol particles and methods of depositing the aerosol particles onto a substrate are disclosed. The ESD apparatus and the method of the present invention are useful for electrostatically depositing nanoparticles produced by gas-phase synthesis onto a substrate where the velocity of the flow of aerosol can be controlled.

Abstract: A system useful for electrostatic deposition (ESD) of aerosol particles and methods of depositing the aerosol particles onto a substrate are disclosed. The ESD system and the method of the present invention are useful for electrostatically depositing nanoparticles produced by gas-phase synthesis, using an induction particle generator, onto a substrate. Direct current may be used with minimized corona leakage in the system, which would otherwise be damaging to the induction particle generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for small particle and nanoparticle synthesis. A durable particle generator capable of high temperature particle synthesis is disclosed. The particle generator is configured as to minimize susceptor degradation associated with harsh reaction conditions.