Abstract: A technique is provided for the fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) film materials. The method includes mixing a relatively small amount of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) with larger amounts of MWNTs and CNFs, which enables one to produce highly flexible SWNT materials—advantageously without the need for bonding agents and at significantly lower costs compared to flexible SWNT materials. The method exploits SWNTs tendency to entangle together to form flexible films, using a small amount of SWNTs to wrap around and entangle the larger diameter MWNTs and CNFs together to form flexible films with highly beneficial mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties at a fraction of the cost of SWNT materials.

Abstract: The disclosed is a physisorption-based microcontact printing process capable of controlling film thickness, primarily for creating patterns of thin film of organic molecules in micron and submicron scales, comprising an inking phase, a printing phase, and a demolding phase. The inking phase is combined with a thin-film growth approach, wherein the thin-film approach enables growth of an organic thin film with desired thickness onto a stamp, effectively controls the thickness of the pattern of the organic thin film transferred in the next printing phase. The demolding phase enables proper control of the temperature of and the printing pressure upon the transferred thin-film pattern to control the quality of surface roughness and residual internal stress in the printed pattern.

Abstract: Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding structure and methods of making such structures are provided. In one case, a method is provided for making a lightweight composite structure for electromagnetic interference shielding, including the steps of providing a nanoscale fiber film which comprises a plurality of nanoscale fibers; and combining the nanoscale fiber film with one or more structural materials to form a composite material which is effective as an electromagnetic interference shielding structure. In another case, a method is provided for shielding a device which includes an electrical circuit from electromagnetic interference comprising the steps of providing a nanoscale fiber film which comprises a plurality of nanoscale fibers; and incorporating the nanoscale fiber film into an exterior portion of the device to shield an interior portion of the device from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A sensorless and brushless motor is disclosed including a stator, a rotor, a control circuit and an induction coil (50). The stator includes a stator core (30) and a stator coil (34) wound around the stator core. The rotor includes a rotor magnet (40). The control circuit is electrically connected with the stator coil for controlling a current energizing the stator coil. The induction coil is mounted to the stator and electrically connected with the control circuit. When the rotor rotates, the induction coil is capable of outputting a signal to the control circuit and in response to the signal, the control circuit is capable of changing a direction of the current flowing in the stator coil. Thus, the commutation control for the stator coil is performed by the induction coil and the conventional Hall sensor is eliminated.

Abstract: A direct and effective method of fabricating full-color OLED arrays on the basis of microcontact printing process is disclosed. The key of the method lies in a physisorption-based microcontact printing process capable of controlling thickness of the printed films. The organic EL materials involved can be of either small or large molecular weights, as long as they are suitable for solution process.

Abstract: An electro-machining apparatus using one or more carbon nanotubes as an electrode. The nanotubes can be the single-walled or multi-walled variety. The electrode can be used in numerous electro-machining processes, including electrical discharge machining (“EDM”), electron beam machining (“EBM”), and electro-chemical machining.

Abstract: A liquid pump (100) includes a top cover (40), a back plate (50), and a spacing member (60). The spacing member is sandwiched between the top cover and the back plate, thereby dividing an interior of the liquid pump into a fluid chamber (14) and a receiving cavity (16) isolated and hermetical from the fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is disposed between the top cover and the spacing member for receiving therein a fluid dynamic bearing (70) and a rotor (20) which drives working fluid to enter and leave the liquid pump. The receiving cavity is disposed between the spacing member and the back plate for receiving therein a stator (30) which drives the rotor to rotate in respective to the bearing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the continuous production of a network of nanotubes or other nanoscale fibers. The method includes making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium, optionally with surfactant and/or sonication, and filtering the suspension by moving a filter membrane through the suspension, such that the nanoscale fibers are deposited directly on the filter membrane as the fluid medium flows through the filter membrane, thereby forming a continuous membrane of the nanoscale fibers. The deposition of the nanoscale fibers can occur when and where the filter membrane moves into contact with a static, porous filter element or a dynamic, porous filter element. The filtering can be conducted within a magnetic field effective to align the nanoscale fibers, and/or with the aid of vacuum to pull water through the filter membrane, applied pressure to press water though the filter membrane, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A sensorless and brushless motor is disclosed including a stator, a rotor, a control circuit and an induction coil (50). The stator includes a stator core (30) and a stator coil (34) wound around the stator core. The rotor includes a rotor magnet (40). The control circuit is electrically connected with the stator coil for controlling a current energizing the stator coil. The induction coil is mounted to the stator and electrically connected with the control circuit. When the rotor rotates, the induction coil is capable of outputting a signal to the control circuit and in response to the signal, the control circuit is capable of changing a direction of the current flowing in the stator coil. Thus, the commutation control for the stator coil is performed by the induction coil and the conventional Hall sensor is eliminated.

Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preparing and culturing cells, particularly bone marrow stromal cells. The method includes the steps of placing an oxygenator and a scaffold in a container, such as a syringe, withdrawing bone marrow stromal cells with the syringe, evenly distributing the cells on the scaffold, connecting the syringe with a reservoir with a medium to enrich the syringe with the medium, and promoting the medium level movement in the syringe to culture bone marrow stromal cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for mechanically chopping nanotubes and other nanoscale fibrous materials. The method includes forming a macroscale article which include the nanoscale fibers, and then mechanically cutting the macroscale article into a finely divided form. In one embodiment, these steps are repeated. The nanoscale fibers may be carbon nanotubes, which optionally are aligned in the macroscale article. The macroscale article may be in the form of or include one or more buckypapers. In one embodiment, the macroscale article further includes a solid matrix material in which the nanoscale fibers are contained or dispersed. The forming step can include making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium and then solidifying the liquid medium to form the macroscale article. After the mechanical cutting step, the medium can be dissolved or melted to enable separation of the chopped nanoscale fibers from the medium.

Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preparing and culturing cells, particularly bone marrow stromal cells. The method includes the steps of placing an oxygenator and a scaffold in a container, such as a syringe, withdrawing bone marrow stromal cells with the syringe, evenly distributing the cells on the scaffold, connecting the syringe with a reservoir with a medium to enrich the syringe with the medium, and promoting the medium level movement in the syringe to culture bone marrow stromal cells.

Abstract: A system for in-situ and on-line monitoring of a preform layup process for liquid composite molding allows for gathering of permeability measurements of a fabric preform for use in a liquid composite molding process after situation of the preform within the mold wherein the molding process is to occur. The system uses a plurality of pressure sensors located within one of the mold sections of the liquid composite molding process mold. The sensors take pressure measurements which are processed to obtain a permeability profile of the preform. From such data, any local permeability variations that are caused from defects in the preform, deformation of the preform, or from mold misfit can be noted and acted upon before resin flow. The system is relatively simple to use and is easy to implement.

Abstract: An oral care device includes a handle, a head extending from the handle, and one or more oral care elements extending from the head. The device also includes a drive for engaging a base portion of each of the one or more oral care elements and for positioning each oral care element relative to that portion of the head from which the oral care element projects based on the motion of the oral care device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each oral care element is a tuft of one or more bristles.

Abstract: A system for in-situ and on-line monitoring of a preform layup process for liquid composite molding allows for gathering of permeability measurements of a fabric preform for use in a liquid composite molding process after situation of the preform within the mold wherein the molding process is to occur. The system uses a plurality of pressure sensors located within one of the mold sections of the liquid composite molding process mold. The sensors take pressure measurements which are processed to obtain a permeability profile of the preform. From such data, any local permeability variations that are caused from defects in the preform, deformation of the preform, or from mold misfit can be noted and acted upon before resin flow. The system is relatively simple to use and is easy to implement.

Abstract: A reflector for a headlamp is divided into zones depending on the sizes of the light source images produced by the various parts of the reflector. Those parts of the reflector that provide smaller image sizes are used to supply light to the higher intensity parts of the road pattern. This allows greater control over glare and is particularly useful for headlamps having high intensity discharge as a light source. In one embodiment, a larger reflector is trimmed to be smaller and yet to retain portions that provide the small light source images.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the production of fiber reinforced polymer composite structures includes a mold having a mold surface and a fiber construction on the mold surface including at least one layer of resin absorbing fibrous lay up material. A stiffener on the fiber construction is constructed of a resin absorbing material. A flexible, resin impervious vacuum bag lays over the mold surface and is marginally sealed to the mold surface to define an enclosure for the fiber construction and stiffener. The vacuum bag has a resin inlet to permit introduction of a resin into the enclosure. A vacuum is drawn upon the enclosure to draw the vacuum bag against the fiber construction and stiffener. The stiffener spaces the vacuum bag from the fiber construction when the vacuum bag is drawn against the fiber construction and stiffener to facilitate the distribution of resin uniformly throughout the fiber construction. The stiffener is integrated with the fiber construction upon curing of the resin.

Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle includes a holder for a light-distribution optical fiber of the type that has an output end emanating light of known spatial-intensity distribution, an optical coupler that has an input end adjacent the holder and includes a plurality of elements, each of which is positioned to receive light from a selected area of the light of known spatial intensity distribution and to alter the intensity or spatial distribution of that light to provide a predetermined spatial intensity distribution at an output of said coupler, and a projection lens to project the predetermined spatial intensity distribution to a desired illumination pattern. The optical coupler may be in the form of a mask and one or more filters or may be a number of light-transmitting elements that carry light from one spatial part of the input to a different spatial part in the output.