Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optically addressable light valve (OALV) which makes use of a non-linear electro-optic crystal. The OALV also has a photoconductor disposed downstream of the non-linear electro-optic crystal, relative to a direction of travel of an optical input beam directed into a first side of the OALV. The OALV is responsive to a DC bias signal to control a magnitude of the input beam passing through the OALV, and responsive to an address beam directed into a second side of the OALV opposite the first side, to produce an output beam using the input beam and the address beam.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy) n-oxy) phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs described herein have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs described herein may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.

Abstract: A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)n-oxy)phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: A method for tailoring mechanical properties of a photopolymer includes providing an active monomer feedstock, adding a sulfur-free chain transfer agent (CTA) to the active monomer feedstock to form a mixture, and curing the mixture under predetermined conditions. The sulfur-free CTA includes a Cobalt(II) complex or a Cobalt(III) complex, the mechanical properties include glass transition temperature, crosslinking density, and/or conversion rate, and a concentration of the sulfur-free CTA is less than 30% of the mixture. The predetermined conditions include intensity, wavelength, and application time of energy from a light source, a cure temperature, and/or the concentration of the sulfur-free CTA in the mixture. The method may further include adding a diluent to the mixture to modify a viscosity of the active monomer feedstock. The diluent may include one of a reactive diluent and a non-reactive diluent, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylate (MA).

Abstract: A heat exchange component includes a part configured for exchanging thermal energy, the part is formed of at least one solid state Martensitic transformation phase change material which is configured to readily undergo a solid-solid martensitic transformation from one crystalline structure to another different crystalline structure during a change in temperature in the normal and/or anticipated operating temperatures of the heat exchange component. In some embodiments, the system further includes a temporally-evolving external temperature/heat source which changes the temperature and resultant phase of the solid-state phase change material. The temporally-evolving external temperature/heat source may involve a solid conducting material or electronic/photonic component, a fluid, a plasma, and/or a radiation source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) formed from liquid crystalline monomers having 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)n-oxy)phenyl-4-(6-(acryloyloxy)m-oxy)benzoate (CnBAPE) as the mesogenic core. The LCEs described herein have improved thermotropic characteristics, including lower thermotropic activation temperatures. The LCEs described herein may also incorporate azobenzene to thereby also enhance the phototropic properties of the LCE.

Abstract: An in-weapon sensor enables electronic measurement of the firing pin indent force of a weapon system. The in-weapon sensor measures, either directly or indirectly, the indent force of the firing pin and communicates the information outside of the weapon to a data capture device. The data capture device provides a visual indication as to whether the firing pin indent force is sufficient or insufficient.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: A heat exchange component includes a part configured for exchanging thermal energy, the part is formed of at least one solid state Martensitic transformation phase change material which is configured to readily undergo a solid-solid martensitic transformation from one crystalline structure to another different crystalline structure during a change in temperature in the normal and/or anticipated operating temperatures of the heat exchange component. In some embodiments, the system further includes a temporally-evolving external temperature/heat source which changes the temperature and resultant phase of the solid-state phase change material. The temporally-evolving external temperature/heat source may involve a solid conducting material or electronic/photonic component, a fluid, a plasma, and/or a radiation source.

Abstract: A healthcare management system and a method of: determining and enhancing a patient experience with a healthcare practice or group; determining and enhancing a clinical effectiveness with a healthcare practice or group; and enhancing reimbursement with a healthcare practice or group by developing and monitoring key drivers of a patient experience, developing and monitoring key drivers of a clinical effectiveness, and compiling results of the patient experience and results of the clinical effectiveness to determine the strengths of the practice of group.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: A method includes: filling a chamber having a recirculating valve, a piston, a cap valve, an injector valve and an injection orifice with a liquid by closing the injector valve and circulating the liquid from a source through the recirculating valve and the cap valve; then isolating the chamber from the source by closing the recirculating valve and the cap valve then allowing pressure within the chamber to follow a cylinder pressure by mechanically coupling the cylinder pressure into the chamber; and energizing an injector coil with electric current that pulls a solenoid assembly in an upward direction opening the injector valve, further motion of the solenoid assembly drawing the piston upward, wherein liquid in the chamber is compressed by the piston to a higher pressure than the cylinder pressure, which has the effect of injecting an electronically controlled stream of liquid out of the chamber through the injection orifice.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: This invention is an improved treatment process and apparatus for smoothing and strengthening plastic parts, and particularly parts made by rapid prototyping machines.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed. In one variation, targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition to the location of an interior of a cut path. In another variation, a sample of biological material is mounted onto a polymer membrane which is then placed onto a substrate. Targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition with the targeted biological material on the side of the biological material. In yet another variation, a sample of biological material is mounted onto a polymer membrane which is then inverted onto a substrate. Targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition with the targeted biological material on the side of the polymer membrane.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a reservoir for storing pressurized fluid and a piston rod passing through the reservoir and having an end portion with a dimension larger than the piston rod. A sleeve is configured to engage the end portion of the piston rod such that when the piston rod is advanced, the end portion seals an opening in the sleeve. The sleeve and the end portion function as a piston for extracting fluid from a delivery chamber. When the piston rod is retracted, the sleeve engages a portion of the end portion to permit the reservoir to communicate with the delivery chamber through the opening. Methods of use are disclosed.