Abstract: A packaging container including a packaging insert suspending an article within an exterior box. The packaging insert is formed as a top portion overlying a bottom portion, each including a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels, corresponding top and bottom side panels being affixed together face-to-face such as with adhesive at manufacturing time, and corresponding top and bottom end panels being affixed together face-to-face at packaging time. The bottom end panels include bottom end panel extensions which trap the top end panels against the bottom end panels, and which include lock tabs engaging the bottom panel. The mated side panels are angled e.g. downward and the mated end panels are angled e.g. upward, to provide stand-off within an exterior box, protecting the packaged article. The top and/or bottom panels include break control means such as slotted holes, which control where each panel breaks when stressed around the packaged article by closure of the packaging insert.

Abstract: A packaging container including a packaging insert suspending an article within an exterior box. The packaging insert is formed as a top portion overlying a bottom portion, each including a pair of side panels and a pair of end panels, corresponding top and bottom side panels being affixed together face-to-face such as with adhesive at manufacturing time, and corresponding top and bottom end panels being affixed together face-to-face at packaging time. The bottom end panels include bottom end panel extensions which trap the top end panels against the bottom end panels, and which include lock tabs engaging the bottom panel. The mated side panels are angled e.g. downward and the mated end panels are angled e.g. upward, to provide stand-off within an exterior box, protecting the packaged article. The top and/or bottom panels include break control means such as slotted holes, which control where each panel breaks when stressed around the packaged article by closure of the packaging insert.

Abstract: A method to maximize the coupling efficiency between a collimated, free-space optical signal and a fiber optic waveguide using an active optical element to steer and focus the collimated beam driven by an adaptive controller that periodically auto-calibrates the active optical element's parameters to maximize the measured power received by the waveguide using a gradient ascent optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stable aqueous solution contains carbon nanotubes non-covalently functionalized with organic electro-optically active molecules, such as planar, anionic porphyrin molecules. A device containing carbon nanotubes directly functionalized with planar, anionic porphyrin molecules in a free base form may be formed using the solution as the nanotube source or the device may be formed using another method. In another embodiment, a method of spatially orienting nanostructures, such as nanotubes, includes providing a solution or a suspension containing nanostructures over a first surface of a first substrate, and combing the solution or suspension in a first direction to orient the nanostructures in the first direction over the substrate.

Abstract: A device comprising an array of active regions for use in reacting one or more species in at least two of the active regions in a sequential process, e.g., sequential reactions. The device has a transparent substrate member, which has a surface region. The device has a silane material overlying the surface region. The device has a first active region formed overlying a first portion of the silane material. In a specific embodiment, the first active region has a first dimension of less than 1 micron in size and has one or more first molecules capable of binding to the first portion of the silane material. In a specific embodiment, the device has a second active region formed overlying a second portion of the silane material. The second active region has a second dimension of less than 1 micron in size and has one or more second molecules capable of binding to the second portion of the active region.

Abstract: A method for forming one or more nano-sized patterns using one or more molecule species overlying a substrate structure. In a preferred embodiment, the pattern or patterns relate to an array of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, small molecule(s), protein(s), ligand(s)). The method applies a probe tip (e.g., atomic force microscope probe (AFM probe)) within a vicinity of a first spatial region of a surface region of a substrate member, which is characterized by a first characteristic, e.g., hydrophobic, hydrophilic, partially hydrophobic, partially hydrophilic. In a specific embodiment, the probe tip is in a direction (e.g., normal, at an angle toward) toward the spatial region on the surface region. The method includes transferring one of more of a plurality of molecules characterized by a second characteristic through a fluid medium comprising one or more surfactant species (e.g.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A method for fabricating assembled structures. The method includes providing a tip structure, which has a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first end and the second end. The second end is a free end. The method includes attaching a nano-sized structure along a portion of the length of the tip structure to extend a total length of the tip structure to include the length of the tip structure and a first length associated with the nano-sized structure. The method includes shortening the nano-sized structure from the first length to a second length. The method also includes pushing the nano-sized structure in a direction parallel to the second length to reduce the second length to a third length of the nano-sized structure along the direction parallel to the second length to cause the nano-sized structure to move along a portion of the length of the tip structure.

Abstract: A coated nanotube that includes an inner nanotube having an exterior surface, and a plasma deposited layer covering at least part of the exterior surface of the inner nanotube. Also, a method of making a coated nanotube, the method where the method includes the steps of generating a plasma from a coating precursor, and exposing an inner nanotube to the plasma, where a plasma deposited layer is formed on at least a portion of the inner nanotube. Additionally, a method of making a coated nanotube that includes the steps of providing an inner nanotube, and evaporating a metal into the inner nanotube, where the metal forms a coating layer on at least a portion of the inner nanotube.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to techniques for the growth and attachment of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), facilitating their use as robust and well-characterized tools for AFM imaging and other applications. In accordance with one embodiment, SWNTs attached to an AFM tip can function as a structural scaffold for nanoscale device fabrication on a scanning probe. Such a probe can trigger, with nanometer precision, specific biochemical reactions or conformational changes in biological systems. The consequences of such triggering can be observed in real time by single-molecule fluorescence, electrical, and/or AFM sensing. Specific embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize sensing and manipulation of individual molecules with carbon nanotubes, coupled with single-molecule fluorescence imaging, to allow observation of spectroscopic signals in response to mechanically induced molecular changes.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A thermal-stabilized container (10) for protecting fragile objects stored in the container (10) and maintaining temperature-sensitive material in the objects within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. The container (10) includes an outer shell (12), an inner carton (14), and a lid (16). Test tubes (18) having temperature-sensitive cultures (52) stored therein are firmly held within openings (30) in the carton (14). The carton (14) is slidably received within an interior (42) of the outer shell (12). Disposable heat sources (58) are activated and stored within cavities (56) formed in the end walls (36) of the outer shell (12). The tubes (18) are inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal axis to provide greater surface contact between the cultures (52) and gases (54) in the tubes (18).

Abstract: An insulated container (10) formed of corrugated paperboard (12) having sidewalls (14), top flaps (16) and bottom flaps (18). An insulator (32), comprised of a layer of flexible material having air bubbles (46) entrapped therein and laminated between layers of reflective foil (40), is bonded to the corrugated paperboard (12) with adhesive (38) to achieve thermal insulation and shock absorbent packaging.