Abstract: A substrate processing method is described for etching silicon carbide films for resist underlayer applications. The method includes providing a substrate containing a silicon carbide film thereon, and a photoresist layer defining a pattern over the silicon carbide film, plasma-exciting an etching gas containing a fluorocarbon-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas, and exposing the substrate to the plasma-excited etching gas to transfer the pattern to the silicon carbide film, where at least a portion of a thickness of the photoresist layer survives the exposing. For example, the photoresist layer includes an EUV resist layer and the etching gas includes C4F8 gas, O2 gas, and Ar gas. In another example, the exposing includes exposing the substrate to a) a plasma-excited etching gas containing C4F8 gas, O2 gas, and Ar gas, and b) exposing the substrate to a plasma-excited Ar gas, where steps a) and b) are sequentially performed at least once.

Abstract: A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. Specialized valves at the fleet unit fuel tanks prevent vapor escape and admit fuel at low, gravity fed pressures. The cylindrical silo tank includes an upper, gravity feed dispensing chamber and a lower reservoir chamber. A fuel pump doubles as means for moving fuel from the reservoir chamber to the dispensing chamber and for refilling the reservoir from fuel delivery trucks. Onboard telemetry transmits fuel consumption and flow rates wirelessly to a control center where operators monitor safety parameters in real time. Stored data may be analyzed to calculate fleet unit maintenance and service intervals. A tractor trailer hauls the silo tank horizontally on roads and highways and includes a gantry and hydraulic lifts to erect the silo tank into vertical operating position supported by a built-in platform.

Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.

Abstract: A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. Specialized valves at the fleet unit fuel tanks prevent vapor escape and admit fuel at low, gravity fed pressures. The cylindrical silo tank includes an upper, gravity feed dispensing chamber and a lower reservoir chamber. A fuel pump doubles as means for moving fuel from the reservoir chamber to the dispensing chamber and for refilling the reservoir from fuel delivery trucks. Onboard telemetry transmits fuel consumption and flow rates wirelessly to a control center where operators monitor safety parameters in real time. Stored data may be analyzed to calculate fleet unit maintenance and service intervals. A tractor trailer hauls the silo tank horizontally on roads and highways and includes a gantry and hydraulic lifts to erect the silo tank into vertical operating position supported by a built-in platform.

Abstract: A device for use with one or more lines that includes a unitary rigid body having an annular portion surrounding a central opening and at least four finger sections that extend from the annular portion of the rigid body. A first finger section and a second finger section curve toward each other on one end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. Similarly, a third finger section and a fourth finger section curve toward each other on an opposite end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. The device maximizes the pulling strength of lines while reducing the possibility of line failure. Also disclosed are methods of using the device for shortening a line, belaying an object, joining two lines together and for forming a V-bridle.

Abstract: An appliance comprises a passive component and an active force generating component, in which the active force generating component is configured to react to a stimulus and generate tooth movement forces. In some embodiments, the passive component is configured to deflect when placed on one or more teeth and generate tooth movement forces, which are combined with tooth movement forces of the force generating component. In some embodiments, the passive component comprises a polymer which is less reactive to the stimulus than the force generating component. The force generating component can be configured to increase force to one or more teeth at an appropriate time.

Abstract: A variety of plant products that are intended for consumption can become contaminated with microbial growth. The levels of contamination must be reduced or eliminated in order for the product to pass microbial growth testing standards. The contaminated plant product can be sterilized using high pressure processing to treat the product with a pressurized gas at a temperature for a desired period of time to reduce the level of the microbial contaminants present in the plant product to a predetermined acceptable level. After treatment, the sterilized plant product can then pass microbial testing standards and be fit for consumption.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X03N341 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X03N341 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03N341 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X03N341, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03N341 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03N341 and methods of using maize variety X03N341 are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides polymeric materials comprising polymer crystals, methods and resins for making the same, and objects and appliances made from said polymeric materials. Polymeric materials having polymer crystals provide favorable properties, such as enhanced durability and rigidity. This disclosure also provides polymeric materials comprising a crystalline phase comprising at least one polymer crystal, as well as an amorphous phase comprising at least one amorphous polymer. The crystalline phase can confer rigidity to the polymeric material, while the amorphous phase can confer elasticity and flexibility.

Abstract: Examples of job allocation are described hereon. In an example, a job for allocation may be received. The job may be analyzed to obtain information pertaining to the job. The information may comprise at least one of a domain of the job and a priority level of the job. Further, performance of resources may be determined to provide resource information. The resource information may be determined using a supervised learning model comprising a job vector for each job type and a resource vector corresponding to each resource. The resource information may include a list of resources with at least one of a corresponding probability of each resource completing the job and a performance score of each resource. Based on the job information and the resource information, the resource may be recommended for the job using an expertise-estimation modeling technique and the job may be assigned to the recommended resource, accordingly.

Abstract: A device for use with one or more lines that includes a unitary rigid body having an annular portion surrounding a central opening and at least four finger sections that extend from the annular portion of the rigid body. A first finger section and a second finger section curve toward each other on one end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. Similarly, a third finger section and a fourth finger section curve toward each other on an opposite end of the rigid body and terminate in blunt tips that are spaced apart from each other by a gap. The device maximizes the pulling strength of lines while reducing the possibility of line failure. Also disclosed are methods of using the device for shortening a line, belaying an object, joining two lines together and for forming a V-bridle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ornamental indicia carrier and method of producing the same. In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier comprises an ultraviolet light (“UV”) cured ink printed on a thin flexible film and combined with an adhesive layer. The ornamental indicia carrier is capable of enduring the conditions inside the mouth for an extended period of time and can be used in conjunction with a dental appliance.

Abstract: Strategies that reduce shrinkage and ultimately warping of parts that are directly fabricated from photopolymer resins. This increases the accuracy of directly fabricated parts, which is essential for patient specific applications. Implementing these strategies can reduce the need for directly fabricated parts to have supporting structures, which can reduce pre-processing and post-processing steps and facilitate an easier route for production level scale of additive manufacturing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X03N361 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X03N361 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03N361 through backcrossing or genetic transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are described. Maize variety X03N361, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03N361 are provided. Methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03N361 and methods of using maize variety X03N361 are disclosed.