Abstract: A continuous, wavy and intersecting pattern of filaments is deposited on a surface of a house wrap membrane using a plurality of hot melt nozzles and a controller that controls, positionally and temporally, the relative positions and flow of hot melt of the nozzles and the top surface of the membrane. Water drainage channels may be provided by depressions or viaducts.

Abstract: A continuous, serpentine and intersecting pattern of filaments is provided on a surface of a house wrap membrane. Water drainage channels may be provided by depressions or viaducts formed at locations along filaments. The filaments may be formed using hot melt nozzles disposed on a member and translated transversely as the membrane is translated longitudinally beneath the nozzles.

Abstract: A continuous, serpentine and intersecting pattern of filaments is provided on a surface of a house wrap membrane. Water drainage channels may be provided by depressions or viaducts formed at locations along filaments. The filaments may be formed using hot melt nozzles disposed on a member and translated transversely as the membrane is translated longitudinally beneath the nozzles.

Abstract: A continuous, serpentine and intersecting pattern of filaments is provided on a surface of a house wrap membrane. Water drainage channels may be provided by depressions or viaducts formed at locations along filaments. The filaments may be formed using hot melt nozzles disposed on a member and translated transversely as the membrane is translated longitudinally beneath the nozzles.

Abstract: A magnetic gate latch comprises magnetic materials and a latching mechanism attracted into a keeper when the gate latch is closed by a first magnetic force and retained in a unlatched position by a second magnetic force. For example, the latching mechanism comprises a pin without a spring or other biasing mechanism biasing the spring in a direction opposite of a magnet in the keeper assembly. In one example, the pin comprises a magnet on an end of the pin opposite from the keeper assembly, which is attracted toward a ferromagnetic material when the pin is retracted into the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic gate latch comprises magnetic materials and a latching mechanism attracted into a keeper when the gate latch is closed by a first magnetic force and retained in a unlatched position by a second magnetic force. For example, the latching mechanism comprises a pin without a spring or other biasing mechanism biasing the spring in a direction opposite of a magnet in the keeper assembly. In one example, the pin comprises a magnet on an end of the pin opposite from the keeper assembly, which is attracted toward a ferromagnetic material when the pin is retracted into the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic gate latch comprises magnetic materials and a latching mechanism attracted into a keeper when the gate latch is closed by a first magnetic force and retained in a unlatched position by a second magnetic force. For example, the latching mechanism comprises a pin without a spring or other biasing mechanism biasing the spring in a direction opposite of a magnet in the keeper assembly. In one example, the pin comprises a magnet on an end of the pin opposite from the keeper assembly, which is attracted toward a ferromagnetic material when the pin is retracted into the housing.

Abstract: Size-controlled immobilization of metal nano-clusters onto particles or nanoparticles is achieved using a polyol process. Polyol processing makes it possible to use thiol groups as a chemical protocol to functionalize the surface of particles, such as silica and polystyrene nanoparticles. Metal nano-clusters, such as silver, gold, platinum and palladium, nucleate and grow on the surface of the particles. The metal nano-clusters may be synthesized in a one-pot process from metal salts, nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, sulfites and the like. Any source of metal ions compatible with the polyol suspension and selected particles may be used. The size of immobilized metal nano-clusters may be controlled by additions of a poly(vinylpyrrolidone) or other polymer capable of regulating the metal ion reduction and nucleation process and by controlling concentration of metal ions, the nucleation and/or growth temperatures, and processing time.

Abstract: Size-controlled immobilization of metal nano-clusters onto particles or nanoparticles is achieved using a polyol process. Polyol processing makes it possible to use thiol groups as a chemical protocol to functionalize the surface of particles, such as silica and polystyrene nanoparticles. Metal nano-clusters, such as silver, gold, platinum and palladium, nucleate and grow on the surface of the particles. The metal nano-clusters may be synthesized in a one-pot process from metal salts, nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, sulfites and the like. Any source of metal ions compatible with the polyol suspension and selected particles may be used. The size of immobilized metal nano-clusters may be controlled by additions of a poly(vinylpyrrolidone) or other polymer capable of regulating the metal ion reduction and nucleation process and by controlling concentration of metal ions, the nucleation and/or growth temperatures, and processing time.

Abstract: An improved optical cards includes one or more of the following features, comparatively high density material disposed at or near the periphery of the optical card to increase the rotational moment of inertia of a card without increasing the thickness of the card, comparatively high density layers added to a side opposite of the optical read side of an optical card, scratch protection disposed on the optical read surface of the optical media but not covering the tracks containing optically encoded data, or comparatively high density scratch protection disposed on the optical read surface of the optical media but not covering the tracks containing optically encoded data, and combinations of these features.