Abstract: Systems and methods for high performance, professional-grade photography and filmmaking in a spacecraft during space flights are provided. The systems may include an imaging studio, which is a partially enclosed volume within a spacecraft. The imaging studio may enable photography during microgravity coast phases of space flight while allowing astronauts to tend to non-photographic activities. The imaging studio may allow for commercially-valuable imagery that includes a background of an illuminated, curved Earth horizon. Imagery may also involve, among other things, a unique microgravity environment. Such imagery, without use of an imaging studio as described herein, may otherwise require artificial visual effects that may appear less realistic. Additionally, the novelty of capturing images during an actual space flight may itself be valuable.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a first resonator operable at microwave and/or millimetre wave frequencies and having a first value of quality factor which is equal to or greater than moo at a frequency in a range 1 to 100 GHz and a second resonator having a second value of quality factor which is less than the first value of quality factor and which is positioned and orientated with respect to the first resonator so as to be inductively coupled to the first resonator, the second resonator comprising first and second electrically-conductive regions separated by a gap which provides a sensing region.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a water blocking tape for use in cable manufacture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) forming a coating of an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups and a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent on at least one surface of a substrate material selected from the group consisting of a metal foil, a plastic film, a plastic sheet, a multilayer film, and a laminate of at least two thereof; and (ii) drying and/or curing the coating in order to form a partially crosslinked water swellable polymer coating on the at least one surface of the substrate material. Water blocking tapes are also provided which comprise a substrate material having a coating on at least one surface thereof of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups which is partially crosslinked with a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent. The preferred water soluble polymer containing anionic groups is an acrylic or methacrylic acid (co)polymer.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven water blocking tape for use in cable manufacture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) forming a coating of an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups and a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent on at least one surface of a nonwoven substrate material; and (ii) drying and/or curing the coating in order to form a partially crosslinked water swellable polymer coating on the at least one surface of the nonwoven substrate material. Water blocking tapes are also provided which comprise a nonwoven substrate material having a coating on at least one surface thereof of a water soluble polymer containing anionic groups which is partially crosslinked with a multivalent ionic crosslinking agent.