Abstract: A paint roller cleaner has a base for resting in a sink and a knob for receiving on its outside surface the inside surface of a paint-laden paint roller. The knob is adjustable relative to the base, and/or the roller is adjustable relative to the knob, so that the roller is vertical and water filing the roller will evenly and uniformly overflow and clean the roller outer surface. The knob may be an upstanding, tapered, hollow cylinder that rotates about a horizontal axis at its base to adjust its angle relative to the base, wherein the tapered cylindrical surface allows the cleaner to cooperate with variously-sized rollers. In another version, the knob is a hollow sphere, with its top end truncated, and with several spaced-apart vertical slits in its side, like a collet, for flexing/bending to various diameters to cooperate with variously-sized rollers. In another version, the knob is a sphere.

Abstract: A system for filling a prescription order for a patient includes a plurality of trays each having an RFID tag for storing a unique identifier corresponding to the prescription order, and a plurality of workstations operatively linked to one another, each workstation having an antenna for detecting the unique identifier in one of the plurality of trays, where the detecting is operative to trigger displaying of a profile of at least one prescription item for the corresponding prescription order.

Abstract: A paint roller cleaner has a base for resting in a sink and a knob for receiving on its outside surface the inside surface of a paint-laden paint roller. The knob is adjustable relative to the base, and/or the roller is adjustable relative to the knob, so that the roller is vertical and water filing the roller will evenly and uniformly overflow and clean the roller outer surface. The knob may be an upstanding, tapered, hollow cylinder that rotates about a horizontal axis at its base to adjust its angle relative to the base, wherein the tapered cylindrical surface allows the cleaner to cooperate with variously-sized rollers. In another version, the knob is a hollow sphere, with its top end truncated, and with several spaced-apart vertical slits in its side, like a collet, for flexing/bending to various diameters to cooperate with variously-sized rollers. In another version, the knob is a sphere.

Abstract: Self-reinforcing, pitch-based carbon articles having an unique combination of excellent thermal conductivity and outstanding mechanical properties are produced by carbonizing acid-treated mesophase pitch fiber, preferably in the form of a preform structure The carbon articles having varying degrees of porosity are particularly desirable for use in thermal management and stiffness applications, and in carbon vapor infiltration processes employed in making complex solid carbon articles.

Abstract: Superconducting composites comprising a high thermal conductivity carbon substrate and a layer of ceramic-type superconductor. Particularly attractive for use as a superconducting flexible conductor are composites comprising a high thermal conductivity, low resistivity carbon fiber disposed within a non-adherent sleeve layer formed of the superconducting ceramic material.

Abstract: Self-reinforcing, pitch-based carbon articles having a unique combination of excellent thermal conductivity and outstanding mechanical properties are produced by carbonizing an acid-treated, mesophase pitch fiber preform. The carbon articles having varying degrees of porosity are particularly desirable for use in thermal management and stiffness applications, and in carbon vapor infiltration processes employed in making complex solid carbon articles.

Abstract: Self-reinforcing, pitch-based carbon articles having an unique combination of excellent thermal conductivity and outstanding mechanical properties are produced by carbonizing acid-treated mesophase pitch fiber, preferably in the form of a preform structure. The carbon articles having varying degrees of porosity are particularly desirable for use in thermal management and stiffness applications, and in carbon vapor infiltration processes employed in making complex solid carbon articles.

Abstract: High modulus, pitch-based, continuous carbon fiber having a density above about 2.18 g/cc and an electrical resistivity below about 1.6 micro-ohm-meter, and a method for making.

Abstract: Superconducting composites are made from ceramic-type superconductors coated onto a low resistivity carbon fiber selected from those high strength fibers which have an ultrahigh modulus and high thermal conductivity. Flexible conductors of several different structures made from such composites are described as well as other useful forms of the composites.

Abstract: Chopped carbon yarn is produced by spinning continuous pitch yarn, treating the pitch yarn with an oxidizing composition, chopping the pitch yarn into short lengths, collecting the chopped pitch yarn into a bulk form, and subjecting the chopped pitch yarn to a heat treatment in a substantially non-reactive atmosphere to produce chopped carbon yarn.

Abstract: A bobbin capable of retaining thermoset yarn during a heat treatment to pyrolyze and carbonize the thermoset yarn to produce a good quality carbon yarn, comprises a cylindrical body made of selected materials; and a layer of carbon felt positioned on the outside surface of the cylindrical body to receive the thermoset yarn and to minimize stress between the cylindrical body and the thermoset yarn during the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for producing a mesophase pitch derived carbon yarn features collecting thermoset mesophase pitch yarn onto a bobbin, and subjecting the thermoset yarn to a heat treatment in an inert atmosphere to pyrolyze and carbonize the thermoset yarn.

Abstract: Fibers having a high degree of flexibility and handleability are produced by oxidizing fibers spun from a carbonaceous pitch which has been transformed, in part, to a liquid crystal or so-called "mesophase" state to an oxygen content of from 17 per cent by weight to 30 per cent by weight. Because of their strength and handleability, these highly-oxidized fibers can be easily processed at high speeds by means of conventional yarn-transport systems, and readily woven or knit into cloth. Such cloth may then be heat treated to produce carbon or graphite cloth.