Abstract: A contactor media includes continuous surface segments, wherein a first continuous surface segment has at least 50% of its surface area follow at least one of: (a) a contour of a first zero-thickness surface having a Gaussian curvature (“Gc”) of ?400 mm?2?Gc<?0.01 mm?2; and (b) a contour of a second zero-thickness surface having at least one principal curvature (ki) of ?20 mm?1?ki<?0.1 mm?1; and wherein the first continuous surface segment provides at least: (a) a total liquid hold-up of between about 1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3 or (b) a static liquid hold-up of about 0.1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method of making a polyimide (PI)-based material. In one embodiment, the method begins by dispersing a polyamic acid (PAA) oligomer and photo-initiator into a photo-reactive monomer to form a liquid resin. In contrast to the above-described prior art, the liquid resin is substantially devoid of any non-reactive solvents. Electromagnetic radiation is then applied (e.g., in a 3D printing operation) to solidify the liquid resin and to substantially form a interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) in which the PAA oligomer is entangled within the network formed by the photo-reactive monomer but remains substantially independent and un-crosslinked from the PAA oligomer. Thereafter, the PAA-based IPN is thermally cycled to form a polyimide-based IPN.

Abstract: A contactor media includes continuous surface segments, wherein a first continuous surface segment has at least 50% of its surface area follow at least one of: (a) a contour of a first zero-thickness surface having a Gaussian curvature (“Gc”) of ?400 mm?2?Gc<?0.01 mm?2; and (b) a contour of a second zero-thickness surface having at least one principal curvature (ki) of ?20 mm?1?ki<?0.1 mm?1; and wherein the first continuous surface segment provides at least: (a) a total liquid hold-up of between about 1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3 or (b) a static liquid hold-up of about 0.1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting material and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible and dewetting, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ the use of a flowing dewetting material to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: A contactor media can include continuous surface segments. The continuous surface segments can define first and second capillary flow paths. A first continuous surface segment can have at least 50% of its surface area follow at least one of: (a) a contour of a first zero-thickness surface having a Gaussian curvature (“Gc”) of ?400 mm?2?Gc<?0.01 mm?2; and (b) a contour of a second zero-thickness surface having at least one principal curvature (ki) of ?20 mm?1?ki<?0.1 mm?1.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: A contactor media includes continuous surface segments, wherein a first continuous surface segment has at least 50% of its surface area follow at least one of. (a) a contour of a first zero-thickness surface having a Gaussian curvature (“Gc”) of ?400 mm?2?Gc<?0.01 mm?2; and (b) a contour of a second zero-thickness surface having at least one principal curvature (ki) of ?20 mm?1?ki<?0.1 mm?1; and wherein the first continuous surface segment provides at least: (a) a total liquid hold-up of between about 1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3 or (b) a static liquid hold-up of about 0.1 kg/m3 to about 800 kg/m3.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting material and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible and dewetting, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ the use of a flowing dewetting material to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: A method of making a polyimide (PI)-based material. In one embodiment, the method begins by dispersing a polyamic acid (PAA) oligomer and photo-initiator into a photo-reactive monomer to form a liquid resin. In contrast to the above-described prior art, the liquid resin is substantially devoid of any non-reactive solvents. Electromagnetic radiation is then applied (e.g., in a 3D printing operation) to solidify the liquid resin and to substantially form a interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) in which the PAA oligomer is entangled within the network formed by the photo-reactive monomer but remains substantially independent and un-crosslinked from the PAA oligomer. Thereafter, the PAA-based IPN is thermally cycled to form a polyimide-based IPN.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using a fluoro oil mask to prepare a beam pen lithography pen array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting material and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible and dewetting, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ the use of a flowing dewetting material to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using a fluoro oil mask to prepare a beam pen lithography pen array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: Authorization verification systems and methods are described that store a record of an authorization determination performed at a point of sale or other point of control. The system receives authorization information for an individual indicative of the individual's authorization to purchase a product or service, to enter a location, to attend an event, or to otherwise participate in an encounter whose access is limited to authorized individuals. In one embodiment, the authorization verification system receives information relating to the individual's age via an electronic scanning of a driver's license or other identification card, or by other methods, and uses the birth date information to calculate the customer's current age. The current age can be displayed on an existing display of a point-of-sale device or other display.

Abstract: Authorization verification systems and methods are described that determine whether an authorization check is to be performed in conjunction with an online purchase or other electronic commerce transaction, and, if the authorization check is to be performed, that check the authorization of an individual wishing to participate in the online transaction and that store a retrievable record of the authorization check. The system receives authorization information for the individual that is indicative of the individual's authorization to purchase a product or service online, or to otherwise participate in an electronic commerce encounter whose access is limited to authorized individuals.