Abstract: A neutron detector including a plurality of layers of converter material and a plurality of layers of detector material. Each layer of converter material can be immediately adjacent to at least one layer of detector material and each layer of detector material can be immediately adjacent to at least one layer of converter material. The neutron detector may further include a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) that is electrically coupled to the plurality of layers of detector material. A value output by the ROIC may be indicative of a neutron interacting with a layer of converter material from amongst the plurality of layers of converter material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal coatings and methods thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to ultra-low wear noble metal alloys, such as for use in electrical contact coatings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral via to provide an electrical connection to a buried conductor. In one instance, the buried conductor is a through via that extends along a first dimension, and the lateral via extends along a second dimension that is generally orthogonal to the first dimension. In another instance, the second dimension is oblique to the first dimension. Components having such lateral vias, as well as methods for creating such lateral vias are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral via to provide an electrical connection to a buried conductor. In one instance, the buried conductor is a through via that extends along a first dimension, and the lateral via extends along a second dimension that is generally orthogonal to the first dimension. In another instance, the second dimension is oblique to the first dimension. Components having such lateral vias, as well as methods for creating such lateral vias are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral via to provide an electrical connection to a buried conductor. In one instance, the buried conductor is a through via that extends along a first dimension, and the lateral via extends along a second dimension that is generally orthogonal to the first dimension. In another instance, the second dimension is oblique to the first dimension. Components having such lateral vias, as well as methods for creating such lateral vias are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and manufacture of an ignitable solid, where the solid is composed of an array of ignitable regions. In some examples, the array provides a three-dimensional periodic arrangement of such ignitable regions. The ignitable region can have any useful geometry and geometric arrangement within the solid, and methods of making such regions are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solar absorptive coatings including a ceramic material. In particular, the coatings of the invention are laser-treated to further enhance the solar absorptivity of the material. Methods of making and using such materials are also described.

Abstract: Technologies for enhancing the wetting and adhesion of materials to a ceramic surface are described herein. In a general embodiment, a silicon dioxide film is applied to a ceramic surface that is then joined to another surface by brazing with an active braze filler metal. In another example, the silicon dioxide film is applied to a ceramic surface of a device that is then potted in an epoxy potting material.

Abstract: A method of pulsed laser intrinsic marking can provide a unique identifier to detect tampering or counterfeiting.

Abstract: A powered stapler includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion movably coupled to the first portion. The stapler is actuated by creating relative movement between the first and second housing portions. The second housing portion includes an elongated trigger member, that when moved relative to the first housing portion, actuates the powered stapler to drive a staple into a stack of sheets. The stapler is configured to be held in a single hand of the user and can be actuated by the user squeezing his or her hand while holding the stapler.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus whereby an optical interferometer is utilized to monitor and provide feedback control to an integrated energetic particle column, to create desired topographies, including the depth, shape and/or roughness of features, at a surface of a specimen. Energetic particle columns can direct energetic species including, ions, photons and/or neutral particles to a surface to create features having in-plane dimensions on the order of 1 micron, and a height or depth on the order of 1 nanometer. Energetic processes can include subtractive processes such as sputtering, ablation, focused ion beam milling and, additive processes, such as energetic beam induced chemical vapor deposition. The integration of interferometric methods with processing by energetic species offers the ability to create desired topographies at surfaces, including planar and curved shapes.

Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.

Abstract: A stapler having a housing and a throat defined by the housing and configured to receive a stack of sheets for stapling. The throat separates the housing into a head portion and a base portion. A paper guide is coupled to the stapler, the paper guide being movable between a recessed position within the base portion and an extended position. Insertion of the stack of sheets into the throat does not cause movement of the paper guide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet of partially-formed staple blanks, stacked sheets of partially-formed staple blanks, and a stapler for receiving the stacked sheets. Each blank defines a crown portion lying in a crown plane, a first leg portion connected to a first end of the crown portion and lying in a first leg plane forming an angle with the crown plane between about 5 degrees and about 50 degrees, and a second leg portion connected to a second end of the crown portion and lying in a second leg plane different from the first leg plane and forming an angle with the crown plane between about 5 degrees and about 50 degrees. The first leg portions of the blanks are attached to one another in the first leg plane, and the second leg portions of the blanks are attached to one another in the second leg plane.

Abstract: A powered stapler includes a housing and a stapling engine within the housing. The stapling engine includes a staple driving assembly and a rotational drive train operable to actuate the staple driving assembly. A stack height compensation mechanism is integrated with the rotational drive train of the stapling engine and is distinct from any portion of the housing. The stack height compensation mechanism is operable to enable the stapling engine to compensate for varying stack heights of sheets to be stapled by the powered stapler.

Abstract: A stapler for binding a stack of sheets includes a base, a staple driving mechanism coupled to the base, and a sheet locating device coupled to the base. The sheet locating device includes a guide having first and second guide members and is movable with respect to the staple driving mechanism from a first rotational orientation relative to the staple driving mechanism to a second rotational orientation. The stapler can be used to perform a method of stapling wherein a first stack of sheets receives a staple in a first rotational orientation with respect to the guide, and a second stack of sheets receives a staple in a second rotational orientation with respect to the guide by moving the guide between first and second rotational orientations.

Abstract: A staple forming mechanism having at least first and second configurations. The staple forming mechanism including a bend surface having a first surface width in the first configuration and a second surface width in the second configuration for forming staples having first and second crown sizes, respectively. The forming mechanism also includes at least two side portions spaced apart by a first former width in the first configuration and by a second former width in the second configuration. The side portions cooperate with the bend surface to form the staples. A stapler includes the forming mechanism and a driver including a driving surface having a first driver width in the first configuration and a second driver width in the second configuration for driving the staples of the first and second crown sizes into a stack of papers.

Abstract: A staple forming mechanism having at least first and second configurations. The staple forming mechanism including a bend surface having a first surface width in the first configuration and a second surface width in the second configuration for forming staples having first and second crown sizes, respectively. The forming mechanism also includes at least two side portions spaced apart by a first former width in the first configuration and by a second former width in the second configuration. The side portions cooperate with the bend surface to form the staples. A stapler includes the forming mechanism and a driver including a driving surface having a first driver width in the first configuration and a second driver width in the second configuration for driving the staples of the first and second crown sizes into a stack of papers.