Abstract: A method is provided for reliably determining anatomical properties of a tree having a plurality of growth rings spaced from each other in a radial direction. The method involves preparing a sample from a tree to be analyzed, and preparing an image of the sample at a resolution sufficient to analyze at least one of the earlywood and latewood portions of one or more rings. The image is used to determine at least one anatomical property of the sample based on the image, the anatomical property being selected from the group consisting of sample density, tracheid wall thickness, and tracheid exterior dimension.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a level of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) in a piece of recycled paper. The piece of paper is illuminated with a beam of radiation and an amount of the beam of radiation reflected and transmitted by the piece of paper is measured. The level of ERIC is determined as a function of the reflected and transmitted radiation.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a level of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) in a piece of recycled paper. The piece of paper is illuminated with a beam of radiation and an amount of the beam of radiation reflected and transmitted by the piece of paper is measured. The level of ERIC is determined as a function of the reflected and transmitted radiation.

Abstract: A method is provided for reliably determining anatomical properties of a tree having a plurality of growth rings spaced from each other in a radial direction. The method involves preparing a sample from a tree to be analyzed, and preparing an image of the sample at a resolution sufficient to analyze at least one of the earlywood and latewood portions of one or more rings. The image is used to determine at least one anatomical property of the sample based on the image, the anatomical property being selected from the group consisting of sample density, tracheid wall thickness, and tracheid exterior dimension.

Abstract: A method for determining the tendency of a non-woven web to curl, where the web has a machine direction (MD), a cross-machine direction (CD) and the web includes a wire side and a felt side. The method comprises determining a wire ratio which is the ratio of the number of fibers oriented in the MD to the number of fibers oriented in the CD, where the fibers are associated with the wire side of the web, a felt ratio which is the ratio of the number of fibers oriented in the MD to the number of fibers oriented in the CD, where the fibers are associated with the felt side of the web, and determining the wire to felt ratio which is a measure of the tendency of the web to curl.

Abstract: A transducer for transmitting or receiving ultrasound in on-line applications is disclosed. The transducer comprises a piezoelectric element having the shape of a parallelepiped, and a nosepiece rigidly attached to a surface of the element and adapted for contact with sheet material through which ultrasound is propagated.