Abstract: A wheel end or other assembly for facilitating rotation about an axis includes a tubular housing, a spindle that extends into the housing, and a double row antifriction bearing between the housing and spindle. The bearing includes at least one separate inner race that fits over the spindle, with the axial position of that race determining the setting for the bearing. Preferably, a spacer fits around the spindle between the inner race and a backing element. The assembly is unitized by deforming the end of the spindle outwardly against the end of the separate inner race with the deformation being sufficient to drive the inner race toward the backing element and collapse the spacer, if present. The deformation of the end of the spindle continues until bearing produces a torque that reflects a desired preload in the bearing.

Abstract: A method of producing a novel small-scale flow channel in a mesoscale analytic device from a solid multi-layered heterostructure with one or more channel layers sandwiched between adjoining barrier layers. The channel layer consists of a thin-film of a material of different composition than the barrier layers. At least one of the layers has a defined small-scale thickness. A channel or recess is formed in the heterostructure by etching away the channel layer to a preselected depth. The amount of the channel layer which is etched away determines the depth of the channel, and the thickness of the channel layer determines the width. A method of producing a die for forming a small-scale channel is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanostructured material transport devices and their method of fabrication, which involves applying molecular coatings to nano-openings in the devices to reduce the lateral dimensions and modify liquid solid interface characteristics of the nano-openings. Material transport devices having nano-openings with lateral dimensions confined to approximately 1 nm are obtainable.