Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains suctioning mechanisms for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to shape the coverglass to assist in separating and laying down of the coverglasses with a reduction in the creation of bubbles in the fluid.

Abstract: A mitigating system for reducing flow drag in aircraft engines uses a mitigating device attached to either the nacelle of an engine to mitigate the flow drag of the airflow moving across the nacelle. The mitigating device has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, each of which can be adjusted separately to extend any desired length across the inner surface or outer surface of the nacelle. As the sleeves are extended, they cover a greater number of flow drag elements thereby improving the aerodynamic properties of the aircraft engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains suctioning mechanisms for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to shape the coverglass to assist in separating and laying down of the coverglasses with a reduction in the creation of bubbles in the fluid.

Abstract: An environmental defense shield includes symmetric airfoil-shaped vanes contributing to and positioned around a plenum space and positioned in front of a turbine engine. An annular band stiffener is set into the vanes, which projects forward in a diminishing size, the vanes merging together to create or attaching to a solid nose. The environmental defense shield serves to protect the engine from debris while also smoothing airflow into the engine.

Abstract: A mitigating system for reducing flow drag in aircraft engines uses a mitigating device attached to either the nacelle of an engine to mitigate the flow drag of the airflow moving across the nacelle. The mitigating device has an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, each of which can be adjusted separately to extend any desired length across the inner surface or outer surface of the nacelle. As the sleeves are extended, they cover a greater number of flow drag elements thereby improving the aerodynamic properties of the aircraft engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains suctioning mechanisms for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to shape the coverglass to assist in separating and laying down of the coverglasses with a reduction in the creation of bubbles in the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Abstract: An environmental defense shield includes symmetric airfoil-shaped vanes contributing to and positioned around a plenum space and positioned in front of a turbine engine. An annular band stiffener is set into the vanes, which projects forward in a diminishing size, the vanes merging together to create or attaching to a solid nose. The environmental defense shield serves to protect the engine from debris while also smoothing airflow into the engine.

Abstract: An environmental defense shield includes symmetric airfoil-shaped vanes contributing to and positioned around a plenum space and positioned in front of a turbine engine. An annular band stiffener is set into the vanes, which projects forward in a diminishing size, the vanes merging together to create or attaching to a solid nose. The environmental defense shield serves to protect the engine from debris while also smoothing airflow into the engine.

Abstract: An environmental defense shield includes symmetric airfoil-shaped vanes contributing to and positioned around a plenum space and positioned in front of a turbine engine. An annular band stiffener is set into the vanes, which projects forward in a diminishing size, the vanes merging together to create or attaching to a solid nose. The environmental defense shield serves to protect the engine from debris while also smoothing airflow into the engine.

Abstract: An architecture is presented for a composite fabric. The composite fabric comprises a scrim sheet and an underlying adhesive layer. The scrim sheet is combined with an adhesive as a set and then laminated with the adhesive layer. A top sheet, white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) layer overlays a second side of the scrim sheet. An opaque layer underlies a first side of the scrim sheet, wherein the adhesive layer bonds the opaque layer to the scrim sheet. Additionally, an abrasion resistant film layer underlies the opaque layer. Further, a bottom sheet, white layer underlies the abrasion resistant film layer. An adhesive is then applied to both sides of the abrasion resistant film layer to bond the abrasion resistant film layer to the PVC layers. Alternatively, ripstop or closely woven fabric can be applied to both side of the opaque layer with thermoplastic top and bottom layers.

Abstract: A substantially light-impervious laminate material is provided. In one embodiment, the material includes a first relatively light-reflective (white) polyvinyl chloride sheet, an open scrim sheet, a second relatively light-reflective (white) polyvinyl chloride sheet, and a relatively light-absorbtive (black) bonding agent permeating the scrim sheet and binding together the first sheet, the second sheet and the scrim sheet. Preferably this bonding agent contains aluminum pigment and carbon black pigment.A method of continuously making this laminate material is also provided. The laminate is made by twice coating the underside of the top laminate sheet with the bonding agent, pressing the scrim sheet against the bonding agent and top sheet underside, stripping the scrim sheet from the top sheet underside, and re-pressing the scrim sheet against the top sheet underside. Next, the top sheet, bonding agent and scrim sheet are heated, and a hot bottom sheet is pressed against the hot scrim sheet.