Abstract: A method of fabrication is provided for multi-step microlithographic structures including Fresnel lenses whereby the process includes the formation of intermediate etch stop layers that are embedded with the structure material. This is accomplished in one aspect of the invention by depositing Fresnel lens material using known techniques and the selectively altering the chemistry of the material being deposited to form the intermediate etch stop layers at suitable positions without interrupting the deposition process. In another aspect, etch stop layers are patterned on layers of the lens material and embedded between such layers. The structure, or lens, is then formed using masking, patterning and etching techniques.

Abstract: An assembly and method for collecting and releasing magnetic materials includes an elongated permanent magnet (A) within an elongated cover (B) constructed from non-magnetic material for providing a collection area for the magnetic materials thereon opposite the magnet. Apparatus (C) separates the magnet to a more remote position in relation to the collection area for releasing magnetic materials from the elongated cover. The magnet and the cover may be moved while in superposed closely adjacent relation for collecting magnetic material and thereafter separated for releasing magnetic material collected on the cover. A driven conveyor (D) may be included in the assembly for transporting the magnet and the cover through a coolant liquid containing magnetic materials in the form of particulate matter formed during a machining operation.

Abstract: Controlled cilia are provided to move an object. Each of the cilia, which are made of an elastic material, are fixed over a substrate and moved between a relaxed position away from the substrate and a retracted position near the substrate to move an object relative to the substrate. The cilia are moved between the relaxed and retracted positions by an electrostatic force or heating of the cilia. The cilia are formed from a material that is initially fixed to a substrate and has an inherent stress gradient. A portion of the material is released from the substrate and the inherent stress gradient forces a free portion of the cilia away from the substrate.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: Compositions for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The compositions comprise a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavors. Moreover, methods for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The methods comprise an addition of an agriculturally effective amount of a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavors, in the vicinity of the seed or root of the legume. In particular, a condition which inhibits root nodulation is a root zone temperature below 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for enhancing hydrogenation of an oxide-coated polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistor or devices includes depositing a metal capping layer on the device prior to hydrogenation. In addition, a method for batch hydrogenation of substrates or plates carrying the oxide-coated polycrystalline silicon devices includes placing the plates in a downstream flow from a hydrogen plasma.

Abstract: An artificial fishing lure having an elongated S-shaped body, a line attaching eyelet; and a pair of treble hooks is provided. The body includes a front head portion, a rear tail portion, a top portion, a belly portion, and two side portions. The line attaching eyelet is located at the front head portion of the body. The treble hooks are attached to the belly of the body and the rear of the body. Hydrodynamic resistance resulting from the S-shaped body causes the lure to oscillate about its longitudinal axis and follow an arcuate path through water, thus serving to attract fish.

Abstract: A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Abstract: Radiography apparatus includes an arrangement for circulating pure water continuously between a location adjacent a source of energetic neutrons, such as a tritium target irradiated by a deuteron beam, and a remote location where radiographic analysis is conducted. Oxygen in the pure water is activated via the .sup.16 O(n,p).sup.16 N reaction using .sup.14 -MeV neutrons produced at the neutron source via the .sup.3 H(d,n).sup.4 He reaction. Essentially monoenergetic gamma rays at 6.129 (predominantly) and 7.115 MeV are produced by the 7.13-second .sup.16 N decay for use in radiographic analysis. The gamma rays have substantial penetrating power and are useful in determining the thickness of materials and elemental compositions, particularly for metals and high-atomic number materials. The characteristic decay half life of 7.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a plurality of central subsystem (CSS) units, a plurality of memory units and input/output units which connect in common to a system bus for transferring requests between a pair of units on a priority basis defined by a distributed bus priority network included as part of the system bus. A private bus (P bus) connects all of the CSS units and memory units in common for high speed block data transfers. Each CSS unit includes input circuits which couple to the priority network for detecting when the system bus is in an idle state. P bus logic circuits couple to the P bus and generate a transfer request in response to a request from its CSS unit only when the P bus is detected to be in an idle state. The idle signals from both buses are used to generate a system bus request for P bus access only when both buses are in an idle state so as to eliminate the need to contend for system bus use.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a plurality of identical central subsystem (CSS) units, a plurality of memory subsystem units and input/output units which connect in common to a system bus. Requests are transferred between a pair of units on a priority basis defined by a distributed bus priority network included as part of the system bus. Each CSS unit includes cycle stealer logic circuits which grant bus cycles on a round robin basis. The cycle stealer logic circuits are connected to receive high priority request signals from the network and refuse acceptance of a cycle granted to such CSS unit as a low priority requester thereby passing it along to a next lower priority CSS unit.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a plurality of identical central subsystem (CSS) units, a plurality of memory and input/output (I/O) subsystem units which connect in common to an asynchronous bus system. Each CSS subsystem unit includes a cancel command mechanism for enabling each such unit to effectively withdraw from the asynchronous bus or switch the state of a resource such as a memory or I/O lock mechanism included in such subsystem without otherwise disturbing the state of such subsystems.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system includes a system management facility (SMF) unit, a plurality of central subsystem (CSS) units, a plurality of memory subsystem units and first and second pluralities of input/output units which connect in common to a system bus. Requests are transferred between a pair of units on a distributed bus priority network included as part of the system bus on the basis of the unit's physical position on the bus relative to one end of the bus. The SMF unit positioned at the high priority end of the bus includes fast recovery bus request logic circuits which connect to the high priority request line of the priority network. Each of the CSS units positioned after the SMF unit on either side of the memory subsystems includes bus request logic circuits which connect only to the low priority request line. The memory subsystems each include bus request logic circuits which connect to both the high and low priority request lines for accepting and granting cycles from higher and lower priority units.

Abstract: Oriented or strength-enhanced embossed film is produced by introducing a thermoplastic film having an inert liquid lubricant covering its surfaces into the nip between at least one pair of rotating compression rolls under sufficient pressure to reduce the thickness of the film, and simultaneously embossing at least one of the film surfaces within the nip. While various inert liquids may be used as the lubricant, use of water for this purpose is preferred. The lubricant is believed to provide a hydrodynamic wedge at the film-compression roll interfaces, and for best results it is preferred to spray the lubricant (most preferably, water) into both incoming sides of the nip of the compression rolls.

Abstract: Oriented or strength-enhanced embossed film is produced by introducing a thermoplastic film having an inert liquid lubricant covering its surfaces into the nip between at least one pair of rotating compression rolls under sufficient pressure to reduce the thickness of the film, and simultaneously embossing at least one of the film surfaces within the nip. While various inert liquids may be used as the lubricant, use of water for this purpose is preferred. The lubricant is believed to provide a hydrodynamic wedge at the film-compression roll interfaces, and for best results it is preferred to spray the lubricant (most preferably, water) into both incoming sides of the nip of the compression rolls.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a solid propellant rocket motor, capable of providing two separate propulsive impulses to a missile. The rocket motor is connected at one end to the missile body, the other end including an exhaust nozzle. The rocket motor comprises two stages connected by an interstage bulkhead. The bulkhead includes a port opening which is closed by a frangible cover which prevents the second stage from igniting during burning of the first stage, but breaks up into harmless fragments during firing of the second stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing a woven biased fabric in which the structural fibers are skewed from the fabric centerline. The method and apparatus are particularly designed for producing a woven biased structural fabric in which the structural fibers are oriented about 45.degree. to the fabric centerline, where the flimsy, open-knit nature of the fabric makes handling extremely difficult. Broadly speaking, the apparatus includes a fabric feeding station, slitting station, and winding station. The feeding station holds a roll of conventional structural fabric (parallel and perpendicular structural fibers) woven in a tube configuration and flattened into the roll form. The feeding station rotates the roll in a vertical plane as the fabric unwinds in a horizontal direction. The slitting station includes a cutter and a pair of slatter rolls, the rolls moving the tube of fabric in the horizontal direction while rotating the tube of fabric.

Abstract: An electrical connector 1 comprising, a ring 22 and a tab 23 are surrounded by insulation material formed with an annulus 27 and a tube 29, the ring 22 is assembled over a rear shell portion 3 of a shell with the tab 23 and the tube 29 received along a tunnel 20 in a rear shell portion 3, and a front shell portion 4 of the shell is assembled by movement to the rear concentrically between the annulus 27 and the rear shell portion 3.