Abstract: A method of making an electronic device comprising a double bank well-defining structure, which method comprises: providing an electronic substrate; depositing a first insulating material on the substrate to form a first insulating layer; depositing a second insulating material on the first insulating layer to form a second insulating layer; removing a portion of the second insulating layer to expose a portion of the first insulating layer and form a second well-defining bank; depositing a resist on the second insulating layer and on a portion of the exposed first insulating layer; removing the portion of the first insulating layer not covered by the resist, to expose a portion of the electronic substrate and form a first well-defining bank within the second well-defining bank; and removing the resist. The method can provide devices with reduced leakage currents.

Abstract: Actuators and methods utilizing electrical properties of polymer materials. The actuators have a multilayer structure that includes an electroactive polymer layer between and bonded to first and second electrodes so that the polymer layer has a thickness dimension therebetween. The multilayer structure is adapted so that application of an electric potential to the electrodes causes the electroactive polymer layer to expand in at least one dimension thereof transverse to the thickness dimension of the electroactive polymer layer. The actuators can be used in sealing elements to provide a resealing capability once a condition has occurred of a type that may precede a seal failure.

Abstract: A rack of the type for circulating air interiorly for drying multiple pairs of boots and/or gloves, where the articles to be dried are sprayed with a liquid sterilizing agent while on the rack. The blower housing, manifold and hollow members of the rack have no exterior horizontal surfaces to prevent pooling of the sterilizing agent. In addition, drain holes are provided in the blower housing, rack tubes and manifold to prevent interior trapping of sterilizing agent or moisture from condensation. In one version intended for sterilizing with power connected, a conduit in the manifold drains any liquid in the blower housing directly into the rack tubes. Another lower cost version is intended for sterilizing after electrical power has been externally disconnected and has liquid/moisture drain holes in the blower housing. Either version may be wall mounted or arranged as portable free standing single or double sided rack drying systems.

Abstract: A portable dryer for in situ drying multiple pairs of relatively small articles of apparel having a blower and heater for forcing air into a pair of attached oppositely directed manifolds, each with discharge ports and adjacent support members for the articles to be dried. One of the manifolds is attached by a quick-release slotted connection for assembly and removal without tools. In preparation for transport, the user removes, inverts and stacks the one manifold on the opposite manifold reducing the volume of bag or enclosure required for one person transport.

Abstract: A membrane including a polyarylnitrile copolymer is presented. The polyarylnitrile copolymer includes structural units having a formula (I) and at least one terminal group having a formula (II): wherein “a” is 0, 1, 2, or 3; “m” is an integer having a value of 35 to 150; R1 is independently at each occurrence a hyrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; R2 and R3 are independently a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; L is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and Ar is independently at each occurrence a residue of an aromatic diol or a residue of an aromatic dihalide.

Abstract: A method for flashing an opening defined by a bottom sill, a pair of side jambs, and a top header includes forming a sill diverter dam at the bottom sill to receive a backside of a door or window frame with an adhesive strip placed along the sill diverter dam. The method further includes applying a sheet of flexible membrane at each intersection of the bottom sill and each side jamb, attaching a strip of weep flashing to the wall overlapping the diverter dam at the bottom sill, applying sealant along an upper edge of the door or window frame, attaching a jamb diverter sheet to the wall at each side jamb, applying sealant to the door or window frame, placing the door or window frame in the opening, applying additional sealant along the top header, and attaching a header diverter sheet to the wall along the top header.

Abstract: A transportable or hand carriable forced air dryer for boots, gloves and facepieces such as gas masks and other headpieces with attached drinking tubes. A pair of manifolds having spaced parallel tubes extend in opposite directions from a blower housing/plenum structure. Each manifold has plural spaced upstanding air discharge tubes. Each air discharge tube has attached thereto a form expander in looped form extending in spaced parallel arrangement and terminating beyond the air discharge to prevent air blockage by the article to be dried. One manifold is permanently connected and the other is quick connected and quick disconnected, without tools for field reassembly. For transport, the released manifold is inverted and nested on the permanently connected manifold for compact installation in a tote bag.

Abstract: A method is provided to determine a distance, a direction, or both between an existing first wellbore and at least one sensor module of a drill string within a second wellbore being drilled. The method includes using the at least one sensor module to measure a magnetic field and to generate at least one first signal indicative of the measured magnetic field. The method further includes using the at least one sensor module to gyroscopically measure an azimuth, an inclination, or both of the at least one sensor module and to generate at least one second signal indicative of the measured azimuth, inclination, or both. The method further includes using the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal to calculate a distance between the existing first wellbore and the at least one sensor module, a direction between the existing first wellbore and the at least one sensor module, or both a distance and a direction between the existing first wellbore and the at least one sensor module.

Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.

Abstract: A transportable or hand carriable forced air dryer for boots, gloves and facepieces such as gas masks and other headpieces with attached drinking tubes. A pair of manifolds having spaced parallel tubes extend in opposite directions from a blower housing/plenum structure. Each manifold has plural spaced upstanding air discharge tubes. Each air discharge tube has attached thereto a form expander in looped form extending in spaced parallel arrangement and terminating beyond the air discharge to prevent air blockage by the article to be dried. One manifold is permanently connected and the other is quick connected and quick disconnected, without tools for field reassembly. For transport, the released manifold is inverted and nested on the permanently connected manifold for compact installation in a tote bag.

Abstract: An optical connection infrastructure has optical conduits between first devices and at least one second device. Dynamic reconfiguration of the optical connection infrastructure can be performed from a first connection topology to a second, different connection topology based on programming of the first devices.

Abstract: Packages for housing consumable products and methods of using same are provided. Methods for teaching children to self-feed are also provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a package including a body defining side walls (34,36) a first end wall (40), an inclined second end wall (42) and an elongated interior compartment having a predetermined width for housing consumable products. In another embodiment, a package is provided that includes a body defining side walls, a bottom wall (38) a first end wall (40) oriented at 90° to the bottom wall, a second end wall (42) inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom wall (38), and an interior compartment for housing consumable products, the package being so constructed and arranged to stand substantially upright.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing cannabinoids in substantially pure form starting from plant material. Also described are substantially pure preparations of various cannabinoids and cannabinoid acids, and also extracts enriched in cannabinoids and cannabinoid acids.

Abstract: A method of joining a plurality of parts to form a unitary body. At least two sintered parts are provided. At least one of the sintered parts has at least one internal cavity. Each of the parts is formed of a hard metal composition of material. The at least two sintered parts are assembled into the shape of a unitary body. Each of the at least two sintered parts has a joining surface and when each joining surface is brought into contact the surfaces form a bonding interface therebetween. The assembled parts are subjected to a vacuum or gas atmosphere, without the application of external pressure, and to a temperature sufficient to fuse the at least two sintered parts together at the bonding interface to form the unitary body.

Abstract: A method of joining a plurality of parts to form a unitary body includes providing at least two sintered parts. Each of the parts is formed of a hard metal composition of material. The sintered parts are assembled into the shape of a unitary body. Each of the sintered parts has a joining surface and when each joining surface is brought into contact the surfaces form a bonding interface therebetween. The assembled sintered parts are subjected to a temperature sufficient to fuse the sintered parts together at the bonding interface to form the unitary body. A wear resistant tool includes a plurality of sintered parts, each of the sintered parts is formed of a hard metal composition of material, wherein the plurality of sintered parts can be assembled into a unitary body, wherein the assembled parts are fused together at a respective bonding interface to form the unitary body.

Abstract: A tire defect tester and a method of operation are disclosed. In one aspect, the tire defect tester includes a first electrode arranged to direct energy toward a tire, and a second electrode arranged on an opposite side of the tire from the first electrode to receive energy passing through the tire from the first electrode. The tire defect tester further includes an energy sensor electrically connected to the second electrode and a fault indicator circuit responsive to the energy sensor and configured to indicate the presence of a flaw upon energy above a threshold level being sensed at the second electrode.

Abstract: A method of joining a plurality of parts to form a unitary body. At least two sintered parts are provided. At least one of the sintered parts has at least one internal channel. Each of the parts is formed of a hard metal composition of material. The at least two sintered parts are assembled into the shape of a unitary body. Each of the at least two sintered parts has a joining surface and when each joining surface is brought into contact the surfaces form a bonding interface therebetween. The assembled parts are subjected to a vacuum or gas atmosphere, without the application of external pressure, and to a temperature sufficient to fuse the at least two sintered parts together at the bonding interface to form the unitary body.

Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.

Abstract: A tire defect tester and a method of operation are disclosed. In one aspect, the tire defect tester includes a first electrode arranged to direct energy toward a tire, and a second electrode arranged on an opposite side of the tire from the first electrode to receive energy passing through the tire from the first electrode. The tire defect tester further includes an energy sensor electrically connected to the second electrode and a fault indicator circuit responsive to the energy sensor and configured to indicate the presence of a flaw upon energy above a threshold level being sensed at the second electrode.

Abstract: An electromagnetically shielded enclosure with operable interfaces that is portable and lightweight. The electromagnetically shielded enclosure has operable interfaces including a tactile interface through the shielding material and optionally a shielded tactile window for viewing of a secured electronic device and also for operating the secured electronic device should it have a touch screen. An internal frame is optionally provided that prevents conductive interference of a secured electronic device touch screen by the shielded tactile window. An input/output assembly is further provided to allow signals and power to be brought in or out of the enclosure to connect with the secured electronic device without compromising radio silence.