Abstract: An opaque adhesive can be used to secure the convex surface of a lens blank to a lens blocking piece. This opaque adhesive can include a resin that is curable under ultraviolet light and contains many dispersed pigment particles. The pigment particles may absorb light in the wavelength range of about 300 nm to about 800 nm such that the adhesive appears substantially opaque. A lens-on-block (LOB) system that uses the opaque adhesive to adhere a lens blank to a lens blocking piece facilitates on-block inspection of surface defects by increasing the contrast of light reflected from the surface being inspected. Put differently, the defects in the lens blank's surfaces stand out more when viewed in front of the opaque adhesive The inspection results can be used to carry out rework loops that eliminate or correct the detected defects, providing a streamlined method for on-block manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: A motorized shaving apparatus and head therefor that cuts or trims hair via shearing. In one embodiment, the invention is a shaving apparatus head comprising: a body; a rotary cutter mounted to the body so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis, the rotary cutter comprising cutting edges that collectively define a reference cylinder about the rotational axis; and a blade mounted to the body so as to extend along a first reference plane that intersects the reference cylinder, the blade positioned so that a user's hairs are sheared between a cutting edge of the blade and the cutting edges of the rotary cutter when the rotary cutter is rotating about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A shaving apparatus (1000) is disclosed in which a rotary cutter (1300) and a fixed blade (350) are used to shear a user's hairs therebetween during a shaving process. Various advancements are disclosed herein, including without limitation accurate positioning of the fixed blade in the head (200A) relative to the contact apex of the rotary cutter, bi-directional rotation of the rotary cutter, a cover-blade assembly for detachable coupling and decoupling from a base component of the head, the use of contact rollers on the head to treat and/or prep the skin and/or hairs for shearing, and a rotary cutter configured to pinch, pull and shear hairs.

Abstract: A fluid-powered high-speed spindle (100) having a longitudinal axis (A) defining an upper end defined by a shank and a lower end accepting a tool. The spindle includes a body (120), a rotatable shaft (530) supported by at least one bearing (508) within the body (120), a seal housing (150) connected to the body (120) at the lower end thereof, a cover (180) connected to the seal housing (150) at the lower end thereof, a fluid channel system for directing fluid from an entry port (102) to a nozzle (576) for turning a turbine (570) attached to the shaft (530); and a flinger (660) attached to the shaft (530) and positioned above the turbine (570). The flinger (660) and the seal housing (150) combine to form a non-contact seal (900) configured to impede the flow of fluid toward the at least one bearing (508).

Abstract: A fluid-powered high-speed spindle (100) having a longitudinal axis (A) defining an upper end defined by a shank and a lower end accepting a tool. The spindle includes a body (120), a rotatable shaft (530) supported by at least one bearing (508) within the body (120), a seal housing (150) connected to the body (120) at the lower end thereof, a cover (180) connected to the seal housing (150) at the lower end thereof, a fluid channel system for directing fluid from an entry port (102) to a nozzle (576) for turning a turbine (570) attached to the shaft (530); and a flinger (660) attached to the shaft (530) and positioned above the turbine (570). The flinger (660) and the seal housing (150) combine to form a non-contact seal (900) configured to impede the flow of fluid toward the at least one bearing (508).

Abstract: A shaving apparatus (1000) in which a rotary cutter (300) and a fixed blade (350) are used to shear a user's hairs there between during a shaving process. Rotation of the rotary cutter is driven by an electric motor (400). In certain embodiments, the rotary cutter comprises a cutting tube (301) that comprises a plurality of apertures (305) that are defined by cutting edges (307) which form a closed-geometry. In other embodiments, a lubricating element (800) is coupled to the rotary cutter, in further embodiments, the apertures are arranged in a pattern to control the number and selection of apertures that are capable of being active to shear hairs at any one time. In even further embodiments, the fixed blade is integrally formed with the housing of the head; the housing is formed by a plurality of stacked flat plate segments: the rotary cutter is formed by a plurality of stacked flat plate segments; and/or the fixed blade can reciprocate.

Abstract: Ceramic nanocomposites and methods for manufacturing the ceramic nanocomposites are disclosed. One method includes introducing to a fired green ceramic body having a ceramic matrix submicron particles having coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries. One ceramic nanocomposite includes a ceramic matrix with submicron particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix, the submicron particles having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one dopant that covers the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, at a concentration that does not exceed the bulk solubility limit of the dopant in the ceramic matrix at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.

Abstract: A fluid-powered high-speed spindle (100) having a longitudinal axis (A) defining an upper end defined by a shank and a lower end accepting a tool. The spindle includes a body (120), a rotatable shaft (530) supported by at least one bearing (508) within the body (120), a seal housing (150) connected to the body (120) at the lower end thereof, a cover (180) connected to the seal housing (150) at the lower end thereof, a fluid channel system for directing fluid from an entry port (102) to a nozzle (576) for turning a turbine (570) attached to the shaft (530); and a flinger (660) attached to the shaft (530) and positioned above the turbine (570). The flinger (660) and the seal housing (150) combine to form a non-contact seal (900) configured to impede the flow of fluid toward the at least one bearing (508).

Abstract: Ceramic nanocomposites and methods for manufacturing the ceramic nanocomposites are disclosed. One method includes introducing to a fired green ceramic body having a ceramic matrix submicron particles having coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries. One ceramic nanocomposite includes a ceramic matrix with submicron particles dispersed in the ceramic matrix, the submicron particles having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic matrix and at least one dopant that covers the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, at a concentration that does not exceed the bulk solubility limit of the dopant in the ceramic matrix at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.

Abstract: Ceramic nanocomposite and methods for manufacturing thereof. One method comprising: receiving a fired green ceramic body comprising ceramic matrix; introducing to the fired green ceramic body submicron particles; and introducing at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, as well as the majority of the interfaces between the submicron particles and the ceramic matrix grains but less than an amount that would result in a concentration that exceeds the bulk solubility limit of the location-controlling dopant ions in the ceramic matrix, at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting analytes using a sensor element having a cleaning cycle and renewable liquid material with an affinity for the analytes are described. An analyte detection system may include a controller in communication with a sensor element and a liquid dispensing assembly. The liquid dispensing assembly, such as an inkjet dispensing device, may deposit the liquid material on or adjacent to the sensor element. The controller may be operative to monitor at least one property associated with the liquid material deposited on the sensor element. In addition, the controller may be configured to generate at least one control signal based on the at least one property. The liquid dispensing assembly may be configured to deposit the at least one liquid material on the sensor element based on the at least one control signal.

Abstract: Ceramic nanocomposite and methods for manufacturing thereof. One method comprising: receiving a fired green ceramic body comprising ceramic matrix; introducing to the fired green ceramic body submicron particles; and introducing at least one type of location-controlling dopant at an amount that is sufficient to cover the majority of the ceramic matrix grain boundaries, as well as the majority of the interfaces between the submicron particles and the ceramic matrix grains but less than an amount that would result in a concentration that exceeds the bulk solubility limit of the location-controlling dopant ions in the ceramic matrix, at the ceramic nanocomposite sintering temperature.

Abstract: A system for inspecting wearable people footwear, comprising: a person's standing grille, an air stream chamber, whereas the grille is one of the partitions of the chamber, a plurality of blowing jets surrounding the object and a vacuum port. While said object is being under normal atmospheric conditions, the particles are being detached from the object exterior surface by said plurality of blowing jets detached particles are passing through said grille holes and are carried by near surface airfoil streams generated within the chamber and directed towards the vacuum port. An analyzer instrument analyzes the particles, collected at the particle collection area.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a wire to a substrate. The bonding tool has a cylindrical body portion formed from a first material and a conical tip portion separately formed from a second material. The conical tip portion is coupled to one end of the body portion.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a cargo container for chemical or biological materials, comprising: providing a vapor collection unit in the container, allowing vapors to be collected from the container into the collection unit, removing vapors collected in the vapor collection unit from the container through a port of the container, not primarily used for loading or removing cargo from the container, and analyzing the vapors collected by the vapor collection unit for traces of one or more particulates.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a wire to a substrate. The bonding tool has a cylindrical body portion formed from a first material and a conical tip portion separately formed from a second material. The conical tip portion is coupled to one end of the body portion.

Abstract: Trace collection system including a conveyer appended to the entrance of the device, protected by a hood, and/or enclosed in a tunnel. The conveyor can perform preliminary checks on the inspected items, and gather information such as weight, dimension, and temperature, that can serve as parameters to a subsequent trace collection process.

Abstract: Trace collection system including at least one tray supporting at least one inspected item, a particle release mechanism applied on said inspected item, and a particle collection system, whereby said particle collection system collects a portion of the released particles and the portion of the released particles is analyzed for traces of at least one predefined chemical.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a wire to a substrate. The bonding tool has a cylindrical body portion formed from a first material and a conical tip portion separately formed from a second material. The conical tip portion is coupled to one end of the body portion.

Abstract: A bonding tool for bonding a fine wire to bonding pads having a very fine pitch is disclosed. The bonding tool comprises a working tip at an end thereof. The working tip includes an annular chamfer formed at an inner portion of the end of the working tip, the inner annular chamfer having an angle of less than about 60 degrees. The inner annular chamfer is coupled to a lower portion of a cylindrical passage formed in the bonding tool.