Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing an improved inker unit surface cleaning and conditioning system, including in a single anilox chamber blade system, for improving image quality, including eliminating ghosting, in a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture. Techniques are provided to remove acquired oil from an inking member. A particularly-configured containment encloses a cleaner (disturber) roller to emulsify the acquired oil on the inking roller. The cleaner roller is preferably configured with a pliable surface including a silicon roller surface over a porous base. The silicon roller (1) absorbs dampening solution oil; and (2) agitates ink that may be still held in certain cells/cavities of the inking member or roller. In embodiments, a vacuum pressure is applied to the inside of the hollow cleaner roller to better remove the residual ink and dampening solution from the inking roller.

Abstract: Forming an imaging blanket for a printing apparatus includes depositing a patternable material over a substrate, etching the patternable material according to a desired exposure pattern, hardening the etched patternable material to thereby form a template surface comprising a desired template pattern of texture features, depositing a layer of curable liquid polymer over and in physical contact with the template surface, curing the liquid polymer to thereby form the imaging blanket, and removing the imaging blanket from the template surface to thereby expose a patterned imaging surface of the imaging blanket. The image blanket may thereby be provided with a desired texture surface, for example comprised of individual molded image blanket features, such as recesses or pillars, of a desired cross-sectional shape. The image blanket is configured for and may be disposed on an image forming member of a variable data lithography system.

Abstract: Forming an imaging blanket for a printing apparatus includes depositing a patternable material over a substrate, etching the patternable material according to a desired exposure pattern, hardening the etched patternable material to thereby form a template surface comprising a desired template pattern of texture features, depositing a layer of curable liquid polymer over and in physical contact with the template surface, curing the liquid polymer to thereby form the imaging blanket, and removing the imaging blanket from the template surface to thereby expose a patterned imaging surface of the imaging blanket. The image blanket may thereby be provided with a desired texture surface, for example comprised of individual molded image blanket features, such as recesses or pillars, of a desired cross-sectional shape. The image blanket is configured for and may be disposed on an image forming member of a variable data lithography system.

Abstract: An imaging member includes a surface layer comprising a matrix material, an aerogel component, and a radiation-absorbing filler. Methods of manufacturing the imaging member and processes for variable lithographic printing using the imaging member are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser wire stripping apparatus having a collet having a passageway for receiving a wire therein along an axis of insertion. The collet being fixed in position relative to the axis of insertion. A laser source for producing a laser beam. An optical assembly, the optical assembly moving relative to the collet and the axis of insertion for directing a laser beam along an axis of insertion of said wire.

Abstract: A nanocalorimeter includes a merging layer having, a drop placement area for holding drops to be merged and a thermal equilibration area. A measurement layer includes a substrate, and a temperature probe on the substrate, wherein the temperature probe extends out of the surface of the substrate to come into operative contact with the thermal equilibration area when the measurement layer is placed in operative association with the merging layer. The nanocalorimeter is configured to have the merging layer and the measurement layer non-integrated, making the measurement layer reusable.

Abstract: An addressable imaging belt for use in printing applications having embedded anisotropically conductive addressable islands configured for electric contact on a first side of the belt by a write head consisting of an array of compliant cantilevered fingers with contact pads/points to which a voltage can be applied. The conductive addressable islands electrically isolated from one another and extending substantially through the thickness of the belt in order to allow charge to flow through the belt towards a second side of the belt, in order to form a latent electrostatic image on the second side and develop this latent image by attracting colorized toner or other electrically charged particles to the second side.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.

Abstract: A system utilizes a laser to remove the mold compound of an IC without damaging the internal die, wire leads, solder connections and any other critical structures encapsulated within the mold compound, thereby leaving them available for the provisional and electrical analysis. A laser beam is focused through appropriate optics onto a plane corresponding to the surface of an IC. A layer of material which is opaque at the wave length of the laser beam is applied at the surface of the IC chip to be ablated prior to each pass of the laser. A spray nozzle may be provided to move in synchronous motion ahead of the laser being to apply coat of the opaque material.

Abstract: A detection system includes a detection device and an anti-evaporation device. The detection device comprises a region configured to merge at least two small drops and to detect a potential transient signal generated by the merger of the drops. The an anti-evaporation is configured to enclose the region and limit evaporation from the region. A method for detecting a signal includes the following steps: depositing drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions on a detection device within a drop-merging region; placing an anti-evaporation device over the drop-merging region to form a seal around the drop-merging region; merging the drops of potentially reactive chemical solutions; and measuring a signal occurring within the merged solution drops.

Abstract: A nanocalorimeter includes a merging layer having, a drop placement area for holding drops to be merged and a thermal equilibration area. A measurement layer includes a substrate, and a temperature probe on the substrate, wherein the temperature probe extends out of the surface of the substrate to come into operative contact with the thermal equilibration area when the measurement layer is placed in operative association with the merging layer. The nanocalorimeter is configured to have the merging layer and the measurement layer non-integrated, making the measurement layer reusable.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid through a layer of a soft compressible (e.g., gel) material including an array of fluid flow paths. The fluid flow paths are normally open, allowing fluid flow. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the material closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.

Abstract: A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the method uses an electric field to control a series of microvalves. The microvalves control a fluid flow that raises or lowers selected regions on a flexible printing surface to create a desired relief pattern. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.

Abstract: An improved microvalve is described. The microvalve is formed such that the walls of the microvalve are formed from a gel material. Typically, the microvalve includes open flow paths, often holes, through a gel layer. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the gel closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.

Abstract: An addressable imaging belt for use in printing applications having embedded anisotropically conductive addressable islands configured for electric contact on a first side of the belt by a write head consisting of an array of compliant cantilevered fingers with contact pads/points to which a voltage can be applied. The conductive addressable islands electrically isolated from one another and extending substantially through the thickness of the belt in order to allow charge to flow through the belt towards a second side of the belt, in order to form a latent electrostatic image on the second side and develop this latent image by attracting colorized toner or other electrically charged particles to the second side.

Abstract: A measurement operation, such as a calorimetry measurement, is performed using a measurement array and a replaceable passivation membrane (e.g., a parylene membrane). The passivation membrane is used to cover the measurement array to provide temporary electrical and chemical passivation, while still allowing measurement of the parameter of interest (e.g., temperature, in a calorimetry measurement). By only replacing the membrane instead of the entire measurement array between measurement operations, the cost of the measurements can be significantly reduced over conventional methods. The passivation membrane can be mounted on a frame to simplify handling of the membrane.

Abstract: A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the method uses an electric field to control a series of microvalves. The microvalves control a fluid flow that raises or lowers selected regions on a flexible printing surface to create a desired relief pattern. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.

Abstract: An improved microvalve is described. The microvalve is formed such that the walls of the microvalve are formed from a gel material. Typically, the microvalve includes open flow paths, often holes, through a gel layer. An electric field is applied in regions where fluid flow is undesirable. The electric field compresses the gel closing the flow path thereby preventing further fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and system for exposing the delicate structures of a device encapsulated in a mold compound such as an integrated circuit (IC). A laser is used to ablate the mold compound and thus remove it, exposing the underlying structure. The laser beam can be steered in a desired raster pattern onto the surface of the device or the device can be moved in the desired pattern relative to the laser beam. Spectral analysis can be performed on the laser plume emitted by the ablation process in order to determine the composition of the ablated material. Thus, in addition to exposing defects in the underlying structure, the system can also be used to analyze the encapsulating material in order to determine whether it contained any defects or anomalies. A system for precisely cutting a circuit board or an IC in a user-selected pattern is also described. The system directs a laser along a path that a user can specify using a graphical interface.

Abstract: A method for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.