Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhanced thin-film specimen gripping solutions. An apparatus for handling thin-film specimens may include a specimen holder that is configured to engage a thin-film specimen, with the specimen holder including one or more holding components configured to receive the thin-film specimen in a flat position with respect to the specimen holder, and one or more securing components configured to securely maintain the thin-film specimen in the flat position during manipulation of the specimen holder. The specimen holder may include one or more apertures between the one or more securing components that enable access both sides of the thin-film specimen at two or more locations on the thin-film specimen. The specimen holder may include width adjustment component configured to allow accommodating different specimen widths.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a rigid wing (10) which in its preferred embodiment is a rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail (10) comprises a pair of elongate rigid panels (12A) and (12B), and a hinge element designated generally as (14) coupled to the panels (12/B) to permit pivotal movement of the panels (12A/B) relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels such as (12A) includes an adjoining edge (16A) and an opposing lateral edge (18A). The hinge element (14) is coupled to the panels (12A/B) at the respective adjoining edges (16A/B) to form either: 1) a closed configuration of the wing (10) with lateral edges (18A/B) of respective panels (12A/B) positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is closed; or 2) an open configuration of the wing (10) with the lateral edges (18A/B) of the respective panels (12A/B) separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a rigid wing (10) which in its preferred embodiment is a rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail (10) comprises a pair of elongate rigid panels (12A) and (12B), and a hinge element designated generally as (14) coupled to the panels (12/B) to permit pivotal movement of the panels (12A/B) relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels such as (12A) includes an adjoining edge (16A) and an opposing lateral edge (18A). The hinge element (14) is coupled to the panels (12A/B) at the respective adjoining edges (16A/B) to form either: 1) a closed configuration of the wing (10) with lateral edges (18A/B) of respective panels (12A/B) positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is closed; or 2) an open configuration of the wing (10) with the lateral edges (18A/B) of the respective panels (12A/B) separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail (10) is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: A rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail includes a pair of elongate rigid panels, and a hinge element designated generally as coupled to the panels to permit pivotal movement of the panels relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels includes an adjoining edge and an opposing lateral edge. The hinge element is coupled to the panels at the respective adjoining edges to form either a closed configuration of the wing with lateral edges of respective panels positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail is closed or an open configuration of the wing with the lateral edges of the respective panels separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail is set at a variable camber.

Abstract: A rigid wing sail fitted to a water-borne vessel. The rigid wing sail includes a pair of elongate rigid panels, and a hinge element designated generally as coupled to the panels to permit pivotal movement of the panels relative to one another. Each of the pair of panels includes an adjoining edge and an opposing lateral edge. The hinge element is coupled to the panels at the respective adjoining edges to form either a closed configuration of the wing with lateral edges of respective panels positioned adjacent one another wherein the rigid wing sail is closed or an open configuration of the wing with the lateral edges of the respective panels separated from one another wherein the rigid wing sail is set at a variable camber.