Abstract: A method of making nanostructures using a self-assembled monolayer of organic spheres is disclosed. The nanostructures include bowl-shaped structures and patterned elongated nanostructures. A bowl-shaped nanostructure with a nanorod grown from a conductive substrate through the bowl-shaped nanostructure may be configured as a field emitter or a vertical field effect transistor. A method of separating nanoparticles of a desired size employs an array of bowl-shaped structures.

Abstract: A computer executable method for producing a feedback metric for use in Project Portfolio Management (“PPM”). The method includes collecting data about a plurality of project proposals and collecting data about a plurality of completed projects, such that some of the data about proposals and completed projects pertain to the same project. The collected data is then used to estimate the parameters of a model by using a maximum likelihood technique, executed as an algorithm in the computer, that overcomes a Missing Data Problem (“MDP”). The method uses the estimated parameters generated by the algorithm to create feedback metrics for use in PPM and that are output from the computer.

Abstract: A press tool arrangement for use in hot creep forming, a method of hot creep forming a component of titanium alloy, and a resilient urging arrangement usable at elevated temperatures are described. The press tool arrangement includes a die, a holder member engageable with a blank of material in the die, and a resilient urging arrangement engageable with the holder member to urge same against a blank of material in the die.

Abstract: A method for calculating moisture loss in a steam turbine operating under wet steam conditions.

Abstract: A method of reducing biocorrosion or biofilm blockage in by identifying a target suspected of comprising one or more biocorrosive organisms and delivering to the target suspected of comprising the biocorrosive organisms an effective amount of a composition comprising an infective virulent viral panel sufficient to reduce the amount of biocorrosive organisms at the target.

Abstract: A battery and battery condition indicator are provided with a seal as monolithic structures whereby the indicator is inserted in an opening in the battery and sealed there against via ribs in the battery confronted by a surface of the indicator and/or ribs on the indicator embedded in a surface of the battery defining the opening.

Abstract: A method of making nanostructures using a self-assembled monolayer of organic spheres is disclosed. The nanostructures include bowl-shaped structures and patterned elongated nanostructures. A bowl-shaped nanostructure with a nanorod grown from a conductive substrate through the bowl-shaped nanostructure may be configured as a field emitter or a vertical field effect transistor. A method of separating nanoparticles of a desired size employs an array of bowl-shaped structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, methods and systems for an electroluminescent (EL) display. An exemplary embodiment of an EL apparatus of the invention is in the form of an EL strip. The EL strip may comprise a Supportive Electrode Strip (SES) adapted to receive an EL stack, and an EL stack deposited thereon. The SES comprises a conductive substrate. The EL stack deposited on the SES to form an EL strip may include several layers. The EL strips may be grouped together to form an EL strip panel. The EL strips may also be electrically connected to form an EL panel and EL panels can be electrically connected to form an EL display. Methods for making and testing such systems and components are also disclosed.

Abstract: Developing decision-making skills of a user through practice in a simulated environment comprises defining a simulated situation to be influenced by the user including a set of objects that are represented by an attribute-characteristic representation, presenting information concerning a current state of the simulation, obtaining decisions from the user that at least partially determine object designs to be evaluated, evaluating an object design using a value function having multiple optima, updating the simulation with the results from the evaluation, and permitting continued practice by selectively repeating several of these steps. A system executes simulation software that simulates such a situation on a processor, and includes evaluation software for selecting and evaluating design objects by applying a value function having multiple optima. At least one terminal and communication links are provided for information transfer and implementation of the simulated situation.

Abstract: The present invention provides surface coated phosphors useful in field emission displays and vacuum fluorescent displays. The surface coated phosphor comprises a thin coating of rare earth oxide, e.g., yttrium oxide, disposed on an uncoated phosphor such as a sulfide phosphor. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a surface coated phosphor comprising contacting the uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, drying the gel coated phosphor to remove solvent residues, and heat treating the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor. The surface coated phosphors of the present invention have improved cathodoluminescence efficiency, coulombic aging resistance, chemical, and/or oxidative stability.

Abstract: A fluid level indicator or hydrometer is provided that includes an optical tube and a protective sleeve or jacket. The optical tube is highly polished and includes a site glass integrally connected to a distal cone by an intermediate extension shaft. The protective sleeve or jacket surrounds at least the intermediate extension shaft.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic rod suitable for use in a battery hydrometer. Stress-relieving formations are provided symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of an injection gate of the rod. The formations distribute injection stresses and shield the gate vestige.

Abstract: A light transmissive body for a fluid condition indicator has a substantial length shaped as a cruciform in transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A system for scheduling a conference between callers includes a database that stores scheduling information indicating at least a start time, a duration, and a maximum number of callers for one or more scheduled conferences, the scheduling information reflecting available conferencing resources. A server complex coupled to the database communicates, to a requesting Internet Protocol (IP) user, at least one page including one or more scheduling input fields. The server complex receives scheduling input from the requesting IP user for a requested conference according to the scheduling input fields. The server complex accesses the database to determine, according to the scheduling input, whether sufficient resources are available for the requested conference. If so, the server complex allocates at least some available resources to the requested conference and generates confirmations of the requested conference for communication to the callers.

Abstract: A photonic crystal includes a phosphor matrix and a plurality of defect regions. The phosphor matrix defines a plurality of substantially spherical voids arranged in a triangular lattice arrangement. The phosphor matrix has a first index of refraction. The plurality of defect regions is distributed in a subset of the spherical voids. Each defect region has a second index of refraction that is different from the first index of refraction.

Abstract: A system for scheduling a conference between callers includes a database that stores scheduling information indicating at least a start time, a duration, and a maximum number of callers for one or more scheduled conferences, the scheduling information reflecting available conferencing resources. A server complex coupled to the database communicates, to a requesting Internet Protocol (IP) user, at least one page including one or more scheduling input fields. The server complex receives scheduling input from the requesting IP user for a requested conference according to the scheduling input fields. The server complex accesses the database to determine, according to the scheduling input, whether sufficient resources are available for the requested conference. If so, the server complex allocates at least some available resources to the requested conference and generates confirmations of the requested conference for communication to the callers.

Abstract: Methods of coating a semiconductor device with phosphor particles are disclosed. In the methods, a bath is provided which contains suspended particles of a first phosphor material and suspended particles of a second phosphor material. The particles of the first phosphor material have a mean particle size in the range from about 1 micron to about 6 microns, and the particles of the second phosphor material have a mean particle size in the range from about 12 microns to about 25 microns, wherein the particle size distribution of the phosphor material in the bath is bimodal. The semiconductor device is disposed in the bath containing the suspended particles, and a first biasing voltage is applied between an anode in electrical contact with the bath and the p side to hold the anode at a positive voltage with respect to the p side. A second biasing voltage is applied between the p side and the n side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for selectively depositing materials on a semiconductor device, such as depositing phosphors or other optical materials on a light emitting diode (LED), using an electrophoretic deposition process. The semiconductor device comprises a p-side and an n-side. A first biasing voltage is applied between an anode and the p-side of the semiconductor device. A second biasing voltage is applied between the p-side and the n-side of the semiconductor device. The relative biasing of the p-side and the n-side determines where coating is deposited on the semiconductor device. An optional pre-coating process is used to deposit a high resistivity dielectric material, such as silica, on the semiconductor device. The pre-coating can even the electric field on the surface of the semiconductor device, where local features such as metal connections or passivation layers disturb the electric field during phosphor deposition without pre-coating.

Abstract: A photonic crystal includes a phosphor matrix and a plurality of defect regions. The phosphor matrix defines a plurality of substantially spherical voids arranged in a triangular lattice arrangement. The phosphor matrix has a first index of refraction. The plurality of defect regions is distributed in a subset of the spherical voids. Each defect region has a second index of refraction that is different from the first index of refraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides surface coated phosphors useful in field emission displays and vacuum fluorescent displays. The surface coated phosphor comprises a thin coating of rare earth oxide, e.g., yttrium oxide, disposed on an uncoated phosphor such as a sulfide phosphor. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a surface coated phosphor comprising contacting the uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, drying the gel coated phosphor to remove solvent residues, and heat treating the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor. The surface coated phosphors of the present invention have improved cathodoluminescence efficiency, coulombic aging resistance, chemical, and/or oxidative stability.