Abstract: A method of implementing administrative services for managing group feedback is disclosed. A selection of a feedback visibility setting for a feedback message from a plurality of predefined feedback visibility settings is received via a give feedback tab of a user interface. The feedback message and a selection of one or more recipients are received via the give feedback tab. The feedback message is sent to the selected one or more recipients based on the selected feedback visibility setting. A request for feedback and a selection of one or more feedback providers are received via a request feedback tab of the user interface. The request for feedback is sent to the selected one or more feedback providers. Received feedback responses linked to a user profile of the feedback requestor are stored.

Abstract: An apparatus for limiting pipette motion, the apparatus comprising: (1) a stand for controlling spatial positions; (2) a mechanism for temporally coupling the pipette with the stand; the orientation or the movement of the pipette being restricted by the stand as predetermined for (a) limiting the insertion depth of the pipette tips into sample containers, (b) restricting unwanted movements or rotations of the pipette, or (c) maintaining the desired alignments of the pipette tips with the sample containers. Methods of limiting pipette motion or rotation are also provided.

Abstract: An actuator includes a pump including a first cavity and a diaphragm coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The diaphragm is configured to pressurize a fluid contained in the first cavity. The pump further includes a first valve coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The first valve is configured to release fluid from the first cavity when the first cavity is pressurized. The actuator also includes a piston assembly operatively coupled to the pump.

Abstract: An actuator includes a pump including a first cavity and a diaphragm coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The diaphragm is configured to pressurize a fluid contained in the first cavity. The pump further includes a first valve coupled in flow communication with the first cavity. The first valve is configured to release fluid from the first cavity when the first cavity is pressurized. The actuator also includes a piston assembly operatively coupled to the pump.

Abstract: A method for forming a hole in an object is provided. The method includes forming a starter hole in the object, providing an electrochemical machining electrode that includes insulation that extends only partially around the electrode, and inserting the electrode into the starter hole to form a hole in the object that has an inlet defined by a first cross-sectional area and an outlet defined by a second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for forming holes in an object is provided. The method includes providing an electrochemical machining (ECM) electrode including a first section having insulation that circumscribes the first section, and a second section having insulation that extends only partially around the second section. The method also includes inserting the electrode into the object, such that in a single pass the electrode forms a hole that includes a first portion having a first cross-sectional area and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing at least one operating parameter of an engine component using an experimentally measured 3D flow field involving providing a magnetic resonance imaging machine, providing a model of an engine component, placing the model into the magnetic resonance imaging machine with a fluid flow source for applying an external fluid flow, applying the external fluid flow to the model, collecting data related to the external fluid flow about the model, and optimizing at least one operating parameter of the component using the data.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing at least one operating parameter of an engine component using an experimentally measured 3D flow field involving providing a magnetic resonance imaging machine, providing a model of an engine component, placing the model into the magnetic resonance imaging machine with a fluid flow source for applying an external fluid flow, applying the external fluid flow to the model, collecting data related to the external fluid flow about the model, and optimizing at least one operating parameter of the component using the data.

Abstract: A method for forming holes in an object is provided. The method includes providing an electrochemical machining (ECM) electrode including a first section having insulation that circumscribes the first section, and a second section having insulation that extends only partially around the second section. The method also includes inserting the electrode into the object, such that in a single pass the electrode forms a hole that includes a first portion having a first cross-sectional area and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for forming holes in an object is provided. The method includes forming a starter hole in the object, providing an electrochemical machining electrode having at least one insulated section that substantially circumscribes the electrode and at least one uninsulated section, and inserting the electrode into the starter hole to facilitate forming a hole defined by at least one first section having a first cross-sectional area and at least one second section having a second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for forming a hole in an object is provided. The method includes forming a starter hole in the object, providing an electrochemical machining electrode that includes insulation that extends only partially around the electrode, and inserting the electrode into the starter hole to form a hole in the object that has an inlet defined by a first cross-sectional area and an outlet defined by a second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method for assembling a turbine engine assembly is provided. The turbine engine includes a core engine. The method includes coupling a first rotor spool within the engine assembly wherein the first rotor spool includes a first shaft. The method further includes coupling a second rotor spool within the engine assembly wherein the second rotor spool includes a second shaft. The method also includes coupling a third rotor spool within the engine assembly wherein the third rotor spool includes a third shaft. At least one of the first, second, and third shafts include a first end, an opposing second end, and a tubular portion extending between the first and second ends. A reinforcing layer circumscribes a portion of the tubular portion wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing layer is a metallic matrix composite (MMC) material that includes reinforcing fibers. A turbine engine is also provided.

Abstract: A system for configuring configurable products includes a stateless configuration engine. A user and a server are coupled to a network for transmitting and receiving information. The user includes a web browser, memory and a display. The user receives web pages from the server and enters information into the fields on the page. The user sends the web page and the entered information to the server. The server decodes the information on the web page and sends a next page to the user including hidden form fields that include the decoded information. The information is stored in the source code of the page displayed by the web browser located at the user.

Abstract: An article including a body terminating in an end portion, for example an airfoil of a blade terminating in an airfoil tip, comprises an end or tip barrier discrete from and bonded with the body. The barrier is substantially impregnable to penetration of liquid, for example water vapor. In a form in which the body is laminated, the barrier is a non-directionally dependent material, resisting delamination. In one form of a method for making such article, the end portion of an existing article is trimmed back to provide a body preform, and an end barrier is bonded with the body preform. In another method form, an end barrier is bonded with a provided body preform, the barrier and body preform together defining the article. Such articles are repairable by removing and replacing a damaged end portion or damaged barrier.

Abstract: A system (10) for coupling conductive pellets (40) to a component (12) of an integrated circuit has a substantially planar ribbon (14) that includes a conductive material. A punching apparatus (16) and (38) penetrates the ribbon (14) to form the conductive pellets (40). The punching apparatus (16) and (38) also moves relative to the component (12) to the conductive pellets (40) to the component (12).

Abstract: A Solid State Electrolytic Cell Gas Sensor is presented which is capable of measuring various toxic or combustible gases in low concentrations (0-5 PPM) up to and including high concentrations such as 0-20 percent by volume. The sensor exhibits excellent specificity to the gas designated to be detected. The sensor causes the dissociation of the gases into charged species such as ions and complex ions and does not operate by changing its electro-conductivity in response to the adsorption of the gas. The sensor has an electrical signal which is a function of the type and concentration of gas and which is also a function of the collection of ions by transport process. The solid state material from which the sensor is fabricated is produced by the method of addition of one or more metal oxides to a non-metal oxide with a general formula of MxOy - NpOq. M can be a metal from the transition elements and N can be a non-metal of group III and IV from the periodic table.