Abstract: Provided herein are water-soluble films comprising a water soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and high content of water-soluble starch, and related water-soluble film forming solutions, articles made therefrom e.g., pouches or packets, and methods of preparation and use of same.

Abstract: Methods for electrochemically oxidizing organic compounds in aqueous solution. The methods include contacting an aqueous solution comprising organic compounds with a first anode and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the organic compounds to provide a first aqueous solution comprising oxidation products; and contacting the first aqueous solution comprising oxidation products with a first cathode and electrochemically reducing at least a portion of the oxidation products to provide a first aqueous solution comprising reduced products and residual oxidizable organic compounds.

Abstract: An exit manifold is disclosed which includes a manifold body that includes a plurality of inlets. The manifold body provides communication between the inlets and a discharge port. At least one of the inlets directs flow in a first direction and at least one of the inlets directs flow in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite and the material flowing in these opposite directions collides in front of the discharge outlet. The collision of these two oppositely-directed flows creates a high pressure stagnation region that may block or impede flow from one or more inlets that may be in alignment with the discharge port.

Abstract: The fluidized bed processor of the present invention includes an internal filter assembly with a rack and a cartridge-type filter supported at the lower end by a bracket. The rack includes an elongated rod extending through the filter. An end cap is provided on the lower end of the rod for normal sealing engagement with the filter bracket. During normal operation of the processor, the upper and lower ends of the filter are sealed. During or after cleaning of the filter, the rack is lowered, and a spring separates the filter and support bracket from the end cap so as to create a gap for drainage of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: The fluidized bed processor of the present invention includes an internal filter assembly with a rack and a cartridge-type filter supported at the lower end by a bracket. The rack includes an elongated rod extending through the filter. An end cap is provided on the lower end of the rod for normal sealing engagement with the filter bracket. During normal operation of the processor, the upper and lower ends of the filter are sealed. During or after cleaning of the filter, the rack is lowered, and a spring separates the filter and support bracket from the end cap so as to create a gap for drainage of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: An exit manifold is disclosed which includes a manifold body that includes a plurality of inlets. The manifold body provides communication between the inlets and a discharge port. At least one of the inlets directs flow in a first direction and at least one of the inlets directs flow in a second direction. The first and second directions are opposite and the material flowing in these opposite directions collides in front of the discharge outlet. The collision of these two oppositely-directed flows creates a high pressure stagnation region that may block or impede flow from one or more inlets that may be in alignment with the discharge port.

Abstract: An output processor for transforming the output produced by a functional component into different forms that can be consumed and presented by different types of clients is disclosed. With this output processor, a functional component is allowed to produce a single set of output that is not targeted at any particular type of client. The output processor then determines which type of client is requesting the output, and transforms the output into a form that can be consumed and presented by that type of client. By performing this transformation, the output processor allows the implementation of the functional component to be decoupled from the client that is requesting output from the functional component. This decoupling in turn enables the amount of effort needed to develop and maintain functional components in a large scale program to be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A probe card test interface is described. The probe card test interface includes a first frame configured to support a probe card circuit card assembly (CCA). The probe card CCA is configured to contact a semiconductor wafer with one or more test probes. The first frame is also configured to support a first group of electrical contact points, the first group of electrical contact point being electrically coupled to circuitry of the probe card CCA. A second frame is coupled to a test interface CCA, where the test interface CCA includes a second group of electrical contact points. A number of actuation devices are slidably mounted on the second frame. The actuation devices have a tip member configured to engage a lip of the first frame when the corresponding actuation device is moved to an engagement position.

Abstract: A probe card test interface is described. The probe card test interface includes a first frame configured to support a probe card circuit card assembly (CCA). The probe card CCA is configured to contact a semiconductor wafer with one or more test probes. The first frame is also configured to support a first group of electrical contact points, the first group of electrical contact point being electrically coupled to circuitry of the probe card CCA. A second frame is coupled to a test interface CCA, where the test interface CCA includes a second group of electrical contact points. A number of actuation devices are slidably mounted on the second frame. The actuation devices have a tip member configured to engage a lip of the first frame when the corresponding actuation device is moved to an engagement position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a copy of a multimedia flow from a point along the path of the multimedia flow through a communication network of nodes, receiving metric information associated with the multimedia flow from one or more probes coupled to the flow path and combining the copy of the multimedia flow and at least a portion of the metric information to provide a combined signal.

Abstract: A system for testing a cable network during normal operation interleaves test signals with live data traffic. Installed cable modems are used to generate the test signals. During live communication, such modems send upstream data at allotted time periods. Periodically, there are time slots when no modem is transmitting on the network. During these times, specific modems may be directed to transmit specific test signals. A controller such as a cable modem termination system directs specific modems to transmit signals at defined frequencies and powers during specific time slots. In this manner, the system can monitor the frequency response of the cable network at various locations, and thereby determine “on-the-fly” when maintenance or modification is required.

Abstract: A reactive liquid crosslinking agent for use in the preparation of polymeric substances. The crosslinking agent comprises a substituted 1,3,5-triazine reacted with water, an acid alkyl sulfonate and/or phosphonate and a solidifying modifier containing an hydroxyl functional group to form a substituted 1,3,5-triazine hydrate. The reactive liquid polymer crosslinking agent has a solids content between 20-99% solids. The reactive liquid crosslinking agents (RLPC's) are useful as modifiers in the preparation of polymeric compounds which are suitable for one-component self-crosslinking adhesives, coatings and polymers used in optics, textiles, composites, casting and molding. RLPC systems containing from 1-30% RLPC provide fast single package thermosetting polymeric compounds with enhanced properties such as chemical, heat and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A reactive liquid crosslinking agent for use in the preparation of polymeric substances. The crosslinking agent comprises a substituted 1,3,5 Triazine reacted with water, an acid alkyl sulfonate and/or phosphonate and a solidifying modifier containing an hydroxyl functional group. The reactive liquid polymer crosslinking agent has a solids content between 20-99% solids. The reactive liquid crosslinking agents (RLPC's) are useful as modifiers in the preparation of polymeric compounds which are suitable for one-component self-crosslinking adhesives, coatings and polymers used in optics, textiles, composites, casting and molding. RLPC systems containing from 1-30% RLPC provide fast single package thermosetting polymeric compounds with enhanced properties such as chemical, heat and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A heat absorbing coating having a plurality of micro-capsules each being an encapsulant shell and a heat absorbing material within the shell, and a carrier adherable to a substrate and throughout which the micro-capsules are dispersed. The heat absorbing material is preferably a phase change material and can be non-limitedly chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polywax, and combinations thereof. Shell material can be a metal such as copper, for example, or a polymer. The carrier can be a sprayable polymer mix which provides significant efficacy in uniform application to a substrate. An inventive substrate structure, such as an aircraft structure for example, has thereon the above-defined coating in an amount sufficient to absorb a sufficient amount of heat from the substrate to substantially inhibit thermal erosion in normal operating environments.

Abstract: A heat absorbing coating having a plurality of micro-capsules each being an encapsulant shell and a heat absorbing material within the shell, and a carrier adherable to a substrate and throughout which the micro-capsules are dispersed. The heat absorbing material is preferably a phase change material and can be non-limitedly chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polywax, and combinations thereof. Shell material can be a metal such as copper, for example, or a polymer. The carrier can be a sprayable polymer mix which provides significant efficacy in uniform application to a substrate. An inventive substrate structure, such as an aircraft structure for example, has thereon the above-defined coating in an amount sufficient to absorb a sufficient amount of heat from the substrate to substantially inhibit thermal erosion in normal operating environments.

Abstract: A microporous sheet having both acoustical and structural functionality and a process for producing the sheet. Construction of the sheet requires, first of all, providing a sheet capable of functioning as a structural element of a component. A laser device capable of producing a free electron laser beam is provided, and the free electron laser beam is directed to a surface of the sheet to penetrate the sheet at a plurality of sites and thereby form a plurality of apertures. These apertures are generally uniformly dispersed and of a size and number sufficient to enable the sheet to function as an acoustical noise suppressor while retaining capability of functioning as a structural element.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spectral nondestructive method for evaluating substrate surface characteristics of a sample substrate. The sample substrate has a sample substrate surface and a generally visually nontransmissive sample coating disposed on the sample substrate surface. The sample coating is transmissive within a first infrared spectral wavelength range and the sample substrate is reflective within the first infrared spectral wavelength range. The method begins with directing infrared radiation from an infrared radiation source towards the coated sample substrate. Specular and diffuse infrared radiation reflected from the coated sample substrate is collected. The reflected radiation is measured as a function of wavelength in the first infrared spectral wavelength range to obtain measured reflectance data representative of the reflectance of the coated sample substrate.

Abstract: A process for adhesively bonding two adherends to each other. The process includes directing a laser beam having characteristics substantially equivalent to a free electron laser to a respective surface of each of a first and/or second adherend to effectuate ablation of any organic and halogenated residues present on the surfaces, to glaze each surface, to form a substantially stable oxide layer thereon, and to microtexturize each surface such that a roughened surface with a tailored topography is formed on each surface. Thereafter, an adhesive is applied to at least one roughened surface and the two roughened surfaces are placed against each other such that the adhesive bonds the adherends along these respective roughened surfaces and provides a high-strength, long-term durability in most environments.