Abstract: A system for maintaining relative orientation of optical fibers in an array is provided. Fibers extend parallel and include a first fiber and an adjacent fiber. The system includes a fiber holder with alignment holes configured to receive stripped fiber sections. The alignment holes extend from the first surface to the second surface, and the alignment holes include a first alignment hole configured to receive a stripped fiber section of the first fiber and an adjacent alignment hole configured to receive a stripped fiber section of the adjacent fiber. The fiber holder has a wall separating the first alignment hole and the adjacent alignment hole that permits rotation of the stripped fiber section of the adjacent fiber in the adjacent alignment hole without causing rotation of the stripped fiber section of the first fiber in the first alignment hole.

Abstract: Lens-based optical connector assemblies and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens-based connector assembly includes a glass-based optical substrate includes at least one optical element within the optical substrate, and at least one alignment feature positioned at an edge of the glass-based optical substrate, wherein the at least one alignment feature is located within 0.4 ?m of a predetermined position with respect to the at least one optical element along an x-direction and a y-direction. The lens-based connector assembly further includes a connector element including a recess having an interior surface, The interior surface has at least one connector alignment feature. The glass-based optical substrate is disposed within the recess such that the at least one alignment feature of the glass-based optical substrate engages the at least one connector alignment feature.

Abstract: A module and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity silicon carbide fluidic module having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the module, the tortuous fluid passage having an interior surface, the interior surface having a surface roughness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m Ra. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of silicon carbide powder, the powder coated with a binder; pressing the volume of silicon carbide powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body; heating the pressed body to remove the mold; and sintering the pressed body.

Abstract: A module and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity silicon carbide fluidic module having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the module, the tortuous fluid passage having an interior surface, the interior surface having a surface roughness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 ?m Ra. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of silicon carbide powder, the powder coated with a binder; pressing the volume of silicon carbide powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body; heating the pressed body to remove the mold; and sintering the pressed body.

Abstract: A non-circular optical fiber comprises: a glass cladding having a cross-sectional profile, where the cross-sectional profile is non-circular and includes an alignment region having formation bulges, and where an alignment axis is defined by the formation bulges; a core arrangement including at least one glass core; and a coating coupled to and in direct contact with the glass cladding, where the coating defines an alignment plane along the alignment region of the glass cladding, and where an angle between the alignment plane and the alignment axis is less than or equal to about 15°.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing cooling to electronics equipment is provided herein. A cooling manifold includes a first substrate having a first hole. A layer of nano-particles is disposed between the first substrate and an electronics surface associated with the electronics equipment. The layer of nano-particles defines a seal between the first substrate and the electronics surface, and further defines a channel extending within the seal. After an application of heat, the layer of nano-particles forms the seal such that the device is fluid impermeable, so as to allow a coolant fluid to enter through the first hole to flow through the channel to reduce or remove the heat generated by the electronics equipment associated with the electronics surface.

Abstract: Perimeter external surfaces of a 2D arrays of stripped optical fibers are used as datum surfaces for alignment structures for mating connectors in fiber optic cable assemblies. 2D fiber arrays may include involutions and/or protrusions to serve as mating locations for alignment structures and/or to serve as keying structures. A removable sleeve may be positioned around at least a portion of a 2D fiber array to align mating connectors and/or bias alignment structures toward one another. Fiber-free areas may be provided in an interior of a 2D fiber array to receive alignment structures. One or more compliant members may be configured to press first and second alignment structures toward one another proximate to a 2D fiber array. A cable assembly fabrication method includes forming window stripping and adhering optic fiber groups while preventing adhesive material from protruding beyond outermost surfaces of optical fibers at a perimeter of a fiber array.

Abstract: Perimeter external surfaces of a 2D arrays of stripped optical fibers are used as datum surfaces for alignment structures for mating connectors in fiber optic cable assemblies. 2D fiber arrays may include involutions and/or protrusions to serve as mating locations for alignment structures and/or to serve as keying structures. A removable sleeve may be positioned around at least a portion of a 2D fiber array to align mating connectors and/or bias alignment structures toward one another. Fiber-free areas may be provided in an interior of a 2D fiber array to receive alignment structures. One or more compliant members may be configured to press first and second alignment structures toward one another proximate to a 2D fiber array. A cable assembly fabrication method includes forming window stripping and adhering optic fiber groups while preventing adhesive material from protruding beyond outermost surfaces of optical fibers at a perimeter of a fiber array.

Abstract: Perimeter external surfaces of a 2D arrays of stripped optical fibers are used as datum surfaces for alignment structures for mating connectors in fiber optic cable assemblies. 2D fiber arrays may include involutions and/or protrusions to serve as mating locations for alignment structures and/or to serve as keying structures. A removable sleeve may be positioned around at least a portion of a 2D fiber array to align mating connectors and/or bias alignment structures toward one another. Fiber-free areas may be provided in an interior of a 2D fiber array to receive alignment structures. One or more compliant members may be configured to press first and second alignment structures toward one another proximate to a 2D fiber array. A cable assembly fabrication method includes forming window stripping and adhering optic fiber groups while preventing adhesive material from protruding beyond outermost surfaces of optical fibers at a perimeter of a fiber array.

Abstract: Perimeter external surfaces of a 2D arrays of stripped optical fibers are used as datum surfaces for alignment structures for mating connectors in fiber optic cable assemblies. 2D fiber arrays may include involutions and/or protrusions to serve as mating locations for alignment structures and/or to serve as keying structures. A removable sleeve may be positioned around at least a portion of a 2D fiber array to align mating connectors and/or bias alignment structures toward one another. Fiber-free areas may be provided in an interior of a 2D fiber array to receive alignment structures. One or more compliant members may be configured to press first and second alignment structures toward one another proximate to a 2D fiber array. A cable assembly fabrication method includes forming window stripping and adhering optic fiber groups while preventing adhesive material from protruding beyond outermost surfaces of optical fibers at a perimeter of a fiber array.

Abstract: A fluidic module includes a monolithic closed-porosity ceramic body that has a first region and a second region with the first region disposed between the second region. The first and second regions are configured to differ from one another with respect to a common attribute of a ceramic material of the ceramic body. The common attribute can differ by forming the first and second regions from ceramic particles that differ with respect their particle sizes. The fluidic module further includes a tortuous fluid passage that extends through the ceramic body. The fluid passage is surrounded by the first region such that the fluid passage is separated entirely from the second region at least within a planar region of the ceramic body. The fluid passage has an interior surface with a surface roughness of less than or equal to 5 ?m Ra. A method for forming the fluidic module is disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of fabricating of a graphite powder mold, including: applying a base layer to an exposed surface of a mold having one or more features; depositing a graphite powder onto the base layer to fill the one or more features; applying a cover layer onto an exposed surface of the graphite powder, wherein the cover layer and the base layer join at intersecting surfaces encasing the graphite powder to form the graphite powder mold having one or more raised features

Abstract: A device and a process for forming a monolithic substantially closed-porosity ceramic fluidic device having a tortuous fluid passage extending through the device, the tortuous fluid passage having a smooth interior surface, a material of the ceramic body having a continuous and uniform distribution of grains at least between opposed major surfaces of the ceramic body. The process includes positioning a positive fluid passage mold within a volume of binder-coated ceramic powder, pressing the volume of ceramic powder with the mold inside to form a pressed body, heating the pressed body to remove the mold, and sintering the pressed body. A relationship between a first stability characteristic of the volume of ceramic powder and a second stability characteristic of the mold prevents discontinuities in the pressed body after pressing and/or during heating.

Abstract: A process for forming a fluidic module (150) with integrated fluid separation includes positioning a first positive passage mold (115A) of a first fluid passage (170) having a tortuous shape within a volume of binder-coated ceramic powder (110A) and positioning a second positive passage mold (115B) of a second fluid passage (175) having a tortuous shape within the volume of ceramic powder (110A) and spaced apart from the first positive passage mold (115A). The process further includes positioning a powder interconnect (120) adjacent to a portion of each of the first (115A) and second positive passage molds (115B) within the volume of ceramic powder (110A), pressing the volume of ceramic powder (110A, HOB) with the first and second positive passage molds (115A, 115B) and the powder interconnect (120) inside to form a pressed body (148), heating the pressed body to remove the first and second positive passage molds (115A, 115B), and sintering the pressed body (148) to form a closed-porosity ceramic body (150).

Abstract: A module and process for forming a ceramic fluidic module (300) that includes a unified closed-porosity ceramic body (200) and a tortuous fluid passage (P) that extends through the body (200). The body (200) has a first mean density within a first layer (222) that is greater than a second mean density within a second layer (226). The first and second layers (222, 226) are axially serially arranged between opposed major surfaces (228, 229) of the body (200). The fluid passage (P) adjoins the first layer (222) of the body (200). The process includes pressing a first volume of ceramic powder (120) to form a pre-pressed body (150). A passage mold (130) is then positioned on the pre-pressed body (150). The pre-pressed body (150) and the passage mold (130) are then covered with a second volume of ceramic powder (125). The body (150), the mold (130), and the second volume of ceramic powder (125) are then pressed to form a pressed body (160).

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly is provided including a support substrate having a substantially planar surface, a signal-fiber array supported on the planar surface of the support substrate. The signal-fiber array including a plurality of optical fibers and an adhesive disposed on the plurality of optical fibers and the support substrate. Each of the optical fibers is spaced from adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers at a precise pitch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for joining photonic components. A method includes suspending nano-particles in a medium, wherein the nano-particles include metal nano-particles. The method further includes applying a layer of the nano-particle medium to a first substrate, and exposing the layer of nano-particle medium to a thermal process to remove at least a portion of the medium and expose the nano-particles. A second substrate is placed on the nano-particles in alignment with the first substrate, and a heat is applied to the nano-particles to cause connection of contact points between adjacent nano-particles to cause a secure alignment of the first and second substrates. The heat applied to the layer of nano-particles is less than 300° C.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes stacked planar lightwave circuit (PLC) members each having a plurality of waveguides in a respective plane, to provide optical connections to two-dimensional arrays of external optical waveguides (e.g., optical fiber cores), with one array including non-coplanar groups of waveguides having group members that are alternately arranged in a lateral direction. An optical assembly may provide optical connections between array of cores having a different pitch and/or orientation to serve as a fanout interface. Methods for fabricating an optical assembly are further provided.

Abstract: A flow reactor or flow reactor component includes a base plate, a first fluid module having first and second major surfaces, an internal process fluid passage, and a heat exchange channel in the first major surface, the first major surface stacked on the base plate; a second fluid module having first and second major surfaces, an internal process fluid passage and a heat exchange channel in the first major surface, the first major surface stacked on the second major surface of the first fluid module, optional additional fluid modules of the same configuration as the first and second fluid modules stacked successively on the second fluid module, and a top plate having a heat exchange channel in a bottom major surface thereof with the bottom major surface stacked on an uppermost fluid module of (1) the second fluid module and (2) the optional additional fluid modules.

Abstract: Lens-based optical connector assemblies and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens-based connector assembly includes a glass-based optical substrate includes at least one optical element within the optical substrate, and at least one alignment feature positioned at an edge of the glass-based optical substrate, wherein the at least one alignment feature is located within 0.4 ?m of a predetermined position with respect to the at least one optical element along an x-direction and a y-direction. The lens-based connector assembly further includes a connector element including a recess having an interior surface, The interior surface has at least one connector alignment feature. The glass-based optical substrate is disposed within the recess such that the at least one alignment feature of the glass-based optical substrate engages the at least one connector alignment feature.