Abstract: A method for estimating the efficiency of hole cleaning of a well-bore during drilling operations includes (a) selecting at least one feature of the drilling operation for monitoring; (b) receiving, from a sensor, data regarding the at least one feature; (c) comparing the data to a predetermined condition for the at least one feature; (d) defining an event when the data meets the predetermined condition; (e) assigning a weight to the event based on a duration of the event; and (f) estimating an efficiency of the hole cleaning based on the event and the weight of the event. The at least one feature being selected from the list consisting of: hole angle, circulation, tight spot, static hole, and bit hydraulics.

Abstract: An interlayer comprised of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive. The use of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive reduces or minimizes the optical defects (such as high color or yellowness and increased haze) caused by discoloration of the pigment without sacrificing other characteristics of the interlayer.

Abstract: Optical fibers and optical fiber cables are provided. An optical fiber includes an optical fiber, the optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding, and a metal coating surrounding the cladding, the metal coating extending along the entire axial length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber further includes a powder coated on an outer surface of the metal coating, wherein the powder is one of a mineral, a ceramic, or a carbon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves feeding a length of glass fiber through a first solution bath so as to plate a first predetermined metal on the glass fiber via electroless deposition. The length of glass fiber is passed continuously from the first solution bath to a second solution bath adapted to plate thereon a second predetermined metal via electrolytic plating such that the optical fiber contacts an electrode only after at least some of the second predetermined metal has been applied. The length of glass fiber may be passed continuously from the second solution bath to a third solution bath adapted to plate thereon a third predetermined metal via electrolytic plating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves feeding a length of glass fiber through a first solution bath so as to plate a first predetermined metal on the glass fiber via electroless deposition. The length of glass fiber is passed continuously from the first solution bath to a second solution bath adapted to plate thereon a second predetermined metal via electrolytic plating such that the optical fiber contacts an electrode only after at least some of the second predetermined metal has been applied. The length of glass fiber may be passed continuously from the second solution bath to a third solution bath adapted to plate thereon a third predetermined metal via electrolytic plating.

Abstract: An interlayer comprised of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive. The use of a thermoplastic resin, at least one luminescent pigment and a carboxylic acid additive reduces or minimizes the optical defects (such as high color or yellowness and increased haze) caused by discoloration of the pigment without sacrificing other characteristics of the interlayer.

Abstract: A device (110, 151, 200) with a viewable surface (201) including a plurality of transparent pedestals (210) having a reflective material (406) disposed on its sides (408) make smudges forming thereon unnoticeable by taking advantage of optical characteristics including contrast and the user's visual acuity. The pedestals (210) generally have a width (412) of less than 50 microns, a height (414) equal to twice the width (412), and a spacing (416) between adjacent pedestals (210) equal to the width (412). The device (110, 151, 200) may be an electronic device, and more particularly a portable electronic device such as a cell phone.

Abstract: In real-time network transaction monitoring, a mobile device receives instruction sets for executing and monitoring business transactions over networks. The instruction sets define steps of business transactions and transport protocol events to record. Each transport protocol event includes an incident marking a start, a change, or a completion of a state according to a transport protocol during the execution of the business transaction. During the execution of the business transactions, the transport protocol events are recorded, associated with location and network connectivity data for the mobile device, and stored as historical data.

Abstract: A device (110, 151, 200) with a viewable surface (201) including a plurality of transparent pedestals (210) having a reflective material (406) disposed on its sides (408) make smudges forming thereon unnoticeable by taking advantage of optical characteristics including contrast and the user's visual acuity. The pedestals (210) generally have a width (412) of less than 50 microns, a height (414) equal to twice the width (412), and a spacing (416) between adjacent pedestals (210) equal to the width (412). The device (110, 151, 200) may be an electronic device, and more particularly a portable electronic device such as a cell phone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing smudges (506, 706, 806, 906) including oils and dust from portable electronic displays. The apparatus comprises a display device (110, 150, 500, 700, 800, 900, 1000) positioned within a housing (102, 104, 808), comprising a transparent cover (302, 502, 702, 802, 902, 1002) having a surface (508, 908) viewable through an opening in the housing (102, 104, 808) and a susceptibility to receiving contaminants (506, 706, 806, 906). A vibration device (504, 704, 804, 904, 1004) is positioned against the transparent cover (302, 502, 702, 802, 902, 1002) to provide motion (510) in a direction parallel to the surface, thereby causing the contaminants to move (708) across the surface (508, 908). The contaminants (506, 706, 806, 906) may then be hidden by the housing (102, 104, 808) or ejected by a motion (912) perpendicular to the surface by another vibrating device (911).

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for presenting competitor favoritism, which compromises: (a.) presenting a diaper having a front and a rear, the diaper graphically illustrating number one in any known language, numeral system or symbol, on the front of the diaper and number two on the rear of the diaper; (b.) displaying a favored competitor from two or more competitors on the front of the diaper in proximity to the number one graphic illustration; and, (c.) displaying at least one disfavored competitor from the two or more competitors on the rear of the diaper in proximity to the number two. Furthermore, the present invention may be utilized for bottom wear, including underwear, shorts and pants.

Abstract: A device (110, 151, 200) with a viewable surface (201) including a plurality of transparent pedestals (210) having a reflective material (406) disposed on its sides (408) make smudges forming thereon unnoticeable by taking advantage of optical characteristics including contrast and the user's visual acuity. The pedestals (210) generally have a width (412) of less than 50 microns, a height (414) equal to twice the width (412), and a spacing (416) between adjacent pedestals (210) equal to the width (412). The device (110, 151, 200) may be an electronic device, and more particularly a portable electronic device such as a cell phone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for preventing smudges (608) including oils and dust from collecting on a portable electronic device display (110, 150, 200, 300). A plurality of islands (606) are formed on a surface of the display device, each island (606) comprising a transparent material and having a diameter of between 5 and 200 nanometers. Liquid (608) forming on the plurality of islands has a large contact angle (610), increasing the likelihood of the liquid migrating from the display device and thereby removing contaminants therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing smudges (624) including oils and dust from portable electronic displays (110, 150, 200, 300, 334). The apparatus comprises a display device (600, 700, 800, 900) positioned within a housing (102, 104), having a surface (601) viewable through an opening in the housing (102, 104) and a susceptibility to receiving contaminants (624). Gradients are formed on the display device (600, 700, 800, 900) for providing a differential surface tension that causes the smudges (624) to migrate across the viewable surface of the display device (600, 700, 800, 900). The gradients may be, for example, thermal (604, 605), electrical (702, 708), optical (804), or surface wettability (904).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for removing smudges (506, 706, 806, 906) including oils and dust from portable electronic displays. The apparatus comprises a display device (110, 150, 500, 700, 800, 900, 1000) positioned within a housing (102, 104, 808), comprising a transparent cover (302, 502, 702, 802, 902, 1002) having a surface (508, 908) viewable through an opening in the housing (102, 104, 808) and a susceptibility to receiving contaminants (506, 706, 806, 906). A vibration device (504, 704, 804, 904, 1004) is positioned against the transparent cover (302, 502, 702, 802, 902, 1002) to provide motion (510) in a direction parallel to the surface, thereby causing the contaminants to move (708) across the surface (508, 908). The contaminants (506, 706, 806, 906) may then be hidden by the housing (102, 104, 808) or ejected by a motion (912) perpendicular to the surface by another vibrating device (911).

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a fuel cell wherein corrosion of metal diffusion layers or catalysts supports is avoided. The method comprises forming first and second electrical conductors (22, 42) accessible at a surface of a substrate (12). The substrate (12) is etched to provide a channel (34, 36), and a multi-metal layer (82) is deposited on the surface of the substrate (12). At least one metal is etched from the multi-metal layer (82) forming a porous metal layer therefrom. A portion of the porous metal layer is etched resulting in an anode portion (89) aligned with the channel (34, 36) and coupled to the first electrical conductor (22), and a cathode portion (90) coupled to the second electrical conductor (42) and separated from the anode portion by a cavity (91). A first bi-continuous material (97) is formed over the porous metal layer (82) within at least one of the anode (89) and oxidant (90) portions.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a fuel cell that requires only front side alignment techniques to fabricate gas access holes. The method comprises etching the front side of a substrate (12) to provide a channel (24, 26), and forming a pedestal (54, 88) on the front side of the substrate, wherein the pedestal (54, 88) comprises an anode side (56, 89) defining a fuel region (68, 102) aligned with the channel (24, 26). An electrolyte (46, 96) is positioned between the anode side (56, 89) and a cathode side (58, 90), and the fuel region (68, 102) is capped with an insulator (66, 98). A portion of the substrate (12) is removed from a back side to expose the channel (24, 26).

Abstract: A polymer sheet comprising a fatty acid amide featuring enhanced antiblock characteristics. Also a method of manufacturing a polymer sheet by a method comprising incorporating a fatty acid amide with the polymer. Further, a laminated safety glass comprising two sheets of glass with an interlayer polymer sheet disposed therebetween wherein the polymer sheet has a fatty acid amide incorporated therewith.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cladded conductor (42) for use in a magnetoelectronics device is provided. The method includes providing a substrate (10) and forming a conductive barrier layer (12) overlying the substrate (10). A dielectric layer (16) is formed overlying the conductive barrier layer (12) and a conducting line (20) is formed within a portion of the dielectric layer (16). The dielectric layer (16) is removed and a flux concentrator (30) is formed overlying the conducting line (20).