Abstract: A fiber optic sensing (FOS) system may include a Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analyzer (BOTDA) unit, a first fiber optical cable optically connected to the BOTDA interrogator unit at a first end, and an optical feedthrough system (OFS) optically connected the first fiber optical cable at a second end of the first fiber optical cable. The FOS system may further comprise a fiber optic cable forming a loop within a wellbore that is optically connected to the first fiber optical cable at the OFS and a second fiber optical cable optically connected to the loop at the OFS and wherein the second fiber optical cable is optically connected to the BOTDA interrogator unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for additive manufacturing are provided. An exemplary method includes calculating a slice area distribution of a desired 3D design including slice areas of slices of the desired design, wherein the slices have an initial slice area differential. The method further includes obtaining a slice area distribution of a sacrificial 3D design comprising slice areas of slices of the sacrificial design. The method includes planning a 3D layout of the desired and sacrificial design, wherein at each respective parallel plane in the layout a total slice area includes a respective slice area of the desired design and a respective slice area of the sacrificial design, and wherein the layout has a total slice area differential that is less than the initial slice area differential. Also, the method includes generating instructions for printing slices of the desired design and the sacrificial design according to the layout.

Abstract: Low waste methods for three-dimensional printing techniques are provided. A method includes performing a preceding additive infusion process including: solubilizing an additive into a medium in a supercritical fluid state; contacting a preceding material with the medium to infuse a portion of the additive into the preceding material to form a preceding additive-infused material; and separating remaining additive from the medium. Further, the method includes performing at least one succeeding additive infusion process including: solubilizing the remaining additive and, optionally, additional additive, into the medium in a supercritical fluid state; and contacting a succeeding material with the medium to infuse at least a portion of the remaining and additional additive into the succeeding material to form a succeeding additive-infused material, wherein the medium from the preceding additive infusion process is reused in the at least one succeeding additive infusion process.

Abstract: A mold for casting a micro-scale structure includes an upper surface including a first cavity having a first depth. A negative pattern for an array of micro-scale structures is defined in a surface of the first cavity. The mold includes at least one second cavity having a second depth defined in the cavity outside of the negative pattern for the array of micro-scale structures. The at least one second cavity defines a negative pattern for a standoff of the micro-scale structure. A fabric retaining frame is disposed in the first cavity.

Abstract: A knife may include a housing, a blade holder, and an actuator. The blade holder may be movably attached to the housing and configured to receive a blade at least partially within the blade holder. The blade holder may be configured to move relative to the housing between a closed position in which a cutting edge of the blade is positioned entirely within the housing and an open position in which the cutting edge is positioned at least partially outside of the housing. The actuator may be movably attached to the housing and configured to move the blade holder from the closed position toward the open position. The actuator may be configured to move relative to the housing between an extended position in which the actuator is positioned at least partially outside of the housing and a retracted position in which the actuator is positioned entirely within the housing.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal mold for casting a micro-scale dry adhesive structure includes securing a master patch of material including a micro-scale dry adhesive structure on a plating fixture, electroforming the metal mold on the patch of material, and removing the metal mold from the plating fixture and patch of material.

Abstract: A bar clamp has a slide bar supporting a movable jaw assembly. The slide bar is supported in a fixed jaw assembly. The fixed jaw assembly includes a drive mechanism for moving the slide bar relative to the fixed jaw assembly. Mechanisms for expanding the capacity of the bar clamp including the use of straps and two slide bars. Specialized jaws are provided where the jaws may be removable from the jaw assemblies. Additional clamping jaws are provided in addition to the movable and fixed jaw assemblies for varying the clamping force applied to a workpiece.

Abstract: A mold for casting a micro-scale structure includes an upper surface including a first cavity having a first depth. A negative pattern for an array of micro-scale structures is defined in a surface of the first cavity. The mold includes at least one second cavity having a second depth defined in the cavity outside of the negative pattern for the array of micro-scale structures. The at least one second cavity defines a negative pattern for a standoff of the micro-scale structure. A fabric retaining frame is disposed in the first cavity.

Abstract: A mold for casting a micro-scale dry adhesive structure includes an upper surface including a first cavity having a first depth, a negative pattern for an array of micro-scale structures defined in a surface of the first cavity, and at least one second cavity having a second depth defined in the cavity outside of the negative pattern for the array of micro-scale structures, the at least one second cavity defining a negative pattern for a standoff of the micro-scale dry adhesive structure.

Abstract: Described is a containment device for holding a container that defines a container interior volume. The containment device can include a base portion enclosing a base portion interior volume, the base portion including: a plurality of base walls, a trough extending from at least one of the base walls, and a substantially horizontal support surface adapted to support the container above the base portion interior volume. The base portion interior volume can be equal to or greater than the container interior volume. An enclosure can extend above the base portion, the enclosure including a plurality of enclosure walls adapted to surround the container. The enclosure walls can define an opening above the trough, the opening adapted for insertion of the container into the enclosure.

Abstract: A chalk reel has a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber. A door is movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber. A lock assembly is provided on the door and is movable with the door. The lock assembly rotates relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position and reciprocates to secure and release a lock member.

Abstract: Wires, such as microwires or nanowires are braided, woven or twisted by attaching an end piece to a first end of a plurality of wires, wherein the end piece has a response to an electromagnetic or fluidic work force different than that of the wire. The end pieces are manipulated relative to each other by selective application of electromagnetic or fluidic force that braids, weaves or twist the wires at the first end, while the second ends of each of the wires remain fixed relative to each other.

Abstract: A multi-driver tool may include a handle, a shaft removably attached to the handle, and a plurality of heads removably attached to the shaft. The handle may include an internal cavity, and the shaft may be positioned partially within the internal cavity when the shaft is attached to the handle. One of the heads may be attached to the shaft and positioned entirely outside of the handle when the shaft is attached to the handle, and one or more of the heads may be attached to the shaft and positioned entirely within the internal cavity when the shaft is attached to the handle.

Abstract: A chalk reel has a housing defining a chalk chamber and an opening for accessing the chamber. A door is movable between an open position for allowing access through the opening to the chalk chamber and a closed position preventing access to the chamber. A lock assembly is provided on the door and is movable with the door. The lock assembly rotates relative to the door between a locked position and an unlocked position and reciprocates to secure and release a lock member.

Abstract: A radiation-activated sprinkler includes a sprinkler body defining a main orifice, the main orifice adapted to couple to a source of pressurized liquid; a deflector coupled to the body; a valve adapted to seat on the main orifice to block the source of pressurized liquid; a linkage mechanism adapted to retain the valve on the main orifice; and one or more fusible links coupled to the linkage mechanism, wherein the one or more fusible links are located substantially externally with respect to the sprinkler body, deflector, and linkage mechanism. The one or more fusible links are adapted to release when exposed to an amount of radiation that exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby releasing the linkage mechanism from the valve. Other features and related methods are also described.

Abstract: A radiation-activated sprinkler includes a sprinkler body defining a main orifice, the main orifice adapted to couple to a source of pressurized liquid; a deflector coupled to the body; a valve adapted to seat on the main orifice to block the source of pressurized liquid; a linkage mechanism adapted to retain the valve on the main orifice; and one or more fusible links coupled to the linkage mechanism, wherein the one or more fusible links are located substantially externally with respect to the sprinkler body, deflector, and linkage mechanism. The one or more fusible links are adapted to release when exposed to an amount of radiation that exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby releasing the linkage mechanism from the valve. Other features and related methods are also described.

Abstract: Described is a containment device for holding a container that defines a container interior volume. The containment device can include a base portion enclosing a base portion interior volume, the base portion including: a plurality of base walls, a trough extending from at least one of the base walls, and a substantially horizontal support surface adapted to support the container above the base portion interior volume. The base portion interior volume can be equal to or greater than the container interior volume. An enclosure can extend above the base portion, the enclosure including a plurality of enclosure walls adapted to surround the container. The enclosure walls can define an opening above the trough, the opening adapted for insertion of the container into the enclosure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a probe includes at least one shank, optical components disposed within the shank for transmitting light into a sample and collecting light from the sample, and electrical components disposed within the shank for recording an electrical signal from the sample. In certain embodiments, a method includes collecting light from the sample using a first shank of the probe, recording an electrical signal from the sample using a second shank of the probe, and analyzing the collected light and the electrical signal.

Abstract: A bar clamp has a slide bar supporting a movable jaw assembly. The slide bar is supported in a fixed jaw assembly. The fixed jaw assembly includes a drive mechanism for moving the slide bar relative to the fixed jaw assembly. Mechanisms for expanding the capacity of the bar clamp including the use of straps and two slide bars. Specialized jaws are provided where the jaws may be removable from the jaw assemblies. Additional clamping jaws are provided in addition to the movable and fixed jaw assemblies for varying the clamping force applied to a workpiece.

Abstract: Method, riser assembly and gas handler for diverting gas from a riser. The riser assembly includes a riser having a first end and a second end and a conduit extending from the first end to the second end; a gas handler connected to the riser and provided between the first end and the second end, the gas handler having an external casing; plural pipes attached to an outside of the riser such that at least one pipe of the plural pipes enters through the external casing; and a gas vent pipe configured to start at the gas handler and extend towards the second end of the riser and the gas vent pipe is further configured to divert a gas from the gas handler through the outside of the riser.