Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an orthogonal face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled surface-enhanced Raman spectrometer sensor system and method for monitoring of volatile organic compounds in gas, liquid, and soil environments. The sensor system comprises a means for providing an inert gas, a thermal desorption tube containing an adsorbate, and a sample chamber with a SERS structure. For liquid and soil environments, the sensor system also comprises a manifold having a semipermeable membrane for separating moisture from an analyte. An optical module mounted to the sample chamber directs an optical excitation signal for irradiating the SERS structure and receives a SERS optical emissions signal. Such optical emissions signal may be detected by a spectroanalysis system and correlated to a particular analyte by a control processor, which generates an alert signal containing a message that the presence of analyte has been detected. The control processor may also activate warning device, such as an audible siren or a visual alarm.

Abstract: A method for developing an algorithm for quantifying the hydrocarbon content of aqueous media includes: a) irradiating aqueous test samples containing hydrocarbons and particulates with light so that fluorescent emissions and scattered light signals are emitted from the test samples; b) detecting fluorescent emissions and the scattered light signals emitted from the test samples; c) generating first data signals representing the intensities of the fluorescent emissions, and second data signals representing the intensities and scatter angles of the second data signals; d) storing representations of the first and second data signals to create a data set; e) dividing the data set into training, test, and validation data sets; f) selecting input parameters from the data set; g) defining and training a neural network having hidden node using the training and the test data sets; and h) validating the neural network using the validation data set.

Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an orthogonal face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an orthogonal face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an oblique face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A putting training aid and putter calibration device for use on a putting surface is disclosed which includes a horizontal calibrated bar with a linear centered scale and a parallel calibration block having an oblique face and set on the practice putting surface below and offset from the horizontal calibrated bar. Also provided is a linear scale decal which is applied to a putter shaft. The device is designed to align the putter head to proper lie and neutral loft so that the face is square to the intended target line and to teach the golfer the proper grip, stance, alignment of the golfer, alignment of the club and proper putting stroke.

Abstract: A system for quantifying the petroleum content of aqueous media includes a sample cell; a first light source for generating a first light signal that stimulates fluorescent emissions when the first light signal irradiates hydrocarbons present in an aqueous solution in the sample cell; a spectral detector for generating a first electrical signal that represents spectral components of the fluorescent emissions in response to detecting the fluorescent emissions that are emitted from the sample cell; a second light source for generating a coherent light signal that is transformed into scattered light signals when the coherent light irradiates oil droplets in the aqueous solution; a detector for generating a second electrical signal in response to detecting scattered light signals emitted from the tube, where the second electrical signal represents the intensities and scatter angles of the scattered light signals; and a processor for determining a particle size distribution of the oil droplets from the second elec

Abstract: A spectroscopic detector suitable for detecting oil spills in an aquatic environment includes a buoyant container having an optical window; an optical energy generator mounted in the container for directing an optical energy beam through the window; an optical detector for generating an output signal in response to detecting a second optical energy beam received in the container through the window; and a beam splitter for directing the second optical energy beam to the optical detector. The generation of the optical energy beam and operation of the optical detector may be time gated to reduce thermal noise and isolate the sampled optical energy from background light. The optical energy beam preferably has UV components which inhibits the formation of biological organisms on the optical window.

Abstract: In an electronic circuit that normally includes a high-value resistor, the resistive function may be usefully provided by a thin dielectric layer. Electric current is transported through the layer by quantum tunneling. In one embodiment, a resistor useful for VLSI applications is provided, requiring only a single contact window.

Abstract: The TVS method is a voltammetric method for detecting mobile ionic impurities in the dielectric layer of a MOS capacitor structure. Disclosed here is a method of semiconductor device fabrication involving a modified TVS method in which the voltage is changed in discrete steps rather than varied continuously, and charge, rather than induced current, is measured. The modified TVS method can be faster than conventional TVS, and calibration is unnecessary.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of semiconductor device fabrication involving the detection of water in a dielectric layer that is part of the body of such device. At relatively high values of a voltage applied across the dielectric layer, water that is present in the dielectric decomposes and releases protons. Varying the applied voltage gives rise to a displacement current. The released protons contribute an ionic component to the displacement current. The ionic component is detected.

Abstract: A fabrication process for making palladium-plated target anodes for X-ray lithographic systems is characterized by a unique sequence of surface preparation, plating and annealing steps. Anodes made by the process have been operated reliably at high-power levels for extended periods of time.