Abstract: The invention is directed to a surface acoustic wave sensor assembly that makes use of a Z-axis conductive layer, such as a Z-axis conductive elastomer, or the like. In particular, a Z-axis conductive elastomer couples a circuit layer to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor in order to form a SAW sensor assembly. For example, a plurality of electrical contacts of the circuit layer can be coupled to a plurality of electrodes of the SAW sensor via the Z-axis conductive elastomer. The Z-axis conductive elastomer provides electrical coupling between the electrical contacts and the electrodes, and also forms a hermetic barrier between the circuit layer and the SAW sensor. In addition, elastic properties of the Z-axis conductive elastomer may reduce pressure exerted on the SAW sensor during use.

Abstract: A diffraction grating for which the intensity and/or direction of the diffracted light is electronically modulated using the electrophoresis of an index-modifying species. Index-modifying dye ions are dissolved in an electrophoretic medium maintained adjacent the diffraction grating. Application of a voltage across the medium moves many of the ions into the region adjacent the grating such that the ions absorb the incident light or otherwise modify the local index of refraction so as to change the optical characteristics of the diffracted light. Application of an opposite voltage across the medium moves many of the ions away from the grating, allowing light rays to diffract in a different manner when encountering the grating.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes a web including first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. Corresponding opposed features cooperate to form a lens features.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter or blur filter, and method of making the filters, using an article having a birefringent surface for refracting incoming light when used with an image sensor. The birefringent surface of the article, such as a film, is structured or tilted such that, when the blur filter is placed within an optical path between a lens and the image sensor, the birefringent surface causes refraction of a light signal in the optical path into multiple light signals each being incident upon different sub-pixels within the pixels in the image sensor to prevent or reduce artifacts, such as undesirable color moiré effects, in the resulting digital image. The structures on the surface have a variable pitch or angles. The variable pitch can include a periodic, aperiodic, or quasi-aperiodic pitch, to reduce diffractive artifacts in the resulting image.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of detecting staphylococcus.

Abstract: A printer for digital printing in which conductive ink is deposited in metered amounts on a substrate. The printer includes a wheel rotatable by a shaft of a motor, an idler disposed in a paint reservoir, and a segment of wire disposed around the wheel and the idler. A computer controls movement of the wire by controlling the rotation of the wheel. As the motor rotates the wheel, conductive ink contained within the paint reservoir coats the wire and is drawn by the wire in front of an air stream, which pulls the conductive ink from the wire and carries it toward the substrate. The digital printing of conductive ink can be used to form conductive patterns, such as circuit elements, on the substrate.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes a web including first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. Corresponding opposed features cooperate to form a lens features.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes a web including first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. Corresponding opposed features cooperate to form a lens features.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of a web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll; a second pattered roll; and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 microns, and preferably at least 20 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: Folded radio frequency identification tag devices and methods for high-volume, low-cost production are disclosed. The folded construction of the devices and methods of the present invention can reduce the complexity of the RFID tags by providing a one-sided circuit design. The resonant frequency of the circuits formed on the devices may be tuned by severing selected connections to one or more tuning capacitor plates that form a part of the capacitor structure. Severing connections to the tuning capacitor plates changes the capacitance of the circuit which, in turn, changes the resonant frequency of the circuit.

Abstract: A roller assembly for guiding webs and removing wrinkles includes an outer cylindrical surface that is supported on a shaft about which it can rotate. Portions of the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical surface can expand and contract radially using a radial expander that can move axially along the shaft. The radial expander has an increasing radius from a point closer to a central transverse axis of the roller assembly to a point further from the central transverse axis of the roller assembly so that the closer the radial expander is to the central transverse axis, the greater the radial expansion of the outer cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A high speed high resolution solid film measuring apparatus and method uses coherent monochromatic light by passing the coherent monochromatic light through the solid film and referencing the degree of absorption to known or on-line measured reference values. The measuring apparatus and method accounts for difference in clarity and translucency to derive a running analysis of the solid film thickness. Resolution and speed of the measuring apparatus provides for the adaptation of the measuring device to on-line manufacturing systems as part of a feedback control loop through the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The generation of electrostatic charges and spark discharging when surfaces having different work functions are contacted is a well known phenomenon. Spark discharging can be suppressed according to the present invention by the application of isopropylbenzene derivatives to one of the surfaces.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface, e.g. carpet, gramophone record, to reduce the static charging thereon which comprises applying a novel antistatic composition comprising a fluorinated anionic surfactant which is an amine salt of an acid containing a fluorinated organic radical and an antistatic agent which is an ionic salt of an amine, preferably in alcoholic solution.