Abstract: A security device comprising a microstructure and one or more curable fluids, in which the microstructure is configured to direct the one or more curable fluids from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. Alternatively, the security device may comprise a microstructure; and one or more cured fluids; in which each cured fluid is derived from a corresponding curable fluid that is directed by the microstructure from a local application zone of the microstructure to one or more regions of the microstructure prior to curing each curable fluid. The microstructure can have a depth of at least 100 nm, and a spacing aspect ratio (depth to height) greater than 1:10. A process for fabricating a security device is also described.

Abstract: Display devices, methods for fabricating display devices, and display systems are provided. For example, a display device comprises a display panel, a display cover bonded to a perimeter of the display panel with a perimeter seal, and an optically clear fluid disposed in a gap between the display panel and the display cover. The optically clear fluid has an index of refraction that is substantially matched to an index of refraction of the display cover. The optically clear fluid may comprise oil, alcohol, water, or a liquid gel, for example.

Abstract: A centrifugal microfluidic chip mounting, kit and method include a swivel joint permitting a chip to rotate about an axis of the chip in a plane swept by a centrifuge, and a force applicator for controlling an angle of the swivel and for applying a force in proportion to a rotational rate of the centrifuge. The mounting includes: a blade part (18) that couples to, or defines, a blade (10) of a centrifuge at a radial distance from a centrifuge axis (12); a chip part (20) that holds the chip at an orientation having a normal not perpendicular to the axis; a one degree of freedom (DoF) joint (16) between the blade part and the chip part; and a force applicator (28) which bears on the chip part at a fixed set of one or more points, which do not surround, and are not surrounded by, the joint.

Abstract: A microfluidic system, particularly suited as a cell culture system, is provided having a single monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements required for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels for precisely controlling cellular environment. The system has the additional advantages of low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, amenability to mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques. A ratio of greater than 0.2 between the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing distance of the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring.

Abstract: A microfluidic system has a monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels. Advantageously, low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques can be provided. A ratio of greater than 0.2 of the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing between the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring. Producing such a system involves a master mold with the nano-scale elements etched into a hard substrate, and the network provided in a soft membrane bonded to the hard substrate. A stamp may be created by setting a settable liquid polymer or metal placed in the master mold. Features of the intended device can be transferred to a polymeric substrate using the stamp.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoester-based drilling fluid compositions and the method of drilling a borehole with said compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method drilling a borehole with monoester-based drilling fluid compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoester-based drilling fluid compositions and the method of drilling a borehole with said compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method drilling a borehole with monoester-based drilling fluid compositions. In some embodiments, the methods for making such monoester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor and/or low value Fischer-Tropsch (FT) olefins and/or alcohols so as to produce high value monoester-based drilling fluids. In some embodiments, such monoester-based drilling fluids are derived from FT olefins and fatty acids. The fatty acids can be from a bio-based source (i.e., biomass, renewable source) or can be derived from FT alcohols via oxidation.

Abstract: A microfluidic system, particularly suited as a cell culture system, is provided having a single monolithic biocompatible substrate with both a surface having an ordered array of nano-scale elements required for plasmonic response monitoring and a network of microchannels for precisely controlling cellular environment. The system has the additional advantages of low-volume consumption, rapid low-cost fabrication of molds with easily interchangeable microfluidic channel layouts, amenability to mass production, and in situ label-free real-time detection of cellular response, viability, behavior and biomolecular binding using plasmonic techniques. A ratio of greater than 0.2 between the cross-sectional dimension and the spacing distance of the nano-scale elements is useful for plasmonic response monitoring.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from, or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from, or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.

Abstract: A well logging fluid is provided having a relatively non-conductive fluid and an effective amount of a salt sufficient to modify the electrical characteristics the relatively non-conductive fluid resulting in a modified fluid or well logging fluid such that an electrical well-logging tool when disposed in the modified fluid can perform an electrical well-logging survey of a borehole containing the modified fluid. The non-conductive fluid is selected from the group consisting of a non-aqueous fluid and an invert emulsion of an aqueous phase in a non-conductive liquid. In an invert emulsion, the aqueous portion thereof ranges up to about 70 percent by volume. The salt has a cation and an anion, wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of divalent and trivalent metal cations capable of forming a complex, and the anion is one that disassociates from the cation in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A well logging fluid is provided having a relatively non-conductive fluid and an effective amount of a salt sufficient to modify the electrical characteristics the relatively non-conductive fluid resulting in a modified fluid or well logging fluid such that an electrical well-logging tool when disposed in the modified fluid can perform an electrical well-logging survey of a borehole containing the modified fluid. The non-conductive fluid is selected from the group consisting of a non-aqueous fluid and an invert emulsion of an aqueous phase in a non-conductive liquid. In an invert emulsion, the aqueous portion thereof ranges up to about 70 percent by volume. The salt has a cation and an anion, wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of divalent and trivalent metal cations capable of forming a complex, and the anion is one that disassociates from the cation in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A multi-purpose direct memory access packet control system for moving packets within a multi-processor computer system. The data memory is allocated into a number of unique data spaces suitable for storage of packets. Each data space is controlled by a unique type of buffer manager. Different buffer formats such as circular, linear, and offset are provided without the intervention of the processor and its associate software. Data packets are rapidly transmitted from an input buffer to the appropriate section of the memory and vice versa.

Abstract: A process for providing a relatively smooth, tough, elastomeric coating over one surface of a fibrous batt employs a heated ironing surface which engages an uncured coating of a composition of cross-linkable elastomeric aqueous emulsion applied as a foam or froth to an exposed surface of a fibrous batt. The heated belt causes dewatering and cure of a film of the coating which is in contact with the ironing surface. The fibrous batt thereafter is heated in a curing oven to drive off substantially all of the moisture and substantially cure all of the elastomeric coating composition. The resulting coated fibrous batt has a smoother and tougher surface than similar batts formed from similar compositions without the interposed ironing treatment. A preferred ironing element comprises a continuous stainless steel belt.

Abstract: A process for providing a relatively smooth, tough, elastomeric coating over one surface of a fibrous batt employs a heated ironing surface which engages an uncured coating of a composition of cross-linkable elastomeric aqueous emulsion applied as a foam or froth to an exposed surface of a fibrous batt. The heated belt causes dewatering and cure of a film of the coating which is in contact with the ironing surface. The fibrous batt thereafter is heated in a curing oven to drive off substantially all of the moisture and substantially cure all of the elastomeric coating composition. The resulting coated fibrous batt has a smoother and tougher surface than similar batts formed from similar compositions without the interposed ironing treatment. A preferred ironing element comprises a continuous stainless steel belt.