Abstract: A modified latex drag reducer and methods of making and using the drag reducer in order to reduce friction losses resulting from turbulent fluid flow through a conduit. Particularly, the modified latex drag reducer is formed from an initial latex which is a product of an emulsion polymerization reaction. The initial latex is then modified, preferably by admixing with at least one low HLB surfactant or at least one solvent, or both, to form a modified latex with an enhanced dissolution rate in a hydrocarbon stream over the initial latex.

Abstract: A substrate, preferably constructed of a ductile material and a tool having the desired shape of the resulting device for contacting contact pads on a test device is brought into contact with the substrate. The tool is preferably constructed of a material that is harder than the substrate so that a depression can be readily made therein. A dielectric (insulative) layer, that is preferably patterned, is supported by the substrate. A conductive material is located within the depressions and then preferably lapped to remove excess from the top surface of the dielectric layer and to provide a flat overall surface. A trace is patterned on the dielectric layer and the conductive material. A polyimide layer is then preferably patterned over the entire surface. The substrate is then removed by any suitable process.

Abstract: To meet emissions standards, many gas turbine engines use some form of lean, pre-mixed combustion system. The lean nature of the fuel may lead to combustion oscillations or other instabilities. A fuel injector having an inner and outer cylinder receives pilot fuel and a portion of pre-mixed fuel-air into an annular space defined by the inner and outer cylinders. The amount of pilot fuel mixed with the pre-mixed fuel-air can be modulated based on sensed conditions within the turbine engine. Continuous modulation of the pilot fuel to adapt to the sensed conditions improves main burner flames and response to engine transients.

Abstract: A memory card comprising an magnetic random access memory (MRAM) array that comprises a plurality of magnetic memory cells and a controller coupled to the MRAM array. The controller is configured to communicate with a host device, and the controller is configured perform an error correction function associated with at least one of the plurality of magnetic memory cells.

Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.

Abstract: A method for growing single-wall carbon nanotubes involves preparing a catalyst comprising catalytic metals, iron and molybdenum, and magnesium oxide support material and contacting the catalyst with a gaseous carbon-containing feedstock at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient contact time to make single-wall carbon nanotubes. The weight ratio of iron and molybdenum can range from about 2 to 1 to about 10 to 1 and the metals loading up to about 10 wt % of the MgO. The catalyst can be sulfided. Methane is a suitable carbon-containing feedstock. The process can be conducted in batch, continuous or semi-continuous modes, in reactors, such as a transport reactor, fluidized bed reactor, moving bed reactors and combinations thereof. The process also includes making single-wall carbon nanotubes with catalysts comprising at least one Group VIB or Group VIIIB metal on supports such as magnesia, zirconia, silica, and alumina, where the catalyst is sulfided.

Abstract: Methods (300, 400) and apparatus (46, 416, 470) are provided for sensing physical parameters. The apparatus (46, 416, 470) comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) (32, 432), a magnetic field source (MFS) (34, 445, 476) whose magnetic field (35) overlaps the MTJ (32, 432) and a moveable magnetic cladding element (33, 448, 478) whose proximity (43, 462, 479, 479?) to the MFS (34, 445, 476) varies in response to an input to the sensor. The MFS (34, 445, 476) is located between the cladding element (33, 448, 478) and the MTJ (32, 432). Motion (41, 41?, 41-1, 464, 477) of the cladding element (33, 448, 478) relative to the MFS (34, 445, 476) in response to sensor input causes the magnetic field (35) at the MTJ (32, 432) to change, thereby changing the electrical properties of the MTJ (32, 432). A one-to-one correspondence (54) between the sensor input and the electrical properties of the MTJ (32, 432) is obtained.

Abstract: A workstation for selectively positioning a work surface includes a housing which defines a storage compartment, a tambour door track secured to the housing, and a tambour door disposed in the tambour door track. The tambour door is adapted to move between a closed position and an open position to provide selective access to the storage compartment. The workstation also includes an articulating arm including a first end secured to the housing, and a second end adapted to support said work surface. The articulating arm is adapted for adjustable movement between a retracted position placing the work surface within the storage compartment, and a user-selected extended position placing the work surface outside of the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making microstructured laminae for replication and apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to machining V-shaped grooves on individual lamina forming cube-corner microstructures.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to membranes comprising an array of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) wherein the membrane is nanoporous. In one embodiment, the membrane comprises a substantially two-dimensional array of a homogeneous population of single-walled nanotubes aggregated in substantially parallel orientation to form a monolayer extending in directions substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the individual nanotubes. Using single-wall carbon nanotubes of the same type and structure provides a homogeneous array. By using different single-wall carbon nanotubes, either a random or ordered heterogeneous structure can be produced by employing successive reactions after removal of previously masked areas of a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A substrate, preferably constructed of a ductile material and a tool having the desired shape of the resulting device for contacting contact pads on a test device is brought into contact with the substrate. The tool is preferably constructed of a material that is harder than the substrate so that a depression can be readily made therein. A dielectric (insulative) layer, that is preferably patterned, is supported by the substrate. A conductive material is located within the depressions and then preferably lapped to remove excess from the top surface of the dielectric layer and to provide a flat overall surface. A trace is patterned on the dielectric layer and the conductive material. A polyimide layer is then preferably patterned over the entire surface. The substrate is then removed by any suitable process.

Abstract: A wall-mountable workstation for electronic equipment is provided that includes a housing having an electronic equipment storage compartment. A door is connected to the housing and is adapted to move between a closed position in which the electronic equipment storage compartment is closed and an open position in which the electronic equipment storage compartment is open. The workstation also includes an articulating arm having a first end non-movably secured within the housing and a second end adapted to support the electronic equipment for adjustable movement between a user-selected extended position away from the electronic equipment storage compartment and a retracted storage position within the electronic equipment storage compartment.

Abstract: A print media sheets trailing edge knockdown stacking assistance system, in a compiler or other stacking system with a substantial sheet gravity drop, activated for each ejected sheet to move substantially linearly and perpendicularly downwardly from above, but adjacent to, the sheet ejection position to engage a sheet end area and rapidly push it down towards the underlying stack of sheets and into engagement with any sheet compiling device, then automatically rapidly reciprocally lifting up out of the way above the sheet ejection position before another sheet is ejected, without any significant pause between its up and down movements.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to carbon fiber produced from fullerene nanotube arrays. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a macroscopic carbon fiber comprising at least 106 fullerene nanotubes in generally parallel orientation.

Abstract: Illumination assemblies and systems using same are disclosed. The illumination assembly can include a reflective substrate, and a light source unit including one or more light sources capable of producing illumination light. The assembly can further include a first light extraction surface including an azimuthal beam widening topography, where the first light extraction surface is positioned such that the light source unit is between the first light extraction surface and the reflective substrate. The first light extraction surface can face the light source unit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing self-assembled objects comprising fullerene nanotubes and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a three-dimensional structure of derivatized fullerene nanotubes that spontaneously form. It includes several components having multiple derivatives brought together to assemble into the three-dimensional structure. In another embodiment, objects may be obtained by bonding functionally-specific agents (FSAs) to groups of nanotubes, enabling them to form into structures. The bond selectivity of FSAs allow selected nanotubes of a particular size or kind to assemble together and inhibit the assembling of unselected nanotubes that may also be present.

Abstract: A method for constructing a membrane probe that includes providing a substrate, and creating a depression within the substrate. Conductive material is located within the depression and a conductive trace is connected to the conductive material. A membrane is applied to support the conductive material and the substrate is removed from the conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.