Abstract: A measurement system includes an atomizer, an impactor, a particle counter, and a discharge reservoir. The atomizer has a liquid intake port and a gas intake port configured to aerosolize a liquid received at the liquid intake port. The impactor has an inlet coupled to the atomizer and has a first output port and a second output port. The impactor is configured to separate droplets wherein those droplets smaller than a selected cut point are directed to the first output port and those droplets larger than the selected cut point are directed to the second output port. The particle counter is coupled to the first output port and is configured to count particles larger than at least one particle size cut point. The discharge reservoir is coupled to the second output port.

Abstract: A measurement system includes an atomizer, an impactor, a particle counter, and a discharge reservoir. The atomizer has a liquid intake port and a gas intake port configured to aerosolize a liquid received at the liquid intake port. The impactor has an inlet coupled to the atomizer and has a first output port and a second output port. The impactor is configured to separate droplets wherein those droplets smaller than a selected cut point are directed to the first output port and those droplets larger than the selected cut point are directed to the second output port. The particle counter is coupled to the first output port and is configured to count particles larger than at least one particle size cut point. The discharge reservoir is coupled to the second output port.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: A laser-based spectroscopy system that combines a distance/proximity standoff sensor, a high-repetition rate laser spectroscopy system, and software with a decision-making algorithm embedded in a processing unit which in combination performs selective firing of the laser when the target object is within an interrogation zone. In a related embodiment, the system provides selective sorting of spectroscopic signals based on information from the standoff signal and from information contained in the spectral signals themselves. The laser emission can be actively controlled while keeping the laser firing, thereby preserving the thermal stability and hence the power of the laser; and the standoff sensor information and the spectral information can be combined to determine the proper relative weighting or importance of each piece of spectral information.

Abstract: A novel device, method and systems disclosed managing the thermal challenges of LIBS laser components and a spectrometer in a handheld structure as well the use of simplified light signal collection which includes a bare fiber optic to collect the emitted light in close proximity to (or in contact with) the test material. In one example embodiment of the handheld LIBS device, a burst pulse frequency is 4 kHz is used resulting in a time between pulses of about 250 ?s which is a factor of 10 above that of other devices in the prior art. In a related embodiment, an active Q-switched laser module is used along with a compact spectrometer module using a transmission grating to improve LIBS measurement while substantially reducing the size of the handheld analyzer.

Abstract: A laser-based spectroscopy system that combines a distance/proximity standoff sensor, a high-repetition rate laser spectroscopy system, and software with a decision-making algorithm embedded in a processing unit which in combination performs selective firing of the laser when the target object is within an interrogation zone. In a related embodiment, the system provides selective sorting of spectroscopic signals based on information from the standoff signal and from information contained in the spectral signals themselves. The laser emission can be actively controlled while keeping the laser firing, thereby preserving the thermal stability and hence the power of the laser; and the standoff sensor information and the spectral information can be combined to determine the proper relative weighting or importance of each piece of spectral information.

Abstract: A novel device, method and systems disclosed managing the thermal challenges of LIBS laser components and a spectrometer in a handheld structure as well the use of simplified light signal collection which includes a bare fiber optic to collect the emitted light in close proximity to (or in contact with) the test material. In one example embodiment of the handheld LIBS device, a burst pulse frequency is 4 kHz is used resulting in a time between pulses of about 250 ?s which is a factor of 10 above that of other devices in the prior art. In a related embodiment, an active Q-switched laser module is used along with a compact spectrometer module using a transmission grating to improve LIBS measurement while substantially reducing the size of the handheld analyzer.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer. This invention also provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer, wherein said catalyst composition comprises contacting a organometal compound/organoaluminum mixture, a treated solid oxide compound, and, optionally, a second organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: This invention provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer. This invention also provides catalyst compositions that are useful for polymerizing at least one monomer to produce a polymer, wherein said catalyst composition comprises contacting a organometal compound/organoaluminum mixture, a treated solid oxide compound, and, optionally, a second organoaluminum compound. The solid oxide has been treated with an electron-withdrawing compound, in particular a chlorine, preferably zinc chloride and carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract: The travel range is extended for electrostatically actuated micro mirrors used as attenuators, modulators and switches in optical networks by the use of dielectrically coated, preferably with Silicon dioxide, inner surfaces. Oxide charge and oxide capacitance combine to expand the travel range of the mirrors before snap down, at the expense of increased applied bias voltage. This method of travel range extension is preferred over other range extension methods due to its simplicity, reproducibility, and ease of manufacture, as well as benefits of decreased stiction and inhibited electrode shorting. A method for the manufacture of the devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided which comprises preparing heterogeneous or homogeneous catalyst systems comprising cyclodisilizane complexes of Group IV metals wherein said metal is selected from consisting of titanium, zirconium and hafnium; and a cocatalyst selected from the group consisting of methylaluminoxane and fluoro organic boron compounds and mixtures thereof. This invention also provides polymerization processes comprising contacting a mono-1-olefin, and optionally one or more higher alpha-olefins, in a reaction zone with cyclodisilizane complexes of Group IV metals catalyst systems and in the presence of a cocatalyst selected from the group consisting of aluminoxane, fluoro organic boron compounds, and mixtures thereof are provided.

Abstract: A simple method for making large, uniformly flat electrostatically actuated micro-mirrors for use as variable attenuators and switches in optical networking systems is disclosed. The devices are fabricated by fusion bonding ultra-thin, single crystal silicon wafers to micromachined silicon substrates, forming robust, non-deforming reflective surfaces which are simpler to fabricate than similar devices fabricated by conventional chemical vapor deposition of polycrystalline silicon, which require careful engineering to avoid stress-induced deformation.

Abstract: The travel range is extended for electrostatically actuated micro mirrors used as attenuators, modulators and switches in optical networks by the use of dielectrically coated, preferably with Silicon dioxide, inner surfaces. Oxide charge and oxide capacitance combine to expand the travel range of the mirrors before snap down, at the expense of increased applied bias voltage. This method of travel range extension is preferred over other range extension methods due to its simplicity, reproducibility, and ease of manufacture, as well as benefits of decreased stiction and inhibited electrode shorting. A method for the manufacture of the devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique of bonding a thin wafer layer to a substrate. The wafer is blown dry using an inert gas to prevent it from being damaged, while still ensuring that it dries completely. The initial bonding is done by orienting crystallographic axes, and then allowing the wafers to adhere to one another slowly. The contact wave is prevented from spreading, by a divider between the two wafers. The wafers are allowed to adhere to one another slowly to form a bond. The bond is strengthened by annealing.

Abstract: A safety display sign includes a wire post member having spaced apart wire legs extending from a rounded end portion. The wire legs extend through the channels of a corrugated polyethylene sign panel, and project therefrom a sufficient distance to permit secure fixation in the ground. An extruded polyethylene base member is provided with two slotted passages integrally formed at opposite side edges of the base member to receive and grip the wire legs in a unitary assembly which prevents the sign panel from sliding along the length of the wire legs. The polyethylene base is positioned along the length of the wire legs and is urged against the edge of the sign panel by the ground or other supporting surface to secure the sign panel at the top portion of the post.

Abstract: The compound (Cp*.sub.2 YCl).sub.2 wherein Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and its preparation and use for the polymerization of olefins is disclosed.

Abstract: The compound (Cp*.sub.2 YCl).sub.2 wherein Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl and its preparation and use for the polymerization of olefins is disclosed.

Abstract: A display sign in which a panel is supported in cantilever fashion is disclosed. The display sign generally comprises a corrugated panel which may be mounted to a vertical post by a pair of rods which pass through the corrugation channels of the panel and extend through holes in the vertical post. The rods are shaped in a manner to engage the corrugation channels of the panel so as to prevent horizontal sliding or pivoting of the panel relative to the rods.

Abstract: A weighted sign base for supporting real estate signs and the like, especially signs that are provided with a pair of posts, is disclosed. The weighted sign base is formed in a generally truncated conical shape having a hollow interior adapted to be filled with a fluent material to provide weight, such as water or sand. A rectangular opening is provided in a central web portion of the base which functions as a handle for lifting and carrying the sign base.