Abstract: Light-emitting quantum dot films, quantum dot lighting devices, and quantum dot-based backlight units are provided. Related compositions, components, and methods are also described. Improved quantum dot encapsulation and matrix materials are provided. Quantum dot films with protective barriers are described. High-efficiency, high brightness, and high-color purity quantum dot-based lighting devices are also included, as well as methods for improving efficiency and optical characteristics in quantum dot-based lighting devices.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval system includes a bag having a flexible basket with an opening configured for receiving a tissue specimen, an elongate tail extending from the flexible basket, a primary loop attached to a proximal end of the tail opposite the flexible basket, and a string encircling the flexible basket and extending therefrom along the tail and terminating exterior of the proximal end of the tail, the string being operable to close the opening of the flexible basket. The system also includes an outer cannula having a distal end and a proximal end with a cannula handle located at the proximal end of the outer cannula, the outer cannula configured to receive the bag therein via the distal end of the outer cannula, with the tail of the bag, the primary loop and a portion of the string extending out of the proximal end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: The invention providing methods of loading and unloading particulate from microchannels in apparatus that contains multiple microchannels, typically apparatus that is designed to operate with hundreds or thousands of particulate-containing microchannels. Aligning a sonicating head at one end of a set of microchannels provides a particularly effective mode for densifying particulate in microchannels.

Abstract: Light-emitting quantum dot films, quantum dot lighting devices, and quantum dot-based backlight units are provided. Related compositions, components, and methods are also described. Improved quantum dot encapsulation and matrix materials are provided. Quantum dot films with protective barriers are described. High-efficiency, high brightness, and high-color purity quantum dot-based lighting devices are also included, as well as methods for improving efficiency and optical characteristics in quantum dot-based lighting devices.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval system includes a bag having a flexible basket with an opening configured for receiving a tissue specimen, an elongate tail extending from the flexible basket, a primary loop attached to a proximal end of the tail opposite the flexible basket, and a string encircling the flexible basket and extending therefrom along the tail and terminating exterior of the proximal end of the tail, the string being operable to close the opening of the flexible basket. The system also includes an outer cannula having a distal end and a proximal end with a cannula handle located at the proximal end of the outer cannula, the outer cannula configured to receive the bag therein via the distal end of the outer cannula, with the tail of the bag, the primary loop and a portion of the string extending out of the proximal end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A universal housing for a centrifugal gas compressor is disclosed. The universal housing includes a body, a suction port extending from the body, a discharge port extending from the body, and a first compartment within the body. The first compartment includes a suction inlet in flow communication with the suction port and a discharge outlet in flow communication with the discharge port. The first compartment is configured to receive more than one staging length for the staging. The staging inlet is in flow communication with the suction inlet and the staging outlet is in flow communication with the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a rotary machine is disclosed herein. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a squeeze film cylinder, a damper spring, and a journal bearing. The squeeze film cylinder is located within the bearing housing. The damper spring includes a first portion, a second portion, and a spring portion. The first portion is located proximal the first end. The second portion is located proximal the second end. The spring portion extends axially between the first portion and the second portion and is located within the bearing housing.

Abstract: A centrifugal gas compressor radial magnetic bearing (125) may include windings (126), a lamination sleeve (130), and a lamination (127). The lamination (127) aligned with the windings (126) may provide for efficient operation of the radial magnetic bearing (125). The centrifugal gas compressor shaft (120) may include a tapered region (118) with an adjacent shelf (124) for alignment with the forward surface (131) and taper of the lamination sleeve (130). The lamination sleeve (130) may include one or more axial hydraulic fitting ports (136) for coupling the lamination sleeve (130) and shaft (120) with an interference fit.

Abstract: Radial magnetic bearings (125) of a centrifugal gas compressor (100) may lose power and fail to support the shaft (120) resulting in damage to the shaft (120). Auxiliary bearings (135) may be used to support the shaft (120) during such a failure. A landing guard (140) may be installed as a sacrificial piece between the shaft (120) and the auxiliary bearings (135). Landing guard (140) includes slots (144) that may be used with pins (121) in the shaft (120) to prevent an angular displacement between the landing guard (140) and the shaft (120).

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a rotary machine is disclosed herein. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a squeeze film cylinder, a damper spring, and a journal bearing. The squeeze film cylinder is located within the bearing housing. The damper spring includes a first portion, a second portion, and a spring portion. The first portion is located proximal the first end. The second portion is located proximal the second end. The spring portion extends axially between the first portion and the second portion and is located within the bearing housing.

Abstract: A universal housing for a centrifugal gas compressor is disclosed. The universal housing includes a body, a suction port extending from the body, a discharge port extending from the body, and a first compartment within the body. The first compartment includes a suction inlet in flow communication with the suction port and a discharge outlet in flow communication with the discharge port. The first compartment is configured to receive more than one staging length for the staging. The staging inlet is in flow communication with the suction inlet and the staging outlet is in flow communication with the discharge outlet.

Abstract: A thrust collar (161) includes a central disk (162), a forward wing (163), and an aft wing (164). The central disk (162) is a disk shaped hollow cylinder with a central axis (97). The forward wing (163) and the aft wing (164) are thin walled hollow cylinders extending axially from an inner portion of the central disk (162) about the central axis (97) in opposite directions. The forward wing (163) includes a forward mounting pilot (165) extending radially inward from the forward wing (163) distal to the central disk (162). The aft wing (164) includes an aft mounting pilot (167) extending radially inward from the aft wing (164) distal to the central disk (162).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of housings. The method may include maintaining an inventory of initial products. Each of the initial products may include a central hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and monolithically formed with at least one of a suction passage and a discharge passage. Each of the products may have a same initial length. The method may further include receiving a first order for a first housing having a first length and machining a first product to the first length to form the first housing. Also, the method may include receiving a second order for a second housing having a second length and machining a second product to the second length to form the second housing. The first length and the second length may be different.

Abstract: An employee location noticeboard is in the form of a dry-erase board, with a list of prepared options and checkboxes providing specific details about the employee's current location and estimated time of return. The noticeboard also provides some options that are not intended to be actually used, but instead may provide harmless amusement for the reader. A method of producing noticeboard content provides for determining legitimate reasons for an employee to be away from his or her desk, determining not legitimate but humorous reasons for the employee to be away, and printing the list on the noticeboard. The noticeboard features suction cups for easy mounting on an office door.

Abstract: A surgical suction mat for collecting and evacuating surgical fluids, the mat including a foam body having a surrounding border; a series of grooves defined on a first portion of the foam body and located interior of the border and defined substantially across the foam body, the grooves uniformly increasing in depth from adjacent a first side of the border of the foam body to a location adjacent an opposite second side of the border of the foam body, the grooves each being closed at a first end proximate the first side of the foam body and open an opposite second end; a plurality of spaced apart upper surfaces in-between the grooves and being of substantially uniform elevation to permit a relatively uniform and level upper mat surface on which a user can stand; a collection channel defined on a second portion of the foam body, the channel extending substantially perpendicular across the grooves, the collection channel being closed at each end and along one side of its length and the other side of the channel

Abstract: A thrust collar (161) includes a central disk (162), a forward wing (163), and an aft wing (164). The central disk (162) is a disk shaped hollow cylinder with a central axis (97). The forward wing (163) and the aft wing (164) are thin walled hollow cylinders extending axially from an inner portion of the central disk (162) about the central axis (97) in opposite directions. The forward wing (163) includes a forward mounting pilot (165) extending radially inward from the forward wing (163) distal to the central disk (162). The aft wing (164) includes an aft mounting pilot (167) extending radially inward from the aft wing (164) distal to the central disk (162).

Abstract: A shaft (120) configured to be mounted within a centrifugal gas compressor (100) includes a suction end (116), a discharge end (117), and a shaft surface. The shaft surface includes a hardened surface (123) located between the suction end (116) and the discharge end (117). The hardened surface (123) is a localized portion of the shaft surface having a different surface treatment than a remainder of the shaft surface. The hardened surface (123) is harder than the remainder of the shaft surface. The hardened surface (123) is configured to axially align with a central auxiliary bearing (137).

Abstract: Radial magnetic bearings (125) of a centrifugal gas compressor (100) may lose power and fail to support the shaft (120) resulting in damage to the shaft (120). Auxiliary bearings (135) may be used to support the shaft (120) during such a failure. A landing guard (140) may be installed as a sacrificial piece between the shaft (120) and the auxiliary bearings (135). Landing guard (140) includes slots (144) that may be used with pins (121) in the shaft (120) to prevent an angular displacement between the landing guard (140) and the shaft (120).

Abstract: A centrifugal gas compressor radial magnetic bearing (125) may include windings (126), a lamination sleeve (130), and a lamination (127). The lamination (127) aligned with the windings (126) may provide for efficient operation of the radial magnetic bearing (125). The centrifugal gas compressor shaft (120) may include a tapered region (118) with an adjacent shelf (124) for alignment with the forward surface (131) and taper of the lamination sleeve (130). The lamination sleeve (130) may include one or more axial hydraulic fitting ports (136) for coupling the lamination sleeve (130) and shaft (120) with an interference fit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of housings. The method may include maintaining an inventory of initial products. Each of the initial products may include a central hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and monolithically formed with at least one of a suction passage and a discharge passage. Each of the products may have a same initial length. The method may further include receiving a first order for a first housing having a first length and machining a first product to the first length to form the first housing. Also, the method may include receiving a second order for a second housing having a second length and machining a second product to the second length to form the second housing. The first length and the second length may be different.