Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for rapidly evaluating light transmission through coatings including paints, primers, thin films, surfacing films, laminates and the like are disclosed. The system includes a light source for transmitting light through a coating sample. A sample holder holds the coating sample in a position to receive the incident light. A spectrometer measures an amount of the transmitted light that passes through the coating sample. Optionally, one or more optical filters may be used to condition any transmitted light that passes through the coating sample to reduce the intensity of the light outside of wavelengths of interest. An opaque cover encloses the spectrometer, the one or more optional optical filters, and at least part of the sample holder to prevent light other than the transmitted light from the light source from entering the spectrometer such that any transmitted light passing through the coating sample can be accurately evaluated.

Abstract: A novel construction set particularly useful for children safely to assemble and use two-and three-dimensional structures of a wide range of sizes and shapes with flexible foam-like tubes or rods detachable to male or female elements carried by foam-like connectors, and preferably of hexaoctahedral or spherical contour, and with such novel geometric design also useful with other construction materials for other uses as well.