Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.

Abstract: An improved ion conductor layer for use in electrochromic devices and other applications is disclosed. The improved ion-conductor layer is comprised of at least two ion transport layers and a buffer layer, wherein the at least two ion transport layers and the buffer layer alternate within the ion conductor layer such that the ion transport layers are in communication with a first and a second electrode. Electrochromic devices utilizing such an improved ion conductor layer color more deeply by virtue of the increased voltage developed across the ion conductor layer prior to electronic breakdown while reducing the amount of electronic leakage. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochromic devices incorporating the improved ion conductor layer disclosed herein and methods of making ion conductors for use in other applications.

Abstract: An alignment tool removably attachable to a bit (e.g. a drill bit) for aligning a workpiece to the bit. The tool has a bit grip or a bit clamp which may have a pair of bit grippers, an aligner, which may be a pointer supported by a pointer mount, a stylus or a laser, and a mechanical linkage of the bit grip to the aligner. When the aligner is aligned with a target, a tip of a bit clamped by the bit grip would also be aligned with that target. A first stylus link may be movably connected to a second stylus link at the pointer mount. The first and second stylus links may be pivotally connected to the bit clamp. The bit clamp, the first and second stylus links may cooperate to align a central axis of the pointer with a central axis of the bit.

Abstract: An improved ion conductor layer for use in electrochromic devices and other applications is disclosed. The improved ion-conductor layer is comprised of at least two ion transport layers and a buffer layer, wherein the at least two ion transport layers and the buffer layer alternate within the ion conductor layer such that the ion transport layers are in communication with a first and a second electrode. Electrochromic devices utilizing such an improved ion conductor layer color more deeply by virtue of the increased voltage developed across the ion conductor layer prior to electronic breakdown while reducing the amount of electronic leakage. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochromic devices incorporating the improved ion conductor layer disclosed herein and methods of making ion conductors for use in other applications.

Abstract: Provided are devices for determining the correct aiming point of a low velocity projectile and methods and systems for using the devices.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously laser shock peening opposite laser shock peening surfaces on opposite sides of an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness using oppositely aimed laser beams and varying surface fluence of the laser beams over the laser shock peening surfaces as a function of the thickness of the article beneath each one of a plurality of laser shock peened spots formed by the beams on the surfaces. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. Laser beam energy may be varied with a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for determining accessibility of a tool to an object is provided. The method provides for selecting one or more sections on the object to be laser shock peened, selecting a region of interest on the one or more sections and determining a set of feasible solutions to access the selected region of interest on each of the one or more sections via use of an accessibility system. Systems and computer programs that afford functionality of the type defined by this method may be provided by the present technique.

Abstract: A soft thermally insulated padded shell housing a rigid infrastructure with a series of horizontal shelves forming compartments which are vertically aligned, and includes a pair of opposing vertical and vented walls with shelve support brackets. The pair of vertical and vented walls has a paired series of mating horizontal tracks to receive horizontal slide-in shelves in a spaced vertical array. Each of the pair of tracks are horizontally aligned to form complementary ledges that receive and support the outer edges of the slide-in shelves. The shelves may be releasably attached within tracks of the side walls of the compartment, having snapping receptacles to ensure a snug fit. When the shelves are not in use as being placed within the receiving tracks, the space within the infrastructure is substantially unobstructed and can be used to store various items. Also, the infrastructure and insertable shelves are easily and conveniently removable so that the bag may be folded for storage.

Abstract: A laser shock peening system including a workpiece is provided. The laser shock peening system includes a workholding fixture configured to hold the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a laser source configured to emit multiple laser beam pulses on the workpiece. The laser shock peening system further includes an absorptive layer disposed on the workpiece, the absorptive layer configured to absorb the laser beam pulses from the laser source into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transparent constraining layer disposed between the laser source and the absorptive layer. The transparent constraining layer is also configured to provide a pressure medium configured to direct multiple reflected laser generated shock waves from the workpiece back into the workpiece. The laser shock peening system also includes a transducer disposed on the workholding fixture and configured to detect multiple acoustic signals emitted from the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously laser shock peening opposite laser shock peening surfaces on opposite sides of an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness using oppositely aimed laser beams and varying surface fluence of the laser beams over the laser shock peening surfaces as a function of the thickness of the article beneath each one of a plurality of laser shock peened spots formed by the beams on the surfaces. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. Laser beam energy may be varied with a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam.

Abstract: An alignment tool removably attachable to a bit (e.g. a drill bit) for aligning a workpiece to the bit. The tool has a bit grip or a bit clamp which may have a pair of bit grippers, an aligner, which may be a pointer supported by a pointer mount, a stylus or a laser, and a mechanical linkage of the bit grip to the aligner. When the aligner is aligned with a target, a tip of a bit clamped by the bit grip would also be aligned with that target. A first stylus link may be movably connected to a second stylus link at the pointer mount. The first and second stylus links may be pivotally connected to the bit clamp. The bit clamp, the first and second stylus links may cooperate to align a central axis of the pointer with a central axis of the bit.

Abstract: A method for laser shock peening an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness by varying a surface fluence of a laser beam over a laser shock peening surface as a function of the thickness beneath a laser shock peened spot formed by the beam on the surface. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. The method may include varying energy in the laser beam using a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam. A device such as an optical attenuator external to a laser performing firing may be used to vary the energy.

Abstract: An image having m light sources, with m preferably equaling 2 or 3, is sequenced into different regions, each of which is lit by only one of the m light sources, by obtaining paired imaged with different filtering, for example a filtered and an unfiltered image, applying to the image pairs sets of m pre-computed mappings at the pixel or region level, and selecting the most appropriate. The rendering of the information in the image maybe adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR). The invention also provides a method for identifying and measuring the effect that an agent has upon modulating the binding of a test compound to a G-Protein Coupled Receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for increasing the fluorescence of a Cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group characterized by the reduction of the at least one NO2 group to NHOH or NH2 by the action of a nitroreductase. The cyanine dye molecule comprising at least one NO2 group can be used as a substrate for detecting nitroreductase enzyme activity in a composition and allows for the use of a nitroreductase enzyme in an enzyme-reporter system for the detection of analytes, binding reactions or gene expression.

Abstract: An office ID remote that creates an oscillating waveform with a predetermined characteristic on a conductor found in a cable is provided. This characteristic is typically the rate of repetition of the waveform that can be compared to a table of rates of repetition stored in a main test unit that correlates each rate of repetition to a particular office ID remote. This allows the identity of the cable to be ascertained.

Abstract: An improved ion conductor layer for use in electrochromic devices and other applications is disclosed. The improved ion-conductor layer is comprised of at least two ion transport layers and a buffer layer, wherein the at least two ion transport layers and the buffer layer alternate within the ion conductor layer such that the ion transport layers are in communication with a first and a second electrode. Electrochromic devices utilizing such an improved ion conductor layer color more deeply by virtue of the increased voltage developed across the ion conductor layer prior to electronic breakdown while reducing the amount of electronic leakage. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochromic devices incorporating the improved ion conductor layer disclosed herein and methods of making ion conductors for use in other applications.

Abstract: To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.