Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.

Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.

Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.

Abstract: A method of producing a print on a recording medium includes receiving positive and negative image data for the print to be produced. A selected region of the recording medium is discharged. First-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected first-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the first-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the positive image data. Second-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected second-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the second-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the negative image data and the second sign being different from the first sign. Charged dry ink having charge of the second sign is deposited onto the recording medium. The deposited dry ink is attracted to the first-sign charged-fluid pattern and adheres to the recording medium in the first-sign charged-fluid pattern.

Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.

Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. One or more secondary closed-end resonant chambers are formed into side surfaces of the primary air channel. An air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy exits the air outlet and impinges on the material.

Abstract: An acoustic wave drying system for drying a material using an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.

Abstract: A method for drying a material using an acoustic wave drying including an acoustic resonant chamber that imparts acoustic energy to transiting air received from an airflow source. The acoustic resonant chamber includes a primary air channel having side surfaces connecting an air inlet and an air outlet, the primary air channel having a primary air channel length between the air inlet and the air outlet. A closed-end resonant chamber is formed into a first side surface of the primary air channel, the closed-end resonant chamber having a resonant chamber length. The acoustic resonant chamber also includes a sound air channel having a sound air channel inlet on a second side surface of the primary air channel opposite to the closed-end resonant chamber and a sound air channel outlet for directing an air impingement airstream containing acoustic energy onto the material.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a print on a recording medium includes a printhead providing drops of hydrophilic liquid. A hydrophobic drop-retention layer of an intermediate member receives the drops in cells including ion donors, forming a liquid pattern corresponding to image data. The ion donor in liquid-containing cells dissolves into ions. A transport member brings the recording medium into contact with the liquid pattern on the intermediate member. A voltage source applies a bias across the recording medium in contact with the liquid pattern to move ions to form a charge pattern corresponding to the liquid pattern on the recording medium. A development station applies charged dry ink to the recording medium bearing the charge pattern, so that a dry ink image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of producing a print on a recording medium includes receiving positive and negative image data for the print to be produced. A selected region of the recording medium is discharged. First-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected first-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the first-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the positive image data. Second-sign charged fluid is deposited in a selected second-sign charged-fluid pattern on the selected region of the recording medium, the second-sign charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the negative image data and the second sign being different from the first, sign. Charged dry ink having charge of the second sign is deposited onto the recording medium. The deposited dry ink is attracted to the first-sign charged-fluid pattern and adheres to the recording medium in the first-sign charged-fluid pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a print on a recording medium includes receiving negative image data for the print to be produced. A selected region of the recording medium is discharged. Charged fluid is deposited in a selected charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the negative image data on the selected region of the recording medium. Charged dry ink having charge of the same sign as the charge in the deposited charged-fluid pattern is deposited onto the recording medium. The deposited dry ink is repelled by the charged-fluid pattern and adheres to the recording medium outside the charged-fluid pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a print on a recording medium includes receiving image data for the print to be produced. A selected region of the recording medium is discharged. Charged fluid is deposited in a selected charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the image data on the selected region of the recording medium. Charged dry ink having charge of the opposite sign as the charge in the deposited charged-fluid pattern is deposited onto the recording medium. The deposited dry ink is repelled by the charged-fluid pattern and adheres to the recording medium outside the charged-fluid pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a print on a recording medium includes a printhead adapted to provide drops of charged fluid. An intermediate member is adapted to receive the drops of charged fluid. A controller is adapted to receive image data for the print and control the printhead and the intermediate member so that a charged-fluid pattern corresponding to the image data is produced on the intermediate member. A development station is adapted to apply charged dry ink to the intermediate member bearing the charged-fluid pattern, so that a dry ink image corresponding to the image data is formed on the intermediate member. A transfer station is adapted to transfer the dry ink image from the intermediate member to the recording medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a print on a recording medium includes a printhead providing drops of hydrophilic liquid. A hydrophobic drop-retention layer of an intermediate member receives the drops in cells including ion donors, forming a liquid pattern corresponding to image data. The ion donor in liquid-containing cells dissolves into ions. A transport member brings the recording medium into contact with the liquid pattern on the intermediate member. A voltage source applies a bias across the recording medium in contact with the liquid pattern to move ions to form a charge pattern corresponding to the liquid pattern on the recording medium. A development station applies charged dry ink to the recording medium bearing the charge pattern, so that a dry ink image corresponding to the image data is formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators are provided. In some instances, the piezoelectric actuators are high-precision piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric beams may have a bi-chevron configuration. Also provided are methods of making the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., using Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication techniques, and methods of using the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., as valves in fluid dispensing systems.

Abstract: Piezoelectric actuators are provided. In some instances, the piezoelectric actuators are high-precision piezoelectric actuators. The piezoelectric beams may have a bi-chevron configuration. Also provided are methods of making the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., using Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication techniques, and methods of using the piezoelectric actuators, e.g., as valves in fluid dispensing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring physical properties of an object, such as thickness, group index of refraction, and distance to a surface. The apparatus includes a non-coherent light interferometer (53) and a coherent light interferometer (55) in association so as to share a variable optical path delay element (54). Thickness measurements can be made, for example, of solids, liquids, liquids moving along a horizontal plane, or liquids flowing down a plane. Thickness measurements of multiple layers can be made.