Abstract: A display device comprising a spatial light modulator having a display polariser arranged on one side is provided with an additional polariser arranged on the same side as the display polariser and a polar control retarder between the additional polariser and the display polariser. The polar control retarder includes a liquid crystal retarder having two surface alignment layers disposed adjacent to a layer of liquid crystal material on opposite sides. The surface alignment layers provide alignment in the adjacent liquid crystal material with a twist. The out-of-plane orientation of the twisted layer of liquid crystal material is modified across at least one region of the display device to provide a transmission function in response to the measured location of an off-axis snooper, achieving increased size of polar region for which desired uniformity of security factor, or reduced distraction across the display to the driver in an automotive application is achieved.

Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: A near-eye display apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator illuminated by a directional backlight and a magnifying lens arranged to provide a magnified wide field of view image to an eye of a user. The directional backlight comprises an array of light sources and a stepped waveguide comprising a curved reflective end. Light propagates along the waveguide without loss and is reflected from the reflective end. The steps of the waveguide are arranged to provide a virtual optical window for each light source. The magnifying lens images the virtual optical window to a real pupil window in an eyebox. The real pupil window may be steered in response to the measured location of the user's pupil. High illumination efficiency is provided to the user in a thin form factor.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: Reflections from a display device are controlled using retarders arranged on the output side of a display panel which outputs light with a predetermined polarization state. First and second planes of incidence are defined in respect of first and second rays of light output from the device and first and second normals to first and second surfaces of optically transmissive material at first and second points at which the first and second rays of light are reflected. The retarders are selected to cause the polarization state of the first ray to be linearly polarized in a direction that is in the first plane of incidence, and to cause the polarization state of the second ray to be linearly polarized in a direction that is in the second plane of incidence. The reflections from the surfaces are minimized because for both surfaces the polarization direction is in-plane.

Abstract: A switchable privacy display comprises a spatial light modulator with output polariser, a reflective polariser, a polar control liquid crystal retarder and an additional polariser. The electrodes of the polar control liquid crystal retarder are patterned with a mark. In wide angle and narrow angle operational modes, the electrodes of the liquid crystal retarder are driven such that the mark is not visible. In a mark display state, the electrodes are driven to provide visibility of the mark in reflected light to an off-axis observer.

Abstract: A switchable backlight for a switchable privacy display apparatus comprises a collimated waveguide, first and second light sources and an optical turning film comprising elongate prismatic elements with facet orientations that pupillate the output of the waveguide in two orthogonal directions for each of first and second light sources. High luminance uniformity is achieved for a head-on user in privacy and public viewing modes and high uniformity of security factor is achieved for off-axis snoopers, with increased speed of privacy switch-on in privacy mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining subsurface temperatures of a surveyed region. The method comprises using a transmitter to transmit a pulsed electromagnetic signal into the ground; using a receiver to detect a return signal following interaction of said transmitted signal with features of the subsurface and determining one or more temperatures within the subsurface from the return signal. The temperature may be determined from a dielectric constant of a subsurface region, as determined from the received signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a joint. A composite insert may be placed into a joint region for a first structure. The composite insert may comprise a structure having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion all extending from a junction; and a resin impregnated into the structure to form the composite insert. The second structure may be laid up. The composite insert may be bonded to the first structure and the second structure.

Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is located in the joint.

Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is used to control stress in the joint.

Abstract: A customizable toy figure with articulating ball-and-socket joints. Also disclosed is a kit for customizing the toy figure with action accessories, such as weapons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining subsurface temperatures of a surveyed region. The method comprises using a transmitter to transmit a pulsed electromagnetic signal into the ground; using a receiver to detect a return signal following interaction of said transmitted signal with features of the subsurface and determining one or more temperatures within the subsurface from the return signal. The temperature may be determined from a dielectric constant of a subsurface region, as determined from the received signal.

Abstract: A fluid separation assembly and method are provided. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a pair of tubesheets, each encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle. The assembly further has a plurality of radial through openings formed along a circumference of one or both of the tubesheets and radially through a body portion in one or both of the tubesheets. The radial through openings include center connected radial through openings and partial radial through openings, and intersect each, or substantially each, of the hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the tubesheets. The housing has a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed inlet port and the non-permeate outlet port are in parallel alignment with a longitudinal central axis of the housing.

Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is located in the joint.

Abstract: A composite resin tank includes a wall joined to a dome along a joint. A softening strip is located in the joint.

Abstract: A fluid separation assembly and method are provided. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a pair of tubesheets, each encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle. The assembly further has a plurality of radial through openings formed along a circumference of one or both of the tubesheets and radially through a body portion in one or both of the tubesheets. The radial through openings include center connected radial through openings and partial radial through openings, and intersect each, or substantially each, of the hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the tubesheets. The housing has a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed inlet port and the non-permeate outlet port are in parallel alignment with a longitudinal central axis of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a joint. A composite insert may be placed into a joint region for a first structure. The composite insert may comprise a structure having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion all extending from a junction; and a resin impregnated into the structure to form the composite insert. The second structure may be laid up. The composite insert may be bonded to the first structure and the second structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment there is provided a fluid separation assembly. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a first tubesheet and a second tubesheet encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle, wherein one of the tubesheets has a plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the first and second tubesheets, the housing having a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed gas, permeate gas, or non-permeate gas are introduced into or removed from the hollow fiber membranes via the plurality of radial through openings formed in the tubesheet, such that the radial through openings of the tubesheet intersect each or substantially each of the hollow fiber membranes.