Abstract: A device includes a grating coupler with a grating constant, two light sources, and a planar waveguide, which are configured to couple light with two different wavelengths ?1, ?2 into the waveguide. The waveguide has a waveguiding layer disposed adjacent to a substrate layer and a cover layer. The waveguiding layer has a thickness d and effective refractive indices of N(?k, jk), wherein ?k is one of the wavelengths and jk is an order of a waveguide mode, wherein the coupled light of the wavelength ?k has a coupling angle ?k into the waveguide, and wherein an amount of difference between the coupling angles is a divergence angle ??. Guiding of waveguide modes of the order jk>0 is possible for a wavelength of the coupled light. The waveguiding layer is arranged to couple the light via the grating coupler under a divergence angle of ??<6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polyurethane foam, in particular an aerogel, from at least one polyisocyanate and at least one optionally recycled polyol, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a mixture comprising at least one compound having at least two hydroxy and/or amino groups made of a biomass material. The invention also relates to such a mixture and to the use thereof for producing a polymer such as for example a polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A diffractive biosensor for the selective detection of biomolecules includes a substrate and an optical biograting situated on the substrate, the biograting having periodically arranged receptors for the biomolecules and the efficiency of a diffraction of incident light, and thus the intensity of a measuring light beam arriving in a detector, is a function of a mass coverage of the biograting with the biomolecules to be detected. The biosensor has a device for generating a reference light beam directed to the detector, by which the phase position of stray light arriving in the detector is able to be determined.

Abstract: A device includes a grating coupler with a grating constant, two light sources, and a planar waveguide, which are configured to couple light with two different wavelengths ?1, ?2 into the waveguide. The waveguide has a waveguiding layer disposed adjacent to a substrate layer and a cover layer. The waveguiding layer has a thickness d and effective refractive indices of N(?k, jk), wherein ?k is one of the wavelengths and jk is an order of a waveguide mode, wherein the coupled light of the wavelength ?k has a coupling angle ?k into the waveguide, and wherein an amount of difference between the coupling angles is a divergence angle ??. Guiding of waveguide modes of the order jk>0 is possible for a wavelength of the coupled light. The waveguiding layer is arranged to couple the light via the grating coupler under a divergence angle of ??<6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to generally relates to polyurethanes containing at least one lignin compound. In particular, the invention relates to a reactive polyurethane system comprising at least one polyol, at least one polyisocyanate and at least one lignin compound. In further aspects, the invention relates to a process for producing a polyurethane from a reactive system as disclosed, a polyurethane obtainable by such process, polyurethane adhesives, articles comprising cured polyurethane adhesives and a method for adhesive bonding.

Abstract: Various enhanced rocket fairings and associated mechanisms are discussed herein for split fairings with two fairing halves. In some implementations, electrically-actuated base clamps are included to deploy the rocket fairing by applying a spring force between a corresponding fairing half and a payload adapter, which directs movement of the fairing halves upwards and away from the payload adapter until release of the fairing halves. In other implementations, electrically-actuated fairing mechanisms are included to hold together a first fairing half and a second fairing half, and separate the first fairing half from the second fairing half using a spring force. In further implementations, one fairing half includes a tab feature configured to overlap a second fairing half. The tab feature can deform inward under a pressure differential between an exterior and a payload envelope to reduce a gap between the two fairing halves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for a switchable valve drive component, including a first locking body and a second locking body which can be brought into engagement with one another or out of engagement in order to couple to one another or to uncouple two component parts arranged movably with respect to one another, wherein at least one of the two locking bodies has at least one curved surface. In order to increase the wear resistance of the locking device, provision is made for at least one of the two locking bodies to have a plurality of curved surfaces of which the respective curvature is described by radii of identical length having constructional center points spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A diffractive biosensor for selective detection of biomolecules includes a substrate and a flat waveguide disposed on the substrate. The waveguide has an optical grating configured to couple incident light into the waveguide such that the light is guided through the waveguide to a detection region located behind an edge of the waveguide. The in-coupling efficiency and intensity of the light arriving in the detection region are dependent on a surface coverage of the optical grating with the biomolecules to be detected. The optical grating has receptors for the biomolecules periodically arranged on the waveguide. The light incident on the optical grating is collimated.

Abstract: A clip for a switchable roller finger follower that includes a retainer for a hydraulic lash adjuster, and an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of a coupling pin is provided. The clip includes a first leg arranged adjacent to a dome-shaped recess on a bottom surface of an outer lever of the switchable roller finger follower that includes a retainer for the hydraulic lash adjuster, and a second leg of the clip includes an anti-rotation bar that extends laterally across a part of the coupling pin and prevents rotation of the coupling pin. A switchable finger follower with the clip is also provided.

Abstract: A clip for a switchable roller finger follower that includes a retainer for a hydraulic lash adjuster, and an anti-rotation feature that prevents rotation of a coupling pin is provided. The clip includes a first leg arranged adjacent to a dome-shaped recess on a bottom surface of an outer lever of the switchable roller finger follower that includes a retainer for the hydraulic lash adjuster, and a second leg of the clip includes an anti-rotation bar that extends laterally across a part of the coupling pin and prevents rotation of the coupling pin. A switchable finger follower with the clip is also provided.

Abstract: A double-flow hydraulic support element for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. A piston is arranged in an axial bore of the housing of the support element in an axially movable manner, and the piston includes a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a cup-shaped working part. A head of the pressure part is used as a support for the finger lever and projects beyond the housing edge, and an opening for the flow of a hydraulic medium is formed in the end face of the head. The housing has a first passage and a second passage axially spaced from the first passage for the hydraulic medium. The support element has a hydraulic play compensation device with a ball non-return valve for the finger lever.

Abstract: A double-flow hydraulic support element for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. A piston is arranged in an axial bore of the housing of the support element in an axially movable manner, and the piston includes a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a cup-shaped working part. A head of the pressure part is used as a support for the finger lever and projects beyond the housing edge, and an opening for the flow of a hydraulic medium is formed in the end face of the head. The housing has a first passage and a second passage axially spaced from the first passage for the hydraulic medium. The support element has a hydraulic play compensation device with a ball non-return valve for the finger lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for a switchable valve drive component, including a first locking body and a second locking body which can be brought into engagement with one another or out of engagement in order to couple to one another or to uncouple two component parts arranged movably with respect to one another, wherein at least one of the two locking bodies has at least one curved surface. In order to increase the wear resistance of the locking device, provision is made for at least one of the two locking bodies to have a plurality of curved surfaces of which the respective curvature is described by radii of identical length having constructional center points spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making an absorbent structure, an absorbent core and a wrapsheet are arranged in an unwrapped configuration with a first face of the absorbent core facing a first face of the wrapsheet, and with the absorbent core disposed laterally between laterally opposite side margins of the wrapsheet such that the side margins of the wrapsheet extend laterally outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent core. Gas is directed to flow over the first and second faces of the wrapsheet at the lateral side margins thereof in a direction which moves the lateral side margins of the wrapsheet from the unwrapped configuration around the side edges of the absorbent core and over at least a portion of the second face of the absorbent core to define a wrapped configuration of the wrapsheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for scarfing a fibrous web includes a rotatable scarfing roll with vacuum ports and an air moving source in fluid communication with the vacuum ports. The rotatable scarfing roll has a core member which includes a plurality of scarfing elements connected thereto and vacuum ports located therein. A method for scarfing a fibrous web includes providing a rotatable scarfing roll with vacuum ports and reducing scarfing wind by applying vacuum to the vacuum ports. A method for producing absorbent articles includes providing a fibrous web, contacting the fibrous web with a rotatable scarfing roll with vacuum ports to remove a portion of the fibrous web, applying vacuum to the vacuum ports to reduce scarfing wind, and producing an absorbent article with the fibrous web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for forming a fibrous web (50) includes a movable, foraminous forming surface (22) and a substantially stationary, vacuum-commutator duct system (24) which is located substantially subjacent the forming surface (22). The vacuum-commutator duct system (24) has an entrance opening (26) that changes in configuration along a longitudinal dimension (30) of the entrance opening (26).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for scarfing a fibrous web (22) can include a scarfing housing (24) which has been provided with a web entrance portion (26), a web exit portion (28), a discharge conduit (30), and an air flow inlet (32, 54). A rotatable scarfing roll (34) can be located in the scarfing housing (24), and in a particular feature, the discharge conduit (30) can be configured with a distinctive conduit angle (36).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for forming a fibrous web (50) includes a movable, foraminous forming surface (22) and a substantially stationary, vacuum-commutator duct system (24) which is located substantially subjacent the forming surface (22). The vacuum-commutator duct system (24) has an entrance opening (26) that changes in configuration along a longitudinal dimension (30) of the entrance opening (26).

Abstract: Methods and systems for making an absorbent pad for use in an absorbent article utilize a forming device for forming material into an absorbent core, a supply device for supplying a containment layer against the first surface of the absorbent core and spray apparatus for spraying fibers of molten resin onto the second surface of the absorbent core. The fibers form a stabilization layer on the absorbent core that increases the integrity of the absorbent core. The spray apparatus includes a nozzle having a resin aperture for exhausting resin therefrom and multiple gas apertures for exhausting gas therefrom to provide a random pattern to the fibers of molten resin as the fibers are sprayed onto the second surface. Resin can also be sprayed onto first and second portions of the containment layer extending outwardly from edges of the absorbent core so the containment layer and the stabilization layer encompass the absorbent core.