Abstract: The present application relates to substituted coumarin derivatives and their uses as fluorescent labels. These compounds may be used as fluorescent labels for nucleotides in nucleic acid sequencing applications.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) preparing a bulk polymerization system including a reactive polymer by introducing a lanthanide-based catalyst and a conjugated diene monomer; (ii) adding a heterocyclic nitrile compound the polymerization system including the reactive polymer to prepare polymerization system including a functionalized polymer; and (iii) adding a protic compound to the polymerization system including a functionalized polymer where the ratio of water or protic hydrogen atoms in the protic compound to the lanthanide atoms in the lanthanide-based catalyst is at least 1500 to 1.

Abstract: A method for producing polyisoprene, the method comprising the steps of preparing a preformed lanthanide-based catalyst in the presence of 1,3-butadiene and forming a polymerization mixture by introducing the preformed catalyst to isoprene, where the polymerization mixture includes less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based upon the total weight of the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling the processing of thermoplastics. The system includes a graphical interface and a server attached to the equipment in the cubing process. The interface includes a depiction of the equipment in the cubing process. A touch screen interface allows the user to control the equipment in the cubing process. In addition, information from the equipment is transmitted to the interface and conveyed to the user either through visual displays (e.g. numerical or graphical) or auditory signals (e.g. alarms or status beeps). The server may include software used to monitor the feed rate into the cuber with a modified proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithm in which the prime feedback input is a real-time electrical consumption signal derived from the motor driving the cuber.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the temperature of dies during the processing of thermoplastics. A non-contact infrared remote sensor is configured to remotely monitor each die of a cuber extruder. The face of the cuber dies is divided into four quadrants. A sensor is aimed at the center of mass of each quadrant. The selected sensors are equipped with lenses that have an active sensing area that includes the entire surface of the quadrant, but none of the area of the adjacent quadrants. The signal from each sensor is sent to a temperature controller co-processor directly linked to an industrial control computer. The co-processor executes a modified proportional integral derivative algorithm with the response limits tuned to respond specifically to the thermal inertial factors represented by the cuber die ring and the material being cubed. In addition to the remote sensors, additional infrared or ultrasound sensors are used to insure that the air space between the sensors and the dies is unobstructed.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling the processing of thermoplastics. The system includes a graphical interface and a server attached to the equipment in the cubing process. The interface includes a depiction of the equipment in the cubing process. A touch screen interface allows the user to control the equipment in the cubing process. In addition, information from the equipment is transmitted to the interface and conveyed to the user either through visual (e.g. numerical or graphical) or auditory (e.g. alarms or status beeps) means. The server may include software used to monitor the feed rate into the cuber with a modified proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithm in which the prime feedback input is a real-time electrical consumption signal derived from the motor driving the cuber.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling the feedstock during the processing of thermoplastics. The hardware of the present invention includes at least a sensor which outputs a signal proportional to the current drawn by main drive motor of the cuber, a programmable logic controller (PLC) which has a high calculation speed, and a variable speed drive (VSD) which is configured to stop, start, accelerate or decelerate the feedstock flow to the cuber based on instructions received from the PLC. The configuration of the present invention is such that the information provided to the PLC approximates real-time load information. The software used to monitor the feed rate into the cuber uses a modified proportional integral derivative (PID) algorithm in which the prime feedback input is a real-time electrical consumption signal derived from the motor driving the cuber. Because the torque required to process non-uniform feedstock varies widely, the system uses a two-stage feedback modulated loop.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the temperature of dies during the processing of thermoplastics. A non-contact infrared remote sensor is configured to remotely monitor each die of a cuber extruder. The face of the cuber dies is divided into four quadrants. A sensor is aimed at the center of mass of each quadrant. The selected sensors are equipped with lenses that have an active sensing area that includes the entire surface of the quadrant, but none of the area of the adjacent quadrants. The signal from each sensor is sent to a temperature controller co-processor directly linked to an industrial control computer. The co-processor executes a modified proportional integral derivative algorithm with the response limits tuned to respond specifically to the thermal inertial factors represented by the cuber die ring and the material being cubed. In addition to the remote sensors, additional infrared or ultrasound sensors are used to insure that the air space between the sensors and the dies is unobstructed.

Abstract: A method and facility for conducting consumer product research, including the steps of configuring a mock environment so as to test a product in a desired context, placing at least one consumer within the mock environment for testing the product, and collecting information during testing of the product. The facility further includes an area for remotely controlling the information collecting means, as well as at least one area for directly observing the mock environment. The mock environment typically simulates one or more rooms in a house, but can be configured to simulate other places where consumer activity takes place such as a store. The facility is also able to be configured for the demographics of a particular consumer panel, hosting a specified event, and testing a prototype device.