Abstract: A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions for making nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers, or combinations thereof. Also described herein are methods for making nanofibers and nanofilms where the fibers are formed from a solution having more than one solvent, where the solvents are immiscible. Nanofibers and nanofilms composed of metal oxides, organic polymers or combinations thereof are described. Finally, methods for using the nanofibers and nanofilms are described.

Abstract: A method of making below 250-nm UV light transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals includes applying heat along a shortest path of conduction of a selected optical fluoride crystal, heating the optical fluoride crystal to an annealing temperature, holding the temperature of the optical fluoride crystal at the annealing temperature, and gradually cooling the optical fluoride crystal to provide a low-birefringence optical fluoride crystal for transmitting below 250-nm UV light.

Abstract: A method of making below 250-nm UV light transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals includes applying heat along a shortest path of conduction of a selected optical fluoride crystal, heating the optical fluoride crystal to an annealing temperature, holding the temperature of the optical fluoride crystal at the annealing temperature, and gradually cooling the optical fluoride crystal to provide a low-birefringence optical fluoride crystal for transmitting below 250-nm UV light.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical fluoride crystal includes translating a crucible containing a molten crystal raw material from a first zone, through a thermally-graded zone, into a second zone to form a crystal and controlling a temperature of at least one of the first zone and the second zone such that an effective radial temperature gradient at a point in the thermally-graded zone where the crystal is formed does not exceed 5° C./cm.

Abstract: The invention provides a scatter-free below 200 nm wavelength transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystal for use with below 200 nm laser light. The invention includes making below 200 nm wavelength transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals with a calcium fluoride feedstock in a low-chlorine graphite optical fluoride crystal crucible having a chlorine content concentration less than 0.3 ppm Cl by weight. The method includes melting calcium fluoride feedstock in the <0.3 ppm Cl graphite crucible to form a low-chlorine calcium fluoride crystal from the melt in the crucible to provide a grown calcium fluoride scatter-free crystal having a chlorine concentration less than 0.25 Cl by weight.

Abstract: A birefringence minimizing fluoride crystal vacuum ultraviolet (“VUV”) optical lithography lens element is provided for use with lithography wavelengths<230 nm. The VUV lithography lens element has an optical axis encompassed by a lens perimeter with the fluoride crystal lens having a variation in crystallographic orientation direction which tilts away from the optical center axis towards the lens perimeter to provide minimal birefringence. The invention includes a birefringence minimizing fluoride crystal optical lithography lens blank with a variation in crystallographic orientation direction across the blank.

Abstract: A method for producing below 200 nm transmitting optical fluoride crystals includes loading a fluoride raw material into a vertical stack having at least 6 crystal growth chambers, heating the vertical stack to a temperature sufficient to maintain the fluoride raw material in a molten condition, applying a crystal growth thermal gradient to the vertical stack to form optical fluoride crystals within the molten fluoride raw material, and cooling the crystals.

Abstract: A method for producing below 200 nm transmitting optical fluoride crystals includes loading a fluoride raw material into a vertical stack having at least 6 crystal growth chambers, heating the vertical stack to a temperature sufficient to maintain the fluoride raw material in a molten condition, applying a crystal growth thermal gradient to the vertical stack to form optical fluoride crystals within the molten fluoride raw material, and cooling the crystals.