Abstract: A dispersion of nanoplatelets or particles suspended in a carrier liquid is disclosed. The nanoplatelets or particles, e.g. graphene nanoplatelets, are derived from a layered material. The loading amount of nanoplatelets or particles in the dispersion is at least 20 mg nanoplatelets or particles per 1 ml of dispersion. The dispersion optionally further including a dispersant, the volume ratio of dispersant to the nanoplatelets or particles being less than 1:1. A process for manufacturing the dispersion includes mixing the carrier liquid and the nanoplatelets or particles under high shear conditions. The dispersion can be used as an ink system, as a functional additive within an ink, coating or adhesive formulation, and/or in the manufacture of a nanoplatelet-polymer composite or a particle-polymer composite.

Abstract: A filter cassette rack and tracks wherein the rack is a three dimensional rectangular rack having at least two opposing open sides, sealing and non-sealing support tracks span the rack providing filter cassette guides and sealing means for a plurality of filter cassettes.

Abstract: A filter cassette having opposing rectangular side panels with at least one pair of filter media containers there between wherein each filter media container has a pair of opposing rectangular end plates and a pair of opposing rectangular media screens, each pair of containers are in a “V” configuration with adjacent end plates having a unitary configuration and at least one media fill aperture for each media container on a non-sealing side of the filter cassette, outermost end plates on a sealing side of the filter cassettes extend between corners of opposing side panels forming a substantially smooth sealing surface, and a fill cap is attached to each unitary pair of end plates having media fill apertures enclosing the media fill apertures.

Abstract: A method of fusion splicing optical fibers with different diameters, comprising: (a) preheating for a predetermined period of time an end of a large-diameter optical fiber; (b) advancing relatively the small-diameter optical fiber toward large diameter fiber; (c) preheating for a predetermined period of time the ends of the both optical fibers; (d) advancing at least one of the optical fibers so that end faces of the optical fibers are brought into contact with each other; and (e) heating a predetermined period of time the faces of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A method of fusion splicing optical fibers with different diameters, comprising: (a) preheating for a predetermined period of time an end of a large-diameter optical fiber; (b) advancing relatively the small-diameter optical fiber toward large diameter fiber; (c) preheating for a predetermined period of time the ends of the both optical fibers; (d) advancing at least one of the optical fibers so that end faces of the optical fibers are brought into contact with each other; and (e) heating a predetermined period of time the faces of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Audio or video information is stored as data files in clusters or blocks of sectors on a magnetic disc. The data files are transferred from the disc drive to one or more buffers for respective data streaming applications. Optimal buffer size is calculated using operational parameters such as transfer rates and rotational latencies. The sectors are grouped in blocks having a size equivalent to, or slightly larger than, the size of an associated host buffer for the respective application to avoid fragmentation of the data used in each buffer fill, and thereby minimize the time required to fill the buffer from the disc drive.

Abstract: Audio or video information is stored as data files in clusters or blocks of sectors on a magnetic disc. The data files are transferred from the disc drive to one or more buffers for respective data streaming applications. Optimal buffer size is calculated using operational parameters such as transfer rates and rotational latencies. The sectors are grouped in blocks having a size equivalent to, or slightly larger than, the size of an associated host buffer for the respective application to avoid fragmentation of the data used in each buffer fill, and thereby minimize the time required to fill the buffer from the disc drive.