Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: A dental surface tracer includes a probe with a tip that can be moved to trace a given dental surface, including a mounting device for mounting the tracer to a stable reference location and defining a base plane; a first plurality of links which are substantially coplanar and define a plane of movement; the links being pivotably attached to the mounting device so that the plane of movement makes a variable angle with the base plane; a distal one of the first plurality of links being movable in two dimensions within the plane of movement; circuitry for generating electrical signals representative of movements of the probe tip, as a function exclusively of movements of the first plurality of links; a dental handpiece supporting the probe; and a second plurality of links which hold the handpiece and are attached to the first plurality of links; the second plurality of links holding the probe tip at all times at a fixed location in the plane of movement with respect to the distal link of the first plurality of li

Abstract: A method of producing a nonlinear optical film from a lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer by diluting the polymer with a dopant to form a concentrated mixture. The concentrated mixture is filtered in a high pressure filtration cell and vacuum degassed. Thin film are formed on plates and are coagulated in water. The thin films are supported on a microporous membrane support and then air dried.

Abstract: A survivability enhancement system includes first separable fastener structure fixed on the surface of the vehicle or system whose survivability is to be enhanced, and an array of armor tiles. The armor tiles provide a composite supplementary layer of armor that maintains attachment at effective levels even as armor tiles are subjected to large shear forces (for example, upon ballistic impact and shattering of an adjacent tile) and that has effective force dissipation characteristics. Each armor tile has opposed surfaces with second separable fastener structure complementary to the first separable fastener structure secured to one of its surfaces, one of the separable fastener structures having a multiplicity of projecting hooking elements and the cooperating fastener structure having complementary structure that is releasably interengageable with the hooking elements.

Abstract: A process for surface modifying skinless hydrophilic microporous membrane having an internal microstructure throughout said membrane and a surface modifying amount of surface modifying agent bound thereto without substantial pore reduction of pore blockage involves the steps of providing a dope solution of a membrane forming polymer in a solvent system comprising a mixture of at least one solvent and one non-solvent for the polymer, and a membrane surface modifying agent, and combining said dope solution with sufficient additional non-solvent for the polymer to precipitate said membrane from said dope solution.

Abstract: A process for the cross-flow filtration of a liquid comprising circulating the liquid tangential to a charge modified organic polymeric microporous filter membrane. Preferably, the membrane comprises an organic polymeric microporous filter membrane which has a micro-structure throughout the membrane and an amount of a charge modifying agent bound to substantially all of the membrance micro-structure without substantial pore size reduction or pore blockage.The process may be used for the filtration of liquids, particularly parenteral or biological liquids contaminated with charged particulate and for plasmapheresis, particularly in the form of hollow fiber tubes.

Abstract: A separable fastener system has a first separable member that includes a series of metal hook sheets disposed in stacked relation that defines an array of hook elements on its broad surface. Each hook sheet is a planar metal member of uniform thickness and has a body portion with a series of hook elements formed along one edge of the body. Each hook element includes a stem portion, a deflecting surface portion, and a latch portion. Metal spacer sheets are disposed between the hook sheets and may be varied in thickness and in number to control the density of the hook elements on the broad surface of the first fastener member. The hook and spacer sheets are secured together in stacked relation.

Abstract: A novel hydrophilic anionic charge modified microporous filter membrane is provided comprising an organic polymeric microporous filter membrane having a micro-structure throughout the membrane and a modifying amount of an anionic charge modifying agent bound to substantially all of the membrane micro-structure without substantial pore size reduction or pore blockage.The invention is further directed to a process for anionically charge modifying an organic polymeric microporous filter membrane by applying to the membrane the charge modifying agent, preferably, by contacting the membrane with a solution of the charge modifying agent.The anionic modified microporous membrane of this invention may be used for the filtration of fluids, particularly parenteral or biological liquids contaminated with charged particulates, and for plasmapheresis, particularly in the form of hollow fiber tubes. The membrane has low extractables and is sanitizable or sterilizable.

Abstract: A molecular separation chromotography column for effecting the differential distribution, between two phases, of the components of a sample flowing therethrough. The column contains a substantially homogeneous solid stationary phase which comprises a porous matrix of fiber having particulate immobilized therein, wherein at least one of said fiber or particulate is effective for molecular separation. The column is characterized by a reduced pressure drop, increased axial dispersion, more uniform peak shapes and better separations at high sample loading.