Abstract: A method of increasing the interference contrast in interferometric scattering optical microscopy. The method comprises providing a particle detection region comprising a chamber or channel having a boundary defined by one or more interfaces, illuminating a particle in the particle detection region with coherent light using an objective lens such that the light is reflected from the interface and scattered by the particle, capturing the reflected light and the scattered light using the objective lens, and providing the captured reflected and scattered light to an imaging device to image interference between the reflected light and the scattered light. The particle is illuminated by coherent light at an oblique angle to the interface.

Abstract: A beverage preparation capsule containing a beverage preparation ingredient, having a body with side walls formed from one or more substantially air- and liquid-impermeable sheet materials defining a chamber containing a beverage preparation ingredient and further defining an outlet channel having an upstream end in fluid communication with the chamber for escape of beverage from the chamber. At least a region of the outlet channel is filled by a filtration material for filtering the beverage escaping from the chamber. Also provided is a clamp assembly for preparing a beverage from such a capsule, the clamp assembly comprising two or more clamp members, wherein an inner wall of at least one of the clamp members comprises a concave base surface for receiving the capsule and one or more pressure pads projecting from the concave base surface for selectively constricting a region of the capsule.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertains to methods for controlling adhesive bondline while cold-bending a glass substrate. The method includes forming a frame to define a viewing area at least partially surrounded by the frame; shaping the frame to include at least one curvature; positioning a spacer proximate the frame, the spacer comprising: a border area; and a protrusion extending from the border area; engaging the border area of the spacer with the frame to insert the protrusion through the viewing area, wherein the protrusion extends beyond the frame a first distance; positioning an adhesive between the frame and the glass substrate alongside the protrusion to control the bondline; engaging a glass substrate with the adhesive and the protrusion to cold form the glass substrate to the shape of the frame; and securing the glass substrate to the spacer to hold the frame against the adhesive to maintain the bondline.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertains to methods for controlling adhesive bondline while cold-bending a glass substrate. The method includes forming a frame to define a viewing area at least partially surrounded by the frame; shaping the frame to include at least one curvature; positioning a spacer proximate the frame, the spacer comprising: a border area; and a protrusion extending from the border area; engaging the border area of the spacer with the frame to insert the protrusion through the viewing area, wherein the protrusion extends beyond the frame a first distance; positioning an adhesive between the frame and the glass substrate alongside the protrusion to control the bondline; engaging a glass substrate with the adhesive and the protrusion to cold form the glass substrate to the shape of the frame; and securing the glass substrate to the spacer to hold the frame against the adhesive to maintain the bondline.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a vacuum chuck. The vacuum chuck includes a forming surface having a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a curved region. The first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end define a longitudinal axis, and the curved region defines a radius of curvature along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of elongate grooves are formed into the forming surface in the curved region. Each elongate groove of the plurality of elongate grooves has a length, a width, and a depth extending into the forming surface. The length of each elongate groove is greater than the width. At least one conduit is configured for connection to a vacuum source and is disposed beneath the forming surface. The at least one conduit extends transversely across the plurality of elongate grooves, and the at least one conduit is in fluid communication with the plurality of elongate grooves.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to vacuum forming methods, apparatuses and resulting displays that represent improvements in various key areas. The methods, for example, greatly improve manufacturing throughput through reduced curing times. The methods further facilitate improved control of glass shape to a targeted shape and improved control of bond line thickness, which result in improved survivability and long-term reliability, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the edge strength of a discrete sheet of material such as glass where the sheet has an irregular free-form shaped outline is disclosed. The apparatus can include a plurality of assemblies configured for selectively applying a 3-point bending load on an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, a detection mechanism that optically measures strain in the sheet of material in the region, and a processor that determines the stress in the sheet based on the measured strain by calculating the stress that would be required to produce the measured strain in the sheet of material.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a sheet of brittle material is disclosed. The apparatus can include a plurality of assemblies configured for selectively applying a 3-point bending load on an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, a detection mechanism that optically measures strain in the sheet of material in the region, and a processor that determines the stress in the sheet based on the measured strain by calculating the stress that would be required to produce the measured strain in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of cold-forming a glass article are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes bending a glass sheet over the chuck such that a first major surface of the glass sheets conforms to a bending surface of the chuck. In one or more embodiments, the method includes adhering a frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet such that at least one spacer is positioned between the glass sheet and the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of cold-forming a glass article are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes bending a glass sheet over the chuck such that a first major surface of the glass sheets conforms to a bending surface of the chuck. In one or more embodiments, the method includes adhering a frame to the second major surface of the glass sheet such that at least one spacer is positioned between the glass sheet and the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for cold-shaping a glass sheet that includes: a plurality of vacuum chucks configured within a moveable table; a first automated pick mechanism proximate the table; an automated dispensing mechanism proximate the table; and a pressing apparatus. The first pick mechanism is configured to shape a glass sheet onto one of the chucks. The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense a curable adhesive onto the glass sheet or a frame. One of the first pick mechanism and the dispensing mechanism is configured to position the frame onto the glass sheet such that the adhesive is disposed between the glass sheet and the frame. The pressing apparatus is configured to press the frame and the adhesive onto the glass sheet to define a finished glass sheet assembly. The glass sheet is bendable at ambient temperature. Methods for cold-shaping a glass sheet are also included in the disclosure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to vacuum forming methods, apparatuses and resulting displays that represent improvements in various key areas. The methods, for example, greatly improve manufacturing throughput through reduced curing times. The methods further facilitate improved control of glass shape to a targeted shape and improved control of bond line thickness, which result in improved survivability and long-term reliability, for example.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include executing, by a server-side hosted environment, a first application non-native to the server-side hosted environment, the executing comprising virtualizing hardware for the server-side hosted environment that supports the execution of the first application in the server-side hosted environment, receiving, by the server-side hosted environment by way of a network, an input data stream from a second application executing on a computing device, processing, by the server-side hosted environment and by the first application while executing in the virtualized hardware, the input data stream, the processing generating an output data stream, and outputting, by the server-side hosted environment and to the computing device by way of the network, the output data stream for use by the second application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a sheet of brittle material is disclosed. The apparatus can include a plurality of assemblies configured for selectively applying a 3-point bending load on an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, a detection mechanism that optically measures strain in the sheet of material in the region, and a processor that determines the stress in the sheet based on the measured strain by calculating the stress that would be required to produce the measured strain in the sheet of material.

Abstract: A method of adaptively sampling data to determine the start of injection in a solenoid actuated valve of a fluid injector includes, in an operating cycle or portion thereof of the valve, sampling the signal of current through a solenoid of the valve at sampling points having a pre-defined interval therebetween. At each sampling point, determining the value of the first derivative of current and detecting the sampling point at which the first derivative achieves a maximum as the start of injection. Values of the first derivative of the sampling points immediately preceding and immediately following the start of injection are determined. In a subsequent operating cycle, synchronisation of sampling is altered to shift sampling times depending on the values of the first derivative of the sampling points immediately preceding and immediately following the start of injection.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure pertains to methods for controlling adhesive bondline while cold-bending a glass substrate. The method includes forming a frame to define a viewing area at least partially surrounded by the frame; shaping the frame to include at least one curvature; positioning a spacer proximate the frame, the spacer comprising: a border area; and a protrusion extending from the border area; engaging the border area of the spacer with the frame to insert the protrusion through the viewing area, wherein the protrusion extends beyond the frame a first distance; positioning an adhesive between the frame and the glass substrate alongside the protrusion to control the bondline; engaging a glass substrate with the adhesive and the protrusion to cold form the glass substrate to the shape of the frame; and securing the glass substrate to the spacer to hold the frame against the adhesive to maintain the bondline.

Abstract: An apparatus for cold-shaping a glass sheet that includes: a plurality of vacuum chucks configured within a moveable table; a first automated pick mechanism proximate the table; an automated dispensing mechanism proximate the table; and a pressing apparatus. The first pick mechanism is configured to shape a glass sheet onto one of the chucks. The dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense a curable adhesive onto the glass sheet or a frame. One of the first pick mechanism and the dispensing mechanism is configured to position the frame onto the glass sheet such that the adhesive is disposed between the glass sheet and the frame. The pressing apparatus is configured to press the frame and the adhesive onto the glass sheet to define a finished glass sheet assembly. The glass sheet is bendable at ambient temperature. Methods for cold-shaping a glass sheet are also included in the disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a vacuum chuck. The vacuum chuck includes a forming surface having a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, and a curved region. The first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end define a longitudinal axis, and the curved region defines a radius of curvature along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of elongate grooves are formed into the forming surface in the curved region. Each elongate groove of the plurality of elongate grooves has a length, a width, and a depth extending into the forming surface. The length of each elongate groove is greater than the width. At least one conduit is configured for connection to a vacuum source and is disposed beneath the forming surface. The at least one conduit extends transversely across the plurality of elongate grooves, and the at least one conduit is in fluid communication with the plurality of elongate grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the edge strength of a discrete sheet of material such as glass where the sheet has an irregular free-form shaped outline is disclosed. The apparatus can include a plurality of assemblies configured for selectively applying a 3-point bending load on an edge of the sheet of material in a test region of the apparatus, a detection mechanism that optically measures strain in the sheet of material in the region, and a processor that determines the stress in the sheet based on the measured strain by calculating the stress that would be required to produce the measured strain in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for measuring electrostatic charge on a surface of a substrate. The apparatuses comprise a substrate mounting platform, a substrate contacting component, and at least one voltage sensor, wherein the apparatus is programmed to independently control the rotational and translation velocity of a roller and/or to measure a voltage of the substrate at multiple points to produce a two-dimensional map of voltage for at least a portion of the substrate.