Abstract: A reflective wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of wires 12 on a face of a substrate 11, with channels 15 between adjacent wires 12. The wires 12 can have certain characteristics for WGP performance, such as index of refraction, alternating high/low index continuous thin films, thickness of layer(s), duty cycle, reflective rib shape, a curved side of transparent ribs 21 or 32, aspect ratio, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A golf accessory tool is securable to a golf club and includes three panels that are attached to each other with two hinges. The panels rotate about the hinges between an open position for receiving a golf club and a closed position surrounding the golf club. Two of the panels can be secured to each other with a securing mechanism to attach the tool to the club in the closed position. The panels include recesses and cavities for receiving golf accessories, such as a divot repair tool and ball markers, with the accessories removably coupled to the tool. A golf grip includes a golf accessory portion at a proximal end of the grip that similarly includes recesses and cavities for receiving accessories and the accessories removably coupled to the grip.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for combining ablation therapy with navigation of the ablation device. An ablation system may be configured for use with one of two methods to prevent loss of navigation signals during ablation energy delivery. In the first method, ablation energy signals are filtered from the navigation signal. In the second method, the delivery of ablation energy is sequenced with the delivery of navigation energy such that ablation energy and navigation energy are not delivered at the same time and navigation signals received by the system are time-division multiplexed to reconstruct the navigation signals and determine a location of the device within the patient.

Abstract: A metasurface optical device can include an array of pillars 13 on a first-side 11f of a substrate 11 aligned with an aperture 15 of, or proximate to, a blocking-layer 12. The blocking-layer 12 can located on the first-side 11f of the substrate 11, on a second-side 11s of the substrate 11 opposite of the first-side 11f, or both. The blocking-layer 12 can prevent light from transmitting through the device in undesirable locations. The blocking-layer 12 can be opaque to incident light and can include an absorptive-layer. Thus, the blocking-layer 12 can have dual functions—blocking and absorbing light.

Abstract: A mix chamber for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and emit a spray of a resulting plural component material. The mix chamber includes a chamber body extending between a first end and a second end and including flat lateral sides. A ramp feature is disposed proximate the first end and is configured to contact and push first and second side seals, respectively, away from a body axis as the mix chamber shifts in a first direction through a cartridge bore to increase a gap between the first side seal and the second side seal such that the first side seal engages the first flat lateral side and the second side seal engages the second flat lateral side.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of support-ribs on a substrate. Sides of the support-ribs can be inclined to one side. A wire can be applied on an upper-side and distal end of each support-rib, each wire being separate from wires on adjacent support-ribs. The WGP can be made with reduced or no etching.

Abstract: A method of making a polarizer can include applying a liquid with solid inorganic nanoparticles dispersed throughout a continuous phase, then forming this into a different phase including a solid, interconnecting network of the inorganic nanoparticles. This method can improve manufacturability and reducing manufacturing cost. This method can be used to provide an antireflective coating, to provide a protective coating on polarization structures, to provide thin films for optical properties, or to form the polarization structures themselves.

Abstract: An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of support-ribs on a substrate. Sides of the support-ribs can be inclined to one side. A wire can be applied on an upper-side and distal end of each support-rib, each wire being separate from wires on adjacent support-ribs. The WGP can be made with reduced or no etching.

Abstract: A method of making a polarizer can include applying a liquid with solid inorganic nanoparticles dispersed throughout a continuous phase, then forming this into a different phase including a solid, interconnecting network of the inorganic nanoparticles. This method can improve manufacturability and reducing manufacturing cost. This method can be used to provide an antireflective coating, to provide a protective coating on polarization structures, to provide thin films for optical properties, or to form the polarization structures themselves.

Abstract: A method for making a wire grid polarizer (WGP) can provide WGPs with high temperature resistance, robust wires, oxidation resistance, and corrosion protection. In one embodiment, the method can comprise: (a) providing an array of wires on a bottom protection layer; (b) applying a top protection layer on the wires, spanning channels between wires; then (c) applying an upper barrier-layer on the top protection layer and into the channels through permeable junctions in the top protection layer. In a variation of this embodiment, the method can further comprise applying a lower barrier-layer before applying the top protection layer. In another variation, the bottom protection layer and the top protection layer can include aluminum oxide. In another embodiment, the method can comprise applying on the WGP an amino phosphonate then a hydrophobic chemical.

Abstract: The reflective wire grid polarizers herein can withstand ultraviolet light without rapid degradation and can have high performance in the ultraviolet spectrum. In one example, each wire can include a metal layer, a pair of low index layers, a silicon layer, and a high index layer. The metal layer can be sandwiched between the pair of low index layers. The metal layer and the pair of low index layers can be sandwiched between the silicon layer and the high index layer. In another example, each wire can include a metal layer and a silicon layer. The silicon layer can be thicker than the metal layer. Thus, the silicon layer can be relatively thick, and can be the main polarizing component of the wire. The metal layer can be added for increased reflectance.

Abstract: A spray tip is configured to atomize thick, viscous fluids. The spray tip includes a pre-orifice piece having an inlet orifice that defines a first restriction in a fluid path through the spray tip. The spray tip also includes a tip piece having an outlet orifice that defines a second restriction in the fluid path. The first and second restrictions are the portions of the fluid path having the smallest flow areas. A cross-sectional area of the outlet orifice is greater than a cross-sectional area of the inlet orifice.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and purge air from the sprayer and provide the first and second component materials and purge air to a mix chamber for spraying. The fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body, material flowpaths extending from a second end to a cartridge bore, and a purge path extending from the second end to the cartridge bore. Fluid checks are disposed in the material flowpaths and purge path to prevent backflow out of the fluid cartridge. Side seals are disposed in the material paths and are pre-loaded to extend into the cartridge bore and engage a mix chamber within the cartridge bore.

Abstract: A fluid cartridge for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and purge air from the sprayer and provide the first and second component materials and purge air to a mix chamber for spraying. The fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body, material flowpaths extending from a second end to a cartridge bore, and a purge path extending from the second end to the cartridge bore. Fluid checks are disposed in the material flowpaths and purge path to prevent backflow out of the fluid cartridge. Side seals are disposed in the material paths and are pre-loaded to extend into the cartridge bore and engage a mix chamber within the cartridge bore.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of enhancing plant growth, comprising treating seed at least one month prior to planting with an effective amount of a plant signal molecule, wherein upon harvesting the plant exhibits at least one of increased plant yield measured in terms of bushels/acre, increased root number, increased root length, increased root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area, compared to plants harvested from untreated seed, or compared to plants harvested from seed treated with the signal molecule just prior to or within a week or less of planting.

Abstract: It would be advantageous to improve polarizer high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, optical properties, and etchability. Composite polarizer materials can be used to achieve this. A polarizer can comprise polarization structures configured for polarization of light. The polarization structures can include a reflective rib, the reflective rib being a composite of two different elements. The polarization structures can include an absorptive rib, the absorptive rib being a composite of two different elements. The polarizer can include a transparent layer, the transparent layer being a composite of two different elements.

Abstract: A reflective wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of wires 12 on a face of a substrate 11, with channels 15 between adjacent wires 12. The wires 12 can have certain characteristics for WGP performance, such as index of refraction, alternating high/low index continuous thin films, thickness of layer(s), duty cycle, reflective rib shape, a curved side of transparent ribs 21 or 32, aspect ratio, or combinations thereof.