Abstract: An antimicrobial spray composition is disclosed, forming a protective film on surfaces when dried. The protective film provides antimicrobial protection by killing at least 95% of microorganisms in <30 minutes of exposure. The spray composition comprises a sulfonated polymer selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed. The face mask includes a mask pad adapted to cover a nose and a mouth of a wearer and allows a passage of air therethrough to the wearer and restricts a passage of microbes. The mask pad has at least a surface protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer for killing at least 90% microbes within 120 minutes of contact with at least a surface of the face mask. The sulfonated polymeric layer consists essentially of a sulfonated polymer, the sulfonated polymer being selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A frequently-touched surface for use by multiple users includes a surface protected by a laminate structure. The laminate structure includes a self-sterilizing sulfonated polymeric outer layer, sulfonated to a certain % to kill at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The self-sterilizing sulfonated polymer layer can be applied to the frequently touched surface by any of coating, lamination, and spraying. The sulfonated polymer in embodiment is selected from perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof. The sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of at least 10%.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to laminate structures to cover or protect substrates or surfaces. The laminate structure comprises a support layer and a self-sterilizing/antimicrobial layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, capable of killing microbes within minutes and for an extended period of time. The sulfonated polymer has a sufficient degree of sulfonation to kill in less than 120 minutes at least 90% of microbes in contact with the surfaces, and for extended protection of the surfaces for at least one month. The laminate structure is particularly suitable for protecting high-touch surfaces such as door knobs, touch-screens, tables, as well as for use with facemasks, face shields, or as self-sterilizing wraps for surgical instruments and supplies. The laminates can also be used as garments or to cover/protect personnel having contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: An air conditioning (AC) system is provided, employing a sulfonated copolymer (SC) layer as a selectively permeable and ion exchanging membrane. The sulfonated block copolymer has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq/g. In embodiments, the sulfonated block copolymer is used to form the membrane itself, or bonded/coated onto a membrane or a foam. In embodiments, the AC employs a membrane electrode assembly, i.e., using electric field across a membrane in a dehumidifier to transport moisture generating a dry air stream, along with an evaporative cooler for latent heat removal via evaporation induced cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier. The system operates as a closed loop wherein the room air after cooling is recycled or loop back to the dehumidifying membrane electrode assembly to generate dry air for the evaporative cooler, generating conditioned air.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to bio-secure equipment for protecting surfaces prone to exposure to microbes. The bio-secure equipment is for the protection of surfaces, with a coating layer comprising a sulfonated polymer, having a sufficient degree of sulfonation to kill in less than 120 minutes at least 90% of microbes in contact with the surfaces, and for extended protection of the surfaces for at least a month. The coating material is particularly suitable to provide bio-secure protection for applications including but not limited to protective facemasks, surgical instruments and supplies, garments, surfaces frequently used by members of the public that may have contagious diseases, etc., to decrease the transmission of microbes.

Abstract: An apparatus, computer program, and method are provided for displaying a configuration of a communications network as an overlay on another configuration. A network model is stored that represents a first configuration of a communications network. Further, one or more changes to the first configuration are identified that represent a second configuration of the communications network. The second configuration of the communications network is displayed as an overlay on the first configuration of the communications network to show the one or more changes in connection with the first configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to films such as membranes and coatings and to coated articles. The films comprise a combination of at least one elastomeric styrenic block copolymer which is optionally functionalized with functional groups different from sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, and at least one sulfonated block copolymer. Films comprising the optionally functionalized block copolymer(s) and the additional sulfonated block copolymer(s) are elastic and are moisture-vapor permeable, and thus useful as coatings in breathable clothing and footwear, industrial workwear including cleanroom coveralls, in medical applications such as wound dressings and protective clothing, for bed sheets and mattress or seat covers, and other non-apparel applications.

Abstract: An external fixation system for adjusting a load occurring at a joint connecting a first bone to a second bone. The external fixation system includes a first bone clamp to connect to the first bone, a second bone clamp to connect to the second bone, and a pivot assembly to operatively connect the first bone clamp and to the second bone clamp. The pivot assembly includes a first pivot body pivotably coupled to a second pivot body at a pivot axis, wherein one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body with respect to the other of the first pivot body and the second pivot body at other than the pivot axis.

Abstract: An external fixation system for adjusting a load occurring at a joint connecting a first bone to a second bone. The external fixation system includes a first bone clamp to connect to the first bone, a second bone clamp to connect to the second bone, and a pivot assembly to operatively connect the first bone clamp and to the second bone clamp. The pivot assembly includes a first pivot body pivotably coupled to a second pivot body at a pivot axis, wherein one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the position of one of the first pivot body and the second pivot body with respect to the other of the first pivot body and the second pivot body at other than the pivot axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to films such as membranes and coatings and to coated articles. The films comprise a combination of at least one elastomeric styrenic block copolymer which is optionally functionalized with functional groups different from sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, and at least one sulfonated block copolymer. Films comprising the optionally functionalized block copolymer(s) and the additional sulfonated block copolymer(s) are elastic and are moisture-vapor permeable, and thus useful as coatings in breathable clothing and footwear, industrial workwear including cleanroom coveralls, in medical applications such as wound dressings and protective clothing, for bed sheets and mattress or seat covers, and other non-apparel applications.

Abstract: An uncooled infrared sensor can be used for a plurality of applications such as fire fighting, surveilling a border or any desired area, and limb sounding. The uncooled infrared sensor includes manually or automatically adjustable optics that receive an electromagnetic signal, focus the electromagnetic signal and provide a focused electromagnetic signal to a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a plurality of detector devices disposed in rows and columns to form the focal plane array. Each detector device is constructed so as to have a reduced pitch and provide a maximum number of detectors within a minimum square area of the focal plane array. Each detector device detects the focused electromagnetic signal incident upon it, converts the focused electromagnetic signal into a sensed signal and outputs the sensed signal so that the focal plane array provides a plurality of sensed signals.

Abstract: A process and system for a medium wave infrared (MWIR) uncooled microbolometer focal plane array (FPA). One embodiment is for a single MWIR band uncooled IR detector, wherein the design and fabrication utilizes standard silicon processing techniques reducing manufacturing costs and preserving existing manufacturing capabilities. Another embodiment is a two color uncooled microbolometer IR detector providing broadband detection.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping datasources in a metadata model that provides datasource connections that are structurally isolated from the metadata model and which incorporate physical datasource addressing information for mapping a logical datasource structured within the metadata model to a particular physical datasource “on-the-fly”, and in a run-time environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, security can be implemented to limit user access leveraging an organization's security regime.

Abstract: A process and system for a medium wave infrared (MWIR) uncooled microbolometer focal plane array (FPA). One embodiment is for a single MWIR band uncooled IR detector, wherein the design and fabrication utilizes standard silicon processing techniques reducing manufacturing costs and preserving existing manufacturing capabilities. Another embodiment is a two color uncooled microbolometer IR detector providing broadband detection.

Abstract: An uncooled infrared sensor can be used for a plurality of applications such as fire fighting, surveilling a border or any desired area, and limb sounding. The uncooled infrared sensor includes manually or automatically adjustable optics that receive an electromagnetic signal, focus the electromagnetic signal and provide a focused electromagnetic signal to a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a plurality of detector devices disposed in rows and columns to form the focal plane array. Each detector device is constructed so as to have a reduced pitch and provide a maximum number of detectors within a minimum square area of the focal plane array. Each detector device detects the focused electromagnetic signal incident upon it, converts the focused electromagnetic signal into a sensed signal and outputs the sensed signal so that the focal plane array provides a plurality of sensed signals.

Abstract: A “RED e” cleat is a disposable, self-adhesive, all-surface footwear cleat having a non-skid gripping surface, designed to address all sport, game, play and work foot-traction requirements. The “RED e” cleat replaces the need for specialty footwear, which incorporates permanently implanted or attached devices for affixing traction gear to the underside of shoes. The cleats attach simply and quickly to the sole and heel area of any footwear. Removal of the cleat is also simple. By sliding a flat-edged tool between the cleat and the surface of the footwear to break the seal, the cleat will peel away leaving the footwear ready for other uses.

Abstract: A radiation-absorbing polymeric material comprises units of a polymerizable UV-absorbing compound and a monomer, and is capable of absorbing UV radiation, and at least about 50 percent of light having wavelengths in the range from about 400 nm to about 425 nm. The radiation-absorbing polymeric material can further comprise units of a crosslinking agent. Ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, corneal rings, corneal inlays, keratoprostheses, and intraocular lenses, are made from such polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention enhances business intelligence systems by allowing both report authors and consumers (users of reports) operating in their individual choice of interface language to have full access to content (data) in that language, or in any one of a number of languages. This functionality is provided by the inclusion of at least two locales. The invention provides for defining locale mappings, mapping a locale from an unsupported locale to supported locale, defaulting to a valid locale for users with incomplete or invalid locale specifications, and for specifying object names, descriptions, and tips in multiple languages.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping datasources in a metadata model that provides datasource connections that are structurally isolated from the metadata model and which incorporate physical datasource addressing information for mapping a logical datasource structured within the metadata model to a particular physical datasource “on-the-fly”, and in a run-time environment. In an embodiment of the present invention, security can be implemented to limit user access leveraging an organization's security regime.