Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactant blends and cleaning compositions employing the same. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes an extended anionic surfactant with novel co-surfactants including one or more of an alkyl glycerol ether, an ethoxylated alkyl glycerol ether, an alcohol ethoxylate and/or a gemini surfactant. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.

Abstract: A furnace system includes a muffle defining a furnace cavity. A lower heater is coupled to the muffle and is configured to create a hot zone within the furnace cavity having a temperature of about 1900° C. or greater. An upper muffle extension is positioned above the muffle and defines a handle cavity. A downfeed handle is positioned within the handle cavity such that a gap is defined between an outer surface of the downfeed handle and an inner surface of the upper muffle extension. An upper heater is thermally coupled to the upper muffle extension and configured to heat the gap. A gas screen is positioned in the upper muffle extension and is configured to inject a process gas into the handle cavity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial or non-antimicrobial compositions, sanitizing compositions and other compositions combining use of a propoxylated EO/PO block copolymer surfactant and/or propoxylated polymer in combination with at least one additional anionic and/or nonionic surfactant to provide concentrated compositions having a desired viscoelasticity at an active level of at least 18% are disclosed. Non-antimicrobial applications combining use of a propoxylated surfactant and/or propoxylated polymer in combination with at least one additional anionic and/or nonionic surfactant to provide compositions having a desired viscoelasticity are also disclosed. Methods of using concentrated and use compositions having desired foaming enhancement and stabilization are also disclosed.

Abstract: Rinse aids and sanitizing rinse aids for various applications, including institutional machine sanitizing are disclosed. In particular, concentrated and use compositions, such as concentrated liquid rinse aid compositions, employing a synergistic combination of a quaternary ammonium compound and anionic surfactant are disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods of a sanitizing rinse providing desired antimicrobial efficacy against a broad spectrum of gram negative microbes, suitable foaming profiles, and beneficial applications of use of the same, including low temperature sanitizing rinse are provided.

Abstract: A system for positioning an optical preform in a furnace is provided that includes an upper muffle and a downfeed handle assembly with a tube defining a first end and a second end, the second end extending into the upper muffle. A handle is disposed within the tube. A second end of the handle extends into the upper muffle and a seal assembly is positioned around both the tube and the handle. The first end of the handle extends through the seal assembly and a drive assembly is coupled with the downfeed handle.

Abstract: An optical fiber draw furnace system including a muffle, a downfeed handle, and a downfeed handle extension portion. The downfeed handle is moveably disposed within an inner cavity of the muffle. The downfeed handle extension portion is connected to the downfeed handle and moveably disposed within the inner cavity of the muffle. Furthermore, the downfeed handle extension portion forms a first gap between an outer surface of the downfeed handle extension portion and an inner surface of the muffle, the first gap having a length in a range of about 0.001 m to about 0.2 m.

Abstract: Provided is a portable, hand-held, self-powered, self-calibrated, easy-to-use “iCOBRA” system, a neural/neurological assessment tool for both operational decision-making in military, aerospace, sports, and other high-performance settings, and to assist in diagnostics in medical practice. The system harnesses multimodal 3D imaging technologies for robust, calibration free, head and eye tracking to allow for visual, vestibular, and oculomotor assessment of human neural health and performance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating properties of a mixture of two or more surfactant species are provided. Multiple molecular dynamics simulations of the mixture are performed, each simulation using a particular total concentration of the surfactant species and a particular ratio of the surfactant species, such that the multiple simulations cover a plurality of such total concentrations and a plurality of such ratios, each simulation being carried out above the critical micelle concentration of the simulated mixture. For each simulation, and from the results of each simulation, a distribution of each surfactant species between at least a micellar pseudo-phase and a non-micellar pseudo-phase of the mixture at the particular total concentration and particular ratio for that simulation is determined.

Abstract: Rinse aids and sanitizing rinse aids for various applications, including institutional machine sanitizing are disclosed. In particular, concentrated and use compositions, such as concentrated liquid rinse aid compositions, employing a synergistic combination of a quaternary ammonium compound and anionic surfactant are disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods of a sanitizing rinse providing desired antimicrobial efficacy against a broad spectrum of gram negative microbes, suitable foaming profiles, and beneficial applications of use of the same, including low temperature sanitizing rinse are provided.

Abstract: A surgical blade having an attachment base positioned at a proximal end and a wedge-shaped blade. The wedge-shaped blade includes a cutting tip having a first plurality of cutting teeth, which define a cutting edge along the distal end for starting an osteotomy. The wedge-shaped blade includes a second plurality of teeth positioned along rows. Each row is positioned at offset planes from adjacent rows along the wedge-shaped blade.

Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactant blends and cleaning compositions employing the same. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes an extended anionic surfactant with novel linker surfactants including one or more of an alkyl glycerol ether, an ethoxylated alkyl glycerol ether, an alcohol ethoxylate and/or a Gemini surfactant. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.

Abstract: An air amplifier utilizes a high-pressure input stream of air to accelerate a low-velocity input stream of air to provide a high-velocity, high-volume output stream of air. A coupled air amplifier array includes multiple air amplifiers which couple their respective output streams of air to one another to form a single collective output stream of air. Multiple coupled air amplifier arrays can be utilized to form coupled air amplifier array systems to provide multiple collective output streams of air which can be focused toward to an audience within a venue. The coupled air amplifier array system can be implemented within atmospheric effects systems to provide atmospheric effects, such as wind, scent, and/or temperature to provide some examples, relating to an event. These atmospheric effects systems can present these atmospheric effects to the audience to enhance the immersion of the audience as they are viewing the event.

Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactant blends and cleaning compositions employing the same. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes an extended anionic surfactant with novel linker surfactants including one or more of an alkyl glycerol ether, an ethoxylated alkyl glycerol ether, an alcohol ethoxylate and/or a Gemini surfactant. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.

Abstract: An additive manifold includes a valve side including a plurality of valve mounts; and a tube fitting side including a plurality of integrally formed tube fittings. The additive manifold includes at least one passageway formed between the valve side and the tube fitting side, the at least one passageway allowing fluid communication between the valve mounts and the tube fittings.

Abstract: An air amplifier utilizes a high-pressure input stream of air to accelerate a low-velocity input stream of air to provide a high-velocity, high-volume output stream of air. A coupled air amplifier array includes multiple air amplifiers which couple their respective output streams of air to one another to form a single collective output stream of air. Multiple coupled air amplifier arrays can be utilized to form coupled air amplifier array systems to provide multiple collective output streams of air which can be focused toward to an audience within a venue. The coupled air amplifier array system can be implemented within atmospheric effects systems to provide atmospheric effects, such as wind, scent, and/or temperature to provide some examples, relating to an event. These atmospheric effects systems can present these atmospheric effects to the audience to enhance the immersion of the audience as they are viewing the event.

Abstract: The invention meets the needs above by providing a surfactant system, mixture or blend that can be used as a part of a soaking composition. The surfactant system is capable of forming emulsions with, and thus removing, oily and greasy stains. In a preferred embodiment the surfactant compositions of the invention can remove non-trans fat and fatty acid stains. The invention involves foaming soaking compositions that have some or part of the anionic surfactant present in the same replaced with an extended chain anionic surfactant.

Abstract: An air amplifier utilizes a high-pressure input stream of air to accelerate a low-velocity input stream of air to provide a high-velocity, high-volume output stream of air. A coupled air amplifier array includes multiple air amplifiers which couple their respective output streams of air to one another to form a single collective output stream of air. Multiple coupled air amplifier arrays can be utilized to form coupled air amplifier array systems to provide multiple collective output streams of air which can be focused toward to an audience within a venue. The coupled air amplifier array system can be implemented within atmospheric effects systems to provide atmospheric effects, such as wind, scent, and/or temperature to provide some examples, relating to an event. These atmospheric effects systems can present these atmospheric effects to the audience to enhance the immersion of the audience as they are viewing the event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering mining material to a multimodal array of different types of sensors and classifying and sorting the mining material based on the data collected from the multimodal array of sensors. The arrays of different sensors sense the mining material and collect data which is subsequently used together to identify the composition of the material and make a determination as to whether to accept or reject the material as it passes off the terminal end of the material handling system. Diverters are positioned at the terminal end of the material handling system and are positioned in either an accept or reject position based on the data collected and processed to identify the composition of the mining material.

Abstract: An optical fiber draw furnace muffle includes a body portion defining a substantially cylindrical cavity extending along a centerline axis of the muffle. A tapered portion has an interior surface which defines a first curved portion with a first radius of curvature and a second curved portion with a second radius of curvature. At least one of the first and second radii of curvature has a radius greater than a radius of the cylindrical cavity.