Abstract: A robot end effector includes a stationary plate having at least one stabbing pin extending therefrom and an ejector plate, adjacent to the stationary plate, having a at least one aperture through which the at least one stabbing pin extends. An actuator assembly comprising an actuator coupled to an ejector post via a linkage assembly advances and retracts the ejector post through a support, the ejector post extending through an aperture in the stationary plate and having a distal end coupled to the ejector plate. The ejector post increases separation of the ejector plate from the stationary plate when the ejector post is advanced through the support.

Abstract: A system includes a production process information system configured to be installed within a service shop, an air supply flow meter configured to detect air flow to a first manual sprayer and send the detected air flow to the production process information system, and a coating material flow meter configured to detect fluid flow to the first manual sprayer and send the detected fluid flow to the production process information system. The production process information system is configured to determine sprayer usage parameters based on the air flow and the fluid flow.

Abstract: A system and method of using the same, wherein the system comprises: an optical surface having a diffractive image generating structure disposed thereon, the diffractive image generating structure itself comprising a layer of reflective material incorporating a plurality of grooved diffractive elements each having a periodic wave surface profile, the periodic wave surface profiles each having a groove alignment direction; a source of incident electromagnetic radiation arranged to illuminate the diffractive elements at an angle of incidence substantially normal to the plane of the surface of the diffractive elements; means for polarizing the radiation from the source, and means for polarizing radiation reflected from the diffractive elements; wherein the diffractive elements are configured such that, in use, polarization conversion of the incident radiation takes place, and wherein the diffractive elements are disposed in a two dimensional array of pixels to represent an image; and further wherein the means fo

Abstract: A system and method of using the same, wherein the system comprises: an optical surface having a diffractive image generating structure disposed thereon, the diffractive image generating structure itself comprising a layer of reflective material incorporating a plurality of grooved diffractive elements each having a periodic wave surface profile, the periodic wave surface profiles each having a groove alignment direction; a source of incident electromagnetic radiation arranged to illuminate the diffractive elements at an angle of incidence substantially normal to the plane of the surface of the diffractive elements; means for polarising the radiation from the source, and means for polarising radiation reflected from the diffractive elements; wherein the diffractive elements are configured such that, in use, polarisation conversion of the incident radiation takes place, and wherein the diffractive elements are disposed in a two dimensional array of pixels to represent an image; and further wherein the means fo

Abstract: A system includes a production process information system configured to be installed within a service shop, an air supply flow meter configured to detect air flow to a first manual sprayer and send the detected air flow to the production process information system, and a coating material flow meter configured to detect fluid flow to the first manual sprayer and send the detected fluid flow to the production process information system. The production process information system is configured to determine sprayer usage parameters based on the air flow and the fluid flow.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an antenna for use in interrogating RFID tags in close proximity thereto. The antenna can include an active element configured to resonate at or close to a frequency required to read an RFID tag, the active element comprising a feed point; and a plurality of passive elements, each passive element being configured to resonate at or around a frequency corresponding to said frequency, the passive elements being arranged around the active element such that the passive elements electromagnetically couple to the active element when the active element is driven by a signal supplied through the feed point.

Abstract: An optical multilayer (1) comprising textured surfaces suitable for use in anti-counterfeiting and/or security applications is described.

Abstract: A method of optimising the sensitivity of surface plasmon ellipsometry (SPE) apparatus used to analyse a surface comprising a conducting film is disclosed. The method includes calculating a sensitivity map of plasmon ellipsometry for the film. The sensitivity map comprises data defining variations in sensitivity of the plasmon ellipsometry apparatus with angle of incidence and polarization angle of polarized light incident on the conducting film for analysis by the apparatus. The method further comprises using the sensitivity map to configure the plasmon ellipsometry apparatus with a combination of the angle of incidence and polarization angle located in a region of substantially maximum sensitivity in the sensitivity map.

Abstract: A method of optimising the sensitivity of surface plasmon ellipsometry (SPE) apparatus used to analyse a surface comprising a conducting film, the method comprising calculating a sensitivity map of SPE for the film, the sensitivity map comprising data defining variations in sensitivity of said SPE apparatus with angle of incidence and polarisation angle of polarised light incident on said film for analysis by said SPE apparatus, and using said sensitivity map to configure said SPE apparatus with a combination of said angle of incidence and polarisation angle located in a region of substantially maximum sensitivity in said sensitivity map.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solid polysiloxane polymers having multiple oligooxyethylene side chains per silicon. The multiple oligooxyethylene side chains are each directly connected to the silicons, or they can be linked by a branching structure and then jointly linked to the silicons. Methods for producing these compounds, and intermediates which are disubstituted silicon compounds, are also disclosed. These materials are highly conductive, and thus appear particularly useful in lithium automotive batteries.

Abstract: A snag-resistant fishing lure of simple three-piece construction has a body which normally conceals a hook until such time as a fish strikes and exposes the tip of the hook. The lure has an elongated rigid back member and a belly-like member fabricated of relatively thin flexible material and mounted below the back member to form a cavity for containing and concealing the tip of the hook. The bottom of the belly member has a slot which registers with the tip of the hook and through which the tip protrudes when a fish strikes the lure and compresses the belly against the back ahead of the tip. The tip lies within the slot and is angled downwardly and forwardly for cooperating with the rigid back to provide a self-setting action when struck by a fish. The lure is designed to float when stationary on the water; however, the leading ends of the back and belly members have an upwardly and rearwardly inclined surface designed to cause the lure to dive when pulled through the water.