Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, vertical thermal actuator with controlled bending capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above the hot arm relative to the surface. The cold arm is adapted to provide controlled bending near the first end thereof. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the actuator bends generally at the flexure so that the member moves away from the substrate when current is applied to at least the hot arm.

Abstract: A heat transfer core for a water-cooling tower has a film fill sheet made from formed resin. The sheet then has a pattern of buttons, channels, dimples, and spacers formed on one surface of the sheet. Along the edges of the sheet, stiffening bars with spacers are formed. The sheets are positioned upright, spaced horizontally between the upper heated water and the lower cooled water reservoirs for a generally horizontal flow of cooling air across films of water flowing downwardly over the film fill sheets. The buttons, channels, and dimples direct water across the sheet to flow down in a meandering manner and to increase the length of time for water to descend the sheet and thereby maximize cooling.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, vertical thermal actuator with controlled bending capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above the hot arm relative to the surface. The cold arm is adapted to provide controlled bending near the first end thereof. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the actuator bends generally at the flexure so that the member moves away from the substrate when current is applied to at least the hot arm.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, horizontal and vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The horizontal and vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above and laterally offset from the hot arm relative to the surface. The cold arm is adapted to provide controlled bending near the first end thereof. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the actuator exhibits horizontal and vertical displacement when current is applied to at least the hot arm.

Abstract: A packaged optical micro-mechanical device. A die includes one or more optical micro-mechanical devices on a first surface of a substrate. The first surface includes a die reference surface. A package frame includes an aperture and a package frame reference surface proximate the aperture adapted to receive the die reference surface such that the optical micro-mechanical devices are located in the aperture. One or more V-grooves are positioned relative to an optical interface reference plane adjacent to the micro-mechanical devices and terminating adjacent to the aperture. One or more optical fibers are located in the V-grooves optically coupled with one or more of the optical micro-mechanical devices.

Abstract: A MEMS-based device to steer and manipulate beams of light traveling in free-space in an optical switch. The optical switch is based on a rotating vertical micro-mirror constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one input optical fiber is arranged to direct at least one optical signal through free-space along a first optical path parallel to the surface of the substrate. A plurality of output optical fibers are arranged to receive the optical signal traveling through free-space along other optical paths not co-linear with the first optical path. At least one substantially vertical, rotating micro-mirror assembly is constructed on the substrate. The assembly includes a rotating micro-mirror with a vertical centerline and an axis of rotation both perpendicular to the surface, but not co-linear. The rotating micro-mirror is rotatable between a first position not in the first optical path and at least a second position redirecting the optical signal to one of the output optical fibers.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above the hot arm relative to the surface. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the member moves away from the substrate when current is applied to at least the hot arm. The hot arm can optionally include a grounding tab to minimize thermal expansion of the cold arm.

Abstract: A polarization mode separator separates the optical signal into a first polarized signal and a second differently polarized signal traveling along respective first and second paths. A first variable delay generator located along the first path is adapted to selectively provide a first propagation delay to the first polarized signal. The first variable delay generator includes at least two rotating micro-mirrors and one or more fixed mirrors constructed on a surface of a substrate. A controller is coupled to the first variable delay generator. The controller is adapted to monitor the polarization mode dispersion in the optical signal and to position the rotating micro-mirrors to direct the first polarized signal along one of the plurality of optical paths. A beam combiner combines the first and second signals to form an optical output signal substantially compensated for polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, horizontal and vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The horizontal and vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above and laterally offset from the hot arm relative to the surface. The cold arm is adapted to provide controlled bending near the first end thereof. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the actuator exhibits horizontal and vertical displacement when current is applied to at least the hot arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for equalizing polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal traveling through an optical fiber. A polarization mode separator separates the optical signal into a first polarized signal and a second differently polarized signal traveling along respective first and second paths. A first variable delay generator located along the first path is adapted to selectively provide a first propagation delay to the first polarized signal. The first variable delay generator includes at least two rotating micro-mirrors and one or more fixed mirrors constructed on a surface of a substrate. The fixed mirrors include a plurality of optical paths of differing lengths adapted to optically couple with the two rotating micro-mirrors. A controller is coupled to the first variable delay generator. The controller is adapted to monitor the polarization mode dispersion in the optical signal and to position the rotating micro-mirrors to direct the first polarized signal along one of the plurality of optical paths.

Abstract: A micrometer sized multi-directional thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid displacement in a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially vertical direction, and/or a combination thereof. The multi-directional thermal actuator constructed on a surface of a substrate includes three or more beams each cantilevered from one or more anchors at a first end to extend generally parallel to the surface of the substrate. A member mechanically and electrically couples the distal ends of the beams. Application of current to a circuit comprising combinations of any two or more of the beams displaces the member in one of three or more non-parallel radial directions, respectively.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal ammine carbonate is reacted with nitric acid in the presence of water to form a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying. A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a corresponding method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate are also provided.

Abstract: A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate without requiring or necessitating the isolation of explosive metal tetrammine nitrate complexes.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal nitrate is reacted with an ammonia source to form an aqueous slurry containing a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying.

Abstract: A method of blasting in reactive ores includes diluting hot liquor of ammonium nitrate with water to provide diluted ammonium nitrate solution of predetermined concentration, adjusting the pH of the liquor of the ammonium nitrate solution, adding a predetermined amount of gassing agent to the ammonium nitrate solution, and emulsifying the ammonium nitrate solution. Then an effective amount of fine zinc oxide powder is mixed with the emulsion explosive and the inhibited emulsion explosive is introduced into a borehole and detonated.

Abstract: Fluid permeable candle filter comprising a self supporting tube a filter layer and a filter layer. The self supporting tube comprises ceramic oxide fibers and silicate ceramic oxide bonding phase.

Abstract: Fluid permeable filter material comprising a self supporting fluid permeable wall and a fluid permeable filter layer. The self supporting wall comprises ceramic oxide fibers, ceramic oxide particles, and silicate ceramic oxide bonding phase. The filter layer comprises non-woven ceramic oxide fibers and silicate ceramic oxide bonding phase.

Abstract: A composite ceramic wafer including a beta silicon carbide layer. The composite ceramic wafer is useful for making thin film magnetic heads.

Abstract: In order to prevent hazardous substances--oils, fuels, deicing liquids--spilled onto the ground or pavement, e.g. at an airport, to enter storm sewer system with subsequent contamination of the environment, a catchbasin structure is provided comprising a receptacle with an opening closable with a valve in a manner to seal off the entry of the liquid into the storm sewer system. Instead, the liquid can be kept in the receptacle and on the ground in the area adjacent to the catchbasin, or selectively directed to a storage tank system for treatment or recovery.

Abstract: This invention provides a shaped ceramic composite article comprising ceramic oxide fiber(s), a first coating comprising a carbonaceous matrix which includes boron nitride particles in contact therewith, and a second coating comprising silicon carbide. The inventive composite article is useful in applications requiring good heat resistance and mechanical properties, such as gas fired radiant burner tubes, gas burner nozzle liners, heat exchangers, thermowells, core busters or flame dispersers, and other gas fired furnace components.