Abstract: Substantially solvent-free multilayer articles characterized by excellent color retention and gloss retention, solvent resistance and recyclability comprise a substrate layer comprising a first material selected from the group consisting of a metal, ceramic, glass, a cellulosic material, a thermoset resin, and a thermoplastic resin, and a resinous coating layer which comprises resorcinol or alkylresorcinol isophthalate/terephthalate ester units. An intermediate layer may also be present.

Abstract: An environmentally-stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) fiber comprises at least one layer of an organic EL material formed on a fiber, cable, or wire; associated electrodes for providing a voltage to activate the organic EL material; and a barrier layer formed around the EL and electrode materials for reducing the permeation of oxygen, water vapor, and other reactive materials into the underlying layers. The barrier layer comprises either (1) alternating sublayers of a polymeric material and an inorganic material, or (2) alternating sets of adjacent sublayers of polymeric materials and adjacent sublayers of inorganic materials. Color of light emitted from the fiber may be modified by one or more layers containing inorganic and/or organic phosphor materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for creating a combinatorial coating library. These systems and methods include a coating system operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of materials suitable for forming at least one coating layer on a surface of one or more substrates and a curing system operative to apply at least one of a plurality of curing environments to each of a plurality of regions associated with the at least one coating layer and their use. The combinatorial coating library prepared comprises a predetermined combination of at least one of the plurality of materials and at least one of the plurality of curing environments associated with each of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a combinatorial coating library including a coating system operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of materials suitable for forming at least one coating layer on a surface of one or more substrates and a curing system operative to apply at least one of a plurality of curing environments to each of a plurality of regions associated with the at least one coating layer. The curing system including a scanning mirror system having a mirrored surface positionable relative to an incoming radiation beam, wherein the mirrored surface is positionable to direct the incoming radiation beam to a selected one of the plurality of regions associated with the coating layer. The combinatorial coating library comprising a predetermined combination of at least one of the plurality of materials and at least one of the plurality of curing environments associated with each of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a combinatorial coating library including a coating system operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of materials suitable for forming at least one coating layer on a surface of one or more substrates. The systems and methods also including a curing system operative to apply at least one of a plurality of curing environments to each of a plurality of regions associated with the at least one coating layer, the curing system comprising a plurality of waveguides each having a first end corresponding to at least one of the plurality of regions and a second end associated with at least one curing source. The combinatorial coating library comprising a predetermined combination of at least one of the plurality of materials and at least one of the plurality of curing environments associated with each of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantifying structural defects of a coating composition on a given substrate, where certain structural defect-inducing tests are performed. In this method, a coating formulation is doped with a colorimetric or luminescent material. Concentration of the material depends on the quantum efficiency, excitation and emission wavelengths, and employed detection techniques, and can range from about 1 fM to about 1 mM. Before, during and/or after such tests, the coating is illuminated with a wavelength of radiation at which the reflected or transmitted color or emitted luminescence of the material in the coating is detectable with an optical detector or by visual inspection. In this fashion, the percentage of failure of the coating can be quantified as well as the level of interdiffusion of coating into substrate or substrate into coating. The method of the invention is thus particularly well-suited for the combinatorial analysis of an array of coating samples.

Abstract: This invention provides methodology for the measurement of both low and high levels of scattered radiation produced by decorative and barrier coatings and plastics. Measurements of low levels are especially important for coatings used in automotive applications. The method is based on the illumination of the sample with radiation and collection of only the portion of the radiation scattered from the coating before, during and after the testing step and relating the optical signal from the tested portion of the sample material to the untested portion of the material and/or a standard. Through the practice of the invention, a large number of coating samples, as in an array, may be analyzed for their optical quality, principally haze, either after coating and curing, and/or after subjection of such coatings samples to elongation stresses, and/or abrasion testing, solvent exposure, hydrolytic stability testing, and temperature exposure.

Abstract: Pre-lookup index search blocks and multidimensional interpolation blocks that use the results of the pre-lookup index search blocks in a block diagram to graphically specify (and perform) multidimensional interpolation calculations. The pre-lookup index search and interpolation blocks are defined so as to provide for a separation of breakpoint set data and table data, thus enabling a user to explicitly manage the use of common breakpoint set data. A block diagram created using pre-lookup index search blocks and interpolation using pre-lookup index search blocks shows all tables that use a particular breakpoint set via graphical connections on the block diagram between the pre-lookup index search blocks and the interpolation using pre-lookup index search blocks.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a limited play optical storage media and a method for limiting access to data thereon. This storage media comprises: an optically transparent substrate; a reflective layer; a data storage layer disposed between said substrate and said reflective layer; an oxygen penetrable UV coating disposed on a side of said substrate opposite said data storage layer; and a reactive layer disposed between said UV coating and said substrate, said reactive layer having an initial percent reflectivity of about 50% or greater and a subsequent percent reflectivity of about 45% or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for testing elongation and cracking of coating arrays. The method includes simultaneously applying an elongating force to each of a plurality of coatings, and monitoring the coating integrity including cracks and thickness decrease in each coating. A relative performance characteristic of each coating is then determined based on a correlation between a detected crack and/or thickness decrease in the coating, and the corresponding elongating force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantifying structural defects of a coating composition on a given substrate, where certain structural defect-inducing tests are performed. In this method, a coating formulation is doped with a colorimetric or luminescent material. Concentration of the material depends on the quantum efficiency, excitation and emission wavelengths, and employed detection techniques, and can range from about 1 fM to about 1 mM. Before, during and/or after such tests, the coating is illuminated with a wavelength of radiation at which the reflected or transmitted color or emitted luminescence of the material in the coating is detectable with an optical detector or by visual inspection. In this fashion, the percentage of failure of the coating can be quantified as well as the level of interdiffusion of coating into substrate or substrate into coating. The method of the invention is thus particularly well-suited for the combinatorial analysis of an array of coating samples.

Abstract: A hurricane and severe weather protection system for protecting an opening in an associated structure includes a first panel having a first outer surface and a core with a lower density and connecting means for connecting the first panel to the associated structure. The panel is formed of a single PVC material or polycarbonate. A panel is customized to properly fit the opening. An insert is then positioned into a frame member near the opening. Next, a thumb turn is partially screwed into the insert. After the bottom portion of a slot in the panel is placed over the thumb turn, the panel is slid downward until the thumb turn contacts the top of the slot. Finally, the thumb turn is tightened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer article which includes a substrate, a first layer comprising a partial condensate of a diorganodiorganooxysilane having the formula R2Si(OR′)2 or an organotriorganooxysilane having the formula RSi(OR′)3, or both, where R is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing about 1-3 carbon atoms, aromatic groups containing about 6-13 carbon atoms, the vinyl radical, the 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl radical, the gamma-glycidoxypropyl radical and the gamma-methacryloxypropyl radical, and R′ is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing about 1-8 carbon atoms, aromatic groups containing about 6-20 carbon atoms, and hydrogen; and a second layer deposited on the first layer, the second layer comprising an organosilicon material which has been polymerized and oxidized in a plasma, the second layer containing silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of controllably retrieving information from the World Wide Web or from a given database in cooperation with a user's composite profile, comprising the steps of: (a) prompting a user to respond to at least one profile query; (b) generating a composite user profile from response(s) to said at least one query; (c) generating at least one portal having one or more records of information from a central repository; (d) matching said composite user profile with said at least one portal; (e) entering at least one search or retrieval instruction; and (f) controllably retrieving one or more records of information from said at least one matched portal in response to said at least one search instruction.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a signal that indicates to a plug-in component board that it is to be connected to a 64-bit data path in a computer system. The apparatus comprises a timing circuit for receiving a reset signal and providing first and second complementary logical signals in response thereto. A selection switch receives the first and second logical signals as well as a control signal and outputs a third signal as determined by the logical level of the reset signal. A method involves generating first and second complementary signals from a reset signal, selecting between the first complementary signal and a control signal, and outputting a third signal, the logical value of the third signal being determined by the logical value of at least one of the reset signal and the control signal.

Abstract: A female electrical terminal has a contact end and a terminating end. The contact end includes a pair of opposing walls for receiving a male terminal therebetween. A flexible element is disposed in the contact end for pressing against the male terminal. The flexible element includes a mounting section with spaced wall portions juxtaposed inside the opposing walls of the contact end. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the opposing walls and the spaced wall portions of the mounting section of the flexible element. An abutment is provided in the contact end to prevent inward collapsing of the spaced wall portions and, thereby, to maintain the latches in interengagement.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for measuring a correct weight of one or more objects subjected to predictable and/or unpredictable static and/or dynamic motion conditions.

Abstract: The sensor includes a range finder having means for emitting a directional output of pulsed energy toward a fixed area, and includes a transmitter section which divides pulsed energy into divergent beams, which are then received as reflective energy in a receiver section. The receiver alternately selects between outputs of two detectors receiving reflections from the beam and provide inputs for purposes of determining time of flight, and for measuring the time interval between interceptions of the two divergent beams for a given object. The sensor also receives inputs indicating the time that each pulse is emitted and the selected outputs from the detector to indicate when returning energy is received from the corresponding pulse to determine the elapsed time between the two.

Abstract: An improved paper for printing and other uses can be made from a paper pulp that contains pulp derived from hardwoods if the pulp is refined in a refiner that has at least one abrasive surface disk. The pulp can be refined to give a vessel picks count of 2/cm.sup.2 or less and have a Freeness of less than that which can be achieved using a refiner having conventional barred disks.

Abstract: A disk file management system for use in a data processing system that includes at least one disk drive. The disk space is organized on the basis of logical cylinders, with each logical cylinder including a plurality of disk pages and a cylinder control block ("CCB"). Each entry in the CCB corresponds to a page in the CCB's cylinder. Depending on whether a page is allocated to a file or not, the corresponding CCB entry is a file map entry for a file to which the page is allocated or an entry in a free space map. For a given file, each file map entry includes up to two pointers so that the totality of page map entries for the file defines an unbalanced binary tree structure that consists of a sequence of balanced binary trees of increasing size. The free space map for a given cylinder is preferably a chained free space list.