Abstract: A MEMS device is formed with facing surfaces of a contoured substrate and a layer of material having complementary contours. In one fabrication approach, a first photoresist layer is formed over a substrate. Selected regions of the first photoresist layer are exposed using a patterning mask. The exposed regions of the first photoresist layer are thermally shrunk to pattern the first photoresist layer with a contour. A layer of material is formed over the contoured first photoresist layer.

Abstract: A MEMS device is formed with facing surfaces of a contoured substrate and a layer of material having complementary contours. In one fabrication approach, a first photoresist layer is formed over a substrate. Selected regions of the first photoresist layer are exposed using a patterning mask. The exposed regions of the first photoresist layer are thermally shrunk to pattern the first photoresist layer with a contour. A layer of material is formed over the contoured first photoresist layer.

Abstract: A technique including an apparatus for injection molding fiber-reinforced thermoset plastic articles is disclosed. The technique includes forming a mixture of short lengths of reinforcing fibers with a thermosetting resin in a predetermined fiber-to-resin ratio and introducing the mixture to an injection molding cylinder. The volume of mixture introduced is at least a multiple of two of the volume of the mold chamber so that the injection plunger traverses the intersection between the molding cylinder and a stuffer cylinder a single time for a multiplicity of molding shots to minimize fiber breakage and balling. The injection plunger is adapted to precompact the mixture by being forced forward until a predetermined high pressure is sensed, indicating a hydraulically locked condition of the plunger wherein substantially all entrapped gases have been expressed from the mixture and there exists no substantial forward movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A technique directed to a process for injection molding fiber-reinforced thermoset plastic articles is disclosed. The technique includes forming a mixture of short lengths of reinforcing fibers with a thermosetting resin in a predetermined fiber-to-resin ratio and introducing the mixture to an injection molding cylinder. The volume of mixture introduced is at least a multiple of two of the volume of the mold chamber so that the injection plunger traverses the intersection between the molding cylinder and a stuffer cylinder a single time for a multiplicity of molding shots to minimize fiber breakage and balling. The injection plunger is adapted to precompact the mixture by being forced forward until a predetermined high pressure is sensed, indicating a hydraulically locked condition of the plunger wherein substantially all entrapped gases have been expressed from the mixture and there exists no substantial forward movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A curved reflector of electro-magnetic radiation formed of an elastic, imperforate reflective membrane utilizes a partial vacuum to provide the curvature to the membrane. The device for controlling the evacuation of the housing can be supported within the reflector housing in an adjustable manner to set the control device at a location corresponding to a predetermined deflection of the membrane below a reference plane, and thereby, to permit the focal length of the reflector to be varied. The control device can comprise a membrane contact surface surrounding an orifice which controls, with the interior surface of the membrane, fluid communication between the housing interior and the evacuation mechanism. Other control devices include an electrical limit switch, a light source and sensor, a capacitor or inductor sensing arrangement and a magnetic field sensing arrangement. The membrane can be releasably coupled to the housing via springs to facilitate replacement thereof.