Abstract: A method of forming an optically variable security device is provided. In the method, a photonic crystal material is provided and a process is performed upon the material which causes deformation of the material so as to form a first region (A) for which incident light received by the crystal material is selectively reflected or transmitted to generate a first optically variable effect, and a second region (B) for which incident light received generates an optical effect, different from the first optically variable effect. Corresponding devices having first and second regions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided of identifying a security document using an identifying device. The identifying device is provided with a capacitance sensor and a second sensor. The method includes capacitively coupling a first element of the security document with the capacitance sensor and obtaining first data from the first element using the capacitance sensor. Second data is also obtained from the security document using the second sensor. Output data is then generated based upon the first and second data. A corresponding device and system are also presented.

Abstract: A security device is provided including a first pattern of elements and a second, overlapping, pattern of elements spaced by a transparent layer, the first and second patterns in combination obstructing the passage of light transmitted to a viewer through the device to a varying degree depending on the viewing position. The first and second patterns of elements are configured such that a first region of the device exhibits a maximum change in the degree of obstruction when the device is tilted relative to the viewer about a first tilt axis, and a second region of the device exhibits a maximum change in the degree of obstruction when the device is tilted relative to the viewer about a second tilt axis which is not parallel to the first tilt axis.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal which, upon receipt of incident light, generates a first optical effect, and which, when the device is subjected-to-an external stimulus, generates a second optical effect that is different from the first optical effect. At least one of the first and second optical effects is an optically variable effect observable over a set of directions. The optically variable effect is caused by the light being selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal of which incident light received by the crystal is selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate a first optically variable effect observable over a first set of directions. Incident light received by the crystal is also selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate an optical effect observable over a second set of directions that is different from the first set.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a transparent region (1). At least one optical element (2, 3) is provided in part of the transparent region, the optical element causing an incident off-axis light beam transmitted through the optical element to be redirected away from a line parallel with the incident light beam whereby when the device is viewed in transmission directly against a backlight, the presence of the optical element cannot be discerned but when the device is moved relative to the backlight such that lines of sight from the viewer to the transparent region and from the transparent region to the backlight form an obtuse angle (?) at which redirected light is visible to the viewer, a contrast is viewed between the part of the transparent region including the optical element and another part of the transparent region.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed having a region of piezochromic material and an integrated relief structure. The security device is arranged such that when a stress is generated in the piezochromic material and relief structure, an optical effect is generated in the piezochromic material.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a viewing region. A first pattern of a first color and a second pattern of a second color are printed on one side of the viewing region. A third pattern of the first color and a fourth pattern of the second color are printed on the other side of the viewing region. The first and second patterns on the one side of the viewing region overlap the fourth and third patterns respectively on the other side of the viewing region whereby a) when each side of the viewing region is viewed in reflected light, the patterns on that side can be distinguished by at least their colors, and b) when the viewing region is viewed in transmitted light, from either side of the substrate, the viewing region is sufficiently transparent that subtractive color mixing between the overlapped different colors results in a perceived single resultant color being visible.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems of improving sludge removal and maintaining effluent quality. The methods include directing an incoming wastewater stream to a treatment facility, the steam having a flow of at least 20,000 gallons per day; the incoming wastewater stream having at least 50 mg/L solids and 100 mg/L BOD; removing solids and BOD from the incoming wastewater stream in the treatment facility to provide a final effluent stream; the final effluent stream having less than 10% of the solids of the wastewater stream and less than 10% of the BOD of the wastewater stream; the removal of solids and BOD yielding less than about 0.25 pounds of secondary sludge per pound of BOD removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: A method of forming an optically variable security device is provided. In the method, a photonic crystal material is provided and a process is performed upon the material which causes deformation of the material so as to form a first region (A) for which incident light received by the crystal material is selectively reflected or transmitted to generate a first optically variable effect, and a second region (B) for which incident light received generates an optical effect, different from the first optically variable effect. Corresponding devices having first and second regions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater collection systems contaminated with fats, oils and grease (FOG), such as wet wells, transfer or lift stations, or main sewer lines, and more particularly to biological processes for removing the FOG from wastewater. This invention further relates to apparatus and methods for growing microbes on-site at a wastewater treatment facility or FOG-contaminated wastewater collection system location, and for economically inoculating sufficient microbes to solve various treatment problems rapidly.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a viewing region. A first pattern of a first colour and a second pattern of a second colour are printed on one side of the viewing region. A third pattern of the first colour and a fourth pattern of the second colour are printed on the other side of the viewing region. The first and second patterns on the one side of the viewing region overlap the fourth and third patterns respectively on the other side of the viewing region whereby a) when each side of the viewing region is viewed in reflected light, the patterns on that side can be distinguished by at least their colours, and b) when the viewing region is viewed in transmitted light, from either side of the substrate, the viewing region is sufficiently transparent that subtractive colour mixing between the overlapped different colours results in a perceived single resultant colour being visible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal which, upon receipt of incident light, generates a first optical effect, and which, when the device is subjected-to-an external stimulus, generates a second optical effect that is different from the first optical effect. At least one of the first and second optical effects is an optically variable effect observable over a set of directions. The optically variable effect is caused by the light being selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal.

Abstract: An optically variable security device comprises a photonic crystal of which incident light received by the crystal is selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate a first optically variable effect observable over a first set of directions. Incident light received by the crystal is also selectively reflected or transmitted by the crystal to generate an optical effect observable over a second set of directions that is different from the first set.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a transparent region (1). At least one optical element (2, 3) is provided in part of the transparent region, the optical element causing an incident off-axis light beam transmitted through the optical element to be redirected away from a line parallel with the incident light beam whereby when the device is viewed in transmission directly against a backlight, the presence of the optical element cannot be discerned but when the device is moved relative to the backlight such that lines of sight from the viewer to the transparent region and from the transparent region to the backlight form an obtuse angle (?) at which redirected light is visible to the viewer, a contrast is viewed between the part of the transparent region including the optical element and another part of the transparent region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater, and more particularly to biological processes for removing pollutants from wastewater.