Abstract: A shower curtain closure device for automatically closing a shower curtain includes a housing having a front side, a back side, and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, defining an interior space. The front side has a shower rod recess therein that is configured to receive a portion of a shower curtain rod. A spool is positioned within the interior space. A cord having a spool end and a clip end is coupled to the housing. The spool end is attached to the spool and the cord is wrapped around the spool. The spool rotates to wrap and unwrap the cord, such that the cord retracts into and extends from the housing. A curtain clip is attached to the clip end that can removably engage a shower curtain ring. A motor is positioned within the interior space. The motor is coupled to the spool, rotating the spool to retract the cord.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring web tension distribution in roll-to-roll processes, for example, such as R2R processes employed in the fabrication of printed devices. Such systems and methods entail a web that travels between first and second rollers in a longitudinal direction of the web, inducing tension in the web in the longitudinal direction thereof such that tension is present in a flexible substrate of the web between the first and second rollers, and operating the system to determine an average tension and linear variation of tension present in the flexible substrate resulting from the tension induced in the web inducing a nonuniform tension distribution in the flexible substrate between the first and second rollers. The systems and methods utilize one or more devices that induce deflection in the web between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring web tension distribution in roll-to-roll processes, for example, such as R2R processes employed in the fabrication of printed devices. Such systems and methods entail a web that travels between first and second rollers in a longitudinal direction of the web, inducing tension in the web in the longitudinal direction thereof such that tension is present in a flexible substrate of the web between the first and second rollers, and operating the system to determine an average tension and linear variation of tension present in the flexible substrate resulting from the tension induced in the web inducing a nonuniform tension distribution in the flexible substrate between the first and second rollers. The systems and methods utilize one or more devices that induce deflection in the web between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: A shower curtain closure device for automatically closing a shower curtain includes a housing having a front side, a back side, and a peripheral wall extending therebetween, defining an interior space. The front side has a shower rod recess therein that is configured to receive a portion of a shower curtain rod. A spool is positioned within the interior space. A cord having a spool end and a clip end is coupled to the housing. The spool end is attached to the spool and the cord is wrapped around the spool. The spool rotates to wrap and unwrap the cord, such that the cord retracts into and extends from the housing. A curtain clip is attached to the clip end that can removably engage a shower curtain ring. A motor is positioned within the interior space. The motor is coupled to the spool, rotating the spool to retract the cord.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring web tension distribution in roll-to-roll processes, for example, such as R2R processes employed in the fabrication of printed devices. Such systems and methods entail a web that travels between first and second rollers in a longitudinal direction of the web, inducing tension in the web in the longitudinal direction thereof such that tension is present in a flexible substrate of the web between the first and second rollers, and operating the system to determine an average tension and linear variation of tension present in the flexible substrate resulting from the tension induced in the web inducing a nonuniform tension distribution in the flexible substrate between the first and second rollers. The systems and methods utilize one or more devices that induce deflection in the web between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring web tension distribution in roll-to-roll processes, for example, such as R2R processes employed in the fabrication of printed devices. Such systems and methods entail a web that travels between first and second rollers in a longitudinal direction of the web, inducing tension in the web in the longitudinal direction thereof such that tension is present in a flexible substrate of the web between the first and second rollers, and operating the system to determine an average tension and linear variation of tension present in the flexible substrate resulting from the tension induced in the web inducing a nonuniform tension distribution in the flexible substrate between the first and second rollers. The systems and methods utilize one or more devices that induce deflection in the web between the first and second rollers.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: An optomechanical reference includes a basal member; a flexure that includes: a floating link; a first flexural member; and a second flexural member such that: the floating link is moveably disposed; a first stator; a second stator; a first cavity including: a first primary mirror; a first secondary mirror; a first optical coupler in optical communication with the first secondary mirror; and a first cavity length; and a second cavity including: a second primary mirror; a second secondary mirror; a second optical coupler; and a second cavity length.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: An optomechanical reference includes a basal member; a flexure that includes: a floating link; a first flexural member; and a second flexural member such that: the floating link is moveably disposed; a first stator; a second stator; a first cavity including: a first primary mirror; a first secondary mirror; a first optical coupler in optical communication with the first secondary mirror; and a first cavity length; and a second cavity including: a second primary mirror; a second secondary mirror; a second optical coupler; and a second cavity length.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.

Abstract: A delivery device for an active agent comprises nanoparticles based on a biopolymer such as starch. The delivery device may also be in the form of an aptamer-biopolymer-active agent conjugate wherein the aptamer targets the device for the treatment of specific disorders. The nanoparticles may be made by applying a high shear force in the presence of a crosslinker. The particles may be predominantly in the range of 50-150 nm and form a colloidal dispersion of crosslinked hydrogel particles in water. The biopolymer may be functionalized. The aptamer may be conjugated directly to the cross-linked biopolymers. The active agent may be a drug useful for the treatment of cancer. The delivery device survives for a period of time in the body sufficient to allow for the sustained release of a drug and for the transportation and uptake of the conjugate into targeted cells. However, the biopolymer is biocompatible and resorbable.