Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to reservoir manifold systems suitable for use with an additive manufacturing apparatus. Such manifold systems enable ease of use for making mechanical, electrical, and fluid connections to a reservoir used for additive manufacturing. Conduits formed in the reservoir manifold can allow for a fluid connection to be established with a reservoir to allow fluid flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir manifold can include one or more arms that are configured to move independently to couple to the reservoir of the printing apparatus. The reservoir manifold can include a trigger coupled to a latch mechanism for engaging one or more components of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the ability of the manifold to make electrical connections to the reservoir may present advantages to the ease-of-use and reliability of an additive manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing materials, and articles with controlled particle concentrations. Additive manufacturing apparatus includes a mixer; a reservoir in fluidic communication with the mixer; and a build plate parallel to the reservoir. Additive manufacturing apparatus includes a mixer and a solid particle dispensing system and/or a slurry dispensing system. A method for handling precursors during additive manufacturing includes (a) providing first and second precursor materials and/or a slurry to a mixer; (b) mixing the materials in the mixer; (c) transporting the mixed materials directly to a reservoir disposed in parallel with a build plate; (d) curing at least a portion of the transported and mixed materials; and (e) repeating step (d) at least once. An article includes a plurality of adjacent layers, a concentration of particles in each layer defining a controlled concentration gradient and/or vary by no more than ±50%.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for efficiently and effectively achieving and/or maintaining a parallel configuration between a build plate and a printing release surface of an additive manufacturing printer are provided. The methods include actions of over-plunging a drive point into a printing release surface and then calculating the build plate position until it achieves a desired target position. Other methods focus on a homing process for setting a zero position of the build plate. Structures used to help prevent build plate deflection include various armatures having a pinned configuration that help to stabilize a location of the build plate to maintain a substantially parallel configuration with respect to the printing release surface.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to reservoir manifold systems suitable for use with an additive manufacturing apparatus. Such manifold systems enable ease of use for making mechanical, electrical, and fluid connections to a reservoir used for additive manufacturing. Conduits formed in the reservoir manifold can allow for a fluid connection to be established with a reservoir to allow fluid flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir manifold can include one or more arms that are configured to move independently to couple to the reservoir of the printing apparatus. The reservoir manifold can include a trigger coupled to a latch mechanism for engaging one or more components of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the ability of the manifold to make electrical connections to the reservoir may present advantages to the ease-of-use and reliability of an additive manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to reservoir manifold systems suitable for use with an additive manufacturing apparatus. Such manifold systems enable ease of use for making mechanical, electrical, and fluid connections to a reservoir used for additive manufacturing. Conduits formed in the reservoir manifold can allow for a fluid connection to be established with a reservoir to allow fluid flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir manifold can include one or more arms that are configured to move independently to couple to the reservoir of the printing apparatus. The reservoir manifold can include a trigger coupled to a latch mechanism for engaging one or more components of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the ability of the manifold to make electrical connections to the reservoir may present advantages to the ease-of-use and reliability of an additive manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments generally relate to reservoir manifold systems suitable for use with an additive manufacturing apparatus. Such manifold systems enable ease of use for making mechanical, electrical, and fluid connections to a reservoir used for additive manufacturing. Conduits formed in the reservoir manifold can allow for a fluid connection to be established with a reservoir to allow fluid flow into and out of the reservoir. The reservoir manifold can include one or more arms that are configured to move independently to couple to the reservoir of the printing apparatus. The reservoir manifold can include a trigger coupled to a latch mechanism for engaging one or more components of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the ability of the manifold to make electrical connections to the reservoir may present advantages to the ease-of-use and reliability of an additive manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing materials, and articles with controlled particle concentrations. Additive manufacturing apparatus includes a mixer; a reservoir in fluidic communication with the mixer; and a build plate parallel to the reservoir. Additive manufacturing apparatus includes a mixer and a solid particle dispensing system and/or a slurry dispensing system. A method for handling precursors during additive manufacturing includes (a) providing first and second precursor materials and/or a slurry to a mixer; (b) mixing the materials in the mixer; (c) transporting the mixed materials directly to a reservoir disposed in parallel with a build plate; (d) curing at least a portion of the transported and mixed materials; and (e) repeating step (d) at least once. An article includes a plurality of adjacent layers, a concentration of particles in each layer defining a controlled concentration gradient and/or vary by no more than ±50%.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a composite part, such as a reinforced composite part, are provided that enable control over the fiber or other particle orientation within each layer of the part during manufacture. The apparatus and method employ a print head including a dispensing tip and a magnetic assembly controllable to apply a magnetic field at a print location adjacent the dispensing tip outlet.

Abstract: A package for delivering a fluid volatile substance includes an impermeable shell that defines a reservoir into which a liquid volatile substance, such as oil, may be at least partially filled. A microporous membrane is placed in covering relation to the reservoir to allow emanation through capillarity of the volatile substance. To absorb any liquid that may seep through microporous membrane during use or storage, an oleophilic layer is heat sealed in covering relation to the microporous membrane. Finally, a foil barrier layer is sealed to the shell in covering relation to the microporous membrane. The foil barrier is releasable and once released will activate the volatile substance contained within the reservoir to transition from its liquid phase to a gaseous phase with the vapors carrying the scent of the volatile substance.

Abstract: A mobile signal small cell aggregator system allows mobile signals from multiple network operators to be combined and split from the system. The system receives input from multiple ports from one or more network operators and operator bands and transfers the signals to a downlink/summing or aggregation unit which sends the signals to connected antennas to be received by users of the particular network operator. Signals received from connected antennas from users of one or more network operators are aggregated and switched to the appropriate small cell port and forwarded to the selected network operator. The system is configured to provide network control, power monitoring and attenuation, and a single GPS input for use by all of the connected network operators.

Abstract: A mobile signal small cell aggregator system allows mobile signals from multiple network operators to be combined and split from the system. The system receives input from multiple ports from one or more network operators and operator bands and transfers the signals to a downlink/summing or aggregation unit which sends the signals to connected antennas to be received by users of the particular network operator. Signals received from connected antennas from users of one or more network operators are aggregated and switched to the appropriate small cell port and forwarded to the selected network operator. The system is configured to provide network control, power monitoring and attenuation, and a single GPS input for use by all of the connected network operators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a composite part, such as a reinforced composite part, are provided that enable control over the fiber or other particle orientation within each layer of the part during manufacture. The apparatus and method employ a print head including a dispensing tip and a magnetic assembly controllable to apply a magnetic field at a print location adjacent the dispensing tip outlet.

Abstract: A process for the large-scale chemoenzymatic production of (6S)-5-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid, also known as (6S)-5-methylTHFA, the process comprising the steps of: (1) reducing folic acid (FA) so as to yield dihydrofolic acid (DHFA); (2) stereoselectively reducing DHFA with dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) in the presence of NADP/NADPH, glucose and GluDH so as to yield (6S)-THFA; (3) converting (6S)-THFA to (6S)-5-methylTHFA; and (4) isolating (6S)-5-methylTHFA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach for the preparation of fatty alcohol esters of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acids. The present invention also provides a novel topical gel for the transdermal delivery of steroids using the fatty alcohol esters as permeation enhancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach for the preparation of fatty alcohol esters of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acids. In one form of the invention, the target fatty alcohol ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid is produced by converting a lower alkyl ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid into a fatty alcohol ester of ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid via alcoholysis (i.e., transesterification). The transesterification process is an equilibrium reaction, catalyzed chemically (i.e., with acids or bases) or enzymatically, that is shifted in the desired direction to produce the desired product. One preferred way of shifting the reaction in the direction of the desired product is by reducing the concentration of one of the products (e.g., distillation of a lower-boiling alcohol as soon as it is formed). Another preferred way of shifting the reaction in-the direction of the desired product is by increasing the concentration of one of the reactants (e.q., adding more of the starting ester).