Abstract: An optionally transferable optical system with a reduced thickness is provided. The inventive optical system is basically made up of a synthetic image presentation system in which one or more arrangements of structured image icons are substantially in contact with, but not completely embedded within, one or more arrangements of focusing elements. The focusing element and image icon arrangements cooperate to form at least one synthetic image. By way of the subject invention, the requirement for an optical spacer to provide the necessary focal distance between the focusing elements and their associated image icon(s) is removed. As a result, overall system thicknesses are reduced, suitability as a surface-applied authentication system is enabled, and tamper resistance is improved.

Abstract: An optical device projecting one or more synthetically magnified images that has been laser marked with one or more static two dimensional (2D) images is provided. The static 2D image(s) laser marked on or within this device and the synthetically magnified image(s) projected by this device help determine the authenticity of a document (e.g., passport data page) or product that employs it. Several embodiments of the inventive device also offer increased resistance to tampering or alteration and wear.

Abstract: An optical device projecting one or more synthetically magnified images that has been laser marked with one or more static two dimensional (2D) images is provided. The static 2D image(s) laser marked on or within this device and the synthetically magnified image(s) projected by this device help determine the authenticity of a document (e.g., passport data page) or product that employs it. Several embodiments of the inventive device also offer increased resistance to tampering or alteration and wear.

Abstract: An optical device projecting one or more synthetically magnified images that has been laser marked with one or more static two dimensional (2D) images is provided. The static 2D image(s) laser marked on or within this device and the synthetically magnified image(s) projected by this device help determine the authenticity of a document (e.g., passport data page) or product that employs it. Several embodiments of the inventive device also offer increased resistance to tampering or alteration and wear.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition comprising a fine particulate glass cullet. The particulate material may be obtained by a suitable grinding process. The particulate cullet is useful as an inexpensive filler for polymer compositions and in abrasive compositions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a particulate glass cullet having a d90 less than about 20 ?m, and a particulate glass cullet having a d90 wherein the particles have been surface treated to modify on or more properties of the cullet. The particulate materials may be obtained by a suitable grinding process. The particulate glass cullet and surface treated particulate glass cullet are useful as anti-blocking pigments in polymer compositions.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to filterable composite adsorbents comprising one or more adsorbent components and one or more filtration components, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to filterable composite adsorbents and filterable composite adsorbent products which are suitable for use in filtration applications, and which comprise one or more microparticulate or colloidal adsorbent components selected from the group consisting of silica gel, fumed silica, neutral clay, alkaline clay, zeolite, solid catalyst, alumina, adsorbent polymer, alkaline earth silicate hydrate, and combinations thereof, which bear the property of adsorption, which are intimately bound to one or more functional filtration components selected from the group consisting of biogenic silica (e.g., diatomite, rice hull ash, sponge spicules), natural glass (e.g.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to filterable composite adsorbents comprising one or more adsorbent components and one or more filtration components, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to filterable composite adsorbents and filterable composite adsorbent products which are suitable for use in filtration applications, and which comprise one or more microparticulate or colloidal adsorbent components selected from the group consisting of silica gel, fumed silica, neutral clay, alkaline clay, zeolite, solid catalyst, alumina, adsorbent polymer, alkaline earth silicate hydrate, and combinations thereof, which bear the property of adsorption, which are intimately bound to one or more functional filtration components selected from the group consisting of biogenic silica (e.g., diatomite, rice hull ash, sponge spicules), natural glass (e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to highly purified biogenic silica product obtained from diatomite and methods for preparing same. More particularly, this invention pertains to highly purified non-calcined, calcined, and flux-calcined diatomite products which bear the distinguishing porous and intricate structure of silica unique to diatomite and which have an extraordinarily high silica (i.e., silicon dioxide, SiO2) content and low density, resulting in high silica specific volume. These products often also exhibit exceptionally low soluble metals content and/or extreme brightness.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to advanced composite filtration media comprising a functional filtration component and a matrix component, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced composite filtration media and advanced composite filtration media products comprised of a functional filtration component, such as a biogenic silica product (e.g., diatomite), a natural glass product (e.g., expanded perlite), or a natural or synthetic crystalline mineral (e.g., titanium dioxide), which is thermally sintered to a matrix component, such as an engineering polymer (e.g., glasses, natural or synthetic crystalline minerals, thermoplastics, and metals) or a suitable natural material (e.g., rice hull ash, sponge spicules) that has a softening temperature below that of the functional filtration component. This invention also relates to advanced composite media and advanced composite media products, generally, which are also useful in non-filtration applications.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to highly purified biogenic silica product obtained from diatomite and methods for preparing same. More particularly, this invention pertains to highly purified non-calcined, calcined, and flux-calcined diatomite products which bear the distinguishing porous and intricate structure of silica unique to diatomite and which have an extraordinarily high silica (i.e., silicon dioxide, SiO2) content and low density, resulting in high silica specific volume. These products often also exhibit exceptionally low soluble metals content and/or extreme brightness.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selective separation of particles according to particle size. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced particulate media which are carefully sized so as to permit precise and selective separation of microparticles suspended in fluids according to particle size, and to methods of using these advanced particulate media to achieve precise and selective separation.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified natural glass products having low concentrations of soluble substances. More particularly, this invention relates to purified natural glass products having low slurry electrical conductivities (i.e., less than about 18 .mu.S-cm.sup.-1). Preferred embodiments are further characterized by low concentrations of soluble iron (i.e., less than about 2 mg Fe/kg product) and/or low concentrations of soluble aluminum (i.e., less than about 10 mg Al/kg product). These products may be prepared from natural glasses and natural glass products, including, for example, expanded perlite, pumice, expanded pumice, and volcanic ash. The products of the present invention retain the intricate and porous characteristics of the feed material but possess low concentrations of soluble substances, thereby permitting much greater utility, particularly in filtration applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to advanced composite filtration media comprising (i) a functional filtration component and (ii) a matrix component, wherein said matrix component has a softening point temperature less than the softening point temperature of said functional filtration component, and wherein said functional filtration component is intimately bound to said matrix component; and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced composite filter media and advanced composite filter media products comprised of a functional filtration component, such as a biogenic silica product (e.g., diatomite) or a natural glass product (e.g., expanded perlite) which bears a distinguishing porous and intricate structure suitable for filtration, which is thermally sintered to a matrix component, such as an engineering polymer (e.g., glasses, crystalline minerals, thermoplastics, and metals) that has a softening temperature below that of the functional filtration component.

Abstract: This invention relates to highly purified biogenic silica product obtained from diatomite and methods for preparing same. More particularly, this invention pertains to highly purified non-calcined, calcined, and flux-calcined diatomite products which bear the distinguishing porous and intricate structure of silica unique to diatomite and which have an extraordinarily high silica (i.e., silicon dioxide, SiO.sub.2) content and low density, resulting in high silica specific volume. These products often also exhibit exceptionally low soluble metals content and/or extreme brightness.