Abstract: A system and method and fastening tool that utilizes ultrasonic or acoustic energy and a horn that focuses the energy into the fastener at a predetermined location in order to facilitate tightening or loosening the fastener.

Abstract: A graphical workflow definition and management tool enables administrators and other authorized users to implement a workflow process that can be used to evaluate project submissions or other applications that require step-by-step process completion. The steps required to navigate through the workflow are first defined. Inputs, outputs, and actions, including conditional criteria, can be specified for the steps. The flow of control between the individual steps in the workflow is mapped out; changes to the status of a project submission can cause a submission to migrate to a succeeding step in the workflow. A “sandbox” testing environment allows changes to any aspect of the workflow to be safely evaluated without affecting live data. Conflicts between production and test workflows are identified and intelligently resolved.

Abstract: A silica-based substrate includes a glass phase and a dispersed phase having carbon, such that the silica-based substrate has a thickness of at least 10 gm. Also disclosed is a method of forming a silica-based substrate, the method including contacting a porous silica soot preform with an organic solution having at least one hydrocarbon precursor to form a doped silica soot preform and heating the doped silica soot preform in an inert atmosphere to form the silica-based substrate.

Abstract: Components for valve treatment systems are disclosed. Valve treatment systems can include a delivery system for an implantable device. The delivery system can include one or more of clasp control components slidably disposed on a catheter handle, a control element for opening and closing the implantable device, a catheter assembly with features to reduce friction with another catheter assembly, grips for attaching catheter assemblies to clamps, catheter assemblies with features that stiffen or provide variable stiffness, and catheter assemblies with one or more steering control lumens incorporated into a reinforcement layer.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method of making a microstructured glass article includes bundling M bare optical fibers in a fiber bundle, wherein M is an integer greater than 100. Thereafter, the fiber bundle may be inserted in a cavity of a soot preform. The soot preform may have a density of less than or equal to 1.5 g/cm3 and comprise silica-based glass soot. The soot preform and inserted fiber bundle may then be consolidated to form a microstructured glass article preform. The microstructured glass article preform may then be drawn into the microstructured glass article comprising M core elements embedded in a cladding matrix.

Abstract: An anti-resonant hollow core optical fiber preform that includes an outer cladding, a plurality of structural tubes, and a central support tube. The outer cladding has a length, a central longitudinal axis, and a hollow interior. The plurality of structural tubes are disposed within the hollow interior of the outer cladding, the plurality of structural tubes each having a length that extends the length of the outer cladding. And the central support tube is disposed within the hollow interior of the outer cladding such that the plurality of structural tubes are disposed radially outward of the central support tube, the central support tube having a length that extends along the central longitudinal axis of the outer cladding. Furthermore, the length of the central support tube is less than the length of the outer cladding.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical glass preform from a soot preform is provided. The method includes forming a soot preform, placing the soot preform in a furnace, and applying a vacuum through a centerline hole of the soot preform.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a core comprising silica co-doped with nitrogen and chlorine and an outer cladding surrounding the core. In some aspects, the core can be characterized by an annealing temperature of less than or equal to about 1150° C. and/or the core can include a relative refractive index ?core in a range of from about 0.15% to about 0.45%.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method of making a microstructured glass article includes bundling M bare optical fibers in a fiber bundle, wherein M is an integer greater than 100. Thereafter, the fiber bundle may be inserted in a cavity of a soot preform. The soot preform may have a density of less than or equal to 1.5 g/cm3 and comprise silica-based glass soot. The soot preform and inserted fiber bundle may then be consolidated to form a microstructured glass article preform. The microstructured glass article preform may then be drawn into the microstructured glass article comprising M core elements embedded in a cladding matrix.

Abstract: Provided is a portable, hand-held, self-powered, self-calibrated, easy-to-use “iCOBRA” system, a neural/neurological assessment tool for both operational decision-making in military, aerospace, sports, and other high-performance settings, and to assist in diagnostics in medical practice. The system harnesses multimodal 3D imaging technologies for robust, calibration free, head and eye tracking to allow for visual, vestibular, and oculomotor assessment of human neural health and performance.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method of making a micro structured glass article 100 includes bundling M bare optical fibers in a fiber bundle, wherein M is an integer greater than 100. Thereafter, the fiber bundle may be inserted in a cavity of a soot preform. The soot preform may have a density of less than or equal to 1.5 g/cm3 and comprise silica-based glass soot. The soot preform and inserted fiber bundle may then be consolidated to form a microstructured glass article preform. The micro structured glass article preform may then be drawn into the microstructured glass article 100 comprising M core elements 102 embedded in a cladding matrix 104.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber having a core region. The core region includes silica, has an outer radius r1, and has a maximum relative refractive index of about 1.5% or less. Additionally, the multimode optical fiber is configured to have an effective bandwidth of about 4.7 GHz-Km or greater for an excited portion of the core region that has a diameter greater than 50 microns, the effective bandwidth being at a wavelength that is within a range of between about 800 and about 1370 nm.

Abstract: A high-density optical fiber ribbon is formed by two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers each having an outer surface and that do not individually include a protective polymer coating. A common protective coating substantially surrounds the outer surfaces of the two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers so that the common protective coating is common to the two or more cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers. A fiber ribbon cable is formed by adding a cover assembly to the fiber ribbon. A fiber ribbon interconnect is formed adding one or more optical connectors to the fiber ribbon or fiber ribbon cable. Optical data transmission systems that employ the fiber ribbon to optically connect to a photonic device are also disclosed. Methods of forming the cladding-strengthened glass optical fibers and the high-density optical fiber ribbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a core comprising silica co-doped with nitrogen and chlorine and an outer cladding surrounding the core. In some aspects, the core can be characterized by an annealing temperature of less than or equal to about 1150° C. and/or the core can include a relative refractive index ?core in a range of from about 0.15% to about 0.45%.

Abstract: Multimode optical fibers are disclosed herein. In some embodiment disclosed herein, a multimode optical fiber having a bandwidth of greater than 2 GHz·km includes: a glass matrix having a front endface, a back endface, a length (L), a refractive index n20 and a central axis (AC); and a plurality of cores arranged within the glass matrix, wherein the plurality of cores run generally parallel to the central axis between the front and back endfaces and having respective refractive indices n50, wherein n50>n20, wherein the glass matrix serves as a common cladding for the plurality of cores so that each core and the common cladding define a waveguide, wherein each core is a single mode at an operating wavelength; and wherein any two cores have an center-to-center spacing s of 3 ?m to 20 ?m and a coupling coefficient of greater than 10 m?1 but less than 200 m?1.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber having a core region. The core region includes silica, has an outer radius r1, and has a maximum relative refractive index of about 1.5% or less. Additionally, the multimode optical fiber is configured to have an effective bandwidth of about 4.7 GHz-Km or greater for an excited portion of the core region that has a diameter greater than 50 microns, the effective bandwidth being at a wavelength that is within a range of between about 800 and about 1370 nm.

Abstract: A silica-based substrate includes a glass phase and a dispersed phase having carbon, such that the silica-based substrate has a thickness of at least 10 gm. Also disclosed is a method of forming a silica-based substrate, the method including contacting a porous silica soot preform with an organic solution having at least one hydrocarbon precursor to form a doped silica soot preform and heating the doped silica soot preform in an inert atmosphere to form the silica-based substrate.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method of making a micro structured glass article 100 includes bundling M bare optical fibers in a fiber bundle, wherein M is an integer greater than 100. Thereafter, the fiber bundle may be inserted in a cavity of a soot preform. The soot preform may have a density of less than or equal to 1.5 g/cm3 and comprise silica-based glass soot. The soot preform and inserted fiber bundle may then be consolidated to form a microstructured glass article preform. The micro structured glass article preform may then be drawn into the microstructured glass article 100 comprising M core elements 102 embedded in a cladding matrix 104.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming an optical fiber preform using organic silica and germania precursors. The method includes depositing soot composed of germanium dioxide and silica on a substrate, removing the substrate, conducting a dehydration step and one or more heating steps under an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form the preform. Also disclosed are optical fibers drawn from the preforms produced herein.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber, and multi-mode optical fiber produced thereby, are disclosed. According to embodiments, a method for forming an optical fiber may include heating a multi-mode optical fiber preform and applying a draw tension to a root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform on a long axis of the multi-mode optical fiber preform thereby drawing a multi-mode optical fiber from the root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform. The draw tension may be modulated while the multi-mode optical fiber is drawn from the root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform. Modulating the draw tension introduces stress perturbations in the multi-mode optical fiber and corresponding refractive index perturbations in a core of the multi-mode optical fiber.