Abstract: Reversibly adaptive rough structures, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of raised elements on the substrate, the raised elements mutually spaced apart by channel regions on the substrate, each of the raised elements having a lateral surface and a distal end; the lateral surface, the distal end and the channel regions having hydrophobic molecules thereon; and the distal end having reversibly adaptive bristles thereon, the reversibly adaptive bristles being convertible between relatively hydrophilic and hydrophobic states by the application of an external stimulus. Techniques for making reversibly adaptive rough structures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, by administering xylitol to a subject in need of treatment. A composition containing xylitol for treating vaginal infections is also disclosed. It has been found that xylitol is capable of selectively inhibiting the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis, the main pathogen in bacterial vaginosis, while not inhibiting the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus, the dominant bacteria in a healthy vaginal ecosystem. Xylitol, a natural five-carbon sugar polyol, is safe and cost-effective, and can be used alone or incorporated into different vaginal health products to treat and/or prevent bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymer template includes exposing a photoresist having polymer molecules to a light pattern and baking the photoresist to chemically react polymer molecules in portions of the photoresist that were exposed to light of the light pattern. The reacted polymer molecules have a different solubility in a solvent than chemically unreacted polymer molecules. The process also includes washing the baked photoresist with the solvent to produce a porous structure by selectively solvating one of the reacted polymer molecules and the unreacted polymer molecules. The porous structure can be used as template for forming porous structures of high refractive index materials.

Abstract: A process for forming a polymer template includes exposing a photoresist having polymer molecules to a light pattern and baking the photoresist to chemically react polymer molecules in portions of the photoresist that were exposed to light of the light pattern. The reacted polymer molecules have a different solubility in a solvent than chemically unreacted polymer molecules. The process also includes washing the baked photoresist with the solvent to produce a porous structure by selectively solvating one of the reacted polymer molecules and the unreacted polymer molecules. The porous structure can be used as template for forming porous structures of high refractive index materials.

Abstract: A method includes exposing a first photoresist layer through a refractive mask to form a first pattern of above-threshold exposure spots in the first layer and exposing a second photoresist layer through the same mask to form a second pattern of above-threshold exposure spots in the second layer. Coordination numbers of exposure spots are larger in the first pattern than in the second pattern, nearest-neighbor pairs of the exposure spots have larger spacings in the first pattern than in the second pattern or largest ones of the exposure spots have larger diameters in the first pattern than in the second pattern.

Abstract: A bonding structure with compliant bumps includes a stopper structure and a protection layer. Compliant bumps include at least a polymer bump, a metal layer and a surface conductive layer. Both the stopper structure and protection layer are formed with polymer bumps and metal layer. Compliant bumps provide bonding pad and conductive channel. Stoppers are used to prevent compliant bumps from crushing for overpressure in bonding process. The protection layer provides functions of grounding and shielding. The stoppers can be outside or connected with the compliant bumps. The protection layer has thickness smaller than the stopper structure and compliant bumps. It can be separated or connected with stoppers.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) encapsulation material and manufacturing process comprising a photo-sensitive polymer constituting at least one of an Oligomer or a reactive Monomer, and a Photoinitiator. After a LED chip encapsulation, the photo-sensitive polymer is exposed to visible light or ultraviolet light, or electron beam, free of infrared rays, thereby triggering a free radical polymerization reaction of the photo-sensitive polymer, and rapid curing thereof under room temperature, eliminating the need for heating in a furnace during encapsulation manufacturing process of the light-emitting diode, while prompting rapid curing thereof, and thereby enhancing production efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle tie down rail conjoinment structure comprised of a first connector and a second connector each having a mounting surface at one extremity and an oblique slip-thrust surface formed at the opposite extremity. A threaded fastening component is utilized to conjoin the first connector and the second connector into a single physical entity, wherein the first connector is inserted into the inner diameter at the end section of the curved anchor footing of a vehicle tie down rail and the second coupling section is inserted into the inner diameter of the straight, thin long pipe member at the end section of the vehicle tie down rail.

Abstract: A microlens of the present invention may include a liquid droplet whose position and/or surface curvature may be changed (tuned), e.g., by selectively biasing one or more electrodes configured to said droplet. The droplet may then be solidified to fix a desired configuration (e.g., focal length) of the microlens. In one embodiment, the droplet has an optically curable liquid adhesive that is polymerized under exposure to UV light. Microlenses of the present invention may be used, for example, in optical devices to obtain and then maintain optimal coupling between various optical components.

Abstract: A vehicle tie down rail conjoinment structure comprised of a first connector and a second connector each having a mounting surface at one extremity and an oblique slip-thrust surface formed at the opposite extremity. A threaded fastening component is utilized to conjoin the first connector and the second connector into a single physical entity, wherein the first connector is inserted into the inner diameter at the end section of the curved anchor footing of a vehicle tie down rail and the second coupling section is inserted into the inner diameter of the straight, thin long pipe member at the end section of the vehicle tie down rail.

Abstract: The invention provides a bonding structure with compliant bumps, and also includes a stopper structure and a protection layer. Compliant bumps include at least a polymer bump, a metal layer and a surface conductive layer. Both the stopper structure and protection layer are formed with polymer bumps and metal layer. Compliant bumps provide bonding pad and conductive channel. Stoppers are used to prevent compliant bumps from crushing for overpressure in bonding process. The protection layer provides functions of grounding and shielding. The stoppers can be outside or connected with the compliant bumps. The protection layer is lower then the stopper structure and compliant bumps. It can be separated or connected with stoppers.

Abstract: A tunable optical lens includes a solid refractive optical lens, a channel adjacent to the solid refractive optical lens, and an extended body of liquid. A portion of the body forms at least part of an aperture stop for the lens. The portion of the body forms a meniscus that protrudes from or into the channel. The liquid is light-absorbing in the visual spectrum and/or in the near-infrared spectrum.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) encapsulation material and manufacturing process comprising a photo-sensitive polymer constituting at least one of an Oligomer or a reactive Monomer, and a Photoinitiator. After a LED chip encapsulation, the photo-sensitive polymer is exposed to visible light or ultraviolet light, or electron beam, free of infrared rays, thereby triggering a free radical polymerization reaction of the photo-sensitive polymer, and rapid curing thereof under room temperature, eliminating the need for heating in a furnace during encapsulation manufacturing process of the light-emitting diode, while prompting rapid curing thereof, and thereby enhancing production efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an integrated semiconductor device with a low dielectric constant material and an integrated semiconductor device with the low dielectric constant material interposed between two conductors is disclosed. The low dielectric constant material has a dielectric constant of less than about 2.8. The low dielectric constant material is a porous glass material with an average pore size of less than about 10 nm. The low dielectric constant material is formed on a semiconductor substrate with circuit lines thereover by combining an uncured and unmodified glass resin with an amphiphilic block copolymer. The amphiphilic block copolymer is miscible in the uncured glass resin. The mixture is applied onto the semiconductor substrate and the glass resin is cured. The glass resin is further processed to decompose or otherwise remove residual block copolymer from the cured glass resin.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a planar substrate and an array of substantially transparent spherical micro-lenses forming a pattern. The pattern has an internal two-dimensional lattice symmetry on the planar substrate. Each micro-lens includes a convex bulge or a concave depression in a surface of the planar substrate. The micro-lenses and substrate include hydrogel that swells and contracts in a manner that is responsive to an environmental condition.

Abstract: The vehicle running board of this invention comprises a first side pipe, being hollow inside and having a straight pipe section and a curved pipe section and a fixed base disposed at the curved pipe section; a second side pipe, being hollow inside and having as a straight pipe section and a curved pipe section, and a fixed base disposed at the curved pipe section; a middle pipe, being a hollow straight pipe and having an embedding section on both ends; by means of the foregoing structure, the middle pipe can use the embedding sections to embed between the straight pipe sections of the first and second side pipes respectively.

Abstract: The present invention makes use of an opening of a latch cover opening to engage the first loose leaf with the second loose leaf at a pivotal opening with a diameter smaller than the opening of the latch cover of the first loose leaf, and the latch cover of the first loose leaf is located between the two axle covers of the second loose leaf after they are coupled. Therefore, the two will not be separated from each other in the front-rear direction easily, so that the first and second loose leaves can be removed and assembled, and fixed securely after the assembling.

Abstract: A tunable optical waveguide is enclosed in an enclosure containing a controllably moveable region of fluid with a refractive index greater than the optical fiber such that at least a first transmission property of the waveguide is modified when the region of fluid is moved. In a first embodiment, the optical device comprises a Bragg grating that is tuned by moving the fluid over the grating to vary the amplitude of desired wavelengths that are reflected back through the core of the fiber. In a second embodiment, the optical device comprises a long-period grating that is tuned by moving the fluid over the grating to vary the amplitude of desired wavelengths that are transferred into the cladding of the fiber and, as a result, to decrease the amplitude of those desired wavelengths that are transmitted through the core of the fiber.

Abstract: The side rack rod. The side rack rod includes a straight tubular pipe section. A curved pipe section is respectively disposed on both ends of the straight tubular pipe. A fixed base is disposed under each curved pipe section. A long groove hole is disposed on each fixed base, such that the maximum and minimum distance between two long groove holes can adapt to a range of various sizes.