Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a method for preparing a metal oxide, the method includes (a) contacting a metal salt precursor with an alcohol to provide a metal oxide; and (b) removing the metal oxide from the alcohol.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a copper oxide nanoparticle, a catalyst that includes the copper oxide nanoparticle, and methods of manufacturing and using the same. The catalyst can be used to catalyze a chemical reaction (e.g., oxidizing carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2)).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming the apparatus include nanoparticles, catalyst nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes generated from catalyst nanoparticles, and methods of fabrication of such nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cobalt and molybdenum doped mesoporous silica catalysts and methods for using the catalysts to making Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. The methods offer increased control over the orientation, length and diameter of the nanotubes produced.

Abstract: A cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A plurality of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. Mounting brackets protrude from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies. Each of the mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed thereon and a bore extending therethrough. A bracket member is associated with each of the plurality of mounting brackets that connects the mounting bracket to either the heat exchanger or to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly.

Abstract: A Fabry-Pérot (FP) laser device (1) has an n-type substrate (2), an active region (3), a p-type cladding (4), an insulator (5), and a contact (6). The cladding (4) comprises a ridge (7) having a number of slots (8). The slots (8) cause a partial longitudinal reflection of the light. The precise locations of the slots are chosen to accurately and predictably achieve a particular selected mode or modes in the output light. A method to design a slot pattern both preferentially selects a particular Fabry-Pérot mode as the peak emission wavelength and also suppresses an arbitrary number of neighbouring Fabry-Pérot modes. The method selects a set of Fabry-Pérot modes in preference to other Fabry-Pérot modes within the cavity. In this way the method addresses the important problems for semiconductor lasers of predetermination of the peak lasing wavelength and also stability of the peak lasing mode with changes in temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing content with design in a presentation that is suitable for printing and/or electronic publishing. The method utilizes content data including alphanumeric and/or graphical elements, and design data including a rule or rules associated with a particular alphanumeric element or graphical element. This can be used to define a scoring system which defines a score dependent on a degree of conformance of layouts to the rules, with the layout being selected in accordance with the resulting score.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for preparing high quality nanoparticles, i.e., metal oxide based nanoparticles of uniform size and monodispersity. The nanoparticles advantageously comprise organic alkyl chain capping groups and are stable in air and in nonpolar solvents. The methods of the invention provide a simple and reproducible procedure for forming transition metal oxide nanocrystals, with yields over 80%. The highly crystalline and monodisperse nanocrystals are obtained directly without further size selection; particle size can be easily and fractionally increased by the methods. The resulting nanoparticles can exhibit magnetic and/or optical properties. These properties result from the methods used to prepare them. Also advantageously, the nanoparticles of this invention are well suited for use in a variety of industrial applications, including cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations and compositions.

Abstract: A cooling system assembly for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger with a plurality of fins for the transfer of heat to air passing therebetween. The heat exchanger has a pre-selected length, width, and thickness such that the heat exchanger fits adjacent an engine of the vehicle. A plurality of fan assemblies are positioned adjacent each other and juxtaposed the heat exchanger so that the fan assemblies cause air to travel across the fins when the fan assemblies are operating. Mounting brackets protrude from a periphery of each of the fan assemblies. Each of the mounting brackets has a set of ratchet grooves formed thereon and a bore extending therethrough. A bracket member is associated with each of the plurality of mounting brackets that connects the mounting bracket to either the heat exchanger or to one of the mounting brackets of the other fan assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods for producing water-soluble iron oxide nanoparticles comprising encapsulating the nanoparticles in phospholipids micelles. Also provided are methods for conjugating the inventive nanoparticles via functionalized phospholipids to a target molecule, such as an antibody. The invention further provides methods for using the nanoparticle-antibody conjugate of the invention as a contrast agent to image specific cells or proteins in a subject using fluorescent and magnetic imaging techniques.

Abstract: A stepped etalon having a top surface and two bottom surfaces that are parallel to the top surface and are each positioned at different distances from the top surface. Each bottom surface has an edge, wherein the edges face one another and a sloping step is positioned between the two edges so that rays from a beam of light projected onto the top surface of the etalon strike the step at the Brewster angle and pass through the etalon without any light being reflected back therein.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of magnetic nanoparticles coated with a noble metal is described. The method includes providing a first mixture containing a first non-polar organic solvent and uncoated magnetic nanoparticles. The first mixture is mixed with a second mixture containing a second non-polar organic solvent and ions comprising the noble metal to form a third mixture. The third mixture is mixed with an organic ligand or a fourth mixture containing an organic ligand to form a fifth mixture. The fifth mixture is reacted with a sixth mixture containing a reducing agent to form a seventh mixture containing the monodispersed magnetic nanoparticles coated with the noble metal. The monodispersed magnetic coated nanoparticles may be separated from the seventh mixture by adding a polar organic solvent or a mixture of polar organic solvents in which the nanoparticles are insoluble.

Abstract: An improved stepped etalon comprises a transparent body having a stepped surface. The lands of the steps are separated by a non-abrupt or softened transition region. This reduces the diffraction of light caused by the step transitions, thereby reducing the dead spot behind the step transition portions where interference prevents accurate measurements of light transmission from being made. Methods for producing a smoothly stepped etalon and for smoothing the step transitions in an abruptly stepped etalon are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention, in accordance with one aspect, is an optical assembly including a substrate, a light emitting device mounted over a major surface of the substrate and having a back face, at least one channel formed in the substrate near the back face of the light emitting device, and at least one photodetector optically coupled to the light emitted from the back face. The channel includes at least one surface adapted to receive a portion of the back face light and reflect it away from the photodetector so that the photodetector receives primarily direct light from the back face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing content with design in a presentation that is suitable for printing and/or electronic publishing. The method utilises content data including alphanumeric and/or graphical elements, and design data including a rule or rules associated with a particular alphanumeric element or graphical element. This can be used to define a scoring system which defines a score dependent on a degree of conformance of layouts to the rules, with the layout being selected in accordance with the resulting score.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength etalon comprises at least two regions with different indices of refraction. The change in refractive index alters the wavelengths of incident light, and thus the number of wavelengths between the reflective surfaces of the etalon, and therefore the etalon's transmission characteristics. By selecting specific indices of refraction, an etalon can be provided which produces peaks and troughs at preselected wavelengths in each region. The transition between two adjacent regions with different indices of refraction can be graded to reduce optical interference which may result from an abrupt transition.

Abstract: A laser module characterization apparatus and method, the apparatus controlled by a computer, the apparatus having a laser module, an internal etalon transducer, an external etalon, and an external etalon transducer. The laser module comprising a laser source substantially simultaneously emitting a pair of substantially identical beams of light and an internal etalon adapted to receive a first of the pair of beams of light and to permit a portion of the first beam to pass through the internal etalon. The internal etalon transducer connected to the computer and responsive to the portion of the first beam. The external etalon adapted to receive a second of the pair of beams of light and to permit a portion of the second beam to pass through the external etalon. The external etalon transducer connected to the computer and responsive to the portion of the second beam.

Abstract: High power semiconductor lasers for pumping fiber devices, such as fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers, include an optical gain region disposed between a rear end and the output end, the width of the optical gain region being greater at the output end than at the rear end. The optical gain region may include a single mode channel region coupled to a flared amplifier region. The light output from the laser is coupled via a lens system into a fiber for propagating to the fiber device to be pumped. Light is fedback into the laser, for example from a fiber Bragg grating, to induce the laser to operate in coherence collapse. The broad bandwidth output associated with coherence collapse permits the laser to deliver high optical powers into the fiber without the onset of stimulated Billion scattering. Fiber grating feedback improves the quality of the beam output by the laser, thus enhancing coupling efficiency into the fiber. The pump laser may be used to pump multiple fiber devices.

Abstract: An improved stepped etalon comprises a transparent body having a stepped surface. The lands of the steps are separated by a non-abrupt or softened transition region. This reduces the diffraction of light caused by the step transitions, thereby reducing the dead spot behind the step transition portions where interference prevents accurate measurements of light transmission from being made. Methods for producing a smoothly stepped etalon and for smoothing the step transitions in an abruptly stepped etalon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength etalon comprises at least two regions with different indices of refraction. The change in refractive index alters the wavelengths of incident light, and thus the number of wavelengths between the reflective surfaces of the etalon, and therefore the etalon's transmission characteristics. By selecting specific indices of refraction, an etalon can be provided which produces peaks and troughs at preselected wavelengths in each region. The transition between two adjacent regions with different indices of refraction can be graded to reduce optical interference which may result from an abrupt transition.