Abstract: A magnetically driven apparatus useful, for instance, for conveying webs, utilizes magnetically coupled first and second rotatable elements and means for rotating one of the rotatable elements which causes the simultaneous synchronous rotation of the other rotatable element. Both first and second rotatable elements include a magnetic core, and a media bearing surface comprising a mixture of a polymeric matrix and a hard, inorganic particulate material wear and abrasion resistant layer surrounding the magnetic core. The means for rotating one of the rotatable elements includes a ferromagnetic stator member integrally associated with one of said first and second rotatable elements. The ferromagnetic stator member has a plurality of spatially separated pole teeth, wherein each of the pole teeth has an operably connected coil arranged for producing rotation of one of said first and second rotatable elements once the coil is energized.

Abstract: A hybrid, micro-electromagnetic light shutter includes a silicon body having a top surface with an arcuate groove formed on the top surface. A recess and a light aperture are formed in the top surface of the silicon body proximate to the arcuate groove. A shutter assemblage generally comprising metallic elements is provided with a rotatable shutter blade fixedly attached to a means for rotating. The means for rotating has a micro-magnetic element that interacts magnetically with an electromagnet for producing rotational movement. The shutter assemblage is arranged in the recess of the silicon body so that the means for rotating can be supported during rotation by the arcuate groove and be activated for rotational movement by the electromagnet.

Abstract: An imaging processor for receiving a medium for processing, the processor comprises a print head for providing and for directing a writing laser beam. A laser source also disposed in the image processor for creating a focusing laser beam for ultimately permitting adjustment of the writing laser beam. An imaging receptacle receives the medium and is exposed to both the writing and focusing laser beams, and the writing laser beam is periodically directed from the medium, to the imaging receptacle and back to the medium. A laser-absorbent coating is coated onto the imaging drum for absorbing the focusing laser beam that is received by the imaging receptacle for substantially eliminating transient oscillations in the writing laser beam.

Abstract: A method for making micromagnets and magnets with a micro-polarization pattern on at least one surface thereof.

Abstract: A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light includes a substrate having a cavity formed therein and a plurality of spaced-apart deformable elements formed in the cavity. The deformable elements each has a base layer, a poled magnetic layer formed in the base layer and a first light reflection layer deposited on the magnetic layer for reflecting an incident beam of light. Between adjacent deformable elements on the base of the cavity is arranged a second light reflection layer. A conductive element formed in the substrate electro-magnetically energizes the deformable elements to deflect in the cavity. Incident light passing through each one of the first light reflection layers is caused to destructively interfere with light reflected from the second light reflection layers thereby causing modulation of the incident light.

Abstract: The present invention is ceramic article of stabilized zirconia wherein the stabilized zirconia has a molar ratio of rare earth oxide:zirconia of from 1:99 to 15:85, at a weight percent of from about 97 to 75. The ceramic article includes smectite clay from about 3 to 25 weight percent wherein the article is a mass of sintered particles having a continuous tetragonal phase having dispersed therein monoclinic phase particles having size of less than 100 nm.

Abstract: A method of making an article of manufacture comprising a hybrid silicon-based micro-electromagnetic light shutter includes providing a silicon body having a top surface with an arcuate groove formed on the top surface. A recess and a light aperture are formed in the top surface of the silicon body proximate to the arcuate groove. A shutter assemblage generally comprising metallic elements is provided with a rotatable shutter blade fixedly attached to a means for rotating. The means for rotating has a micro-magnetic element that interacts magnetically with an electromagnet for producing rotational movement. The shutter assemblage is arranged in the recess of the silicon body so that the means for rotating can be supported during rotation by the arcuate groove and be activated for rotational movement by the electromagnet.

Abstract: A method of forming a piezoelectric element which includes piezoelectric material having a variable functionally gradient d-coefficient including coating a block having a uniform concentration of piezoelectric material with a predetermined porosity by applying a first layer having piezoelectric material with a same or different chemical composition than the block onto a surface of the block and having a different porosity than the predetermined porosity which is selected so as to provide a different morphological structure than the block; applying a subsequent layer of piezoelectric material on the first layer with the same or different chemical composition of piezoelectric material than the block and having a different porosity than the previously deposited layer so as to provide a different morphological structure than the block or the previously applied layer(s); applying heat to the block and the applied layer to dry the applied layer; and then applying heat to sinter the piezoelectric block and applied l

Abstract: A modulator (10) for modulating an incident beam of light includes a substrate (14) having a cavity (32) formed therein and a plurality of spaced-apart deformable elements (12) formed in the cavity (32). The deformable elements (12) each has a base layer (16), a poled magnetic layer (18) formed in the base layer (16) and a first light reflection layer (20) deposited on the magnetic layer (18) for reflecting an incident beam of light. Between adjacent deformable elements on the base (12) of the cavity (32) is arranged a second light reflection layer (36). A conductive element (22, 24) formed in the substrate (14) electro-magnetically energizes the deformable elements (12) to deflect in the cavity (32). Incident light passing through each one of the first light reflection layers (20) is caused to destructively interfere with light reflected from the second light reflection layers (36) thereby causing modulation of the incident light.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the green state which are sintered together including the unitary ceramic body defining a mixing chamber and passage means for providing communication with the mixing chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such mixing chamber for mixing or reacting chemicals in the fluids; and the unitary ceramic body including means for delivering the mixed chemicals to exit from the unitary ceramic body.

Abstract: A wear resistant transport web (12) having a flexible base layer (76), and a first bonding layer (84) at least partially surrounding and bonded to the base layer (76). The wear resistant transport web (12) further comprises a first layer (86) comprising a corrosion resistant material, wherein said corrosion resistant material is electroplated nickel or electroless nickel, at least partially surrounds and is bonded to the first bonding layer (84) of the transport web (12). In addition, the wear resistant transport web (120 has a second bonding layer (88) is provided that at least partially surrounds and is bonded to the first layer (86). A second layer (90), comprising a wear and abrasion resistant material, wherein said wear and abrasion resistant materials is selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane; acrylic; silicon dioxide; alumina; chromium oxide; zirconium oxide; composites of zirconia-alumina; or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A micro-sized encoder which can be used to track the rotational position, angular velocity and acceleration of micro-sized rotating devices. The encoder includes an extrusion molded, micro-sized ceramic housing adapted to receive the radically micro-polarized, mullet-pole micro-magnet with an axially shaft. End plates with integral bearings are formed which mount to the housing and support the axially shaft. A thin film Hall sensor mounted on the surface of the housing in proximity to the ratable micro-magnet is used for sensing the radial field component of the micromagnet. The sensor is in communication with sensor electronics whereby, as the micromagnet rotates, the radially alternating north and south magnetic fields are sensed to the thin film Hall sensor and counted by the sensor electronics.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together including the unitary ceramic body defining a catalytic reaction chamber position and a first and second passages for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the catalytic reaction chamber position, a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of catalytic reaction chambers. The movable member moves to the catalytic reaction chamber position where one of the catalytic reaction chambers is in communication with the first and second passages to cause the catalytic reaction of the fluids to produce reaction products.

Abstract: Image processing equipment (10) having an image processor housing (20) and a transport roller assemblage (100) for transporting a web (116) of donor dye material (44) arranged in the housing. The transport roller assemblage (100) has at least one of either the first and second rollers (112, 114) comprising a composite mixture of polymer and inorganic particulate materials (172). Alternatively, a hard coating (182, 184) is applied on a polymeric roller comprising primarily hard inorganic particles.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a reaction chamber and a first passage for providing communication with the catalytic reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber connected to the reaction chamber. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and having a plurality of micro- filters for separating the reaction products so as to retrieve desired reaction products; and the movable member is moved to a position where one of the micro filters is in communication with the reaction chamber for separating the reaction products.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the green state which are sintered together includes a unitary ceramic body defining a reaction chamber and first passages are provided for communication with the reaction chamber so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber, a permeable partition wall being provided within the reaction chamber to permit the mixing of fluids during a reaction process. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a filtering chamber including filters disposed in such chamber for separating the solid reaction products from the fluid and for retrieving desired solid reaction products; and other passages for directing the desired solid reaction products to exit from the unitary ceramic body and other passages for directing the desired liquid reaction products to exit from the unitary ceramic body.

Abstract: An integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant having a unitary ceramic body formed from multiple ceramic layers in the "green" state which are sintered together includes the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes a reaction chamber position and having first and second passages for providing communication with the reaction chamber position so that two or more fluids may be delivered to such reaction chamber position for reaction; the unitary ceramic body defining a receiving chamber which includes the reaction chamber position. The integrated micro-ceramic chemical plant further includes a movable member insertable into the receiving chamber and defining a plurality of separate catalytic reaction chambers and micro-filtering chambers, each such catalytic reaction chamber being provided by a micro-porous ceramic member which includes a catalyst impregnated into the micro-porous ceramic member.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a ceramic article. The method includes forming an intercalated or exfoliated solution of smectite clay and a polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene oxides, polystyrene sulfonates, polyacrylamides, polymers of styrene, alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, olefins, acrylonitriles, polyurethanes and polyester ionomers. The solution is mixed with zirconia stabilized with at least one rare earth oxide element selected from Mg, Ca, Y, Sc and Ce to form a mixture. The mixture is molded into a green part. The green part is sintered to form the ceramic article.

Abstract: Image processing equipment has a wear resistant coating on translational rod bearings which support a scanner for slidable movement in a frame. Titanium nitride is coated over a hardened stainless steel core of the translational rods and bearing pads which are arranged for sliding contact with the rods comprise diamond laminated tungsten carbide.

Abstract: Long wearing lithographic imaging members are prepared from a zirconia ceramic layer having thereon a hydrophilic, non-crosslinked water-insoluble surface layer. This surface layer is ablatable using imaging apparatus such as a laser, and the surface energy differential between the non-removed hydrophilic layer and the exposed underlying zirconia ceramic is desirable to provide lithographic printing with improved image sharpness.