Abstract: A method for preparing an optically transparent, superomniphobic coating on a substrate, such as an optical substrate, is disclosed. The method includes providing a glass layer disposed on a substrate, the glass layer having a first side adjacent the substrate and an opposed second side, the glass layer comprising 45-85 wt. % silicon oxide in a first glass phase and 10-40 wt. % boron oxide in a second glass phase, such that a glass layer has a composition in a spinodal decomposition region. The method further includes heating the second side of the glass layer to form a phase-separated portion of the layer, the phase-separated portion comprising an interpenetrating network of silicon oxide domains and boron oxide domains, and removing at least a portion of the boron oxide domains from the phase-separated portion to provide a graded layer disposed on the substrate. The graded layer has a first side disposed adjacent the substrate, the first side comprising 45-85 wt. % silicon oxide and 10-40 wt.

Abstract: An article including an optically transparent, superomniphobic coating that is durable and relatively easy to keep clean, is disclosed. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an article comprising a substrate and a graded layer, the graded layer having a first side disposed adjacent the substrate, the first side comprising 45-85 wt. % silicon oxide in a first glass phase and 10-40 wt. % boron oxide in a second glass phase, and opposed the first side, a second side comprising at least 45 wt. % silicon oxide, no more than 5 wt. % boron oxide, and 10-50 wt. % aerogel, the aerogel present in the graded layer as a plurality of distinct domains.

Abstract: A composition that is easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, the composition includes a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is a structure including a substrate coated with the composition, as well as a method for making the composition and a method of coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a conversation tree are provided. In one technique, a user interface comprises an editor portion and a preview portion. The editor portion includes elements for creating and editing messages in the conversation tree. The preview portion includes a first message that comprises multiple buttons. Input is received, through the user interface, that selects a first button of the first message. In response to receiving the input, the preview portion to be updated to include a different set of messages. In a related technique, the preview portion includes a first message and a second message that is a child of the first message. Input is received, through the user interface, that selects the first message, causing the preview portion to be updated to exclude the second message and retain the first message, and causing the editor portion to be updated to include information about the first message.

Abstract: A composition that is easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, the composition includes a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is a structure including a substrate coated with the composition, as well as a method for making the composition and a method of coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: A coating that can be easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for coating a substrate comprises providing a substrate having a surface, disposing a coating composition adjacent the surface, the composition comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is an article comprising a coating layer, the coating layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles partially exposed on an outward surface thereof.

Abstract: Techniques for creating a conversation tree are provided. In one technique, a user interface comprises an editor portion and a preview portion. The editor portion includes elements for creating and editing messages in the conversation tree. The preview portion includes a first message that comprises multiple buttons. Input is received, through the user interface, that selects a first button of the first message. In response to receiving the input, the preview portion to be updated to include a different set of messages. In a related technique, the preview portion includes a first message and a second message that is a child of the first message. Input is received, through the user interface, that selects the first message, causing the preview portion to be updated to exclude the second message and retain the first message, and causing the editor portion to be updated to include information about the first message.

Abstract: A coating that can be easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for coating a substrate comprises providing a substrate having a surface, disposing a coating composition adjacent the surface, the composition comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is an article comprising a coating layer, the coating layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles partially exposed on an outward surface thereof.

Abstract: A coating that can be easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for coating a substrate comprises providing a substrate having a surface, disposing a coating composition adjacent the surface, the composition comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is an article comprising a coating layer, the coating layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles partially exposed on an outward surface thereof.

Abstract: A composition that is easily applied, clear, well-bonded, and superhydrophobic is disclosed. In one aspect, the composition includes a hydrophobic fluorinated solvent, a binder comprising a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer, and hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles. Also disclosed is a structure including a substrate coated with the composition, as well as a method for making the composition and a method of coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: A system that provides adjustable actuation timing of one or more valve(s) (16) in a piston engine includes a position sensor (12) and a variable valve actuation assembly (10). The valve(s) (16) can be intake and/or exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The position sensor (12) takes position readings of the valve(s) (16) as the valve(s) (16) actuate in the piston engine. The variable valve actuation assembly (10) controls actuation timing of the valve(s) (16). Actuation timing of the valve(s) (16) is adjustable based, in part or more, upon one or more position reading(s) of the position sensor (12). The variable valve actuation assembly (10) can be a lost motion assembly (10).

Abstract: Nanoporous silica particles having a plurality of pores are mixed with a protective liquid which fills the pores to provide a protected particle mixture. The protected particle mixture is combined with a resin to provide a liquid coating precursor composition. The coating precursor composition is applied to the substrate, and the protective liquid is evaporated. The evaporating protective liquid forms a plurality of passages through the resin. Some of the passages percolate to an outer surface of the resin. Some of the nanoporous particles are distributed at walls of the passages, some of the nanoporous particles are embedded within the resin, and some of the nanoporous particles extend beyond the outer surface of the resin to form a superhydrophobic surface. The resin is cured to solidify the resin and to adhere the resin to the surface and to the particles. A composition and an article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Superhydrophobic membrane structures having a beneficial combination of throughput and a selectivity. The membrane structure can include a porous support substrate; and a membrane layer adherently disposed on and in contact with the porous support substrate. The membrane layer can include a nanoporous material having a superhydrophobic surface. The superhydrophobic surface can include a textured surface, and a modifying material disposed on the textured surface. Methods of making and using the membrane structures.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an etchability of a first borosilicate glass by heating the first borosilicate glass; combining the first borosilicate glass with a second borosilicate glass to form a composite; and etching the composite with an etchant. A material having a protrusive phase and a recessive phase, where the protrusive phase protrudes from the recessive phase to form a plurality of nanoscale surface features, and where the protrusive phase and the recessive phase have the same composition.

Abstract: A superhydrophobic coating, comprises a superhydrophobic powder with superhydrophobic particles having a three dimensional nanostructured surface topology defining pores, and a resin. The superhydrophobic particles are embedded within the resin and the resin does not fill the pores of the superhydrophobic particles such that the three dimensional surface topology of the superhydrophobic particles is preserved. A precursor powder for a superhydrophobic coating and a method for applying a superhydrophobic coating to a surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling assembly (20, 120, 220) and method can include a first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) and a second rotatable member (26, 126, 226) defining a cylindrical hub portion having a plurality of springs (42, 142, 242) interposed between the cylindrical hub portion of the second rotatable member (26, 126, 226) and the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) for transferring rotational torque between the first and second rotatable members. A plurality of load-bearing surfaces (32, 132, 232) associated with the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) are engageable by the plurality of springs (42, 142, 242) to accommodate radial clearances (34, 36, 134, 136, 234) between the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) and the cylindrical hub portion while providing rotational drive torque from the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) to the second rotatable member (22, 122, 222) through the plurality of springs (42, 142, 242).

Abstract: Methods for producing a superhydrophobic anodized surface including anodizing a surface of a substrate in an anodization acid to form a plurality of pores, etching the surface with an etchant to widen an edge of each of the plurality of pores; repeatedly anodizing the surface in the anodization acid and etching the surface with the etchant until the edges of the plurality of pores overlap to form a plurality of nano-sharp ridges, and coating the surface with a hydrophobic polymer to render the surface superhydrophobic, such that the surface exhibits a contact angle of at least 150 degrees with a drop of water. Articles including a surface having a series of nano-sharp pore ridges defined by a series of pores and a sub-?m thick layer of a hydrophobic polymer on said surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for controlling an angular position of a camshaft (12) in an internal combustion engine having a camshaft phaser (14) for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and the camshaft (12). The camshaft phaser (14) can be actuated by an electric motor (16) having an actuator shaft (18) operating through a gear reduction drive train (20) having a stationary adjusting member (22) which rotates when a phase change adjustment is desired. A sensor (30) can generate a signal corresponding to an angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22) of the gear reduction drive train (20). An engine control unit (40) can adjust a position of the camshaft (12) through operation of the electric motor (16) for rotating the stationary adjusting member (22) based on the generated signal corresponding to the angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22).

Abstract: The present invention is a self contained, portable security case or container. The case is secure in its locked condition by locks which are preferably operated by an electronic key. The electronic key can be programmed to open the case or container dependent upon various different conditions, for example, location, time, identification of operator, etc. In addition to the electronic key, a biometric identification device can be employed. The exterior of the case or container is made from different materials which are impermeable and resistant to heat, drilling and ballistic impact. A GPS type of location device located within the case enables the case to be tracked from remote locations.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an etchability of a first borosilicate glass by heating the first borosilicate glass; combining the first borosilicate glass with a second borosilicate glass to form a composite; and etching the composite with an etchant. A material having a protrusive phase and a recessive phase, where the protrusive phase protrudes from the recessive phase to form a plurality of nanoscale surface features, and where the protrusive phase and the recessive phase have the same composition.