Abstract: A multi-source decision support system (MSDSS) is described that includes methods and analytical tools for dynamically ingesting and discovering information from multiple sources, such as social media sources, correlating and organizing the information, and providing a multi-user integrated work environment to generate a common operating picture.

Abstract: A method of sputter depositing a substantially circumferentially uniform thin film on a surface of a circular, planar disk-shaped substrate, comprising steps of: (a) providing a cathode sputtering apparatus including: a vacuum chamber; a cathode sputtering source comprising a circularly-shaped sputtering target assembly with a first target having a planar sputtering surface and a circumferentially extending edge; and a circular disk-shaped substrate with a planar surface positioned in spaced opposition to the sputtering surface; and (b) sputter depositing the thin film on the substrate surface while providing the chamber with a substantially uniform flow of at least one process gas around the entirety of the circumferentially extending edge of the sputtering target assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for sputtering having a substrate holder, the target-cathode and the shield that are all electrically isolated from each other and are all capable of independently being subjected to different voltages. The substrate holder can be a pallet that holds a plurality of substrates. The system further includes a plurality of target-cathodes and shields disposed along the path of travel of the moving substrate holder, and a controller configured to selectively vary the target-cathode voltage, the shield voltage, and the pallet bias voltage while the pallet moves along the path of travel. The target-cathodes and shields are spaced apart along the path of travel by a distance less than a length of the pallet and on both sides of the path of travel. The controller can include a timing circuit for synchronizing changes in the target-cathode voltages with changes in the pallet bias voltage and shield voltage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sheet embossing are disclosed that imparts the same strain on each side of the sheet independent of pattern pick-up. By balancing the plastic deformation at each surface the stresses in the formed material are well controlled and, in fact, greatly improve the sheet flatness, material internal stress, surface corrosion and other properties associated with this balanced process. Controlled sheet shape is important to the industrial handling of material on conveyers, spoolers, stackers and other transport devices. Current industrial practice often mandates the use of sheet levelers that reform the surface through a series of rollers that plastically force the material flat, however, not at controlled stress. With the invention, expensive levelers are often not necessary and, as such, the overall process becomes more efficient.

Abstract: A rotary embossing method and apparatus for use on hollow profiles having a predetermined dimension and number of sides, the embossing method includes the following steps. First, placing at lease one internal support having a predetermined dimension inside the hollow profile, and second, embossing the hollow profile on at least one of the predetermined number of sides using a rotary embosser. In alternate embodiments, the embossing method further includes the step of heating or cooling the rotary embosser, and the addition of connection means that are fixably attached to the internal support and to an extrusion die, whereby the connection means allow for continuous rotary embossing of the hollow profiles.