Abstract: A nail tool comprising a substrate having a major surface and an abrasive article attached onto the major surface of the substrate, where the abrasive article is provided having a sheet-like structure having a major surface having deployed in fixed position thereon a plurality of abrasive three-dimensional abrasive composites, each of the composites comprising abrasive particles dispersed in a binder and having a precise shape defined by a distinct and discernible boundary that includes specific dimensions, wherein the precise shapes are not all identical. The invention also relates to a method for using such a nail tool to abrade the surface of a fingernail or toenail.

Abstract: A microlens array and mold for making same in which the perimeter of each microlens is a modified polygon in that each edge of the lens approximates an elliptical arc, the ends of which terminate at the corners of the polygon, wherein the middle of the arc curves toward the center of each microlens. The microlenses are preferably rectangular or triangular.

Abstract: A separation-science medium support plate has a multiplicity of concentric, radially-spaced grooves located on an upstream side of the plate. The concentric, radially-spaced grooves each have two open ends that allow a groove to communicate, ultimately, with a radially-extending groove that has an opening located therein. The opening is disposed in the radially-extending groove towards the periphery of the support plate and allows a fluid to pass from the upstream side of plate to the downstream side. The plate lacks any openings for fluid passage other than the peripherally-located opening(s). A plate of this invention makes a centrally-deposited fluid droplet follow a highly tortuous path before passing through the peripherally-located opening(s), and this enables a separation-science membrane resting on the plate to become uniformly wet by the fluid.

Abstract: A method of making a microlens array where the microlenses have focal lengths which vary as a function of their geometric position in the array. The focal lengths of the microlenses at the center of the array are shorter than the microlenses at the periphery.

Abstract: A method of making a unitary channeled heat exchanger wherein the unitary heat exchanger is to be connected with a first fluid circulation system. The unitary heat exchanger preferably includes a first manifold connectible to the first fluid circulation system and a heat transfer body fluidically connected to the manifold.

Abstract: A method of making a microlens array and mold, and the articles made therefrom. The method involves forming a plurality of adjacent receptacles on a surface and partially filling the receptacles with a hardenable liquid, thereby forming a meniscus in each receptacle. A lens material can then be applied to the menisci, thereby forming an array of generally spherical microlenses. In one embodiment, the perimeters of the microlenses are modified rectangles in that each edge of the lens is a symmetrical elliptical arc, the ends of which terminate at the corners of the rectangle, and the middle of which curves toward the center of the rectangle.

Abstract: Substrate elements for making liquid crystal display devices are disclosed as well as display devices using such elements. The substrate elements are polymeric sheets which include spacing elements physically and chemically integral with the substrate so that when mated with a second substrate element, a precise, uniform spacing can be maintained between substrates. This allows large area displays to be fabricated which will provide uniform display properties throughout the display area.

Abstract: A unitary jet impingement plate is formed including a body portion thereof and at least one manifold integrally connected with the body portion, each having internal passages in fluidic communication with one another. At least one jet impingement orifice is provided through a plate of the body portion of the jet impingement plate through which heat transfer fluid can be directed into a fluid jet of such heat transfer fluid from the jet impingement plate and for impinging on a component or object to the thermally effected thereby. The heat transfer fluid may be heated or cooled as required depending on the specific application. Preferably, the jet impingement plate is structurally enhanced by the provision of integral posts provided in a pattern within the body portion of the jet impingement plate. More preferably, a plurality of jet impingement orifices are provided in accordance with a predetermined pattern designed for a particular application.

Abstract: A method for producing an article having a body with one or more enclosed channels extending therethrough such as for the circulation of fluids. The body is formed preferably by metal deposition about one or more fibers to generate the enclosed channels with at least one end of the fibers extending beyond the body. The fibers are then extracted from the channels in the body to leave open the channels through which fluid may be circulated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroreflective material which is efficient at high angles of incidence and which may be individually tailored so as to distribute light retroreflected by the material into a desired pattern or divergence profile.

Abstract: A sheet member and a method for constructing the sheet member. The sheet member includes a plurality of elongated, enclosed channels formed by electrodeposition.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible composite comprising a resilient structured conductive member extending between opposite surfaces of the composite and a polymeric coating on each side of the conductive member to define therewith the opposite surfaces. The conductive member comprises a plurality of tapered elements extending to opposite surfaces of the composite. The conductive member thereby provides a conductive pathway through the composite which is adapted to compress and return towards its original shape as a force is applied and decreased.

Abstract: Cube-corner retroreflective article having improved divergence profiles. The three lateral reflecting faces of the cube-corner retroreflective elements are formed by three intersecting sets of parallel V-shaped grooves, and at least one of the sets includes, in a repeating pattern, at least two groove side angles that differ from one another. Thereby the array of cube-corner retroreflective elements is divided into repeating sub-arrays that each comprise a plurality of cube-corner retroreflective elements in a plurality of distinctive shapes that retroreflect incident light in distinctively shaped light patterns.

Abstract: Cube-corner retroreflective articles having improved angularity along multiple viewing planes are provided. The articles comprise at least one matched pair of cube-corner retroreflective elements which are rotated 180.degree. with respect to one another, the three lateral mutually perpendicular faces of the elements being defined at their bases by linear edges that lie in a common plane, and the optical axes of the elements being tilted toward one another.

Abstract: A sheet member and a method for constructing the sheet member. The sheet member includes a plurality of elongated, enclosed channels formed by electrodeposition.