Abstract: A microscopy technique for viewing regions where a sample absorbs, as opposed to emits, fluorescent light. The technique includes illuminating a sample with an exciter light in order to generate fluorescent light from the sample and filtering light received from the sample such that fluorescent light is substantially attenuated. Regions that primarily emit fluorescent light will then be black, but regions where the exciter is primarily absorbed but where there is little emissive fluorescent activity can be viewed as a darker shade of the background color.

Abstract: A microscope having a pair of braces connecting a head portion, carrying an objective, to the base, to which a stage is attached. The braces, which preferably have resonant frequency that is not a harmonic or sub-harmonic of the fundamental frequency of vibration of the C-shaped frame, function to reduce vibration and enhance the clarity of the image viewed through the objective. In one embodiment, the length of the braces along a vertical optical axis of the microscope can be adjusted to provide very fine focusing control.

Abstract: A test slide for the calibration, characterization, standardization, use and study of photon and electron microscopes. The slide is created by forming patterns with specific types of geometries on suitable substrates and these slides provide a standard for comparison of image forming capability of any type of microscope imaging system including, without limitation, light, UV, and X-ray photon microscopical imaging systems operating in transmission or reflection modes, and other microscope techniques. Microscopists can employ one of these slides to compare images of the slide which have been produced by the microscope system under consideration with a known, accurate, image of the slide to better understand the fidelity and accuracy of the microscope system under consideration. The test patterns can also comprise reference images which can be images created by a graphic artist or the like or which can be actual images of samples, these images being either two dimensional or three dimensional.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating three dimensional solid forms in metals, ceramics, organics or any combination thereof is made possible using a computer controlled system to create local environmental conditions that favor deposition from a material stream, precursor gas, weld process or plasma. In order to increase control and accuracy, the material can also be placed while the target area is monitored by a broadband poly-spectral imaging system, which provides dimensional, geometrical, chemical composition, stress and temperature feedback to the computer controlling the process. The local environmental conditions in the deposition area are controlled for magnetic, electric, and acoustic fields as well as for temperature, pressure, flow dynamics, and atmospheric composition. Complex materials can be “written” to match a computer's file of a three dimensional shape with virtually any material composition, surface finish, and geometrical complexity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating three dimensional solid forms in metals, ceramics, organics or any combination thereof is made possible using a computer controlled system to create local environmental conditions that favor deposition from a material stream, precursor gas, weld process or plasma. In order to increase control and accuracy, the material can also be placed while the target area is monitored by a broadband poly-spectral imaging system, which provides dimensional, geometrical, chemical composition, stress and temperature feedback to the computer controlling the process. The local environmental conditions in the deposition area are controlled for magnetic, electric, and acoustic fields as well as for temperature, pressure, flow dynamics, and atmospheric composition. Complex materials can be “written” to match a computer's file of a three dimensional shape with virtually any material composition, surface finish, and geometrical complexity.

Abstract: A novel microscope and method of obtaining images includes a combination of the conventional darkfield illumination technique with electronic image inversion (converting a positive to a negative image) and other improvements to further enhance the contrast and resolution of the final image. The microscope and method are referred to herein as Inverted Darkfield Contrast (IDC) and are believed to be particularly suitable for viewing live cells in real time with no staining or preparation.

Abstract: A color translating UV or IR microscope for imaging living or dynamic samples in real time. The microscope includes a UV or IR light source and a first filter for cyclically separating light from the light source into spectral components which illuminate the sample. A device such as an image intensifier converts light received from the sample to visible polychromatic light, e.g., an intensified white light. A second filter set separates the visible polychromatic light into color planes. The first and second filter sets are synchronized with each other so as to enable the color planes to be recombined into a visible multicolor image, wherein each color plane represents illumination of the sample by non-visible light of different wavelengths.

Abstract: A test slide for the calibration, characterization, standardization, use and study of photon and electron microscopes. The slide is created by forming patterns with specific types of geometries on suitable substrates and these slides provide a standard for comparison of image forming capability of any type of microscope imaging system including, without limitation, light, UV, and X-ray photon microscopical imaging systems operating in transmission or reflection modes, and other microscope techniques. Microscopists can employ one of these slides to compare images of the slide which have been produced by the microscope system under consideration with a known, accurate, image of the slide to better understand the fidelity and accuracy of the microscope system under consideration. The test patterns can also comprise reference images which can be images created by a graphic artist or the like or which can be actual images of samples, these images being either two dimensional or three dimensional.

Abstract: A slide system allowing rapid, sterile, clean and safe preparation and use of microscope slides containing sample materials including living and/or hazardous preparations or samples. In one embodiment, the system comprises a slide base and cover slip which are preferably pre-cleaned and supplied in a sterile wrapper. The cover slip, slide base or both have an adhesive coating that surrounds a sample area to adhere the cover slip to the slide base, thereby creating a sealed sample area or chamber that is defined by the slide, the cover slip, and the adhesive. In another embodiment, the slide base has one or two grooves or depressions in the surface of the slide base positioned within the sample area, the grooves or depressions accommodating extra or expanding sample material to prevent loss of the sample material into the environment and prevent damage to the adhesive and/or cover slip.

Abstract: Electrical power is generated by means of an hydraulic air compressor that produces compressed air from a water stream. The compressed air is delivered directly to burners of a turbine without significant additional compression and after preheating using waste heat from the turbine exhaust. The turbine is used to drive a conventional electrical generator for producing power.