Abstract: A device for emission of electromagnetic radiation comprises a source of atomic particles and a collector disposed to receive atomic particles from the source. The collector comprises an emission medium, the medium comprising a crystal having a spatial dimension in the range from about 10 nanometers to about 50 micrometers, wherein the emission medium has the capability to generate opposing charge pairs upon absorption of atomic particles from the source and to emit electromagnetic radiation upon recombination of the pairs. The emission may be via spontaneous emission or, in certain embodiments, by stimulated emission. A laser assembly comprising this device, and methods for making the device are also presented herein.

Abstract: A fluidic assembly method includes dispersing a number of functional blocks in a fluid to form a slurry. Each of the functional blocks includes at least one element and a patterned magnetic film comprising at least one region. The fluidic assembly method further includes immersing at least a portion of an article in the fluid. The article includes a substrate, a number of receptor sites disposed on the substrate and a number of magnetic receptors, each of the magnetic receptors being disposed within a respective one of the receptor sites. A method of manufacturing an assembly includes disposing a number of functional blocks over at least a portion of an article, agitating the functional blocks relative to the article and assembling at least a subset of the functional blocks to the magnetic receptors on the article.

Abstract: In a field emitter (100) including a substrate (110), the substrate (110) has a substantially non-conductive top substrate surface (112). A conductive cathode member (130) is disposed on the top substrate surface (112) and has a top cathode surface (132). A conductive gate member (120) is disposed on the top substrate surface (112) and is substantially coplanar with the cathode member (130). An emitter structure (140) extends away from the top cathode surface (132). The gate member (120) is spaced apart from the cathode member (130) at a distance so that when a predetermined potential is applied between the cathode member (130) and gate member (120), the emitter structure (140) will emit electrons.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents and material emissions from the target.

Abstract: A system and method for forming x-rays. One exemplary system includes a target and electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources. Each of the plurality of electron sources is configured to generate a plurality of discrete spots on the target from which x-rays are emitted. Another exemplary system includes a target, an electron emission subsystem with a plurality of electron sources, each of which generates at least one of the plurality of spots on the target, and a transient beam protection subsystem for protecting the electron emission subsystem from transient beam currents, material emissions from the target, and electric field transients.

Abstract: Molded male touch fastener components, and methods of making such components are disclosed. Components include multiple, discrete features that extend laterally from a common side of an upper end of a formation, for engagement of loops.

Abstract: In a method of making an elongated carbide nanostructure, a plurality of spatially-separated catalyst particles is applied to a substrate. The spatially-separated catalyst particles and at least a portion of the substrate are exposed to a metal-containing vapor at a preselected temperature and for a period sufficient to cause an inorganic nano-structure to form between the substrate and at least one of the catalyst particles. The inorganic nano-structure is exposed to a carbon-containing vapor source at a preselected temperature and for a period sufficient to carburize the inorganic nano-structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a self-aligned gated carbon nanotube field emitter structure includes providing a substrate, depositing a dielectric material on the surface of the substrate and depositing a conductor layer on the surface of the dielectric material. The method also includes selectively etching the conductor layer to form an opening and selectively etching the dielectric material to form a micro-cavity. The method further includes depositing a base layer structure in the micro-cavity adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the base layer structure has a substantially conical shape, and depositing a catalyst on a portion of the surface of the base layer structure, wherein the catalyst is suitable for growing at least one carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A self-aligned gated field emission device and an associated method of fabrication are described. The device includes a substrate and a porous layer disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the porous layer defines a plurality of substantially cylindrical channels, each of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels aligned substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The device also includes a plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels defined by the porous layer and adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures protrudes above the surface of the porous layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactant is provided. The alcohol has the formula: RO(R1O)xCH(CH3)OR2 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radicals having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; R1 may be the same or different, and is independently selected from the group consisting of branched or linear C2 to C7 alkylene in any given molecule; x is a number from 1 to about 30; and R2 is a six membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical.

Abstract: A safe container end closure includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion to permit removal of the central lid portion from the peripheral lid portion. A opening tab is secured to the central lid portion for pivoting movement relative to the central lid portion, with the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent the score line so that upon pivoting of the opening tab the nose of the opening tab causes a portion of the score line to sever. The closure is formed so that upon removal of the central lid portion, at least the sharp edge on the removed central lid portion is rendered safe.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ether-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactant is provided.

Abstract: A safe container end closure includes an annular central lid portion, an annular peripheral lid portion, and a score line joining the annular central lid portion to the annular peripheral lid portion to permit removal of the central lid portion from the peripheral lid portion. A opening tab is secured to the central lid portion for pivoting movement relative to the central lid portion, with the opening tab having a nose positioned adjacent the score line so that upon pivoting of the opening tab the nose of the opening tab causes a portion of the score line to sever. The closure is formed so that upon removal of the central lid portion, at least the sharp edge on the removed central lid portion is rendered safe.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are shown for automatically aligning a map with fi topographic and other features therein with an underlying display on which appear electronically produced symbols which must register with the map features. The misalignment of the map is automatically sensed and measured and the positions of all of the display symbols are shifted by an amount equal to the map's misalignment, so that the map and the display information are brought into proper registration.

Abstract: A system for plotting information on maps and reading information therefrom omprising maps which have machine-readable codes on the backs thereof arranged to indicate the coordinates of the map. A stylus is adapted to be moved over the map surface to read the map coordinates by sensing the codes thereon. The novel unidirectional codes comprising code bars all extending in the same direction, permit the use of simplified code sensing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for quickly and accurately exchanging tactical military information between military field units utilizing existing communications systems over which digital map data is transmitted. Special maps are used which have the coordinates thereof encoded thereon in machine-readable form. A stylus responsive to said digital map data is adapted to be moved over the coded map to facilitate the plotting of data points corresponding to said digital map data and to read the coordinates of data points to be transmitted as digital map data to other military units.

Abstract: Improved padded brassieres in which the padding layer within the cup structure includes a batting of fibers formed together into a cohesive fibrous web, the batting having a plurality of areas devoid of fibers to provide a patterned openwork structure. The open areas are typically in the range of approximately 1/32 to 1/4 of an inch in length and width, arranged in rows of predetermined linear alignment to provide an aesthetic arrangement having porosity, strength, integrity and excellent drapable characteristics.