Abstract: Methods for producing porous graphic carbon microspheres having improved separation properties over conventional porous graphitic carbons. The methods include dispersing a monovinyl aromatic monomer, a polyvinyl aromatic monomer, and an initiator in a solvent, contacting porous silica microspheres with the monomer dispersion for a time sufficient for the monomers to coat the porous silica microspheres, polymerizing the monomers to form copolymer coated microspheres, sulfonating the copolymer, pyrolyzing the sulfonated copolymer, digesting the carbon microspheres to dissolve the silica leaving porous carbon microspheres, pyrolyzing the porous carbon microspheres, and graphitizing the porous carbon microspheres to form porous graphitic carbon microspheres. Further provided are improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres and chromatography columns including the improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres described herein.

Abstract: Methods for producing porous graphic carbon microspheres having improved separation properties over conventional porous graphitic carbons. The methods include dispersing a monovinyl aromatic monomer, a polyvinyl aromatic monomer, and an initiator in a solvent, contacting porous silica microspheres with the monomer dispersion for a time sufficient for the monomers to coat the porous silica microspheres, polymerizing the monomers to form copolymer coated microspheres, sulfonating the copolymer, pyrolyzing the sulfonated copolymer, digesting the carbon microspheres to dissolve the silica leaving porous carbon microspheres, pyrolyzing the porous carbon microspheres, and graphitizing the porous carbon microspheres to form porous graphitic carbon microspheres. Further provided are improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres and chromatography columns including the improved porous graphitic carbon microspheres described herein.

Abstract: A label that includes an adhesive and is configured to be applied to an item, and related method. The adhesive is characterized as having a permanence that starts to develop upon contact of the label with the item and builds over time so eventually the label is permanently coupled to the item. The item can be damaged as a result of the label being removed from the item after the label is permanently coupled to the item. If the label is applied to the item in a first position, then the adhesive is configured to allow a removal of the label from the item without damaging the items and a reapplication of the label to the item in a second position within a limited period of time.

Abstract: In the tape drive which uses a tape cartridge, the cartridge housing [34] is vertically referenced with respect to a positioning pin [30] in the operative position of the cartridge, and a spring-loaded tape guide [28] which is slidable on the positioning pin [30] is vertically referenced with respect to the cartridge housing [34] to ensure proper vertical alignment of the tape guide [28] with the cartridge housing [34] and reduce wear on the edge of the tape [25].

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus includes a head which reproduces data from or records data onto a magnetic tape, taken out from a cassette, when the tape is running. A supply reel shaft rotates a supply reel to supply the tape from the cassette to the head. A take-up reel shaft rotates a take-up reel to wind the tape from the head around the take-up reel. A back tension applying mechanism has a brake part which presses the supply reel shaft to produce a braking force on the supply reel shaft, the back tension applying mechanism applying a back tension to the tape when the braking force is produced. A pressing force varying mechanism controls a pressing force of the brake part on the supply reel shaft such that the pressing force is maintained at an appropriate level for a type of cassette.