Abstract: One or more fluid streams are uniformly divided into two or more partial fluid streams in chemical apparatuses in a manner such that there is a reduced tendency to form deposits. Division of such stream(s) is achieved by using a distributor device that includes at least one plate having two or more openings which openings are rounded or chamfered on at least one side.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of synthesizing non-spherical nanostructures. One embodiment has steps of providing a solution of nanoparticles (NPs) wherein each of the NPs comprises a non-spherical NP that includes gold and a surfactant coating covering the non-spherical NP; mixing the NPs and a pH modifier solution making a pH-modified solution of NPs having a pH within a predefined pH range; and adding a silica precursor solution to the solution of nanoparticles at a constant rate for at least one (1) minute to provide a homogeneous silica solution of NPs. Another embodiment has steps of providing a solution of NPs wherein each of the NPs comprises a non-spherical NP that includes gold and a surfactant coating covering the non-spherical NP; and adding a silica precursor solution to the solution of nanoparticles at a constant rate for at least one (1) minute to provide a homogeneous silica solution of NPs.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for making and handling liquid samples are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a discrete polymer network array include mixing a plurality of nucleic acid polymer networks with a plurality of color-activated polymer networks to form a dispersion, applying the dispersion to an array of wells, the nucleic acid polymer networks selectively depositing into wells of the array of wells, and rinsing the array of wells to selectively remove the plurality of color-activated polymer networks.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline particles of an active principal in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation that comprises contacting a solution of a solute in a solvent in a first flowing stream with an anti-solvent in a second flowing stream causing the mixing thereof, wherein the flow rate ratio of the anti-solvent: solvent is higher than 20:1, and collecting crystals that are generated.

Abstract: A light irradiation multi-sample parallel reaction device comprises: a base (1), a support disc (2) horizontally fixed and mounted above the base (1), a top disc (3) mounted above the support disc (2), a rotating disc (4) rotatably mounted below the support disc (2), and a plurality of reaction flasks (5), wherein a plurality of light transmission holes are circumferentially formed in the support disc (2); the plurality of reaction flasks (5) are placed on the light transmission holes in a one-to-one correspondence; a plurality of reaction flask through-holes for the reaction flasks (5) to pass through are formed in the top disc (3); a plurality of sets of stirrers (7) corresponding to the reaction flasks (5) are mounted between the top disc (3) and the support disc (2), and used for stirring liquids in the reaction flasks (5); the rotating disc (4) is arranged coaxially with the support disc (2); and a plurality of light sources (9) are arranged on an upper surface of the rotating disc (4).

Abstract: A generator for processing gases to be delivered to a process chamber used to process a substrate includes a housing that encloses an internal volume. An ultraviolet (UV) bulb is disposed within the internal volume of the housing. The UV bulb has a bulb diameter that fits within the internal major dimension of the housing. A first region, which surrounds the UV bulb, channels a first gas around the UV bulb to cool the UV bulb. A second region, which surrounds the first region, channels a second gas between an input to and an output from the housing. The second region is oriented relative to the UV bulb such that UV energy therefrom interacts with the second gas as this gas flows through the second region. The interaction of the UV energy with the second gas results in the generation of a gas mix that is supplied from the output of the housing into the process chamber, where at least one component of the gas mix is to be used in processing of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A module for emitting radiations for curing and/or drying curable/dryable treatments like paints or glue applied on products includes a UV LED, emitting between 200 and 400 nm, or one IR LED, emitting between 600 and 1400 nm; a control circuit of the UV or IR LED; a supply circuit; a control circuit of the module; and a sensor detecting the product to be cured/dried.

Abstract: This monolithic reactor is an adaptable and scalable, flow-through reaction containment apparatus embodied as a one-piece monolithic block of material that retains re-configurability to improve reaction processing. This apparatus increases operational flexibility, adaptable design, and vastly simplifies construction of tubular reaction-containment configurations. Internally, the monolithic block comprises one or more closely spaced, functional voids which operate as fluid channels that can be configured in various geometric arrangements. The apparatus is widely scalable, provides high thermodynamic efficiency, manufacturing simplicity, and affordability for varied operations through additive manufacturing, and has a compact physical footprint.

Abstract: A super absorbent thermochromic resin and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The resin comprises the following components by weight percent: 30-60% of a monomer, 0.01-0.5% of an initiator, 0.01-4% of a dispersant, 0.01-5% of a cross-linking agent, 0-20% of a diluent, 0.5-2% of an auxiliary, 0.1-10% of a thermochromic pigment, and the balance of water. Compared with the prior art, the super absorbent thermochromic resin prepared by the present invention can effectively indicate the temperature changes of the resin in a drying state and a water absorption state through color changes. The reaction finishes in 6-10 min, with a simple process, smooth polymerization, short reaction time and high productivity. The super absorbent thermochromic resin has a good stability and can be widely applied to the medical industry and daily use articles industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stabilized rhenium-based heterogeneous catalyst, obtainable by a process comprising contacting a rhenium-based heterogeneous catalyst with a stabilizing agent at a temperature in a range from 0-100° C., the stabilizing agent comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon compound and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials for improving the ignition of gaseous reactants in metal catalyzed oxidation reactions comprising a metal catalyst gauze, preferably, a platinum/rhodium catalyst gauze, having in contact therewith, from 0.25 to 1.5 wt. %, based on the weight of the metal catalyst gauze, of one or more pieces of previously used metal catalyst gauze. Further, methods of making the metal catalyst materials comprise shaping the pieces of previously used metal catalyst gauze and placing them equidistant from each other in contact with or on the surface of the metal catalyst gauze. And methods of using the materials comprise feeding into the reactor a gas mixture of oxygen or air and one or more reactant gases, and igniting the gas mixture at the surface of one or more or all of the pieces of previously used metal catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

Abstract: Nickel based catalyst structures are described herein that include a plurality of metal oxides formed as crystalline phases within the catalyst structures. Each metal oxide of a catalyst structure includes nickel and/or aluminum, where one or more metal oxides includes a nickel aluminum oxide, and the one or more nickel aluminum oxides is greater than 50% by weight of the catalyst structure. The catalyst structures further have surface areas of at least 13 m2/g. The catalyst structures are resistant to high concentrations of sulfur and are effective in reforming operations for converting methane and other light hydrocarbons to hydrogen and one or more other components. For example, the catalyst structures are effective in coal and biomass gasification systems for the forming and cleanup of synthetic gas.

Abstract: This application is in the field of technologies for desulfurization and demercaptanization of raw gaseous hydrocarbons (including natural gas, tail gas, technological gas, etc, including gaseous media). It can be used for simultaneous dehydration and desulfurization/demercaptanization of any kind of raw gaseous hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-metallic catalyst system comprising at least one support, and at least one promoter component and an active component comprising at least two metals uniformly dispersed on the support. The present disclosure also provides a process for preparing the multi-metallic catalyst system. Further, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing upgraded fuel from biomass. The process is carried out in two steps. In the first step, a biomass slurry is prepared and is heated in the presence of hydrogen and a multi-metallic catalyst that comprises at least one support, at least one promoter component, and an active component comprising at least two metals to obtain crude biofuel as an intermediate product. The intermediate product obtained in the first step is then cooled and filtered to obtain a filtered intermediate product. In the second step, the filtered intermediate product is hydrogenated in the presence of the multi-metallic catalyst to obtain the upgraded fuel.

Abstract: A method of using a heat generating catalyst in a hydrocarbon cracking process. The method includes providing a catalyst bed reactor which includes a catalyst bed of the heat generating catalyst disposed in the catalyst bed reactor. The heat generating catalyst includes at least one mordenite framework-inverted (MFI) zeolite catalyst having a Si/Al molar ratio of 15 or greater, and at least one metal oxide dispersed within a microstructure of the MFI zeolite catalyst. The method additionally includes introducing a hydrocarbon feed to the catalyst bed reactor and cracking the hydrocarbon feed to produce a cracking product. Additionally, an associated method of making the heat generating catalyst for hydrocarbon cracking is provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst composition for hydrogenation, wherein: (A): a titanocene compound represented by following general formula (1): wherein R5 and R6 represent a group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group, an alkoxy group, a halogen group and a carbonyl group, and may be the same or different, and R1 and R2 represent a group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and may be the same or different, provided that R1 and R2 represent are not all hydrogens or all hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; (B): a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al, and Ca; and (C): an unsaturated compound are used, and the method has: a force application step of applying a shearing force at a shearing rate of 1000 (1/s) or more to at least component (A); and a step of mixing components (A

Abstract: The present invention concerns the synthesis of dry powdered manganese complexes using spray-drying or freeze-drying methods.

Abstract: A catalyst system is disclosed for producing para-xylene from a C8 hydrocarbon mixture comprising ethylbenzene and at least one xylene isomer other than para-xylene. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst bed and a second catalyst bed. The first catalyst bed comprises a first zeolite and a rhenium hydrogenation component. The first zeolite has a constraint index from 1 to 12, an average crystal size from 0.1 to 1 micron and has been selectivated to have an ortho-xylene sorption time of greater than 1200 minutes based on its capacity to sorb 30% of the equilibrium capacity of ortho-xylene at 120° C. and an ortho-xylene partial pressure of 4.5±0.8 mm of mercury. The second catalyst bed comprises a second zeolite and a rhenium hydrogenation component. The second zeolite has a constraint index ranging from 1 to 12 and an average crystal size of less than 0.1 micron.

Abstract: A catalyst is recovered from an aqueous reaction mixture comprising heterocyclic nitroxyl catalyst and oxidized cellulose, by: —separating the oxidized cellulose from the reaction mixture, —contacting the reaction mixture with solid hydrophobic adsorbent particles with particle sizes below 350, preferably below 200 ?m, more preferably below 100 ?m, said particles being silica particles provided with functionalized hydrophobicity, —adsorbing the catalyst to the hydrophobic adsorbent particles, and —eluting the catalyst from the adsorbent particles with an organic solvent.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a vertical microfluidic probe head, which comprises a middle layer of material and two outer layers. The middle layer comprises two opposite, main surfaces, which are, each, grooved up to a same edge surface that adjoins each of the main surfaces, so as to form two sets of n microchannel cavities, n?1, on each of the opposite main surfaces. The middle layer is furthermore arranged between the two outer layers, which (at least partly) close the microchannel cavities grooved on the two main surfaces. This way, two sets of n microchannels are formed, which are, each, open on the edge surface, such that two opposite sets of n orifices are formed on the edge surface. Thus, the length of the apertures is not limited by the thickness of the middle layer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is disclosed. The device comprises at least one inlet for receiving circulating tumor cells and other cells in a sample; at least one curvilinear and/or spiral channel through which the sample is caused to undergo partial or complete Dean cycles to isolate the circulating tumor cells from the other cells; and at least one outlet configured to communicate with the channel for providing the isolated circulating tumor cells. The channel is configured to provide a predetermined Force ratio based on a desired threshold cell size of the circulating tumor cells. A corresponding method of manufacturing of the device, and a related diagnostic system are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a manipulation container (1) for cryomicroscopy, having at least one holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) and at least one manipulation opening (2) for manipulating sample carriers or sample carrier mounts (7), the holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) is movable into a displacement path (11), passing completely through the manipulation container (1), of a displacement apparatus (3) for the sample carrier mount (7).

Abstract: A fluidized powder heat treatment classification assembly includes a gas source. A fluidized bed is connected to the gas source via a metered connection. The fluidized bed includes a first output connected to a powder classifier via at least a first valve. The powder classifier includes a catch container operable to decelerate a gas flow from the output and operable to catch particles entrained in the gas flow.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the rate of separating hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles by flotation have been developed. They are based on using appropriate reagents to enhance the hydrophobicity of the particles to be floated, so that they can be more readily collected by the air bubbles used in flotation. The hydrophobicity-enhancing reagents include low HLB surfactants, naturally occurring lipids, modified lipids, and hydrophobic polymers. These methods can greatly increase the rate of flotation for the particles that are usually difficult to float, such as ultrafine particles, coarse particles, middlings, and the particles that do not readily float in the water containing large amounts of ions derived from the particles. In addition, new collectos for the flotation of phosphate minerals are disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge.

Abstract: The present invention is a centrifuge to be used for removing ice particles from the air fed to a gas turbine system. In an embodiment, the centrifuge is comprised of three ducts defining an air-path which comprises of two bends greater than 90 degrees. In an embodiment, the first two ducts extend past the bends to provide a dead air zone to trap ice particles which have been introduced by cooling air containing moisture. The dead air zones are further provided with revolving doors which remove the ice particles from the system. In an embodiment, the centrifuge receives cold air from the compander and removes ice particles before exhausting the cold air to a gas turbine electric generator, such that the blades of the gas turbine generator are not damaged by the ice particles.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis; a bucket rotatably attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis; and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis relative to the rotor plate between an open position and a closed position, when in the closed position, the stop plate is to engage the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing non-contact application of fluids onto web materials and articles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gravure roll having a hollow rotating shell having a plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface thereof and a stationary cylindrical core having a central bore and a channel disposed therein. A fluid disposed within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface of the hollow rotating shell is removed from the respective cavity by the positive pressure when the positive pressure is fluidly communicated from the central bore through the channel and into the cavity from the surface of the stationary cylindrical core.

Abstract: A nozzle tip assembly comprises a nozzle housing and a break-up insert. The nozzle assembly is adapted for receiving multiple pre-cursor fluids from multiple lumen. The pre-cursor fluids are kept substantially separate and forced around the break-up insert into a channel formed between the insert and the nozzle housing. Fluid is forced into fluted channels on a distal end of the break-up insert into a swirl chamber where mixing occurs prior to being expelled through an exit orifice in the nozzle housing.

Abstract: A storage holder for placement in a liquid or foam dispenser includes a liquid reservoir having an opening and a plug provided in the opening. The storage holder also includes a pump having a pump section and an inlet tube extending from the pump section. The storage holder further includes a spacer having an opening for the inlet tube, with the spacer being positioned between the pump section and the plug so that a defined distance is provided between the pump section and the plug. The spacer is fixed at a position relative to the plug and relative to the pump only by a clamping connection between the inlet tube and the plug. The spacer is not connected to the pump and the spacer is not connected to the plug such that spacer may be separated from the pump and the plug when the pump is pulled out of the plug.

Abstract: The method for flame spraying thermoplastic powders provides to heat the article to be coated at a suitable working temperature and to feed the said thermoplastic powders, transported by an inert gas, a flow of compressed air and a flow of liquefied petroleum gas through respective separated discharge chambers (7, 9, 12), shaped inside a mixing device (1) of a spray gun. The thermoplastic powders are then projected, in a resulting flow (30), on the heated surface of the article to be coated, to determine the melting of the same powders at their contact with said heated surface. At least one couple of flows (31, 32) of compressed air is sprayed converging towards the resulting flow (30) flowing out of the mixing device (1), giving the resulting flow (30) a substantially flattened fan shape.

Abstract: A piston pump with a piston chamber-forming body and a piston-forming element relatively coaxially reciprocally movable to dispense liquid and air from a discharge outlet, which the discharge outlet is fixed relative to the piston chamber-forming body.

Abstract: A container comprises a receptacle, a manually-operated positive displacement dispensing nozzle, and a draw tube extending from the nozzle. The receptacle includes an upper body wall and an intermediate body wall connected by a first curved wall, and a lower sump wall connected with the intermediate body wall by a second curved wall. The lower sump wall and a bottom wall are connected by a third curved wall. The second curved wall, the lower sump wall, the third curved wall and the bottom wall form a sump into which the draw tube lower end extends to a midpoint. The volume of the sump below the midpoint is substantially equal to the volume of the sump above the midpoint, the draw tube end is spaced substantially equal distance from the surrounding lower sump wall, and the volume of the sump is about three times the volume of the draw tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for a pump dispenser, the container including: a body defining a chamber for storing a product and defining an opening at a first end of the chamber through which the product is dispensable from the chamber; and a protrusion extending from the body into the chamber at a second end of the chamber opposite from the first end of the chamber, the protrusion having a sharp distal end in the chamber. Also disclosed is a refill container including a body enveloping a cavity storing an oral, personal or home care composition, wherein the composition includes water in an amount of less than 98% by weight, based on a total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a cosmetic product may include a container configured to hold a volume of cosmetic product, the container having a closed lower end and an open upper end, a pump assembly disposed at least partially within the open upper end of the container, and a tip connected to the pump assembly, the tip having an outlet for dispensing the cosmetic product. The pump assembly and tip may be configured such that manually tilting the tip actuates the pump assembly to deliver a portion of the volume of cosmetic product to the outlet.

Abstract: A single-hand pressed foam pump head comprises a pump filled with foam liquid or emulsion. A spring is provided inside the pump. The pump comprises a press head and a fixed outflow cap; the fixed outflow cap is provided with a vertical connecting tube and is connected to a connecting end of a bottle; the connecting tube has a foam or liquid channel. A top portion of the connecting tube is provided with a horizontal connecting channel. The horizontal connecting channel is connected to a vertical plugged-in tube. When the connecting tube is pressed downward such that the vertical plugged-in tube is inserted into an outflow chamber of the fixed outflow cap, the connecting tube and the outflow chamber are connected to each other to form a top outflow channel. The present invention is simple in structure, stable in function and convenient for people to use.

Abstract: A container comprising a body portion and a neck portion, the neck portion having a pump dispenser thereon, the pump dispenser comprising a pump mechanism, a dip tube on one end of the pump mechanism, a pump outlet on another end of the pump mechanism, the dip tube extending downwardly from the pump mechanism into the body portion, the body portion containing a first liquid, the dip tube having a central bore along which the first liquid is pumped from the body portion when the pump mechanism is actuated, and a reservoir containing a second liquid, the reservoir communicating with the dip tube and adapted to introduce the second liquid into the first liquid within the pump mechanism or dip tube under the action of first liquid flowing through the dip tube.

Abstract: A foamer dispenser including a mesh filter that is disposed in a mixture flow path of a jet ring to allow a mixture to pass is provided. A connecting flow path area between a liquid flow path and the mixture flow path and a connecting flow path area between an ambient air flow path and the mixture flow path have the relation 2.8?S1/S2?3.8, and/or, a smallest flow path area of the mixture flow path is located on an immediately upstream side of the mesh filter, and the smallest flow path area and a flow path area of the mesh filter have the relation 4?S4/S3?10.3.

Abstract: A hand cleaning liquid dispenser including a fluid level gauging mechanism with a plurality, preferably three or more, vertically spaced optical sensors located closely adjacent an external of a side wall of the reservoir to each receive electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the side wall from within the reservoir with the electromagnetic radiation sensed originating from an emitter directing the electromagnetic radiation preferably through the reservoir downwardly.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for containing the plume of a sprayed agricultural compound applied to a crop field are disclosed. In particular, the plume of the sprayed agricultural compound may be contained within a spray hood assembly attached to an agricultural vehicle or device such as a planter unit. Each spray hood assembly may be situated behind an individual planter unit, and multiple spray hood assemblies may be combined to form an agricultural spray containment system.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler head has an auxiliary nozzle carrier having a nozzle attached to each end thereof. Each nozzle is held on one end of the flexible nozzle carrier. One end of the nozzle carrier holding a nozzle is attached to the sprinkler head to operatively attach the nozzle to the outlet of the sprinkler head while the other end extends from the side of the sprinkler head. The nozzles are rapidly exchanged on the sprinkler head by disconnecting the nozzle carrier and nozzle from the sprinkler head and connecting the other end of the nozzle carrier and nozzle to the sprinkler head without removing either nozzle from the carrier and without the use of tools. The nozzle carrier is flexible and angled between the nozzle holding ends so that the nozzle carrier can flex between the ends thereof to absorb impact without damage when used below a crop line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nebulization device with a spray orifice plate including an energy transfer element, a spray orifice plate and a driving element. The energy transfer element has at least one first penetrating hole for inputting a liquid from a side and the spray orifice plate is installed on at least one side of the energy transfer element for sealing the first penetrating hole, and the energy transfer element supports the spray orifice plate, and the spray orifice plate has at least one stepped orifice formed at a position corresponding to the first penetrating hole and serves as a transportation channel of the liquid, so that the liquid can be temporarily stored in the stepped orifice and sprayed out through the through hole after vibration and nebulization in order to improve the nebulization effect significantly.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device is a fluid ejection device adapted to eject a fluent material including an actuator, and a drive signal supply section adapted to output a signal used to drive the actuator, wherein the actuator includes a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element connected in series to each other. The drive signal supply section is capable of outputting a first drive waveform and a second drive waveform having a voltage change part steeper than that of the first drive waveform to the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element, outputs the second drive waveform to the second piezoelectric element in a case of outputting the first drive waveform to the first piezoelectric element, and outputs the first drive waveform to the second piezoelectric element in a case of outputting the second drive waveform to the first piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir includes a reservoir body, a heating structure, a piston, and an outlet port. The reservoir body includes a cross section, and a translation axis. The cross section is uniform along the translation axis. When fluid is housed in the reservoir, the heating structure is thermally coupled to the fluid. The heating structure energizes the fluid housed in the reservoir. The piston translates along the translation axis. An available volume of the reservoir to house the fluid is defined by a distance between the piston and an end of the reservoir body. When the piston is translated along the translation axis toward the end, a volume of the fluid that has been energized by the heating structure flows from the reservoir and through the outlet port. The volume of energized fluid is linearly proportional to a length of the translation of the piston.

Abstract: A substrate is held and rotated in a horizontal attitude by a rotation holder. A coating liquid is supplied by a coating liquid supplier to a surface to be processed of the substrate rotated by the rotation holder. A first removal liquid is supplied by a first removal liquid supplier to a first annular region at a peripheral portion of the substrate rotated by the rotation holder before the coating liquid supplied by the coating liquid supplier loses fluidity. In this state, a supply position of the first removal liquid by the first removal liquid supplier is moved from an inner edge to an outer edge of the first annular region.

Abstract: A laser-induced dispensing system for material processing is disclosed. The laser-induced dispensing system includes a fiber bundle having optical fibers. The optical fibers have first ends arranged at the first interface and second ends arranged at the second interface. Additionally, optics that direct laser beams transmitted from the second interface by the optical fibers toward a material to be deposited a substrate is provided. The optics is configured to focus the laser beams on the material to be deposited, thereby causing the material to be deposited to be released onto the substrate. Each of the optical fibers having a first end that is adjacent to a first end of another of the optical fibers at the first interface have a second end that is non-adjacent to a second end of the another of the optical fibers at the second interface.

Abstract: A variable inductor includes a three-limbed core first section having an inductor winding wound about a medial limb. An air gap is disposed in the medial limb. The inductor includes a second section having a control limb in which a first end of the control limb is connected to a first outer limb of the three-limbed core, and a second end of the control limb is connected to a second outer limb of the three-limbed core. A control winding is wound about the control limb. The inductor may be used in a control circuit to control a power signal driving a transducer. The inductor may be controlled by a signal derived from a comparison of a voltage phase of a power signal to the transducer and a phase of the current traversing the transducer. A system may include the control circuit, including the variable inductor, and the transducer.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for detecting an accumulation of a liquid on a transmission medium that may interfere with the propagation of guided electromagnetic waves on a surface of the transmission medium, and directing a device to remove at least a portion of the liquid accumulating on the surface of the transmission medium to mitigate the interference. Other embodiments are disclosed.