Abstract: A method for performing contactless ODEP for separation of CTCs is provided with the steps of obtaining patients' blood with rare cell suspected CTCs; adding at least one fluorescent antibody binding to CTCs into the blood; staining the blood; injecting the stained blood with fluorescent dye into an ODEP device and then performing fluorescent image identification; trapping the CTCs with at least one fluorescent antibody in the ODEP device by creating an image pattern and then generating an ODEP force; Separating the trapped CTCs from other non-CTCs cells; absorbing the trapped CTCs; and obtaining a high purity of CTCs. An apparatus for performing contactless ODEP for separation of CTCs is also provided.

Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a centrifuge rotor includes a rotor hub including a head portion, an elongated shaft portion extending axially away from the head portion and a central bore extending through the head portion and the shaft portion. The head portion includes a plurality of balancing bores each configured to selectively receive at least one balancing weight for balancing the centrifuge rotor. A method for balancing a centrifuge rotor is also provided.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids to a shower head that has a container and valve assembly that are inverted and secured to a wall surface above the shower head with a bracket. The outlet of the valve has a semi-flexible hose that extends down and out from the valve. A diffuser cap is positioned over the shower head. The hose is placed through an opening in the diffuser cap. When the valve is opened, a slow drip of liquid is dispensed through the hose directly into the water stream in the diffuser cap. What is dispensed from the diffuser is a soapy mixture that can be directly applied to a user's body. When done, the valve is closed and the diffuser cap is easily rinsed. In this way, the efficient delivery of soap to showers can be done cheaply and easily without the cost or need for replacement shower heads.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a hose nozzle assembly with apertures sized to facilitate heating groundwater based on the expected temperature of the groundwater. The hose nozzle assembly can have a handheld enclosure having a handle portion connected to a body portion, a heating chamber having a heating element configured to heat a fluid, and a spray nozzle. The spray nozzle can include a first aperture configured to provide a first spray pattern at a first flow rate corresponding to a first change in temperature of fluid flowing through the heating chamber and a second aperture configured to provide a second spray pattern at a second flow rate corresponding to a second change in temperature of fluid flowing through the heating chamber. The second flow rate can be less than the first flow rate and the second change in temperature can be greater than the first change in temperature.

Abstract: A dispenser system for a pumpable dispensed product, in particular a cosmetic fluid dispensed product such as a washing lotion, a cream lotion, a perfume liquid or similar includes a rigid or pliable product container and a dispensing device with a pump apparatus. The pump apparatus includes at least one first valve group for conveying the dispensed product out of the product container. The pump apparatus includes a second valve group for feeding air into the product container, wherein the second valve group defines a feed duct in which at least one filter unit for filtering sterile air is arranged. In subsidiary aspect, a filter unit for the dispenser system as well as a manufacturing facility and a manufacturing method for the manufacture of the dispenser system are provided.

Abstract: A sterile spray pump, including a main piston (30), a spray head (40), and a secondary piston (50) fixed inside the spray head (40) and mounted in a vertically movable manner on the main piston (30). A first compression space (10) and a second compression space (20) are formed between the secondary piston (50) and the main piston (30); a main liquid suction cavity (301) communicating with the inner cavity of a container and an air supply port (302) communicating with the main liquid suction cavity (301) are provided in the main piston (30); the air supply port (302) communicates with the second compression space (20), a filter element (601) is fixedly provided in the air supply port (302); the secondary piston (50) includes a secondary liquid suction cavity (501) communicating with the main liquid suction cavity (301), a first exhaust member (502), and a second exhaust member (503).

Abstract: A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber and capable of storing a pump dispenser assembly, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber. Also included is a reversible middle section capable of connecting the pump dispenser at the center opening with the container mouth opening.

Abstract: Provided is a method of coating at least an area of a surface by a Drop-on-Demand (DOD) method, comprising the steps of providing a DOD dispensing head (1) with at least two individually controllable nozzles (2) arranged in a row, which is moved by a robotic device, applying a movement to the DOD dispensing head parallel while maintaining a distance between the nozzles (2) and the surface, wherein the movement comprises a rotation of the dispensing head around an axis perpendicular to the surface, dispensing discrete amounts of a the liquid coating material through the at least one nozzle onto the surface, wherein firing of the at least 2 nozzles is triggered non-synchronously by a control unit.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid product, having a body with a dispensing orifice, two removable reservoirs each containing a single dose of fluid product, a dispensing mechanism, and an actuating mechanism. The reservoirs are closed before the dispensing device is actuated. The body has a mechanism for opening each reservoir and adapted to open the reservoirs during actuation of the device. The reservoirs each form a sealed unit which is separate from said body, each reservoir filled with a respective fluid product and hermetically sealed before installed in the body. The body has a receiving mechanism for lateral installation of the reservoirs in the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate are disclosed. A dispensing assembly includes a housing, a valve stem, and a control valve. The housing receives the liquid to be dispensed. The valve stem is disposed in the housing and has a first configuration, in which the liquid is allowed to exit the housing, and a second configuration, in which the liquid is prevented from exiting the housing. The control valve receives pressurized air from a pressurized air source. The control valve has a first position, in which the pressurized air acts on the valve stem to move the valve stem to the first configuration or to the second configuration, and a second position, in which the pressurized air is moved out of the dispensing assembly through an exhaust passage defined therein.

Abstract: A method for coating parts in a dip-spin process includes dipping the parts to be coated a coating liquid and spinning the parts in a planetary centrifuge in at least a first planetary basket arrangement and a second planetary basket arrangement, which each provide a maximum receiving volume. The planetary centrifuge includes a main rotor rotating about a main rotor axis of rotation. The at least two planetary basket arrangements rotate about their planetary axes of rotation, wherein the planetary axes of rotation are arranged on the main rotor spaced from the main rotor axis of rotation. The first planetary basket arrangement is rotated about its respective planetary axis of rotation in the opposite direction to the second planetary basket arrangement during centrifugation, and the filling of the receiving volume is carried out at up to 50% of the maximum receiving volume of the planetary basket arrangement.

Abstract: A painting target surface of a resin bumper is painted by discharging a paint mist from a spray gun toward the painting target surface with a charged conductor arranged in contact with an opposite side to the painting target surface. The paint mist is uncharged or is charged with electric charges having an opposite polarity to that of the conductor and at a potential having a lower absolute value than that of the conductor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system by which a precise amount of a viscous fluid sealing compound can be dispensed at required locations through computer vision-based observation of the fluid deposited, its rate and amount of deposition and location; and that the dispensed fluid may be accurately shaped through robotic or other special purpose mechanism motion. The invention enables instant quality inspection of the dispensing process in terms of the locations, amounts and shapes of newly created seals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an organic polymer film and a manufacturing method thereof. The organic polymer film is mainly manufactured by the following steps. Firstly, the step (A) provides a xylene precursor and a substrate, and the step (B) places the substrate inside of a plasma equipment. After that, the step (C) evacuates the plasma equipment while introducing a carrier gas which carries vapor of the xylene precursor, and the step (D) turns on a pulse power supply system of the plasma equipment, generating a short pulse for plasma ignition. Finally, the step (E) forms the organic polymer film on the substrate. In the aforementioned steps, the frequency of the short pulse plasma is between 1 Hz˜10,000 Hz, and the pulse period of the short pulse plasma is between 1 ?s˜60 ?s.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing matt coatings on sheetlike substrates. The method includes providing an uncured lacquer layer of a UV radiation-curable liquid lacquer formulation F on a surface of the substrate to be coated. The method also includes irradiating the lacquer layer with UV radiation substantially in the wavelength range of 250 to 420 nm with a radiation dose which results in partial curing of the lacquer layer. The method further includes irradiating the partially cured lacquer layer with UV radiation in the wavelength range of 150 to <250 nm under inert gas. The method further includes irradiating the partially cured lacquer layer with UV radiation substantially in the wavelength range of 250 to 420 nm or with electron radiation with a radiation dose which results in end-curing of the lacquer layer.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for preparing a composite material. The present application provides a method for preparing a composite material comprising a metal foam and a polymer component, wherein the polymer component is formed in an asymmetrical structure on both sides of the metal foam, and a composite material prepared in such a manner.

Abstract: Described herein are a method for transferring an embossed structure, which includes at least the steps (1-i) and (2-i) or (1-ii) and (2-ii), where steps (1-i) and (2-i) or (1-ii) and (2-ii) are carried out using an embossing tool (P1) including at least one embossing die (p1), where the embossing die (p1) of the embossing tool (P1) is pretreated, before the implementation of step (2-i) or before the implementation of step (1-ii), with at least one organic solvent and/or at least one reactive diluent, and also a method of using a corresponding pretreated embossing tool (P1) including at least one embossing die (p1) for the purpose of transferring an embossed structure in such a way.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to improved systems and methods for applying coatings to brake rotors. The systems, methods, and techniques described in this disclosure facilitate application of both pretreatment coatings and protective coatings to brake rotors. Other embodiments are disclosed herein as well.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a PMUT device including a piezoelectric element located at a membrane element is provided. The method includes receiving a silicon on insulator substrate having a first silicon layer, an oxide layer, and a second silicon layer. Portions of a first surface of the second silicon layer are exposed by removing exposed side portions of the first silicon layer and corresponding portions of the oxide layer, and a central portion including the remaining portions of the first silicon layer and of the oxide layer is defined. Anchor portions for the membrane element are formed at the exposed portions of the first surface of the second silicon layer. The piezoelectric element is formed above the central portion, and the membrane element is defined by selectively removing the second layer and removing the remaining portion of the oxide from under the remaining portion of the first silicon layer.

Abstract: An object-sorting apparatus includes a housing that extends from a top end to a bottom end, at least one vibration element, and a plurality of stages arranged in a vertical sequence in the housing between the top end and the bottom end. At least one of the stages includes a sorting base that at least partially defines a floor of the at least one stage. The sorting base is coupled to the at least one vibration element, and is configured to receive thereon a mixture of objects having different sizes, including a target size associated with the at least one stage. The stage also includes apertures defined in and extending through the sorting base and into flow communication with a next lower stage. The apertures are sized to receive therethrough, from the mixture, objects having a size smaller than the target size associated with the at least one stage.

Abstract: System and method are provided where parcels or packages are associated or grouped, into logical group or logical containerization of parcels or packages, without need for physical container, such that parcels or packages can be tracked as a group, for example with a unique group ID. Logical group may be tracked within specified logical zone on conveyor, transported, sorted and/or otherwise processed as unique logical group without need to be contained in physical container. System and method for automated sortation can accumulate set number or set volume of packages, and then process the accumulated set number or volume of packages.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting defects during the handling and processing of items at a material handling facility. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented at material handling to detect quality defects during processing of items in connection with fulfillment operations that may be designed to receive, store, sort, pick, pack, and ship items. Embodiments of the present disclosure provides a plurality of sensors and a trained machine learning model configured to provide real-time acquisition and analysis of item information to facilitate detection and mitigation of processing quality defects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for dynamic analysis of parcels, particularly intended to be implemented within logistics facilities. The method achieves real time analysis of stability performance of the parcels before the parcels enter specific paths within the logistics facility, so that the paths can be chosen based of stability performance of the parcels determined through the method.

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically categorizing screwdriver bits are provided. The method includes three main steps: accommodating and mixing, vibration feeding, and type categorizing. The device includes a device body and a vibrating feeding cylinder disposed on the device body. The vibrating feeding cylinder includes a rotating holder for vibrating and moving the screwdriver bits and a directional mechanism for arranging the driving tips of the screwdriver bits facing the same direction. A CCD mechanism is disposed on the device body and is used to detect the shape of the driving tips of the screwdriver bits.

Abstract: A system for automatically inspecting and sorting pellets while continuously transferring the pellets at a high speed to detect and effectively remove pellets that are defective. The system includes a sorter to photograph and inspect a first surface and a second surface of each of the pellets while transferring the pellets. The system separates and removes pellets that are determined as being defective and transfers and loads pellets having good quality to a designated position. The system further includes a sample inspector to receive the plurality of pellets that are determined as good products to manufacture a plate-shaped sample of a molded product and photograph a first surface and a second surface of the manufactured sample, thereby inspecting whether the sample of the molded product is defective.

Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying and sorting of plastic materials utilizing a vision system and one or more sensor systems, which may implement a machine learning system in order to identify or classify each of the materials, which may then be sorted into separate groups based on such an identification or classification.

Abstract: Included are a chute arranged in an inclined manner to allow sorting targets to flow downward, optical detection means for detecting the sorting targets at a detection position, and ejector means for sorting and removing the sorting targets based on a result of detection of the optical detection means. The chute is provided with an optical detection slit in a direction orthogonal to a flow-down direction of the sorting targets, a slit width of the optical detection slit is adjustable, and the optical detection means images the sorting targets flowing downward on the chute with the imaging means at a position where the optical detection slit is provided as the detection position.

Abstract: An article sorting nesting device includes an article delivery device, a rack assembly and a collection device under operation by a controller to transport, sort and nest random articles into a particular configuration. The rack assembly is arranged at an angle and incrementally displaced relative to the delivery device to position empty shelves adjacent the delivery device to successively receive the articles by gravity. The controller controls which articles from the shelves are delivered in sequence to a collection device based on a sensed length, width or color of each article. The collection device collects the selected sequential articles and arranges them in the particular configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wafer cleaning, and in particular to a wafer cleaning device and a wafer cleaning system. The wafer cleaning device includes a liquid inlet pipe, a first liquid discharge pipe, a first valve and a liquid supply device, wherein the liquid inlet pipe has an inlet terminal and an outlet terminal; a wall of the liquid inlet pipe is protruded outward to form a protrusion, the protrusion having a cavity; one terminal of the first liquid discharge pipe is communicated with the cavity, while the other terminal thereof is communicated with a container; the first valve is arranged on the liquid inlet pipe and located between the protrusion and the outlet terminal; and, the liquid supply device is communicated with the inlet terminal of the liquid inlet pipe to import cleaning solution into the liquid inlet pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a food-processing machine having cylindrical rolls disposed along a curve, each of the rolls having a peripheral working surface for contacting food products and an axis about which each roll rotates. A drive rail is mounted parallel to the axes of the rolls and extends the length of the rolls. A spray bar slidably mounts to the drive rail, extends adjacent the rolls, and has at least one nozzle for spraying liquid onto the working surfaces of the rolls to clean them of debris. A prime mover drives the spray bar along the drive rail parallel to the axes of the rolls while spraying the rotating rolls.

Abstract: A flowback tank cleaning system and method is described. A flowback tank includes a self-cleaning system. A flowback tank cleaning method may include moving solid debris collected at a bottom of a collection section of a flowback tank towards a lift auger using a cleaning auger or a conveyer belt extending along a length of the collection section, the bottom of the collection section including an angled trough, funneling solid debris towards the cleaning auger or conveyor belt by placing the cleaning auger or conveyor belt at a base of the angled trough, spraying fluid downward through a series of fluid outlets, removing the sand so moved by the cleaning auger or conveyer belt from the flowback tank using the lift auger, and removing the fluid from the flowback tank using a drain manifold below the cleaning auger or conveyer belt.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an electronic device peripheral cleaning cabinet and a method for cleaning such peripherals. In an example, a peripheral cleaning cabinet includes a cabinet body, a door, a cabinet gas line, and a support shelf. The cabinet body includes an exhaust port. The door is mechanically coupled to the cabinet body. The cabinet gas line includes a gas valve and a nozzle. The gas valve is fluidly coupled to the nozzle. The nozzle is disposed in the cabinet body. The cabinet gas line is configured to supply a gas to flow into the cabinet body. The support shelf is disposed in the cabinet body and is configured to support a peripheral. The support shelf is configured to allow the gas to flow from the nozzle, through the support shelf, and to the exhaust port.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a film vibration device, including: photoetching a surface of a silicon wafer to form a circular-hole array; etching an aluminum layer on the silicon wafer; etching the silicon wafer to form a through-hole array to obtain a porous silicon wafer; attaching a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet to a side of the porous silicon wafer; ablating the PET sheet to obtain a porous PET film; attaching a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film to a lower side of the porous silicon wafer; performing vacuumization above the porous silicon wafer, while heating the PVDF film below the porous silicon wafer to create dome micro-structures on the PVDF film; and laminating the porous PET film on each of two sides of the PVDF film to obtain the film vibration device. This application also provides a cleaning device having the film vibration device.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for providing motorized drain cleaning and clearing is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include a first impermeable side wall disposed within a ground and a second impermeable side wall disposed within the ground. The apparatus even further includes a third impermeable gate wall disposed within the ground, the third impermeable side wall including a third height that is shorter than both a first height and a second height of the first and second impermeable side walls, a first end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to a second end of the first impermeable side wall, and a second end of the third impermeable side wall being coupled to the second end of the second impermeable side wall.

Abstract: A check valve includes a container body and a valve body. The container body includes a cylindrical valve-body housing portion, an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a valve seat. The inlet portion is formed at one end portion of the valve-body housing portion, and the outlet portion is formed at the other end portion of the valve-body hosing portion. The valve seat is protruded at an inner circumferential surface of the valve-body housing portion. The valve body is provided in the container body and movable in the axial direction thereof.

Abstract: A stock lifter for metal forming dies includes a self-contained assembly. The assembly includes a guide pin that reciprocates within a base. A hardened end cap, which contacts the stock, is attached to the guide pin. A spring is located on the exterior surface of a portion of the base and surrounds the guide pin body. One end of the spring contacts a surface on the cap, while the other end of the spring contacts a surface on the base or an optional mounting flange that is attached above the base. Thus, the stock lifter assembly has a hardened cap for the stock to slide on and a larger, externally mounted spring that provides longer life for the stock lifter. The stock lifter assembly can be made of several different lengths and sizes by using longer or wider guide pins and springs.

Abstract: An assembly module, an assembly apparatus, and a method of operating the assembly module are introduced. The assembly module includes a first assembly die, a second assembly die and at least one engagement die. The first assembly die has a plurality of first fitting portions. The second assembly die has a plurality of second fitting portions and corresponds in position to the first assembly die. The engagement die is removably disposed at a related point of at least one first fitting portion, at a related point of at least one second fitting portion or at related points of at least one first fitting portion and at least one second fitting portion. Therefore, the assembly module is effective in fitting a component and an assembly target together, easy to operate, and conducive to quick assembly.

Abstract: A structure includes: a first member made of metal having a tubular shape, and having a through-insertion hole; a second member made of resin and joined to the first member; and a third member made of metal having a tubular shape, and inserted through inside the first member. The third member is tube-expanded toward the first member and joined to the first member by press-fitting.

Abstract: Method for providing sheet metal pieces, which are arranged at least in part side-by-side on a planar deposition surface, for drawing into a sheet metal bending machine by means of a side drawing-in device which is arranged on the sheet metal bending machine, wherein the side drawing-in device includes a pick-up device that is movable into the sheet metal bending machine and is intended for picking up a sheet metal piece to be drawn into the sheet metal bending machine at a pick-up position above the deposition surface that can be approached by the pick-up device.

Abstract: A mandrel 10 for producing a thin-walled bent tube having a bending portion with high strength and a small radius of curvature by rotary draw bending without either cracks in an outside of bend or wrinkles and buckling in an inside of bend occurring includes a shank 14, a connection mechanism 15 and a mandrel ball 16. In a cross-section orthogonal to an axial direction of the mandrel ball 16 at a central position in the axial direction of the mandrel ball 16, the mandrel ball 16 has a first position 19 and a second position 20 at which a first straight line m that passes through a mandrel ball center 17 meets an outer periphery 21 of the mandrel ball. Further, a ratio (L1/L2) between a dimension L1 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the first position 19 and a dimension L2 from the mandrel ball center 17 to the second position 20 is in a range of 0.915 to 0.976.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming wire components, which are in this example springs, comprises a supply station (202), for supplying spring forming material, such as metallic wire W. The supply station includes a pair of guide rollers (204) and pair of driven feed rollers (206), mounted on a heavy support plate (216). The wire is fed through a flexible sheath FS to a remotely located wire shaping device, in particular a spring forming device 208, comprising forming tools (210), a pitch control tool (212) and a cutter (214). The forming tools (210) and the pitch control tool (212) form the wire into a spring S, which is cut from the supply of wire when it is complete. The tools (210, 212) and cutter (214) are controlled remotely from a control station (220) via a bundle of flexible control cables (222), which may include a power cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a flexible layer stack, and to a flexible layer stack. Implementations of the present disclosure particularly relate to a method and apparatus for coating flexible substrates with a low melting temperature metal or metal alloy. In one implementation, a method is provided. The method includes delivering a transfer liquid to a quenching surface of a rotating casting drum. The method further includes forming a material layer stack over the rotating casting drum by delivering a molten metal or molten metal alloy toward the quenching surface of the rotating casting drum. The method further includes transferring the material layer stack from the rotating casting drum to a continuous flexible substrate, wherein the quenching surface of the rotating casting drum is cooled to a temperature at which the layers of the material layer stack solidify.

Abstract: A method for containing a slab during continuous casting, including casting a slab along a casting axis, said slab having a predefined width, wherein the method provides a containment of the slab with a plurality of rolls, said rolls being disposed in pairs facing to each other, and defining a passage along the casting axis for the cast slab, wherein the plurality of rolls includes electromagnetic rolls provided with an electromagnetic stirrer which stirs the liquid contained in the slab.

Abstract: An insert for a steel shot sleeve of a high-pressure die casting assembly used to form aluminum vehicle components is provided. The insert is formed by additive manufacturing, for example laser sintering, and is located opposite a pouring hole of the shot sleeve. The insert includes multiple layers formed of metals and ceramic designed to reduce damage to the shot sleeve caused while casting the components. For example, a cylindrical body of the shot sleeve can be formed of steel, and the insert can include a base layer formed of the steel. The insert can include middle layers formed of a mixture of the steel; an alloy of chromium, iron, and molybdenum; and zirconium oxide. The insert can also include an inner layer formed of the zirconium oxide. The amount of ceramic increases and the amount of metal decreases in the direction moving toward the inner layer.

Abstract: A casting plunger system for a die casting machine includes a stationary system part and a system part which moves relative to the stationary system part in a respective casting cycle for the introduction of melt material into a casting mould. The moved system part has a plunger, a plunger rod and a rod drive unit, and is configured to decelerate at the end of a mould filling phase of the casting cycle under the effect of pressure on the melt material. A casting method for a die casting machine is provided with such a plunger system. The moved system part has a mass which can be adjusted variably between different casting cycles, and/or the moved system part consists of a moved main system part and an additional mass unit which is arranged so as to be movable relative to the main system part and is configured to decelerate, at the end of the mould fill phase of the casting cycle, later by a predefined delay time than the main system part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding closure (10) for a metallurgical vessel comprising a tapping hole (1) for draining metal melt or slag, said sliding closure being provided with a slider housing (3) that can be secured to the vessel (2) and a closure plate (6) that can move therein for opening and closing the tapping hole (1). The sliding closure (10) also has only this moveable closure plate (6), without a stationary closure plate, which is can be moved directly on a sliding surface (7), extending around the tapping hole, preferably of a casing block (9) in the vessel (2) and can be pressed by pretensioning elements. In this way, this sliding closure (10) provides a constructionally simpler structure and user-friendly handling.

Abstract: A composition for binding metal oxides, a metal oxide pellet produced with the binder and metal oxide, and methods for producing the metal oxide pellets. The binder composition includes a pelletizing agent comprising at least one of a cement, a bitumen, and a polymer and a sinter enhancer comprising at least one of a metal sulfide, a metal chloride, and a metal nitrate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to additively manufacturing a three-dimensional structure. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a plurality of stacked layers are deposited, and for one or more respective layers of the plurality of stacked layers, pores are formed within the layer by applying pulsed energy to the layer. The pulsed energy is used to create a space sealed within the layer and having an inner surface defined by material of the layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an antenna assembly includes additively manufacturing an element that is a monolithic structure and that includes (i) a ground plane including one or more aperture slots, (ii) a patch antenna above the ground plane, and (iii) a sacrificial support feature to support the patch antenna above the ground plane. The method further includes applying a dielectric material between the ground plane and the patch antenna. In an example, applying the dielectric material between the ground plane and the patch antenna includes providing a dielectric foam between the ground plane and the patch antenna, where the dielectric foam at least in part supports the patch antenna above the ground plane. The method further includes removing at least a section of the sacrificial support feature, such that any remnant of the support feature does not physically couple the ground plane to the patch antenna.