Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a first workpiece and a second workpiece. A layer of exothermic material is placed between the first workpiece and the second workpiece. A plurality of currents is applied to the layer of exothermic material in a plurality of locations and substantially at the same time such that an exothermic reaction occurs in the layer of exothermic material.

Abstract: A microneedle array device and its fabrication method are provided. The microneedle array device comprises a supporting pad and a plurality of microneedles. Each microneedle has a top portion with a via thereon, thereby the microfluid may flow in or out. The intersection between the top portion and the inner tube of a microneedle forms a convex needle structure, and is almost perpendicular to the upper surface. For each microneedle, a hollow closed tube is formed between the top portion and the supporting pad. The fabrication method uses substrates with high transmittance and a plurality of convex area thereon as upper and lower caps, and applies a photolithography process to fabricate a microneedle array mold. It then sputters or electroplates metal material on the mold. The microneedle array is formed after having taken off the mold.

Abstract: An excitation light beam is emitted from a light source. The excitation light beam propagates through a substrate and enters an interface between the substrate and a thin metal film having fine apertures with diameters less than or equal to the wavelength of the excitation light beam, provided on the surface of the substrate opposite that on which the excitation light beam is incident. Near field light is generated at the fine apertures. Fluorescent labels, included in a sample which is supplied to contact the thin metal film, are excited by the near field light and/or surface plasmon on the thin metal film induced by the near field light. The fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent labels is detected by a photodetector.

Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining layers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g., air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt or soften the joining material, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.

Abstract: Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining layers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g., air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt the joining materials, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.

Abstract: In a hot stamping or embossing method for stamping single sheets or webs with stamping product located on a stamping foil web, the material to be printed is moved through the stamping gap and the stamping foil web is jointly moved in such a way that during stamping intervals it is moved at the same speed as the printing material and outside the stamping intervals, at least temporarily, it has a foil speed differing from the printing material speed. According to the invention between two selected stamping intervals the stamping foil web is briefly accelerated in such a way that a space between succeeding, stamping product-delivering stamping product areas of the stamping foil web is larger than the corresponding, unprinted area of the printing material between succeeding stamping locations, which can be utilized for economizing foil material.