Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A wafer structure is disclosed and includes a chip substrate and at least one inkjet chip having plural ink-drip generators. Each ink-drop generator includes a thermal-barrier layer, a resistance heating layer and a protective layer. The thermal-barrier layer is formed on the chip substrate, the resistance heating layer is formed on the thermal-barrier layer, a part of the protective layer is formed on the resistance heating layer, and the barrier layer is formed on the protective layer. The ink-supply chamber has a bottom in communication with the protective layer, and a top in communication with the nozzle. The thermal-barrier layer has a thickness of 500˜5000 angstroms, the protective layer has a thickness of 150˜3500 angstroms, the resistance heating layer has a thickness of 100˜500 angstroms, the resistance heating layer has a length of 5˜30 microns, and the resistance heating layer has a width of 5˜10 microns.

Abstract: A wafer structure is disclosed and includes a chip substrate and a plurality of inkjet chips. The chip substrate is a silicon substrate fabricated by a semiconductor process. At least one inkjet chip is directly formed on the chip substrate by the semiconductor process and diced into the at least one inkjet chip for inkjet printing. Each of the inkjet chip includes a plurality of ink-drop generators produced by a semiconductor process and formed on the chip substrate. Each of the ink-drop generators includes a thermal-barrier layer, a resistance heating layer, a conductive layer, a protective layer, a barrier layer, an ink-supply chamber and a nozzle.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection module capable of enhancing the strength of an orifice plate while achieving favorable ejection operation at each ejection port. To that end, the liquid ejection module includes a functional layer in which a plurality of energy generating elements are arranged, a flow channel forming layer in which pressure chambers, individual flow channels, and a common flow channel are formed, and an orifice plate having ejection ports formed therein. The functional layer, the flow channel forming layer and the orifice plate are stacked. In the flow channel forming layer, a beam is formed, extending from a flow channel wall of the common flow channel toward the individual flow channels and supporting the orifice plate in a region facing a first opening.

Abstract: A wafer structure is disclosed and includes a chip substrate and at least one inkjet chip. The chip substrate is a silicon substrate fabricated by a semiconductor process. The inkjet chip is directly formed on the chip substrate by the semiconductor process, whereby the wafer structure is diced, and the inkjet chip is produced, to be implemented for inkjet printing. The inkjet chip includes a plurality of ink-drop generators produced by the semiconductor process and formed on the chip substrate. Each of the ink-drop generators includes a barrier layer, an ink-supply chamber and a nozzle, and the ink-supply chamber and the nozzle are integrally formed in the barrier layer.

Abstract: A wafer structure is disclosed and includes a chip substrate and at least one inkjet chip. The chip substrate is a silicon substrate which is fabricated by a semiconductor process on a wafer of at least 12 inches. The at least one inkjet chip is directly formed on the chip substrate by the semiconductor process, and the wafer is diced into the at least one inkjet chip, to be implemented for inkjet printing.

Abstract: A digital dispense system and methods for preparing samples for analysis. The digital dispense system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed. A cartridge translation mechanism is provided for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction. A sample tray translation mechanism moves a sample tray back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction.

Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a fluid ejection module having a substrate and a layer separate from the substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of fluid ejection elements arranged in a matrix, each fluid ejection element configured to cause a fluid to be ejected from a nozzle. The layer separate from the substrate includes a plurality of electrical connections, each electrical connection adjacent to a corresponding fluid ejection element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vinyl substrate printing. In an example, a vinyl printing apparatus is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a media path to convey a vinyl substrate along a feed direction from a substrate supply to a print zone; an inkjet printhead to print on the print substrate at the print zone; and a heater upstream of the print zone to heat the print substrate to evaporate a plasticizer from a surface of the print substrate.

Abstract: An electromechanical pressure sensor includes an electromechanical resonator having a driving electrode, a sensing electrode, and a beam resonator arranged between the driving and sensing electrodes. The beam resonator includes a resonator beam coupled on a first end to a first fixed anchor and coupled on a second end to a fixed second fixed anchor. The electromechanical resonator also includes a first voltage source coupled to the driving electrode and configured to provide an alternating current to the driving electrode and a second voltage source coupled to the first fixed anchor. The second voltage source provides a DC bias to the resonator beam. The electromechanical resonator further includes a third voltage source coupled to the resonator beam via the first and second fixed anchors. The third voltage source is configured to supply a voltage to the resonator beam that results in a temperature differential between the resonator beam and the first and second fixed anchors.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes a white ink adhesion step of causing a white ink containing a white pigment to adhere to a recording medium by an ink jet method; a non-white ink adhesion step of causing a non-white ink containing a non-white coloring material to adhere to the recording medium by the ink jet method; and a drying step of drying the white ink and the non-white ink adhering to the recording medium in the white ink adhesion step and the non-white ink adhesion step by a blowing type or radiation type drying unit, in which the white ink adhesion step and the non-white ink adhesion step are performed in a state where the recording medium is supported on a support member including a suction hole sucking the recording medium, and are performed by plural times of main scanning in which a recording head discharging the white ink and a recording head discharging the non-white ink discharge each ink while moving in a main scanning direction and plural times of sub-scanning in which the recording mediu

Abstract: A die for a printhead is described herein. The die includes fluid feed holes disposed in a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the die. The fluid feed holes are formed through a substrate of the die. Fluidic actuators are proximate to the fluid feed holes, to eject fluid received from the fluid feed holes. Field-effect transistors are parallel to the fluid feed holes. Each fluidic actuator is powered by an associated field effect transistor. Logic circuitry to actuate the field-effect transistors is disposed on an opposite side of the fluid feed holes from the field-effect transistors. Traces, disposed between the fluid feed holes, electrically couple the logic circuitry to the field-effect transistors. The die has a repeating structure including one fluid feed hole, two fluidic actuators, and two field-effect transistors placed at an interval of two times a dot pitch in a line along the die.

Abstract: Power allocation in printing devices is disclosed. Independent load requests are received from printing device heater systems including an independent load request is received from a printing device heater system of the printing device heater systems. A power allowance of an amount of a power output is allocated to the printing device heater system if a print substance density is outside a print substance density threshold and the independent load request is outside a load threshold.

Abstract: An element substrate of a liquid ejection head includes an ejection opening array in which multiple ejection openings are arranged along a predetermined direction, pressure chambers communicating with the ejection openings, and heat generating elements for ejecting liquid, supplied to the pressure chambers, through the ejection openings. The element substrate also includes a predetermined supply path extending in the predetermined direction and communicating with the pressure chambers, a predetermined collection path communicating with the pressure chambers, multiple liquid supply ports communicating with the supply path at different positions in the predetermined direction, and a liquid collection port communicating with the collection path. Among the multiple liquid supply ports, at least a liquid supply port located at an end portion in the predetermined direction has an opening area larger than the opening area of the liquid collection port.

Abstract: Power allocation in printing devices is disclosed. Independent load requests are received from printing device heater systems. Power grants are allocated based on a general power arbitration of a power source in response to the independent load requests. A power grant is adjusted based on a contextual printing condition to provide an adjusted grant from the power source to a printing device heater system of the printing device heater systems. The adjusted grant is based on a power grant limit corresponding with the contextual printing condition.

Abstract: In a substrate of a liquid ejection head, there are formed a first through-hole which constitutes a liquid supply path, and a second through-hole in which a through-hole electrode electrically connected to a wiring layer is formed on the inner surface. The first through-hole has a first hole having a first opening and a second hole having a second opening, and the second through-hole has a third hole having a third opening and a fourth hole having a fourth opening. When the minimum width of the first opening is represented by D1, the minimum width of the second opening is represented by D2, the minimum width of the third opening is represented by D3, and the minimum width of the fourth opening is represented by D4, the first to fourth openings satisfy a relation of D1>D3>D4>D2.

Abstract: A thermally conductive material, device, and method for predictably maintaining the temperature state and condition of the contact elements and support hardware of a tester interface, such as a probe card, for a testing apparatus, such as automated test equipment (ATE), that has a predetermined configuration applicable for the particular pin contact elements, thermal conditions. The thermally conductive device also has a substrate having a predefined form factor which can be readily introduced into the testing apparatus during normal testing operations. Unlike a patterned substrate that is constrained to specific probe element layouts, the unpatterned surface of the heat conductive device facilitates use with multiple probe card designs within numerous automated test equipment (ATE) tools.

Abstract: An ink composition to be used in an ink jet recording apparatus includes a self-dispersing pigment, a soap-free resin, and water. When 15 g of the ink composition is weighed into a 50-mL sample bottle and the sample bottle is shaken 100 times for one minute, at 60 seconds after shaking, a foam height from a liquid level is 1 cm or less.

Abstract: A smart seeder which significantly enhances efficiency in individual seed separation by enabling the seeds supplied onto a transfer plate to be spread more easily so that the seeds do not overlap, and consequently by enabling the seeds to be separated individually. Furthermore, the smart seeder can not only significantly reduce production costs due to the simple structure thereof, but also significantly enhance seed separation efficiency by separating one or multiple seeds, which may comprise fine seeds, such as lettuce seeds, or the like, whether the seeds are small seeds or large seeds.

Abstract: Printheads for a jetting apparatus. In one embodiment, a printhead comprises a plurality of jetting channels having nozzles on a bottom surface configured to jet a print fluid, and longitudinal sides disposed between the bottom surface and a top surface. The printhead also comprises Input/Output (I/O) ports disposed on one or more of the longitudinal sides, and configured to convey the print fluid into or out of the printhead. The printhead further includes one or more chain manifolds disposed between the I/O ports.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting unit that ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles, in which the planar shape of the ejecting face on which the nozzles are formed is a shape in which a first portion that passes through the center line parallel to the long side of the rectangle of the minimum area including the ejecting face and a second portion that does not pass through the center line are arranged in the direction of the long side.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head is manufactured by forming on a substrate an energy generating element for ejecting a liquid, an integrated circuit for driving the energy generating element, a supply port for the liquid so as to penetrate through the substrate, an electrode for generating a liquid flow, and a flow path forming member having an ejection orifice for ejecting the liquid such that a flow path for the liquid is formed between the substrate and the flow path forming member. The electrode is formed over high and low of a stepped shape formed on the substrate in at least one step selected from the steps of forming the energy generating element, forming the integrated circuit and forming the supply port.

Abstract: A battery device is provided. The battery includes a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of a battery and a controller configured to perform variable current discharge on the battery when the temperature detector detects a constant temperature range immediately before a start of charge.

Abstract: Provided is a droplet discharging device capable of, while suppressing influence on a droplet discharge mode of a discharging head, suppressing heat generation of a head driving circuit for driving the discharging head. A printing apparatus (10) (droplet discharging device) includes a discharging head (54) configured to discharge ink, a head driving circuit (56) configured to drive the discharging head (54), a heat dissipation unit (57) configured to dissipate heat generated in the head driving circuit (56), a carriage (52) configured to move in a state of supporting the discharging head (54), the head driving circuit (56), and the heat dissipation unit (57), and at least one air blowing unit (60) disposed outside a movement region of the carriage (52) and capable of generating an airflow toward the heat dissipation unit (57) supported by the carriage (52).

Abstract: MEMS devices and methods of fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, the MEMS device includes a bottom alloy layer disposed over a substrate. An inner material layer is disposed on the bottom alloy layer, and a top alloy layer is disposed on the inner material layer, the top and bottom alloy layers including an alloy of at least two metals, wherein the inner material layer includes the alloy and nitrogen. The top alloy layer, the inner material layer, and the bottom alloy layer form a MEMS feature.

Abstract: A system for isolating a failed resistor in a liquid dispensing system including a fusible links described. The system includes drive circuitry to drive a voltage supply to a resistor. The fusible link is disposed between a field effect transistor (FET) and the resistor. The fusible link is to fuse apart upon failure of the resistor.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus that includes a print section configured to perform printing onto a medium, a support section configured to support the medium, a base section to which the support section is attached, and a contact section configured to be attached to the base section so as to be movable to come into contact with the support section and being configured such that a position of the contact section with respect to the base section is not changed when the support section is detached from the base section.

Abstract: Provided is a silicon substrate processing method including: providing a silicon substrate with a sacrificial layer formed in the form of an island on the front surface thereof, the front surface being a surface on a side where the flow path of an ejection port for ejecting liquid is to be formed, the sacrificial layer having a higher etching rate than the silicon substrate; forming a mask layer on the back surface, the back surface being a surface opposite from the front surface, the mask layer being a layer that does not include an opening at a portion of the back surface opposite from the sacrificial layer; forming a non-penetrating hole from an opening on the back surface of the silicon substrate; and forming a beam on the back surface side by performing anisotropic etching on the silicon substrate in which the non-penetrating hole is formed.

Abstract: An inkjet material dispenser system includes a printhead member. According to one exemplary embodiment, the printhead member includes at least one drop ejector including an insulating stack layer and a top orifice surface defining an orifice, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the orifice to a height of the insulating stack layer (O/L ratio) is at least 1.0.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure a printer cartridge is described. The printer cartridge includes at least one backpressure chamber to provide backpressure to a fluid during deposition of the fluid onto a print medium. The printer cartridge also includes multiple fluid chambers in fluid communication with the at least one backpressure chamber. A fluid chamber provides fluid to a portion of a printhead. Adjacent fluid chambers are selectively in fluid communication with one another via valves.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device capable of maintaining an ejection stability for a long period of time. The ink jet recording device includes a recording head having an ejection port configured to eject an aqueous ink and an ejection-port surface in which the ejection port is opened and a liquid supply mechanism configured to supply an ejection-port clogging prevention liquid into the ejection port, the aqueous ink contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of pigment particles and resin particles, and the clogging prevention liquid has a dielectric constant of 20 to 40 at 25° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid discharge method of discharging liquid with a liquid discharge head having a heating surface that contacts and heats the liquid and a discharge port that faces the heating surface and discharges the liquid. The method includes heating the liquid through the heating surface to generate a bubble such that the bubble communicates with an atmosphere, thereby discharging the liquid. The liquid that is being discharged from the discharge port includes a trailing portion. The trailing portion moves toward the heating surface in response to a reduction in volume of the bubble and contacts the heating surface. The method further includes heating the trailing portion through the heating surface while the trailing portion is in contact with the heating surface, thereby generating a bubble.

Abstract: An element substrate comprises: a plurality of heat elements which include a first heat element and a second heat element configured to supply heat to a liquid for printing; and a plurality of driving circuits which include a first driving circuit configured to drive the first heat element and a second driving circuit configured to drive the second heat element, wherein the plurality of heat elements and the plurality of driving circuits are stacked and arranged on the element substrate, and the first heat element is arranged so as to overlap at least a part of the second driving circuit when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the element substrate.

Abstract: A medium support unit for supporting a medium on which a printing apparatus performs printing includes a support portion having a support surface for supporting the medium, a heating portion heating the support portion, and a main body portion on which the support portion is mounted, wherein heat conductivity of a mounting portion as a portion of the main body portion on which the support portion is mounted is lower than heat conductivity of the support portion.

Abstract: A print control apparatus which controls ejection of fluid from a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in lines, and movement of the nozzle array in a direction intersecting a direction in which the nozzles are arranged in lines, in which the ejection of the fluid to the continued regions is performed by a plurality of movements of the nozzle array when an ejection amount of the fluid to continued regions in one movement of the nozzle array exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A chip for localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensing and imaging having a glass coverslip compatible for use in a standard microscope and at least one array of functionalized plasmonic nanostructures patterned onto the glass coverslip with electron beam nanolithography. The nanostructures can be regenerated allowing the chip to be used multiple times. Also disclosed is a method for determining the fractional occupancy values for surface-bound receptors as a function of time for LSPR biosensing from the spectroscopic response of the array and modeling the photon count in each spectrometer channel, allowing for a functional relationship to be determined between the acquired spectrum and the fractional occupancy of binding sites on the array. Additionally disclosed is a method for the spatiotemporal mapping of receptor-ligand binding kinetics in LSPR imaging using the chip and projecting a magnified image of the array to a CCD camera and monitoring the binding kinetics of the array.

Abstract: A modular print drive assembly and platen assembly are provided. The modular print drive assembly is structured for insertion and removal from a printer, the modular print drive assembly and includes a print drive housing defining a plurality of printer mount fasteners, a printhead coupled to and supported by the print drive housing, a platen latch assembly coupled to and supported by the print drive housing. The platen latch assembly is structured to removably receive a platen in position to define a nip between the platen and the printhead The modular print drive also includes a platen drive motor coupled to and supported by the print housing, wherein the platen drive motor is supported by the print housing in position to drive the platen upon receipt within the platen latch assembly.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a liquid discharge head, which includes a heat generating resistor that generates thermal energy for discharging a liquid and a covering portion covering the heat generating resistor, includes alternately performing a first voltage application process and a second voltage application process multiple times, and reducing energy applied in the second voltage application process. The first voltage application process includes applying voltage between the covering portion and an electrode through the liquid to dissolve the covering portion in the liquid. The second voltage application process includes reversing relative polarities of the covering portion and the electrode in the first voltage application process and applying voltage between the covering portion and the electrode. Energy applied in the second voltage application process is reduced such that the energy applied is less than energy applied in the first voltage application process of an immediately preceding time.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printer head with an airflow management system. The airflow management system includes an air splitter on the leading edge of the printer head and side members that extend the length of the printer head. The air splitter and members are positioned so that a gap is formed between the printer head and the air splitter and members. A vacuum fan positioned within a duct on top of the printer head can draw air through the gap at the leading edge of the printer head and return the air on the trailing side of the printer head. The airflow management system can permit increased printing distances.

Abstract: In a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus that can suppress deterioration of image quality, a plurality of second beam-shaped member is provided on the downstream side of a first beam-shaped member in a flow passage connected to an ejection element substrate. The first beam-shaped member divides the flow passage into two flow passages in a liquid-flowing direction and the second beam-shaped member sandwich a line extending from the first beam-shaped member in the liquid-flowing direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head having at least one energy generation element for generating heat to be used for ejecting a liquid includes an insulating layer which is provided in contact with a substrate and supports the energy generation element; at least one heat transmitting layer which is composed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than that of a material of the insulating layer and which is provided, in the insulating layer, between the energy generation element and the substrate; and a heat transmitting member which thermally connects the at least one heat transmitting layer and the substrate, wherein the heat transmitting member is connected to an area, on the heat transmitting layer, excluding an area directly below the energy generation element in a position interposed between the energy generation element and the substrate.

Abstract: A method of printing from a fixed inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: feeding a print medium past the printhead in a media feed direction, the media feed direction defining relative upstream and downstream sides of the printhead; printing an image onto the print medium, the image being defined by image data; and printing a keep-wet pattern onto the print medium from each ink plane of the printhead, the keep-wet pattern being defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead. A first keep-wet pattern from a first ink plane is printed at a higher frequency than a second keep-wet pattern from a second ink plane, the first ink plane being furthest upstream in the printhead.

Abstract: A method of printing from a fixed inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: feeding a print medium past the printhead in a media feed direction, the media feed direction defining relative upstream and downstream sides of the printhead; printing an image onto the print medium, the image being defined by image data; and printing a keep-wet pattern onto the print medium from each ink plane of the printhead, the keep-wet pattern being defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead. A first keep-wet pattern from a first ink plane is printed at a higher frequency than a second keep-wet pattern from a second ink plane, the first ink plane being furthest upstream in the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a set-up surface that faces a support body in a negative Z direction and that is fixed to the support body, an ejection surface that faces in a positive Z direction and in which are located nozzles that eject ink, and a first support surface and a second support surface that face in the positive Z direction and are located on the negative Z direction side of the ejection surface, and, when viewed in the Z direction, are separated from each other with the ejection surface interposed therebetween in the Y direction.

Abstract: A liquid transport apparatus includes a tube for transporting a liquid, plural fingers that push and block the tube, a cam that pushes the fingers in sequence so as to squeeze the tube to transport the liquid, a first electrode and a second electrode that are provided at the tube located further toward the downstream side than a region pushed by the plural fingers, and a determination unit that determines the presence/absence of a bubble on the basis of the impedance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The print head includes an energy generating element, a chamber for accommodating liquid, and an ejection opening arranged in a position corresponding to the energy generating element. The ejection opening includes at least one projection projecting inside of the ejection opening, the ejection opening having a first region between a front end of the projection and an inner wall of the ejection opening positioned at the shortest distance from the front end, and second regions positioned on both sides of the projection and different from the first region, and when a width of the projection at a chamber-side opening face is represented as a1 and the maximum width of the projection is represented as a2, a relation a1<a2 is established and the width of the projection decreases gradually or step by step from a position having the width of a2 to the chamber-side opening face.

Abstract: An example provides an apparatus including a plate having a nozzle orifice, a flat portion, and a first surface having a recess forming a corresponding protrusion extending from a second surface, opposite first surface, of the plate. A substrate may be in spaced relation to the flat portion of the plate such that the protrusion extends toward the substrate and such that the flat portion and the substrate define, at least in part, a chamber.

Abstract: A droplet discharge head includes a substrate, an electromechanical transducer, a first terminal electrode, a second terminal electrode, and a holding substrate. The holding substrate covers the electromechanical transducer. The holding substrate has a first opening to expose at least a part of the first terminal electrode and a second opening to expose at least a part of the second terminal electrode. The first and second openings are arranged in an area in which an amount of charges supplied by a discharge electrode becomes a threshold amount or more when, by corona or glow discharge generated by the discharge electrode arranged to face a surface of the holding substrate having the first and second openings, charges are supplied to the first and second terminal electrodes through the first and second openings to generate an electric field between first and second drive electrodes to perform polarization processing on the electromechanical transducer.

Abstract: A liquid discharging head is configured including an element substrate and a flow path forming substrate which are joined. The element substrate includes a plurality of energy generating elements (electrothermal conversion elements) configured to generate thermal energy, and a supply port configured to supply liquid. The flow path forming substrate includes a plurality of discharging ports, a bubble generating chamber formed so as to include an energy generating element, and a supply path which connects the bubble generating chamber and the supply port. The upstream side of the discharging port in the direction of liquid flowing from the supply path to the bubble generating chamber, as viewed from a planar view, is formed in a semicircular shape, and the downstream side is formed in a semi-polygonal shape.

Abstract: The printhead can include a nonwebbed diaphragm layer, an aperture plate layer, and a first webbed layer and a second webbed layer interposed between the diaphragm layer and the aperture plate layer. The nonwebbed diaphragm layer can be configured to deflect and eject ink from the print head during printing. The aperture plate layer can include a plurality of nozzles from which ink is ejected during printing. Each of the first and second webbed layers can include a first surface having a first surface area and comprising a plurality of first openings, a second surface opposing the first surface and comprising a plurality of second openings, and a web comprising a portion of the first surface, a portion of the second surface and a plurality of holes extending between the plurality of first and second openings. The printhead can be formed, in part, of alternating webbed and adjacent nonwebbed layers.