A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.

Systems and methods for joining blade components of a rotor blade are provided. A method includes positioning a first blade component and a second blade component such that a joint location of the first blade component and a joint location of the second blade component are proximate each other. The method further includes applying a force to an outer surface of the second blade component and an opposing force to an inner surface of the second blade component. The force and opposing force maintain an aerodynamic contour of the second blade component. The method further includes connecting the joint location of the first blade component and the joint location of the second blade component together.

A snap fitting for use in plumbing is provided. The snap fitting includes a main body formed of plastic and shaped to extend partially around a cylindrical pipe to snap over the pipe and an inset for extending from an interior side of the main body into a hole in the cylindrical pipe.

Described herein are various embodiments directed to rotor devices, systems, and kits. Embodiments of rotors disclosed herein may be used to characterize one or more analytes of a fluid. A method may include aligning an apparatus to an imaging device. The apparatus may include a set of wells defined by a first layer coupled to a second layer. The first layer may be substantially transparent to infrared radiation. The second layer may define a channel. The second layer may be substantially absorbent to the infrared radiation. The apparatus may further include a third layer coupled to the second layer and define an opening configured to receive a fluid. The third layer may be substantially transparent to the infrared radiation. A set of images of the apparatus may be generated using the imaging device. Bonding information may be generated based on the set of images.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in the manufacture of a membrane-catalyst assembly including a polymer electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer bonded to the polymer electrolyte membrane, a method that achieves both the relaxation of thermocompression bonding conditions and the improvement of adhesion between the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane with high productivity. A main object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a membrane-catalyst assembly including an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer bonded to the electrolyte membrane, the method including a liquid application step of applying a liquid to a surface of the catalyst layer before bonding, and a thermocompression bonding step of bonding, to the electrolyte membrane, the catalyst layer to which the liquid is applied by thermocompression bonding.

Identifying object characteristic based on a contrast ratio of an amount of light reflected or absorbed by the object. Part of the object is illuminated, where the object is a material that absorbs or reflects light emitted by the light source. An amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object is measured. A contrast ratio of the absorbed/reflected light is determined by comparing an amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object to a default absorption or reflection value to obtain a difference between the amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object and the default absorption/reflection value. A characteristic of the object is determined based on the contrast ratio. The wavelength of the light from the light source can be substantially the same as the wavelength of the energy used to form the object by a welding process that uses energy to join at least two parts together to form the object.

Identifying object characteristic based on a contrast ratio of an amount of light reflected or absorbed by the object. Part of the object is illuminated, where the object is a material that absorbs or reflects light emitted by the light source. An amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object is measured. A contrast ratio of the absorbed/reflected light is determined by comparing an amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object to a default absorption or reflection value to obtain a difference between the amount of light absorbed/reflected by the object and the default absorption/reflection value. A characteristic of the object is determined based on the contrast ratio. The wavelength of the light from the light source can be substantially the same as the wavelength of the energy used to form the object by a welding process that uses energy to join at least two parts together to form the object.

The present invention is a system and method facilitating the application of PVC primer/cement to the inner surfaces of PVC pipes, unions, joints, or connection sleeves, and to the outer surface of PVC pipes. The invention consists of a PVC primer/cement reservoir, a method of filing and pressurizing the reservoir, and forcing PVC primer or cement through a series of tubes and holes in the apparatus and into a foam applicator transferring PVC primer/cement onto the inner surface or onto the outer surface of a PVC union, sleeve, or pipe to a predetermined depth and thickness thus reducing waste of the PVC primer/cement and ensuring an even coating of PVC primer/cement and always applying the same consistent application of PVC primer/cement.

The present invention is a system and methods that facilitates the application of PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue to the inner surfaces of PVC unions and the outer surface of PVC pipes. The invention consists of a PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue reservoir, a method of pressurizing the reservoir, and forcing the PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue through a series of tubes and holes in the apparatus and into a foam applicator which transfers the PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue onto the inner surface or onto the outer surface of a PVC union or PVC pipe to a predetermined depth thus reducing waste of the PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue. The foam application housing contains a foam applicator specifically for applying PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue to either the inner surface of a PCV union or to the outer surface of a PVC pipe giving a uniform application of PVC primer (solvent) or PVC glue.

An intravenous delivery system may have a liquid source containing a liquid, tubing, and an anti-run-dry membrane positioned such that the liquid, flowing form the liquid source to the tubing, passes through the anti-run-dry membrane. The anti-run-dry membrane may be positioned within an exterior wall of a drip unit, and may be secured to a seat of the exterior wall by an attachment component. The attachment component may have various forms, such as a secondary exterior wall that cooperates with the exterior wall to define a drip chamber, a washer positioned such that the anti-run-dry membrane is between the washer and the seat, and an adhesive ring formed of a pressure sensitive adhesive and secured to the anti-run-dry membrane and the seat via compression. Interference features may protrude inward from the exterior wall or outward from the anti-run-dry membrane to help keep the anti-run-dry membrane in place.