An optical element for location between a source of radiation and a detector (13) includes a first optical surface (10) have a central transmissive area (11) and a surrounding area (12) reflective to radiation from direction of the detector (13). A second optical surface (15) is spaced from the first surface (10) towards the detector (13) and has a central reflective area (16) arranged to reflect radiation passing through area 11 towards the reflective area 12. A transmissive area (18) of the se...

This invention relates to shuttering or sheathing elements of hard expanded plastics material for construction of buildings by the concrete casing method, of the kind comprising two mutually parallel panels or slabs having a tongued and grooved form at their edges and webs interconnecting the panels. According to the invention the panel forming the outer casing is considerably thicker than the panel of the element forming the inner casing.

A method and apparatus includes providing an element formed of a superplastic material to perform a predetermined downhole task. In another arrangement, a method and apparatus includes a flowable element and a deformable element that can be expanded by flowing the flowable element.

Compressive and tensile structural elements having an enclosure with walls surrounding a cavity. A non-compressible material is disposed in the cavity. The walls are shaped such that a force tending to compress or elongate the element by a first deflection causes an amplified second deflection of the walls into the non-compressible material. The second deflection exerts a compressive force against the non-compressible material, resulting in a resistance to the first deflection and the force tend...

A circuit board assembly having a circuit board including a via, and a contact element positioned adjacent to the via for providing electrical attachment of the pin to the via of the circuit board.

A method of preparing a trace element solution includes the steps of providing at least one EDTA-complex, providing a sodium selenite solution, and combining the EDTA-complex(es) and the sodium selenite solution to form a trace element solution. An EDTA complex is prepared by using disodium EDTA or EDTA acid, selenium, and any other suitable mineral.

A packing element comprising a peripheral sidewall defining an interior space having a central, longitudinal axis; a plurality of holes in the sidewall each having at least two sides, slanted relative to the axis; and a flap extending from at least one of the slanted sides of each of the holes inwardly into the space.

A method for producing an electroforming mandrel is disclosed wherein a continuous conductive film is deposited onto a substrate, and a photoresist is deposited over the conductive film, exposed and developed to form a pattern on the conductive film whereupon a metal element is electroformed.

Radiation sensitive thermally developable imaging elements comprise: (a) photosensitive silver halide, (b) light insensitive silver salt oxidizing agent, (c) reducing agent for silver ions, and (d) a benzoyl acid class of antifoggant. The antifoggants are effective in both reducing spurious background image densities and in stabilizing the film against sensitometric changes during storage.

Compressive and tensile structural elements having an enclosure with walls surrounding a cavity. A non-compressible material is disposed in the cavity. The walls are shaped such that a force tending to compress or elongate the element by a first deflection causes an amplified second deflection of the walls into the non-compressible material. The second deflection exerts a compressive force against the non-compressible material, resulting in a resistance to the first deflection and the force tend...