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The invention relates to spatial light modulators for use in display apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to spatial light modulators that include a substrate defining a plane and a shutter suspended over the substrate by a compliant beam. The compliant beam has a cross-sectional thickness, in a dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate, between about 0.2 μm and about 10 μm. In one embodiment, a thickness of the compliant beam in a dimension perpendicular to the plane of the substrate is at least about 1.4 times the cross-sectional width of the compliant beam in the dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate.
1. A spatial light modulator comprising:
a substrate defining a plane; and
a shutter suspended over the substrate by a compliant beam, wherein
a cross-sectional width of the compliant beam in a dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate is between about 0.2 μm and about 10 μm, and
a width of the compliant beam in a dimension perpendicular to the plane of the substrate is at least about 1.4 times the cross-sectional width of the compliant beam in the dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate.
2. The spatial light modulator of
3. The spatial light modulator of
4. The spatial light modulator of
5. The spatial light modulator of
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/251,034, filed Oct. 14, 2005, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/218,690, filed Sep. 2, 2005, and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/676,053, filed on Apr. 29, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/655,827, filed on Feb. 23, 2005. The disclosure of each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference.
In general, the invention relates to the field of video displays, in particular, the invention relates to mechanically actuated display apparatus.
Displays built from mechanical light modulators are an attractive alternative to displays based on liquid crystal technology. Mechanical light modulators are fast enough to display video content with good viewing angles and with a wide range of color and grey scale. Mechanical light modulators have been successful in projection display applications. Backlit displays using mechanical light modulators have not yet demonstrated sufficiently attractive combinations of brightness and low power. There is a need in the art for fast, bright, low-powered mechanically actuated displays. Specifically there is a need for mechanically actuated displays that include bi-stable mechanisms and that can be driven at low voltages for reduced power consumption.
In one aspect of the invention, a spatial light modulator includes a substrate defining a plane and a shutter suspended over the substrate by a compliant beam. The compliant beam has a cross-sectional width, in a dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate, between about 0.2 μm and about 10 μm. In one embodiment, a thickness of the compliant beam in a dimension perpendicular to the plane of the substrate is at least about 1.4 times the cross-sectional width of the compliant beam in the dimension parallel to the plane of the substrate.
The system and methods may be better understood from the following illustrative description with reference to the following drawings in which:
Each shutter assembly 102 includes a shutter 112 and an aperture 114. To illuminate a pixel 106 in the image 104, the shutter 112 is positioned such that it allows light to pass, without any significant obstruction, through, the aperture 114 towards a viewer. To keep a pixel 106 unlit, the shutter 112 is positioned such that it obstructs the passage of light through the aperture 114. The aperture 114 is defined by an opening patterned through a reflective or light-absorbing material in each shutter assembly 102.
In alternative implementations, a display apparatus 100 includes multiple shutter assemblies 102 for each pixel 106. For example, the display apparatus 100 may include three color-specific shutter assemblies 102. By selectively opening one or more of the color-specific shutter assemblies 102 corresponding to a particular pixel 106, the display apparatus 100 can generate a color pixel 106 in the image 104. In another example, the display apparatus 100 includes two or more shutter assemblies 102 per pixel 106 to provide grayscale in an image 104. In still other implementations, the display apparatus 100 may include other forms of light modulators, such as micromirrors, filters, polarizers, interferometric devices, and other suitable devices, instead of shutter assemblies 102 to modulate light to form an image.
The shutter assemblies 102 of the display apparatus 100 are formed using standard micromachining techniques known in the art, including lithography; etching techniques, such as wet chemical, dry, and photoresist removal; thermal oxidation of silicon; electroplating and electroless plating; diffusion processes, such as boron, phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony diffusion; ion implantation; film deposition, such as evaporation (filament, electron beam, flash, and shadowing and step coverage), sputtering, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced CVD, epitaxy (vapor phase, liquid phase, and molecular beam), electroplating, screen printing, and lamination. See generally Jaeger, Introduction to Microelectronic Fabrication (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading Mass. 1988); Runyan, et al., Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Processing Technology (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading Mass. 1990); Proceedings of the IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Conference 1987-1998; Rai-Choudhury, ed., Handbook of Microlithography, Micromachining & Microfabrication (SPIE Optical Engineering Press, Bellingham, Wash. 1997).
More specifically, multiple layers of material (typically alternating between metals and dielectrics) are deposited on top of a substrate forming a stack. After one or more layers of material are added to the stack, patterns are applied to a top most layer of the stack marking material either to be removed from, or to remain on, the stack. Various etching techniques, including wet or dry etches or reactive ion etching, are then applied to the patterned stack to remove unwanted material. The etch process may remove material from one or more layers of the stack based on the chemistry of the etch, the layers in the stack, and the amount of time the etch is applied. The manufacturing process may include multiple iterations of layering, patterning, and etching.
In one implementation the shutter assemblies 102 are fabricated upon a transparent glass or plastic substrate. This substrate may be made an integral part of a backlight which acts to evenly distribute the illumination from lamp 105 before the light exits through apertures 114. Alternatively and optionally the transparent substrate may be placed on top of a planar light guide, wherein the array of shutter assemblies 102 act as light modulation elements in the formation of an image. In one implementation the shutter assemblies 102 are fabricated in conjunction with or subsequent to the fabrication of a thin film transistor (TFT) array on the same glass or plastic substrate. The TFT array provides a switching matrix for distribution of electrical signals to the shutter assemblies.
The process also includes a release step. To provide freedom for parts to move in the resulting device, sacrificial material is interdisposed in the stack proximate to material that will form moving parts in the completed device. An etch removes much of the sacrificial material, thereby freeing the parts to move.
After release, one or more of the surfaces of the shutter assembly may be insulated so that charge does not transfer between moving parts upon contact. This can be accomplished by thermal oxidation and/or by conformal chemical vapor deposition of an insulator such as Al2O3, Cr2O3, TiO2, TiSiO4, HfO2, HfSiO4, V2O5, Nb2O5, Ta2O5, SiO2, or Si3N4 or by depositing similar materials using techniques such as atomic layer deposition and others. The insulated surfaces are chemically passivated to prevent problems such as stiction between surfaces in contact by chemical conversion processes such as fluoridation, silanization, or hydrogenation of the insulated surfaces.
Dual compliant electrode actuators make up one suitable class of actuators for driving the shutters 112 in the shutter assemblies 102. A dual compliant beam electrode actuator, in general, is formed from two or more at least partially compliant beams. At least two of the beams serve as electrodes (also referred to herein as "beam electrodes"). In response to applying a voltage across the beam electrodes, the beams electrodes are attracted to one another from the resultant electrostatic forces. Both beams in a dual compliant beam electrode are, at least in part, compliant. That is, at least some portion of each of the beams can flex and or bend to aid in the beams being brought together. In some implementations the compliance is achieved by the inclusion of flexures or pin joints. Some portion of the beams may be substantially rigid or fixed in place. Preferably, at least the majority of the length of the beams are compliant.
Dual compliant electrode actuators have advantages over other actuators known in the art. Electrostatic comb drives are well suited for actuating over relatively long distances, but can generate only relatively weak forces. Parallel plate or parallel beam actuators can generate relatively large forces but require small gaps between the parallel plates or beams and therefore only actuate over relatively small distances. R. Legtenberg et. al. (Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems v.6, p. 257, 1997) demonstrated how the use of curved electrode actuators can generate relatively large forces and result in relatively large displacements. The voltages required to initiate actuation in Legtenberg, however, are still substantial. As shown herein such voltages can be reduced by allowing for the movement or flexure of both electrodes.
In a dual compliant beam electrode actuator-based shutter assembly, a shutter is coupled to at least one beam of a dual compliant beam electrode actuator. As one of the beams in the actuator is pulled towards the other, the pulled beam moves the shutter, too. In doing so, the shutter is moved from a first position to a second position. In one of the positions, the shutter interacts with light in an optical path by, for example, and without limitation, blocking, reflecting, absorbing, filtering, polarizing, diffracting, or otherwise altering a property or path of the light. The shutter may be coated with a reflective or light absorbing film to improve its interferential properties. In the second position, the shutter allows the light to pass by, relatively unobstructed.
The shutter 202 a of the shutter assembly 200 a is formed from a solid, substantially planar, body. The shutter 202 a can take virtually any shape, either regular or irregular, such that in a closed position the shutter 202 a sufficiently obstructs the optical path through the aperture 206 a in the surface 204 a. In addition, the shutter 202 a must have a width consistent with the width of the aperture, that, in the open position (as depicted), sufficient light can pass through the aperture 206 a in the surface 204 a to illuminate a pixel, or contribute to the illumination of a pixel, in the display apparatus.
The shutter 202 a couples to one end of a load beam 208 a. A load anchor 210 a, at the opposite end of the load beam 208 a physically connects the load beam 208 a to the surface 204 a and electrically connects the load beam 208 a to driver circuitry in the surface 204 a. Together, the load 208 a beam and load anchor 210 a serve as a mechanical support for supporting the shutter 202 a over the surface 204 a.
The shutter assembly 200 a includes a pair of drive beams 212 a and 214 a, one located along either side of the load beam 210 a. Together, the drive beams 212 a and 214 a and the load beam 210 a form an actuator. One drive beam 212 a serves as a shutter open electrode and the other drive beam 214 a serves as a shutter close electrode. Drive anchors 216 a and 218 a located at the ends of the drive beams 212 a and 214 a closest to the shutter 202 a physically and electrically connects each drive beam 212 a and 214 a to the surface 204 a. In this embodiment, the other ends and most of the lengths of the drive beams 212 a and 214 a remain unanchored or free. The free ends of the drive beams 212 a and 214 a are closer to the anchored end of the load beam 208 a than the anchored ends of the drive beams 212 a and 214 a are to shutter end of the load beam 208 a.
The load beam 208 a and the drive beams 212 a and 214 a are compliant. That is, they have sufficient flexibility and resiliency that they can be bent out of their unstressed ("rest") position or shape to at least some useful degree, without fatigue or fracture. As the load beam 208 a and the drive beams 212 a and 214 a are anchored only at one end, the majority of the lengths of the beams 208 a, 212 a, and 214 a is free to move, bend, flex, or deform in response to an applied force. The operation of the cantilever dual compliant beam electrode actuator based-shutter assembly 200 a is discussed further below in relation to
Changing the state of a shutter assembly that includes multiple shutter apertures with a corresponding number of surface apertures requires less shutter movement than changing the state of a shutter assembly incorporating a solid shutter and single surface aperture, while still providing for the same aperture area. Reduced required motion corresponds to lower required actuation voltage. More particularly, a decrease in required motion by ⅓ reduces the necessary actuation voltage of the actuator by a factor of about ⅓. Reduced actuation voltage further corresponds to reduced power consumption. Since the total aperture area for either shutter assembly is about the same, each shutter assembly provides a substantially similar brightness.
In other implementations, the shutter apertures and corresponding surface apertures have shapes other than slots. The apertures may be circular, polygonal or irregular. In alternative implementations, the shutter may include more shutter apertures than there are surface apertures in the shutter assembly. In such implementations, one or more of the shutter apertures may be serve as a filter, such as color filter. For example, the shutter assembly may have three shutter apertures for every surface aperture, each shutter aperture including a red, blue, or green colored filter.
As indicated in the diagram 3B, for actuators having separation functions in which n is less than or equal to 2, the application of a minimum actuation voltage (V2) results in a cascading attraction of the load beam to the drive beam without requiring the application of a higher voltage. For such actuators, the incremental increase in electrostatic force on the beams resulting from the load beam getting closer to the drive beam is greater than the incremental increase in stress on the beams needed for further displacement of the beams.
For actuators having separation functions in which x is greater than 2, the application of a particular voltage results in a distinct partial displacement of the load electrode. That is, the incremental increase in electrostatic force on the beams resulting from a particular decrease in separation between the beams, at some point, fails to exceed the incremental deformation force needed to be imparted on the load beam to continue reducing the separation. Thus, for actuators having separation functions having n greater than 2, the application of a first voltage level results in a first corresponding displacement of the load electrode. A higher voltage results in a greater corresponding displacement of the load electrode. How the shapes and relative compliance of thin beam electrodes effects actuation voltage is discussed in more detail in the following references: (R. Legtenberg et. al., Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems v.6, p. 257 (1997) and J. Li et. al. Transducers '03, The 12th International Conference on Solid State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems, p. 480 (2003) each of which is incorporated herein by reference
Referring back to
With reference back to
This shutter assemblies 200 a and 200 b, as well as shutter assemblies 500 (see
The reflection platform 402 may or may not be conductive. In implementations in which the reflection platform 402 is conductive, the reflection platform serves as a load electrode for the mirror-based light modulator 400. The reflection platform 402 is physically supported over, and is electrically coupled to, a substrate 404 via a compliant support member 406. If the reflection platform 402 is formed from a non-conductive material, the reflection platform 402 is coupled to a compliant conductive load beam or other form of compliant load electrode. A compliant support member 406 physically supports the combined reflection platform 402 and electrode over the substrate 404. The support member 406 also provides an electrical connection from the electrode to the substrate 404.
The mirror-based light modulator 400 includes a second compliant electrode 408, which serves a drive electrode 408. The drive electrode 408 is supported between the substrate 404 and the reflection platform 402 by a substantially rigid second support member 410. The second support member 410 also electrically connects the second compliant electrode 408 to a voltage source for driving the mirror-based light modulator 400.
The mirror-based light modulator 400 depicted in
To form an image, light 412 is directed at an array of mirror-based light modulators 400 at a particular angle. Mirror-based light modulators 400 in their rest states reflect the light 412 away from the viewer or the display screen, and mirror-based light modulators in the active state reflect the light 412 towards a viewer or a display screen, or visa versa.
In addition, in comparison to the shutter assemblies 202 a and 202 b, the load beam 504 has a width which varies along its length. The load beam 504 is wider near its anchor 508 than it is nearer to the shutter 502. In comparison to the shutter assemblies 202 a and 202 b and because of its tailored width, the load beam 504 typically has an overall greater stiffness. Shutter assemblies incorporating stiffer beams typically require higher voltages for actuation, but in return, allow for higher switching rates. For example, the shutter assemblies 202 a and 202 b may be switched up to about 10 kHz, while the stiffer shutter assembly 500 may be switched up to about 100 kHz.
Each actuator 602 includes a compliant load member 606 connecting the shutter 604 to a load anchor 608. The compliant load members 606 each include a load beam 610 and an L bracket 612. The load anchors 608 along with the compliant load members 606 serve as mechanical supports, keeping the shutter 604 suspended proximate to the surface. The load anchors 608 physically connect the compliant load members 606 and the shutter 604 to the surface and electrically connect the load beams 610 of the load members 606 to ground. The coupling of the shutter 604 from two positions on one side of the shutter 604 to load anchors 608 in positions on either side of the shutter assembly 600 help reduce twisting motion of the shutter 604 about its central axis 614 during motion.
The L brackets 612 reduce the in-plane stiffness of the load beam. 610. That is, the L brackets 612 reduce the resistance of actuators 602 to movement in a plane parallel to the surface (referred to as "in-plane movement" 615), by relieving axial stresses in the load beam.
Each actuator 602 also includes a compliant drive beam 616 positioned adjacent to each load beam 610. The drive beams 616 couple at one end to a drive beam anchor 618 shared between the drive beams 616. The other end of each drive beam 616 is free to move. Each drive beam 616 is curved such that it is closest to the load beam 610 near the free end of the drive beam 616 and the anchored end of the load beam 610.
In operation, a display apparatus incorporating the shutter assembly 600 applies an electric potential to the drive beams 616 via the drive beam anchor 618. As a result of a potential difference between the drive beams 616 and the load beam 610, the free ends of the drive beams 616 are pulled towards the anchored ends of the load beams 610 and the shutter ends of the load beams 610 are pulled toward the anchored ends of the drive beams 616. The electrostatic force draws the shutter 604 towards the drive anchor 618. The compliant members 606 act as springs, such that when the electrical potentials are removed from the drive beams 616, the load beams compliant members 606 push the shutter 604 back into its initial position, releasing the stress stored in the load beams 610. The L brackets 612 also serve as springs, applying further restoration force to the shutter 604.
In fabrication of shutter assemblies 200 through 800, as well as for shutter assemblies 1300 through 1800 it is preferable to provide a rectangular shape for the cross section of the load beams (such as load beams 610) and the drive beams (such as drive beams 616). By providing a beam thickness (in the direction perpendicular to surface) which is 1.4 times or more larger in dimension than the beam width (in a direction parallel to the surface) the stiffness of the load beam 610 will be increased for out-of-plane motion 617 versus in-plane motion 615. Such a dimensional and, by consequence, stiffness differential helps to ensure that the motion of the shutter 604, initiated by the actuators 602, is restricted to motion along the surface and across the surface apertures as opposed to out-of-plane motion 617 which would a wasteful application of energy. It is preferable for certain applications that the cross section of the load beams (such as 610) be rectangular as opposed to curved or elliptical in shape. The strongest actuation force is achieved if the opposing beam electrodes have flat faces so that upon actuation they can approach and touch each other with the smallest possible separation distance.
In operation, to open the shutter 812, a display apparatus incorporating the shutter assembly 800 applies an electric potential to the drive anchor 822 of the shutter open actuators 802 and 804, drawing the shutter 812 towards the open position. To close the shutter 812, the display apparatus applies an electric potential to the drive anchor 822 of the shutter close actuators 806 and 808 drawing the shutter 812 towards the closed position. If neither pair of actuators 802/804 or 806/808 are activated, the shutter 812 remains in an intermediate position, somewhere between fully open and fully closed.
The shutter open actuators 802/804 and shutter closed actuators 806/808 couple to the shutter 812 at opposite ends of the shutter. The shutter open and closed actuators have their own load members 810, thus reducing the actuation voltage of each actuator 802, 804, 806 and 808. Because of the electrical bi-stability described in reference to
For shutter assemblies such as in
Each of the shutter assemblies 200 a, 200 b, 500, 600, 700 and 800, and the mirror-based light modulator 400, described above fall into a class of light modulators referred to herein as "elastic light modulators." Elastic light modulators have one mechanically stable rest state. In the rest state, the light modulator may be on (open or reflecting), off (closed or not reflecting), or somewhere in between (partially open or partially reflecting). If the generation of a voltage across beams in an actuator forces the light modulator out of its rest state into a mechanically unstable state, some level of voltage across the beams must be maintained for the light modulator to remain in that unstable state.
The active matrix array is fabricated as a diffused or thin-film-deposited electrical circuit on the surface of a substrate on which the elastic light modulators 902 are formed. The active matrix array 900 includes a series of row electrodes 904 and column electrodes 906 forming a grid like pattern on the substrate, dividing the substrate into a plurality of grid segments 908. The active matrix array 900 includes a set of drivers 910 and an array of non-linear electrical components, comprised of either diodes or transistors that selectively apply potentials to grid segments 908 to control one or more elastic light modulators 902 contained within the grid segments 908. The art of thin film transistor arrays is described in Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays: Fundamentals and Applications by Willem den Boer (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2005).
Each grid segment 908 contributes to the illumination of a pixel, and includes one or more elastic light modulators 902. In grid segments including only a single elastic light modulator 902, the grid segment 908 includes, in addition to the elastic light modulator 902, least one diode or transistor 912 and optionally a capacitor 914. The capacitor 914 shown in
The active matrix array 900 generates an image, in one implementation by, one at a time, applying a potential from one of the drivers 910 to a selected row electrode 904, activating a corresponding row of grid segments 908. While a particular row is activated, the display apparatus applies a potential to the column electrodes corresponding to grid segments in the active row containing light modulators which need to be switched out of a rest state.
When a row is subsequently deactivated, a stored charge will remain on the electrodes of the actuator 902 (as determined by the equivalent capacitance of the actuator) as well as, optionally, on the parallel capacitor 914 that can be designed into the circuit, keeping the elastic shutter mechanisms 902 in their mechanically unstable states. The elastic shutter mechanism 902 remains in the mechanically unstable state until the voltage stored in the capacitor 914 dissipates or until the voltage is intentionally reset to ground potential during a subsequent row selection or activation step.
The active matrix array 1000 includes one row electrode 1004 for each row in the active matrix array 1000 and two column electrodes 1006 a and 1006 b for each column in the active matrix array 1000. For example, for display apparatus including shutter-based light modulators, one column electrode 1006 a for each column corresponds to the shutter open actuators of light modulators 1002 in the column. The other column electrode 1006 b corresponds to the shutter close actuators of the light modulators 1002 in the column. The active matrix array 1000 divides the substrate upon which it is deposited into grid sections 1008. Each grid section 1008 includes one or more light modulators 1002 and at least two diodes or transistors 1010 a and 1010 b and optionally two capacitors 1012 a and 1012 b. The bases 1014 a and 1014 b of each transistor 1010 a and 1010 b are electrically coupled to a column electrode 1006 a or 1006 b. The emitters 1016 a and 1016 b of the transistors 1010 a and 1010 b are coupled to a corresponding capacitor 1012 a or 1012 b and a drive electrode of the light modulator(s) 1002 in the grid section 1008.
In operation, a driver applies a potential to a selected row electrode 1004, activating the row. The active matrix array 1000 selectively applies potentials to one of the two column electrodes 1006 a or 1006 b of each column in which the state of the light modulator(s) 1002 in the grid section 1008 needs to be changed. Alternatively, the active matrix array 1000 may also apply a potential to column electrodes 1006 a or 1006 b for grid sections 1008 previously in an active state which are to remain in an active state.
For both active matrix arrays 900 and 1000, the drivers powering the column electrodes, in some implementations, select from multiple possible potentials to apply to individual column electrodes 1006 a and 1006 b. The light modulator(s) 1002 in those columns can then be opened or closed different amounts to create grayscale images.
In addition to the shutter 812, the shutter open actuators 802 and 804, the shutter close actuators 806 and 808, the load anchors 814 and the drive anchors 822, the shutter assembly 800 includes a row electrode 1104, a shutter open electrode 1106, a shutter close electrode 1108, and three surface apertures 1110. The depicted shutter assembly has at least three functional layers, which may be referred to as the row conductor layer, the column conductor layer, and the shutter layer. The shutter assembly is preferably made on a transparent substrate such as glass or plastic. Alternatively the substrate can be made from an opaque material such as silicon, as long as through holes are provided at the positions of each of the surface apertures 1110 for the transmission of light. The first metal layer on top of the substrate is the row conductor layer which is patterned into row conductor electrodes 1104 as well as reflective surface sections 1105. The reflective surface sections 1105 reflect light passing through the substrate 1102 back through the substrate 1102 except at the surface apertures 1110. In some implementations the surface apertures may include or be covered by red, green, or blue color filtering materials.
The shutter open electrode 1106 and the shutter close electrode 1108 are formed in a column conductor layer 1112 deposited on the substrate 1102, on top of the row conductor layer 1104. The column conductor layer 1112 is separated from the row conductor layer 1104 by one or more intervening layers of dielectric material or metal. The shutter open electrode 1104 and the shutter close electrode 1106 of the shutter assembly 800 are shared with other shutter assemblies in the same column of the display apparatus. The column conductor layer 1112 also serves to reflect light passing through gaps in the ground electrode 1104 other than through the surface apertures 1110. The row conductor layer 1104 and the column conductor layer 1112 are between about 0.1 and about 2 microns thick. In alternative implementations, the column conductor 1112 layer can be located below the row conductor layer 1104. In another alternative implementation both the column conductor layer and the row conductor layer may be located above the shutter layer.
The shutter 812, the shutter open actuators 802 and 804, the shutter close actuators 806 and 808, the load anchors 814 and the drive anchors 822 are formed from third functional layer of the shutter assembly 800, referred to as the shutter layer 1114. The actuators 802, 804, 806, and 808 are formed from a deposited metal, such as, without limitation, Au, Cr or Ni, or a deposited semiconductor, such as, without limitation as polycrystalline silicon, or amorphous silicon, or from single crystal silicon if formed on top of a buried oxide (also known as silicon on insulator). The beams of the actuators 802, 804, 806, and 808 are patterned to dimensions of about 0.2 to about 20 microns in width. The shutter thickness is typically in the range of 0.5 microns to 10 microns. To promote the in-plane movement of the shutters (i.e. reduce the transverse beam stiffness as opposed to the out-of-plane stiffness), it is preferable to maintain a beam dimensional ratio of about at least 1.4:1, with the beams being thicker than they are wide.
Metal or semiconductor vias electrically connect the row electrode 1104 and the shutter open electrode 1106 and the shutter close electrode 1108 of the column conductor layer 1112 to features on the shutter layer 1114. Specifically, vias 1116 electrically couple the row electrode 1104 to the load anchors 814 of the shutter assembly 800, keeping the compliant load member 810 of the shutter open actuators 802 and 804 and the shutter close actuators 806 and 808, as well as the shutter 812, at the row conductor potential. Additional vias electrically couple the shutter open electrode 1106 to the drive beams 820 of the shutter open actuators 802 and 804 via the drive anchor 822 shared by the shutter open actuators 802 and 804. Still other vias electrically couple the shutter close electrode 1108 to the drive beams 820 of the of the shutter close actuators 806 and 808 via the drive anchor 822 shared by the shutter close actuators 806 and 808.
The shutter layer 1114 is separated from the column conductor layer 1112 by a lubricant, vacuum or air, providing the shutter 812 freedom of movement. The moving pieces in the shutter layer 1114 are mechanically separated from neighboring components (except their anchor points 814) in a release step, which can be a chemical etch or ashing process, which removes a sacrificial material from between all moving parts.
The diodes, transistors, and/or capacitors (not shown for purpose of clarity) employed in the active matrix array may be patterned into the existing structure of the three functional layers, or they can be built into separate layers that are disposed either between the shutter assembly and the substrate or on top of the shutter layer. The reflective surface sections 1105 may be patterned as extensions of the row and column conductor electrodes or they can be patterned as free-standing or electrically floating sections of reflective material. Alternatively the reflective surface sections 1105 along with their associated surface apertures 1110 can be patterned into a fourth functional layer, disposed between the shutter assembly and the substrate, and formed from either a deposited metal layer or a dielectric mirror. Grounding conductors may be added separately from the row conductor electrodes in layer 1104. These separate grounding conductors may be required when the rows are activated through transistors, such as is the case with an active matrix array. The grounding conductors can be either laid out in parallel with the row electrodes (and bussed together in the drive circuits), or the grounding electrodes can be placed into separate layers between the shutter assembly and the substrate.
In addition to elastic light modulators, display apparatus can include bi-stable light modulators, for example bi-stable shutter assemblies. As described above, a shutter in an elastic shutter assembly has one mechanically stable position (the "rest position"), with all other shutter positions being mechanically unstable. The shutter of a bi-stable shutter assembly, on the other hand, has two mechanically stable positions, for example, open and closed. Mechanically bi-stable shutter assemblies have the advantage that no voltage is required to maintain the shutters in either the open or the closed positions. Bi-stable shutter assemblies can be further subdivided into two classes: shutter assemblies in which each stable position is substantially energetically equal, and shutter assemblies in which one stable position is energetically preferential to the other mechanically stable position.
Each dual compliant electrode actuator 1304 and 1306 includes a compliant member 1310 connecting the shutter 1302, at about its linear axis 1312, to two load anchors 1314, located in the corners of the shutter layer 1300. The compliant members 1310 each include a conductive load beam 1316, which may have an insulator disposed on part of, or the entirety of its surface. The load beams 1316 server as mechanical supports, physically supporting the shutter 1302 over a substrate on which the shutter assembly is built. The actuators 1304 and 1306 also each include two compliant drive beams 1318 extending from a shared drive anchor 1320. Each drive anchor 1320 physically and electrically connects the drive beams 1318 to the substrate. The drive beams 1318 of the actuators 1304 and 1306 curve away from their corresponding drive anchors 1320 towards the points on the load anchors 1314 at which load beams 1316 couple to the load anchors 1314. These curves in the drive beams 1318 act to reduce the stiffness of the drive beams, thereby helping to decrease the actuation voltage.
Each load beam 1316 is generally curved, for example in a bowed (or sinusoidal) shape. The extent of the bow is determined by the relative distance between the load anchors 1314 and the length of the load beam 1316. The curvatures of the load beams 1316 provide the bi-stability for the shutter assembly 1300. As the load beam 1316 is compliant, the load beam 1316 can either bow towards or away from the drive anchor 1320. The direction of the bow changes depending on what position the shutter 1302 is in. As depicted, the shutter 1302 is in the closed position. The load beam 1316 of the shutter open actuator 1304 bows away from the drive anchor 1320 of the shutter open actuator 1304. The load beam 1316 of the shutter closed actuator 1306 bows towards the drive anchor 1320 of the shutter close actuator 1306.
In operation, to change states, for example from closed to open, a display apparatus applies a potential to the drive beams 1318 of the shutter open actuator 1304. The display apparatus may also apply an potential to the load beams 1316 of the shutter open actuator. Any electrical potential difference between the drive beams and the load beams, regardless of sign with respect to a ground potential, will generate an electrostatic force between the beams. The resultant voltage between the drive beams 1318 and the load beams 1316 of the shutter open actuator 1304 results in an electrostatic force, drawing the beams 1316 and 1318 together. If the voltage is sufficiently strong, the load beam 1316 deforms until its curvature is substantially reversed, as depicted in the shutter close actuator in
For load beams fabricated in silicon, typical as-designed widths are about 0.2 μm to about 10 μm. Typical as-designed lengths are about 20 μm to about 1000 μm. Typical as-designed beam thicknesses are about 0.2 μm to about 10 μm. The amount by which the load beam is pre-bent is typically greater than three times the as-designed width
The load beams of
Another design configuration for
The pre-stress condition of the shutter assembly can be provided by a number of means. The condition can be imposed post-manufacture by, for instance, mechanically packaging the substrate to induce a substrate curvature and thus a surface strain in the system. A pre-stressed condition can also be imposed as a thin film stress imposed by surface layers on or around the load beams. These thin film stresses result from the particulars of a deposition processes. Deposition parameters that can impart a thin film stress include thin film material composition, deposition rate, and ion bombardment rate during the deposition process.
In addition, the widths of the load beams 1402 vary along their lengths. In particular, the beams are narrower along sections where they meet the load anchors 1404 and the shutter 1406. The points along the load beams 1402 at which the load beams 1402 become wider serve as pivot points 1410 to confine deformation of the load beams 1402 to the narrower sections 1410.]
The shutter open actuator 1502, by itself, is an elastic actuator, having one mechanically stable state. Unless otherwise constrained, the shutter open actuator 1502, after actuation would return to its rest state. The shutter open actuator 1502 includes two load beams 1510 coupled to load anchors 1512 by L brackets 1514 at one end and to the shutter 1516 via L brackets 1518 at the other end. In the rest state of the shutter open actuator 1502, the load beams 1510 are straight. The L brackets 1514 and 1518 allow the load beams 1510 to deform towards the drive beams 1506 of the shutter open actuator 1502 upon actuation of the shutter open actuator 1502 and away form the drive beams 1506 upon actuation of the shutter close actuator 1504.
The shutter close actuator 1504 is similarly inherently elastic. The shutter close actuator 1504 includes a single load beam 1520 coupled to a load anchor 1522 at one end. When not under stress, i.e., in its rest state, the load beam 1520 is straight. At the opposite end of the load beam 1520 of the shutter close actuator 1504, the load beam 1520 is coupled to a stabilizer 1524 formed from two curved compliant beams 1526 connected at their ends and at the center of their lengths. The beams 1526 of the stabilizer 1524 have two mechanically stable positions: bowed away from the shutter close actuator 1504 (as depicted) and bowed towards the shutter close actuator 1504.
In operation, if either the shutter open actuator 1502 or the shutter close actuator are activated 1504, the load beam 1520 of the shutter close actuator 1504 is deformed to bow towards the shutter open actuator 1504 or towards the drive beams 1528 of the shutter close actuator 1504, respectively, as the shutter 1516 is moved into an actuated position. In either case, the length of the shutter close actuator 1504 load beam 1520 with respect to the width of the shutter layer 1500 as a whole, is reduced, pulling the beams 1526 of the stabilizer 1524 to bow towards the shutter close actuator 1504. After the activated actuator is deactivated, the energy needed to deform the beams 1526 of the stabilizer 1524 back to its original position is greater than the energy stored in the load beams 1510 and 1520 and of the actuators 1502 and 1504. Additional energy must be added to the system to return the shutter 1516 to its rest position. Thus, the shutter 1516 in the shutter assembly has three mechanically stable positions, open, half open, and closed.
Unlike the bi-stable shutter assemblies described above, instead of relying upon a particular curvature of one or more beams to provide mechanical stability, the bi-stable actuator 1600 relies on the straight relaxed state of its support beams 1604 to provide mechanical stability. For example, in its two mechanically stable positions, depicted in
The shutter 1602 is coupled to two positions on either side of the shutter 1602 through support beams 1604 to anchors 1603 in positions on either side of the shutter assembly 1600, thereby reducing any twisting or rotational motion of the shutter 1602 about its central axis. The use of compliant support beams 1604 connected to separate anchors on opposite sides of the shutter 1602 also constrains the movement of the shutter along a linear translational axis. In another implementation, a pair of substantially parallel compliant support beams 1604 can be coupled to each side of shutter 1602. Each of the four support beams couples at independent and opposing points on the shutter 1602. This parallelogram approach to support of the shutter 1602 helps to guarantee that linear translational motion of the shutter is possible.
The shape of the compliant element 1718 is such that a relatively easy in-plane translation of the shutter 1704 is allowed while out-of-plane motion of the shutter is restricted.
The actuation of the bi-stable shutter assembly 1700 is accomplished by a pair of elastic dual compliant beam electrode actuators 1706, similar to the actuators employed in
Each actuator 1706 comprises a compliant load member 1720. One end of the compliant load member 1720 is coupled to the shutter 1704, while the other end is free. In shutter assembly 1700 the compliant load members in actuators 1706 a are not coupled to anchors or otherwise connected to the surface 1712. The drive beams 1722 of the actuators 1706 are coupled to anchors 1724 and thereby connected to the surface 1712. In this fashion the voltage of actuation is reduced.
The shutter 1702 b in shutter assembly 1700 b has a plurality of shutter apertures 1708 b, each of possesses a segmented shape designed to make maximum use of the rotational motion of the shutter.
Each thermoelectric actuator 1802 and 1804 includes three compliant beams 1810, 1812, and 1814. Compliant beams 1810 and 1812 are each thinner than compliant beam 1814. Each of the beams 1810, 1812, and 1814 is curved in an s-like shape, holding the shutter 1806 stably in position.
In operation, to change the position of the shutter from open (as depicted) to closed, current is passed through a circuit including beams 1810 and 1814. The thinner beams 1810 in each actuator 1802 and 1804 heat, and therefore also expands, faster than the thicker beam 1814. The expansion forces the beams 1810, 1812, and 1814 from their mechanically stable curvature, resulting in transverse motion of the shutter 1806 to the closed position. To open the shutter 1806, current is run through a circuit including beams 1812 and 1814, resulting in a similar disproportionate heating and expansion of beams 1812, resulting in the shutter 1806 being forced back to the open position.
Bi-stable shutter assemblies can be driven using a passive matrix array or an active matrix array.
The shutter assemblies 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 a, and 1800 are amenable to the use of a passive matrix array because their property of mechanical bi-stability makes it possible to switch between open and closed states if the voltage across the actuator exceeds a minimum threshold voltage. If the drivers 1910 are programmed such that none of them will output a voltage that by itself is sufficient to switch the shutter assemblies between open and closed states, then a given shutter assembly will be switched if its actuator receives voltages from two opposing drivers 1910. The shutter assembly at the intersection of a particular row and column can be switched if it receives voltages from its particular row and column drivers whose difference exceeds the minimum threshold voltage.
To change the state of a shutter assembly 1902 from a closed state to an open state, i.e., to open the shutter assembly 1902, a driver 1910 applies a potential to the row electrode 1908 corresponding to the row of the grid in which the shutter assembly 1902 is located. A second driver 1910 applies a second potential, in some cases having an opposite polarity, to the shutter open electrode 1912 corresponding to the column in the grid in which the shutter assembly 1902 is located. To change the state of a shutter assembly 1902 from an open state to a closed state, i.e., to close the shutter assembly 1902, a driver 1910 applies a potential to the row electrode 1908 corresponding to the row of the display apparatus in which the shutter assembly 1902 is located. A second driver 1910 applies a second potential, in some cases having an opposite polarity, to the shutter close electrode 1914 corresponding to the column in the display apparatus in which the shutter assembly 1902 is located. In one implementation, a shutter assembly 1902 changes state in response to the difference in potential applied to the row electrode 1908 and one of the column electrodes 1912 or 1914 exceeding a predetermined switching threshold.
To form an image, in one implementation, a display apparatus sets the state of the shutter assemblies 1902 in the grid, one row at a time in sequential order. For a given row, the display apparatus first closes each shutter assembly 1902 in the row by applying a potential to the corresponding row electrodes 1908 and a pulse of potential to all of the shutter close electrodes 1914. Then, the display apparatus opens the shutter assemblies 1902 through which light is to pass by applying a potential to the shutter open electrode 1912 and applying a potential to the row electrodes 1908 for the rows which include shutter assemblies 1902 in the row which are to be opened. In one alternative mode of operation, instead of closing each row of shutter assemblies 1902 sequentially, after all rows in the display apparatus are set to the proper position to form an image, the display apparatus globally resets all shutter assemblies 1902 at the same time by applying a potentials to all shutter close electrodes 1914 and all row electrodes 1908 concurrently. In another alternative mode of operation, the display apparatus forgoes resetting the shutter assemblies 1902 and only alters the states of shutter assemblies 1902 that need to change state to display a subsequent image. A number of alternate driver control schemes for images have been proposed for use with ferroelectric liquid crystal displays, many of which can be incorporated for use with the mechanically bi-stable displays herein. These technologies are described in Liquid Crystal Displays: Driving Schemes and Electro-Optical Effects, Ernst Lieder (Wiley, New York, 2001).
The physical layout of the display is often a compromise between the characteristics of resolution, aperture area, and driving voltage. Small pixel sizes are generally sought to increase the resolution of the display. As pixels become smaller, however, proportionally the room available for shutter apertures decreases. Designers seek to maximize aperture ratio as this increases the brightness and power efficiency of the display. Additionally, the combination of a small pixels and large aperture ratios implies large angular deformations in the compliant members that support the shutters, which tends to increase the drive voltages required and the energy dissipated by the switching circuitry.
The tiling or pixel arrangements for shutter assemblies need not be limited to the constraints of a square array. Dense tiling can also be achieved using rectangular, rhombehedral, or hexagonal arrays of pixels, all of which find applications, for example in video and color imaging displays.
The epoxy seal 2128 seals in a working fluid 2130. The working fluid 2130 is engineered with viscosities preferably below about 10 centipoise and with relative dielectric constant preferably above about 2.0, and dielectric breakdown strengths above about 104 V/cm. The working fluid 2130 can also serve as a lubricant. Its mechanical and electrical properties are also effective at reducing the voltage necessary for moving the shutter between open and closed positions. In one implementation, the working fluid 2130 preferably has a low refractive index, preferably less than about 1.5. In another implementation the working fluid 2130 has a refractive index that matches that of the substrate 2104. Suitable working fluids 2130 include, without limitation, de-ionized water, methanol, ethanol, silicone oils, fluorinated silicone oils, dimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, and diethylbenzene.
A sheet metal or molded plastic assembly bracket 2132 holds the cover plate 2122, shutter assemblies 2102, the substrate 2104, the backlight 2116 and the other component parts together around the edges. The assembly bracket 2132 is fastened with screws or indent tabs to add rigidity to the combined display apparatus 2100. In some implementations, the light source 2118 is molded in place by an epoxy potting compound.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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My daughter Elana was stillborn at 36 weeks 04/10/2003, due to undiagnosed HELLP. I've since had a perfectly healthy pregnancy (just took aspirin) and normal delivery (well, as normal as it gets anyway), resulting in Lukas being born 08/25/2005. 2 months later I had another miscarriage, my 3rd, and decided to get my tubes tied, and later, on Nov 3, 2010 I had a hysterectomy, at 34 years old.
That's the condenced version, as I've just found this site. I hope I can help the moms here with my experience in the days ahead. I sure wish I could have had someone to talk to back then who knew what I was going through. Well, I have emotional distance now and am willing and able to talk, whenever you need to.
My question today is if there is anyone here who has been through Sheehan Syndrome? I'm currently being tested every which way trying to figure out what's going on with me since the hysterectomy. One of the blood tests showed low prolactin. An internet search led me to a rare condition that can show up years after a HELLP delivery, especially if there was severe blood loss resulting in a blood transfusion (which I had) and an inability to make enough milk to breastfeed (that too).
Other blood tests so far have come up with low estrodiol, low progesterone, high folate and high cortisol. My doctors are stumped, but then again none of them have ever even heard of HELLP (or Sheehans). I hate to be blunt but I live in Las Vegas, NV and there aren't many good doctors here (believe me, I've been around). You have to go to a hospital to actually get a diagnosis if your problem is rare. Thank goodness for the internet!

subset: commoncrawl


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Top Definition
Toilet Tissue/Toilet Paper... plain and simple.
I'm going to be in here for a while, we're outta godamn shit tickets
di Dingle Boy 14 agosto 2003
11 more definitions
Toilet Paper. Usually the cheap crap that they give you at work.
I had an awful case of Green Apple Quickstep but ran outta Shit Tickets.
di its426 22 ottobre 2003
euphemism for toilet paper
Hey man, you're outta shit tickets. How's about runnin' to the store real quick? I can't get up.
di osbo 04 novembre 2002
one uses to wipe with after going to the bathroom
Did you get the shit tickets because i got to go to the show
di Paula Esquivel 21 novembre 2007
a piece of toilet paper
"I need to wipe my ass, but I'm all out of shit tickets!"
di Luke Swiderski 07 ottobre 2003
Toilet paper, usually single ply but sometimes multi-ply.
I have to go to the store and buy some shit tickets
di Simon Callahan 24 settembre 2010
square of soft paper used to remove feces from one's anus.
The men's restroom did not have enough shit tickets to clean my ass!.
di dronp 30 ottobre 2010


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- Read a recap for the latest episode of I Am Cait - US Weekly
- Cops are called on Dennis Rodman for being drunk at a car wash - TMZ
- Robert Pattinson and FKA twigs are still getting married - Gossip Cop
- Little Mix member Jesy Nelson opens up about wedding plans - Just Jared Jr
- A woman claims to have had an affair with Blake Shelton - Radar
- Are there more Hunger Games films in the works?- Huffington Post
- Are Katy Perry and John Mayer still together? - Lainey Gossip
- Nat Wolff opens up about spending time with his fans - The Hollywood Reporter
10 May 2013 at 5:14 AM
Teresa Palmer Shares Favorite Met Ball 2013 Conversation
About this photo set: Teresa Palmer hugs her pal goodbye after the two enjoy lunch at Fred Segal on Wednesday afternoon (May 8) in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old actress recently attended… Read More Here
Posted to Teresa Palmer


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Charles C. Marcum, 68, of Breeden, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at his residence.
Charles was born September 1, 1944, in Williamson, and worked as a coal miner.
His father, Chester Marcum preceded him in death; along with one brother, Ralph Marcum; and one nephew, Christopher Kevin Marcum.
He is survived by his mother, Bessie Lowe Marcum of Inez, Ky.; one sister, Kathy Marcum Gibson of Breeden; one brother, Eugene Marcum of Kermit; two nieces, Nadine Williams of Kermit, and Nikki Gibson of Barboursville; one nephew, Ralph Tony Marcum, also of Kermit; and a host of friends and family too numerous to mention.
Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, January 11, at the Zion Church in Breeden. Burial will follow at the Marcum Cemetery. Friends may call after 6 p.m. at the church.
Johnson Tiller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Marcum family.


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Home > Golf (M) > 2012 Championships > Item# 871289
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"I purchased a number of photos of my daughter and her softball team. Loved them!! Lasting memories!! Replay was awesome to work with both times I purchased photos. There was a photo I needed and was unable to access it but your representative emailed me a number of times and found the photo. Thank you!!"
– tammye cox from fresno
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Find the perfect hotel in Monrovia using our hotel guide provided below. Search for cheap and discounted hotel and motel rates in or near Monrovia, CA for your corporate or personal leisure travel. Discover the most popular Monrovia California hotel/motel rooms. Review the Monrovia hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. We also have a map of the Monrovia hotels. Coordinating a group? Get Monrovia Group Hotel DealsThe Monrovia center point is approximately 1 mile from Arcadia Home Health Service and 2 miles from Santa Anita Race Track.
Monrovia Hotels/Accommodations
Next 20 Monrovia Hotels > [1 - 20 of 50]
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Pregnant Jenna Dewan-Tatum Watches Golden Globes With Kate Mara and Cute New Crushes (PHOTO)
Plenty of new moms and moms-to-be strutted their stuff at last night's Golden Globe Awards, but one pregnant star enjoyed the show far from the red carpet.
Jenna Dewan-Tatum watched the show with actress Kate Mara, her Ten Years co-star, who also appeared on American Horror Story Season 1.
Kate shared this photo, writing, "@jennaldewan, Bruno and Lucius loved watching the #GoldenGlobes with you and your bump. They're crushing on you."
Interestingly enough, Jenna's husband, Channing Tatum, stars with Kate's sister, Rooney Mara, in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming film Side Effects. They play a married couple, and you can check out sneak peek photos of that film here.
Source: @_KateMara


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I love the new MAC lipsticks! Everyday Diva is great because its very similar to Mac Red. but looks slightly more flattering on NC30/NW20 skin. I love how it can look like sheer lipstain or glaze when you apply one layer or you can build it up and go for the bold red lips. They are vanilla scented, which I love, and come in sleek all black packaging and I really like how they are magnetic so the cap doesn't fall off when you toss it in you're purse.
So I will admit, I do wear this shade when I'm having my diva days, but it's in the name so hey, who can blame me? This most definitely what I call a 'hollywood' shade of red. The color is bright compared to Cockney, but that's what makes the two stand apart in the MAC red family. One is more hollywood and the other more sultry, in my opinion. Either way, I'm more then happy to have this in my makeup bag.
2 out of 2 users found this review helpful
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MAC Everyday Diva Mineralize Rich Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a "true red cream." It's a subtly blue-based, medium-dark red with a creamy finish and slightly glossy sheen. There's not much to it, since it's a creamy red, so there are certainly many similar red lipsticks available, so I wanted to give you similar shades that also had a similar finish. Clinique Mightiest Maraschino is just slightly less glossy. Edward Bess Midnight Bloom is darker. MAC New Temptation is glossier.


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RIP K-1 legend Mike Bernardo, 1969-2012
A reliable source close to the situation has confirmed that K-1 legend and one-time MMA fighter Mike Bernardo has passed away. Further details will be provided as they become availableRIP K-1 legend Mike Bernardo, 1969-2012 - MMA NewsMichael "Mike" Bernardo (born 28 July 1969) is a South African former kickboxer and boxer from Cape Town. Bernardo is known as Beru-chan in Japan, where he has taken part in K-1 World GPs since 1994. He holds notable wins over Mirko Filipovi?, Andy Hug, Francisco Filho, Branco Cikatic, and 3 straight wins over K-1 legend Peter Aerts.
He made his K-1 debut in K-1 World GP 1995 Opening against Andy Hug. Since then he participated in 5 World Grand Prix Finals, achieving the biggest success in 1996. He reached the final but lost to Hug via spining low kick KO.
On New Year's Eve of 2004, Bernardo was going to face Nigerian fighter and Japanese-TV personality Bobby Ologun in "K1-Dynamite!" but couldn't take part in the event due to an injury and retired from K-1.


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Tests and reviews for the lens Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
Measurements and specifications
Further readings for the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
Designed specifically for use on smaller APS-C sensor DSLRs, the new EF-S 24mm is a wide-angle pancake prime featuring Canon's STM step autofocus motor for smooth video capture. At just $149, it looks like a "no-brainer" for Canon APS-C video shooters, but how does it compare optically against a vast range of other options available? We dissect the DxOMark Lens Metric Scores to find out.
Introduced in July this year, the EOS 70D at first sight seems like a regular update to the maker's mid-range EOS 60D model. It shares a number of features with the firm's existing SLR range including a 19-point cross-type phase detection AF system, a 3-inch (1.040M dot) articulated touchscreen and built-in WiFi connectivity with remote viewing and image transfer. The camera can also shoot at up to 7fps and has 1080/30p video recording with stereo sound using an optional external microphone.
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 25mm f/2 ZE & Carl Zeiss Distagon T 25mm f/2 ZF.2 review: A high quality wide-angle prime for Canon and Nikon
For shooting high quality landscape, architectural or interior photos, a "fast" wide-angle prime is a must. They offer significantly improved optical performance over many zooms that, while versatile, often suffer distortion and edge softness at wide focal lengths and maximum apertures. Let's take a closer look at the Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2 wide-angle prime for Nikon and Canon lens mounts to see what it has to offer.
After almost 25 years, Canon has updated one of its oldest prime lenses with the new Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM. Adding optical image stabilization and a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus motor, the new fixed, wide-angle lens is an update to the Canon 24mm f/2.8 wide-angle prime originally released in November of 1988.


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11 Years Ago: Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett Hit No. 1 With 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere'
11 years ago today (Aug. 9, 2003) was a big day for Alan Jackson. It was on this day that his duet with Jimmy Buffett, 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere,' hit the top of the charts, where it stayed for eight weeks.


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Chicago also has released the following nine players outright from training camp: forwards John Armstrong, BRIAN BICEK, CODY CRICHTON, MATTHEW GINGERA, KEATON TURKIEWICZ, and PODGE TURNBULL and defensemen VINCE LoVERDE, DAN MAGGIO, and MATT McCREADY.
The Wolves continue their preseason slate at 7 p.m. today when they host the Rockford IceHogs at the West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows. The team battles the Peoria Rivermen at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 at the Triphahn Community Center and Ice Arena before concluding its camp with a contest against the Milwaukee Admirals at the Milwaukee School of Engineering's Kern Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6.
The Wolves 19th home opener, presented by LifeSource, will be an Illinois Lottery Cup game against the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Allstate Arena. For more information on ticket packages, visit chicagowolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.


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one moment please
Canada (English)
Canada (Français)
Australia/New Zealand
Please note: You will lose the contents of your shopping bag when you change regions.
Whether we're making moves on the track, trail or treadmill, we don't want flyaways to break our focus. We designed this simple, classic headband with silicone grips on the inside to tame our tresses and stay in place. Stride on!


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Perfect for an art project, board game or tea party, KidKraft's sturdy, solid wood table makes play-time easier to manage. Crafted from solid wood and measuring 24"H to accommodate a growing child, our heirloom quality wooden table has tapered legs that gently flare out to the floor. Plus, with a large central drawer for storing important supplies, kids will stay organized.
Weight: 33 lbs
Dimensions: 36" x 24" x 24.5"
Gift Wrap not available.


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M-14 magazine with 3" .410s in it.
The spring is pretty stout; the top shell has been in the magazine for a couple of days. You can see where it has bent under the load.
I'll have to get some music wire and wind a weaker spring, and balance spring tension vs. feeding later.


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I believe the fallacy in play here would be "straw man." :p
iPhone Gets Final Look from CrackBerry.com Kevin
The last iPhone review is up from Kevin of CrackBerry.com. It's a well-written review of the iPhone and he sides with me against Dieter that the iPhone is a smartphone, big ups there. It has some catching up to do, to be sure, but that's to be expected for a device that hasn't even been out 6 months yet. It sounds to me like he's been thinking about purchasing one. Kevin names the iPhone the champ of entertainment, and wonders why they didn't call it the iGadget -- the phone is treated as just another application of the phone. It's an interesting point, one I'll be addressing later with my triumphant "return to the iPhone" article.
Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment! Need help with something else? Ask in our forums!
Reader comments
iPhone Gets Final Look from CrackBerry.com Kevin
do you think the iPhone is a smartphone: yes or no, no qualifications. :rolleyes:
Define smartphone without quibbles or qualifications so I can. :rolleyes: back atcha!
Is the iPhone a smartphone? Absolutely. It's just a different take on a smartphone. In some ways--OSX roots, interface, syncing, web browsing--it is far smarter than the other devices in this comparison.
From Wikipedia: "A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone, often with personal computer like functionality. There is no industry standard definition of a smartphone. For some, a smartphone is a phone which runs complete operating system software providing a standardized interface and platform for application developers. For others, a smartphone is simply a phone with advanced features."
Kevin's comments that the iPhone is a slow communications device are interesting. I personally find the speed factor in rapid-fire text messages and emails to be counterproductive--they just fool people into thinking they are working. I much prefer quality over quantity and find constant interruptions to be annoying. I approve of a device that is better at listening and reading as opposed to talking and responding.
I just wish the iPhone had a replaceable battery and GPS receiver and was offered on other phone carriers. AT&T doesn't even cover my area.


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Windy Saturday Gets the Golfers
3rd Place Finish
- Release Date:
- September 25, 2010
- Contact:
- The Office of Sports Information
- (716) 649-7900 ext. 333
Tonawanda, NY – The Hilbert College men's golf team battled cross town rivals and mother nature on Saturday, September 25th when they completed in the Medaille College Invitational at the Sheridan Park Golf Club. Junior John Nowak (Hamburg, NY/Frontier) was the top performer for the Hawks when he finished the par 71 course with an 88 score. His 5th place finish is the best score/finish for the Hawks this year. Medaille College took their own Invitational with a team score of 329 which was thirty-five strokes better than second place finisher D'Youville College (364). Hilbert's over-all score of 380 finished the field of competitors.
Freshman Michael Werner (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) tied fellow teammate and Quaker Patrick Brooks with a 97. Junior Jim Pernick and his brother Joe (Tonawanda, NY/ St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) finished in 16th (98) and 18th (117).
The Hawks will be back at it when they travel to Mount Aloysius on Sunday, September 26th for the Mount Aloysius College Invitational.
Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 1,100 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college's engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college's first graduate programs and new Accelerated Degree Programs geared to adult learners.
Upcoming Events
- First Year Student Orientation
- Aug 14, 2015
- Summer Session A2 Ends
- Aug 21, 2015
- First Year Student Orientation
- Aug 28, 2015


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This bookstand's six open shelves keep reading material organized and easily accessible. Only available from Hammacher Schlemmer, the bookstand helps reduce clutter and holds enough newspapers, magazines, and books to sate even the most voracious reader. The shelves are open on two sides, allowing you to easily stack or remove reading material. Despite its large storage capacity, the bookstand requires only 1 1/2' sq. of floor space. Made from birch veneer with a mahogany finish. The bookstand is finished on all sides. Requires assembly. 31" H x 15" W x 15" D. (30 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Organized Reader's Bookstand comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee at no additional charge. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.Should you have any questions, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a product specialist or email us at email@example.com to receive a response within one hour.
May we recommend:
(based on 68 reviews)
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(28 of 28 customers found this review helpful)
Much better than a magazine rack
By chief
from northern New Hampshire
I've eyed this item in your catalog for years, and finally I said YES, it's just what I need. It does work in the space where I wanted it, and my only criticism is regarding the directions for assembly. In addition to diagrams, they need some words of explanation. I finally got the thing together, but it was touch and go for a while; in attaching the second side (3), it should be pointed out that it needs to be hammered in with the rubber mallet. Without doing that, it appears that the pegs won't fit the corresponding holes. Also: your phone rep said that the only required tool that doesn't come with the item is the mallet. Not true; a Phillips screwdriver is also required, and that, also, doesn't come with the item
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(11 of 11 customers found this review helpful)
Very Useful and Lovely
By lsfischer
from Monrovia CA
Attractive and very functional, this stand takes up very little area, and will go with any décor from Craftsman to French Provincial. I really wish it came in oak finish, though. Also, assembly of wood furniture items should always include gluing the dowels. I always appreciate it when each type of hardware has a spare, which this does not. If you are a small person, you might need someone to turn it while putting it together. All in all I am happy with my purchase.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)
By ED
from South Carolina
Had trouble assembling first shipment. Instructions not clear and parts missing.Called Hammacher. They IMMEDIATELY sent a complete replacement product. Did not bill my account and just asked me to return the defective product at their cost. Second shipment easy to assembleGreat customer service. Problems happen but the way they handle says a lot about the CompanyProduct looks great and functions very efficiently in my home office
(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)
not up to HS standards
By Evelyn
from Houston, TX
One side was warped which made it very difficult to assemble, and leaves an unsightly gap. If I could get it apart again I might return it.
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: Since 1848, generations of customers have trusted Hammacher Schlemmer to offer the highest quality products with service second to none. This unwavering commitment to your complete satisfaction is the cornerstone of our company philosophy and, we believe, a key to our longevity. So when we learn that one of our products has disappointed you—for any reason—we take it very seriously. If a product ever fails to meet your high standards, please do not hesitate to return it under our Lifetime Guarantee. Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-321-1484 to assist you.
(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
Looks good . . . .
By Office Boy
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I put it on top of my desk - looks good - but cheap wood product. Meets my needs for an attractive organizational piece in the office.
(5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)
At Last! A Bookstand that Works!
By Nan
from San Jose, CA
I have several books and magazines that I read a bit at a time, so this stand is perfect for keeping them all on hand, but organized. It is very space efficient, and its clean lines are attractive and functional. A good buy - actually, I am ordering one for my husband. After all, he assembled the first one for me!
Makes For Better Storage in House
By Papa
from Camden, Arkansas
This storage unit will give you better utilization of corner space in the rooms in your house. Great design and easy to assemble.
(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)
I found the Bookstand to be as expected
By Jim
from Boise, Idaho
From comments by others I was concerned I might have difficulty assembling the rack. Not so, but I have assembled many pieces of furniture before. What would help, I think, would be a perhaps two page basic explanation of the hardware that comes with the package. Some other vendors supply such basic info for those that this is the very first piece of self assemble furniture for them.
Useful and attractive Bookstand
By Rosham
from Ontario, Canada
I really liked the idea of this bookshelf being useful for organizing paper and having this paper readily accessible. I do like it, but found it a pain to assemble. The top of the bookcase is still not on properly and i will have to try it again.
Difficult to put together.
By Great Grannie
from O'Fallon, MO
I was really excited to get this product. It was, however, very difficult to assemble. For example when putting the second side on, it didn't go together well. One end of the side piece would come off when trying to get the other end to line up correctly. This was very frustrating. I felt like I needed to have four hands and arms. Finally got it together, it looks very nice and holds a lot.
COPYRIGHT © 2015 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W102HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER • 147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


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Sunday, December 15, 2013
Palmetto Medical Initiative (PMI) announced its $1.5 million Revolutionizing Global Health campaign to build five medical centers in Central America and East Africa by 2015. Nearly $1.2 million has already been pledged from lead donors Darla Moore, Seacoast Church, and others. PMI is counting on the generosity of community individuals and corporations to raise the balance$300,000before Dec. 31, 2013.
I invite our community to join me and support PMIs campaign, said Darla Moore, financier and philanthropist. On a mission trip with PMI in 2009, I saw firsthand the desperate health care needs of so many people. PMI has proven its ability to provide the same quality health care we value in the U.S.
PMI opened its first hospital in Masindi, Uganda, in 2011. While PMI continues medical mission trips, the hospital achieved the goal of self-sustainability within 13 months of opening. Today it serves more than 1,300 patients each month and is staffed by 57 native Ugandans. Since opening, the clinic in Masindi has served more than 50,000 patients. The average doctor visit costs patients $2; more than 98% of all patients cover the complete cost of their care.
A second hospital following the same model of self-sustainability opens in El Viejo, Nicaragua, in January 2014. Prior to opening the permanent site, PMIs short-term volunteers have already established a reputation in the community by providing care to 4,500 patients. Those volunteers invest in local staff through hands-on training and education, provide care in outlying areas within a defined catchment area for the permanent site, refer patients back to the center, and deliver specialized care beyond what is available in the country.
The short-term volunteers further the efforts of the long-term change PMI is striving to achieve by supporting local efforts. Through a partnership with medical schools around the country, including the Medical University of South Carolina, PMI has sent 849 medical and business volunteers on 10-day medical missions to help treat patients and provide continuing medical education to native staff.
Revolutionizing Global Health provides seed funding for the hospitals construction; once campaign goals are met, construction on the remaining hospitals will begin. The regions selected by PMI lack basic quality health care and they are some of the poorest in the world with extremely high mortality rates, rampant disease, and low life expectancy rates.
On Nov. 7, PMI announced its third project will be located in Burundi. Burundi is a region with one of the highest birthrates and maternal mortality rates, as well as a very high risk for infectious disease.
Seacoast Church has been doing medical mission trips for about a decade. Senior Pastor Greg Surratt explains why supporting and partnering with PMI is a good fit, noting, There is an African proverb that says, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others. Partnering with Palmetto Medical Initiative has allowed us to continue taking short-term trips, while also developing a long-term strategy to address medical needs in some of the poorest countries around the world. We are not only offering a solution for today, but for generations to come.
Dr. Ed OBryan, a physician at MUSC, and Matt Alexander, an entrepreneur and nonprofit executive, founded PMI in 2009. They saw firsthand that medical missions alone were a temporary fix; they created PMI as a permanent health care solution for impoverished regions.
An investment in PMI means providing more than just temporary relief to people facing critical health needs around the world, Alexander said. It means empowering people with hope through long-term improvements in health and quality of life. The funds raised through this campaign will allow PMI to create sustainable change in our host communities and provide our financial partners with return on investment that lasts for generations.
Revolutionizing Global Health is PMIs first capital campaign. The Winkler Group, a national fundraising firm and South Carolinas largest, is serving as campaign consultant. To learn more about how PMI is transforming health care worldwide and to support quality health care for those who need it most, visit www.palmettomedical.org.
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Telegraph's Pompadour
The golden-colored libation pairs two kinds of rum with an ages-old French aperitif called Pineau des Charentes. It harbors deep, burnt-sugar flavors while remaining light, refreshing, and summery.
Note: Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters are available online.
Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!
Telegraph's Pompadour
About This Recipe
|Makes 1 cocktail
|Active time:
|1 minute
|Total time:
|1 minute
|Special equipment:
|Mixing glass
|This recipe appears in:
|First Look: Cocktails at Telegraph in Chicago
- 1 1/2 ounces J. Navarre Pineau des Charentes Rosé
- 1 ounce dark rum, such as El Dorado 5-year
- 1/2 ounce blanc rhum agricole, such as Neisson
- Dash Bittermens Xocolatl Mole bitters (see note above)
- Lemon twist
Add Pineau des Charentes, dark rum, rhum agricole, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a tall ice-filled serving glass. Squeeze lemon twist over cocktail to express oils and drop into glass. Serve.


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Surf Riders Fuerteventura is in Corralejo (North os Fuerteventura). Surf Riders Fuerteventura offers an outdoor... More Info »
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Course type: First follow-up course M1
The course consists of five sessions. Sometimes the course is over one or two weekends, or it is a drop-in concept where you can attend the sessions (modules) you want.
If you have learnt Acem Meditation, participating in the First Follow-up course/session will increase your understanding of the meditation process and enhance the effects of meditation.
We start each session with 30 min group meditation and each session has a specific topic:
Tip a friend about the event
The course is arranged by
Acem España
Horario: de 16 a 20 horas.
Se paga en efectivo al inicio del curso.
Instructora asistente de Meditación Acem. Asistente Dirección en empresa privada
Copyright © 2015 Acem. All rights reserved.


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Mondays, May 6 - June 10, 2013
7:30 - 9 pm
with Tova Green
We meet one another as buddhas in the zendo. Coming from the silence of zazen, how can we bring that awareness to our interactions with one another, to how we speak and how we listen? This class will focus on communicating with openness and curiosity. We will begin with the Buddha's teachings on beneficial speech, practice with the precepts related to speech, and explore some contemporary teachings related to listening and speaking with awareness and empathy. We will also shine the light of mindful communication on some difficult conversations we may wish to have. This class is open to anyone who wishes to delve deeper into this necessary, challenging and rewarding aspect of practice.
Class fees; five class meetings: $75; $67 current SFZC members; $60 limited income.
To Register: Use the Ticket Table below. Or call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or local number 415.475.9362.


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- Willamette
- Administrative Departments
- International Education
- Study Abroad
- Accepted to Study Abroad
- IDS 102X Maximizing the Study Abroad Experience (.25)
IDS 102X (.25) Maximizing the Study Abroad Experience
Students will access all information about the course including syllabi, due dates, assignments, meeting dates, meeting sign ups and more on WISE (Willamette Instructional Support Environment). Once students are accepted to study abroad they should find the IDS 102X page in his/her WISE site.
The goal of the course is to prepare and assist the student in maximizing the learning potential of the study abroad experience as well as award credit for the time and effort necessary in the preparation, culture-learning, and re-entry processes of study abroad.
This course is required for students accepted to study abroad through Willamette University. By accepting placement in a Willamette Sponsored study abroad program you are registering for the course "Maximizing the Study Abroad Experience" IDS102X during your semester abroad. You will receive .25 credits upon completion of the course.
Download your syllabus from the WISE site for specific deadlines and guidelines or look in your Study Abroad Handbook for the syllabus page.
- Students must complete a semester abroad.
- Students must attend ALL mandatory pre-departure meetings. Absence at any of these meetings will result in dismissal from the study abroad program. The mandatory pre-departure meetings including:
- The General Pre-departure Meeting
- Health and Safety Meeting
- The Language Immersion Tactics session (if applicable)
- Whta's the Difference? Intercultural Preparation Seminar
- Preparing to study abroad assignment
- While abroad assignments
- Returning from abroad activities
- Willamette Sponsored Programs Study Abroad Evaluation
- Re-entry activity- Many descriptions of these events can be found online at www.willamette.edu/dept/oie/abroad/alumni
- The .25 credit will be recorded in the semester of your program.
- All assignments should be submitted through WISE or to the OIE by email (email@example.com), mail, fax or dropped off at the Office of International Education (Matthews Hall).
- At meetings or events where attendance is graded it is the student's responsibility to verify attendance according to instructions given at the meeting or event.
- Students who elect to take IDS 203 (W) Intercultural Study within Cultural Immersion (1.0) will receive credit for IDS 203 ONLY. (IDS 203 not currently being offered.)
- Students enrolled in IDS 203 are only required to complete the mandatory meetings (#1) and evaluation (#5) in addition to the IDS 203 requirements. For more information about this course visit www.willamette.edu/dept/oie/abroad/programs/ids203/ (IDS 203 not currently being offered.)
- Students studying abroad for a full year will receive .25 credit for one semester (students choice) and are only expected to complete each assignment once.
Students should refer to the WISE site for a complete list of assignments and due dates. If there are any questions about the course please contact the OIE at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Travelers visiting Phoenix will find literally hundreds of hotel choices, with prices ranging anywhere from $50 to $500+ per night. While a few luxury options exist downtown, the majority of centrally located Phoenix hotels are surprisingly affordable. Scottsdale, Camelback, and other outlying locations hold the key to lavish desert resorts and lush lifestyle spa escapes.
Leading a long list of hotels, the Arizona Biltmore began collecting fans from opening day in 1929. Surviving the bad timing with the effects of a dramatic stock market crash, this Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired gem in the desert has a famous and historic guest list, in addition to 740 rooms, 78 villas, 8 swimming pools, 7 tennis courts, an acclaimed spa and fitness center, and 2 PGA 18-hole golf courses. One of more than a dozen ultra-luxe area hotel choices, Phoenix hoteliers definitely know how to pamper their guests.
Downtown Phoenix hotel locations are central to the convention center, sports stadiums, and business district. Tempe hotel locations will be convenient for those visiting Arizona State University. Scottsdale, Camelback, and Mesa are good locations for desert resort hotels.
Nothing is more important on your trip to Phoenix than a connection to water. Phoenix-area hotels enthusiastically embrace an abundance of waterparks, including highlights like surf waves, infinity pools, and ultimate relaxation pools tiled in mother-of-pearl. Many also feature private poolside cabanas, complete with Wi-Fi, newspaper, overhead fan, and full service for bar and food items.
Whether your choice is a luxurious resort hotel with an epic guest list for a dream vacation, or just a comfortable perch for a business trip, Phoenix-area hotels absolutely run the gamut, welcoming visitors to the "Valley of the Sun" with desert warmth and Southwestern style.
Hotels in Phoenix
As the capital of Arizona as well as the state's largest city, Phoenix has a diverse array of attractions, making it an ideal destination for a personal or family vacation. Venture into the surrounding rugged desert through activities such as biking and hiking, or relax by a pool at one of the many world-class resorts or hotels in Phoenix, AZ. An urban oasis in the middle of the surrounding subtropical desert landscape, this city has no shortage of resorts, spas, and golf courses. Enjoy unique cultural, historical, and recreational activities throughout the city. Shop all day at one or more of Phoenix's many outdoor or indoor premier shopping locations. When planning your ultimate Phoenix vacation, turn to Travelocity to find the best travel packages for your trip to this desert paradise.
Attractions in Phoenix
Phoenix is full of neat attractions, fun activities, and relaxing luxuries. Experience the amazing art and cultural exhibits at the Phoenix Art Museum. With astounding modern exhibits as well as temporary exhibits from around the world, this museum can appeal to everyone's tastes. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, nicknamed SMOCA, will appear to more modern sensibilities with its unique works of art, architecture, and design. Don't forget to check out the Heard Museum to get a rare glimpse into Native American culture and history. Phoenix hotels can be found near these museums so you have easy access to the history, culture, and education offered. Find the best deals with Travelocity!
Besides the city's cultural attractions, Phoenix provides fun for the whole family. Take the kids and visit the Phoenix Zoo or check out one of the city's multiple water parks. If you are looking for a night out on the town, Phoenix has many vibrant bars, nightclubs, and casinos to make your night memorable. Staying in one of the best hotels Phoenix has to offer, you will be able to rest after a night of fun and be ready for a full day of shopping and dining. No matter what you are looking for in a vacation, Phoenix can be the perfect destination for getting away.
Phoenix Adventure
If you are excited about the great outdoors, there are plenty of activities for your pleasure. Phoenix is the gateway to the Grand Canyon; the famous natural landmark is only around three hours away. Drive through an incredible landscape including national forests, towering rock formations, and open desert to reach this must-see attraction. If this is on your list of preferred destinations, check out Travelocity's deals on airline tickets to Phoenix, then search for hotels near Phoenix airport. With your own rental car, you can easily depart for the Grand Canyon from your Phoenix hotel at your earliest convenience.
If you prefer to stay near the metropolitan area, many wilderness and mountain adventures await you within a short drive from the city. The South Mountain Park and Preserve will provide you with endless outdoor fun as the largest municipal park in the United States; it's a great place for a walk or jog. Take a balloon ride over the mountain and desert terrain. Visit the Desert Botanical Garden to see impressive subtropical fauna. In Phoenix, it's easy to get out and have fun outdoors.
Phoenix Relaxation
Vacationers in search of complete relaxation and luxury will be perfectly satisfied with the fine dining, therapeutic spas, lavish hotels, and excellent golf courses that Phoenix has to offer. Scottsdale Fashion Square is the perfect place to shop for the latest fashions from designer brands. You can find an amazing deal or two at the Phoenix Premium Outlets. When it comes to dining, this city has everything. Whether you are craving an Italian five-course dinner with organic ingredients imported from Italy or local Southwestern-style cuisine, you will not be disappointed with the dining options in Phoenix.
If golfing brings you to your happy place, try a round of golf at the Arizona Grand Golf Course, Kierland Golf Club, or TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. It doesn't stop there; research one of the many other famous golf courses available for your recreational entertainment in the area. If you travel during the summer months, try to tee off early so you can enjoy lunch just when the heat of the day arrives. Don't forget to finish the day off with a relaxing spa treatment followed by a few drinks at an elegant resort or hotel bar.
The Best Time to Visit
Phoenix's temperatures skyrocket during the summer. Days with temperatures in the hundreds are common, but deals on vacations can be easily found during this time. Phoenix hotels and resorts will offer discounted rates during the off season. Many travelers like to take advantage of these incredible deals. If you travel during the summer months, remember to pack sunscreen and drink plenty of water during your stay.
The best time to visit Phoenix is between the months of November and April. If you choose this time to travel, you will be greeted by a dry climate and pleasant temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The city tends to get crowded fast during this season, though. If you want to travel during this time, make sure you book your trip early. Using Travelocity, you can search multiple hotels in Phoenix, AZ, at once. By taking advantage of our site, you can find cheap hotels and tools to help make your booking experience as easy as possible.
Getting to Phoenix, Arizona
Traveling to Phoenix can be difficult depending on where you are coming from and your mode of transportation. If you are flying domestically or internationally, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located near the city. If you are located in one of the neighboring states such as Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada, or California, driving might be feasible if you enjoy road trips. Travelocity offers exceptional deals on flights. Booking your flight, hotel, and rental car or any combination of those things in a single package on Travelocity can save you money and time. Use Travelocity for your next Phoenix vacation and get the best package for the perfect getaway!


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HOME MLB New York Yankees Gear New York Yankees Sweatshirts & Fleece over $60 (72 items) Product ID: 1406912
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Your favorite New York Yankees players are ready for a great season. Make sure you are ready to cheer them on with this Majestic Team Favorite hoodie. This team-colored hoodie features New York Yankees graphics printed on the front, so your pride will stand out! With this hoodies warm details, you won't miss an inning of your New York Yankees game!
- 100% Polyester
- Hood with drawstrings
- Imported
- Midweight hoodie suitable for moderate temperatures
- Officially licensed
- Quarter-zip placket
- Screen print graphics
- Soft fleece lining
- Tagless
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Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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We love offering different opal style pendants because of the sheer beauty of the coloration, and our new Sterling Silver Opal Inlay Cross Pendant is surely no exception! This medium sized cross measures .75 inches tall and .5 inches wide, and is made from beautiful .925 sterling silver. The opal inlay features brilliant blues and greens that shine continuously, and each angle provides spectacular new coloration. Our opal products including earrings, bracelets, and rings would pair nicely with this cross for those who appreciate the beauty of this fascinating stone!
Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable.