Disclosed are ionically conductive membranes for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The optical waveguide has a free end, a fixed end fixed to the support section and terminating in a light inputoutput end, and a tip formed at a side of the free end of the cantilever and having a microscopic aperture at an end thereof. The sub-canister is separated from the main canister and located on a side of the main canister, and includes a drain port opened to the atmosphere and disposed on the same side as the main canister-side connection port of the main canister and a sub-canister side connection port disposed on the opposite side from the drain port. The rim has a cross-section with a lower rounded corner forming the lower edge, an outer rounded corner, and an upper corner merging with the central plate, the outer corner being located between the upper plane and the lower plane. The present invention is particularly suited for, although not limited to, enabling a user to adapt the tip of a standard grease gun to a specified grease fitting to lubricate landscaping equipment and power tools, thereby eliminating the need to purchase a brand specific tube of grease. The present invention relates to N-protectedN-substituted-beta-amino hydroxy sulfonates and their preparation and use.