Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Abstract: Aluminium hydroxide of improved thermal stability is produced by spray-drying of an aqueous slurry of aluminium hydroxide at 400 to 600° C. drying gas temperature. The resulting aluminium hydroxide is suitable as a flame retardant filler in polymeric systems with high processing temperatures. It has a low specific surface area and good rheological properties.

Abstract: Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas containing: a wall structure defining an interior chamber; a first reflecting surface for reflecting a pressure wave within said interior chamber; a second reflecting surface for reflecting said pressure wave within said interior chamber, wherein said first and second reflecting surfaces being constructed and arranged to resonate said pressure wave in said interior chamber; at least one first inlet for introducing a first gas into said interior chamber; and at least one outlet from said interior chamber for drawing off a pressurized gas from said interior chamber. Also provided is a turbine engine containing the combustion chamber, and an electrical generating power plant containing the turbine engine.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack comprising stack walls and a plurality of electrolytic cells within the stack walls, each cell comprising cell members selected from an anode a cathode; a membrane separator frame formed of a non-conductive material and having a frame first planar peripheral surface; a frame second planar peripheral surface; and a central portion defining a membrane-receiving aperture; a membrane within the aperture to provide an anolyte circulation chamber and a catholyte circulation chamber distinct one from the other within the frame, an impermeable cell end wall formed of a non-conductive material between the anode and cathode and the anodes and cathodes of adjacent cells of said stack; wherein each of said anode, said cathode, said separator frame and said end wall has a portion defining an anolyte flow inlet channel, a catholyte flow inlet channel, a spent anolyte channel and a spent catholyte channel; said anolyte flow inlet channel and said spent anolyte channel are in communication with

Abstract: An electrode of use in electrolytic cells, particularly water electrolyser cells for the production of hydrogen, and comprising an electrically conductive first metal sheet having an electrochemically active gas-evolving planar surface; an electrically conductive second metal electrochemically active gas-evolving screen intimately adjacent and parallel to the planar surface to define an electrolyte and gas-evolving chamber between the sheet and the screen having a narrow width. The electrode provides improvements in voltage and efficiency, longer-term electrode stability and opportunity for periodic depolarization.

Abstract: A method of making a dosage device comprises mixing a suspension concentrate comprising at least one active ingredient which is in solid form at 25° C., and which has an average particle size of less than 10 microns, in a carrier liquid in which the active ingredient is non-soluble or sparingly soluble, and a drying agent for the carrier liquid. The drying agent takes up at least some of the carrier liquid of the suspension concentrate, thereby to dry the active ingredient at least partly and to obtain a mixture comprising the active ingredient and the drying agent. The mixture is compressed into at least one unitary dosage device.

Abstract: Arrangement for understoichiometric gasification of spent liquor from chemical pulp production, comprising an upper reactor part (2), which upper reactor part is provided with a burner (5) for the spent liquor and with an internally clad reactor jacket (4), and lower separating part (8) for separating a phase of solid and/or molten material, formed on gasification, from a phase of combustible gaseous material. According to the invention, at least the upper reactor part (2), with its clad reactor jacket, is surrounded by an outer vessel (1), with a gap (13) being present between the reactor jacket (4) and the outer vessel (1). Connected to the said gap (13) there are one or more inlets (14) and at least one outlet (21) for a coolant medium.

Abstract: Provided is a foamable composition adapted to form a cross-linked novolac-epoxy resin foam. The foamable composition is formulated from a composition comprising at least one novolac resin, at least one epoxy resin, and at least one blowing agent.

Abstract: Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the energy stored in compressed fuel and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the fuel and air are recovered.

Abstract: Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas containing: a wall structure defining an interior chamber; a first reflecting surface for reflecting a pressure wave within said interior chamber; a second reflecting surface for reflecting said pressure wave within said interior chamber, wherein said first and second reflecting surfaces being constructed and arranged to resonate said pressure wave in said interior chamber; at least one first inlet for introducing a first gas into said interior chamber; and at least one outlet from said interior chamber for drawing off a pressurized gas from said interior chamber. Also provided is a turbine engine containing the combustion chamber, and an electrical generating power plant containing the turbine engine.

Abstract: A 2-glucosamine derivative of the general formula (I): wherein R is an alkyl radical of the general formula CnH2n+1 and n is selected from 2-12; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and glucosides thereof, used for a treatment in a mammal selected from the group consisting of (a) arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis; (b) enhancing cartilage formation in a mammal; (c) enhancing chondrocytes cell proliferation; (d) production of glycosaminoglycan in a mammal; and (e) alleviating the symptoms of joint stiffness and restricted mobility.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising a stator; a rotor having a rotor inner circumferential surface; a piezoelectric element retained on the stator; power supply means in communication with said piezoelectric element to operably effect longitudinal resilient mechanical oscillations in the element; a plurality of pusher members each having (a) at least one first portion defining a pusher abutting surface abutting the rotor inner surface, (b) at least one second portion defining a piezoelectric element engaging surface distal of the pusher abutting surface, and (c) a third portion defining a retained surface; retainer means in abutment with the pusher member retained surface to releasably retain the pusher member in abutment with the piezoelectric element engaging surface and the rotor inner surface and wherein the longitudinal resilient mechanical oscillations effect coplanar movement of the pusher member; and the first portion is so shaped and inclined as to operably effect circumferential movement of the circumf

Abstract: Provided is a laminate label adapted for use on plastic containers suitable for containing a pharmaceutical or food grade product. The laminate label includes a substantially clear or translucent protective polymeric layer bound to a face stock by a radiation-cured adhesive composition formulated from a low-migration, radiation-curable adhesive composition containing at least 50% of one or more radiation-curable, carboxylic acid functional monomers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor having a stator and a rotor. The stator and the rotor are in mechanical contact with one another along at least one cylindrical friction surface by means of curved, elastic and longitudinally elongated pusher plates, the pusher plates being held against the friction surface at a first end of the pusher plates, and arranged at an angle to the friction surface. A piezoelectric element is connected to either the rotor or the stator. The piezoelectric element has electrodes placed on opposing surfaces of the piezoelectric element, and is connectable to an alternating current source via the electrodes for providing longitudinal oscillations in the piezoelectric element. A first ring plate and a second ring plate are arranged on opposite sides of the piezoelectric element, so that at least a portion of surfaces of the piezoelectric element are pressed against surfaces of the first ring plate and the second ring plate, respectively, by a clamping device.

Abstract: Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the energy stored in compressed fuel and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the fuel and air are recovered.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a lottery winner having the steps of providing lottery tickets each having at least one purchaser selected group of numbers and a purchase time, drawing a drawn group of numbers from a pool of numbers, selecting a winning group of numbers which have the most numbers matching between the purchaser selected group of numbers and the drawn group of numbers, and selecting a lottery winner from the winning group of numbers based on the earliest purchase time.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, inner primary coating composition adapted for forming inner primary coatings on optical glass fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing pulp which is cooked under alkaline conditions and which is bleached without using chlorine-containing bleaching chemicals, in which process used cooking chemicals are recovered in a first recovery installation and used bleaching chemicals are recovered in a second recovery installation. The used cooking and bleaching chemicals can be regenerated and reused.

Abstract: Provided is an engine having positive displacement chambers containing pistons and an external combustion chamber which utilizes the energy stored in compressed fuel and compressed air in combination with the energy released during combustion of the fuel to drive the pistons. Energy expended compressing the fuel and air are recovered.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating chemical paper pulp having the steps of: adjusting the pH of the pulp to be between 1 and 6; treating the pulp with ozone to reduce the kappa number of the pulp; treating the pulp with a chelating agent after the ozone treating step without any intervening washing step between the ozone treating step and the chelating agent treating step; adjusting the pH of the pulp by adding alkali together with or after the addition of chelating agent to a pH exceeding 3; washing the pulp; and bleaching the pulp with peroxide.