Abstract: An illuminated ball formed by two substantially identical mating elements. Each mating element has an exterior surface bounded by an edge, an annular surface joined to said exterior surface at the edge, two opposed radial recesses formed in the annular surface, a well abutting a portion of the annular surface and one of the recesses, and an alignment guide abutting a portion of the annular surface and the other of the recesses. The alignment guide extends away from the exterior surface and includes a hole therethrough in alignment with the recesses. The mating element is matable with a second, substantially identical mating element by the well of each mating element receiving the alignment guide of the other element. The channel formed by the cooperation of the recesses and holes of both mating elements is sized to contain a light source.

Abstract: An anvil driving assembly, anvil driving tool, and method for installing rivetless floating nut plates in workpieces. The tool and method are capable of pulling a rivetless nut plate sleeve into a countersunk hole in the workpiece simultaneously with flaring the open end of the nut plate sleeve.

Abstract: A striking and pulling tool, such as a hammer, having separate head elements secured to opposing sides of a handle. The tool may be part of a system with interchangeable components.

Abstract: Game bird decoy having movable wings that exhibit a lifelike simulation of a game bird in flight. The invention also comprises a kit that can be assembled to form a game bird decoy and a method for using the kit and decoy.

Abstract: A portable gift-wrap holding and dispensing system that can be used to store and dispense rolls of material. A cutting guide is provided to assist cutting the material.

Abstract: System for transporting and unloading bulk materials, wherein a side-dumping container is mounted on a railroad car. A tilting mechanism at the unloading site tilts one side of the container on the car to unload bulk materials into a hopper through a top-hinged door on the other side of the container.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of nanoclusters and a substrate with an ordered array of nanoclusters. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, nanoclusters may be fabricated by depositing adatoms upon a surface containing an array of etched nanoscale wells, wherein the etched nanoscale wells are produced by etching a surface patterned by a mask containing a regular array of nanoscale pores. More preferably, nanoclusters may be fabricated by depositing adatoms upon a surface containing an array of etched nanoscale wells; wherein, the etched nanoscale wells are produced by low damage etching of a surface patterned by a crystalline mask of biological origin containing a regular array of nanoscale pores. A still further embodiment of the invention is a substrate including an ordered array of nanoclusters.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating fuel gas and optionally, activated carbon gasification from biomass fuel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array of nanostuctures, such as quantum dots, having a controlled diameter and a substrate with an ordered array of nanostructures having a controlled diameter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, nanoscale features are produced on a substrate by using a porous crystalline protein as a template for preparing an etch/deposition mask having a regular array of nanoscale pores of a diameter different from the protein template. The mask may be used to etch a regular array of nanoscale wells and/or deposit nanoclusters of adatoms on the surface of an underlying substrate. A further embodiment of the invention is a substrate including an ordered array of nanoscale features having a controlled size.

Abstract: A passive reflective device provides a warning or message visible when the intensity of light incident on the device exceeds a preselected minimum intensity or threshold value. The device includes a display, in the form of statements, pictographs, or images, with an appearance which is altered in color or pattern when impinged upon by light with an intensity greater than the threshold value and viewed by a viewer in front of the device. The device can be used as a sign or stationary display, such as a road sign, or it can be mounted on or in a front vehicle facing behind the vehicle such that the display is visible from behind the vehicle by someone who is within a preselected range of angles.