Abstract: An adjustable contaminated mixing apparatus includes a reactor head and a down tube extending from the reactor head. A plurality of ports are formed in the reactor head and configured to impart a spinning motion to the contaminated liquid as it passes from the reactor head into the down tube. Each port is adapted to receive a flow restrictor to permit selectively control of velocity and flow volume of the liquid through the down tube. Typically, the flow restrictors are removable flow restriction plugs inserted into in a removable cartridge of the reactor head.

Abstract: A microfluidic detection device provides reduced dispersion of axial concentration gradients in a flowing sample. The microfluidic detection device includes a cell body and a flow path through the cell body. The flow path has an inlet segment, an outlet segment, and a central segment, which forms a detection cell. The central segment is located between and at an angle with both the inlet segment and the outlet segment. The central segment has a first junction with the inlet segment and a second junction with the outlet segment. The cell body contains two arms that can transmit light to and from the detection cell. At least a portion of a first arm is located in the first junction and at least a portion of a second arm is located in the second junction. The portions of the arms located in the junctions are situated so that fluid entering or exiting the central segment of the flow path flows around the outer surface of one of the portions.

Abstract: Gas-permeable membranes comprising a microporous film and a coating on the microporous film, the coating being obtained by coating the microporous film with a liquid coating composition comprising a polymer and hollow polymeric particles dispersed in the composition, and then solidifying the coating. The gas-permeable membrane has a reduced ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A method for distributing game tokens, such as playing cards, in a game which includes the distribution of game tokens to n players (P1, P2, . . . Pn), includes the steps of: (a) obtaining from each player Pi a first unit Ai, wherein each Ai is chosen from a finite set of discrete candidate first units; (b) obtaining from each player Pi a second unit Bi, wherein each Bi is chosen from a finite set of discrete candidate second units; (c) deriving a third unit C using a predetermined algorithm where C=f(B1, . . . , Bn); (d) assigning a previously unassigned game token Gi to each player from a predetermined algorithm where Gi=f(Ai, C); and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until a predetermined number of game tokens cards are distributed to each player.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method, system, and device for the auto-reclosing a faulted power transmission line by measuring the characteristics of voltage on a faulted line to determine, in real-time, the moment that the secondary arc is extinguished. A device automatically selects between a plurality of arc extinguishing algorithms based on the compensation level of the transmission line. As a result, reclosing an on-going or existing fault is avoided, while restoration of normal power supply is performed with the minimal possible time interval.

Abstract: A method of assigning expected recovery values to control substances used in analytical testing is disclosed.

Abstract: A modular chemical handling apparatus has a first component coupled to a second component. The first component is retained proximate to the second component by a locking mechanism. Fluid conduit connection devices and/or electrical connection devices in the first component are coupled to corresponding conduit connection devices and/or electrical connection devices in the second component by couplers. At least one laterally sliding lock shaft is employed for coupling the first module to the second module and for decoupling the first module from the second module. In one embodiment, counterweights are used to maintain the sliding lock shaft and each of the connection devices in the fully coupled position.

Abstract: A process for the low temperature, non-incineration decontamination of contaminated materials, such as chemical weapon components containing residual quantities of chemical warfare agents. The process includes the steps of (a) contacting the contaminated materials with steam at substantially ambient pressure in a substantially dry first heated vessel for a period of at least about 15 minutes, the steam being at a temperature of at least about 560° C., (b) removing condensible and non-condensible gases from the first heated vessel and heating them in a second vessel at substantially ambient pressures to temperatures of at least about 500° C. for a period of at least about one second in an atmosphere containing steam, and (c) catalytically treating non-condensible gases from the second vessel in the presence of oxygen so as to reduce the concentration of chemical warfare agents to less than about 1.0 mg/m3 at standard temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An electroporation device having a signal generating circuit (3) connectable at the output to electrodes (5) fittable to a substrate (35) having cells. The electrodes (5) produce an electric field which induces permeabilization of the cell membranes to facilitate introduction of substances into the cells. The amplitude of the signal (12) applied to the electrodes is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the impedance (Z(?)) of the substrate, so as to regulate the amplitude of the signal following a reduction in impedance caused by permeabilization of the cell membranes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sandwich structure, the method comprising a preform assembly method. The method comprises providing a preform (8) comprising at least two sheets (12, 14) connected by a plurality of extensible threads (16), and affixing to the outer face of each sheet (12, 14), a face sheet (18, 22). The adhesion is by a film adhesive (20, 24) placed over the respective sheets (12, 14), and the preform (8) is subjected to pressure or heat to set the film adhesive (20, 24). The method further comprises a method of molding a composite sandwich structure, the method comprising placing a preform (8) in a mold (30), creating pressure differentials between respective chambers (40, 42) within the mold (30), feeding a resinous compound into the mold (30), and allowing the resinous compound to set and cure. The invention also provides composite sandwich structures made in accordance with the methods.

Abstract: A length adjustable conduit has a hollow tubular body and a hollow tubular shaft coaxially disposed in fluid tight communication with the hollow tubular body. The conduit further includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the combined length of the tubular body and tubular shaft.

Abstract: Articles, particularly fibers, whose shape is dependent on temperature. The articles have a first component composed of a sharply-melting crystalline polymer and an overlapping second component. As the crystalline polymer is cooled through its melting range, the volume of the first component increases much more rapidly than the volume of the second component. As a result, the shape of the article changes. Such fibers can be incorporated into fibrous articles having temperature-dependent thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A system and method for sharpening a digital image (38) having one or more image parameters, for printing with one or more print parameters, and for viewing at one or more viewing parameters, the method comprising the steps of preparing sharpening radius information correlated in a correlation process with one or more print parameters, creating a first data storage device (192) for storing the sharpening radius information, receiving the one or more print parameters, determining an image sharpening radius for the digital image (38) from the sharpening radius information and the received one or more print parameters, and sharpening the digital image (38) using the image sharpening radius in a sharpening algorithm. A correlation process is described, a sharpening algorithm with foliage protection, hue protection, antialiasing protection, and noise reduction is disclosed, and a detail identification process is described.

Abstract: A device and method for preventing the damage underlying lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or both lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or for treating the damage underlying lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), or both lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow). The device comprises a central support (12), and one or more than one extension-adduction apparatus (32) or one or more than one flexion-abduction apparatus (50), or both one or more than one extension-adduction apparatus (32) and one or more than one flexion-abduction apparatus (50).

Abstract: A system for transferring an object between driven conveyors comprising an upper conveyor comprising a discharge end, a first belt for transporting the object, the first belt engaging a first end roller and a gooseneck roller, where the first end roller is disposed below the gooseneck roller by a displacement sufficient to create a downward sloping section in the first belt; a transfer guide located adjacent to the discharge end of the upper conveyor, to receive the object from the downward sloping section; a lower conveyor comprising a second belt to receive the object from the transfer guide; and means for driving the upper conveyor and lower conveyor such that the first belt moves towards the transfer guide and the second belt moves away from transfer guide. A lower run of the first belt may be disposed above an upper run of the second belt by a belt spacing approximately equal to or less than the thickness of the object.