Abstract: A micro unmanned aerial vehicle or drone (“UAV”) 10 is remotely controlled through an HMI, although this remote control is supplemented by and selectively suppressed by an on-board controller. The controller operates to control the generation of a sonar bubble that generally encapsulates the UAV. The sonar bubble, which may be ultrasonic in nature, is produced by a multiplicity of sonar lobes generated by specific sonar emitters associated with each axis of movement for the UAV. The emitters produce individual and beamformed sonar lobes that partially overlap to provide stereo or bioptic data in the form of individual echo responses detected by axis-specific sonar detectors. In this way, the on-board controller is able to interpret and then generate 3-D spatial imaging of the physical environment in which the UAV is currently moving or positioned.

Abstract: A modular stretcher system includes a pouch having a releasable outer cover and an inner surface, and a stretcher comprised from a lightweight sheet material and stored within the pouch, wherein the stretcher is accessible upon release of the cover, and wherein the stretcher further includes at least two integrated load-bearing system fixings that engage the lightweight sheet and extend through the inner surface. The modular stretcher system may also be incorporated within a protective anti-ballistic jacket.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling device (40) is disclosed for cooling water or other liquids comprising a vessel (50) adapted to receive water or another liquid, said vessel comprising a vessel wall (53, 54, 55), an outer layer (90) of absorbent material and a wick (85) extending through said vessel wall, such that said wick is positioned to contact said water or other liquid within the vessel and is adapted to transport a portion of said water or other liquid through the wall by capillary action to said absorbent material, said wick being substantially impermeable to gas or vapor, so that the cooling device (40) can be connected in-line in an hydration system of the kind comprising a reservoir (12) and a drinking tube (32).

Abstract: An evaporative cooling device (40) is disclosed for cooling water or other liquids comprising a vessel (50) adapted to receive water or another liquid, said vessel comprising a vessel wall (53, 54, 55), an outer layer (90) of absorbent material and a wick (85) extending through said vessel wall, such that said wick is positioned to contact said water or other liquid within the vessel and is adapted to transport a portion of said water or other liquid through the wall by capillary action to said absorbent material, said wick being substantially impermeable to gas or vapour, so that the cooling device (40) can be connected in-line in an hydration system of the kind comprising a reservoir (12) and a drinking tube (32).