Abstract: The invention concerns a ligand comprising (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5 Y is CO2H or PO3H2T represents —X or -phenyl-X, wherein X represents NO2, NH2, NCS, NHCOCH2-Z, NHCO—W—COCNHS, —NH-Q, —NHCS-Q, —NHCOCH2-Q, or NHCO(CH2)m-Q where Q is a hapten chosen from the group consisting of steroids, enzymes, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antibodies, or fragments thereof or any activated linker ready for coupling reaction, W is —(CH2)m- m is an integer from 1 to 10 Z is chloride, bromide or iodine

Abstract: A multipurpose seal with a lock, including a mobile closure apparatus of a casing containing a lock and an attachment element designed to be locked in the casing. The lock includes a barrel configured to move in the casing between a locked position and an unlocked position. A remote-interrogatable electronic component including a data-storage is maintained in a housing, which passes through part of the casing and part of the lock barrel when the lock barrel is in the locked position. Thus, any rotation of the barrel from the locked position causes the component to break.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for sealing, comprising: a first capsule (20); a second capsule (30); electronic means (23, 33), for placing in at least one of the capsules, and capable of containing an electronic identity that is remotely interrogatable; and closure means (25-1, 25-2, 25-3, 25-4; 35-1, 35-2, 35-3, 35-4) to seal the two capsules together.

Abstract: A collision test apparatus having input and output members formed from incompressible liquids and between which is positioned a sample whose impact characteristics are to be measured. A compression wave is input to the input member and propagated through the sample and in the output member. Suitable detectors detect the input compression wave, output compression wave and any pan of the input compression wave reflected off the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument suitable for measuring seismic waves in an environment which comprises a wave guide through which a seismic wave may propagate substantially without dispersion wherein the wave guide is provided with means for measuring its deformation.

Abstract: A neutron amplifier assembly of the invention includes an array of fissile material which is subjected to a primary neutron flux. According to the invention a thin layer of fissile material is located on the inner surface of a hollow support cylinder of moderator material, the diameter of the cylinder being chosen such that the array is close to criticality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for inducing homogeneous precipitation of a metal oxide, wherein said metal is capable of existing in at least two cationic oxidation states, which process comprises the steps of: i) providing an aqueous solution of a metal in a lower cationic oxidation state; and ii) adding an oxidant capable of oxidising said metal to a higher cationic oxidation state under conditions such that the mixing of said aqueous solution and said oxidant is substantially complete before precipitation of an oxide of said metal in its higher oxidation state occurs.

Abstract: An interferometer (1) is arranged to form a first interference fringe pattern comprising at least ten interference fringes; recording an image of said first interference fringe pattern; perturbing an optical path in the interferometer (1) to form a second interference fringe pattern comprising at least ten interference fringes; and combining an image of said second interference fringe pattern with the recorded image of the first interference fringe pattern to produce a further image comprising a moiré fringe pattern arising from a difference or differences between the first and second interference fringe patterns. The combining step involves subtraction (4) of digital images. Different wavelengths and interferometers are used: Michelson, Mach-Zehnder, Fizeau, Twyman-Green. In this new approach, all the errors of a poor quality, misaligned system are accepted and then eliminated by the combination process, producing a moiré fringe pattern.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for identifying an object comprising the following steps: (a) selecting an intrinsic surface of an object to be identified; (b) illuminating at least an identification zone in the intrinsic surface of the object to be identified with a coherent light and intercepting at least part of the light reflected by the identification zone, so as to obtain an interference figure in specific illuminating and intercepting conditions; (c) preserving said interference figure as reference interference figure of the object to be identified; (d) placing a candidate object which could possibly be the object to be identified in similar illuminating and intercepting conditions as those used to obtain the reference interference figure and obtain from said candidate object an interference figure; (e) comparing the reference interference figure with the interference figure of the candidate object; and (f) assessing the probability of identity between the object to be identified and the candidate obje

Abstract: A method for producing mixed oxide nuclear fuel pellets comprises the steps of preparing an U-Pu oxide blend powder having a Pu content in excess of the finally desired value, preparing uranium oxide powder, mixing adequate quantities of both powders in order to achieve the desired plutonium content and compacting and sintering the mixture for obtaining the pellets. The step of preparing the uranium oxide powder involves the following sequence of substeps: a) preparing an aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate to which between 0.5 and 2 wt % of organic thickeners are added such that the viscosity of the solution is adjusted to values between 20 and 100 centipoise, b) dispersing of the solution into droplets, c) introducing the droplets into a hydroxide bath, d) washing the resulting beads, e) drying the beads by azeotropic distillation using an immiscible organic solvent, f) thermally treating the beads in an oxidizing atmosphere and g) thermally treating in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making identity cores for ultrasound seals. Each core comprises a chip consisting of a brazed stack of metal disks 1 bearing at least one notch 3, the resulting identity being defined by the number, the size and the random angular position of the various notches in the stack and by the unpredictability of the brazing. The invention is characterized in that the notched disks 1 provided with a central hole 2 are first stacked in large numbers in a tubular metal sheath 4 with a circular cross-section corresponding to said disks 1. The stack is then axially compressed in the sheath 4 and a brazing bead 7 is inserted in the channel constituted by the assembly of aligned central holes 2. After brazing in a vacuum oven, the two ends of the sheath are eliminated and the resulting column is segmented perpendicularly to its axis into a series of individual identity chips 8 of predetermined thickness.

Abstract: The plasma processing apparatus comprises a plasma chamber (1) bounded, on at least one side thereof, by an electrically conductive wall (10), said electrically conductive wall comprising one or several apertures (100) for interrupting a current path through said wall, external electromagnetic means (2) for supplying electromagnetic energy into the plasma chamber through the electrically conductive wall, thereby generating a plasma inside said chamber, and sealing means for sealing the apertures. The apparatus is characterised in that the sealing means comprises one or more electrically conductive enclosure elements which are electrically insulated from the electrically conductive wall.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to generate a time-varying magnetic field through a field admission window of a plasma processing chamber to create or sustain a plasma within the chamber by inductive coupling. The apparatus includes a magnetic core presenting a pole face structure,—an inductor means associated with the magnetic core, arranged to generate a time-varying magnetic field through the pole face structure, and—a device for injecting gas into the chamber and through the chamber and through the magnetic core.

Abstract: Sensors and sensing apparatus are described, based on fused tapered fiber optic couplers with the taper waist portion formed into a loop or cleaved to provide a reflecting end. Light is typically input to the taper waist portion along a single input fiber, and bending of the loop or cleaved taper waist portion causes changes in the coupling ratio between the output fibers. The taper waist portion may be formed into a loop with a small bend radius without loss, and sensors embodying the claimed invention are particularly suitable for in-vivo measurement of pressure, the taper waist portions advantageously being arranged in contact with a membrane which deflects according to surrounding pressure. Further embodiments are described which are suitable for measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or acceleration.

Abstract: The apparatus for plasma treatment of a non-conductive hollow substrate (5), comprises a plasma chamber (12) provided with two oppositely facing field admission windows (8, 9), and first and second opposite coil arrangements (20, 30) located on an outer surface (8a; 9a) of the first and second windows respectively. The first and second coil arrangements being connected to power supply means (4) such that a current (I) of a same direction flows simultaneously in the first and second coil arrangements. The two coil arrangements (20, 30) induce through the substrate a magnetic flux (7) transversal and perpendicular to a substrate depth (L) for generating an electrical field in the substrate plan.

Abstract: A sample changer for transferring radioactive samples between a hot cell (12) and a measuring apparatus (10), as e.g. a hybrid K-edge densitometer, comprises a transfer channel (28) axially extending through a tubular containment (22) between the charging/discharging port and the measuring window section D. A recipient (24), with at least one compartment (100) for receiving therein a radioactive sample, is arranged in the transfer channel (28) so as to be movable therethrough. A threaded spindle (44) is rotatably housed in a spindle channel (42) below the transfer channel (28). A coupling (46) passing in a sealed manner through the closed rear end section connects a stepping motor (34) to the threaded spindle (44). A longitudinally guided support carriage supports the magazine (24) and engages the threaded spindle (44), so as to be subjected to a translational movement upon rotation of the spindle (44).

Abstract: A three-dimensional image is stored (E0) in a computer memory in the form of digital data and defined in a three-dimensional geometrical space. Two-dimensional images are calculated (E1) by determining, in the three-dimensional geometrical space, the intersections between the three-dimensional image and a plurality of parallel section planes. Respective holograms are calculated (E2) for the two-dimensional images, and are then reproduced (E3) sequentially on a spatial light modulator illuminated by a coherent light source. A transparent three-dimensional image is thus reproduced.

Abstract: Strain sensors, and in particular strain rosettes, are described and claimed, in which the strain sensing elements are fiber Bragg gratings. Strain sensors in accordance with the described invention comprise first and second fiber Bragg gratings, and a length of optical fiber connecting the gratings in series, each grating being substantially straight and the two gratings being non-parallel and having different nominal Bragg wavelengths, the connecting length of optical fiber having a bend, characterised in that a portion of the connecting length is tapered, the tapered portion including an elongate waist portion having a reduced cross sectional area and said bend is formed in the waist portion.

Abstract: Method of thin layer preparation for a radionuclide source comprising the following steps:

Abstract: Method of thin layer preparation for a radionuclide source comprising the following steps: deposition of a drop of a radionuclide dissolved in a solvent onto a on a support substrate, placing said support substrate with said drop in a confined space with a reduced pressure, directing at least one flow of a hot gas onto the drop, rotating the source relative to the hot gas jet creating turbulences inside the drop, evaporating the solvent and obtaining a thin layer of dry radionuclide.