Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed. The pulse generator can include a pulsed switch, such as a diode. The pulsed switched can be connected between an input source, such as an oscillator and a frequency multiplier.

Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell DCFC system (5), the system comprising an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell (10) comprising a cathode (30), a solid state first electrolyte (25) and an anode (20), wherein, the system further comprises an anode chamber containing a second electrolyte (125) and a fuel (120). The system, when using molten carbonate as second electrolyte, is preferably purged with CO2 via purge gas inlet (60).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of alkene metathesis. In the method, at least one monoalkene is subjected to ethenolysis in the presence of a diene. The invention also relates to the use of a diene to promote an ethenolysis reaction conducted on a monoalkene.

Abstract: A method of preparing a 2,6 disubstituted anilines includes, reacting a 2-amino isophthalic acid diester with sufficient Grignard reagent R2CH2MgX to form the corresponding diol product, dehydrating the diol product to the corresponding dialkene; and hydrogenating the diol product to form the corresponding aniline. The 2,6 disubstituted anilines can be used to produce N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs). The NHCs can find application in various fields such as organic synthesis, catalysis and macromolecular chemistry. Palladium catalysts containing the NHCs are also described.

Abstract: A device comprising a metal layer on a crystalline silicon substrate, and a waveguide that has a refractive index greater than that of the crystalline silicon, wherein the waveguide is arranged to couple light to a surface plasmon mode at an interface between the silicon substrate and the metal layer when a waveguide mode is phase matched to the surface plasmon mode.

Abstract: A fractionation system comprising means for forming a three dimensional optical lattice that is operable to separate particles that have different physical characteristics. Preferably, the wells of the optical lattice are interlinked. For example, the wells may be linked in such a manner as to provide deflection greater than or equal to 15 degrees.

Abstract: Cis and trans ruthenium complexes that can be used as catalysts for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) are described. The complexes are generally square pyramidal in nature, having two anionic ligands X. Corresponding cationic complexes where one or both of the anionic ligands X are replaced by a non-co-ordinating anionic ligand are also described. Polymers such as polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) can be prepared using the catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ophthalmoscope comprising a camera and an associated illumination device; the invention further concerns a novel method for processing a plurality of images of the eye taken by said device; and software, typically included in said ophthalmoscope, for executing said method.

Abstract: A laser comprising: at least one wavelength selective reflector that comprises a waveguide vertically coupled to at least one photonic crystal resonator, the waveguide and photonic crystal resonator being arranged to provide wave-vector matching between at least one mode of the photonic crystal resonator and at least one mode of the waveguide; an optical gain medium for generating light for coupling into the waveguide, and a reflector at an end of the optical gain medium, the reflector and the photonic crystal resonator defining a laser cavity. Light generated by the optical gain medium is coupled into the waveguide and coupled into the photonic crystal resonator, and partially reflected back to the optical gain medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogel formulation in which the solid phase is composed of a continuous net work of siloxane bonds and one or more calcium phosphate phases doped with one or more metal dopants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a surface-modified layer system comprising a substrate (2) and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) (1) anchored to its surface. The SAM (1) is comprised by aryl or rigid alicyclic moiety species. The process comprises providing a polymorphic SAM (1) anchored to the substrate (2), and thermally treating (4) the SAM to change from a first to a second structural form thereof. The invention also provides a thermolithographic form of process in which the thermal treatment (4) is used to transfer a pattern (3) to the SAM (1), which is then developed.

Abstract: An optical system for generating an Airy beam light sheet comprising an optical arrangement for generating a Gaussian beam, and an optical element for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet, wherein a single optical element is provided for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet.

Abstract: A cell permeabilizing microfluidic system for permeabilizing one or more cells in a fluid flow. The system has a microfluidic channel for channeling at least one cell in a fluid flow and an optical source for generating a beam of light for permeabilizing the at least one cell, wherein the channel and the source are arranged so that the light beam and fluid flow are collinear in a permeabilization part of the channel and cells are permeabilized within the permeabilization part.

Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate of a biologically active molecule and a 5-fluoro-5-deoxypentose or a 3-fluoro-3-deoxypentose, wherein the biologically active molecule is selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of alkene metathesis comprising contacting at least a first alkene, which is cardanol and/or anacardic acid, with an alkylidene ruthenium alkene metathesis catalyst comprising two ligands P1 and P2, which may be the same or different and of formula P(R1)3, in which P is a phosphorus atom coordinated to the ruthenium ion and each R1 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl or alkoxy group; or two R1 groups within one P1 or P2 ligand constitute an optionally substituted bicycloalkyl.

Abstract: A contact lens or visual prosthesis that includes at least one array or distribution of optical elements on a flexible substrate, the optical elements in the array or distribution being separated by or having a periodicity of less than 1 micron and each element having a dimension of 1 micron or less.

Abstract: The resolution of conventional imaging devices is restricted by the diffraction limit. ‘Perfect’ imaging devices which can achieve a resolution beyond the diffraction limit have been considered impossible to implement. However, the present disclosure provides an imaging device which can achieve improved resolution beyond the diffraction limit and which can be implemented in practice. Said imaging device comprises: a. a lens having a refractive index that varies according to a predetermined refractive index profile; b. a source; c. an outlet for decoupling waves from the device; and d. a reflector provided around the lens, the source and the outlet, wherein the reflector and the refractive index profile of the lens are together arranged to direct waves transmitted in any of a plurality of directions from the source to the outlet.

Abstract: A method of optimising at least one measure that is a quadratic function of a wavefunction, such as the spot size of a laser, the method comprising: superimposing a plurality of wavefunctions; determining a relationship between the superimposed wavefunctions and the quadratic measure, and using the determined relationship to identify the superimposed wavefunctions that provide a desired or optimised quadratic measure.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a sealed waterproof housing comprising at least one LED disposed within the housing; a transparent window to allow light from the LED to be emitted from the housing; a non-imaging light element for coupling light from the LED into a plurality of side emitting optical fibers connected to the housing; and a fixing portion for securing the plurality of side-emitting optical fibers into a coupling position adjacent to the window to allow light to pass between the housing and the plurality of optical fibers, via the transparent window. The fixing portion is adapted to allow connection and/or disconnection of the plurality of optical fibers without opening or breaking a seal of the sealed waterproof housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium-air battery including: a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material; a positive electrode using oxygen as a positive-electrode active material; and an electrolyte medium arranged between the negative electrode and the positive electrode; wherein the electrolyte medium includes as primary solvent one or more compounds having an —N—CO— group in the molecule.