Abstract: The invention generally relates to positive-working coating compositions and to a substrate formed with a coating of that composition. Advantageous versions of the invention provide an infrared imageable, positive lithographic printing plate having a coating comprising a hydroxy substituted polymer, a diphenylcarbinol solubility suppressing compound and an infrared radiation absorbing compound.

Abstract: A system for nucleic acid amplification of a sample comprises partitioning the sample into partitioned sections and performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample. Another embodiment of the invention provides a system for nucleic acid amplification and detection of a sample comprising partitioning the sample into partitioned sections, performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample, and detecting and analyzing the partitioned sections of the sample.

Abstract: A combustion engine method and system provides increased fuel efficiency and reduces polluting exhaust emissions by burning fuel in a two-stage combustion system. Fuel is combusted in a piston engine in a first stage producing piston engine exhaust gases. Fuel contained in the piston engine exhaust gases is combusted in a second stage turbine engine. Turbine engine exhaust gases are used to supercharge the piston engine.

Abstract: A system for nucleic acid amplification of a sample comprises partitioning the sample into partitioned sections and performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample. Another embodiment of the invention provides a system for nucleic acid amplification and detection of a sample comprising partitioning the sample into partitioned sections, performing PCR on the partitioned sections of the sample, and detecting and analyzing the partitioned sections of the sample.

Abstract: Multi-stage combustion technology combined with nitrogen-enriched air technology for controlling the combustion temperature and products to extend the maintenance and lifetime cycles of materials in contact with combustion products and to reduce pollutants while maintaining relatively high combustion and thermal cycle efficiencies. The first stage of combustion operates fuel rich where most of the heat of combustion is released by burning it with nitrogen-enriched air. Part of the energy in the combustion gases is used to perform work or to provide heat. The cooled combustion gases are reheated by additional stages of combustion until the last stage is at or near stoichiometric conditions. Additional energy is extracted from each stage to result in relatively high thermal cycle efficiency. The air is enriched with nitrogen using air separation technologies such as diffusion, permeable membrane, absorption, and cryogenics.

Abstract: A combustion engine method and system provides increased fuel efficiency and reduces polluting exhaust emissions by burning fuel in a two-stage combustion system. Fuel is combusted in a piston engine in a first stage producing piston engine exhaust gases. Fuel contained in the piston engine exhaust gases is combusted in a second stage turbine engine. Turbine engine exhaust gases are used to supercharge the piston engine.

Abstract: Multi-stage combustion technology combined with nitrogen-enriched air technology for controlling the combustion temperature and products to extend the maintenance and lifetime cycles of materials in contact with combustion products and to reduce pollutants while maintaining relatively high combustion and thermal cycle efficiencies. The first stage of combustion operates fuel rich where most of the heat of combustion is released by burning it with nitrogen-enriched air. Part of the energy in the combustion gases is used to perform work or to provide heat. The cooled combustion gases are reheated by additional stages of combustion until the last stage is at or near stoichiometric conditions. Additional energy is extracted from each stage to result in relatively high thermal cycle efficiency. The air is enriched with nitrogen using air separation technologies such as diffusion, permeable membrane, absorption, and cryogenics.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a laminated ink jet printed image. The process comprises first coating an ink jet image receiving layer onto a clear base material useful for lamination. An image is printed on the image receiving layer, and then the resulting construction is applied to a substrate with heat and pressure such that the image bearing layer is in between the substrate and the clear base and is protectively sealed by means of the clear base. The clear base layer acts as a protective layer for the image bearing layer.

Abstract: Provided is a UV-curable ink jet coating comprised of a copolymer or mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene oxide, and a water-soluble polymer which can act as an electron and/or proton donor, preferably containing at least one carbonyl group. The entire mixture is UV cured once coated onto a substrate thereby creating a matrix due to crosslinking between the water soluble polymer and the polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide copolymer or mixture. The result is an ink receptive coating which will absorb many different ink jet inks very rapidly, while exhibiting high gloss. The ink jet medium thereby permits use with many different printers and inks.

Abstract: An ink jet image receptor element having a protective coating is disclosed. The protective coating is a single protective layer that contains a fluoropolymer and an acrylic polymer. Because the protective coating is resistant to surface pitting, dirt, stains, and general degradation, images formed from the element can be used effectively on billboards, banners, posters, and other outdoor signs.

Abstract: Explosives simulants that include non-explosive components are disclosed that facilitate testing of equipment designed to remotely detect explosives. The simulants are non-explosive, non-hazardous materials that can be safely handled without any significant precautions. The simulants imitate real explosives in terms of mass density, effective atomic number, x-ray transmission properties, and physical form, including moldable plastics and emulsions/gels.

Abstract: This invention provides a process to tremendously reduce the bulk volume of contaminants obtained from an effluent stream produced subsurface remediation. The chemicals used for the subsurface remediation are reclaimed for recycling to the remediation process. Additional reductions in contaminant bulk volume are achieved by the ultra-violet light destruction of halogenated hydrocarbons, and the complete oxidation of hydrophobic fuel hydrocarbons and hydrophilic hydrocarbons. The contaminated bulk volume will arise primarily from the disposal of the toxic metal ions. The entire process is modular, so if there are any technological breakthroughs in one or more of the component process modules, such modules can be readily replaced.

Abstract: Provided is a receiving medium comprising a substrate and an ink receiving layer provided thereon, said ink receiving layer comprising a blend of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer and a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. The ink receiving layer preferably further comprises a solid particulate such as silica or calcium silicate. Also provided is a process for providing a water resistant ink jet print by attaching droplets of a recording liquid on a recording medium, said recording medium comprising an ink receiving layer provided on a substrate with the ink receiving layer comprising a blend of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer and a hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol.

Abstract: A bicycle seat post clamping assembly is formed from a simple tube attached perpendicularly to the top of a seat post. A clamping member is formed from a cylindrical member which is separated into three portions by two cuts, each of which runs from one end of the cylindrical piece to the circumference adjacent the center. Grooves in the main portion accommodate the rails of the seats and a fastening member serves to draw the three pieces together thus wedging them into the tube attached to the top of the seat post thereby allowing ease of adjustment of the angle of the seat as well as the fore and aft positioning thereof.

Abstract: A suspension system having a horizontal roll axis eliminates bump steer. The roll axis is formed by a line connecting the instant center of the axle locating links and the roll center. A pair of locating links trail rearwardly from a pivot point on the chassis to pivotal mounting point on the axle adjacent the wheels. In another embodiment, the roll center is controlled by a pair of lateral links which are mounted at their outboard ends to the axle and at their inboard ends to a pair of bellcranks pivotally mounted to the chassis, the bellcranks being linked to one another by a connecting link, gear teeth or a flexible member. The lateral links may also be mounted using compliant elastomer mounting points or by using a fore-aft pivoting A-arm mounted to the chassis. A rack and pinion steering mechanism may be mounted directly to the solid axle to enhance handling and reduce weight.