Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.

Abstract: A system and a method for milling and inspecting an object. The method may include performing at least one iteration of a sequence that includes: milling, by a particle beam, a first surface of the object, during a first surface milling period; obtaining, by an electron detector, an image of a second surface of the object during at least a majority of the first surface milling period; wherein the object is expected to comprise an element of interest (EOI) that is positioned between the first and second surfaces; milling, by the particle beam, the second surface of the object during a second surface milling period; wherein each of the first surface milling period and the second surface milling period has a duration that exceeds a long duration threshold; obtaining by the electron detector an image of the first surface of the object during at least a majority of the second surface milling period.

Abstract: Positive active material pastes for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries, methods of making the same and lead-acid batteries including the same are provided. The positive active material paste includes lead oxide, a sulfate additive, and an aqueous acid. The positive active material paste contains from about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt % of the sulfate additive. Batteries using such positive active material pastes exhibit greatly improved performance over batteries with conventional positive active material pastes.

Abstract: A process is described for making a product mixture including isobutene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene from a mixture of acetic acid and propionic and through reaction in the presence of a source of hydrogen and of a mixed oxide catalyst, for example, a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A process is described for making renewable para-xylene, comprising converting acetic acid to isobutene in the presence of a catalyst then converting the acetic acid-derived isobutene to a product composition including para-xylene. The catalyst can be a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A mechanical counting device for actuating a plurality of output devices, the device comprising: linear indexing means adapted to count a plurality of actuating signals and to cause actuation of the output devices when a predetermined number of actuating signals for each output device has been received, wherein the mechanical counting device is adapted to cause actuation of a particular output device when a different predetermined number of actuating signals has been received such that the output devices are sequentially actuable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of optimising engine wash event scheduling. An underlying deterioration gradient and a total deterioration gradient are determined. A number of engine wash events, x, are set. Engine deterioration for x engine wash events is calculated. The washed engine cost of engine deterioration for x engine wash events is calculated. The calculation of engine deterioration is iterated for different x to optimise the number of engine wash events with respect to the cost of engine deterioration. Advantageously the method systematically optimises scheduling of wash events taking into account the underlying deterioration of the engine which cannot be recovered by engine washing and the cost of the engine wash events.

Abstract: Method, device, and system, for directed multi-deflected ion beam milling of a work piece, and, determining and controlling extent thereof. Providing an ion beam; and directing and at least twice deflecting the provided ion beam, for forming a directed multi-deflected ion beam, wherein the directed multi-deflected ion beam is directed towards, incident and impinges upon, and mills, a surface of the work piece. Device includes an ion beam source assembly; and an ion beam directing and multi-deflecting assembly, for directing and at least twice deflecting the provided ion beam, for forming a directed multi-deflected ion beam, wherein the directed multi-deflected ion beam is directed towards, incident and impinges upon, and mills, a surface of the work piece.

Abstract: Positive active material pastes for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries, methods of making the same and lead-acid batteries including the same are provided. The positive active material paste includes lead oxide, a sulfate additive, and an aqueous acid. The positive active material paste contains from about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt % of the sulfate additive. Batteries using such positive active material pastes exhibit greatly improved performance over batteries with conventional positive active material pastes.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a flexible spring affixed at a separation distance from a shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element amplifies strain developed by the shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element while maintaining a substantial fraction of the force developed during activation of the shape memory alloy or artificial memory element. A plurality of such actuators positioned relative to each other by encapsulation or attachment to a body of material such as a terminal hub can emulate a wide variety of biological movements such as for providing gripping in the manner of an opposed human thumb or propulsion in the manner of a jellyfish.

Abstract: Optical devices are disclosed consisting of optical chips (planar lightwave circuits) which have optically symmetric or matching designs and properties and optical components which create asymmetry in the optical devices. The devices find application in detection in coherent and non-coherent optical communications systems.

Abstract: A system and a method for milling and inspecting an object. The method may include performing at least one iteration of a sequence that includes: milling, by a particle beam, a first surface of the object, during a first surface milling period; obtaining, by an electron detector, an image of a second surface of the object during at least a majority of the first surface milling period; wherein the object is expected to comprise an element of interest (EOI) that is positioned between the first and second surfaces; milling, by the particle beam, the second surface of the object during a second surface milling period; wherein each of the first surface milling period and the second surface milling period has a duration that exceeds a long duration threshold; obtaining by the electron detector an image of the first surface of the object during at least a majority of the second surface milling period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decontaminating a mattress (14) or other effect of bed bugs comprising the steps of: Placing the mattress or other effect in a hermetically sealable container (10) of a size and shape commensurate with that of the mattress or other effect; Inserting an appropriate quantity of an oxygen scavenger (16) into the container; Hermetically sealing the container so as to prevent ingress of oxygen; and Leaving it for a time sufficient for the oxygen levels to be depleted to less than 0.2% and the bed bugs and their eggs and larvae to be destroyed. It also relates to a kit of parts for implementing the method.

Abstract: A system and a method for preparing a lamella. The method may include aligning, by the manipulator, a mask and a sample. Positioning the mask and the sample in front of an ion miller while unchanging the spatial relationship between the mask and the sample. Milling a first exposed portion of the sample until exposing a first sidewall of the lamella. Positioning the mask and the sample in front of the ion miller so that the mask masks a second masked portion of the sample. Milling, by the ion miller, the second exposed portion of the sample until exposing a second sidewall of the lamella. Removing, by the miller, matter from both sides of the lamella; and detaching the lamella from the sample.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for analysing, designing and manufacturing a body to determine potential discontinuities within the body when subjected to an action.

Abstract: A system and method for a sample, the method may include manipulating a mask and a sample and thereby exposing different sides of the sample to an ion miller. The manipulating may include rotating the mask and the sample while maintaining the spatial relationship between the sample and the mask unchanged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect trap (10), which mimics certain characteristics of a mammal and comprises a housing comprising a base (22) and a cover (24). The pad generates an infrared heat source (14) and can also generate water vapour (16). The trap has an insect retention surface (18) and is characterized in that the cover is positioned over the base in a manner such that it defines an opening (50) around the base/cover interface (52). The opening has a depth (d) of less than 1.5 cm and is sized and positioned such that at least one attractant signal (14?, 16?) is directed out of the opening in a manner allowing effective operation for at least 8 hours.

Abstract: Capacitor pastes for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries include lead oxide, a carbon additive, and an aqueous acid. The capacitor paste contains lead and carbon in a lead to carbon mass ratio of about 5:1 to 82:1. Hybrid negative plates for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries can be made using such pastes in combination with traditional pastes. The hybrid negative plates include a capacitor paste on a bottom portion of the plate, and a traditional paste on the remainder of the plate. Batteries using the capacitor paste and hybrid plates exhibit improved performance over batteries with conventional plates and pastes and require less overcharge to prevent electrolyte stratification.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for analysing, designing and manufacturing a body to determine potential discontinuities within the body when subjected to an action.