Abstract: A method of treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, or hypoglycemia in a patient includes providing Chia seeds, having a seed body, adding water to the Chia seeds to form a gel, separating the seed body from the gel, extracting a water soluble fiber including a polysaccharide from the gel, and delivering a therapeutic amount of the fiber to the digestive tract of the patient. The step of delivering a therapeutic amount can include combining the fiber and polysaccharide with a carbohydrate-based food. The method can further include adding a bio-adhesive, and/or an amylase inhibitor to the gel, or the polysaccharide.

Abstract: A beverage including an extract from Chia seed, water, sweetener and a preservative. The sweetener is selected from the group consisting of: maple syrup; corn syrup; fruit juice; honey; sucrose syrup; and glucose-fructose syrup. The Chia seed extract forms a gel in the digestive tract to slow the absorption of carbohydrates, namely sugars into the blood stream to maintain normal blood sugar levels in the beverage consumer.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transportation apparatus includes a car for supporting a semiconductor wafer, a track for guiding the car, and a linear induction motor for levitating and linearly propelling the car along the track. The motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the car, a plurality of linearly disposed and selectively energizable electromagnets disposed along the track and circuitry to sequentially energize the electromagnets. Positioning magnets are used to eliminate friction between the car and the track, to control the degree of levitation and to insure precise lateral positioning of the car on the track, and light emitting diodes are used to detect the position of the car on the track.