Abstract: A spoon instrument and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. Two spoons are joined together near their handle's distal end by temporarily aligning and fixing this aligned arrangement by way of an alignment fixture. The alignment fixture provides spaced apart, parallelly arranged plates that define an ideal joint location between the two spoons formed by spot welding, as opposed to welding using consumable or filler material.

Abstract: A system for launching aerospace payloads includes a wingless, unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch the spacecraft. The carrier aircraft includes a flight operations control system, which monitors the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls launch and flight operations of the spacecraft. A ground-based mission control system monitors and controls the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls the launch and flight operations of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A system for launching aerospace payloads includes an unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch the spacecraft. The carrier aircraft includes a flight operations control system, which monitors the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls launch and flight operations of the spacecraft. A ground-based mission control system monitors and controls the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls the launch and flight operations of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A system for launching aerospace payloads includes a wingless, unmanned modified lifting body spacecraft (100), with a payload compartment in the forward section of the spacecraft. The spacecraft is propelled by hybrid rockets clustered in the aft section of the spacecraft. Reaction control system (RCS) modules control the flight path and its associated avionics hardware and software. This system also includes a carrier aircraft (200) configured to air-launch the spacecraft. The carrier aircraft includes a flight operations control system, which monitors the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls launch and flight operations of the spacecraft. A ground-based mission control system monitors and controls the spacecraft's payload and monitors and controls the launch and flight operations of the spacecraft.

Abstract: The present invention, LB-1A, is a system for launching satellites, including small-sats, mini-sats, nano-sats, medical and scientific experiments, sub-orbital, orbital, and other aerospace payloads, which includes a modified existing carrier aircraft and a streamlined, unmanned rocket propelled lifting body spacecraft, air-launched from said carrier aircraft.

Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes a negative-differential spring applied to the shape memory alloy element, thereby reducing the threshold amount of temperature change needed to cause movement of the valve between the first and second positions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a valve comprising a valve body; an orifice disposed within the valve body; a fluid flow restraining member located at a first location of the orifice, the fluid flow restraining member pivotable between a closed position and an open position; an extending member connected to, and moveable in pivotable synchronization with, the fluid flow restraining member; and a shape memory alloy element attached to the extending member and the valve body, the shape memory alloy element causing a pivotal movement of the extending member between positions corresponding to the open and closed positions responsive to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a valve comprising a valve body; an orifice disposed within the valve body; a fluid flow restraining member located at a first location of the orifice, the fluid flow restraining member pivotable between a closed position and an open position; an extending member connected to, and moveable in pivotable synchronization with, the fluid flow restraining member; and a shape memory alloy element attached to the extending member and the valve body, the shape memory alloy element causing a pivotal movement of the extending member between positions corresponding to the open and closed positions responsive to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy element.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A liner includes temperature actuated valves for delivering steam more uniformly along the heel and toe portions of the liner. The temperature actuated valves include an actuation mechanism that actuates from an open position to a closed position to control the flow of the steam therethrough. The actuation mechanism actuates to the closed position when it exceeds a predetermined temperature. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

Abstract: The x-ray crystal structure of BACE or BACE-like proteins is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and identifying and/or designing potential modifiers of BACE activity.

Abstract: The x-ray crystal structure of human BACE or BACE-like proteins is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and identifying and/or designing potential modifiers of human BACE activity.

Abstract: An inhibitor bound form of human beta secretase, also known as memapsin 2 and BACE, particularly in a glycosylated form as expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), HEK293 cells, or in insect cells as part of a Baculovirus expression system has been crystallized, and the three-dimensional x-ray crystal structure has been solved to 3.2 ? resolution. The x-ray crystal structure is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and designing inhibitors of human beta secretase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystal of human beta-secretase (BACE) having monoclinic space group symmetry C2, in a representative example, comprising a unit cell having dimensions of a, b, and c, wherein a is about 53 ? to about 103 ?, b is about 85 ? to about 125 ?, c is about 40 ? to about 60 ?, and ?=?=90°, and ? is about 85° to about 105°, and in a preferred example, comprising unit cell dimensions as follows: a is 73.1 ?, b is 105.1 ?, c is 50.5 ?, and ?=?=90°, and ? is 94.8, wherein the Matthews coefficient of said crystal is 2.1 ?/Da with 42% solvent, and wherein said crystal diffracts to 1.7 ? resolution.

Abstract: The x-ray crystal structure of BACE or BACE-like proteins is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and identifying and/or designing potential modifiers of BACE activity.

Abstract: The x-ray crystal structure of BACE or BACE-like proteins is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and identifying and/or designing potential modifiers of BACE activity.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for the automated casting of infrared glass optical components is provided. The system includes a mold for casting infrared glass into lenses, a mold chamber operable to heat the mold to a temperature above the melting temperature of the infrared glass, and a casting chamber operable to fill the mold with molten infrared glass. The method includes heating a mold in a mold chamber to a temperature above the melting temperature of infrared glass, casting molten infrared glass into the mold in a casting chamber; and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for forming infrared glass optical components are provided. The system includes first and second mold halves having first and second respective faces. The first and second mold halves are configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface that defines a lens-shaped cavity. A tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face.

Abstract: An unliganded form of Staphylococcus aureus NAD synthetase (S. aureus NadE) has been crystallized, and the three-dimensional x-ray crystal structure has been solved to 2.3 ? resolution. The x-ray crystal structure is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and designing inhibitors of S. aureus NadE activity.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.