Abstract: A hybrid scaffold is disclosed which is made of materials that define peripheral layers designed to interface with the tissues in the implant site and one or more intermediate layers. The materials are combined to give the scaffold mechanical properties suitable for withstanding the stresses of the implant site. The materials are fibroin for the peripheral layers and polyurethane combined with fibroin for each intermediate layer.

Abstract: A hybrid scaffold is disclosed which is made of materials that define peripheral layers designed to interface with the tissues in the implant site and one or more intermediate layers. The materials are combined to give the scaffold mechanical properties suitable for withstanding the stresses of the implant site. The materials are fibroin for the peripheral layers and polyurethane combined with fibroin for each intermediate layer.

Abstract: A hybrid scaffold is disclosed which is made of materials that define peripheral layers designed to interface with the tissues in the implant site and one or more intermediate layers. The materials are combined to give the scaffold mechanical properties suitable for withstanding the stresses of the implant site.

Abstract: A bioreactor for preferably three-dimensional cell culturing comprises a scaffold chamber, a first tube, a second tube and a first valve with a scaffold adapter, a tube adapter and a medium adapter. The first valve has a housing with a longitudinal female portion ending in an opening and a longitudinal actuator being arranged through the opening of the female portion of the housing such that the actuator is arranged partially inside the housing and partially outside the housing, wherein the actuator of the first valve is axially moveable relative to the housing of the first valve between a first position in which the first valve is in the operation position and a second position in which the first valve is in the medium change position. By providing the actuators in the first valve which is applied by axial movements, operation of the bioreactor can be comparably simple and safe.

Abstract: A bioreactor for preferably three-dimensional cell culturing comprises a scaffold chamber, a first tube, a second tube and a first valve with a scaffold adapter, a tube adapter and a medium adapter. The first valve has a housing with a longitudinal female portion ending in an opening and a longitudinal actuator being arranged through the opening of the female portion of the housing such that the actuator is arranged partially inside the housing and partially outside the housing, wherein the actuator of the first valve is axially moveable relative to the housing of the first valve between a first position in which the first valve is in the operation position and a second position in which the first valve is in the medium change position. By providing the actuators in the first valve which is applied by axial movements, operation of the bioreactor can be comparably simple and safe. In particular, such arrangement allows for a comparably easy identification of the position of the first valve, i.e., e.g.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a variable rate multi-arc leaf spring assembly is provided. The assembly includes a main leaf spring that is constructed of a composite material and defines a central arc portion having a first radius and at least one peripheral arc portion having a second radius not equal to said first radius. The main leaf spring provides a continuous non-linear variable spring deformation rate.

Abstract: A fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring for use in a vehicle chassis system capable of multi-linear response when compressed. The fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring extends longitudinally below a vehicle frame and is secured at each end of the vehicle frame typically using a pair of pinned end attachments and is secured in the middle to an axle. The spring has a central upwardly curved region introduced between two downwardly curved regions that are introduced between two more upwardly curved regions. The spring can be made using either a pre-preg process or three-dimensional weaving process. By varying the curvature either the upwardly curved regions or downwardly curved regions, or by varying the length and width of the bow spring, the rate of displacement along each portion of the multi-linear deflection response curve may be controlled.

Abstract: A fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring for use in a vehicle chassis system capable of multi-linear response when compressed. The fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring extends longitudinally below a vehicle frame and is secured at each end of the vehicle frame typically using a pair of pinned end attachments and is secured in the middle to an axle. The spring has a central upwardly curved region introduced between two downwardly curved regions that are introduced between two more upwardly curved regions. The spring can be made using either a pre-preg process or three-dimensional weaving process. By varying the curvature either the upwardly curved regions or downwardly curved regions, or by varying the length and width of the bow spring, the rate of displacement along each portion of the multi-linear deflection response curve may be controlled.

Abstract: A fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring for use in a vehicle chassis system capable of multi-linear response when compressed. The fiberglass composite monoleaf bow spring extends longitudinally below a vehicle frame and is secured at each end of the vehicle frame typically using a pair of pinned end attachments and is secured in the middle to an axle. The spring has a central upwardly curved region introduced between two downwardly curved regions that are introduced between two more upwardly curved regions. The spring can be made using either a pre-preg process or three-dimensional weaving process. By varying the curvature either the upwardly curved regions or downwardly curved regions, or by varying the length and width of the bow spring, the rate of displacement along each portion of the multi-linear deflection response curve may be controlled.

Abstract: A detector for infrared radiation, having a multicell photosensor disposed at the top of a cold finger in an evacuated container, comprises a stack of annular ceramic layers coaxially surrounding the cold finger and serving as supports for several arrays of radially extending metallic strips screen-printed on respective layers in angularly offset relationship. The metallic strips are conductively connected to respective cells of the sensor to serve as output leads thereof. The conductive connections include axially extending metal pins spacedly surrounding the cold finger while being linked with the sensor cells by short, thin wires spanning an intervening annular gap.

Abstract: A process for producing a semiconductor device with an integral heatsink involving applying a coating of dielectric to a sheet of semiconductor material, removing part of the dielectric coating by etching to leave specific sink zones, coating the zones with a metal layer, bonding the assembly to a support with adhesive, depositing a layer of metal to the non-adhered surface of the semiconductor sheet in areas corresponding to the sink zones, and removing semiconductor material from the body of the sheet between the sink zones to produce mesa profile units with heatsinks.