Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and methods for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries having a precharge in the negative electrode sufficient for oxidation prevention in the negative electrode. The present invention discloses a nickel metal hydride battery, wherein the precharge of the negative electrode may be supplied by a variety of sources. The positive active material of the positive electrode may have positive active particles, such as nickel hydroxide, having a precursor coating that incorporates cobalt material capable of forming a conductive network. Sources other than cobalt-containing materials in the positive electrode include hydrogen gas provided directly to the negative active material, nickel aluminum mixed with the negative active material, the etching of the negative active material with an alkaline solution and borohydride chemically charging the negative active material.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure,with mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: A chair having a recline control mechanism, a limit control apparatus and a tilt mechanism. The recline control mechanism operates to adjust resistance to rotation of a back assembly of the chair and includes an actuator lever having a lock structure attached to a movable spring assembly. Moving the spring assembly toward and away from a rotation axis for the back assembly adjusts the resistance. The limit control apparatus selectively limits the extent of rotation of the back assembly from about zero degrees to about 3.5 degrees to about seven degrees by using abutment surfaces. The tilt mechanism provides an independent and stable yet passive tilt capability to a backrest of the back assembly by using a pair of brackets, two pairs of links and two pairs of rods.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100-240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1-8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: A utility trailer having a low profile storage configuration. The trailer includes a frame, wheels, mounting assemblies for the wheels, a removable tongue and a wiring system. Each mounting assembly includes a swing arm and a shock absorber that are joined by a hub that is easily removable and in turn is rotatably joined to a wheel. Each swing arm is pivotally joined to an underside of a side rail of the frame. Each shock absorber is pivotally attached to an inner side of the side rail and each wheel is positioned outwardly of a respective side rail opposite a respective shock absorber. The wiring system includes a harness located in the interior of the tongue. The wiring system also includes a plug mounted on the frame and a receptacle mounted on the tongue that automatically mate when the tongue is joined to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrophoresis gels and buffers for protein or nucleic acid electrophoresis comprising the compound of Formula I: wherein R? is a C1-C6 alkyl substituted with SO3H and optionally substituted with OH; if X=0, R is a pair of electrons; and if X=N, R is R? and salts and solvates thereof.. The present invention also provides pre-cast gels and pre-mixed gel solutions comprising the compound of formula I. The present invention further provides methods of performing electrophoresis using the gels and buffers comprising a compound of formula I. The gels and buffers comprising a compound of Formula I offer extended shelf life and good protein and nucleic acid resolution.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system comprising one or more submerged ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane assemblies at ambient pressure, each membrane assembly positioned 100-240 mm from a nearest wall, baffle, or adjacent membrane assembly and no more than 1 meter above a floor and at least 150 mm below the liquid level. Mixed liquor is discharged underneath each membrane assembly to create a vertical flow velocity in a range of 1-8 mm/second along an entire length of the membrane assembly. In a sequenced batch reactor system, a coarse bubble air diffuser for scouring each membrane assembly is supplied with air only during the backwash cycle of the filtration system and not during the filtration cycle. In a membrane bioreactor system, the biological treatment section is physically separated from the filtration section and fine bubble air diffusion is used in the biological treatment section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and methods for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries having a precharge in the negative electrode sufficient for oxidation prevention in the negative electrode. The present invention discloses a nickel metal hydride battery, wherein the precharge of the negative electrode may be supplied by a variety of sources. The positive active material of the positive electrode may have positive active particles, such as nickel hydroxide, having a precursor coating that incorporates cobalt material capable of forming a conductive network. Sources other than cobalt-containing materials in the positive electrode include hydrogen gas provided directly to the negative active material, nickel aluminum mixed with the negative active material, the etching of the negative active material with an alkaline solution and borohydride chemically charging the negative active material.

Abstract: A chair having a chair seat and a chair back includes a means for controlling the tilt of the chair back relative to the chair seat, the tilt means comprising a control body mounted beneath the chair seat and a pivot body pivotably mounted beneath the control body. A spring is operatively disposed between the control body and the pivot body. The control means comprises means for limiting the range of angular motion of the pivot body. Further, the locations of the control body, the pivot body, and the rod about which the pivot body pivots are each optimized to reduce the shear force that is applied to the user's back when the user exerts a force against the chair back.

Abstract: A prepolymer composition includes at least 70 wt. % of a 2:1 adduct of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and polypropylene glycol (PPG), and includes less than 1 wt. % residual IPDI. A process for preparing the composition, includes reacting IPDI with polypropylene glycol at an NCO:OH ratio greater than 2:1 to provide a product mixture containing the 2:1 adduct, wherein residual IPDI is distilled from the product mixture such that a concentration of residual IPDI in the product mixture is less than 1%.

Abstract: A method of starting a nickel metal hydride battery in cold weather. The method includes the step of discharging the battery through a short circuit.

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy including an oxide surface having metallic catalytic particles distributed throughout, wherein said metallic catalytic particles have an average particle size of 10-40 Angstroms in size.