Abstract: An apparatus for multi-effect adsorption distillation, the apparatus including a plurality of consecutive effects configured for evaporation of feed water therein; and a plurality of adsorber beds configured to adsorb vapor evaporated from feed water in a last effect of the plurality of consecutive effects and to release desorbed vapor during regeneration of the plurality of adsorber beds; wherein heat in the desorbed vapor is used to evaporate feed water fed into a first effect of the plurality of consecutive effects.

Abstract: A thermosyphon including an evaporator section, a condenser section coupled to the evaporator section, and a condensate guide lining an inner portion of the evaporator section and inner surfaces of the condenser section. The condensate guide defines a vapour core in the evaporator and condenser sections and is configured to return condensate to the evaporator section regardless of an orientation of the thermosyphon.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: (I) is provided, where R is selected from CF3, F, and H, and m is an integer from 1 to 22. The compound may be prepared by reacting a first reactant with a second reactant in a solution, where the first reactant is a 2,4-dichloro-2,4,6,6-tetra(aryloxy)-1,3,5-triaza-2,4,6-triphosphorine, and the second reactant is a perfluoropolyether of the formula CF3CF2CF2O(CF2CF2CF2O)mCF2CF2CH2OH. The aryloxy is selected from 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy (p-CF3—C6H4O), 4-fluorophenoxy (p-F—C6H4O), and phenoxy (C6H5O). The first reactant may be prepared by reacting 2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloro-1,3,5-triaza-2,4,6-triphosphorine with a phenoxide. The compound may be used in a lubricant for lubricating a surface. The lubricant may be applied to a recording surface in a magnetic recording device including a recording medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securing and/or tracking cargo containers. The security unit comprises a positioning receiver configured to provide a position of the cargo container and a memory configured to store a first geocentric zone and a second geocentric zone of the cargo container. The security unit also comprises a controller coupled to the positioning receiver and the memory. The security unit is configured to receive the position of the cargo container from the positioning receiver, determine if the position of the cargo container is within one of the first geocentric zone and the second geocentric zone stored in the memory, operate in a first operating mode associated with the first geocentric zone if the position is within the first geocentric zone, and operate in a second operating mode associated with the second geocentric zone if the position is within the second geocentric zone.

Abstract: A system for facilitating interoperability between a plurality of disjoint radio systems across a digital network includes one or more local gateways communicating with a network operations center. Each of the local gateways is associated with at least one radio system, and includes an interface to the digital network, a transceiver receiving wireless communications on the associated radio system, and a router configured to route at least some of the data received from the transceiver on the digital network. The network operations center processes data received from the various local gateways and forwards the processed data to the local gateways associated with the appropriate recipients. Local gateways may also be configured to convert legacy communications to digital formats, and/or may provide digital access to multiple disjoint wireless systems. The network operations center may further provide access security, network management, key management and/or other features.

Abstract: Network-centric systems and methods for monitoring the security of a cargo container during shipment from an origination point to a destination are described. The cargo container includes a container security unit (CSU) having an electronic container identifier. As the container is loaded with various contents, a container processing system obtains produces a manifest of the contents using wireless data collection. The manifest, which also includes the container identifier, is sent to a central server for storage. As the cargo container is shipped through a port, warehouse or other shipping location, the CSU provides a status update to the central server. The status update may include a location of the cargo container, the container identifier and a status of a door seal, hazard detector and/or the like. As the cargo container arrives at its destination, another container processing system creates an arrival report of the received contents that can be compared to the manifest at the central server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for securing and/or tracking cargo containers. The security unit comprises a positioning receiver configured to provide a position of the cargo container and a memory configured to store a first geocentric zone and a second geocentric zone of the cargo container. The security unit also comprises a controller coupled to the positioning receiver and the memory. The security unit is configured to receive the position of the cargo container from the positioning receiver, determine if the position of the cargo container is within one of the first geocentric zone and the second geocentric zone stored in the memory, operate in a first operating mode associated with the first geocentric zone if the position is within the first geocentric zone, and operate in a second operating mode associated with the second geocentric zone if the position is within the second geocentric zone.

Abstract: The invention is a crystallization cassette and associated method for growing and analyzing macromolecular crystals in situ by X-ray crystallography. The cassette allows proteins (as well as other macromolecules) to be crystallized by the counter-diffusion method in a restricted geometry. Using this procedure, crystals can be adequately prepared for direct X-ray data analysis such that the protein's three-dimesional structure can be solved without crystal manipulation.