Abstract: An auscultation training system is disclosed comprising a half-body mannequin with speakers providing heart, lung, bowel and bruit sounds in the correct anatomical positions for student training of auscultation with a standard stethoscope. An integrated computer system provides the tools for training and assessing students. Synchronized phonocardiograms and a palpable carotid pulse accompany heart sounds. Sounds can be played and auscultated simultaneously to simulate a live patient, or played and auscultated separately for teaching purposes. The system may be accessed online using a virtual mannequin and stethoscope for viewing and listening to heart, lung, bowel and bruit sounds.

Abstract: Apparatus for Terahertz wave generation. An amplified laser generates a pulsed optical fundamental beam and a crystal passes the fundamental beam to generate a second harmonic beam of the fundamental beam. A lens focuses the mixed fundamental and second harmonic beams and a gas cell containing water vapor receives the focused beams and generates Terahertz waves.

Abstract: Compact terahertz spectrometer. The spectrometer includes an optical beam both for generating terahertz radiation for interaction with the sample and for use in a detector. A DC heterodyne detector uses a DC field-induced second harmonic wave at a sensor plasma to serve as a local oscillator. The spectrometer has a bandwidth orders of magnitude larger than conventional THz spectrometers.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for extracting hydrocarbon gases from hydrates, and more particularly relates to methods and systems for maximizing the efficiency of energy transfer of electromagnetic (EM) radiation of specified frequencies to the hydrate mass and the dissociation of methane and other trapped hydrocarbon gases from their hydrate cages through a unique EM-induced collective molecular vibronic process.

Abstract: The invention provides a scheme for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel to generate and extract enhanced translational energy. In the scheme, hydrocarbon fuel is nanopartitioned into nanometric fuel regions each having a diameter less than about 1000 angstroms; and either before or after the nanopartitioning, the fuel is introduced into a combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, a shock wave excitation of at least about 50,000 psi and with an excitation rise time of less than about 100 nanoseconds is applied to the fuel. A fuel partitioned into such nanometric quantum confinement regions enables a quantum mechanical condition in which translational energy modes of the fuel are amplified, whereby the average energy of the translational energy mode levels is higher than it would be for a macro-sized, unpartitioned fuel. Combustion of such a nanopartitioned fuel provides enhanced translational energy extraction by way of, e.g.

Abstract: Supercritical water fuel composition and combustion system. In one aspect, the invention is a composition of matter comprising a mixture of 5-50% water and a hydrocarbon wherein the water/hydrocarbon mixture is near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. A suitable temperature is 400.degree. C. and a suitable pressure is 4,000psi. In another aspect, the invention is a fuel system including structure containing a water/hydrocarbon fuel mixture near the critical point such that the mixture is a homogeneous single phase. Structure is provided for delivering the mixture for combustion. Combustion may occur in an internal combustion engine, turbine engine or other burner.

Abstract: The present invention provides combustible compositions utilizing water clusters characterized by high oxygen reactivity due to protruding, delocalized p.pi. orbitals. In preferred embodiments, the compositions include one or more surfactants having molecular orbitals that interact with and participate in the delocalized p.pi. orbitals. The invention also provides methods of designing, producing, and using the compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a scheme for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel to generate and extract enhanced translational energy. In the scheme, hydrocarbon fuel is nanopartitioned into nanometric fuel regions each having a diameter less than about 1000 angstroms; and either before or after the nanopartitioning, the fuel is introduced into a combustion chamber. In the combustion chamber, a shock wave excitation of at least about 50,000 psi and with an excitation rise time of less than about 100 nanoseconds is applied to the fuel. A fuel partitioned into such nanometric quantum confinement regions enables a quantum mechanical condition in which translational energy modes of the fuel are amplified, whereby the average energy of the translational energy mode levels is higher than it would be for a macro-sized, unpartitioned fuel. Combustion of such a nanopartitioned fuel provides enhanced translational energy extraction by way of, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides water cluster compositions characterized by high oxygen reactivity due to protruding, delocalized p.pi. orbitals. The invention also provides methods of producing the structures. The invention further provides methods of using the water clusters, for example in combustion, and compositions associated therewith.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: For a condensed matter system containing a guest interstitial species such as hydrogen or its isotopes dissolved in the condensed matter host lattice, the invention provides tuning of the molecular orbital degeneracy of the host lattice to enhance the anharmonicity of the dissolved guest sublattice to achieve a large anharmonic displacement amplitude and a correspondingly small distance of closest approach of the guest nuclei. The tuned electron molecular orbital topology of the host lattice creates an energy state giving rise to degenerate sublattice orbitals related to the second nearest neighbors of the guest bonding orbitals. Thus, it is the nuclei of the guest sublattice that are set in anharmonic motion as a result of the orbital topology. This promotion of second nearest neighbor bonding between sublattice nuclei leads to enhanced interaction between nuclei of the sublattice.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying characteristic phonocardiographic heart sounds using a novel, recording, digital stethoscope. The stethoscope comprises in combination the features of a standard air column stethoscope together with the features of a recording, digital stethoscope. Further, the stethoscope includes features permitting the detection and recording of at least a portion of the electrocardiographic wave pattern to aid in analysis of the phonocardiographic sounds. The system for identifying phonocardiographic sounds includes the described recording, digital stethoscope together with a computer and display device for storing, analyzing and displaying the detected sounds together with comparative sounds selected from a reference library.