Abstract: An oriented strand board for structural applications and a method of its production comprising elongated strands having aspect ratios greater than 2, the strands being derived from the outer shells of oil palm tree fronds formed as a bi-product of the harvest of oil palm fruit, such that the strand length is limited to about a meter, the strands being cut from the outer shell area of the fronds and at least the outer regions of the major faces of the board being substantially free of core material, the shell strands being combined with a heat settable binder material, the strands being formed by elongated blades moving relative to a frond length in planes generally aligned with a longitudinal direction of the frond length, the strands of the frond shells being arranged and being permanently bonded together such that they are predominately generally aligned with the structural direction of the board at least at the outer regions of the major faces of the board.

Abstract: An oriented strand board for structural applications and a method of its production comprising elongated strands having aspect ratios greater than 2, the strands being derived from the outer shells of oil palm tree fronds formed as a bi-product of the harvest of oil palm fruit, such that the strand length is limited to about a meter, the strands being cut from the outer shell area of the fronds and at least the outer regions of the major faces of the board being substantially free of core material, the shell strands being combined with a heat settable binder material, the strands being formed by elongated blades moving relative to a frond length in planes generally aligned with a longitudinal direction of the frond length, the strands of the frond shells being arranged and being permanently bonded together such that they are predominately generally aligned with the structural direction of the board at least at the outer regions of the major faces of the board.

Abstract: An oriented strand board for structural applications and a method of its production comprising elongated strands having aspect ratios greater than 2, the strands being derived from the outer shells of oil palm tree fronds formed as a bi-product of the harvest of oil palm fruit, such that the strand length is limited to about a meter, the strands being cut from the outer shell area of the fronds and at least the outer regions of the major faces of the board being substantially free of core material, the shell strands being combined with a heat settable binder material, the strands being formed by elongated blades moving relative to a frond length in planes generally aligned with a longitudinal direction of the frond length, the strands of the frond shells being arranged and being permanently bonded together such that they are predominately generally aligned with the structural direction of the board at least at the outer regions of the major faces of the board.

Abstract: An improved engine for aeronautical applications includes a forged cylinder block having a drive device rotatably mounted therewithin and a motive device for rotating the drive device, the motive device including two cylinder banks in a V-type configuration and a plurality of cylinders mounted within the cylinder banks for producing power and rotating the drive device. The forged cylinder block further includes a plurality of cylinder cavities formed in the cylinder banks and the upper approximately one-third of each of the cylinder cavities is generally surrounded by a generally toroidal cooling chamber, and the lower approximately two-thirds of each of the cylinder cavities is generally free of any surrounding cooling chambers. Finally, a coolant circulation device in fluid transmission connection with each of the cooling chambers is operative to circulate cooling fluid therethrough whereby the upper approximately one-third of each of the cylinder cavities is cooled by the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A plurality of closed metal cells is provided. Each cell encapulates a fluid or a fluid-like filler with a metal skin or cell wall. The closed cells are joined into an aggregate arrangement to form a composite material in which the bonded cell walls form a continuous metal matrix. The cell walls and the encapulated cell filler fluid or fluid-like filler provide controllable stiffness and strength as well as vibration-damping and shock-absorbing characteristics to the material. The resulting closed cell metal composite finds many advantages uses including use as a prosthetic device, a casting, or an automotive component. The component material is elastically compliant or stiff, depending on the design, as well as lightweight and resistant to buckling and crushing. The material provides desirable physical properties such as heat-capacity, thermal and electrical conductivity, vibration-damping capacity, and shock-absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: A plurality of closed structural metal cells are joined into an aggregate arrangement to form a composite material. Each cell encapsulates a fluid or fluid-like filler therein to provide controllable strength and shock-absorbing characteristics to the material. The resulting closed cell metal composite finds many advantageous uses including use as a prosthetic device, a casting, or an automotive component. The component material is elastically compliant or stiff, depending on the design, as well as lightweight and crush resistant. The material provides desirable physical properties such as thermal and electrical conductivity and shock-absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: A micromachined blade suitable for medical applications has an edge which is free of the imperfections common in mechanically sharpened steel blades. A method of forming micromachined blades having the desired characteristics may be performed by etching with anisotropic or isotropic etchants. This micromachined blade may be formed of a single-crystalline substrate, such as a silicon wafer commonly used in integrated circuit technology. Thus, such a micromachined blade may also carry circuitry capable of assisting a surgeon in the performance of certain procedures.