Abstract: A method of making a grid for a battery plate of a lead-acid battery. A substantially planar web is manufactured to include a plurality of spaced apart and interconnected wire segments, which at least partially define substantially planar surfaces, have a plurality of transverse lands, and interconnect at a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces between the wire segments. The web is reformed to change the cross-sectional shape of the wire segments. Other aspects may include simultaneously reducing the thickness of at least a portion of the web while reshaping the wire segments, and/or providing controlled surface roughness on at least one of the surfaces of the web to increase surface area of the grid and thereby promote adhesion of an electrochemically active material to the grid.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrode-electrolyte composite particles for a fuel cell, which have either electrode material particles uniformly dispersed around electrolyte material particles or electrolyte material particles uniformly dispersed around electrode material particles, to enhance the electrode performance characteristics and electrode/electrolyte bonding force, as well as thermal, mechanical and electrochemical properties of the fuel cell, in a simple method without using expensive starting materials and a high temperature process.

Abstract: Radiopaque marker for a catheter includes a collar having a ring shape defining a longitudinal center axis therethrough and at least one helical member extending longitudinally from the collar. A second collar can be provided spaced longitudinally from the first collar. Additionally, a second helical member can extend longitudinally from the collar and be coaxially intertwined with the first helical member in a double helical configuration. The helical member can define a compression spring structure having longitudinal, transverse, and torsional flexibility. A catheter having such a marker and a method of making the marker are also provided.

Abstract: A method of helically cutting a tubular film of thermoplastic material, in which a film in lay flat form, discharged from a reel, is brought to rotate around the middle axis of the film by means of rotating unwind devices, and while the rotating tube proceeds over the mandrel it is cut to non-tubular form by a knife, the position of which is fixed in relation to the surroundings, and the cut film is taken off from the mandrel, characterized in that the inflated film while being forwarded towards the mandrel or while it passes the upstream end of the mandrel, or both, is supported by driven support means placed around the outside of the tubular film, the movement of the support means being adapted to fit with the combined rotation and forwarding movement of the film.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for use in a root canal procedure. The instrument is formed from a substantially hollow tube with at least one elongate slotted aperture extending along a portion of a length of the tube. One or more of the edges of the slotted aperture provide cutting surfaces for extirpating material from the walls of a root canal.

Abstract: A method of improving working of grooves of a screw rotor, in particular, working of grooves side in working efficiency, a working apparatus, a working tool, and a method of manufacturing a screw compressor are provided. A method of controlling rotation of a work and turning of a tool at a time to form a screw tooth space based on a five-axis NC machine, and a special end mill having a cutting edge of a short length and a neck portion provided between the cutting edge and a shank portion to be made thin is used to perform working in grooves side finish working process.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a fluid comprises a housing, a flow-control element disposed within the housing, at least one seat operably engaging the flow-control element, and a biasing device for urging the seat and the flow-control element relative toward each other. In some embodiments, the valve also includes an actuating device operably engaging the flow-control element. The flow-control element, the seat, and the biasing device are comprised of a refractory material, and at least the biasing device is formed of a toughened refractory or ceramic material that is fully annealed so that porosity in the material is substantially eliminated and such that the material is substantially homogenous. In some embodiments, the seat, the flow-control element, the biasing device, and/or other components may be advantageously fabricated together as a unitary structure. An associated fabrication method is also provided.