Abstract: Septic systems are treated with alkane-utilizing bacteria. Alkanes such as butane are injected into septic system wastewater in order to enhance growth of alkane-utilizing bacteria which degrade wastes. Aerobic processes may be achieved by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the septic system. Alternatively, anaerobic processes may be used. The alkane and oxygen-containing gas may be injected at any suitable stage of the septic system, such as injection into a septic tank, drainfield and/or grease or oil interceptor tank.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a perpendicular writing pole and a longitudinal field generator which rotates the magnetization of the perpendicular recording media prior to writing, thereby facilitating magnetization switching. The longitudinal magnetic field may be provided by a narrowed gap between the trailing write pole and the leading return pole of the head. The gap structure is designed to provide a fringing magnetic field between the poles which generates the longitudinal magnetic field in perpendicular recording media as the media travels under the perpendicular writing pole.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a main write pole and multiple return poles. The size of each return pole is controlled in order to provide substantially the same magnetic reluctance through each return pole. The return poles effectively reduce or eliminate the flux antenna effect caused by stray magnetic fields.

Abstract: An automatic door latch is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the latch includes a dead bolt which is automatically moved from a partially retracted or trigger position to a fully extended locking position when a door in which the lock is mounted is closed. When a key is used to unlock the dead bolt from outside of the door, or a finger turn or key is used to unlock the dead bolt from inside of the door, the dead bolt is automatically reset to the trigger position. In a preferred embodiment, the dead bolt lock includes a multi-position switch mounted in the lock housing which engages a contact member mounted on the dead bolt. Retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to engage the contact member and to secure the dead bolt in the trigger position. Subsequent retraction of the dead bolt into the housing causes the multi-position switch to disengage from the contact member, thereby allowing the dead bolt to extend from the housing to the locked position.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft is provided for use in treating abdominal aortic aneurysms. The endovascular stent has a tapered section which allows it to accommodate markedly large aortas such as the abdominal aorta and still connects to standard modular aortic stent grafts. Methods of utilizing the stent to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms and distal iliac aneurysms are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the enhancement of the storage capacity of a data disk drive while reducing optical path optics, electronics and/or the mass and complexity of associated read/write heads. The system utilizes light transmitted by optical elements to servo track a data disk and to heat the data disk during reading and writing of data, and magnetic elements for actual reading and writing.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head for use with magnetic recording media includes a main pole having a concave tip. The concave tip focuses the magnetic flux from the main pole onto a smaller area of the magnetic recording medium than a conventional main pole when the main pole is at its flying height from the magnetic recording medium. Although the most preferred perpendicular recording head includes a concave cavity having an elliptical profile when viewed from the side, any substantially concave cavity may be used advantageously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium having a solid lubricating layer that has increased thermal stability over traditional solid lubricants. The lubricating layer includes amorphous fluorinated carbon doped with a thermally stabilizing dopant, such as N or SiO2. In one embodiment, a method of lubricating the recording medium by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hard disk drive laser assisted magnetic recording system including a semiconductor laser and magnetic write coil integrally formed into a slider. The slider preferably includes a perpendicular magnetic recording section adjacent a laser section. The laser section may form an air bearing surface of the slider. During recording operations, laser radiation from the laser section heats a region of the magnetic recording media in order to reduce its coercivity.

Abstract: A recording head for use with magnetic storage medium applies a magnetic field at a 90-degree angle to the orientation of the magnetizations within the individual domain of the storage medium. This magnetic field results in rotation of the magnetization to approximately 90-degrees from its initial and its final orientation. From this position, a second magnetic field is capable of orienting the magnetization in the desired direction to record the desired bit. A simplified manufacturing process, wherein both of the opposing write poles and their connecting yoke are formed as a single layer during a single deposition or plating process, may be used to manufacture such a recording head.

Abstract: A surveillance system and method for identifying chemical, biological or nuclear attacks or hazards occurring within a large area which combines data derived from a modeling and simulation operation with a surveillance data input. The modeling and simulation operation involves continuous periodic runs of multiple scenarios for various biological, chemical and nuclear agents in various concentrations for a given location. Using real time weather data for each location, a model is made in a database of the effect various concentrations of agents would have at that location and this simulated model is processed. The surveillance data input monitors actual human signs and symptoms for the modeled area. This data with real time weather data is compared with the results of modeling and simulation data for the area to determine if a pattern matching that for any modeled agent is present.

Abstract: A longitudinal recording head for use with magnetic recording media includes first and second writes poles in which the second pole has sides that wrap around a portion of the first pole in order to reduce or eliminate side fringing fields. The wrapped around sides of the second pole have relatively small cross sections away from the air bearing surface of the recording head, and relatively large cross sections at the air bearing surface. The sides may saturate in the narrow regions away from the air bearing surface, but do not saturate in the broad regions adjacent the air bearing surface. Longitudinal recording heads incorporating the wrapped around second pole sides effectively reduce or eliminate side fringing and are capable of improved recording densities.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording media with a patterned soft magnetic underlayer is disclosed. The recording media may be a disk including a substrate, a patterned underlayer, and a magnetically hard recording layer. The underlayer may be provided in the form of concentric bands having widths less than the track widths of the recording layer. The patterned underlayer reduces or eliminates adjacent track interference.

Abstract: A perpendicular recording head for use with magnetic storage media includes a flux focusing main pole. The main pole includes a layer of material having a high magnetic moment, and a second layer of material having a low magnetic moment. The low moment material is tapered towards the main pole's tip, so that all magnetic flux is channeled into the high moment material before writing to the magnetic storage medium.

Abstract: Solid phase methods for the identification of an analyte in a biological medium, such as a body fluid, using bioluminescence are provided. A chip designed for performing the method and detecting the bioluminescence is also provided. Methods employing biomineralization for depositing silicon on a matrix support are also provided. A synthetic synapse is also provided.

Abstract: A penetration resistant window includes a penetration resistant layer sandwiched between exterior and interior transparent sheets. The perimeter of the penetration resistant layer extends from the perimeters of the exterior and interior transparent sheets in a direction plane parallel with the planes of the transparent sheets. This extension allows the laminated window sheets to be mounted in a window frame such that the perimeter of the penetration resistant layer is secured within a channel in the frame, preferably by an adhesive such as silicone glue. The penetration resistant window is useful in architectural, residential and institutional applications for resisting debris penetration during hurricanes.

Abstract: An improved shopping cart with a floating basket. The basket is moveable in response to downward and/or lateral forces applied against the basket. The ability of the basket to move in response to such forces reduces the tendency for the shopping cart to tip over. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the shopping cart basket moves downward as the basket is loaded. In another embodiment, the shopping cart basket pivots upon application of a lateral force to the basket. A further embodiment combines both the vertical movement and pivoting movement of the basket.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for treating wastewater with alkanes such as butane. An oxygen-containing gas may also be introduced into the wastewater. Butane, because of its relatively high solubility, rapidly dissolves in the wastewater, thereby significantly increasing the heterogeneous microbial community and heterotrophic microbial population. This enhanced microbial population may rapidly absorb and mineralize materials in the wastestream. After an initial growth phase, the organic matter available in the wastewater effluent may be rapidly decreased, thereby reducing the amount of BOD, TDS, sludge and other pollutants. In addition, the use of butane reduces noxious odors associated with municipal wastewater sludges and other types of wastewater.