Abstract: A system is provided for pelletizing particulate raw matter having a first density, and thereafter subjecting the pellets to a milling process to obtain a powdered form of the particulate. During pelletizing steam can be added. The resulting powder is denser, or more granular or has better flow with less dust than the pre-pelletized particulate matter having the first density. The powderized particulate has applications for pharmaceutical, nutritional and herbal end products.

Abstract: The present invention describes non-invasive online system for discrete measurements of phase levels in a converter or pyrometallurgical furnace in smelting and conversion processes, applying mechanical waves generated by a transducer placed transversally to an air blowing tuyere. Multiple transducers are placed in the direction of the cross axis or longitudinal axis of the phases plane and facing the different limiting zones between the different phases present inside the converter or pyrometallurgical furnace. A mechanical waves sensor or detector that receives the signal (echo pulses) reflected by the different limiting zones so as to determine the amplitude of the reflected signal that has a characteristic and different level for each phase, correlate the amplitude and determine the limiting zone of the phases that face the transducers.

Abstract: A system for launching a space for humans into orbit comprises a launch vehicles. There are multiple separate crew modules mounted in relationship to the launch vehicle. The multiple crew modules are nested around the circumference of the launch vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, there are multiple separate crew modules located in a pod relatively directed along the length of the launch vehicle. A single rocket is for launching the multiple space crew modules. The separate crew module return from orbit to Earth separately.

Abstract: An assay system using labeled probe molecules to identify and quantify target molecules in a sample is disclosed. Where labeled probe molecules are present on a substrate such as a microarray, the identification of multiple different target molecules may be examined simultaneously. Alternatively, a known number of like probe molecules may be present on a substrate and a single target molecule may be quantified in a sample. Preferred labeled probe molecules are comprised fluorescent single stranded nucleotide analogs whose fluorescence is quenched by pairing with a homologous nucleotide target sequence.

Abstract: A system and a method for reducing the temperature in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) comprising of including at least one heat spreading layer adjecent to one of the reflecting surfaces in a VCSEL. The heat spreading layer has high thermal conductivity allowing heat to bypass said one of the reflecting surfaces, thereby efficiently removing the heat away from the device. This also reduces the serial resistance and the thermal impedance of the VCSEL.

Abstract: An assay device for in field urine analysis including a container having an opening for collecting a urine sample, a cover for sealing the opening of the container and an assay assembly provided in the container for chemically analyzing the urine sample. The assay assembly comprises a liquid impermeable backing, a wicking material provided on a rear surface of the backing, at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of the backing and adjacent a top edge of the backing in contact with the wicking material, a front cover provided on the front surface of the backing for sealing the assay strip to the backing at a bottom and two sides of the assay strip and a rear cover provided on the rear surface of the backing for together with the front cover sealing said wicking material and the assay strip adjacent the top edge and two sides of said wicking material.

Abstract: A system for generating mechanical waves for use in smelting and conversion processes that occur in furnaces and converters for a higher production of refined metals, consisting in a electrical signal generator, transducers that convert said electrical signals in mechanical waves placed on the outer end of air blowing tuyeres, a coupling means between said system and the shell of the converter, at least one resonant chamber that envelopes the air blowing tuyere and at least one transducer placed inside said resonant chamber, for applying mechanical waves that contain a great number of components of different amplitudes that travel with the airflow into the converter or pyrometallurgical furnace.

Abstract: An assay device for in field urine analysis including a container having an opening for collecting a urine sample, a cover for sealing the opening of the container and an assay assembly provided in the container for chemically analyzing the urine sample. The assay assembly comprises a liquid impermeable backing, a wicking material provided on a rear surface of the backing, at least one assay strip provided on a front surface of the backing and adjacent a top edge of the backing in contact with the wicking material, a front cover provided on the front surface of the backing for sealing the assay strip to the backing at a bottom and two sides of the assay strip and a rear cover provided on the rear surface of the backing for together with the front cover sealing said wicking material and the assay strip adjacent the top edge and two sides of said wicking material.

Abstract: An automatic device (10) for replacing printing cartridges to be used in cooperation with a gravure printing machine (11) comprises a plurality of printing stations, each printing cartridge including an ink tray (28) and a printing cylinder (29) and being supported by a trolley (23) that is provided with a mechanism (27) for selectively raising and/or lowering said printing cartridge to and from a working position inside of a printing station of said gravure printing machine (11).

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) for a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) has a semiconductor material system including the elements aluminum, gallium, arsenic, and antimony. Use of antimony in the DBR structure allows current to be pumped through the DBRs into an active region to provide for long wavelength, continuous wave operation of the VCSEL.

Abstract: The present invention describes non-invasive online system for discrete measurements of phase levels in a converter or pyrometallurgical furnace in smelting and conversion processes, applying mechanical waves generated by a transducer placed in the direction of the axis orthogonal to the plane of the phases, for applying mechanical waves that travel in a longitudinal direction into the converter or pyrometallurgical furnace, and a detector or sensor mechanical waves receive a signal (echo pulses) reflected by the different interphases returning a fraction of the power to the transducer that generated it. The propagation time measurement of the signal, from the moment it is emitted by the transducer up to the moment in which the various echoes are received allows to determine the position of the different interphases relative to the transducer.

Abstract: A system for generating mechanical waves for use in smelting and conversion processes that occur in furnaces and converters for a higher production of refined metals, consisting in an electrical signal generator, transducers that convert said electrical signals in mechanical waves placed on the outer end of air blowing tuyeres and a coupling means between said system and the shell of the converter. The air blowing tuyeres are placed forming an angle less than or equal to 90° with the transducer and the airflow entrance to the interior of the converter, forming a figure with an &agr; angle shape; and the transducer is placed in the direction of the cross axis of the converter pointing towards the &agr; angle of the air blowing tuyere, for applying mechanical waves that travel in a longitudinal direction with the airflow into the converter.

Abstract: A device (10) for evaluating dynamic, mechanical properties of materials includes an elongate cylindrical housing (12) projecting from a handle (14). The housing (12) defines a passage (16). One end of the passage (16) is closed off by a plug (18) with an opposed end of the passage (16) having an end cap (20). A resiliently flexible beam (22) is arranged in a cantilevered manner in the passage (16). A probe (24) is arranged at a free end of the beam (22). A strain gauge array (28) is mounted on the beam (22) for monitoring the deflection of the beam (22) and for generating an output signal representative of the movement of the beam (22). A method for evaluating dynamic, mechanical properties of materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for generating mechanical waves for use in smelting and conversion processes that occur in furnaces and converters for a higher production of refined metals, consisting in an electrical signal generator, transducers that convert said electrical signals in mechanical waves placed on the outer end of air blowing tuyeres and a coupling means between said system and the shell of the converter. The air blowing tuyeres are placed forming an 180° angle in the direction of the airflow entrance, while the transducers are placed transversally to the air blowing tuyeres so as to apply mechanical waves that travel in a transversal direction with the air flow into the converter or pyrometallurgical furnace.

Abstract: A non-invasive online system for continuous measurements of phase levels in a converter or pyrometallurgical furnace in smelting and conversion processes, consisting in a electrical signal generator, transducers that convert said electrical signals in mechanical waves placed on the outer end of air blowing tuyeres, coupling means between said system and the shell of the converter, transducers placed in the direction of the axis orthogonal to the phases plane for applying mechanical waves that travel in a transversal direction into the converter, a mechanical waves sensor placed around the external wall of the shell of the converter that receives the reflected signal, a crystal local oscillator, means for the preamplification of the signal, an analogous/digital interface, a means for data acquisition, a means for processing the signals so as to determine the power of the reflected signal and the propagation time of the signal between the moment it is emitted by the transducer and the moment in which the reflec