Abstract: A cat entertainment and grooming device 10 includes an enclosure 12 having a plurality of apertures 14 varying in dimension and configuration. The apertures 14 allow a cat access to an internal cavity 16 to allow the cat to play with pet toys 24 secured to internal portions of the cavity 16, or to sleep upon a heated cushion 62. The device 10 further includes a grooming member 30 centrally disposed upon an outer top wall 26 of a cover portion 38 of the enclosure 12. The grooming member 30 is rigidly positioned to remain stationary irrespective of the force imparted upon the grooming member 30 by a cat grooming itself by engaging the grooming member 30 while walking upon the outer top wall 26 of the enclosure 12.

Abstract: A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.

Abstract: A device for transporting a physically impaired person includes a support frame member having electric motors secured thereto for operating rear drive wheels; a stabilizing plate for maintaining the position of the support frame member when lifting a physically impaired person, the stabilizing plate being positioned via an electric motor operating a linear actuator; and opposite lifting arms rotationally extended from the support frame member via electric motors operating linear actuators, the lifting arms ultimately placing a physically impaired person upon or removing the impaired person from an inclinable seat member secured to the support frame member.

Abstract: According to disclosure, the hammer has a head made of striking grade steel. The handle comprises a 6-4 titanium hand grip and over strike plate insert in the handle and under the head. The head has an eye for accommodating a handle which in a preferred embodiment is made of a graphite titanium composite comprising from about 60 to 65% graphite by weight and from about 35 to 45% 6-4 titanium. The head of hammer has a claw end and a striking head. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the device of the disclosure comprising using one or more bladder compressed carbon fiber processes to anneal the graphite, titanium and steel components of the hammer.

Abstract: A surgical tissue retrieval instrument has a collapsible pouch at the distal end of an elongated pusher rod that is introduced into a patient's abdomen through a cannula. The instrument includes a two-jaw fork that forms a loop when in an unconstrained configuration and that supports the pouch. Deployment and operation of the fork and the pouch are controlled by a toggle means. The two jaws and the toggle means are slid in a hem surrounding the opening of the pouch when the device is assembled. An especially advantageous embodiment features two jaws of unequal length.

Abstract: A multi-function tool having a handle portion and a plurality of structures operable therewith for the performance of a plurality of functions. The multi-function tool allows fast and convenient transition between any of the plurality of functions in order to enable completion of jobs or tasks requiring such functions without acquisition, storage, and/or maintenance of a plurality of specialized tools.

Abstract: A hammer that that reduces vibration and provides advantageous balance and mass distribution having a handle portion comprising an I-shape sectional profile and a head comprising a cavity formed therethrough. The hammer may further comprise various nail or other fastener removal structures, such as a claw, slots, notches, or the like. The hammer may further include a nail-starter with magnetic nail retention.

Abstract: A compact oxygen sensor is provided, comprising a mixture of metal and metal oxide an enclosure containing said mixture, said enclosure capable of isolating said mixture from an environment external of said enclosure, and a first wire having a first end residing within the enclosure and having a second end exposed to the environment. Also provided is a method for the fabrication of an oxygen sensor, the method comprising confining a metal-metal oxide solid mixture to a container which consists of a single material permeable to oxygen ions, supplying an electrical conductor having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end resides inside the container as a reference (PO2)ref, and the second end resides outside the container in the atmosphere where oxygen partial pressure (PO2)ext is to be measured, and sealing the container with additional single material such that grain boundary sliding occurs between grains of the single material and grains of the additional single material.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprising alternating layers of positive and negative electrodes separated from each other by separator layers. The electrode layers extend beyond the periphery of the separator layers providing superior contact between the electrodes and battery terminals, eliminating the need for welding the electrode to the terminal. Electrical resistance within the battery is decreased and thermal conductivity of the cell is increased allowing for superior heat removal from the battery and increased efficiency. Increased internal pressure within the battery can be alleviated without damaging or removing the battery from service while keeping the contents of the battery sealed off from the atmosphere by a pressure release system. Nonoperative cells within a battery assembly can also be removed from service by shorting the nonoperative cell thus decreasing battery life.

Abstract: Methods are described to preload a plurality of webpages from a hyperlink list either previously saved or returned by one or more search engines, where said webpages are displayed on demand in a web browser. The web browser has been augmented to display multiple webpages simultaneously and to allow changing the number of webpages displayed. Any displayed portion of this plurality of webpages can be captured to a standard graphics format for later use. The viewing magnification factor can be changed for this plurality of webpages both globally for preloaded webpages not displayed and selectively for displayed webpages. The hyperlinks associated with any portion of this plurality of webpages can be saved as a list of hyperlinks (group bookmark) for later retrieval.

Abstract: A device 10 for forming concrete includes a first form 12 dimensioned to surround substantially one-half of a predetermined object 13, such as a vertical column 13, from a preselected distance; a second form 14 dimensioned to surround substantially one-half of the column 13 from substantially the same preselected distance; joining members 16 for detachably joining end portions 18 of the first and second forms 12 and 14; and securing members 20 for removably securing the first and second forms 12 and 14 to the column 13 after joining together the end portions 18 of the first and second forms 12 and 14 about the column 13. The joined first and second forms 12 and 14 remain substantially stationary as concrete is poured into the device 10; whereupon, the concrete ultimately hardens and the device is quickly removed and re-positioned about another vertical column 13.

Abstract: A dressing and method for treating high-tension wounds. First and second layers of a 2-octyl cyanoacrylate 16 adhesive are applied to a short, high-tension wound, with the first and second layers covering the wound and extending to at least about 2.5 mm (0.0984 in.) from each side of the wound. The first layer is allowed to set and polymerize before the second layer of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is applied. The second layer extends at least about 2.5 mm (0.0984 in.) beyond each edge of the first layer. In the case of a long, high-tension wound, a third layer is applied after the first and second layers are allowed to set and polymerize. The third layer is at least about 2.5 mm (0.0984 in.) wide and is substantially perpendicular to the first and second layers. The third layer may occur intermittently every 2.5 cm (0.984 in.) over the length of the wound, and preferably extends at least about 5 mm (0.197 in.) beyond the edge of the first layer.

Abstract: An improved fuel processor for fuel cells is provided whereby the startup time of the processor is less than sixty seconds and can be as low as 30 seconds, if not less. A rapid startup time is achieved by either igniting or allowing a small mixture of air and fuel to react over and warm up the catalyst of an autothermal reformer (ATR). The ATR then produces combustible gases to be subsequently oxidized on and simultaneously warm up water-gas shift zone catalysts. After normal operating temperature has been achieved, the proportion of air included with the fuel is greatly diminished.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for separating oppositely-charged charge carriers, the substrate comprising a semiconductor; a ligand in electrical communication with said semiconductor; an ion-exchange resin attached to the semiconductor; an ion-exchange membrane; and an electrical conduit attaching said resin to said membrane. Also provided is a method for producing hydrogen gas, comprising: inducing charge separation in semiconductor particles so as to produce electrons and holes; oxidizing water with the holes to produce oxygen ions and protons, wherein the protons are sequestered from the oxygen ions as the protons are produced; and directing the sequestered protons to a cathode. The invention also provides a method to produce electricity comprising, inducing charge separation in semiconductor particles so as to produce electrons and holes, and completing the circuit with an electron hole transporter.

Abstract: A DDR memory controller is described wherein a core domain capture clock is created by programmably delaying the core clock of the memory controller. The delay of this capture clock is calibrated during a power on the initialization sequence in concert with a DDR memory in a system environment, thereby minimizing the effects of system delays and increasing both device and system yield. An additional embodiment also includes programmably delaying the incoming dqs signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for high spatial resolution imaging of a plurality of sources of x-ray and gamma-ray radiation are provided. The device comprises a plurality of arrays, with each array comprising a plurality of elements comprising a first collimator, a diffracting crystal, a second collimator, and a detector.

Abstract: A rotary piston machine 10 includes an enclosure 12 having a cavity 14 therein with arcuate side walls 16a,b,c defining a plurality of arcuate recesses 18a,b,c and a piston member 20 rotationally disposed in the cavity 14. The piston member 20 includes opposite ends 42 and 43 configured to rotationally engage the arcuate side walls 16a,b,c and the arcuate recesses 18a,b,c such that compression chambers 26a,b,c are ultimately formed via the piston member ends 42 and 43 cooperatively engaging two arcuate recesses 18a,b,c.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and making quantitative determinations of different deposits on a portion thereof, determining that the deposit is a contaminant and decontaminating at least the portion of the system is disclosed. The system comprises a controller, a sensing portion and a decontamination portion. The controller contains information about at least one noncontaminant. The sensing portion communicates with at least the controller and the portion of the system and is adapted to detect the deposit. The decontaminating portion communicates with at least the controller and is adapted to decontaminate the portion of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for collecting, retaining, draining, and measuring fluid loss in a myriad of medical procedures. Particularly, this invention relates to a device for collecting and measuring runoff fluid comprising a flexible liner and a frame adapted to removably receive said liner so as to conform the liner to a three-sided container.