Abstract: Wire-holders are provided that confine a single wire over a limited arc section and that are interspersed with ferrite ingots that provide wire-ways for several wires are utilized in the winding of the coils of a transformer. A method for consistently producing windings having accurate wire placement on rotors, stators, and other electrical componentry is also provided.

Abstract: A household energy management system uses measurements of the household electricity supply to identify and to determine the energy consumption of individual household appliances. From these measurements, models can be built of the behaviour of the occupants of the house, the thermal properties of the house and the efficiency of the appliances. Using the models, the household appliances—in particular heating and cooling appliances—can be controlled to optimize energy efficiency; and maintenance programmes for the appliances and for the house itself can be recommended to the householder or arranged with a service company.

Abstract: A method for utilizing plastic deformation resulting from grain boundary sliding with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques. The method also allows for the formation of transparent joints between two subunits of a construct joined via plastic deformation. The method can be used to tailor residual stresses and maintain native porosity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for depositing catalytic clusters on a surface, the method comprising confining the surface to a controlled atmosphere; contacting the surface with catalyst containing vapor for a first period of time; removing the vapor from the controlled atmosphere; and contacting the surface with a reducing agent for a second period of time so as to produce catalyst-containing nucleation sites.

Abstract: An improved process for the creation or formation of nanocrystalline layers on substrates' surfaces is provided. The process involves “prescuffing” the surface of a substrate such as a metal by allowing friction to occur on the surface by a load-bearing entity making rubbing contact and moving along and on the substrate's surface. The “prescuffing” action is terminated when the coefficient of friction between the surface and the noise is rising significantly. Often, the significant rise in the coefficient of friction is signaled by a change in pitch of the scuffing action sound emanating from the buffeted surface. The “prescuffing” gives rise to a harder and smoother surface which withstands better any inadequate lubrication that may take place when the “prescuffed” surface is contacted by other surfaces.

Abstract: A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct. Also provided is a method for detecting protein having certain amino acid sequences, the method comprising supplying a collection of proteins each with unknown amino acid sequences, contacting the collection with a moiety having a plurality of binding sites capable of binding with the protein having certain amino acid sequences so as to form a moiety-protein complex, and mixing the complex with a marker specific for the moiety in an amount sufficient to indicate existence of the complex.

Abstract: A new method for improving the efficiency of electrodialysis (ED) cells and stacks, in particular those used in chemical synthesis. The process entails adding a buffer solution to the stack for subsequent depletion in the stack during electrolysis. The buffer solution is regenerated continuously after depletion. This buffer process serves to control the hydrogen ion or hydroxide ion concentration so as to protect the active sites of electrodialysis membranes. The process enables electrodialysis processing options for products that are sensitive to pH changes.

Abstract: A nanoporous catalytic membrane which displays several unique features including pores which can go through the entire thickness of the membrane. The membrane has a higher catalytic and product selectivity than conventional catalysts. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes serve as the catalyst substrate. This substrate is then subjected to Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), which allows the controlled narrowing of the pores from 40 nm to 10 nm in the substrate by deposition of a preparatory material. Subsequent deposition of a catalytic layer on the inner surfaces of the pores reduces pore sizes to less than 10 nm and allows for a higher degree of reaction selectivity. The small pore sizes allow control over which molecules enter the pores, and the flow-through feature can allow for partial oxidation of reactant species as opposed to complete oxidation. A nanoporous separation membrane, produced by ALD is also provided for use in gaseous and liquid separations.

Abstract: In order to better manage VoIP transmissions between an AP and multiple voice client devices, methods are described that use synchronization techniques combined with packet concatenation to greatly reduce latency and jitter while enabling a much larger number of simultaneous conversations than would otherwise be possible. A TDMA-style methodology is superimposed over the standard CSMA/CA mechanism of 802.11 to provide the benefits of both mechanisms while remaining fully compatible with an industry standard protocol. The synchronization/concatenation mechanism may be optionally used in conjunction with a wireless mesh network to provide enhanced roaming as well as the ability for concatenated VoIP packets to be distributed over a wider area, and in much greater quantity, through the mesh.

Abstract: A device and method 10 for arranging flowers include a flower chart 12 for determining stem lengths for primary and secondary flower 14 and 16, a flower holder 18 for securing end portions 20 of stems 22 of the primary and secondary flowers 14 and 16, and a stem template 24 for marking portions of the flower holder 18 such that the disposition of each primary and secondary flower 14 and 16 in a flower arrangement 26, is predetermined by inserting an end portion 20 of a stem 22 of each primary and secondary flower 14 and 16 into a cooperating marked portion of the flower holder 18.

Abstract: The invention provides an emergency evacuation apparatus for removing a bed-ridden person from a bed in an emergency situation. The apparatus includes a base tray having at least one transverse fold line to allow the base tray to bend as two or more panels. This apparatus is therefore suitable for use with a modern adjustable bed, which can be electrically or manually operated to adjust the profile of the mattress to provide better ergonomic support for the person lying on the bed. The base tray also has mechanical locking means operable between an unlocked condition where the base tray can bend along the transverse fold line and a locked condition where the base tray is unable to bend along the transverse fold line. The mechanical locking means also provides the base tray with sufficient longitudinal rigidity to support the weight of an adult person.

Abstract: A system 10 and method for reducing the possibility of fires and/or explosions when a vehicle impacts an object includes a cable connector 12 having a first portion 14 connected to an ungrounded terminal 20 of a battery 22 in the vehicle and a second portion 16 connected to all vehicle electrical components requiring power from battery 22, an inert gas canister 18 having an internal pressure that facilitates the separation of the first and second portions 14 and 16 of the cable connector 12 when predetermined conditions are satisfied, electric squib means 24 for initiating pressurized inert gas flow from the canister 18 to the first portion 14 of the cable connector 12, an accelerometer 28 for sensing impact between the vehicle and the object, and a microprocessor 30 for signaling the accelerometer 28 to “fire” the squib means 24 when the magnitude of impact requires an inert gas flow to the first portion 14 whereby the second portion 16 is forcibly ejected from the first portion 14 and the area adjacent to t

Abstract: A device 10 for removing cooking grease from cooker exhaust air includes a rotating chiller member 12, a stationary diffuser member 14 having a plurality of apertures 16 therethrough, the diffuser member 14 encasing the rotating chiller member 12, an enclosure 18 for enclosing the diffuser member 14 and the rotating chiller member 12 encased in the diffuser member 14, a mixing member 19 for combining grease carrying cooker exhaust air with cooling air provided by an air damper 20 secured to a first end portion 21 of the mixing member 19, a blower 22 for urging the combined grease carrying cooker exhaust air and cooling air from the mixing member 19 through the apertures 16 of the diffuser member 14, a refrigeration unit 24 for cooling the rotating chiller member 12 such that grease will condense from the cooker exhaust air upon the surface of the chiller member 12, and a scraper member 32 for removing grease from the chiller member 12 while the chiller member 12 is rotating.

Abstract: A device 10 for disbursing underground a liquid discharged from a sump pump 8 includes an underground liquid disbursing conduit 12 secured to a vertical conduit 14 extending upward from the underground liquid disbursing conduit 12 to a connector conduit 16, a bypass member or discharge conduit 18 secured to an upper portion 20 of the connector conduit 16, the bypass member 18 allowing liquid to be discharged above ground in the event the underground liquid disbursing conduit 12 or the vertical extending conduit 14 become plugged, and a means for directing liquid flow from the sump pump 8 to the conduit connector 16.

Abstract: A food receptacle (such as a bag, a pouch, or a box) and bib combination is provided, the combination comprising a receptacle, a bib integrally formed with said receptacle so as to be contained in said receptacle in a first configuration, such as the case when the receptacle is used as a food transport container; and surfaces for directing food from said bib to an opening in said receptacle when the bib is positioned outside of the receptacle in a second configuration, such as the case when the bib is covering a user.

Abstract: A dressing and method for treating high-tension wounds. First and second layers of a 1-butyl 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 1-butyl 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: A method for high spatial resolution imaging of a plurality of sources of x-ray and gamma-ray radiation is provided. High quality mechanically bent diffracting crystals of 0.1 mm radial width are used for focusing the radiation and directing the radiation to an array of detectors which is used for analyzing their addition to collect data as to the location of the source of radiation. A computer is used for converting the data to an image. The invention also provides for the use of a multi-component high resolution detector array and for narrow source and detector apertures.

Abstract: A method for producing composite ceramic material is provided wherein a core ceramic structure is produced and simultaneously enveloped with a sleeve of similar material.

Abstract: A method for utilizing superplastic deformation with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques.