Abstract: A process for the production of a device having a surface microstructure of wells or channels. In the process one or more steps of screen-printing the microstructure as a curable material onto a plastic substrate, and curing the material. Such a device is also obtained by applying onto a substrate a material that is polymerizable or depolymerizable by irradiation, applying a negative or positive resist photoresist respectively, irradiating the structure and removing the unpolymerized or depolymerized material.

Abstract: A device, for use in the electrochemical analysis of an analyte in a small volume liquid sample, having a non-conducting substrate (1); a conductive layer, deposited on the substrate, in two parts (2a, 2b), defining a non-conducting gap (8) therebetween; an analyte-specific reagent (5) coated on the conductive layer, on one side of the gap; a reference electrode (3) on the conductive layer, on the other side of the gap; a spacer layer (4) deposited over the conductive layer; a monofilament mesh (6) coated with a surfactant or chaotropic agent, the mesh being laid over the reagent, the reference electrode and the spacer layer; and a second non-conductive layer (7) adhered to the mesh layer, but not coextensive therewith, thereby providing a sample application area (9) on the mesh.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system suitable for a remote interrogation of passive transponders using chirp signals for interrogation. The transponder preferably has an encoding unit (11), a calibrating unit (12) and a measuring unit (13) each with a plurality of parallel channels (11.1 to 11.5, 12.1 and 13.1 to 13.2). The encoding unit and the calibrating unit are preferably jointly incorporated with a common delay line (14) on the same SAW chip. The interrogation signals received in the transponder via an antenna (10) are delayed characteristically and code-specifically, in particular in the encoding and calibrating unit. Decoding in the interrogation station is preformed by discrete Fourier transformation of the response signal and subsequent evaluation of the spectrum. To correct general disturbing influences on the delay of the response signal, said signal is calibrated using a single calibrating component in the response signal.

Abstract: A device and process is provided for treatment of a hydrocarbon or fossil fuel which is to be combusted in a combustion chamber to improve combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber by turbulently treating the fuel with a plurality of fields of magnetic flux and subjecting the fuel to a field of differing standard electrochemical reduction potentials.

Abstract: Aqueous agricultural foam marker compositions for delineating treated from untreated areas comprise foamable compositions of an anionic surfactant which is an &bgr;-olefin sulfonate, an alkyl or alkyl-ether sulfate, a long chain alkylbenzene sulfonate or a sulfosuccinate; a linear C14 or C16 alkanol or mixtures thereof; one or more solvents; and optionally a foam stabilizing polymer. The foam produced from the compositions have increased foam life, a pour point of 10° C. or lower, and are producable over a wide range of soft/hard water conditions.

Abstract: A food or pharmaceutical composition including a liquid composition comprising the liquid fermentation broth product of a biologically active substance, in a carbohydrate medium other than dairy whey wherein said liquid fermentation broth product has not been subject to any concentrating or drying steps prior to introduction of the broth product into said food or pharmaceutical composition is provided.

Abstract: The ability of mosquitoes to locate a target by olfactory emissions of the target is inhibited by dispensing into a spatial area an inhibiting effective amount of at least one inhibiting compound selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-1-alkene-3-ols of the formula: and 3-methyl-1-alkyn-3-ols of the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of changing to the inhalation or exhalation phase in the CPAP therapy is provided. By means of a first, high threshold value and a second, low threshold value, nonspecific influences on the first derivative of the gas flow curve are suppressed in the respective breathing phase and the transition to the respective next gas phase is determined with high sensitivity. The advantages of the invention are in a higher precision of the changing operation and in a greater safety for the patient.

Abstract: A bicycle frame with a seat tube, whose upper end is designed to hold a seat pillar and at whose lower end is situated a bottom bracket shell, and to a pair of chainstays, which are essentially parallel to each other and at their front end are pivotally mounted at a first pivot point on the seat tube at a distance from the bottom bracket shell, and at their back end are connected with dropouts to hold a rear wheel axle.

Abstract: A circuit module for data processing comprises several first inputs (Ix,i), several second inputs (Iy,i) and several outputs (Ii,j). First transistors (Ti,j) combine the first and second inputs. Each of the first transistors (Ti,j) is connected at its emitter or source with a first input and at its base or gate with a second input. Each second input is further connected to the base or gate and the emittor or source of a second transistor (Ti). The currents of the outputs correspond to the product of the currents through the individual inputs. By combining the outputs sum products can be calculated, especially for computing discrete probability distributions. The combination of several circuit modules allows to solve complex signal processing tasks.

Abstract: A directly compressible ultra fine acetaminophen granulation composition capable of being directly compressed into an acetaminophen tablet comprises from about 85 to about 95 wt % acetaminophen, from about 1 to about 4 wt % essentially water-insoluble tablet/capsule disintegrant, from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % polyvinylpyrrolidone, from about 0.5 to about 5.0 wt % totally pregelatinized starch, about 0.25 to about 3.0 wt % of a fluidizing agent, from about 0.25 to about 3.0 wt % of a lubricant, and optionally up to about 10 wt % of a co-active ingredient, the weight percents being based on the total weight of the dry components of the granulation composition, the granulation also comprising a moisture content of up to about 1.5 wt % based on the total weight of the dry components of granulation composition.

Abstract: A process for cooling soldered objects, according to which a liquid is applied onto the soldered object and is evaporated in an accelerated manner. According to a preferred embodiment the soldered object is cooled in a vapor phase soldering apparatus directly after removal from the vapor phase using the vapor phase soldering liquid. The advantages of the process consist in a greatly increased cooling rate of the soldered object and in an improved quality of the soldered joints.

Abstract: A bicycle crank with a core comprised of a durofoam substance, a fiber-reinforced plastic coating encasing the core, a bottom bracket axle fitting arrangement foamed into the core accessible through the fiber-reinforced plastic coating, and a bottom bracket axle fitting arrangement foamed into the core accessible through the fiber-reinforced plastic coating.

Abstract: A process for recycling fiber products employs an aqueous deinking medium containing an effective amount of a collector chemical. The collector chemical comprises a surface active agent which is or can be derived from lanolin. Alkoxylated lanolin derivatives are preferred.

Abstract: An airbag cushion has a deployment tube connected at its inner end to a backing plate securing an inflator and at its outer end to a cushion-shaping enclosure. The periphery of the cushion-shaping enclosure is attached there about to a boundary wall which extends inward to the backing plate at a location surrounding the inner end of the deployment tube. The boundary wall defines an aspirated-air chamber surrounding the tube. As the tube and cushion-shaping enclosure are inflated, the enclosure pulls the boundary wall out of the canister creating a vacuum in the aspirated-air chamber. A one-way valve in the backing plate passes aspirated air into the aspirated-air chamber. A port connects the cushion-shaping enclosure to the aspirated-air chamber to pressurize the aspirated-air chamber at the end of inflation. The one-way valve blocks escape of the pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-transfer device for use in a convective-heat installation, in particular in a convective soldering installation. A hollow body contains a heated fluid transferring heat via the wall of the hollow body to the soldering item. The advantages of the present invention reside in the fact that the maximum furnace temperature can be exactly adjusted, the dissipated heat is compensated for extremely quickly, the soldering items are treated carefully and the temperature of the system soldering item/soldering installation does not overshoot.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detection of low levels of about 1 ppb of hydrophobic analyte in environmental samples using an enclosed permeable membrane enrichment device and agglutination reaction slide test apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible sheet of material forms an integral airbag module housing enclosing an inflator and inflatable airbag, which cover also acts as a deployment chute guiding the deployment of the inflating airbag to the desired deployment location in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An inflator for a safety restraint system includes a gas storage vessel having a mouth, and a diffuser extending outwardly from the mouth and defining gas outlet ports. A combustion chamber having a flared open end is secured to the gas storage vessel peripherally adjacent the mouth and defines throttle orifices for releasing inflation gas from the gas storage vessel. A breakaway closure member is secured across the mouth of the gas storage vessel and the open end of the combustion chamber housing, the breakaway closure member including a periphery ring, a translating boss having an initiator mounted therethrough and a skirt slidingly received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing, and a frangible web connecting the boss to the periphery ring. The combustion chamber housing further defines exhaust ports opening to the gas storage vessel, and contains combustible material, which may be pyrotechnic gas generator or fluid fuel.

Abstract: Fire extinguishing or suppression apparatus and method employing a liquid pyrotechnic composition of a ternary mixture of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, an amine nitrate salt, and water, in a closed combustion chamber of a pressure container. The apparatus is constructed to permit a large volume of water vapor exothermically generated by the reaction of a liquid pyrotechnic composition to be discharged from the combustion chamber and pressure container to an area of a fire.