Abstract: A cartridge connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The cartridge comprises an outer casing and an inner flexible liner containing fuel for the fuel cell. The inner flexible liner may have an insert disposed inside the inner liner to facilitate the transport of fuel from the cartridge to the fuel cell. The insert minimizes the fuel that is trapped within the cartridge. The inner flexible liner can be used without the outer casing. The outer casing can be substantially rigid or flexible. The cartridge is also adaptable to receive byproducts from the fuel cell. The cartridge can also be pressurized to push fuel to the fuel cell. Unidirectional relief valves are also disclosed to prevent internal pressure in the cartridge from becoming too high or too low.

Abstract: A process for preserving tissues is described which comprises transferring the tissues in a container and evacuating the container.

Abstract: A glass-free microwave dielectric ceramic that can be sintered at low temperature is provided. The glass-free microwave dielectric ceramic composition includes (M1-x2+M?x2+)N4+B2O6 (wherein M and M? are different each other, each being one among Ba, Ca and Sr; N is one among Sn, Zr and Ti; and 0<x<1), M2+(N1-y4+N?y4+)B2O6 (wherein M is one among Ba, Ca and Sr; N and N? are different from each other, each being one among Sn, Zr and Ti; and 0<y<l), or (M1-x2+M?x2+)(N1-y4+)B2O6 (wherein M and M? are different from each other, each being one among Ba, Ca and Sr; N and N? are different from each other, each being one among Sn, Zr and Ti; 0<x<1; and 0<y<l). In addition, the glass-free microwave dielectric ceramic composition may further includes approximately 1 wt % to approximately 7 wt % of a sintering aid represented by a formula, 0.12CuO+0.88Bi2O3. As such, the glass-free microwave dielectric ceramic composition may be sintered at a low temperature at lowest 875° C.

Abstract: A paint system is provided that includes a foundation base component combined with a tinted, opaque top coat component and that hides any colors on all types of substrates and maintains the brightness and cleanness for all colors. The foundation base component is a tintable color base containing at least one organic synthetic pigment at an amount of at least twice as much as the amount of organic synthetic pigment in the top coat component. The tintable foundation base component has a volume ratio of organic pigments to inorganic pigments of at least about 0.5 and a volume ratio of organic pigment to polymer binder of at least about 0.1. The volume ratio of organic pigment to polymer binder in the top coat component is less than about 10.1 with at least about 80% by volume of pigments being synthetic organic pigments.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a therapeutic table with an improved position adjustment mechanism and to a method for adapting a therapeutic table to include an improved mechanism for position adjustment of a table. In an embodiment, the improved position adjustment mechanism is a ribbon switch on the top surface of a frame forming the base of the table and a ribbon switch on the bottom surface of a frame forming the base of the table, which ribbon switch when pressure is applied activates the movement of the table up and down, respectively.

Abstract: A shut-off valve or connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell is disclosed. The valve comprises a first valve component and a second valve component. Each valve component has an outer housing and a biased slidable member disposed inside the housing forming an internal seal. During the connection process, the two valve components establish an inter-component seal. Afterward, in one suitable embodiment the slidable member moves inward and opens the internal seal in the valve component to establish a flow path. In another embodiment, the slidable member moves inward and exposes a first filler and the first filler abuts a second filler in the other valve component to establish a flow path. In other embodiments, at least one valve component is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to paint extenders or open-time extenders, which are mixed with an architectural coating, such as aqueous latex paints, to increase the coating's open time. The open-time extender comprises acrylic or vinyl latex particles having a mean diameter of less than about 150 nm, and at least one crosslinkable monomer that can crosslink the latex particles in the open-time extender to the latex particles in the architectural coating at ambient conditions. The open-time extender also comprises water and the total solid content of the open-time extender is less than about 15% by weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light (1) comprising means (3a) for retaining and electrically connecting at least one elongate light source (2) and a light-influencing element (10) which is located next to the light source (2) and is composed of several individual elements (15). Said elements (15) that form the light-influencing element (10) can be swiveled or rotated independently of each other about an axis that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light source (2).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a wearable and functional fabric from a composite material comprising a nonwoven face layer containing a plurality of fibers, and at least one thermoplastic binder layer disposed underneath. The fibers are initially arranged in a generally planar web and subsequently needlepunched through at least one binder layer. The fiber layers can also be placed on both sides of one or more centrally-located binder layers, and further reinforced with scrims. In an innovative aspect of the invention, the composite is heated under low and uniform pressure to remove thermal stresses, resulting in at a least one relatively smooth face that can be coated to form a wearable fabric, e.g., artificial leather, odor absorbing fabric, and the like.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus and various pressure regulators or pressure-regulating valves. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The transportation of a first fuel component to a second fuel component to generate of hydrogen occurs automatically depending on the pressure of a reaction chamber within the gas-generating apparatus. The pressure regulators and flow orifices are provided to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuation in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell. Connecting valves to connect the gas-generating apparatus to the fuel cell are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention concern a passive discharge assembly comprising one or more substantially sharp electrode pins that are positioned proximate to a charged, insulating surface, such as the optical entrance and exit surface of a Q-switch crystal, e.g., lithium niobate (LiNbO3). The electrode pins are connected either to the ground or, alternatively, to a static source of neutralizing charge. The purpose of the electrodes is to ionize the air near the tips due to the high electric field generated by the surface charge. The air ions, in turn, neutralize the surface charge as they are attracted to the surface due to the electrical attraction. In the absence of a surface charge, no air ionization occurs. In one embodiment, the electrode pins are located near the Q-switch crystal surface, but outside the path of the laser beam propagating into and out of the Q-switch crystal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a diacylglycerol, which comprises, reacting triacylglycerol with water and an enzyme preparation to obtain a mixture comprising of diacylglycerol, monoacylglycerol and free fatty acid; removing water content in the mixture by way of dehydration; and separating monoacylglycerol, free fatty acid and residual triacylglycerol by at least one separation method to obtain a high-purity diacylglycerol. An oil or fat composition comprising of diacylglycerol obtained from the process and phytosteryl esters and/or ferulic acid esters in an amount of from 0.5% to 25% by weight of diacylglycerol is also provided.

Abstract: A miniature cooling device includes numerous improvements capable of increasing the reliability and useful lifetime of the device, as well as improving electrical power to cooling power conversion efficiency. The improvements include a DC motor shaft design that incorporates a flywheel mass 314 with a solid shaft cross-section 300 for increasing shaft stiffness and magnetic flux density in the DC motor. Additional improvements include a bend resistant flexible vane 1114 in the DC motor to compression piston drive coupler, and a sealed cover set configured to be removable to make a motor repair and then replaced.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cartridge with a fuel reservoir containing fuel and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or a stack. The fuel cartridge is selectively operatively associated with the electronic device to power the device. In one embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be received within a chamber in the electronic device. In another embodiment, the fuel cartridge may be operatively associated with the electronic device while external thereto.