Abstract: The present invention provides a bar-code driven, completely automated, microplate-based analyzer system for performing chemical, biochemical or biological assays. The analyzer is a modular, bench-top instrument that compactly integrates subsystems for sample dispensing, liquid handling, microplate transport, thermal incubation, vortexing, solid phase separation and optical reading. An internal processor is included for automating the instrument, and a user interface to facilitate communication with the operator via a touch-sensitive liquid-crystal display (LCD), and communicating with a remote network via multiple protocols. The analyzer includes firmware resident within the processing system and the user interface allows the operator to select pre-defined assay batch protocols and the user interface is configured in such as way so as to restrict an operator from programming the firmware.

Abstract: A laser system capable of efficient production of high energy sub-nanosecond pulses in the 2-15 ?m spectral region is disclosed. Diode pumped solid state lasers are used as pump sources. The system design is simple, reliable and compact allowing for easy integration. The laser system includes a combination of compact solid-state ˜1 micron laser sources, producing high power picosecond pulses, with optical parametric amplification and a quasi-continuous wave laser for seeding the amplification process that enables the efficient conversion of the high power ˜1 micron laser radiation to tuneable mid-infrared sub-ns pulses. New parametric processes are presented for achieving high gains in bulk nonlinear crystals. Furthermore, a method of exceeding the fundamental conversion efficiency limit of direct three wave mixing is presented.

Abstract: A high-density composite material and its use in the manufacture of less-lethal ammunition projectile is disclosed. The composite ammunition projectile material is produced from a compact mixture of fine iron powder, a highly damping, inert, non-toxic elastomer and an inert non-toxic thermoplastic elastomer. The composite ammunition projectile material is first blended, then the projectile is injection molded or compression molded. The density of the composite ammunition projectile material is adjustable in terms of ratio of iron powder to elastomer to thermoplastic elastomer block co-polymer, but a minimum density of 2.4 gcm?3 is preferred. A blend comprising an elastomer and a thermoplastic elastomer with low creep is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for non-invasive mapping (imaging) of the electrical impedance of an object. The present invention provides a method, current density impedance imaging (CDII) which produces an impedance image of object by measuring current density distributions and directly calculating the local impedance values.

Abstract: A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprises a chassis, a pair of right and left drive pulleys, a right and left planetary wheel, a right and left track, a right and left arm mechanism, and a right and left drive motor. The drive pulleys are rotatably attached to the chassis and each pair of drive pulleys is in the same plane. The planetary wheels are movable relative to the chassis such that each planetary wheel is in the same plane as its respective drive pulleys. The tracks extend around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective sides. The arm mechanisms connect the respective planetary wheel to the chassis. Each arm mechanism is rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam. The cam defines a motion path of one end of the arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel provides a path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel is a constant track length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing particulate matter from an air stream, and more particularly the present invention relates to a rotary gas cyclone separator with a dual-ducted filtering vortex finder for separating fine particles as small as 1 ?m from an air stream.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for achieving enhanced rejection of scattered excitation light and superior signal-to-noise performance when reading microplate wells. The optical system uses an axial configuration in which the excitation beam incident upon the sample propagates along the axis of the microplate well. Excitation light from a light source, such as a lamp or fiber optic bundle, is collimated into a beam using a lens. A reflective pick-off mirror is then used to reflect the collimated excitation beam upward along the well axis. A focusing lens, with a diameter exceeding the diameter of the collimated excitation beam, is used to focus the excitation beam in the well. The same broad lens is used to collimate the emitted fluorescent light, of which a large percentage propagates axially past the pick-off mirror towards a second focusing lens that focuses the emission beam onto the face of a fiber optic bundle.

Abstract: A joist comprised of at least one cold-formed steel elongated chord member; a cold-formed steel web having a plurality of web members and means for securing said web to said chord member. A plurality of joists are generally for use in a support system for a platform or a deck in the construction of floors and roofs. The support system is of particular use in a composite floor and roof systems.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new type of biofuel cell, based on the microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions. The bio-fuel cell is based on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous ions, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode. The microbial regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by chemolithotrophic microorganisms such as Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans. Electrical generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used as a single-cell protein.

Abstract: The direct deposit of photoelectric materials onto low-cost prefabricated patterned flexible electrodes provided by the present invention introduces a new design approach that permits the development of innovative lightweight, durable and non-planar sensing systems. By extending single and multi-spectral bioelectronic sensing technology to flexible plastic substrates, the invention offers a number of potential advantages over structurally rigid silicon-based microelectronics (e.g. CMOS) including a reduction in spatial requirements, weight, electrical power consumption, heat loss, system complexity, and fabrication cost.

Abstract: An armor for protection against large caliber projectiles has a ceramic layer with a confinement layer on a front thereof. The ceramic layer is backed by a first metallic layer and the first metallic layer in turn is backed by a composite layer. The composite layer is backed by a second metallic layer, which in turn is backed by an anti-trauma layer. The armor is used to protect personnel, but it can also be used to protect objectives such as vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wave generating apparatus for generating waves in for example beds, chairs and the like. The apparatus can be constructed to include a motor and crank assembly connected to a flexible sheet and a stationary inertial member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser amplifier with high gain and low thermally induced optical aberrations on the amplified laser beam. The amplifier designs allow simple multipass configurations to optimally extract the gain and reduce thermally induced index of refraction aberrations, making it possible to obtain an amplified laser beam of high quality combined with very high overall gains comparable to those achievable with expensive regenerative amplifiers. The amplifier includes a thin active laser solid to create the population inversion and associated heat generation within the thin laser active solid possible for the desired gain value. The system includes a cooling device in thermal contact with the thin active laser solid to provide good heat transport and high reflectivity coatings at the wavelengths of the pump and laser wavelengths. The pump light sources are laser diodes tuned to the maximum absorption of the laser active material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biomedical subsurface imaging and measurement of thickness, elastic and optical properties of industrial and biomedical materials based on laser Photo-Thermo-Acoustic (PTA) frequency-swept heterodyne depth profilometry, In particular, the invention relates to biomedical imaging and measure of tissue and tumour thickness, L, speed of sound, cs, acoustic attenuation coefficient, ?, optical absorption coefficient, ?a, and optical scattering coefficient, ?s.

Abstract: The present invention provides a layered structure including a fullerene layer exhibiting Ohmic behavior. The layered device includes a layer of fullerenes and a layer of a fluoride compound of pre-selected thickness. The layered structure includes a third layer of an electrically conductive material located on the second layer to which electrical contact can be made. The thickness of the second layer is selected so that the layered structure exhibits substantially Ohmic contact across the first, second and third layers. The present invention also provides a light-emitting device which includes a substrate and a first electrically conductive layer defining an anode electrode layer on the substrate. The device includes an electron transport layer which includes fullerenes, and a second electrically conductive layer defining a cathode electrode layer on the electron transport layer. The device includes a layer of light-emissive material between the anode electrode layer and the electron transport layer.

Abstract: A method for determining the position and/or orientation of a catheter or other interventional access device or surgical probe using phase patterns in a magnetic resonance (MR) signal. In the method of the invention, global two-dimensional correlations are used to identify the phase pattern around individual microcoils, which is unique for each microcoil's position and orientation. In one embodiment the position and orientation of a catheter tip can be reliably tracked using low resolution MR scans clinically useful for real-time interventional MRI applications.

Abstract: A sintering schedule to allow the reliable formation of inorganic or ceramic materials, exemplified using porous calcium polyphosphate samples to be used for forming novel implants for bone interfacing applications. The key to the successful definition of the process was the determination of the factors affecting the crystallization temperature of the powders that are gravity sintered to form porous samples of desired density and with a pore size range suitable for the particular application.

Abstract: A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprises a chassis, a pair of right and left drive pulleys, a right and left planetary wheel, a right and left track, a right and left arm mechanism, and a right and left drive motor. The drive pulleys are rotatably attached to the chassis and each pair of drive pulleys is in the same plane. The planetary wheels are movable relative to the chassis such that each planetary wheel is in the same plane as its respective drive pulleys. The tracks extend around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective sides. The arm mechanisms connect the respective planetary wheel to the chassis. Each arm mechanism is rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam. The cam defines a motion path of one end of the arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel provides a path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel is a constant track length.