Abstract: A composite material comprising a pure copper or dispersion strengthened copper matrix and a boron rich species, such as, but not limited to, elemental boron or boron carbide, for use in the fabrication of baskets that support spent nuclear fuel in nuclear waste containers. A method for manufacturing the composite material using powder metallurgy and hot extrusion.

Abstract: An automatic dual bobbin mechanism is provided. A housing containing two unique bobbin casings and bobbins therein oriented side-by-side with the sewing needle and thread passing between the bobbin casing pair replaces the convention single bobbin configuration. The bobbin pair acts in a tag-team operation whereby one bobbin supplies thread to be stitched into a fabric while the second bobbin is simultaneously filled with thread from an external source. When the first bobbin is emptied, the bobbin pair is rotated 180.degree. inside the housing. The second bobbin, now full, supplies thread for continued stitching while the first bobbin is refilled with thread supplied by the external source. The specially designed bobbins and bobbin casings allow for automatic rethreading of the empty bobbin and cutting of the bobbin thread from external source, thus eliminating the need to manually remove the empty bobbin and assembly, replace with a full bobbin and rethread.

Abstract: A sole and viscoelastic sole insert for footwear having an insert filled with an alternating configuration of gel and gas filled cells is provided. The impact response can be varied by altering the ratio of gas-filled to gel-filled cells or by altering the pressure under which the cells and/or pellets are filled with gas or gel. In similar fashion, an insert incorporating one or more springs may provide a number of impact responses by varying the number of springs and/or the spring design parameters. Advantageously, the inserts can be adapted to be readily removable from the sole so that the wearer can change the insert to provide a "universal" shoe ideally suited for a variety of applications and wearer preferences.