Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of small, uniform sized droplets. The apparatus is a droplet generator including a housing defining a chamber for holding a material to be ejected therefrom, an inlet and a droplet outlet communicating with the chamber. The housing is coupled to a pressurizing system connected to the inlet for applying pressure pulses to the chamber. The housing includes a vent in communication with the chamber for relieving pressure in the chamber. The vent has an effective size so that during application of the pressure pulse the chamber is pressurized to a pressure effective to eject a droplet of the material therefrom and thereafter the chamber is vented through the vent at a rate sufficient to prevent further discharge of droplets. The droplet generator produces molten metal or alloy droplets and is particularly suitable for generating single droplets on demand in manufacturing techniques using droplet deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the effect of a neurotrophin on a cell expressing a neurotrophin receptor. The effect is preferably neurotrophin-mediated growth and/or survival, such as neurite growth. The invention employees amphipathic compounds having a hydrophobic membrane-associating face and a hydrophilic face opposed thereto, which preferably mimic the amphipathic domain of the common neurotrophin receptor p75 from amino acid residue 367 to residue 379. Such compounds have charged moieties, polar moieties or combinations that mimic the charged and polar group relationships of p75NTR367-379, and include but are not limited to peptide analogues thereof. The hydrophobic membrane-associating face can interact with a membrane-bound neurotrophin receptor, such as TrkA, and the opposing hydrophillic face can interact with a DNA binding protein, such as nuclear transcription factor NFkB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing supergratings using Fourier analysis. The method divides the synthesis process into two stages: synthesis of an “analog” grating profile, followed by a quantization step. The method provides a generalized procedure for analog synthesis by drawing on the Fourier approximation and on finite-inpulse-response (FIR) filter design theory, while it interprets the simple threshold quantization as a “zeroth order” Delta-Sigma Modulator, which it improves.

Abstract: There is provided a method for treating the surface of metals such as nickel based or high alloy steels, austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, copper and aluminum alloys to increase their corrosion resistance by modification of the metal surfaces to inhibit cathodic corrosion processes. In a single step treatment process the metals are immersed into a heated aqueous composition containing a rare earth salt substantially free of any halide compound. Increased corrosion resistance is obtained using nitrates of yttrium, gadolinium, cerium, europium, terbium, samarium, neodymium, praseodymium, lanthanum, holmium, ytterbium, dysprosium, and erbium nitrates. The rare earth salt is present in the range from about 2% by weight to saturation of the solution. The composition includes a pH-modifying substance such as nitric acid to adjust the pH in the range 0.5 to about 6.5 to attack the surface to remove oxides facilitating deposition of the rare earth.

Abstract: Electroluminescent laminates having a thin film electroluminescent oxide phosphor layer on insulating substrates. Thin film EL laminates are produced using high dielectric constant layers, such as SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 next to the oxide phosphor layer on one or both sides of the oxide layer, primarily as stable charge injection, and trapping interface layers, and to increase the electric field in the phosphor. Electric breakdown protection through self-healing has been provided by traditional low K dielectrics in combination with an appropriate choice of adjacent electrode. The high dielectric constant materials employed also provide for a high capacitance layer, thereby increasing the electric field in the phosphor and increasing the charge transfer into the phosphor during emission. These thin film EL laminates demonstrate steep brightness-voltage behavior and have been prepared using green and red electroluminescent oxide phosphors.

Abstract: Optical fiber diffusers for emitting light cylindrically along a length of the fiber diffuser with preselected light intensity distributions along the length of the diffuser. The diffuser portion is defined by forming a Bragg grating in a section of the optical fiber core having a modulated index of refraction which acts to couple light radially out of the fiber along the diffuser section. The intensity distribution of light coupled out of the diffuser section of the fiber is controlled by controlling the profile of the modulated index of refraction, namely the coupling coefficient, along the length of the grating. For photodynamic therapy type II strong Bragg gratings are preferred which give higher intensity output over short distances. Multiple Bragg gratings can be written into a multimode fiber for emission of light at several positions along the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed herein the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a single stack electrolyser (SSE) utilizing a folded double electrode plate to connect adjacent cells in a single stack. An insulating wall separates compartments of adjacent electrode pair assemblies connected by the double electrode plate in the SSE.

Abstract: An improved process of hydrometallurgical treatment of laterite ores predominantly of the limonitic type for the recovery of nickel and cobalt using sulphuric acid. In order to obtain high extractions of these metals while treating these ores in their humid state, in reaction times of up to 60 minutes, temperatures of up to 270° C. and corresponding pressures of up to 800 psia are used. In the present invention, a significant portion of the “mother liquor” emanating from the pressure leaching reaction is recycled to the feed preparation stage thereby substituting for all or a major proportion of the water that must be added. Concomitantly with the major savings in water requirements, a significant reduction in new sulphuric acid requirements is effected along with a corresponding saving in limestone and lime required for subsequent neutralizations. The amount of process water released to the environment is significantly reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed, the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atmospheric acid leaching process for leaching nickel and cobalt from highly-serpentinized saprolitic fractions of nickel laterite deposits that are generally too low in nickel to support economical extraction of their nickel contents by pyrometallurgical processing except under special circumstances, and generally too high in magnesium to be suitable for processing by modern high pressure acid leaching processes employed for treating predominantly limonitic nickel laterites. The process involves leaching the highly-serpentinized saprolitic portion of the nickel laterite ore profile in strong sulphuric acid solutions at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 80° C. and 100° C., essentially autogenously, to extract at least 90% of its contained nickel content and a large proportion of its cobalt content after leaching reaction times of about one hour or less.

Abstract: A polymer scaffold is provided having an extensively interconnected macroporous network with macropores having microporous struts as walls. Macropore diameter ranges from about 0.5 to about 3.5 mm. The polymer may be a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer such as poly(lactide-co-glycolide) containing 75% polylactide and 25% polyglycolide. The polymer scaffold is prepared by mixing a liquid polymer with particles, precipitating the liquid polymer with a non-solvent for the liquid polymer and dissolving the particles with a solvent to form the macroporous polymer scaffold which preferably has porosity greater than 50%. The surface of the polymer scaffold may be modified by acid or base treatment, or by collagen or calcium phosphate deposition. The polymer scaffold has utility for tissue engineering, particularly as a scaffold for in vitro and in vivo cell growth.

Abstract: A method of applying diffusion coatings by magnetron sputtering includes the use of a solenoid coil which produces an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat the article to be coated. The coating may preferably be a multi-layer or multi-component diffusion coating which may include a diffusion barrier and/or a thermal barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and materials for reducing or limiting charge accumulation and the resulting arc discharges in components used in space vehicles such as satellites prone to charge buildup due to exposure to a charge flux. The material is found in the poly(metallocene) family. In each member of this family, a metal atom is an integral part of the polymer chain, the whole structure being held together (and the interactions provided) by chemical bonds rather than by the proximity of the components in a heterogeneous mechanical mixture. In a homogeneous dielectric, the needed conductivity may be radiation-induced or it may be achieved as the result of doping. The components may be coated with, or alternatively fabricated from, a material including the poly(metallocene) as a constituent.

Abstract: A method of producing three dimensional ordered arrays of particles. The method may be used for the preparation of nanocomposite materials with highly periodic structures. More particularly the invention provides a method of producing three dimensional arrays based on applying a controlled oscillatory motion to settling dispersions of colloid particles. The controlled oscillatory motion is characterized by G=A&ohgr;2/g, wherein g is the gravitational constant, A is the displacement and &ohgr; is angular frequency. G is maintained in the desired range by varying values of A within an effective range of displacements and &ugr; within an effective range of frequencies.

Abstract: A method of producing Y-junction carbon nanotubes. An alumina template with branched growth channels is produced after which individual Y-junction carbon nanotubes are grown directly by pyrolysis of acetylene using cobalt catalysis. The use of a branched growth channel allows the natural simultaneous formation of a very large number of individual but well-aligned three-port Y-junction carbon nanotubes with excellent uniformity and control over the length (up to several tens &mgr;m) and diameter (15-100 nm) of the “stem” and “branches” separately. These Y-junctions offer the nanoelectronics community a new base material for molecular scale electronic devices including for example transistors and rectifiers.

Abstract: A method for mask-free molecular or atomic patterning of surfaces of reactive solids is disclosed. A molecular-scale pattern of adsorbate molecules is used in place of the conventional macroscopic “mask”. Molecules adsorb at surfaces in patterns, governed by the structure of the surface, the chemical nature of the adsorbate, and the adsorbate coverage at the surface. The surface is patterned and then marked or imprinted with the pattern by inducing localised chemical reaction between adsorbate molecules and the surface of the solid, resulting in an imprint being formed in the vicinity of the adsorbate molecules. In one aspect of the invention, photoinduced or electron-induced reaction of the patterned adsorbate leads to patterned reaction with the surface.

Abstract: Factors and methods for disrupting or inhibiting the association of protomers of a multimeric protein are described. Such inhibition reduces the biological disorders. Particularly, novel neurotrophin antagonists are described. Generally, the antagonist comprises amino acids from positions 68-58 and 108-110 of a neurotrophin, in which the amino acid from position 68 is covalently bound to the amino acid from position 108 and the amino acid from position 58 is covalently bound to the amino acid at position 110 to form a bicyclic structure, in another aspect of the invention transition metal ions are provided for selectively altering the geometry of the receptor binding domains of neurotrophins which allows functionality and activity of the neurotrophins to be selectively reduced. For example Zn2+ alters the conformation of NGF rendering it unable to bind to p75NTR or TrkA receptors or to activate signal transduction and biological outcomes normally induced by this protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wave generating apparatus for generating waves in for example beds, chairs and the like. In one aspect the device includes a motor driven crankshaft to which are attached several longitudinal beams. The beams mounted on the crankshafts are offset with respect to each other in such a way as to produce a phase shift between the beams. Each beam is provided with several links pivotally attached at one end to each beam and the links are spaced apart along each beam by a distance equal to the desired wavelength of the wave being produced. The other ends of each link is attached to a flexible membrane which forms a support surface of the bed or chair. The links from the different beams are interleaved at equal phase intervals so as to produce a transvers traveling wave in the flexible membrane so that a complete wave passes during each full rotation of the crankshaft assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for non-destructive, in situ measuring thicknesses of layers on substrates. The method and device uses a probe including a radioactive source in a source holder and a photodetector mounted behind the source for detection of backscattered photons. In one aspect the method is used to measure the thickness of paint deposited onto metal substrates. The source holder and photodetector array forms a cylindrically symmetric probe for producing an axially symmetric beam of primary photons. A source containing radioactive 109Cd producing high energy photons of energy 22 and 25 keV is spaced from the painted surface so the photons impinge on the painted substrate. The intensity of photons backscattered by Compton scattering in the paint layer is proportional to the mass density of the paint to give a direct measurement of the paint thickness. The photons penetrating through to the substrate are absorbed within the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in situ, low dose and noninvasive method and device for estimating bone mineral content of trabecular bones, particularly the calcaneus. The method of estimating bone mineral content involves measuring the intensity of X-rays backscattered from the calcaneus and estimating the calcium content from this intensity. The apparatus includes an axially symmetric heavy-metal radioactive source holder (collimator) containing a radioactive source mounted on the axis of a cylindrically symmetric scintillation counter or detector. In a preferred embodiment of the device, a 109Cd radioactive source that emits the K X-rays of silver (22 to 25 Kev) is used. A person's foot is immobilized on the apparatus with a spring-loaded X-ray collimator bearing against the back of the heel. The method relies upon measuring the total intensity of X-rays backscattered from the calcaneus (heel bone).