Abstract: A heterogeneous, cellulose battery separator made of a mixture of cellulose and a polymer with hydrogen permeability for use in zinc-based batteries exhibiting increased hydrogen transport through the membrane while maintaining low electrical impedance and exhibiting resistance to zinc ion transport preventing zinc dendrite formation.

Abstract: A do-it-yourself photo realistic talking head creation system and method comprising: a template; a video camera having an image output signal of a subject; a computer having a mixer program for mixing the template and image output signal of the subject into a composite image, and an output signal representational of the composite image; a computer adapted to communicate the composite image signal thereto the monitor for display thereto the subject as a composite image; the monitor and the video camera adapted to allow the video camera to collect the image of the subject therethrough and the subject to view the composite image and the subject to align the image of the subject therewith the template; storage means having an input for receiving the output signal of the video camera representational of the collected image of the subject, and storing the image of the subject substantially aligned therewith the template.

Abstract: An adjustable strike mounting system having a cover plate, which can be mounted to an astragal having a housing, which has a longitudinal channel having retention guides, vertically slidable blocks, which have transverse slots, having horizontally slidable threaded elements, and spring leaves, which are adapted to hold the vertically slidable blocks in selected positions, the cover plates adapted to provide mounting surfaces for the strike plates, the cover plates abutting the retention guides, the strike plates having apertures, which can be aligned with locations of the locks and deadbolts quickly, easily, and efficiently, the adjustable strike mounting system facilitating and allowing vertical and horizontal movement of the strike plates in the astragal, facilitating location and alignment of fasteners, and minimizing loss of the fasteners within the astragal and resultant jamming of the astragal and other operating parts of the astragal.

Abstract: A vehicle cover system comprising: removably attachable mating cover portions adapted to cover a vehicle, the vehicle having a top, a bottom, opposing sides; a front end, and a rear end; each the removably attachable mating cover portion removably attached to and mating with at least one adjacent one of the removably attachable mating cover portions; the removably attachable mating cover portions comprising: at least one substantially U shaped cover portion adapted to cover a portion of the top and an adjacent portion of each of the opposing sides of the vehicle; front and rear end portions adapted to cover the front end and the rear end of the vehicle, respectively; the at least one substantially U shaped cover portion having a length selected from the group consisting of a first length, a second length, and a third length.

Abstract: A carpet disposal method, comprising: collecting carpet, performed by a collection agent having a unique identifier; assigning the collection agent unique identifier to the collected carpet; transporting the uniquely identified carpet to a processing plant; identifying the collection agent of the uniquely identified carpet at the processing plant; sorting the uniquely identified carpet; valuing the sorted carpet; paying the identified collection agent the value of the sorted carpet; and carpet disposal system comprising: a carpet collector that collects carpet, a collection agent having a unique identifier; an assigner that assigns the collection agent unique identifier to the collected carpet; a transporter that transports the uniquely identified carpet to a processing plant; an identifier that identifies the collection agent of the uniquely identified carpet; a sorter that sorts the uniquely identified carpet; a valuer that values the sorted carpet; a payer that pays the identified collection agent the sort

Abstract: The valve mounting system of the invention incorporates a hard cartridge with a grove on its outer, distal surface and a slot communicating distal from the end of the cartridge with the grove and a specially configured elastomeric valve attached to an outer band with a short tab. The band is positioned with the tab aligned with the slot and is stretched and is slid proximally over the cartridge until the tap enters the slot and the band snaps into the seats in the groove. The width of the slot is the same as the width of the tab providing exact alignment of the valve element with the seat provided in the cartridge. The tab can be disposed at an angle to the seat to preload the valve element against the seat.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.

Abstract: A disk brake comprising: a disk, which comprises a plurality of coaxially disposed arcuate shaped recesses and a plurality of radially disposed channels; arcuate shaped pads matingly mounted therein the arcuate shaped recesses; a caliper comprising caliper pads, the caliper pads mounted adjacent and thereabout the disk mounted arcuate shaped pads. The disk brake has improved braking efficiency, does not become overheated or warp, is light weight, durable, long lasting, and may be manufactured or retrofit with replacement parts quickly, easily, and efficiently.

Abstract: A film which slowly releases solids is prepared by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as an alkali metal salt, for example L1Cl in a polar solvent such as DMAC, dispersing the solid in the solution and gelling the solution with water to form a film.