Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retainer from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector.

Abstract: A solar-powered street lighting system includes a flexible panel of amorphous photovoltaic adhesively connected to the outside surface of a light pole, at least one battery to be charged by the flexible panel, and an LED light fixture extending from the upper region of the pole. A controller controls the charging of the battery by the flexible panel, the battery powering the LED light fixture, and a minimum battery voltage by dimming the LED light fixture during at least a portion of nighttime to prevent excess battery drain.

Abstract: A magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic material transduces linear motion, delivered to it by a mechanical connection, into a change of magnetic field, via twin boundary deformation. A bias magnetic field assures a net change of magnetization during the deformation, and a coil, coaxial with the magnetoplastic/elastic material, couples the magnetic field change to an electrical output. The bias magnetic field or a device that produces strain in a reverse direction resets the magnetomechanical transducer to its initial state. Microgenerators using the magnetoplastic/elastic material may be connected in series or parallel, combined with solar cells, and used to capture energy from passive motion such as random, cyclic or vibrational motion.

Abstract: A valve system regulates the air pressure in the space(s) between a residual limb, or liner-covered limb, and a hard socket of an external prosthesis, and may include a manually-controlled air outlet and inlet valve on a distal region of a hard socket, and/or an automatic one-way outlet valve. The manually-controlled valve is opened and closed by partial rotation/twisting of a handle portion, which creates slight separation of the handle and base portions through which may pass air. The handle and base are prevented from becoming entirely separated during normal use by a snap-fit of the base onto the handle that retains the ability of the handle and base to rotate relative to each other by means of a ramp system, and a stop(s) that limit(s) the amount of relative rotation of the handle and base portions of the valve.

Abstract: A foot operated data input pad has a plurality of foot-operated buttons that may be used to enter data, information, or instructions, including but not limited to numbers, symbols, words, or phrases, separately or in combination. In some embodiments, each button is preferably capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of time that it is pressed or on the number of times that it is pressed in succession. A controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer's pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields. In embodiments wherein a heel rest is provided on the housing of the pad, the rest may optionally serve as both a heel rest and a button/switch for sending an electric/electronic signal. An automated voice system, or other audible and/or visual indicator system, may help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered.

Abstract: A template device is used layout and marking geometric shapes such as martial arts or other sports rings on a floor. The device includes a central body at or near the center, and an extension reaching from preferably at least three sides of the central body to the perimeter, of the geometric shape. Both central body and extension are rigid or substantially rigid, maintaining the shape of the template device, including optional wire/cable around or along the extension, during both use on the floor and transport to adjacent floor areas. The template device covers a very small percentage of the geometric shape area, by means of empty space in the extension or between members of the extension. The resulting light-weight and small-volume device is easy to move and break down into a small package. The extension may include radially-extending legs attaching at their outer ends to the wire/cable perimeter.

Abstract: A magnetic materials construct and a method to produce the construct are disclosed. The construct exhibits large magnetic-field-induced deformation through the magnetic-field-induced motion of crystallographic interfaces. The construct is a porous, polycrystalline composite structure of nodes connected by struts wherein the struts may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. If the struts are polycrystalline, they have a “bamboo” microstructure wherein the grain boundaries traverse the entire width of the strut. The material from which the construct is made is preferably a magnetic shape memory alloy, including polycrystalline Ni—Mn—Ga. The construct is preferably an open-pore foam. The foam is preferably produced with a space-holder technique. Space holders may be dissolvable ceramics and salts including NaAlO2.

Abstract: The present invention is a top stand platform for furniture manufactured from beer kegs. The top stand platform has a first load distribution ring which circumvents the outlet opening at the center top of the keg at a level below the top flange of the outlet opening. Near its periphery, the first ring has a set of first threaded bolts extending downwardly onto the top surface of the keg. Also, the top stand platform comprises a second stand base ring, with a set of second threaded bolts which secure the second stand base ring to the top of the first load distribution ring. This way, the two first and second rings are clamped together and secured tightly to the flange of the outlet opening at the top of the keg. Secured to the top of the second stand base ring is an upwardly-extending base.

Abstract: A compact and aesthetically-pleasing self-closing door hinge comprises a gravity-assist feature and preferably a spring-assist feature, wherein the spring may be easily adjustable, replaceable, and even left out of the hinge. The preferred embodiment is reversible for easily changing from a right-opening to a left-opening door, and includes hinge lift-off capability, wherein the door and the blade connecting the door to the hinge body may be lifted up off the body of the hinge without any significant disassembly of the hinge. The spring is preferably placed around the gravity-assist cams of the hinge, rather than above or below the cams, which arrangement significantly reduces the overall height of the hinge with only slightly increased diameter of the hinge main body. The preferred hinge has no bolts or other fasteners visible or protruding out from the main housing of the hinge, and the preferred hinge has no exposed spring sleeve.

Abstract: A lock cylinder which can be fitted into a part of a lock assembly of a door or other operable panel. There is provided a lock cylinder (114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) adapted for fitment into the lock housing (12), the lock cylinder comprising a key-operated locking part and an actuator (50), the lock cylinder having a predetermined profile for most of its length, and a securing part (70; 72,74; 76,78; 80,82; 170,172; 270,272; 370) projecting from the predetermined profile. The securing part is adapted to lie underneath a part of the lock assembly in use, such as a face plate of an operating handle of the lock assembly, so that the securing part prevents unauthorised removal of the lock cylinder through the face plate.

Abstract: Multifunctional “smart” nanostructures are disclosed that include fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-encapsulated SiO2 core-shell particles with a nanoscale ZnO finishing layer, wherein an outer ZnO layer is formed on the SiO2-FITC core. These ˜200 nm sized particles showed promise toward cell imaging and cellular uptake studies using the bacterium Escherichia coli and Jurkat cancer cells, respectively. The FITC encapsulated ZnO particles demonstrated excellent selectivity in preferentially killing Jurkat cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal primary immune cells (18% and 75% viability remaining, respectively, after exposure to 60 ?g/mL) and inhibited the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ?250-500 ?g/mL (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively).

Abstract: Permeability of a fluid through a saturated material is determined by measuring the dynamic response of that saturated material to shaking vibrations and/or shear wave propagation, and then mapping the dynamic response (preferably, viscoelastic stiffness and damping properties) to an invented model (called “KVMB”) that yields the property of permeability. The preferred embodiments may use shear waves, inertial effects, and/or transmission effects, but preferably not compression, to force fluids through the pores. The mapping preferably predicts two possible mappings to permeability, coupled and uncoupled. The preferred methods are both internally consistent and directly related to known laws of physics rather than dependent on empirical calibrations.

Abstract: A passive differential calorimeter, comprising an inflow control valve (2?), differential measurement means (4?) including the driving part of an input water meter (15) and the driving part of an output water meter (16), a back flow control valve (9?) and connecting pipes between them, wherein both the inflow control valve and the output flow control valve being temperature controlled valve, i.e.