Abstract: A modularized filtration system includes multiple production modules mechanically coupled in series to form a production chain, and fluidly coupled by parallel feed fluid, waste fluid, and product fluid flowpaths. The system also includes a turbine, work exchange unit, or other energy recovery device to extract energy from the waste fluid. The system may also advantageously include a pressurization device for pressurizing a feed fluid, and provide a common drive shaft for the energy recovery and pressurization devices.

Abstract: A method for selective heating of subsurface structures in material such as tissue includes a cooling device for thermally quenching or removing heat from the top surface of tissue during or just after delivering pulsed energy to target or subsurface structures or tissue, a preferred embodiment of the invention using dynamic cooling, to quench the thermal energy conducted from the targeted structure into surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A method and system of delivering energy to material in which energy is converted to thermal energy in the material, and prior to significant therapeutic or other physiological change in a selected or target region of the material, results in a temperature rise which is maximum in a selected region of the material but which is insufficient to cause significant therapeutic or other physiological effect, the system for selective preheating of subsurface target regions of material such as human tissue including an energy source to preheat the material or tissue, a passive or active cooling means, and a device for delivering therapeutic or treatment energy, such as pulsed, electromagnetic, laser or non-coherent energy, to tissue during or after the preheating and cooling of the tissue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing a fire rated insulation material to span an expansion joint between walls by hollowing out a portion of at least one wall adjacent to the joint to form at least one pocket, and installing the insulation material so that it spans the joint and can slide in and out of the at least one pocket.