Abstract: A battery powered device such as an electric vehicle includes a high power loads such as a drive motor (50), and on-board charging and discharging systems (20) which share significant components such as a pulsing subsystem (40). In particularly preferred embodiments the battery (10) and regenerative braking system (90), where applicable, are selected to operate efficiently with the charging and discharging systems (20).

Abstract: Described is a compliant and crosslinkable thermal interface material of at least one malenized rubber with maleic anhydride adducted to the molecule and at least one hydroxyl terminated olefin rubbers, and a method of making and using same; as well as a method of improving thermal conductivity of polymer systems.

Abstract: An improved bed assembly having a sheet with multiple fasteners of at least two different types for attaching the sheet to a bed. The sheet may be combined with a mattress having fasteners suitable for coupling with at least some of the sheet fasteners. The sheet may include fasteners which are of a type not found on the mattress, and the mattress may include fasteners which are of a type not found on the sheet.

Abstract: An irrigation controller modifies sophisticated irrigation protocols using an extremely simple user control. In one aspect of a particularly preferred class of embodiments, the user control includes a simple “more/less” (increase/decrease) adjustment In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the controller automatically determines appropriate irrigation amounts, start times, durations, and frequencies. Such automatic determination may advantageously be based in part on the more/less adjustment, and in part on an external signal, such as that transmitted by a radio transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an entertainment and exercise device which allows exercise by placing it on a person's body and swiveling the body. The entertainment and exercise device has a flexible circular belt and a turning member rotating along the periphery of the belt. When the user wears the entertainment and exercise device on his body and swivels the body, the turning member rotates about the belt, thereby the user obtains an exercise effect and a finger-pressure effect. Also, the entertainment and exercise device of the present invention is convenient to carry and store, thereby being used for exercise irrespective of the exercising area.

Abstract: Nanoporous low dielectric constant materials are fabricated from a first reagent and a second reagent. The reagents are mixed to give a reagent mixture and a polymeric structure is formed from the reagent mixture. Nanosized voids are created by removing at least in part the second reagent from the polymeric structure by a method other than thermolysis, and other than evaporation.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium cholinergic agent is complexed with a multivalent anion, or with multiple monovalent anions. The complex may be administered orally to a patient to treat pain, or for some other purpose. Numerous modifications are contemplated, including modifications to the ring structure of the compound, substitution and functionalization of the ring. Other contemplated modifications include the use of different anions, including various monovalent and polyvalent anions, and both organic and inorganic anions. The compounds have utility as cholinergic agents, and especially in the treatment of mysasthenia gravis, chest pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: An onboard electric vehicle charger is provided which incorporates a forward converter with dynamic balancing of the primary drive currents of its ferrite core transformer to produce 5,000 watt charging power with a power density of 333 watts per kilogram and full safety isolation between the input power source and the batteries plus small size (approximately 15″ by 9″ by 6″) and weight (less than 15 kilograms) and a power factor correcting boost preregulator with dynamic adjustment of its compensation networks which produces full correction to substantially unity (99.9+%) for power factor with current total harmonic distortion (THD) of 2% to 3% over the entire power range of 100 watts to 5,000 watts. The same boost preregulator circuit allows operation from power sources of 95 to 145 VAC or 200 to 275 VAC.

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.

Abstract: Self-evolving indexing systems and methods store and retrieve information on multiple types of items. Indices evolve at least in part by providing subsequent users with summary comparison usage information based upon the choices of previous users, and in part by permitting subsequent users to can add new add classifications, parameters, and values instead of being limited by those previously used by others. Summary comparison usage information is preferably communicated to users in the form of listings in which the choices are presented in order of descending usage. Contemplated systems and methods can be used to describe every conceivable type of product and service, as well as such diverse types of information as news items, historical facts, book reviews, questionnaires, opinion surveys, case law, and the topics discussed in various chat rooms. Preferred database structures include those having multiple tables for item classifications, parameters, values, and parameter-value pairs.

Abstract: A number of modified nucleosides are disclosed composed of modified sugar moieties which contain substituents at C1 and C4 positions, or branched substituents at C3 and C5 positions of deoxyribose or ribose. Each nucleoside is converted to or properly protected and then converted to the corresponding phosphoramidites. These phosphoramidites are used to assemble oligonucleotides in which there is at least one of the forenoted nucleosides. These sugar modified oligonucleotides have the potential to be used as antisense therapies since they are expected to enhance nuclease resistance and cellular uptake while they maintain sequence-specificity and affinity to nucleic acid targets in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: A microprocessor is used to control various components of a carpet cleaning machine to improve its functionality. In various aspects of the invention, the microprocessor is software controlled, and can provide sequential operating instructions to the operator, enforce start-up and shut down sequences, store an electronic record of operating parameters for future use, provide auto- and remote diagnostics, and provide remote control. In another aspect of the invention the microprocessor can affect the operation of the entire system by dynamically controlling the speed of the motor. In another aspect of the invention, a more effective muffler can be attached to the exhaust of the motor, thereby greatly reducing the noise level. In still other aspects of the invention, the microprocessor can operate an ignition kill switch to the motor, solenoid and/or clutch controls for the fluid and air pumps, an energy cutoff switch for the heater, and software updates via modem.

Abstract: High temperature polybenzazole and polyether polymer electrolytes are provided. High temperature polybenzazole polymer electrolytes may comprise a benzobisoxazole, a benzobisthiazole, a benzobisimidazole, a difluorodisulfonated phenyl ring or a sulfonated bisphenylether. High temperature polyether polymers comprise a persulfonated phenyl ring, and a substituted phenyl ring or a substituted bisphenylsulfonyl ring system.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a low dielectric constant structural layer is produced having increased mechanical strength and having a plurality of voids that comprises a substrate layer; a low dielectric structural layer juxtaposing the substrate layer; and an infiltrating layer comprising an infiltrating material having a volatile component and a reinforcing component juxtaposing the structural layer and coating at least some of the plurality of voids. Also, methods are provided in which the mechanical strength of a structural layer having a plurality of voids is increased by a) depositing the structural layer on a substrate layer; b) providing an infiltrating material having a volatile component and a reinforcing component; c) introducing the infiltrating material into at least some of the plurality of voids; and d) treating the infiltrating material such that the structural strength is increased by a substantial amount.

Abstract: A weight bearing element having a web, and a chord connected to the web, the chord perimeter having a cross-sectional shape of a closed multi-sided figure having at least 5 sides, at least two of which are substantially parallel to the web. Some members may have chords which have a pentagonal cross sectional shape, and/or may include load transferring members or end-caps.

Abstract: Nanoporous polymeric materials are fabricated in which polymeric strands are crosslinked via ring structures. Preferred ring structures are formed de novo during crosslinking, and at least some of the ring structures are preferably included in the backbones of the strands. At least one of the ring structures may advantageously comprise an aromatic structure, and may more advantageously comprise a benzyl moiety. Especially preferred polymers comprise a poly(arylene ether) synthesized from a difluoroaromatic portion and an aromatic bisphenolic portion. In another preferred aspect, the difluoroaromatic portions of the poly(arylene ether) carry at least two different crosslinking functionalities. In an even more preferred aspect, the crosslinking functionalities comprise an ethynyl and a tetracyclone. Nanoporosity is preferably introduced by thermolyzing one or more thermolabile portions in the crosslinked polymer. An especially preferred thermolabile portion comprises ethylene glycol-poly(caprolactone).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided in which nanoporous polymeric materials are produced via stable, polymeric template strands having reactive groups that can be used for forming crosslinking functionalities and/or adding thermolabile groups, wherein at least some of the thermolabile groups are thermolyzed to produce voids. The template strands preferably comprise aromatic systems and vicinal keto groups, such as a polybenzil formed from fluorene bisphenol or 3,3'-dihydroxytolane with 4,4'-difluorobenzil. At least some of the reactive groups preferably react using an addition-elimination reaction. Especially preferred thermolabile groups comprise poly(propylene oxide), and especially preferred crosslinkers comprise ethynyl-moiety and tetracyclone moieties.