Abstract: System for practicing a method of making a low cost, light weight impact deflecting material, comprising directionally aligned single walled carbon nanotubes in an epoxy resin composition, that is near impervious to bullets fired at close range at all angles of incidence, that does not deteriorate upon abrasion or when exposed to wide ranges of temperature and humidity, and that when used to construct a protective shield for a body armor vest protects the wearer from blunt trauma effects.

Abstract: A method for generating light intensity inside a tumor to aid in the treatment of diseases such as cancer is disclosed. The light is generated inside the body to perform a modified photodynamic therapy treatment (PDT) that allows treatment of body regions that are inaccessible by normal PDT procedures. In addition, the use of two spatially and temporally coincident treatment modalities, i.e. radiation and PDT, have the potential for significant biological synergy in the tumor.

Abstract: Secure containers are disclosed for disposal of unused, experimental, and/or expired pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, veterinary medicines, and/or similar materials, where the containers include at least one unidirectional apparatus for depositing materials into an interior of the container, while resisting normal attempts at retrieval of deposited materials. Methods are also disclosed for making and using the secure containers including a unidirectional member supporting deposition of materials into an interior of the container, while resisting withdrawal of deposited materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oriented film of thermoplastic polymer material comprises extrusion of a film in tubular form from an extrusion die, orienting the film in a main direction of orientation during the haul-off from the die while in molten or semi-molten state, the direction being at an angle between 0 and 45-to the axis of the tube, followed by cutting of the tube at an angle to its main degree of orientation to form a web having an orientation of no less than 20 to its longitudinal direction, which method involves segmental stretching of the film to form an array of linear bosses (1), being of thicker material, integrally connected by thinner webs (2), said bosses and webs extending in a direction which is generally parallel with the direction of orientation, forming an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the web, the method involving, after segmental stretching and cutting, shearing of the bosses along one another under re-orientation in the connecting webs, to increase the angle at which

Abstract: A back-off sub apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connection connecting a rotational section and a non-rotational section. The rotational section is designed to be rotated via a ball dropped into the well under sufficient pressure to cause the rotational section to rotate relative to the non-rotational section supplying a controlled and sufficient torque to the connection to break the connection. The connection then is unthreaded by normal surface action. The disconnected or upper section of the apparatus and the drill string section associated with it can be withdrawn from the well leaving the lower portion and the drill string section associated with it in the well.

Abstract: Crystals of [VOBDC](H2BDC)0.71 were synthesized hydrothemally. The guest acid molecules were removed by heating in air to give high quality single crystals of VOBDC. VOBDC was observed to show crystal-to-crystal transformations on absorption of the guest molecules aniline, thiophene and acetone from the liquid phase. Accurate structural data of the guest molecules and framework deformations were obtained from single crystal X-ray data. VOBDC was also shown to absorb selectively thiophene and dimethyl sulphide from methane.

Abstract: A foamed cement composition is disclosed for utilization in performing a variety of well cementing operations, and to methods for making and using same. The foamed cement composition basically includes a cement, water sufficient to form a pumpable slurry, a gas sufficient to foam the slurry, a foaming agent and optionally a foam stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A direct heat exchange method and apparatus for recovering heat from a liquid heat source is disclosed, where the method includes contacting a liquid heat source stream with a multi-component hydrocarbon fluid, where the hydrocarbon fluid compositions has a linear or substantially linear temperature versus enthalpy relationship over the temperature range of the direct heat exchange apparatus.

Abstract: An internal locking system is disclosed, which utilizes electromechanical locking devices to lock and unlock lockable openings.

Abstract: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A system and process for separating methacrolein (MA) from methacrylic acid (MAA) and acetic acid in the gas phase product from partial oxidation of isobutylene (IB) in two oxidation steps is disclosed. The process and system maximize recovery of all three components at minimum capital and energy cost, under conditions that minimize polymerization conditions and plugging by solids deposition in compressors, columns, etc.

Abstract: Integrated cement production systems and methods implementing the systems are disclosed, where the integrated cement production systems include a burnable fuel supply subsystem, a cement raw material supply subsystem, a kiln subsystem and a cement clinker composition storage subsystem. The burnable fuel supply subsystem is adapted to receive one or a plurality of used and/or unused healthcare materials. The burnable fuel supply subsystem can feed the materials directly into the kiln subsystem, can convert the materials into different form and feed the different form to the kiln subsystem or feed a combination of the materials, different forms and optionally conventional fuels to the kiln subsystem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the acid hydrolysis of carbohydrates in or from biomass, using a solvent system including an aqueous ether, where the ether form a majority of the system, which affords high yields to the platform chemicals such as 2-furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The later can also undergo a domino reaction to chemicals including levulinic acid, particularly with oxygenated anions and greater water content. A total dissolution and reaction of biomass occurs under a range of relatively mild conditions (combined Severity range ˜2.2-2.6). Lignin and lignin derived products can be easily separated by precipitation.

Abstract: A crosslaminate is formed from two oriented plies of thermoplastic polymer material, arranged so that their orientation directions cross one another, the plies being heat sealed together. Each ply is semi-fibrillated, that is consist of linear thin regions of biaxially oriented material and thicker linear bosses between the thinner regions. The webs are sealed primarily through bonds formed at the intersection of the bosses (thicker regions). The array of bosses has a division less than 2 mm. The laminate has improved aesthetic and strength properties. A method for forming the crosslaminate involves segmental stretching of the material to form the thinner regions, and apparatus comprising intermeshing grooved stretching rollers having sharp-edged crests is described.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed nitrilotriacetonitrile compositions are disclosed prepared by a method characterized by a one-shot addition of an amount of nitrilotriacetonitrile to a solution containing an acid catalyst, where the reaction is complete in a time period of less than an hour. The method is also characterized by adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of at least 8. The method is also characterized by oxidatively removing free cyanide to a desired low level through the addition of an oxidizing agent the produces environmentally benign by-products to the crude hydrolyzed NTAN to form hydrolyzed NTAN compositions having minimized, negligible, or substantially no free cyanide levels.

Abstract: A sharps disposal system for safely collecting and disposing of medical sharps includes a cabinet defining an enclosure for receiving a removable used sharps receptacle therein. The cabinet includes a passageway through which sharps may be deposited in the sharps receptacle. A single lock, double door design facilitates safe removal and disposal of sharps deposited in the sharps receptacle.

Abstract: Methods for preparing catalysts for oxidation of unsaturated and/or saturated aldehydes to unsaturated acids is disclosed where the catalyst includes at least molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), vanadium (V), bismuth (Bi), where the bismuth component was dissolved in an organic acid solution prior to adding the bismuth containing solution to a solution of the other components.

Abstract: Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.

Abstract: Method for making a low cost, light weight impact deflecting material, comprising directionally aligned single walled carbon nanotubes in an epoxy resin composition, that is near impervious to bullets fired at close range at all angles of incidence, that does not deteriorate upon abrasion or when exposed to wide ranges of temperature and humidity, and that when used to construct a protective shield for a body armor vest protects the wearer from blunt trauma effects.

Abstract: Methods for using a microemulsion system are disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.