Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible laminate of films of thermoplastic polymer material mainly for applications in which relatively high yield strength and ultimate tensile strength is required, and a method and apparatus for its manufacture. The laminate comprises a monofilm formed or multifilm-formed ply (A) and another monofilm-formed or multifilm formed ply (B) both mainly consisting of orientable thermoplastic polymer material, in which A has a fluted configuration and B on a first side is adhesively bonded in bonding zones to the crests on a first side of A, in which B also has a fluted configuration, the flute direction of B forming an angle from generally about 30° up to and including 90° to the flute direction of A and the said bonding zones being on the crests of the first side of B to produce spot bonding with the crests on the first side of A, the wavelengths of the flutes in A and/or B are no longer than 5 mm, and the wavelengths of the flutes in both A and B are less than 10 mm.

Abstract: A method for treating a high water content sludge is disclosed, where the method includes mixing into the high water content sludge, an effective amount of an ash composition. The effective amount of the ash composition is sufficient to convert a portion of the sludge and the ash composition into a treated sludge including an amount of a solidifying matrix to impart properties to a depth of the sludge sufficient to support commercial construction equipment. A treated sludge and sludge pits are also disclosed as is the ash composition used to form the treated sludge.

Abstract: A microemulsion system is 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.

Abstract: A new class of biosensors and methods for making and using same are disclosed. The biosensors are multi-layered membrane composites, where at least one layer is prepared by the layer-by-layer process and at least one layer is responsive to changes is a property of a biological system such as changes in the concentration of an atom, ion, molecule or molecular assembly. Because the biosensors are multi-layered, a single biosensor is capable monitor a number of different properties of a biological system simultaneously. The biosensors are monitored by systems that impinge an excitation waveform on the biosensors and analyze a reflected and/or a transmitted resultant waveform. Additionally, the biosensors can be associated with field activated electronic components so that implantable, self-contained analytical devices can be constructed and monitored by field generators, where data is transmitted to an analyzer after field activation.

Abstract: An electrical switch apparatus including a movement sensitive form is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a motion sensor and a processing unit, where motion on, near or about the motion sensor is translated into output commands adapted for list scrolling, where the list can be arranged in a hierarchy such as menus or for changing a value of an attribute of a electrical device under the control of the switch.

Abstract: New MRI coil and resonators are disclosed based solely on superconducting inductive element and built-in capacitive elements as well as hybrid superconducting-metal inductive and capacitive elements having superior SNR. Single and multiple small animal MRI imaging units are also disclosed including one or more resonators of this invention surrounding one or more small animal cavities. Methods for making and using the MRI coils and/or arrays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst 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), and a first component selected from the group consisting of potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), thallium (Tl), or mixtures or combinations thereof, 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. Methods for making and using the catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulating apparatus for use with vacuum insulated tubing sting to reduce heat loss through the joints, where the apparatus includes an insulator adapted to surround the joint and a latching joint protector adapted to surround the insulator and hold the insulator against the joint, where the protector also includes a channel for receiving injection and/or control tubing. The insulator is capable of reducing heat loss through the joints of a vacuum insulated tubing string by as much as 95%.

Abstract: System and method is disclosed to increase the efficient of internal combustion engines using to generate electric power, where the system and method converts a portion of thermal energy produced in the combustion process to a usable form of energy.

Abstract: A composition for treating solid materials is disclosed, where the treating compositions coats surfaces or portions of surfaces of the solid materials changing an aggregation or agglomeration propensity of the materials. Treated solid materials are also disclosed. The methods and treated materials are ideally suited for oil field applications.

Abstract: An electrically powered launcher is disclosed that can accelerate small payloads to orbital velocities. The invention uses a novel geometry to overcome limitations of other design, and allows full exploitation of existing superconducting materials.

Abstract: An electrical switch apparatus including a movement sensitive form is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a motion sensor and a processing unit, where motion on, near or about the motion sensor is translated into output commands adapted for list scrolling, where the list can be arranged in a hierarchy such as menus or for changing a value of an attribute of a electrical device under the control of the switch.

Abstract: A laminate of thermoplastic polymeric films comprises a fluted ply A and non-fluted ply B, adhered to one another in bonded zones along some of the flute crests the fluted ply A. The wavelength of the flutes is preferably no more than 3 mm. Ply A has a generally uniform thickness or can have attenuated zones of lesser thickness extending parallel to the flute direction, each bonded zone being located mainly within an attenuated zone. The flutes can be sinuous with crests on both sides of ply A and can be adhered on each side to a ply B. The flutes can be filled with filler material, including reinforcement strands, and one or both sides can be perforated. The method and apparatus employ aligned grooved fluting rollers and a grooved laminating roller.

Abstract: A system implemented on a computer is disclosed for automatically identifying strains of partial or complete capsid sequences of picorna and caliciviruses, two of the most highly diverse ssRNA virus families.

Abstract: A medical student and school program entry and/or medical professional entry, verification and tracking system is disclosed which is implemented on a computer with remote login and logoff capabilities. The system and methods utilizing the system includes login routines for medical students, medical staff, supervisors and accrediting agencies, medical discipline selection screens, protocol/procedure selection screens, data entry windows or areas associated with the protocol/procedure screens, logout routines, submission routines and polling routines.

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: A paint ball gun is disclosed including a dispenser having a locking connector designed to lockingly engage a locking connector on a gun feed tube or one end of a hollow connecting member.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon drilling fluid system is disclosed including a hydrocarbon fluid and a foaming composition, where the foaming composition includes a polymer, a gelling agent and its cross-linking agent, an optional foaming agent, or mixtures or combinations thereof. Uses of this drilling fluid system in a variety of downhole application are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst for oxidation of unsaturated and/or saturated aldehyde to unsaturated acids is disclosed where the catalyst including at least molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), vanadium (V), bismuth (Bi), and a first component selected from the group consisting of potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), thallium (Tl), or mixtures or combinations thereof, where the catalyst has at least 57% medium pores and a nitric acid to molybdenum mole ratio of at least 0.5:1 or at least 6.0:1 moles of HNO3 per mole of Mo12. Methods for making and using such catalysts are also disclosed.

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.