Abstract: Microfluidic systems including a principal microfluidic conduit (24), an adjacent dead volume (1) and a drain conduit (70) which mitigates the adverse effects of the dead volume on the operation of the system.

Abstract: An anti-theft and safety mechanism (1) for bottles is disclosed, comprising an external support body (2), locking and unlocking means of this mechanism (1) and means for securing this mechanism (1) onto a neck of a bottle.

Abstract: A system for building interactive calculations on web pages, comprising a central processor for executing program instructions stored on computer readable media, interfaces in communication with the central processor, one or more computer readable media in communication with the central processor containing program instructions for executing a manager object for controlling the interaction of objects, one or more than one calculation objects (26, 28) in communication with the manager object, one or more than one input objects (14, 16, 18) controlling the model parameters, one or more than one output objects (20, 22, 24) displaying values of calculated variables, wherein the manager object, each of the input objects, and each of the output objects are coded with no model specific information, and model specific information is communicated through the manager object by parameter or variable name.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a primary heat exchanger for receiving heat from a heat source; a secondary heat exchanger for exhausting heat to a heat sink; a conduit connecting the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger; and an electrokinetic pump for pumping a heat exchange fluid between the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger through the conduit.

Abstract: A portal barrier movement alarm includes an apparatus having (a) a first assembly adapted for attachment to the moveable portal barrier; (b) a second assembly adapted for attachment spaced apart from but proximate to the moveable portal barrier; (c) and a vibration inducing ridge and a vibratable prong, the vibratable prong having a vibratable free end, one of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the first assembly and the other of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the second assembly such that the movement of the first assembly with respect to the second assembly causes the vibratable prong to contact the vibration inducing ridge and to thereby cause the vibratable prong to vibrate.

Abstract: An anti-condensate resistance (1) with PTC thermistor 5 is disclosed, comprising a central heat sink element (3), such central heat sink element (3) being composed of two dissipating plates (3a, 3b) which are mutually facing and continuously joined in such a way as to form, in a space interposed between the plates, an inserting housing (15) of the PTC thermistor 5 together with a securing element (11), a first and a second closing plugs (7a, 7b) for closing openings of the inserting housing (15) and for hermetically sealing the PTC thermistor 5 inside the inserting housing (15); the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) being equipped with a convex curvature towards their center, each one of the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) being equipped at their ends with inserting tracks (4a, 4b) forming working portions (6a, 6b) on which forces (F) are exerted which are adapted to permanently set joining hourglasses (4c) of the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) for cancelling or reverting the curvature and blocking the PTC thermistor 5 in

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, the fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly; a fuel reservoir containing a liquid fuel; a conduit coupling the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell; and an electrokinetic fuel pump coupled to the conduit, the electrokinetic fuel pump having a plurality of electrodes; wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump moves fuel from the fuel reservoir through the conduit to the fuel cell; and wherein the electrokinetic fuel pump electrodes do not deleteriously affect the performance of the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of pumping fluid including the steps of providing an electrokinetic pump comprising a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2 and being connectable to a power source, a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes and a reservoir containing pump fluid; connecting the electrodes to a power source; and moving pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump. The invention also includes an electrokinetic pump system having a pair of double-layer capacitive electrodes having a capacitance of at least 10?2 Farads/cm2; a porous dielectric material disposed between the electrodes; a reservoir containing pump fluid; and a power source connected to the electrodes; the electrodes, dielectric material and power source being adapted to move the pump fluid out of the reservoir substantially without the occurrence of Faradaic processes in the pump.

Abstract: A global network of systems of personal and business information management comprises a plurality of servers, each server having at least a local database and a local search engine, and a plurality of users' equipment that are accessible to the Internet and thus connectable with at least one of the servers. Each of the databases contains at least some of personal data and information of individuals who are located within a particular geographic area or sign on with a particular server. The servers have at least one uniform search interface one of said servers functions as a master server, and the web card servers communicate with each other through predetermined protocols to connect with the other servers.

Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm does not contact the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm contacts the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument has a business end and a handle attached to the business end. The handle has a gripping portion and a longitudinal axis. A knob is provided on the gripping portion of the handle to facilitate the wielding of the hand-held instrument. The knob is disposed such that it projects away from the handle in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a preferred, but not required embodiment, the knob is removably attached to the handle by a quick release attachment device. In a typical, but not required, such embodiment, the quick release attachment device includes a male connection pin disposed within the knob and a female receptor disposed within the hand tool.

Abstract: An injection mold apparatus has multiple injection zones, each zone having at least one heater and at least one temperature sensor generating a temperature indicating signal. A power source provides power to the heaters. A controller controls the temperature of at least some of the zones. For efficiency, the controller has two separate processors, a data-receiving processor for receiving temperature indicating signal from each sensor as well as power signals, and a control processor for receiving data from the data-receiving processor and for controlling the amount of power provided to the heaters. Preferably, the control is in a housing, with the housing mounted directly on the mold. Modified PID calculations are utilized. Power calculations for the amount of power to the heaters utilizes a modulo based algorithm.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, media and signals for facilitating secure communication between a first device and a second device are disclosed. One method includes automatically identifying a common key server potentially accessible by both the first and second devices, and obtaining a secure private key from the common key server, for use in encrypting communications between the first and second devices. Identifying may include identifying as the common key server, a key server at an intersection of a first communication path defined between a first key server having a previously established relationship with the first device and a master key server, and a second communication path defined between a second key server having a previously established relationship with the second device and the master key server. Obtaining may include obtaining a plurality of private keys and blending the keys to produce a final private session key.

Abstract: A precision flow controller is capable of providing a flow rate less than 100 microliters/minute and varying the flow rate in a prescribed manner that is both predictable and reproducible where the accuracy and precision of the flowrate is less than 5% of the flow rate. A plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid through a single outlet. Flowmeters measure the flow rates and a controller compares the flow rates to desired flowrates and, if necessary, adjusts the plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies so that the variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid at the desired flow rate. The variable pressure fluid supplies can be pneumatically driven.