Abstract: Improvements are made to a novel media that replace the requirement for all protein growth factors by the addition to the medium of physiological concentrations of retinyl acetate. The media are serum-free, companion cell or feeder layer-free and organotypic, matrix free solutions for the cultivation of clonally competent basal keratinocytes. The media and methods are useful in the production of epidermal epithelial tissue that is suitable for skin grafting.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by releasing a cooling fluid in a hollow portion of the extrudate. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A fluid below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for delivering supplies from a loading dock to a production line using a supply delivery computer system that interfaces with a conveyor computer system to control transportation of supplies from a conveyor system to pickup stations and a vehicle facility manager computer system to control automated guided vehicles that transport supplies from pickup stations on the conveyor system to delivery stations on a production line. Supplies are labeled with barcodes indicating production line delivery location (i.e., an identifier for a delivery station), load sequence number, load quantity, and lot number to facilitate tracking and routing from the time they are unloaded at the manufacturing plant loading dock on to the conveyor system until they delivered to delivery stations on the production line.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous in-line compounding and extrusion system that does not require pre-dried wood flour or pelletized feed stock of cellulosic/polymer composite materials in order to produce net shapes from cellulosic/polymer composite materials. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizes automated loss-in-weight feeders to dispense wood flour and all of the other cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a compounder. The compounder blends the cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a composite melt. The composite melt is continuously devolitalized as it travels through the compounder, a transition chute, and a finish extruder. The composite melt is then forced through a profile die which is fitted to the finish extruder in order to achieve a net shape.

Abstract: The present invention includes free-standing, shaped ceramic-bearing bodies useful in fluid sensors, filters, and catalyst devices. The invention also includes methods and processes for using such devices. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shaped metallic foils are converted into free-standing, porous rutile foils having an open pore structure by oxidation at an elevated temperature. The exposure of such foils to increasing concentrations of reducing gases such as carbon monoxide results in an increase in the steady-state electrical resistance. The resultant ceramic-bearing bodies may be used as effective sensors of reducing gas species in such applications as automobile and industrial emissions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a delay unit for optically generating time delays in signals comprising: a delay entrance plane, the delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, wherein each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical beam from a source; a delay exit plane, the delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each signal output position is adapted to output the optical beam; and wherein each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of that row. Also provided are apparatus and methods for generating time delays in signals.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for fine tuning the process of controlling the weight of a flow of material, such as a rod of material in a production facility. A control actuator in communication with a PID controller and PID control loop is used to change the unit volume of the flow so as to maintain a target unit weight. A measurement device captures unit weight measurements of the flow at intervals over the length of the flow. A change is introduced to a control actuator while the PID controller and PID control loop are disabled, and appropriate weight measurements of the flow are continually captured along with the control actuator's “feed back” position; a process that may be repeated several times. Once sufficient weight measurement data has been captured, the data is loaded into an optimization program that outputs optimized controlled parameters that may be used by the PID controller and control loop to better control the weight of the flow of material.

Abstract: A micro-machined drug delivery device and method of use for the delivery of labile drugs is disclosed. A micro-machined sensing device and method of use is also disclosed. A micro-machined drug delivery and sensing device and method of use is additionally disclosed. All three devices are intended to be inserted into a patient's body. The drug delivery devices allow for the mixing of drug components prior to the release of the mixture into the patient's body where the mixture is labile. The micro-machined sensing device is suitable for monitoring the concentration of a specific chemical in a patient's body fluids when the monitoring requires a labile reagent that must be mixed prior to introduction of the body fluid into the sensing device. The micro-machined drug delivery and sensing device is especially applicable in situations where the prompt delivery of labile drugs is necessary.

Abstract: A mechanical ice-shedding device for temporary or permanent attachment to a suspended cable, and particularly to a suspended power line. The ice-shedding device uses a motor to move at least one unbalanced weight, thereby causing a vibration of the device that is translated to the cable to which the device is attached. The vibration causes an oscillation of the cable which is sufficient to substantially shed ice that has accumulated thereon. The output of the motor is preferably regulated so that the cable may be ramped through several frequencies of oscillation, thereby improving its ice-shedding ability. The device may be driven by power from the power line to which it is attached, or from another source, such as a battery or storage capacitor.

Abstract: A control system for providing improved control over the combustion process of a multiple-intertube pulverized-coal burner that commonly forms a portion of a roof-fired boiler. The system utilizes actual mass fuel flow measurements to calculate corrected, optimal secondary and interjectory air demands. The corrected secondary and interjectory air demands are used by a proportional and integral control loop to regulate the respective supply of secondary and interjectory air to the combustion process of each in-service burner. The control system allows for optimal combustion of the fuel and a reduction in NOx emmissions.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall and roof unit for easy and cost efficient home construction. The wall unit is formed of a steel frame, a molded external panel formed into the shape of traditional building materials and features, and a layer of insulation material. The wall unit may be assembled in a quality controlled off-site factory.

Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system for powering a vehicle using a natural fuel engine and an electric motor. The hybrid electric vehicle is comprised of a drive train; an electric motor for driving the drive train; an auxiliary power unit (APU); an electric energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric motor; and wherein the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy storage system provide energy for powering the vehicle. An electric bus is directly connected to both the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy source and the voltage across the electric bus is substantially the same as the voltage across the electric energy source so that a change in voltage of the electric bus results in the same change to the voltage across the electric energy source. A power management controller is programmed to control output power of the power unit to maintain the energy storage system between a predetermined high voltage set-point and a predetermined low voltage set-point.

Abstract: A mechanism for seamlessly searching and accessing information available through the Internet and other resources is disclosed. The present invention maintains a database of file objects available from numerous sources. The present invention updates the database periodically to ensure the accuracy and completeness of it. The present invention also may access and retrieve data from numerous sources when prompted by a single and simple command initiated by the user. The user is shielded from the quirks and intricacies of various information sources.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by directing a cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate (e.g., an interior surface that defines a hollow portion of an extrudate). Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A cooling fluid is diverted toward the surface of the extrudate so as to cool the material and assist in solidification. A baffle may serve to divert the cooling fluid in the desired direction. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. In addition, the more efficient cooling may be achieved with a lesser amount of the cooling fluid, and the velocity and temperature of the cooling fluid may be reduced. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: An in situ method and system for reductive dechlorination, the precipitation of chromium, the precipitation of heavy metals, and microbial denitrification. The invention comprises the formation of in situ anaerobic reactive zones to precipitate and filter out dissolved heavy metals as metallic sulfides, to degrade nitrate to nitrogen gas, to reduce chlorinated hydrocarbons to ethene, and to precipitate and filter out chromium. The invention is comprised of an injection well or wells that extend into a contaminated groundwater. A conduit located within the injection well conveys a reagent to the contaminated groundwater. The reagent may be a carbohydrate rich solution. Microbes digest the carbohydrates to produce sulfate reducing and methanogenic conditions within the reactive zone that include a dissolved oxygen level less than about 0.5 mg/l, a redox potential less than about −250 mv, and a dissolved organic carbon to contaminant ratio of greater than about 50:1.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail in a universal mailbox. Message receivers may access their messages with a telephone or a computer regardless of the communication medium used by the message sender. Using a telephone, message receivers may playback voice mail, redirect fax mail, and “listen” to e-mail through a text-to-speech conversion process. Using a computer and modem, message receivers may playback voice mail, view fax mail, and read e-mail by accessing the universal mailbox via connection software. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications via the universal mailbox. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.