Abstract: The present invention relates to an amphiphilic block copolymer of a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block with a terminal hydroxyl group wherein the terminal hydroxyl group of the hydrophobic bock is substituted with a tocopherol or cholesterol group. It also relates to polymeric compositions capable of forming stable micelles in an aqueous solution, comprising the amphiphilic block copolymer and a polylactic acid derivative wherein one or more ends of the polylactic acid are covalently bound to at least one carboxyl group.

Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.

Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to water-soluble compositions for providing hops constituents, particularly alpha acids, iso-alpha acids, and beta acids. A pharmaceutical gel composition can comprise a hops extract and a surfactant. Such compositions can be formulated into products for various therapeutic applications, including oral and topical uses. Such compositions can also be dissolved in water to yield a clear solution containing more dilute hops acids. The invention also provides methods of treatment comprising administering water-soluble hops compositions. The present invention is also drawn to methods for making water-soluble preparations of hops constituents.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.

Abstract: A utility material can include microparticles, an organic binder and an inorganic binder. The microparticles can be present in an amount from about 25 wt % to about 60 wt %, based on wet formulation. The inorganic binder can optionally include sodium silicate. The organic binder can optionally include a vinyl acetate. The utility material can be formed into a variety of different products or building materials, such as wallboard, shear panels. In addition, the building material may be particularly used to attenuate sound.

Abstract: A self-balancing locking mechanism for actuating a locking pin-bar assembly of a door. The mechanism includes a drive shaft having an axis of rotation mounted to the door, and a cam mounted to the drive shaft. The mechanism also includes one or more actuator plates, each having a proximal end with a radial slot formed therein and installed about the drive shaft, and a distal end coupled to a locking pin-bar assembly that is slidably supported adjacent a perimeter of the door. The mechanism further includes one or more linkage bars, each having a proximal end pivotably coupled to the cam at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, and a distal end pivotably coupled to a mid-span of the actuator plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for transmission of timing and synchronization information for mobile WiMAX systems are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable material adapted for engagement and for dispensing fluid from either a replaceable piston pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a piston pump or a replaceable peristaltic pump reservoir unit comprising a reservoir bottle and a deformable tube member.

Abstract: A robot drive system preferably used for a vessel hull cleaning and/or inspection robot includes a first frame portion rotatably supporting a first axle with a first wheel thereon, and a second frame portion rotatably supporting a second axle with a second wheel thereon. A joint connects the first frame portion to the second frame portion and defines an expendable and contractible portion between the first frame portion and second frame portion. An actuator subsystem is configured expand and contract the expandable and contractible portion to move the first frame portion relative to the second frame portion at the joint to angle the first axle relative to the second axle to steer the robot.

Abstract: A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board, such as a snowboard or wakeboard, comprising a base assembly rotatably secured to the deck of a sliding board, with a binding system operable with the base assembly to releasably secure a user to the sliding board. The base assembly comprises various components, namely an adjustment mechanism and a release mechanism, supported within a bonnet that is rotatable about a support disc designed to be secured to the sliding board via the mounting configuration of the sliding board. The binding system provides a unique and advantageous release function otherwise not available in prior related binding systems.

Abstract: A tire-wheel assembly and disassembly method is disclosed wherein relative shifting of a tire and a wheel when braking and/or cornering can be suppressed without negatively affecting tire replacement workability. Specifically, a tire-wheel assembly has a wheel constructed from an electrically conductive material and a tire assembled on an outer peripheral side of the wheel, wherein an electrically conductive layer is formed on at least a part of a wheel contact surface of the tire, and an electrically debonding adhesive comprising an ionic liquid is interposed between the electrically conductive layer of the tire and the wheel. When disassembling this tire-wheel assembly, the tire is removed from the wheel after voltage is applied between the wheel and the electrically conductive layer of the tire and electricity is passed through the electrically debonding adhesive.

Abstract: A non-combustible, synthetic fire-log is disclosed comprising a composition formed to approximate the shape of a combustible object, wherein said composition comprises a substantially non-combustible matrix and an effective amount of hollow spheres. In one embodiment, the effective amount of hollow spheres ranges from approximately 3 to 85 percent of the total composition by weight. The composition enhances the aesthetic quality of the synthetic fire-log when exposed to heat and also decreases the carbon monoxide emissions of synthetic fire-log systems.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic circuit that includes a stretchable base substrate having a plurality of stretchable conductors formed onto a surface thereof, with both the stretchable base substrate and conductors being bendable together about two orthogonal axes. The stretchable circuit also includes a stretchable sensor layer attached to the base substrate with a cavity formed therein which has a contact point exposing one of the plurality of stretchable conductors. The stretchable electronic circuit further includes a surface mount device (SMD) package with a conductor contact protrusion installed into the cavity, and wherein a substantially constant electrical connection is established between the conductor contact protrusion and the stretchable conductor at the contact point by tensile forces interacting between the stretchable base substrate and the stretchable sensor layer.

Abstract: A clamping joint for a chair includes a joint coupling a front leg and a rear leg to the seat at an overlap with an inner clamp coupled to the seat and an outer clamp coupled to the inner clamp with the front leg and the rear leg clamped between the inner and outer clamps at the overlap. A finger on one of the inner or outer clamps extends towards the other and disposed between the front and rear legs.

Abstract: A tactile contact and impact display system comprises a receiver, operable to receive therein a user's digit while leaving a target area of skin of the user's digit at least partially exposed. A contact pad is operable to engage the target area of the user's skin. An actuation system is actuatably coupled to the contact pad and is operable to move the contact pad relative to the target area of skin. A distance sensor is coupled to the contact pad, the distance sensor being operable to sense a separation distance between the contact pad and the target area of the user's digit. A restraining system is operable to substantially restrain the contact pad from moving in at least one degree of freedom relative to the receiver while allowing the contact pad to move in at least one degree of freedom relative to the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage system comprising a repository, in which a plurality of different products can be stored, each of the products being equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, and an antenna for the identification of the products by means of the RFID transponder, characterized in that each repository location is equipped with an RFID antenna, and the product position, and/or the product identification can be detected by said antenna. The products equipped with an RFID transponder can be configured by racks for receiving sample containers having a product identification, and the position and sample identification can be stored in the RFID transponder of the associated rack. Each sample container is equipped with an RFID transponder for storing the respective sample identification.

Abstract: A clevis hanger has an upper strap and a lower strap. The upper strap can be supported by a hang rod or the like. The lower strap and the upper strap can be snapped open and snapped closed such that the lower strap can be secured to the upper strap without additional hardware.