Abstract: A metal implant for use in a surgical procedure is provided with a surface layer that is integral with the metal substrate, and which incorporates a biocidal material. The surface layer may be grown from the metal substrate, by anodizing, and the biocidal material incorporated in it by ion exchange. Alternatively the layer may be deposited by electroplating, followed by diffusion bonding so as to become integral with the metal substrate. In either case, silver is a suitable biocidal material; and both the release rate and the quantity of biocidal material should be low to avoid toxic effects on body cells. Electropolishing the surface before formation of the surface layer is also beneficial, and this may be achieved by electropolishing.

Abstract: An implant with a metal structure for use in a surgical procedure, in which at a region of the implant to be in contact with bone the metal structure is provided with a roughened surface. The roughened region is then provided with a ceramic coating comprising hydroxyapatite by a thermal spraying process. Biocidal ions of silver are absorbed into the ceramic coating, and gradually leach out into body fluids after implantation. The hydroxyapatite enhances bone regrowth into the implant, while the silver ions suppress infection.

Abstract: Peptides or polypeptides are displayed using multienzyme complex proteins, especially an E2 protein of a 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase multienzyme complex. Such display is useful in screening for peptides or polypeptides which bind target proteins of interest or are bound by target antibodies of interest, or which have other desirable properties, and in the elicitation of immune responses, e.g., for vaccination. A variety of different numbers of peptides or polypeptides can be displayed on a single complex, and a variety of different peptides or polypeptides can be displayed on the same complex.

Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material, changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, the frequency of the ultrasound being scanned over a range of frequencies. For example the ultrasound may be varied between 19.5 and 20.5 kHz, and this variation may be sinusoidal. Preferably the ultrasound is provided only briefly, say for less than 5 s, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. It is applicable in particular to aspartame.

Abstract: Fluids in a vessel are subjected to a high ultrasonic intensity, by means of several ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall of the vessel, each transducer (14) radiating no more than 3 W/cm2, the transducers being sufficiently close to each other, and the number of transducers being sufficiently high, that the power dissipation within the vessel is at least 25 W/liter. The number of transducers, the power of the transducers, and the volume of the vessel may be such that the power density is between 40 and 80 W/liter. The vessel may be double walled, and the space between the two walls be filled by a low attenuation buffer liquid (36) whose cavitation threshold is above that of the liquid being treated.

Abstract: Small crystals are made by mixing a solution of a desired substance with an anti-solvent in a fluidic vortex mixer in which the residence time is less than 1s, for example 10 ms. The liquid within the fluidic vortex mixer (12) is subjected to high intensity ultrasound from a transducer (20, 22). The solution very rapidly becomes supersaturated, and the ultrasound can induce a very large number of nuclei for crystal growth. Small crystals, for example less than 5 ?m, are formed. The resulting suspension is treated so as to add or remove ingredients, and then spray dried using an atomizer tuned to create small droplets in such a way that each droplet should contain not more than one crystal. Crystal agglomeration is hence prevented.

Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and briefly subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. There is no erosion of the wall and consequently no formation of small particles of metal. It is applicable for example to aspartame, and to amino acids.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprises a vortex chamber (14) with an axial outlet port (20), a main inlet port (16) for a fluid to be controlled, and a substantially tangential inlet port (25); the fluid enters through an inlet chamber (13) in which is a mechanical valve (26) movable so as to obstruct fluid flow into the vortex chamber (14). A duct (24) links the inlet chamber (13) to the tangential inlet port (25) of the vortex chamber. The position of the mechanical valve (26) affects the flow of fluid through the duct (24), so the vortex chamber (14) amplifies the effect of the mechanical valve. Further movement of the valve (26) closes off flow altogether (40). The assembly may include a weir (36) in the outlet, to separate gas and liquid phases.

Abstract: Proteins may be made by genetically engineered microorganisms, the protein being stored in the form of inclusion bodies (IB). The proteins in the inclusion bodies are in an insoluble and inactive form. They may be dissolved using a solubilization reagent (18), and the resulting solution diluted so that the proteins refold into the active form. This refolding of the protein is enhanced by subjecting a solution or suspension of the protein to low intensity sound waves (25), at a low enough intensity that the protein is not denatured. The intensity may be between 10 and 100 mW/cm2.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (11) of the silent discharge or dielectric barrier type for treatment of a gaseous medium is provided with a layer of material (34) positioned to present a surface extending along at least part of the length of the gas flow path. Particulates or selected species are entrapped on the surface. A preferred electrode arrangement provides surface discharge in the plasma at the surface of the layer of material.

Abstract: A plasma assisted reactor for the removal of carbonaceous combustion products or for simultaneous removal of carbonaceous products and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine, wherein the reactor includes a gas permeable bed made at least primarily of active materials comprising perovskite or vanadate.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprises a valve stem (14) with a bore (15) and radial apertures (17), and a sleeve (18) closed atone end and slidable over the valve stem (14) to obstruct the apertures (17). At the end of the valve stem opposite the outlet end, the valve stem (14) defines a fluidic vortex chamber (22) with both tangential inlets (28) and non-tangential peripheral inlets (26), and with an axial outlet (24) communicating with the bore (15). The sleeve (18) defines at least one radial port (32) near its closed end. The valve assembly operates in a conventional fashion except when approaching closure. Once the last of the apertures (17) in the valve stem has been closed, the only flow path is through the fluidic vortex chamber (22). Further movement of the sleeve (18) alters the distribution of the flow between the non-tangential inlets (26) and the tangential inlets (28), so adjusting the strength of the fluidic vortex and the resistance to fluid flow.

Abstract: A reactor chamber forms part of an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Within the chamber are electrodes between which there is disposed a bed of active material through which, in use, the exhaust gases pass. In the presence of an electrical discharge, driven by an electrical voltage applied across the electrodes, the active material has a catalytic action in the reduction of nitrogenous oxides in the exhaust and also acts to remove hydrocarbons from the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A reactor (1) particularly for the plasma treatment of internal combustion engine exhaust gases, in which a power supply (10) and a reactor bed (2) of the dielectric barrier discharge type are connected directly and enclosed in an earthed metal chamber (17) which both isolates the high voltage power supply and acts as a Faraday cage preventing the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the power supply or plasma.

Abstract: A catalytic material for the plasma-assisted treatment of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, consisting of an activated alumina, which contains silver or molybdena (MoO3). For silver doped alumina, a preferred silver concentration is between 0.1% and 5% by weight. The preparation and use of silver doped alumina material also is described.

Abstract: A valve system (10) controls the fluid flow between an inlet (12) and an outlet (14). The system (10) splits the flow into two parallel flow ducts (15, 16) and recombines the flows through opposed tangential inlets (18) and (19) of a fluidic vortex valve (20) which has an axial outlet (22). An adjustable valve (24) controls the flow through one of the parallel flow ducts (15), controlling the strength of the vortex generated within the vortex valve (20). Hence a small valve (24) can control and adjust the flows in both ducts (15 and 16).

Abstract: In a non-thermal plasma reactor (300), at least a component of the active material (320) is selected or modified to provide the capability to adsorb or trap a predetermined chemical species in the gas flow thereby to increase the effective residence time of said species relative to the residence time of unadsorbed species in the gas flow.

Abstract: Small crystals are made by mixing a solution of a desired substance with an anti-solvent in a fluidic vortex mixer in which the residence time is less than 1 s, for example 10 ms. The liquid within the fluidic vortex mixer (12) is subjected to high intensity ultrasound from a transducer (20, 22) in or on the wall of the mixer, or coupled to a pipe supplying liquid to the mixer. The solution very rapidly becomes supersaturated, and the ultrasound can induce a very large number of nuclei for crystal growth. Small crystals, for example less than 5 ?m, are formed that may be of a suitable size for use in inhalers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing nitrogen oxides from internal combustion engine exhaust emissions consisting of the operations of contacting the exhaust emissions with a non-thermal plasma (1) and a silver doped alumina catalyst (2) and then an indium-doped zeolite catalyst (3).

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma-assisted processing of a gaseous medium, including a pair of electrodes having facing surfaces the separation of which is substantially uniform, with a body of dielectric material positioned between them and defining a plurality of gas passages extending through the space between the electrodes.