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 musical sonification system and method sonifies data, such as real-time financial market data, to produce an audio signal output including a musical rendering of the data. A sonification engine converts the data into sound parameters based on configuration data and a sonification and mapping scheme. A sound generator generates the audio output signal from the sound parameters.

Abstract: One embodiment of a musical sonification system and method receives a data stream including different data parameters. The sonification system may apply different sonification processes to the different data parameters to produce a musical rendering of the data stream. In one embodiment, the sonification system and method maps data parameters related to options trades to pitch values corresponding to musical notes in an equal tempered scale.

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.

Abstract: A reaction chamber (12, 49) is adapted to be coupled to a source of microwave radiation. A pair of opposed field enhancing electrodes (18, 21; 62, 63) concentrate microwave energy so as to form plasma in a localised region between the electrodes. Gas passages are arranged for passing a gaseous medium into and out of the chamber so that the gaseous medium passes through the said localised region of plasma. The electrodes comprise electrically conducting tubes (18, 21; 62, 63) held in electrode holders (17, 19; 53, 54) located in the chamber wall, the electrode tubes being removable and replaceable from outside of the apparatus.

Abstract: A chemical plant for performing a chemical reaction between particles of a material such as lithium metal, and a reagent such as butyl chloride in solution in hexane, in which one reaction product is a solid material, includes a reaction vessel (12). Several ultrasonic transducers (16) are attached to a wall of the vessel (12) so as to irradiate ultrasonic waves into the vessel, the vessel being large enough that each transducer irradiates into fluid at least 0.1 m thick, each transducer irradiating no more than 3 W/cm2, and 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 10 W/liter but no more than 200 W/liter. The high intensity of ultrasound ensures that lithium chloride is cleaned off the surface of lithium metal particles throughout the vessel (12).

Abstract: A power supply and control system for a motor vehicle incorporating a plasma-assisted reactor for treatment of exhaust emissions and including a power source for supplying first and second output voltages.

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 modular corona discharge reactor in which individual reactor chambers are arranged vertically and are grouped in serial pairs.