Abstract: An electrostatic fluid acceleration and method of operation thereof includes at least two synchronously powered stages with final or rear-most electrodes of one stage maintained at substantially the same instantaneous voltage as the immediately adjacent initial or forward-most electrodes of a next stage in an airflow direction. A single power supply or synchronized and phase controlled power supplies provide high voltage power to each of the stages such that both the phase and amplitude of the electric power applied to the corresponding electrodes are aligned in time. The frequency and phase control allows neighboring stages to be closely spaced at a distance of from 1 to 2 times an inter-electrode distance within a stage, and, in any case, minimizing or avoiding production of a back corona current from a corona discharge electrode of one stage to an electrode of a neighboring stage.

Abstract: A microturbine for the generation of mechanical and electrical power comprising a positive displacement axial vane rotary compressor and an axial vane rotary expander. The compressor and expander are joined by a common shaft. The system further includes at least one combustor for heating a driving fluid prior to its entering the expander. The driving fluid, such as air, enters the compressor at ambient conditions of pressure and temperature and is compressed. The compressed driving fluid is preheated by the exhaust from the expander, then passes through a combustor to bring its temperature to a desired expander inlet temperature and then enters the expander where the expansion force of the hot driving fluid acting against the vanes of the expander is translated into rotation of the common shaft for driving both the compressor and a suitable power device such as an electrical generator.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals.

Abstract: A device for handling a fluid includes a corona discharge device and an electric power supply. The corona discharge device includes at least one corona discharge electrode and at least one collector electrode positioned proximate each other so as to provide a total inter-electrode capacitance within a predetermined range. The electric power supply is connected to supply an electric power signal to said corona discharge and collector electrodes so as to cause a corona current to flow between the corona discharge and collector electrodes. An amplitude of an alternating component of the voltage of the electric power signal generated is no greater than one-tenth that of an amplitude of a constant component of the voltage of the electric power signal.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species present in iron-saccharidic complexes including sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function, based on separation of the iron-saccharidic complex from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilization. Separation of the iron-saccharidic complex permits its analytical quantification; further concentration or purification as a new and useful product; preparation of redesigned formulations for new and useful pharmaceuticals; and/or lyophilization.

Abstract: A spark management device includes a high voltage power source and a detector configured to monitor a parameter of an electric current provided to a load device. In response to the parameter, a pre-spark condition is identified. A switching circuit is responsive to identification of the pre-spark condition for controlling the electric current provided to the load device so as to manage sparking including, but not limited to, reducing, eliminating, regulating, timing, and/or controlling any intensity of arcs generated.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes a first number of corona electrodes and a second number of accelerating electrodes spaced apart from and parallel to adjacent ones of the corona electrodes. An electrical power source is connected to supply the corona and accelerating electrodes with an operating voltage to produce a high intensity electric field in an inter-electrode space between the corona electrodes and the accelerating electrodes. The accelerating electrodes may be made of a high electrical resistivity material, each of the electrodes having mutually perpendicular length and height dimension oriented transverse to a desired fluid flow direction and a width dimension oriented parallel to the desired fluid flow direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for measuring the internal refractive index of an optical fiber preform with high precision. The internal refractive index of an optical fiber preform (2) is measured from the state of bending of a light ray (4) passing across the optical fiber preform (2), so that the refractive index distribution of the optical fiber preform (2) is found on the basis of the angle of bending of the light ray calculated from a specific relation between a light ray start position (8) and a light ray detection position (9). The surface of a light source (1) is scanned by a knife-edge (6) and the light ray start position (8) on the light source is determined depending on the interception of the light ray (4) by the knife-edge (6) or the de-interception of the light ray, thereby learning the start position (8) of the detected light ray (4) on the light source (1).

Abstract: An automated inspection system and method enables rapid, remote and non-contact inspection of large objects, utilizing non-destructive inspection techniques, that does not require continuous manual repositioning of the inspection equipment. The inspection system includes a remote controlled robotic vehicle including a sensor package capable of non-destructive inspection of a structure and a mechanism for locating the sensor package at a plurality of inspection sights on the structure; a positioning system for determining the location of the robotic vehicle with respect to the structure to be inspected; a control system for controlling the movement of the robotic vehicle around the structure to be inspected; and an analysis systems for analyzing data generated by the sensor platform.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator having a multiplicity of closely spaced corona electrodes. The close spacing of such corona electrodes is obtainable because such corona electrodes are isolated from one another with exciting electrodes. Either the exciting electrode must be placed asymmetrically between adjacent corona electrodes or an accelerating electrode must be employed. The accelerating electrode can be either an attracting or a repelling electrode. Preferably, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes is maintained between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage with a flexible top high-voltage power supply. Optionally, however, the voltage between the corona electrodes and the exciting electrodes can be varied, even outside the range between the corona onset voltage and the breakdown voltage, in to vary the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A process for preparing parenteral iron-saccharidic complexes, and the complexes produced, comprising: (1) providing an aqueous solution or dispersion including (i) Fe(III) and (OH)? ions and (ii) at least one saccharide, to form a reaction mixture, where the molar ratio of (i): (ii) is about 30:1 to about 1:30; and the mixture temperature and pH are at or above the complex assembly point (CAP); and (2) maintaining temperature and pH at or above the CAP for a time sufficient to form an iron-saccharidic complex having a molecular weight of about 25,000 Daltons or more. Control of the temperature and pH efficiently produces a high molecular weight complex. The complex can be separated by precipitation, dialysis and/or column fractionation and, if desired, dried, e.g., lyophilized or spray dried. The process can controllably synthesize complexes of varying molecular weight and/or chemical composition, particularly sodium ferric gluconate and ferric hydroxide-sucrose.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species present in iron-saccharidic complexes including sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function, based on separation of the iron-saccharidic complex from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilization. Separation of the iron-saccharidic complex permits its analytical quantification; further concentration or purification as a new and useful product; preparation of redesigned formulations for new and useful pharmaceuticals; and/or lyophilization.

Abstract: A filling system includes a pressurized source of fill material and a pressure fill head wherein the fill head also includes a heating element positioned so as to transfer heat to fill material passing through the fill head. A method of filling holes using a fill material passing through a pressure fill head includes the steps of causing fill material to enter the fill head, modifying the viscosity of the fill material while it is within the fill head, and causing the modified viscosity fill material to exit the fill head and enter at least one hole.

Abstract: A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species present in iron-saccharidic complexes including sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function, based on separation of the iron-saccharidic complex from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilization. Separation of the iron-saccharidic complex permits its analytical quantification; further concentration or purification as a new and useful product; preparation of redesigned formulations for new and useful pharmaceuticals; and/or lyophilization.

Abstract: The compositions of the present invention comprise one or more palladium bound ligands that are covalently bonded to inorganic or organic solid supports. These palladium bound ligands bonded to solid supports can be used for single heterocyclic amine base separation, or can be used to separate nucleotide chain containing specific sequences from other nucleotides or nucleotide chains. In one aspect of the invention, each ligand present is individually complexed to a single Pd(II) ion. If there are from 2 to 4 ligands present in the composition, then each ligand present must be separated from the other ligands by at least 3 atoms, preferably from 3 to 20 carbon atoms or equivalent spacing.

Abstract: An electrostatic fluid acceleration and method of operation thereof includes at least two synchronously powered stages. A single power supply or synchronized and phase controlled power supplies provide high voltage power to each of the stages such that both the phase and amplitude of the electric power applied to the corresponding electrodes are aligned in time. The frequency and phase control allows neighboring stages to be closely spaced at a distance of from 1 to 2 times an inter-electrode distance within a stage, and, in any case, minimizing or avoiding production of a back corona current from a corona discharge electrode of one stage to an electrode of a neighboring stage. Corona discharge electrodes of neighboring stages may be horizontally aligned, complementary collector electrodes of all stages being similarly horizontally aligned between and horizontally offset from the corona discharge electrodes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively binding specific metal ions, such as Ca2+ and Cd2+, contained in a source solution are disclosed and described. This is accomplished by the use of a composition comprised of an EGTA ligand covalently bonded to a membrane support. The composition formula of the present invention is M—B—L where M is a membrane having a hydrophilic, partially hydrophilic or a composite membrane with a hydrophilic surface, B is a covalent linkage, and L is an EGTA ligand. The separation is accomplished by passing a source solution containing the ions to be separated through a device containing the membrane-ligand composition, causing the selected ions to be complexed to the EGTA ligands and subsequently removing the selected ions from the device by passing an aqueous receiving solution through the device and quantitatively stripping the selected ions from the EGTA ligand.

Abstract: Naphthyl crown ether ligand molecules containing at least two naphthyl groups that are covalently bonded to suitable solid supports and coated by hydrophobic organic solvents are disclosed. These compositions and associated methods are characterized by selectivity of desired amine or amino acid enantiomers over their counter-enantiomers and derivatives. The composition preferably has an &agr;-value greater than or equal to 4. This allows for the separation of such enantiomers with nonchromatographic resin bed separations of three separation stages or less.