Abstract: A tinnitus masking system for use by a person having tinnitus The system comprises a sound delivery system having left and right ear-level audio delivery devices and is configured to deliver a masking sound to the person via the audio delivery devices such that the masking sound appears to originate from a virtual sound source location that substantially corresponds to the spatial location in 3D auditory space of the source of the tinnitus as perceived by the person. The masking sound being represented by left and right audio signals that are converted to audible sound by the respective audio delivery devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanically-actuated switch comprising a deformable conductive element providing a conductive path between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the effective geometry of the conductive element changes suddenly upon deformation to cause a disproportionately large change in a resistance between the first and second terminals. The switch can be made from lightweight and soft materials, and is particularly suited for integration with dielectric elastomer devices. Also disclosed are various circuits and a method for controlling circuits including the switch.

Abstract: An inductively powered sensor system includes a primary conductive path 100 capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space 1. An inductive power pick-up 120 is associated with a sensor 124 and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor 124. The system includes a first sensing means to sense the power available to the pick-up 120 and control means to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system 10 for controlling an industrial plant 12 comprises automatic control equipment 14 comprising a plurality of measurement sensors 16 for sensing predetermined variables associated with components of the industrial plant 12. The sensors 16 generate measured data relating to operation of the components of the industrial plant 12. A database 20 contains operational data, including observational data, regarding the industrial plant 12. A processor 18 is in communication with the automatic control equipment 14 and the database 20 for receiving the measured data from the sensors 16 of the automatic control equipment 14 and the operational data from the database 20. The processor 18 manipulates the measured and operational data to provide an evolving description of a process condition of each component over time, along with output information relating to operational control of the industrial plant 12 and for updating the database 20.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for reprogramming of mammalian somatic cells and in particular to reprogramming of mature mammalian somatic cells into multi-potent precursor cells.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT) pick-up circuit for receiving power from a primary conductor has a pick-up coil (L2) and a compensation capacitor (C2) so that the pick-up coil (L2) may be resonant at the system operating frequency a switch (S1, S2), and a plurality of reactive elements (L3, C3) whereby when the switch is in one of an on state or an off state the additional reactive elements (L3, C3) are resonant at the operating frequency to reduce power being supplied to an output of the pick-up circuit.

Abstract: A control method for use in a primary side power converter (1) of an inductive power transfer (IPT) system. The power transfer from the primary side to one or more secondary pick-ups is monitored, and the operating frequency of the primary side power converter (1) is varied in proportion to a difference between the monitored power transfer and a power capability of the primary side power converter. The frequency variation can be sensed by the or each pick-up (2) to regulate the power transfer and to prevent overloading from occurring.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer (IPT system) includes an AC-AC full-bridge converter (Tp1-Tp4) provided between the primary conductive path (Lpt) and an alternating current power supply (Vin). The system may include a controller for controlling the pick-up device to shape the input current drawn from the alternating current power supply (Vin).

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus including a first power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a high power transfer rate and a second power transfer coupling arranged to selectively couple to the battery to charge at a lower power transfer rate, wherein the second power transfer coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery, wherein power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: A plating or coating method for producing a metal-ceramic composite coating on a substrate is provided. The method N comprises adding a sol of a ceramic phase to a plating solution or electrolyte and controlling the pH, degree of mixing, and/or temperature of the plating solution or electrolyte. An item or surface comprising a substrate and a metal-ceramic composite coating on the substrate, the metal-ceramic composite coating comprising a ceramic phase of dispersed amorphous ceramic particles having an average diameter of from 1 to 100 nm is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic flux pad (BPP) is provided for receiving magnetic flux. The pad may be used with an inductive power transfer system, and comprises a magnetically permeable core (4) and two substantially flat overlapping coils (2, 3) magnetically associated with the core (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to yeast strains and, in particular, to yeast strains for use in fermentation processes. The invention also relates to methods of fermentation using the yeast strains of the invention either alone or in combination with other yeast strains. The invention further relates to methods for the selection of yeast strains suitable for fermentation cultures by screening for various metabolic products and the use of specific nutrient sources.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal-ceramic composite coating with increased hardness on a substrate includes adding a sol of a ceramic phase to the plating solution or electrolyte. The sol may be added prior to and/or during the plating or coating and at a rate of sol addition controlled to be sufficiently low that nanoparticles of the ceramic phase form directly onto or at the substrate and/or that the metal-ceramic coating forms on the substrate with a predominantly crystalline structure and/or to substantially avoid formation of nanoparticles of the ceramic phase, and/or agglomeration of particles of the ceramic phase, in the plating solution or electrolyte. The ceramic phase may be a single or mixed oxide, carbide, nitride, silicate, boride of Ti, W, Si, Zr, Al, Y, Cr, Fe, Pb, Co, or a rare earth element. The coating, other than the ceramic phase may comprise Ni, Ni—P, Ni—W—P, Ni—Cu—P, Ni—B, Cu, Ag, Au, Pd.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes first means for selectively coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply and second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower power electrical supply, wherein the second means for coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery. Power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the output voltage of a pickup in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system without any additional form of communications for feedback from the pickup to the power supply. The method comprising the steps of deriving an estimate of the output voltage of the pickup from the voltage across the primary conductive path, and adjusting the current in the primary conductive path so that the estimated pickup output voltage matches a required pickup output voltage. In particular, an estimate of the pickup output voltage is derived from the magnitude and phase angle of the voltage in the primary conductive path.

Abstract: Aniline copolymers and the synthesis thereof for use as antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral material) material of for the manufacture of antimicrobial objects, suitable for use in the health, food, packaging, water, paint, wood, textile, poultry, glass, paper, rubber, ceramic, seafood, sports, plastic and agricultural industries. The copolymer may be for example (A): where for example R3?H5—CO2H, —CO2Me, or —CO2Et. R is typically H or a C1-C6 alkyl, x is an integer between 1 and 0 and m indicates the degree of polymerisation. Preferred copolymers are copolymers of aniline with 3-aminobenzoic acid, 2-aminobenzoic acid and ethyl 3-aminobenzoate.

Abstract: This invention relates to current-fed resonant inverters for electrical power applications to change direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). One application of the invention is to power supplies for inductive power transfer (IPT) systems. There is provided a resonant inverter including an input for supply of current from a DC power source, a resonant circuit including two coupled inductive elements and a tuning capacitance, the inductive elements being arranged to split current from the power source; a first switching means comprising two switching devices operable in substantially opposite phase to alternately switch current from the power source into the inductive elements; and a second switching means to selectively switch one or more control capacitances into or out of the resonant circuit dependent on a power factor of the resonant circuit.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer is disclosed. The apparatus has three or more coils arranged such that when energized with a power source, magnetic fields produced by each coil augment each other on a first surface and substantially weaken each other on a second surface. The first and second surfaces have an obverse relationship to each other. Also disclosed is a roadway inductive power transfer module suitable for producing a magnetic field for inductive power transfer to a vehicle using the roadway, and an Inductive power transfer apparatus suitable for receiving a magnetic field for inductive power transfer.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a polyaniline homopolymer or copolymer comprising at least one carboxylic acid group, and homopolymers or copolymers arising therefrom, the methods comprising: preparing a solution of a polyaniline precursor having at least one aromatic amine group and at least one carboxylic acid group (eg. 2-aminobenzoic acid, 3-aminobenzoic acid or 4-aminobenzoic acid) in a solvent selected from aqueous methanesulfonic acid or aqueous ammonia and optionally one or more additional polyaniline precursors (such as aniline); and oxidatively polymerising the polyaniline precursor or precursors.

Abstract: A fire retardant material comprising preferably at least 60% polypropylene having a flexural modulus of 2.8 GPa or above and a fire retardancy rating of UL-94 V-1 or better. The fire retardant material is preferably halogen and glass-fiber free. It may contain a fire retardant agent (e.g. a polymeric APP-crystal phase II type fire retardant fire retardant) and a filler. Also methods for producing such a fire retardant material.