Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: Wireless methods for dispensing water supplied by a main purification unit to a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units.

Abstract: An environmental chamber includes an ultrasonic nebulizer assembly for controlling the relative humidity within the chamber. The ultrasonic nebulizer assembly is connected in closed-loop fluid communication with an enclosed chamber of the environmental chamber and includes an ultrasonic nebulizer module to generate water vapor that is introduced into the enclosed chamber. The ultrasonic nebulizer module is constructed to be immersed in water within the ultrasonic nebulizer assembly and is readily replaceable by the user. A nebulizer hour timer is provided to monitor the length of time of the ultrasonic nebulizer is operating to provide a precise indication to the user of how much life is left in the ultrasonic nebulizer before it needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A water dispensing device for dispensing water at a location remote from a water purification unit and methods of using the water dispensing device and methods of operating such remote water dispensing devices. The water dispensing device includes a dispensing gun, a support structure for the dispensing gun, and a manifold hydraulically coupling the water purification unit with the dispensing gun for supplying a stream of water from the water purification unit to the dispensing gun. The water dispensing device is also equipped with a flow control valve operative for selectively directing the stream of water from the manifold to the dispensing gun. Equipping the remote water dispensing device with a manifold and flow regulation device permits the flow of water to be regulated locally at the water dispensing device, in contrast to regulation only at the water purification unit.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.

Abstract: Wireless water purification systems and wireless remote dispensing devices for a water purification system. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units.

Abstract: Wireless methods for dispensing water supplied by a main purification unit to a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units.

Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: A hotplate with a stainless steel top plate to support a vessel. The stainless steel top plate has an upper surface with a substantially centrally located depression having a depth and area generally sufficient to absorb upward crowning of the top plate when heated. A heating unit is in a heat transfer relation with the stainless steel top plate, and a base unit is connected to the heating plate assembly; however, the base unit is not fastened directly to the stainless steel top plate, so that the stainless steel top plate can expand more uniformly when heated.

Abstract: A hotplate with a stainless steel top plate to support a vessel. The stainless steel top plate has an upper surface with a substantially centrally located depression having a depth and area generally sufficient to absorb upward crowning of the top plate when heated. A heating unit is in a heat transfer relation with the stainless steel top plate, and a base unit is connected to the heating plate assembly; however, the base unit is not fastened directly to the stainless steel top plate, so that the stainless steel top plate can expand more uniformly when heated.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.

Abstract: An environmental chamber includes an ultrasonic nebulizer assembly for controlling the relative humidity within the chamber. The ultrasonic nebulizer assembly is connected in closed-loop fluid communication with an enclosed chamber of the environmental chamber and includes an ultrasonic nebulizer module to generate water vapor that is introduced into the enclosed chamber. The ultrasonic nebulizer module is constructed to be immersed in water within the ultrasonic nebulizer assembly and is readily replaceable by the user. A nebulizer hour timer is provided to monitor the length of time of the ultrasonic nebulizer is operating to provide a precise indication to the user of how much life is left in the ultrasonic nebulizer before it needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A water dispensing device for dispensing water at a location remote from a water purification unit and methods of using the water dispensing device and methods of operating such remote water dispensing devices. The water dispensing device includes a dispensing gun, a support structure for the dispensing gun, and a manifold hydraulically coupling the water purification unit with the dispensing gun for supplying a stream of water from the water purification unit to the dispensing gun. The water dispensing device is also equipped with a flow control valve operative for selectively directing the stream of water from the manifold to the dispensing gun. Equipping the remote water dispensing device with a manifold and flow regulation device permits the flow of water to be regulated locally at the water dispensing device, in contrast to regulation only at the water purification unit.

Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.

Abstract: A water purification system and method for producing high-purity, laboratory-quality product water from feed water containing a concentration of dissolved ions and other contaminants. The water purification system includes a reverse osmosis unit and a capacitive deionization module positioned in a recirculation path coupling a concentrate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with a feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. The capacitive deionization unit removes dissolved ions from the concentrate stream, which is admixed with feed water provided to the feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. A permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit outputs a stream of the high-purity product water to be, for example, stored in a storage tank.

Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.

Abstract: A water purification system for purifying water flowing through a water flow path. The system includes a water purification device having an inlet and an outlet in the water flow path and at least one interior volume communicating with the inlet and outlet. A purification medium is disposed within the interior volume of the water purification device. A flow control system is provided controlling a volume of purified water dispensed from the outlet. The flow control system includes an input device configured to allow a user to input a desired volume of purified water to be dispensed from the outlet and a sensing device coupled with the electronic input device and operative to determine the volume of purified water being dispensed from the outlet. A flow regulation device is coupled with the flow control system and operative to stop the discharge of purified water at the outlet upon reaching the desired volume of purified water.