Abstract: A novel nickel-carbon electrode, and methods for making the same, have been developed. The nickel-carbon electrode comprises an active mass (e.g., a nickel oxyhydroxide, hydroxide or oxide) deposited to a carbon foam using any one of chemical deposition, thermal deposition or electrochemical deposition. The nickel-carbon electrode is formed or “activated” through a series of charge-discharge cycles. The nickel-carbon electrode is comparable in volumetric capacities (mAh/cc) with commercial nickel electrodes but higher in gravimetric capacities (mAh/g). The nickel-carbon electrode may be used in rechargeable nickel-based batteries which have applications in cordless appliances, portable devices, standby power systems, the aerospace industry, and hybrid electric vehicles.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the genetically down regulating a lignin pathway p-coumarate Co-enzyme A ligase (CCL) in trees.

Abstract: A method of depositing a silicon layer on a substrate includes the steps of placing a doped silicon (or silicon composite) target and a substrate in a vacuum chamber. An arc discharge is initiated using the silicon target as a cathode and the chamber as an anode to generate a plasma containing target material. Current pulses of a predetermined frequency are applied between the cathode and the anode and the arc is reinitiated as necessary so that silicon material from the plasma is deposited on the substrate to form a layer having a desired thickness. The resultant silicon layer is an important component in MEMS devices.

Abstract: A magneto-optical isolator (20) for an optical circuit. The isolator includes a substrate, and an optical channel (350) disposed next to the substrate. The optical channel and substrate are configured to transmit optical radiation within the optical channel. The isolator further includes a photonic-crystal rotator (24) formed with the substrate and the optical channel. The rotator has at least one defect (52) and magnetic (M) and non-magnetic (N) materials.

Abstract: A method of performing magnetic annealing of a ferromagnetic thin film applied to a substrate includes applying an oscillating magnetic field to the ferromagnetic thin film to induce a current therein and heat the ferromagnetic thin film. A directional magnetic field is applied to the ferromagnetic thin film at the same time as the ferromagnetic thin film is heated, and the ferromagnetic thin film is allowed to acquire a desired magnetic characteristic, and then the oscillating magnetic field is removed and the ferromagnetic thin film is allowed to cool.

Abstract: A password management system. The password management system includes a host computing processor that encrypts a list of passwords, and a portable access device. The portable access device stores the list of encrypted passwords, and communicates the list of encrypted passwords with the host computing processor through a peripheral port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of concurrently introducing multiple genes into plants and trees is provided. The method includes simultaneous transformation of plants with multiple genes from the phenylpropanoid pathways including 4CL, CAld5H, AldOMT, SAD and CAD genes and combinations thereof to produce various lines of transgenic plants displaying altered agronomic traits. The agronomic traits of the plants are regulated by the orientation of the specific genes and the selected gene combinations, which are incorporated into the plant genome.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate. The method includes applying an adhesive to the substrate, broadcasting an aggregate onto the adhesive, the aggregate having the capacity to receive an anti-icing chemical into the aggregate, and applying the anti-icing chemical onto the aggregate so that at least a portion of the anti-icing chemical is received into at least a portion of the aggregate.

Abstract: The invention comprises modified luciferase proteins which are more resistant to inhibition by test chemicals than wild type luciferase. The modified luciferases also contain greater thermostability than wild type luciferase.

Abstract: A method of performing regional heating of a system having a substrate. The method may include applying a thin film to the system, and controllably energizing a coil positioned near the thin film. The energized coils thereby generate a magnetic flux. The method further includes inducing a current in the thin film with the magnetic flux thereby heating the system.

Abstract: A visual display including a container, liquidous fluid within the container, a source of gaseous fluid communicating with the liquidous fluid, and at least one binary bubble formed within the liquidous fluid in response to gaseous fluid entering the liquidous fluid. The liquidous fluid is preferably a polymer in water solution or a polymer in mineral oil or silicon oil solution. The binary bubble has two bulbous portions in fluid communication with each other through a neck. The binary bubbles may link together in a chain extending from the bottom of the container to the top of the liquidous fluid. In other constructions, the binary bubbles float up through the liquidous fluid and collapse into a large individual bubble. The display may also include a light emitting source and a filter for selectively changing the color of light emitted into the container.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate. The method may include applying an adhesive to a substrate, applying aggregate onto the adhesive and applying an anti-icing chemical thereon. Alternatively, the method may include grinding the aggregate, roughening the substrate and stimulating an aggregate/adhesive/anti-icing chemical composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel DNA sequence, which encodes a previously unidentified lignin biosynthetic pathway enzyme, sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD) that regulates the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in plants. Also provided are methods for incorporating this novel SAD gene sequence or substantially similar sequences into a plant genome for genetic engineering of syringyl-enriched lignin in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of concurrently introducing multiple genes into plants and trees is provided. The method includes simultaneous transformation of plants with multiple genes from the phenylpropanoid pathways including 4CL, CAld5H, AldOMT, SAD and CAD genes and combinations thereof to produce various lines of transgenic plants displaying altered agronomic traits. The agronomic traits of the plants are regulated by the orientation of the specific genes and the selected gene combinations, which are incorporated into the plant genome.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate is provided. The method includes applying an adhesive to the substrate, broadcasting an aggregate onto the adhesive to form an aggregate-adhesive and applying an anti-icing chemical onto the aggregate-adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Populus 4-coumarate Co-enzyme A ligase gene promoter that directs expression in the xylem of plants. The promoter is used in methods designed to alter lignin content, lignin structure, cellulose content and combinations thereof. The methods comprise operably linking said promoter to heterologous nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A method of locating mobiles via a dynamic base station. The method includes transmitting a first wireless signal from the dynamic base station at a first time, and receiving the first wireless signal at the mobile. The method also includes transmitting a second wireless signal from the mobile in response to receiving the first wireless signal, and receiving the second wireless signal at the dynamic base station at a second time. The method also includes determining a time difference between the first time and the second time, determining an angle of arrival of the second wireless signal, and locating the mobile based on the angle of arrival and the time difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel DNA sequence, which encodes a previously unidentified lignin biosynthetic pathway enzyme, sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD) that regulates the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in plants. Also provided are methods for incorporating this novel SAD gene sequence or substantially similar sequences into a plant genome for genetic engineering of syringyl-enriched lignin in plants.

Abstract: A system and method that determines a blood flow rate in an area of a subject. The system includes a transmitter operable to transmit an electrical signal in the range of about 20 GHz to about 300 GHz to the area, a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the area, and a processor operable to determine the blood flow rate in the area based on the rate of change of temperature in the area as a result of the application of the electrical signal on the area and a power density value.

Abstract: An actuator including a piezoelectric film. The film has a first side, a second side, and a thickness between the first side and the second side. The actuator also includes a first electrode adjacent to the first side of the film, and a second electrode adjacent to the second side of the film. The first electrode and the second electrode are configured to establish an electric field gradient across the thickness of the film when the first electrode and the second electrode are energized. The gradient causes deflection of the film. The gradient includes a difference between a field component substantially near the first side of the film and a field component substantially near the second side of the film.