Abstract: A method of determining the safety and/or efficacy of a gene therapy vector prior to carrying out gene therapy on an individual includes infecting a culture of induced pluripotent stem cells obtained from the individual with a gene therapy vector. Ideally the cells are allowed to differentiate, and the infection is carried out at the start of culture and at least once during differentiation and/or after differentiation. Nucleic acids are extracted from the infected cells, and then analysed to measure and/or determine adverse effects of integration of nucleic acid from the vector and/or efficiency of expression of nucleic acid from the vector.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an add-on component for an aerofoil which enable the structure of the aerofoil to be tuned in order to reduce the amplitude of sound produced at frequency fpeak when air flows in a flow direction from the leading edge over the trailing edge of an aerofoil. The method applies both to add-on components having a slitted formation and a Double-Rooted Trailing Edge Serration (abbreviated to “DRooTES”).

Abstract: A method of preparing a mixture of a metal or metal alloy and (NbxTi1-x)C (where 0<x?1) in which (NbxTi1-x)C in particulate form (either with or without metal powder) is formed into a preform and then if necessary added to the metal. The resulting (NbxTi1-x)C/metal mixture can then be heated to a temperature below the melting point of the (NbxTi1-x)C and optionally dispersed in liquid metal and/or casted and cooled to produce a solid product with improved physical properties.

Abstract: A heat pipe system including a heat pipe having a first end and a second end for transferring working fluid from the first to the second end, a first reservoir in fluid communication with the first end for holding working fluid in liquid form, a first heat exchanger for transmitting thermal energy from a heat source to working fluid in the first reservoir to vaporize the fluid, a second heat exchanger for transmitting thermal energy from vaporized working fluid to a heat sink thereby condensing the fluid, a return conduit and a pump for pumping the condensed working fluid along the return conduit, where the heat pipe, the return conduit and the first reservoir form a hermetically sealed circuit. A method of transferring thermal energy using a heat pipe system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of predicting the likelihood of success of a gene therapy procedure includes inducing DNA damage in a cell sample from an individual. The ability of the individual's cells in the sample to repair the DNA damage is then assessed to determine whether the individual could tolerate DNA damage caused by a gene therapy vector. In preferred embodiments, the ability of the individual's cells to repair DNA damage is assessed by detecting, and monitoring the subsequent disappearance of, a marker of DNA damage repair (such as gamma H2AX or phosphorylated 53BP1) in the sample.

Abstract: An adaptive precision chuck for a precision/ultraprecision machining system is described. The chuck (200) defining a mount for receiving a workpiece (300) wherein, when in use, the centre of the mount is configured to be substantially concentric with an axis of rotation (214) of the machining system, the chuck (200) further including jaws (201) about the mount and a plurality of compliant flexures (203-206) configured, upon application of rotational forces by the machining system to the chuck about the axis of rotation (214), to engage the jaws (210) upon a workpiece (300) in the mount.

Abstract: Micro-alloyed aluminium alloys containing complex sub-micro/or nano-sized strengthening phases are provided for use for example in the automotive industry. Existing commercial alloys are treated by adding at least one of the elements from Ni, Ag, Nb, Mo, Ce, La, Y and Sc at a level of more than 0.1 wt. % but less than 0.5 wt. % on top of the existing commercial alloy containing Si, Cu, Mg, Mn, Zn, and at least one type of sub-micron sized or even nano-sized TiB2, TiC and AI2O3 solid particles at a level of more than 0.05 wt. % but less than 0.5 wt. % in the solidified castings.

Abstract: A blade or wing element includes a plurality of ribs (20) rotatable and/or slidable with respect to one another whereby to vary the aerodynamic configuration of the blade or wing element by causing a twist thereof. A blade or wing or blade or wing assembly, including such a blade or wing element is disclosed, as well as an aerodynamic apparatus such as an aircraft, or a wind turbine. A method of assembling a blade or wing element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic body having a trailing edge with a pattern formed thereon, the pattern can include a plurality of smoothly surfaced adjacent members with respective interstices therebetween, wherein at least one of the interstices completely contains a porous barrier. In some embodiments, the porous barrier can obstruct fluid flow through the respective interstice between a first surface of the fluid dynamic body on a first side of the trailing edge and a second surface of the fluid dynamic body on a second side of the trailing edge. This helps to reduce noise produced at the trailing edge. In some embodiments, the fluid dynamic body is a wind turbine blade or an air-engine blade.

Abstract: A high strength cast aluminium alloy for high pressure die casting comprising magnesium silicide 6 to 12 wt. %, magnesium 4 to 10 wt. %, X element from copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), gold (Au) and Lithium (Li) at 3 to 10 wt. %, manganese 0.1 to 1.2 wt. %, iron max. 1.5 wt. %, titanium or the other grain refining elements from Cr, Nb, and Sc with 0.02 to 0.4 wt. %, and impurity and minor alloying elements at a level of maximum 0.3 wt. % and totally <0.5% of at least one element selected from scandium (Sc), zirconium (Zr), Nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), niobium (Nb), gadolinium (Gd), calcium (Ca), yttrium (Y), antinomy (Sb), bismuth (Bi), neodymium (Nd), ytterbium (Yb), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), beryllium (Be) and boron (B) and the remainder aluminium.

Abstract: A medical balloon for a balloon pump is disclosed. The medical balloon has a first end and a second end and a port at one of the ends for engaging a catheter for receiving an inflation fluid into the balloon. The balloon has one or more exterior walls defining, when the balloon is inflated at substantially a standard operating pressure, a taper along at least a part of the length of the balloon. The taper has two or more consecutive tapering sections, each tapering section having a different, substantially constant, angle of tapering. The balloon is substantially asymmetrical about a mid-point between the first and second ends when inflated.

Abstract: Method of refining metal alloys A method of refining the grain size of (i) an alloy comprising aluminum and at least 3% w/w silicon or (ii) an alloy comprising magnesium, comprises the steps of (a) adding sufficient niobium and boron to the alloy in order to form niobium diboride or Al3Nb or both, or (b) adding niobium diboride to the alloy, or (c) adding Al3Nb to the alloy, or (d) any combination thereof.

Abstract: A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill. The device can have multiple layers of resonator tubes and a port into which recorded music can be played to calm the patient further.

Abstract: In an effort to increase the reliability and net power and efficiency benefit of the axial- and mixed-flow turbocharger turbine, there is provided, a tapered, axially translatable (“sliding nozzle”) flow restrictor member to provide appropriate inlet exhaust gas flow characteristics for the operation of an axial or mixed flow turbine. The invention produces change of turbine flow with acceptable resolution at a lower cost than that for a conventional pivoting vane, variable geometry axial turbocharger turbine or at a similar cost but higher efficiency than a conventional sliding nozzle, variable geometry mixed, flow turbocharger turbine.

Abstract: A method of producing nanocellulose includes defibrillating cellulosic raw material by oxidation with an oxidant such as NaClO or H202 and sonication in the presence of a swelling agent. The nanocellusose produced by the method can be used in a method of recycling cellulosic material such as paper, card, cardboard or wood to produce recycled paper.

Abstract: A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (high shear device) and method for treating liquid metals by intensive melt shearing. The apparatus comprises a stator and a rotor with a small gap between them to provide intensive melt shearing for dispersing efficiently and distributing uniformly gas, liquid and solid phases in liquid metals without severe turbulence at the melt surface. The device can be extended to a multistage high shear pump by arranging individual rotor/stator assemblies either concentrically (one in another) or vertically. The device and high shear pump can be readily integrated into existing casting processes. The device is suitable for use in casting processes including high pressure die casting, low pressure die casting, gravity die casting, sand casting, investment casting, direct chill casting, twin roll casting, and any other casting process which requires liquid metal as a feedstock.

Abstract: A modular flow reactor is formed of a plurality of modules, wherein each module comprises a body having at least one conduit passing therethrough, and wherein a plurality of said modules are aligned along a longitudinal axis such that said conduits of said modules are aligned to form a passage for fluid, wherein each module has a length along said longitudinal axis which is less than the length of the module perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The modules are “slices” rather than “tubes” and a plurality of said modules can be aligned linearly so that the conduits form a tube.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprises a single core (preferably an electrically conducting fibre core) having sequential coaxial layers of: (i) a first electrode, (ii) a gelled electrolyte which functions as a separator for the supercapacitor, (iii) a second electrode, and (iv) a conductor for collecting current. A further supercapacitor layer can be provided. The supercapacitor fibre can be incorporated into fabric to form articles of clothing.

Abstract: An air connector is described mountable opposite an intake or exhaust port in an associated intake or exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine to allow the port to communicate selectively with the associated pipe and with a compressed air storage tank. The connector comprises a stopper mounted on a rod movable by an actuator between an open position in which the port communicates with the associated pipe and a closed position in which the stopper seals around the entrance of the port to isolate the port from the associated pipe. An air passage is provided in the stopper and the rod to allow communication between the port and the compressed air storage tank when the stopper is in the closed position, and a check valve is arranged in the air passage and biased in a direction to prevent escape of air from the compressed air storage tank in all positions of the stopper.