Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and system for facilitating detection of a particular predetermined gas in a scene under observation. The gas in the scene is typically associated with a gas leak in equipment. To this end, the system comprises an infrared camera arrangement; a strobing illuminator device having a strobing frequency matched to a frame rate of the camera; and a processing arrangement. The processing arrangement is configured to store a prior frame obtained via the infrared camera arrangement; and compare a current frame with the stored prior frame and generate an output signal in response to said comparison. The system also comprises a display device configured to display an output image based at least on the output signal generated by the processing arrangement so as to facilitate detection of the particular predetermined gas, in use.

Abstract: A method of re-stiffening an over-digested rubber modified bituminous binder includes admixing a reactive, stiffness inducing organic additive with the over-digested rubber modified bituminous binder to produce a re-stiffened rubber modified bituminous binder with an increased softening point. The admixing takes place at an elevated temperature of at least 185° C. A rubber modified bituminous binder suitable for both asphalt and seal surfacing applications that includes a digested rubber bituminous admixture with a softening point of at least 55° C. and a dynamic viscosity at 190° C. of less than 2000 mPa·s. A method of sealing or paving a surface includes applying a layer which includes a rubber modified bituminous binder to the surface, the rubber modified bituminous binder being in the form of a digested rubber bitumen admixture with a softening point of at least 55° C. and a dynamic viscosity at 190° C. of less than 2000 mPa·s.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite material that is formed from a polymer, acetylated collagen and graphene, which can be used as a super-capacitor material. Also disclosed herein are methods of making said composite material and its intermediates, as well as a supercapacitor made using said material.

Abstract: A process for producing a lithium-manganese-rich layered oxide cathode material or a lithium-manganese-rich layered oxide cathode material precursor includes co-precipitating a dissolved Li compound and a dissolved Mn salt selected from the group consisting of Mn(CH3COO)2, Mn(NO3)2, MnSO4, and mixtures thereof, from an aqueous solution, in the presence of a precipitator which reacts at least with the dissolved Mn salt to form a carbonate, thereby providing a precipitate which includes MnCO3 and a lithium compound as a lithium-manganese-rich layered oxide cathode material precursor. The invention extends to a lithium-manganese-rich layered oxide cathode material or a lithium-manganese-rich layered oxide cathode material precursor, to an electrochemical cell, and to methods of making and operating an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and system for facilitating detection of a particular predetermined gas in a scene under observation. The gas in the scene is typically associated with a gas leak in equipment. To this end, the system comprises an infrared camera arrangement; a strobing illuminator device having a strobing frequency matched to a frame rate of the camera; and a processing arrangement. The processing arrangement is configured to store a prior frame obtained via the infrared camera arrangement; and compare a current frame with the stored prior frame and generate an output signal in response to said comparison. The system also comprises a display device configured to display an output image based at least on the output signal generated by the processing arrangement so as to facilitate detection of the particular predetermined gas, in use.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a build platform, a scanning unit and a preheating arrangement. Material is operatively deposited on the build platform to form a material bed, with a surface of the material bed defining a material area. The scanning unit is configured to consolidate deposited material in a scan area on the surface of the material bed, wherein the scan area forms part of and is substantially smaller than the material area. The preheating arrangement is configured to focus energy onto the surface of the material bed substantially in the scan area and not in the remainder of the material area. A method of preheating material in an additive manufacturing apparatus, a method of forming an object by additive manufacturing and a preheating arrangement for an additive manufacturing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive manufacturing apparatus which includes a platform guiding arrangement 10 having a build platform 12 and a mounting arrangement 14 comprising guiding elements 16, 18 mounted to the build platform 12. The mounting arrangement 14 is configured to permit displacement of the build platform 12 in a vertical or Z direction whilst permitting unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction of the build platform in the horizontal or X-Y plane. The guide elements 16, 18 abut against adjacent sides of the build platform 12 to inhibit angular displacement about a vertical axis and permit unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction in the X-Y plane.

Abstract: A method of electronically deriving a conclusion of a condition of slurry flow in a non-vertical conduit having a conduit wall and which contains a slurry to flow or flowing along the conduit is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to coupling devices, particularly to coupling devices for use with pressurized substances, for example, fluids such as liquids, gases, and plasmas; drive assemblies for said coupling devices; and to methods of supplying substances. The coupling device comprises a housing defining a chamber, the housing comprising inlet, outlet, and re-circulation/vent apertures; a valve assembly disposed in the chamber, the valve assembly comprising a valve; and a drive assembly located in the housing and operatively engageable with the valve assembly, wherein the drive assembly comprises a drive member disposed in the chamber; and a second cam member operatively engageable with the drive member and the valve assembly, wherein the second cam member is configured to be displaced by the drive member to cause the operation of the coupling device between uncoupled and coupled conditions, and the valve between the re-circulation/vent and charge conditions in a synchronized fashion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a second generation, plant-produced synthetic Orbivirus candidate vaccine. The vaccine comprises a plant produced chimaeric Orbivirus virus like particle (VLP) comprising at least one structural protein from one Orbivirus serotype and at least one structural protein selected from another serotype of the Orbivirus, wherein both structural capsid proteins are from the same Orbivirus species. In particular the invention relates to a vaccine against an Orbivirus, a method of producing chimaeric Orbivirus virus-like particles (VLPs) for use in a method of prevention and/or treatment of an Orbivirus infection, the use of the chimaeric Orbivirus VLPs in the manufacture of a vaccine for an Orbivirus, and a method of preventing and/or treating an Orbivirus infection.

Abstract: A process for producing a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material, includes producing a raw layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide (“LMNC”) material. Optionally, a dopant capable of enhancing the performance of the layered LMNC material when used as a cathode material in an electrochemical cell, is introduced during the production of the raw LMNC material. Before any annealing of the raw LMNC material is effected, it is subjected to microwave treatment. The resultant treated material is annealed to obtain the layered LMNC material.

Abstract: A frequency double or mixing laser includes a laser pump, a rear optical element, a Brewster window, a laser generator medium, an output coupler and a nonlinear crystal located inside the resonator cavity. The nonlinear crystal may be located inside the resonator cavity before the output coupler. The laser may further include at least one optical element that controls the phase or/and the amplitude of the fundamental laser beam to a high-order.

Abstract: This invention relates to a second generation, plant-produced synthetic Orbivirus candidate vaccine. The vaccine comprises a plant produced chimaeric Orbivirus virus like particle (VLP) comprising at least one structural protein from one Orbivirus serotype and at least one structural protein selected from another serotype of the Orbivirus, wherein both structural capsid proteins are from the same Orbivirus species. In particular the invention relates to a vaccine against an Orbivirus, a method of producing chimaeric Orbivirus virus-like particles (VLPs) for use in a method of prevention and/or treatment of an Orbivirus infection, the use of the chimaeric Orbivirus VLPs in the manufacture of a vaccine for an Orbivirus, and a method of preventing and/or treating an Orbivirus infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive manufacturing apparatus which includes a platform guiding arrangement 10 having a build platform 12 and a mounting arrangement 14 comprising guiding elements 16, 18 mounted to the build platform 12. The mounting arrangement 14 is configured to permit displacement of the build platform 12 in a vertical or Z direction whilst permitting unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction of the build platform in the horizontal or X-Y plane. The guide elements 16, 18 abut against adjacent sides of the build platform 12 to inhibit angular displacement about a vertical axis and permit unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction in the X-Y plane.

Abstract: A method of testing pavement includes repeatedly simulating wheel loading on the pavement by repeatedly applying a plurality of discrete forces with a downwards component, in series and one after the other, to an upper surface of a test strip of the pavement thereby to simulate a load exerted by a travelling wheel and hence subjecting the pavement to accelerated testing. The discrete forces are provided by repeatedly actuating a series of actuators, one after the other, each to exert a force with a downwards component to the upper surface of the test strip of pavement, or to a portion thereof.

Abstract: A liquid flame retardant composition is in the form of an admixture which includes a phosphate-based flame retardant, ammonium hydroxide and zinc borate. The invention extends to a method of providing a phosphate-based liquid flame retardant composition, to the use of a phosphate-based flame retardant, ammonium hydroxide and a zinc borate in the manufacture of a liquid flame retardant composition, to a cellulosic material treated with the liquid flame retardant composition and to a method of inhibiting strength loss in a cellulosic material when the cellulosic material is exposed to heat.

Abstract: A method of deriving a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow in a non-vertical conduit includes artificially generating a first locally heated spot on an interior surface of the conduit at the invert of the conduit and artificially generating a second locally heated spot on the interior surface of the conduit at a location angularly spaced from the first heated spot at an angular spacing of at least 90°. The temperatures of the heated spots are measured, obtaining first and second temperature values T1, T2. Electronically generated signals carrying the values T1, T2 are communicated to an electronic computing device. The computing device automatically calculates a first temperature difference T1 minus T2 and automatically derives a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow prevailing in the conduit based on the relationship between the value of the first temperature difference and a first reference parameter.

Abstract: An in-shell egg pasteurization process includes, in a temperature-raising stage (12), raising the temperature of yolk of a plurality of in-shell eggs (40), simultaneously and at least predominantly by means of microwave radiation, to a pasteurization temperature, the temperature-raising stage (12) including a plurality of elongate or longitudinally extending microwave cavities that are isolated from one another so that microwaves fed into an elongate or longitudinally extending microwave cavity do not leak into any other elongate or longitudinally extending microwave cavity. The in-shell eggs (40) are displaced along the lengths of the elongate or longitudinally extending microwave cavities whilst being irradiated with microwaves. In a pasteurization stage (14), the raised temperatures of the in-shell eggs (40) are maintained for a pasteurization time sufficient to pasteurize the in-shell eggs (40).

Abstract: A method of testing pavement includes repeatedly simulating wheel loading on the pavement by repeatedly applying a plurality of discreet forces with a downwards component, in series and one after the other, to an upper surface of a test strip of the pavement thereby to simulate a load exerted by a travelling wheel and hence subjecting the pavement to accelerated testing. The discreet forces are provided by repeatedly actuating a series of actuators, one after the other, each to exert a force with a downwards component to the upper surface of the test strip of pavement, or to a portion thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material, includes producing a raw layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide (‘LMNC’) material. Optionally, a dopant capable of enhancing the performance of the layered LMNC material when used as a cathode material in an electrochemical cell, is introduced during the production of the raw LMNC material. Before any annealing of the raw LMNC material is effected, it is subjected to microwave treatment. The resultant treated material is annealed to obtain the layered LMNC material.