Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal. The method comprises the steps of providing said at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal to at least one half-wave rectifier; transforming, in said at least one half-wave rectifier, said at least one first input signal superimposed on at least one second signal into a half-wave rectified signal; providing said half-wave rectified signal to an envelope detector; and transforming, in said envelope detector, said half-wave rectified signal into an envelope signal and wherein the at least one half-wave rectifier comprises at least one optoelectronic device. In this way, a simpler and cheaper method and/or device are provided for e.g. detecting a transmitted information signal superimposed on a high frequency carrier signal.

Abstract: A tuned liquid damper comprising a housing with a hollow cavity within said housing and a first fluid which partially fills said hollow cavity. The inner surface of said hollow cavity is essentially spherical. The tuned liquid damper further comprises first fluid damping means arranged within the essentially spherical cavity of the housing. In this way, a tuned liquid damper is provided which has a response which is constant and independent of the orientation of the tuned liquid damper. Damping means are provided in order to be able to control the damping effect of the tuned liquid damper.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the isolation of plasmids from extremely thermophilic anaerobic microorganisms and their use in genetic transformation of thermophilic and mesophilic microorganisms. More particular the invention concerns the use of thermostable plasmid vectors as tools for creating shuttle vectors for genetic transformation of extremely thermophilic anaerobic microorganisms.