Abstract: A system for automatically controlling power supply to a lamp (101) of a vehicle, the system comprising: a detection module (20) to detect whether the vehicle is stationary or non-stationary; a controller (102) to receive a signal (25) having a first value transmitted by the detection module (20) when the vehicle is detected as stationary, and the controller (102) to receive a signal (25) having a second value transmitted by the detection module (20) when the vehicle is detected as non-stationary, wherein if the signal (20) having the first value is received by the controller (102), the controller (102) reduces the power supply to the lamp (101) from a first power level to a lower second power level in order to reduce energy consumption of the lamp (101), and if the signal (25) having the second value is received by the controller (102), the controller (102) restores the power supply to the lamp (101) from the lower second power level to the first power level.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 10, 2008
Publication date:
September 10, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Eric Ka Wai Cheng, Bangalore Prabhakar Divakar, Dao Hong Wang
Abstract: Harmful algal bloom (HAB, also termed red tide) has increasingly caused tremendous damage to fisheries worldwide. Since the formation process of HAB is still to be uncovered and the causes of HAB occurrence are largely unknown, it is impossible to take effective measures of prevention. At the present, the only viable measure against HAB is to forewarn and predict the occurrence of large scale HAB, which relies on a viable and efficient indexing method. Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable method to forewarn the occurrence of HAB. The HaiDex method is of a diffusion-characterized water pollution indexing technology, which is invented to effectively forecast HAB, independent of water regions around the world. To ensure forecast accuracy, the HaiDex method is invented (and claimed) to: 1) Characterize statistically a continuous formation process with imperfect panel data of water quality (e.g.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 10, 2008
Publication date:
September 10, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
John Jianhua Liu, Jia Yan, Samuel Chun-lap Lo, Kin-chung Ho, Tsz Leung Yip
Abstract: In a process for fabricating a nano-floating gate memory structure, a substrate and a nanocluster source are firstly provided. The nanocluster source is activated for generating a beam of nanoclusters towards the substrate, and at least part of the nanoclusters are received atop the substrate. Thereby, a plurality of nanoclusters of controllable size are formed atop the substrate.
Abstract: A hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber polarizer may include a core, an inner cladding surrounding the core, the inner cladding including a plurality of capillaries, and an outer cladding at least partially surrounding the inner cladding. A section of the capillaries distal to the core is asymmetric relative to a section of the capillaries proximal to the core.
Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 15, 2007
Publication date:
September 3, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Samuel Chun-Lap Lo, Leo Lai Chan, Ivor John Hodgkiss
Abstract: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major problem in cancer chemotherapy. The best characterized resistance mechanism is the one mediated by the over-expression of drug efflux transporters, permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp), which pump a variety of anticancer drugs out of the cells, resulting in lowered intracellular drug accumulation. A series of flavonoid dimers are developed in this invention, which are linked together by linker groups of various lengths. These flavonoid dimers are found to be efficient P-gp modulators that increase cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs in vitro and dramatically enhance their intracellular drug accumulation. It is found that the flavonoid dimers of this invention is also useful in reducing drug resistance in treating parasitic diseases.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 9, 2007
Publication date:
August 6, 2009
Applicants:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, McGill University
Abstract: A technique allowing manufacturers to produce woven moisture management fabrics with good moisture transfer properties is based upon a model of the fabric construction, thereby avoiding a manufacturing trial-and-error process. An initial woven fabric design including hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns are modeled, the warp and weft yarns generally lying in a plane of the fabric. By orthographic projection onto respective planes substantially parallel to the plane of the fabric, a first view and an opposing second view of a unit cell of the model is produced. If the total projected area of hydrophobic yarn on one of the first and second views is between 40% and 70% of the total projected area, and total projected area of hydrophilic yarn on the other of the first and second views exceeds 50% of the total projected area, then a fabric according to the fabric design will have near optimum moisture wicking properties and is manufactured to the design.
Abstract: Metal chelates are useful for improving the contrast of X-ray, ultrasound, radionuclide and magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the metal complexes must be stable and inert so that toxicity resulting from dissociation in the body can be minimized. This invention provides 16-member ring metal chelates that can provide a charge balanced metal complex having improved stability, especially for gadolinium(III) and samarium (III).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 2004
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2009
Assignees:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Kwok-Yin Wong, Chi Huang, Cheuk-Sang Kwok, Victor Snieckus
Abstract: Disclosed is a novel recombinant Bacillus bacterial strain constructed by genetic engineering which has high productivity of aipha-amylase. The Bacillus strain comprises an alpha-amylase gene inserted in the Bacillus chromosome under transcriptional control of a phage promoter. An efficient process for the rapid production of large amounts of alpha-amylase is also disclosed.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a strain gauge having a conductive fluid made of a glycerin/aqueous salt mixture, and methods of making the strain gauge. The strain gauge is capable of measuring large displacement of around 30% true strain.
Abstract: (?)-EGCG, the most abundant catechin, was found to be chemopreventive and anticancer agent. However, (?)-EGCG has at least one limitation: it gives poor bioavailability. This invention provides compounds of generally formula 10, wherein R1 is selected from the group of —H and C1 to C6 acyl group; R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group of —H, —OH, and C1 to C6 acyloxyl group; and at least one of R2, R3, or R4 is —H. The derivatives of (?)-EGCG that is at least as potent as (?)-EGCG. The carboxylate protected forms of (?)-EGCG and its derivatives are found to be more stable than the unprotected forms, which can be used as proteasome inhibitors to reduce tumor cell growth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 19, 2004
Date of Patent:
June 9, 2009
Assignees:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Wayne State University, University of South Florida, McGill University
Inventors:
Tak-Hang Chan, Wai-Har Lam, Larry Ming-Cheung Chow, Qing Ping Dou, Deborah Joyce Kuhn, Aslamuzzaman Kazi
Abstract: Existing pressure sensing fabrics may involve two portions, i.e., insulating and conductive portions in the fabric, which increases the complexity of the fabric system and more important, and the instablization of the resistance-strain relationship during dynamic deformation which limits the application fields due to intrinsic properties difference between the two portions. These fabrics commonly employ two or more layers to accomplish the detecting functions. Such arrangements increase the thickness, weight, and cost of the sensors with some other disadvantages such as low accuracy, instability, etc. This invention describes a pressure sensing fabric have a general structure as simple as a plurality of electrically conducting yarns forming interlocking loops of yarns. The pressure sensing fabric is found not only be able to sense pressure but also the magnitude of the pressure.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a microvalve having a valve plug, connecting legs, anchors and actuators, allowing the valve plug to move vertically to open or close the valve. The valve plug can contain magnetic materials, and be operated by an actuator.
Abstract: A method for the production of a conductive flexible textile array. The method includes the application of an oxidizing agent to selected areas of the textile; coating the textile with pyrrole by vapor deposition to form a conductive coated textile having a polypyrrole network; stabilizing the conductive coated textile; and forming the conductive flexible textile arrays as a sensor. With this method of production, the degree of polymerization of the conjugated polymer, the morphology and the rate of the capacitance delay is carefully controlled. As such, stable flexible textile sensors are produced with various levels of sensitivities and conductivities which are particularly useful for designed applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2005
Date of Patent:
May 12, 2009
Assignee:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Xiaoming Tao, Sarah Mei-Yi Leung, Marcus Chun-Wah Yuen, Wing-Yin Kwok, Hoi-Lut Ho
Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 15, 2007
Publication date:
May 7, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Samuel Chun-Lap Lo, Leo Lai Chan, Ivor John Hodgkiss
Abstract: The present invention relates to clothing items such as pants or shoulder bags incorporating urine bag pockets suitable for holding a urine bag. Through the invention, incontinence sufferers are able to maintain mobility while still concealing a urine bag.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 29, 2007
Publication date:
April 30, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Frency Sau Fun Ng, Patrick Chi-leung Hui
Abstract: The present invention is directed toward biomarkers that identify characteristics of algae. The invention is further directed toward biomarkers that serve to identify algae species and strains of algae species as well as detect the presence of algal toxins. Additional embodiments feature methods utilizing algal biomarkers and polypeptides that can serve as biomarkers.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 19, 2008
Publication date:
April 16, 2009
Applicant:
THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Samuel Chun-Lap Lo, Leo Lai Chan, Ivor John Hodgkiss
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating rheumatic disorders, and symptoms of arthritis specifically. The method involves utilizing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in combination with administration of a ginsenoside, such as Rb1.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 9, 2007
Publication date:
April 9, 2009
Applicant:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Inventors:
Mason Chin Pang Leung, Samuel Chun Lap Lo
Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cyclometalated iridium complexes for detecting poly(amino acids) including peptides, polypeptides, and proteins. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophorectic gels, and on solid supports, including blots. The method of the present invention is rapid, highly sensitive, and extremely facile.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite polymer having two-way shape effect, wherein the composite is made of a shape polymer layer, a resin layer, and an adhesive layer. The composite is suitable for inclusion in films, boards, fabrics, and textiles. Methods of making and using are included herein.