Abstract: There is provided a process for producing LiMXO4, comprising the steps of reacting a source of lithium, a source of M, and a source of X together, in a melted state at a reaction temperature between 900 to 1450 C, in the presence of an excess of (A) a solid-solid reducing couple having an oxygen partial process at equilibrium (pO2) comprised between 10?8 and 10?15 atm at said reaction temperature according to an Ellingham-Richardson diagram for oxides, or (B) one component of the solid-solid reducing couple together with a gas-gas reducing couple having an oxygen partial pressure equilibrium (pO2) between 10?8 and 10?15 atm at said reaction temperature according to an Ellingham-Richardson diagram of oxides, and under thermic equilibrium and thermodynamic equilibrium. There is also provided a LiMXO4 melt-solidified product free from off-composition impurities.

Abstract: A powder metal composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by atomizing a melted iron based alloy including 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon; 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten; 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum; not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen; and at least 40.0 wt. % iron. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming elements to oxidize during atomization. The powder metal composition includes metal carbides in an amount of at least 15 vol. %. The microhardness of the powder metal composition increases with increasing amounts of carbon and is typically about 800 to 1,500 Hv50.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing a crystalline electrode material, the process comprising: providing a liquid bath comprising the electrode material in a melted state; and introducing a precursor of the electrode material into the liquid bath, wherein the electrode material comprises lithium, a metal and phosphate. There is also provided a crystalline electrode material, comprising lithium substituted by less than 0.1 atomic of Na or K; Fe and/or Mn, substituted by less than 0.1 atomic ratio of: (a) Mg, Ca, Al and B, (b) Nb, Zr, Mo, V and Cr, (c) Fe(III), or (d) any combinations thereof; and PO4, substituted by less than 20% atomic weight of an oxyanion selected from SO4, SiO4, BO4, P2O7, and any combinations thereof, the material being in the form of particles having a non-carbon and non-olivine phase on at least a portion of the surface thereof.

Abstract: A powder metal composition for high wear and temperature applications is made by atomizing a melted iron based alloy including 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon; 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten; 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium; 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum; not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen; and at least 40.0 wt. % iron. The high carbon content reduces the solubility of oxygen in the melt and thus lowers the oxygen content to a level below which would cause the carbide-forming elements to oxidize during atomization. The powder metal composition includes metal carbides in an amount of at least 15 vol. %. The microhardness of the powder metal composition increases with increasing amounts of carbon and is typically about 800 to 1,500 Hv50.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for enhanced bladder voidance which would have the advantages of a rhizotomy yet be temporary and reversible by combining low and high-frequency sacral nerve stimulation. Applicants propose a new sacral neurostimulation strategy based on a combination of nerve conduction blockade using high frequency signals and nerve stimulation using low-frequency signals. The method and apparatus enhances micturition in paraplegics by sacral neurostimulation involving a combination of a low-frequency electrical stimulation applied to one or more sacral nerves to induce bladder contraction and a high frequency electrical stimulation applied to at least one sacral nerve to cause nerve conduction blockade that prevents urethral sphincter dyssynergic contraction.

Abstract: Moving components with dimensions much smaller than what micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology can accomplish in terms of force generated and power efficiency, are integrated onto micro-systems. These moving components referred to herein as “bio-components” are special bacteria (magnetotactic bacteria) where the motion of these bio-components can be controlled by generating an “artificial pole” by a magnetic field generated by a constant electrical current that can be varied to change the location of the “artificial pole” from an electrical system such as an embedded electronic micro-circuit. According to the present invention, it is possible through a software program or codes, to control the direction of motion of these magnetotactic bacteria, for example, by downloading such program onto the embedded electronics (controller or the like), and to generate the required magnetic field to control such bacteria to accomplish a particular task.

Abstract: The channel region of the FET device has a first portion adjacent the source which has a higher bandgap energy or a higher electron affinity than a remaining portion of the channel. A quasi-electric field in the channel near the source is intensified and as a result, accelerates charge carriers in the channel and increases switching speed. An infrared controlled FET device is also disclosed in which a low bandgap channel layer has a large bandgap layer deposited on it to result in a conduction band discontinuity at the junction between the large bandgap semiconductor layer and the low bandgap channel layer and a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel in the low bandgap channel layer so that photons reaching the 2DEG eject charges and allow conduction through the channel layer.

Abstract: The gas phase exothermic reaction of a feed gas mixture is carried out by providing first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another and each containing a bed of solid heat exchange material and at least one bed of catalyst material, each chamber being selectively operable in cooling and heating modes. The feed gas mixture is introduced into a selected one of the chambers when the selected chamber is in the cooling mode and the other chamber is in the heating mode so that the feed gas mixture flowing through the selected chamber contacts the bed of heat exchange material before contacting the bed of catalyst material, the feed gas mixture being reacted in the catalyst bed to form a gaseous product. The gaseous product is conducted from the selected chamber to the other chamber so that the gaseous product flowing through the other chamber contacts the bed of catalyst material before contacting the bed of heat exchange material.

Abstract: A medication dispensing device for implantation into an animal or human body, comprises a plurality of compartments each containing a dose of medicine to be dispensed and having a delivery opening permitting delivery of the medicine; a rupturable membrane sealing the delivery opening of each compartment, the membrane having a predetermined elastic deformation limit and a predetermined rupture point; and a membrane rupturing system associated with each compartment for rupturing the membrane thereof in response to an electrical signal.

Abstract: A source of microwave power is connected to the first, input, port of a six-port device whose second, output, port is connected to a device under test. A variable impedance is connected between the source and the input port. Preferably, the variable impedance is a mechanical three stub tuner. The six-port device includes a first directional coupler whose first input comprises the input port and whose first output comprises the output port. First, second and third hybrid couplers have outputs which constitute the third, fourth, fifth and sixth outputs of the six-port device. A power divider connects the directional coupler to the hybrid couplers.

Abstract: The thermometer consists of an operational amplifier ratio bridge which is made up of at least one arm having a 3-terminal high impedance temperature sensor one of whose leads being connected to the output of an operational amplifier whose gain has been stabilized and whose output impedance has been rendered negligible by negative feedback. The other lead being connected to the input of an operational amplifier whose gain has been stabilized and whose input impedance has been rendered negligible by negative feedback. Standard arms, comprising standard resistors and capacitors and operational amplifiers whose gain has been stabilized by negative feedback may be connected in parallel with the first arm.

Abstract: At least two three-phase transformer arrangements include a plurality of primary windings connected in a wye configuration and at least two converter arrangements, each converter arrangement comprising a plurality of secondary windings connected in a double-wye configuration. A separate rectifier is connected in series with each secondary winding of each converter arrangement.

Abstract: A method and device for determining in-situ rheological properties of earth materials are disclosed. A low-angle cone penetrometer is pushed into a predrilled cylindrical pilot hole of smaller diameter, to cause enlargement of the pilot hole. In one embodiment, the load applied to the cone is held constant and the relationship between the cone penetration and the time is recorded. In another embodiment, either the load on the cone or the rate of penetration into the pilot hole is held constant and the relationship between the penetration or the penetration rate and the resistance of the material against the enlargement of the pilot hole is recorded. The rheological properties of the material, such as the creep and time or rate-dependent deformation and strength properties, are then deduced from the recorded data.

Abstract: A bioreactor for the biochemical treatment of liquids containing organic matter, comprises an elongated, upwardly extending tubular container having inlet means for receiving the liquid to be treated and outlet means for discharging the treated liquid. A plurality of spaced-apart first and second trays are alternatively arranged above one another inside the container, each tray being apertured to provide liquid flow communication between the inlet and outlet means and adapted to support a respective bed of microorganism cells capable of reacting with the organic matter. The apertures of the first and second trays are arranged relative to one another to cause the liquid to flow laterally across the respective cell beds of the trays as the liquid flows from one tray to another.

Abstract: The continuous monitoring of an element in a molten substance containing same is effected by monitoring the electromotive force generated between a first electrode in contact with the substance and a second electrode in contact with a reference material which is separated from the substance by a solid electrolyte. The reference material comprises a metal and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of (a) a combined salt of the metal and a monovalent metal, (b) a mixture of a first salt of the metal and a second salt of the monovalent metal, the first and second salts having a common anion, (c) a mixture of the first salt and the combined salt, and (d) a mixture of the second salt and the combined salt, the at least one salt being present in the form of a slurry containing a liquid phase in equilibrium with a solid phase, the liquid phase containing the metal and monovalent metal in ionic form and the solid phase containing the first salt, second salt or combined salt.