Abstract: A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid.

Abstract: A micromechanical switch and a method of making the switch. The micromechanical switch of the invention is made by surface micromachining techniques and include an isolated contact located on the beam and separated from the main body of the beam by an insulated connector. The isolated contact provides the advantage that the current flow caused by the circuit being switched does not alter the fields or currents used to actuate the switch. Thus, the present invention allows the actuation functions to be unaffected by the signals that are being switched.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for resolving double-stranded DNA species differing by at least one base pair. Each of the species is characterized by an iso-melting domain with a unique melting temperature contiguous with a melting domain of higher thermal stability.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a magneto-optic Kerr effect magnetic field sensing element and an optical system including a light source, at least one polarizer or polarizing element and a detector disposed about the sensing element. The sensing element is responsive to an external magnetic field. In one embodiment, the optical system and sensing element can be arranged to measure the strength of a magnetic field. In another embodiment the optical system and sensing element can be arranged to measure the rotational speed of rotating members.

Abstract: A release tag reagent suitable for use in the chemical analysis of a substance to be detected comprises signal, release, and reactivity groups. A class of release tag compounds that are cleaved to release as signal groups very stable electrophoric ketones which are sufficiently volatile for determination in the gas phase of an analytical reaction mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: A release tag reagent suitable for use in the chemical analysis of a substance to be detected comprises signal, release, and reactivity groups. A class of release tag compounds that are cleaved to release as signal groups very stable electrophoric ketones which are sufficiently volatile for determination in the gas phase of an analytical reaction mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: A release tag reagent suitable for use in the chemical analysis of a substance to be detected comprises signal, release, and reactivity groups. A class of release tag compounds that are cleaved to release as signal groups very stable electrophoric ketones which are sufficiently volatile for determination in the gas phase of an analytical reaction mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: Amorphous metal alloys rich in noble metals prepared by rapid solidification processing are disclosed. The alloys have at least a ternary composition having the formula M.sub.a G1.sub.b G2.sub.c, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pd, and Pt, and G1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, C, Cu, Ni, Si, and Be, and G2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y, the lanthanides, Zr, Hf, Ca, Mg, Ti, Nb, and Ta. The subscripts a, b, and c are atomic percentages; a ranges from 70 to 90 percent, and b and c range from 5 to 15 percent each. Preferably, a is at least 80 percent and b and c are generally equal. The amorphous metal alloys are readily glass forming and thermally stable at room temperatures.

Abstract: A method of causing somatic cell hybridization between two species of algae by growing somatic algal tissue from each of the two species of algae in close proximity, in a nutrient solution, and isolating and culturing the hybrid somatic shoots that form.

Abstract: Cathodic/anodic vacuum arc sources with plasma ion implantation deposition system for depositing high quality thin film coatings of complex compounds on a workpiece. Both cathodic and anodic vacuum arc deposition sources, CAVAD, are used to create a plasma vapor from solid materials composing the cathode and/or anode in the cathodic and/or anodic arc respectively. Gases, e.g., hydrogen or nitrogen can be in the deposited films by creating a background plasma of the desired gas using either RF energy, thermionic emission, or consequential ionization of the gas passing through the arc or around the substrate. Application of highly negative pulses to the substrate to extract the ions and provide them with the appropriate energy to interact with the other species in the thin film formation on the substrate to form the desired films. The substrate is bombarded with the ionized particles to form carbon nitrides with variable [N]/[C] ratios, referred to as CN.sub.x.

Abstract: A reaction turbine capable of providing unidirectional rotation under a reversible fluid flow is disclosed. The turbine comprises inflow and outflow fluid channels, a turbine chamber, and a working wheel with a plurality of airfoil-shaped blades mounted transversely to the direction of fluid flow for rotation in a plane parallel to the fluid flow. A channel directs the fluid flow to the blades. In the turbine chamber, the channel has a curved configuration having opposed changes in elevation or bulges directed towards the center of the turbine in a plane parallel to the flow of fluid to optimize the angle of attack of the fluid on the blades. In one embodiment, the channel also has a V or other linear or non-linear shape in transverse cross-section in the turbine chamber to smooth and direct the fluid flow. In another embodiment, the blades have a delta or other curvilinear shape, which smooths and directs the fluid flow and allows the channel to have a simpler rectangular cross-section.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoretic system and method for accurate and precise post-column manipulation of molecules separated by capillary electrophoresis is disclosed. The system of the invention includes a separation capillary; a detector positioned close to, and preferably less than approximately one cm from the outlet end of the capillary; and a sheath which surrounds and directs a collection buffer over the capillary outlet end. With the detector positioned as described, precise and accurate correlation is possible between detection of the separated components of a sample and their emergence from the capillary. The detector preferably includes optical fibers connected to a spectrophotometric detection method, such as UV detection or fluorescence, including laser induced fluorescence.

Abstract: A robot arm end effector in the form of a multi-fingered hand having a conformable grasp. Each articulating finger includes multiple phalanges sequentially interconnected by pivot points such that each finger articulates in one plane. One filament pair, which controls finger articulation within the plane, is routed through a respective finger by a system of pulleys and is controlled by a DC motor. Driving the associated motor in a first direction causes a respective finger to articulate in a first direction within the plane. Reversing the motor direction causes the respective finger to articulate in a second direction within the plane. Individual phalanges articulate independently of the motion of adjacent phalanges. A second filament pair may be employed to pivot a respective finger about a base axis resulting in out of plane motion of the finger.

Abstract: A carbide phase on a porous or impervious carbon substrate is provided by chemically reacting the substrate with a concentrated solution of a carbide forming element in compound dissolved in a suitable solvent. The carbon substrate is heated to a temperature at which the compound decomposes and chemically reacts with the carbon substrate to form the desired carbide phase.

Abstract: A release tag reagent suitable for use in the chemical analysis of a substance to be detected comprises signal, release, and reactivity groups. A class of release tag compounds that are cleaved to release as signal groups very stable electrophoric ketones which are sufficiently volatile for determination in the gas phase of an analytical reaction mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: An array antenna includes a ferrite substrate having a two-dimensional planar array of antenna elements disposed over a first surface thereof and means for applying an external magnetic field having a magnitude and direction which can be varied at least in a plane in which the antenna elements lie. The amplitude and direction of the external magnetic biasing field is varied to control the relative phases between each of the plurality of antenna elements and to steer the direction of a main antenna beam in two dimensions.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for single step, covalent labeling of the phosphate group of an organic substance under aqueous conditions are described. The labeling compound includes any kind of detectable signal group covalently bound to an imidazole moiety, which can be imidazole or a substituted imidazole.

Abstract: A method of hydrogenating a thin film semiconductor wafer and an apparatus for performing the method. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps applying a pulsed potential having a predetermined amplitude, a predetermined repetition rate and a predetermined pulse duration to the thin film semiconductor wafer while exposing the thin film semiconductor wafer to a hydrogen plasma. The method is especially applicable to the formation of thin film transistors in flat display panels.

Abstract: A sensor system including a magnetooptic sensing element, a light source, at least one polarizer and at least one detector disposed about the sensing element. The sensing element has a first characteristic such that the sensing element provides a response to an applied external stress.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain cocaine analogs useful for imaging of cocaine receptors and dopamine receptors. Also disclosed are analogs useful for imaging diagnostics for Parkinson's disease.