Abstract: A seawater deaerator has a large reservoir through which seawater slowly flows. Gas is injected into the bottom of the reservoir through porous aeration stones forming bubble nuclei. The seed bubbles move upward through the seawater in the reservoir expanding but not coalescing, and withdrawing dissolved gas from the seawater. The deaerated seawater flows out of the reservoir and subsequently flows through spouts into a flash evaporator. Gas is withdrawn from a low pressure gas chamber at the top of the reservoir by a vacuum pump. The exhaust of the vacuum pump supplies gas to the air injectors.

Abstract: A magnetic and electric force sensing method uses a force responsive transducer made of a micromachined, solid state magnetic sensor consisting of a central silicon platform surrounded and supported by a thin silicon membrane. The silicon substrate is placed over an aluminum pad recessed into a well on a supporting glass substrate. The magnetic sensor responds to a static method of measuring force whereby the Earth's magnetic field or magnetic field or other origin acts as an attractive or repulsive force towards the magnetic material placed onto the silicon platform. The magnetic force mechanically displaces the silicon platform and diaphragm membrane which is transduced to an electrical signal where a change in capacitance is measured. Geometry of the silicon platform, diaphragm membrane and glass well depth are used to affect the linearity, sensitivity and range of measurements of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to contactless proximity sensing transducers and more particularly concerns a single crystal ultrasonic interferometer comprised of a piezoelectric crystal attached to a Pyrex plate for acoustic impedance matching purposes. When driven at the crystal's resonant frequency, the electrical impedance of the crystal becomes sensitive to the input acoustical impedance of the interferometric path length between the crystal and the target object. By monitoring the crystal impedance at a fixed frequency as target position is varied, the sensor is capable of determining the incremental displacement of the moving target. By monitoring the crystal impedance at a fixed target position as the driving frequency is varied, the sensor is capable of determining the absolute proximity of the target. The geometry of the piezoelectric crystal and the Pyrex plate are used to affect the resolution and frequency response of the sensor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the viscosity of pure and mixed fluids is described. The device is a micromechanical capacitor transducer, with a moving membrane and a stationary metal plate constituting the capacitive system. A conduit for gas flow permits the gas to fill the volume between the moving membrane and metal plate. The gas viscosity sensor is operable by applying a d.c. pulse of an a.c. electrical voltage. By electrically driving the device the conducting membrane is caused to deflect with respect to the stationary metal plate. This results in a measureable capacitance, frequency or resistance change with time. The impedance to flow determines the response time of the capacitor plate membrane displacement. Thus the viscosity of pure and mixed fluids is indicated by the transient and/or a.c. characteristics of the device capacitance.

Abstract: A composite unipolar-bipolar semiconductor device in which a sourceless field-effect transistor structure is fabricated upon the outer face of one member of a junction diode structure. In some embodiments the gate portion of the sourceless field-effect transistor structure is at least partially transparent to radiation of at least part of the electro-magnetic spectrum. In some embodiments radiation sensitive material is deposited upon the gate portion of the sourceless field-effect transistor structure.

Abstract: A rapid stick test for the detection of ciguatoxin and other polyether toxins from fish tissue is disclosed. This is a relatively simple and rapid field test utilizing enzyme immunoassay technology for the detection of lipid toxin which can be assessed in ten minutes or less in the field. The invention is both a procedure and a kit for conducting the test. The kit includes a bamboo sampling stick, buffer reagent, anti-ciguatoxin horseradish peroxidase conjugate, substrate reagent, fixation reagent, blotter, filter paper, and medicine dropper.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for eliminating grease, sewage odor and hydrogen sulfide from restaurant grease traps and municipal sewage systems using xeronine. Xeronine works by stimulating the metabolism of the resident anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.

Abstract: Described herein are the composition, the characterization, the assay, the mode of action and the utility of a new alkaloid which may be isolated from a wide variety of natural materials by observing certain techniques and precautions herein set forth.

Abstract: Described herein are the composition, the characterization, the assay, the mode of action and the utility of a new alkaloid which may be isolated from a wide variety of natural materials by observing certain techniques and precautions herein set forth.

Abstract: A platinum caffeine chloride anionic complex is formed by reacting K.sub.2 PtCl.sub.4 with caffeine in an aqueous solution at neutral pH under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. This complex is particularly useful for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A subsurface sampler which obtains samples of sand from offshore deposits. A 27 foot tube within a tube is lowered to the ocean floor while suspended from flotation tanks. The sampler is free of suspension cables and thus is detached from boat motions. Surface sand is sucked up through the suction tube and pumped to a container on deck by a jet pump.A jet pump is actuated by high pressure drive water sent down a three inch hose to the top of the sampler, through the void between the two pipes, and to an annular jet nozzle. The nozzle directs the flow upward in the two-inch center pipe through a venturi-shaped throat piece. The throat piece causes sand to be sucked up the suction tube and transported in a slurry through the inner pipe and a two-inch slurry hose to the surface. A manifold valve in the inner pipe shuts off upward flow, jetting water from the lower intake and flowing away sand to let the sampler drop deeper into a deposit.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for cleaning outsides of heat exchange tubes mounted transversely to the vertical flow of seawater in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plants. The invention comprises a number of small floating objects circulating in the seawater flow which randomly clean outside surfaces of heat exchange tubes. The floating objects are made of buoyant plastic foam encased in polyethylene or other material selected to maximize cleaning but minimize wear on the outside surfaces of the tubes. The preferred shape of the floating objects is generally fusiform, altered to have erratic motion in seawater flow. Appendages may trail from the floating objects to increase the randomness of the cleaning action.The flow of seawater is arranged to provide a constantly circulating path for the floating objects to rise through slow downward flow and to fall with greater downward flow velocity. Screens located above and below the heat exchanger prevent the floating objects from escaping.