Abstract: A desiccant composition is described. The desiccant composition has a polymeric binder and a dispersion of powders of hygroscopic inorganic oxides as desiccant materials, in which the desiccant powders are finely dispersed in consequence of their surface-modification by fatty acid anions without affecting their moisture sorption performances.

Abstract: An SMA wire actuating element is described, having a shape memory alloy wire intended to be operably connected to an actuatable element of an actuator device, and a first and a second elongated elements made of a non-SMA material. The elongated elements are respectively restrained at a first end thereof to the ends of the shape memory alloy wire by way of crimping means of the SMA wire actuating element. The SMA wire actuating element further has a first and a second connection means intended to be operably connected to a body of the actuator device. The elongated elements are respectively restrained at a second end thereof to the connection means, whereby the portion of each elongated element comprised between its first and second ends is free to move between the crimping means and the connection means.

Abstract: A nitrous oxide room temperature purification method, apparatus and system utilizing at least partially oxidized nickel. In an embodiment, a room temperature regenerable N2O purifier includes a vessel having an inlet and outlet, an active portion being at least partially filled with a purification material comprising nickel oxide and optional elemental nickel, wherein the weight ratio between the nickel oxide and the optional elemental nickel is equal or higher than 3 and the surface area of the nickel oxide and the optional elemental nickel is equal or higher than 50 m2/g.

Abstract: A getter pump is described. The getter pump has a casing, whose shape is a solid of revolution with a revolution axis, and a plurality of getter cartridges mounted within the getter pump casing, each cartridge having a linear central support and spaced getter elements mounted on the linear central support. A getter cartridge orientation plane containing the linear central support and parallel to the revolution axis, and a getter cartridge positioning plane orthogonal to the revolution axis and intersecting the midpoint of a linear central support are defined. For each cartridge, the angle formed by the getter cartridge positioning plane with the linear control supports is equal to or less than 30°.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator includes a supporting body, a driven element pivotably mounted on the supporting body and in permanent contact with a driving element whose movement is determined by a SMA actuating member and by at least one resilient return member acting in opposition to the SMA actuating member. The driven element is able to take two stable positions under the action of a bistable moving system connecting the driving element to the driven element such that each toggling between the two stable positions is due to an activation of the SMA actuating member, the latter being arranged together with the bistable moving system. The resilient return member, the driving element and the driven element on a same side of the supporting body are in a substantially co-planar arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing thin-film photovoltaic panels by the use of a sealing means composed by a polymeric tri-layer comprising a composite getter system composed of a polymer with a low H2O transmission, having dispersed in its inside a H2O sorption material, and two outer polymeric layers with the composite getter system therebetween, as well as to a polymeric tri-layer for the manufacturing of photovoltaic panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophobically coated molecular sieve which comprises particles having a particle size of 1000 nm or less, the surface of the particles being coated with a silane of the general formula SiR1R2R3R4, and also to a method of producing it and to a method of using it. In addition, the invention relates to use of the coated molecular sieve and also to compositions comprising the molecular sieve and to use in producing apparatus such as, for example, electronic components and devices.

Abstract: A getter pump is described. The getter pump has a casing and a getter cartridge mounted within the casing. Each cartridge has a linear central support and spaced getter elements mounted on the linear central support. Each cartridge is positioned along a plane orthogonal to the revolution axis and intersecting the midpoint of a linear central support. The angle formed by each positioning plane with its respective linear central support is comprised between 35° and 75°.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator is described. The shape memory actuator has a supporting body, a driven element slidably mounted on the supporting body for movement between a stable rest position and a stable operative position, a driving element that drives the driven element, the movement of the driving element being determined by a SMA wire and by first resilient return means acting to return the driving element to the rest position upon deactivation of the SMA wire, second resilient return means acting on the driven element in opposition to the SMA wire, engaging means suitable to achieve at the operative position a reversible engagement between the driven element and the supporting body, either directly or indirectly, said engagement being able to resist the action of second resilient return means, and a control system for the engagement and disengagement of the engaging means.

Abstract: Sails for sailboat wind propulsion comprising shape memory systems containing shape memory elements are described. The shape memory systems are arranged in correspondence to the sail battens, extending along them and operably connected to the sail opposite faces or directly to the battens so as to face the opposite faces of the sail. A control apparatus and method of said sails is also described.

Abstract: A moisture sorbing acrylic-based composition comprising an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as main liquid component, and a metal perchlorate therein dissolved is described. Use of the composition in order to obtain a moisture sorber material is also described, to be inserted for example in electronic or optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: Getter devices with improved sorption rate, based on powders of quaternary alloys particularly suitable for hydrogen and carbon monoxide sorption, are described. Quaternary alloys having a composition comprising zirconium, vanadium, titanium and aluminum as main constituent elements are also described.

Abstract: An improved mercury-dispensing combination of materials is made up of a compound A including mercury and a second metal selected among titanium, zirconium and mixtures thereof and an alloy or an intermetallic compound B including copper and tin, said mercury-dispensing combination of materials further containing an amount of oxygen comprised between 0.03% and 0.48% with respect to the overall weight of the composition A+B. It is also possible to add a getter material C that includes metals such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, niobium, vanadium and mixtures thereof or their alloys with other metals such as nickel, iron, aluminum.

Abstract: Compositions containing a mixture of non-evaporable getter alloys are described. The compositions, after having lost their functionality in consequence of the exposure to reactive gases at a first temperature, can then be reactivated through a thermal treatment at a second temperature that is lower than the first one.

Abstract: A shape memory actuator is described. The shape memory actuator has a supporting body, a driven element slidably mounted on the supporting body for movement between a stable rest position and a stable operative position, a driving element that drives the driven element, the movement of the driving element being determined by a SMA wire and by first resilient return means acting to return the driving element to the rest position upon deactivation of the SMA wire, second resilient return means acting on the driven element in opposition to the SMA wire, engaging means suitable to achieve at the operative position a reversible engagement between the driven element and the supporting body, either directly or indirectly, said engagement being able to resist the action of second resilient return means, and a control system for the engagement and disengagement of the engaging means.

Abstract: An instant drink vending machine is described. The instant drink vending machine has a water supply system for obtaining mixed warm water with a temperature selected among a set of pre-determined temperatures comprised between an upper and a lower value corresponding to temperatures of hot water and cold water to be mixed, said system including thermostatic shape memory alloy devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing H2O composite sorbers consisting of a polymeric matrix in which hygroscopic inorganic salts are dissolved, to composite sorbers consisting of hygroscopic inorganic salts dissolved in a polymeric matrix and their use for the removal of H2O from the housing of devices sensitive to the presence of H2O.

Abstract: A bistable electric switch is described. The switch has as actuators a pair of opposing SMA wires acting on a drive element integral with a snap-action spring so as to toggle the snap-action spring between two stable positions corresponding to two operating positions of the switch, the drive element being shorter than the distance existing between the two opposing SMA wires when one of the SMA wires is contracted and the other SMA wire is uncontracted. The entire force exerted by the activated SMA wire is used to overcome the resistance of the snap-action spring.

Abstract: An improved carbon dioxide composite getter having a CO2-permeable envelope containing powders of two active materials (11, 11?, 11?, 12, 12?, 12?) and sealed systems employing such improved carbon dioxide composite getter are described.

Abstract: Solar connector receiver tubes with getter systems having a substantially toroidal shape are described.