Abstract: The invention relates to prosthetic training devices for attachment to the residual limb of transradial or transhumeral amputee.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular power switching circuit (100) having a plurality of modular cells (104) each of which cascades activation to the adjacent cell to handle high voltages via switched capacitors.

Abstract: Multi-state switchability is highly desirable in optoelectronic devices. For liquid crystal (LC) based devices, the stability of any configuration is achieved through a balance between imposed interactions and the LC's orientational elasticity. In most cases, the latter acts to resist deformation. By combining surface topography and chemical patterning, provided here are the effects of saddle-splay orientational elasticity, a property that, despite being intrinsic to all LCs, is routinely suppressed. Utilizing theory and continuum elastic calculations, provided here are example conditions for which, even using generic, achiral LC materials, spontaneously broken surface symmetries develop. Also provided are multi-stable devices in which a weak, but directional, applied field switches between spontaneously-polar surface state domains. The disclosed approach is useful in low-field and fast-switching optoelectronic devices, beyond those attainable by current technologies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brassiere having breast cups configured with inflatable bladders specifically positioned and configured to manipulate the breast tissue of a target breast into a lifted position whilst simultaneously displacing laterally sideways/outward and downward a contra-lateral breast. The brassiere is configured to lift the target breast away from the chest wall and to stabilise the breast so as to increase treatment accuracy and reduce radiation dosage to high risk organs such as the heart and lung. The brassiere according to the subject invention is advantageous to be worn by women for the treatment of either the left or right breast whilst providing modesty during treatment delivery.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods of compressing and decompressing image data are described. A discrete cosine (DCT) transformation is applied to each of a plurality of pixel blocks to generate a set of DCT coefficients for each pixel block comprising a DC DCT coefficient and a plurality of AC DCT coefficient. Each set of DCT coefficients is quantized. A DC array is formed from the set of quantized DC OCT coefficients and an AC matrix is formed from the set of quantized AC DCT coefficients. The AC matrix is compressed by eliminating blocks of data having only zero values and forming a reduced AC array from blocks including non-zero values. The reduced AC array is compressed using a key to form a coded AC array. The DC array and coded AC array are arithmetically coded to form arithmetically coded data which is included in a compressed image file. The decompression method is essentially the reverse process.

Abstract: An electrically conducting organic-inorganic sol-gel derived coating. Films are generated exhibiting good electrical conductivity with high resistance to substrate delamination. PEDOT:PSS is used as the conducting polymer dispersed within an organic-inorganic hybrid sol-gel.

Abstract: A nanocomposite hydrogel formed from free radical dissociation of an initiator and polymerization of a water soluble monomer. The resulting hydrogel finds particular application within the medical field for both soft and hard tissue repair in human and animals. The hydrogel is particularly advantageous for spinal disc repair.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging analysis by a two-step process. Firstly, a MALDI matrix is dusted on to the sample followed by a spray of a suitable solvent onto the dusted sample. The present method has been successfully applied to the detection and mapping of several analyte classes in latent fingermarks. Using the present two-step method, fingermark enhancement, recovery and analysis from different substrate surfaces is now possible enabling visual and chemical information to be obtained simultaneously via remote testing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer based barrier coating composition wherein said biopolymer based barrier coating composition comprises a plasticizer, a nano-sized clay and a biopolymer comprising a native starch and/or a de-graded starch and/or a chemically modified starch. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the biopolymer based barrier coating composition as well as to a method for coating a cellulose based substrate with the biopolymer based barrier coating composition. Finally, the present invention relates to a cellulose based substrate coated with said biopolymer based barrier coating composition.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging analysis by a two-step process. Firstly, a MALDI matrix is dusted on to the sample followed by a spray of a suitable solvent onto the dusted sample. The present method has been successfully applied to the detection and mapping of several analyte classes in latent fingermarks. Using the present two-step method, fingermark enhancement, recovery and analysis from different substrate surfaces is now possible enabling visual and chemical information to be obtained simultaneously via remote testing.

Abstract: A respiration monitoring device configured to provide quantitative data output of respiration cycles of a human or animal. The device may be configured to output a respiration rate and/or a respiration waveform expressed as temperature verses time. The device comprises a temperature modifier to heat or cool a flow of exhaled air. This heated or cooled air then flows past a temperature sensor to determine a temperature change associated with each exhaled air cycle.

Abstract: A PVD coating is disclosed, and in particular a nanoscale multilayer superlattice PVD coating comprising high hardness, a low friction coefficient and increased chemical inertness. The multilayer coating comprises a repeating bilayer represented by (VxMe(i-x))CyN(i-y)/(MezV(1-z))CyN(i-y) where 0.1?x?0.9; 0.01<y<0.99 and 0.1?z?0.9 and Me is a substantially pure metal or a metal alloy. The composition of the coating through the layers alternates from layer to layer according to a V-rich layer and a Me-rich layer modulated sequence. Vanadium is incorporated within the layer composition and has been found to act as a lubricating agent during sliding wear. Carbon, also incorporated within the coating, serves to further stabilize the friction coefficient thereby increasing the chemical inertness between cutting tool and workpiece material.

Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) apparatus and method comprising a laser and a multimode optical fiber to deliver a laser beam to a MADLI ion source. A vibration coupling is provided at a region along the length of optical fiber to impart an oscillatory vibrational motion at the optical fibre to move the irradiation intensity maxima at the sample to increase the effective irradiation surface area. The present apparatus and method provide increased imaging sensitivity and a corresponding reduction in data acquisition times.

Abstract: A substrate (100) comprising a sol-gel derived coating (101). The coating, is chemically bonded to the substrate (100) and is derived from a polysiloxane to form a network of silicon-carbon and silicon-oxygen bonds. An antimicrobial is releasably captured within the network and is capable of defusing from the coating in vivo in response to introduction of a fluid into the coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer based barrier coating composition wherein said biopolymer based barrier coating composition comprises a plasticizer, a nano-sized clay and a biopolymer comprising a native starch and/or a de-graded starch and/or a chemically modified starch. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the biopolymer based barrier coating composition as well as to a method for coating a cellulose based substrate with the biopolymer based barrier coating composition. Finally, the present invention relates to a cellulose based substrate coated with said biopolymer based barrier coating composition.

Abstract: A 3D scanning apparatus configured to image a physical entity comprises a radiation projector for projecting a plurality of radiation stripes onto the physical entity, a detector for detecting striped radiation received from the physical entity; and a data storage device for storing the received radiation as a pixellated bitmap image, the apparatus characterised in that the physical entity, the radiation projector and the detector are geometrically arranged to constrain the number of times that each received stripe is permitted to occur in a given pixel row of the bitmap, the geometrica) constraint determining a stored occlusion classification comprising a plurality of types of occlusions and the apparatus additionally comprising an occlusion type processing means configured to utilise the classification for detecting the various types of occlusions in said received image data.

Abstract: A vacuum treatment apparatus (10) for treating at least one substrate (12) and comprising a treatment chamber (14), at least one cathode (16), a power supply (18) associated with the cathode for generating ions of a material present in the gas phase in the chamber and/or ions of a material of which the cathode is formed, a substrate carrier (20) and a bias power supply for applying a negative bias to the substrate carrier and any substrate present thereon, whereby to attract said ions to said at least one substrate, said cathode power supply being adapted to apply relatively high power pulses of relatively short duration to said cathode at intervals resulting in lower average power levels comparable with DC operation, e.g. in the range from ca.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for physical vapour deposition (PVD) and in particular high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) deposition is described. The present apparatus and process provide for the creation of a weaker magnetic field in the region of the cathode which reduces the confinement of a significant part of the plasma near the target surface. By weakening the magnetic field in the region of the target, the deposition rate of materials at a substrate has been found to increase by a factor of 9 relative to that of conventional HIPIMS processes employing typical magnetic field strengths.