Abstract: The present invention provides a nanoparticle comprising a poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) homopolymer, or copolymer, at least one active agent and an anionic and radical inhibitor, wherein the anionic and radical inhibitor is a compound having the following formula: wherein R1 is H; and R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, C1-C6 alkoxide, C1-C6 alkyl, halides, carboxylic acid, ketone or aldehyde; wherein the anionic and radical inhibitor is present in an amount of 0.001 to 15 wt %, as well as a process suitable for manufacture of the nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical formulations. Particularly, the present invention relates to a new delivery system for delivery of medical components to the lungs, and its utility in the fields of pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, medicine and diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for how to measure the strain in a washer mounted in a bolt assembly comprising a bolt, nut and washer. The invention concerns a strain measuring washer assembly comprising a plate shaped washer body, sound emitting means and sound detecting means, and a method for using such.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: Described herein is an active ingredient encapsulated into poly (alkyl cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles and their use in anti-cancer treatments by intraperitoneal administration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating an array of receiver devices as a phased array. The receiver devices are in a fixed mutual relationship within a zone and each receiver device comprises a photovoltaic element. The method involves receiving a signal from within the zone at a plurality of the receiver devices to generate a plurality of received signals and processing the received signals using at least one phase difference therebetween. The method also involves directing a beam of light from a unit located within the zone to the photovoltaic elements, thereby providing power to said receiver devices. The invention extends to an array of transmitter devices and to an array of both transmitter and receiver devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CO2 selective gas separation membrane and a method for preparing the gas separation membrane and the use thereof. The CO2 selective gas separation membrane comprises a gas permeable or porous support layer; and at least one gas permeable polymer layer, which is surface modified with polymer chains having CO2 philic groups, wherein the gas permeable polymer layer has a spatially controlled distribution of the CO2 philic groups on the surface thereof. The method of preparing the CO2 selective gas separation membrane, comprises the steps of: depositing at least one gas permeable polymer layer on a porous or gas permeable support layer to form a dense membrane, and surface modifying the dense membrane with polymer chains having CO2 philic groups, to obtain spatially controlled distribution of the CO2 philic groups on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pharmaceutical formulations. Particularly, the present invention relates to a new delivery system for delivery of medical components to the lungs, and its utility in the fields of pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, medicine and diagnosis.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first substrate comprising a nanostructured surface, thereby forming an optical metasurface; a mirror formed on a second substrate; and a mechanism arranged to move the first and second substrates relative to one another. The mechanism alters a separation between the first and second substrates between a first separation distance and at least a second separation distance. At the first separation distance the optical metasurface performs a first manipulation of incident light and at the second separation distance the optical metasurface does not perform the first manipulation of incident light. An optical system and a method are also described.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for in-vivo monitoring of a body fluid or tissue (F) comprises: a pressure sensor element, comprising a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and arranged to detect a pressure of the body fluid or tissue (F) in use; and a shield, which generally surrounds the pressure sensor element such that the pressure sensor element is within an interior volume of the shield, in order to protect and to prevent distortion of the pressure sensor element in use. The pressure sensor element comprises a biocompatible thin film layer, for resisting corrosion and/or fouling of a surface of the pressure sensor element by the body fluid or tissue (F) or biological matter thereof. The pressure sensor element and the shield are in fixed relationship with each other.

Abstract: A field detector (2) comprises a field-responsive element (10) which undergoes a dimensional change when exposed to a predetermined field; and an interferometric read-out arrangement arranged to detect the dimensional change of the field-responsive element. A light source (4) is arranged to provide a measurement beam reflected from the field-responsive element (10) and a reference beam not reflected from the field-responsive element (10), an optical detector (6) being disposed so as to detect at least part of an interference pattern produced by the measurement beam and the reference beam. The field-responsive element (10) has a shape comprising a curved surface and is constrained at least one edge (12) thereof such that the dimensional change causes the curved surface to be displaced in a direction which changes an optical path length of the measurement beam relative to the reference beam, thereby changing the interference pattern detected by said optical detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle comprising copolymeric or homopolymeric compounds which comprise cyanoacrylate subunits according to formula 2A, wherein each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-phenylethyl, neopentyl, 1-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyl, 3-methylbutyl, -heptyl, 2-heptyl, and 3-heptyl; and wherein the nanoparticle further comprises an active agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising the nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles for use in therapy or diagnosis, such as in the treatment of cancer or an infection, or for use in diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising a velocity sensing system is provided. The velocity sensing system comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a first acoustic signal having at least a first frequency and a receiver, configured to detect a second acoustic signal comprising the first acoustic signal after it has been reflected from a reflective surface. The velocity sensing system is configured to determine from the second acoustic signal a second frequency, said second frequency comprising the first frequency after having undergone a Doppler shift; and to use the first and second frequencies to determine a velocity at which the unmanned aerial vehicle is travelling relative to the reflective surface.

Abstract: A system for in-vivo monitoring of pressure of a body fluid. The system comprises a delivery component and an elongate sensor delivery member shaped so as to pass through the delivery component when it has been inserted in to a patient. A first pressure sensor is positioned at a distal end of the delivery member.

Abstract: An input device comprises a plurality of optical vibration sensors mounted in a common housing. Each optical vibration sensor comprises a diffractive optical element; a light source arranged to illuminate the diffractive optical element such that a first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element and a second portion of light is reflected from the diffractive optical element; and a photo detector arranged to detect an interference pattern generated by said first and second portions of light. The optical vibration sensor is configured so that in use, after the first portion of light passes through the diffractive optical element, the first portion of light is reflected from a reflective surface onto the photo detector. The input device is placed in contact with a surface of a solid body, and an object is brought into physical contact with the surface of the solid body, thereby causing vibrations in the solid body.

Abstract: An optical microphone assembly comprises a rigid substrate; an interferometric arrangement, a light source, at least one photo detector and an enclosure. The interferometric arrangement comprises a membrane and at least one optical element spaced from the membrane, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a surface of the substrate and/or is disposed on a surface of the substrate. The light source is arranged to provide light to the interferometric arrangement such that a first portion of the light propagates along a first optical path via the interferometric arrangement and a second portion of the light propagates along a second different optical path via the interferometric arrangement, thereby giving rise to an optical path difference between the first and second optical paths which depends on a distance between the membrane and the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyser cell. A direct electric current is applied to the water electrolyser cell. Water molecules are allowed to diffuse from a cathode compartment through a polymer electrolyte membrane into an anode compartment, to oxidize water molecules at an anode catalyst layer into protons, oxygen and electrons. The protons are allowed to migrate through a polymer electrolyte membrane into the cathode compartment and the protons are reduced at a cathode catalyst layer to produce hydrogen. The cell is supplied with water to the cathode compartment, and humidified air is supplied to the anode compartment. The invention also relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyser cell, a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyser stack and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyser system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of targeting nanoparticles of a poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) homopolymer or copolymer, wherein said method comprises, in a single step, the anionic polymerisation of an oil-in-water miniemulsion as herein defined. The invention also relates to nanoparticles produced from said process and to their use in medicine.

Abstract: A semi-passive acoustic transponder providing identity information related to the transponder when it is reflecting a received pulsed acoustic signal underwater. The transponder includes a memory unit holding ID-sequence data controlling operation of the switching device, and an electronic circuit includes frequency adjusting means for adjusting the frequency and duration of the switch such that the duration of the ID-sequence data is shorter than the duration of pulses of the received acoustic signal. Additionally, a method and system may provide position and identity information related to one or more of said semi-passive acoustic transponders.