Abstract: A carbonaceous material coated with a molybdenum carbide coating, the molybdenum carbide coating protecting the carbonaceous material against attack by molten metal while simultaneously providing a wetting action for the molten metal to infiltrate the carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is any suitable carbonaceous material such as diamond; graphite fibers, both continuous and discontinuous; carbon and graphite particulate; lampblack; and carbon-rich surfaces. The molybdenum carbide coating is produced by reacting a gaseous molybdenum compound with the surface of the carbonaceous material under a reducing atmosphere. The molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material is formed into a metal/carbonaceous material composite by being heated with the metal under an inert atmosphere until the molten metal infiltrates the molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A composite of a metal infiltrated into a carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is coated with a molybdenum carbide coating, the molybdenum carbide coating protecting the carbonaceous material against attack by molten metal while simultaneously providing a wetting action for the molten metal to infiltrate the carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material is any suitable carbonaceous material such as diamond; graphite fibers, both continuous and discontinuous; carbon and graphite particulate; lampblack; and carbon-rich surfaces. The molybdenum carbide coating is produced by reacting a gaseous molybdenum compound with the surface of the carbonaceous material under a reducing atmosphere. The molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material is formed into a metal/carbonaceous material composite by being heated with the metal under an inert atmosphere until the molten metal infiltrates the molybdenum carbide coated carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A novel heat transfer apparatus and method including a body of carbon/carbon material with cooling tubes brazed therein. The carbon/carbon material includes carbon, graphite, carbon fibers, graphite fibers and combinations of the same and silicon carbide and boron carbide. The cooling tubes are prepared from stainless steel, nickel and its alloys, cobalt and its alloys, copper, molybdenum, molybdenum rhenium alloy, and carbon. A wetting agent is applied to the carbon surfaces to protect the carbon surfaces from attack by the molten brazing material and is selected from molybdenum niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and carbides of these refractory metals. The brazing material is selected from copper, copper alloys, silver, and gold.

Abstract: A multiple function centrifuge for use in the centrifugation of sets of centrifugation containers within preselected size ranges and centrifugation speeds. The centrifuge rotor is configured with a plurality of receptacle sets therein, each set having a preselected size to receive the corresponding size of centrifugation container. An index plate has a single set of access ports therethrough. The orientation of the access ports is coordinated with the placement of the receptacle sets to limit placement of centrifugation containers to a single receptacle set. Once a particular size of centrifugation container has been selected and inserted into the appropriate receptacle in the rotor, the index plate automatically blocks placement of centrifugation containers into any other receptacle. The motor is a multispeed motor to allow the operator to select the appropriate centrifugation speed and duration as a function of the liquid undergoing centrifugation.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for controlling a remote actuator, the control apparatus having a kinesthetic feedback system for providing a kinesthetic sensation to the operator as a physical sensation representative of the resistive forces encountered by the remote actuator. The control apparatus is configured to be releasably mounted to the hand of the operator with control modules supported at preselected joints of the hand. The control modules sense changes in the angular orientation in the respective joints and generate a control signal as a function of the change. This control signal is used to drive the corresponding actuator. Each actuator includes a sensor to sense resistive forces encountered by the actuator and generate a response signal as a function of the resistive forces.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite having graphite fibers in a matrix of copper/copper alloy. The graphite fibers are coated with a refractory metal which both protects the graphite fibers from the molten copper/copper alloy while also acting as a wetting agent on the graphite fibers for intimate infiltration by the molten copper/copper alloy. The coated graphite fibers are prepared in a structure and placed against a copper/copper alloy element which is melted to produce the molten copper/copper alloy. The infiltration of the graphite fiber structure with the molten copper/copper alloy is characterized by the absence of pressure on the molten copper/copper alloy.

Abstract: A kinesthetic feedback apparatus and method whereby braking forces are imposed on a hand-movable lever. The lever is either a joystick or a uniplanar lever, and the braking forces are imposed by a friction plate being pressed against a portion of the lever by a length of magnetostrictive material. An electromagnetic coil around the magnetostrictive material receives a signal from a remote apparatus driven by movement of the lever. The magnitude of the signal is a function of the resistive forces encountered by the remote apparatus so that the braking forces are directly proportional to the resistive forces thereby providing kinesthetic feedback to the person operating the lever.

Abstract: A linear actuator and method whereby linear movement of a drive rod is achieved in a step-wise fashion using a pair of clamping members in conjunction with extension members. The body of the linear actuator is configured as a pair of housings, each with a clamping member and slidably receiving the extension member. Each clamping member is each actuated by a magnetostrictive rod. A third magnetostrictive rod slidably passes through both housings and ends in abutment with each clamping member. The clamping members selectively affix the respective housing to the drive rod while the extension member pushes one clamping member relative to the other clamping member. A spring resiliently urges the two housings together and thereby cooperates with the two clamping members and the extension member in moving the linear actuator along the length of the drive rod.

Abstract: An improved blood sample apparatus having a capillary channel formed in a basal element and enclosed with a transparent overlay to create a capillary tube. A chamber for receiving a sample of blood is formed in the basal element at one end of the capillary channel. A blotter is placed in the chamber to receive the sample of blood. An overflow reservoir is formed perpendicularly to the capillary tube and receives surplus blood in excess of that needed to fill the capillary tube. A scale adjacent the capillary tube provides an automatic reading of the hematocrit. The transparent overlay sealingly encloses the sample of blood inside the hematocrit apparatus. The transparent overlay also includes a writing surface and a machine-readable indicia.

Abstract: A fiber coating which allows ceramic or metal fibers to be wetted by molten metals is disclosed. The coating inhibits degradation of the physical properties caused by chemical reaction between the fiber and the coating itself or between the fiber and the metal matrix. The fiber coating preferably includes at least a wetting layer, and in some applications, a wetting layer and a barrier layer between the fiber and the wetting layer. The wetting layer promotes fiber wetting by the metal matrix. The barrier layer inhibits fiber degradation. The fiber coating permits the fibers to be infiltrated with the metal matrix resulting in composites having unique properties not obtainable in pure materials.

Abstract: A dual axis bioreactor system wherein a bioreactor vessel is mounted at its longitudinal axis to a horizontal axle with the bioreactor vessel thereby being rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The horizontal axle is rotatably mounted to a vertical shaft with the vertical shaft rotating the horizontal axle in a horizontal plane. A gear system limits the rotation of the bioreactor vessel to one rotation about its longitudinal axis for each revolution of the bioreactor vessel about the vertical shaft. A flexible, multilumen conduit is affixed to the base of the bioreactor vessel at the longitudinal axis to provide fluid communication with the bioreactor vessel. The rotation rate of the vertical shaft is carefully controlled to reduce any centrifugation effects upon the contents in the bioreactor vessel while providing mixing therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the movement of materials having different physical properties when one of the materials is a fluid. The invention does not rely on flocculation, sedimentation, centrifugation, the buoyancy of the materials, or any other gravity dependent characteristic, in order to achieve its desired results. The methods of the present invention provide that a first acoustic wave is propagated through a vessel containing the materials. A second acoustic wave, at a frequency different than the first acoustic wave, is also propagated through the vessel so that the two acoustic waves are superimposed upon each other. The superimposition of the two waves creates a beat frequency wave. The beat frequency wave comprises pressure gradients dividing regions of maximum and minimum pressure. The pressure gradients and the regions of maximum and minimum pressure move through space and time at a group velocity.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic level apparatus wherein a hollow torus is rotatably mounted in the level. A body of ferromagnetic fluid creates a horizontal reference and is sensed to provide an audible signal when a predetermined angular orientation is detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Refractory metal oxide particles are dispersed in an aluminum melt which is then cast to form a dispersion hardened aluminum alloy composition. A master mix of carrier metal particles surrounding individual oxide particles is pressed into a billet. The billet is dissolved in the melt in the presence of a wetting metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymethylmethacrylate bone cement that is premixed and frozen so as to arrest the polymerization reaction at a suitable point. The frozen bone cement is treated by electromagnetic radiation to insure sterility. In use, the bone cement is warmed until it reaches a temperature and consistency suitable for use. The bone cement may be prepackaged in a syringe, or may be molded for use in connection with a particular prosthesis, or may be packaged unitarily with a prosthesis.