Abstract: The present invention provides a material suitable for use in a solid oxide fuel cell, wherein the material is of an, optionally doped, double perovskite oxide material having the general formula (I): (LnaXb)e(Z1cZ2d)fOg (I) wherein Ln is selected from Y, La and a Lanthanide series element, or a combination of these and X also represents an element occupying the A site of a perovskite oxide and is selected from Sr, Ca and Ba, and Z1 and Z2 represent different elements occupying the B site of a perovskite oxide and are selected from Cr, Mn, Mg and Fe, and wherein a has a value from 0 to 1, preferably 0.7 to 1.0, b has a value of from 1 to 0, preferably 0.3 to 0, and each of c and d has a value of from 0.25 to 0.75, provided that a+b has a value of 1, and c+d, has a value of 1, and wherein e has a value of from 0.8 to 1, wherein f has a value of from 0.8 to 1, and g has a value of from 2.5 to 3.2.

Abstract: An optical parametric device, for example an optical parametric generator or amplifier or oscillator, comprising a non-linear material (13) that is operable to generate a signal and an idler wave in response to being stimulated with a pump wave. The non-linear medium is such that the pump and idler waves are substantially collinear and the signal wave is non-collinear.

Abstract: There is described a process for the synthesis of a fluoronucleoside compound, said process comprising mixing a substrate and an enzyme from Streptomyces cattelya as catalyst. The process may be used to produce an 18F labelled fluoronucleoside compound. There is also described an enzyme derived from Streptomyces cattelya which has the capacity to catalyse the synthesis of a fluoronucleoside compound.

Abstract: There is provided a method to convert O-functionalized indazolinone-derivatives to the corresponding N2-functionalized indazolinone derivatives, by use of microwave energy or a transition metal catalyst. A preferred catalyst is palladium tetrakis. The method described allows the creation of a library of chemical compounds which can be screened for biological activity.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of rotating microscopic objects uses a beam of electromagnetic radiation. A microscopic, non-circularly symmetric distribution of electro-magnetic radiation is projected on to a region containing an object to be rotated so as to cause photons in the beam to refract around the objects. Rotating means then rotate that distribution and so rotate the objects. The distribution may be formed on the interference pattern between a beam having a Laguerre-Gaussian wave fronts and either a plane wave or a further Laguerre-Gaussian beam of opposite helicity.

Abstract: There is provided an assay for selecting an anti-viral agent effective against picornavirus infection. The assay selects an agent which disrupts the association between picornavirus protein 2C and the host cell protein D-AKAP2, which association has been found to be essential for successful viral replication. Also disclosed are anti-viral agents having such properties and a method of combating picornavirus replication.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of chiral compounds of formula (I) comprising contacting a compound of formula (II) with a source of hydrogen or halide; wherein A is a chiral center; X is selected from oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen; n is selected from 0 and 1 and is equal to the valence of X less 2; B is a fragment CR 3 2; Z is hydrogen or halogen; with the proviso that when X is nitrogen, n is 1, one of R 1 and two of R 2 are hydrogen, BZ is CHPh 2, the other R 1 and R 2 do not form together a five membered heterocyclic (pyrrolidone) ring; novel intermediates, novel compounds, polymers and libraries thereof and the use thereof as fine chemicals, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: A method for fingerprinting a video involving identifying motion within the video and using a measure of the identified motion as a fingerprint. Once videos are fingerprinted, these fingerprints can be used in a method for identifying video. This involves creating a motion fingerprint for unidentified videos; comparing the fingerprints of the known and unknown videos, and identifying whether the unknown video is a copy of the known video based on the step of comparing.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus for imaging subcutaneous body temperature that comprises a detector (22) for sensing millimetre wave electromagnetic radiation and a collector for collecting radiation emitted from Scanned spot a patient's body and directing it along a collection path (20) to the detector. The collector is configured so that the collected radiation has a defined sensitivity profile across and along substantially the entire length of that path. The collected radiation may have a Gaussian or a Bessel sensitivity profile.

Abstract: A novel layered material for use in electrochemical cells is provided, together with a method for producing the layered material, and a cell having the layered material as the positive electrode. The material is of the form QqMnyMzO2, where Q and M are each any element, y is any number greater than zero, and q and z are each any number greater than or equal to zero, and the material has a layered structure. Methods of preparing the manganese oxide material are provided, using an ion exchange reaction or an ion removal reaction. Use of the material in an electrochemical cell is demonstrated.

Abstract: There is provided an autocorrelator of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses, comprising an interferometer for receiving a parent electromagnetic pulse from an energy source and for deriving two daughter electromagnetic pulses from the parent pulse, an output means coupled to the interferometer to output the daughter pulses, and a photodiode in communication with the output means to detect the daughter pulses and to alter the frequency thereof so as to produce an electrical output signal that has a quadratic dependence on the power associated with the parent electromagnetic pulse. The temporal duration of the pulses ranges from TO picoseconds to 5 femtoseconds. A GaAsP photodiode is used with a broad band response of 700-1300 nm. The interferometer is either a Michelson interferometer or a Wollaston prism interferometer and a microscope objective is provided between the output means and the photodiode so that the pulses from the output means are focused onto a defined area of the photodiode.

Abstract: A laser 10 comprises a pump source 11, a resonator 13 including an etalon of gain material 15, and means 12 to focus the pump source 11 output onto one end 14 of the resonator 13 as a spot having a diameter in the range 50-150 .mu.m. The resonator 13 includes substantially parallel end faces 14,19 having a relative taper better than 0.25 milliradians, and the end faces 14,19 are substantially free of scratches greater than 10 .mu.m in size and pits greater than 5 .mu.m in size. A thermally induced microlens 22 is formed at the surface 14 of the gain material 15.