Abstract: A tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism configured to provide a continuous range of adjustment of tension applied by the tourniquet. The tensioning mechanism includes a housing, an arbor coupled to the housing, the arbor being connected to the strap, and a crank assembly coupled to the arbor. The crank assembly includes a crank, and at least one gear mechanism coupled to the crank and to the arbor. In one embodiment, the at least one gear mechanism includes a worm shaft and a worm wheel. In another embodiment, the crank is movable between a use position and a stowed position. A method of restricting blood flow to a portion of a limb is further disclosed.

Abstract: A composition having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.91<x+y<1.3 can be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells. A composition having a core, having a formula LixMgyNiO2 wherein 0.9<x<1.3, 0.01<y<0.1, and 0.9<x+y<1.3, and a coating on the core, having a formula LiaCObO2 wherein 0.7<a<1.3, and 0.9<b<1.2, can also be utilized as cathode materials in electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A burner apparatus utilizes a reticulated member to promote mixing of a fuel and oxidizer mixture. A plurality of exit ports, disposed on a wall or surface encapsulating the reticulated member, defines exit streams of the mixture that produces flames upon combustion. The burner apparatus have high heating rates and turndown ratios of at least about 18:1.

Abstract: A method of controlling combustion in an homogenous charge compression ignition engine through indirect mechanisms. The method utilizes a predictive model so that combustion can be controlled over a wide range of operating conditions while maintaining optimum operation with respect to efficiency and emissions. The methods include an adaptive aspect, which allows the predictive model to be updated if deemed necessary. Furthermore, the methods include a model with a plurality of control modes. A control mode can be chosen to optimize the engine for one of a plurality of output characteristics, including response time, efficiency, or emissions characteristics.

Abstract: A linear electrical machine may function as an alternator or a motor. Three annular magnets may be provided that move relative to a core. The magnets may all have a different magnetic orientation. Two magnets may have a north pole oriented in a direction parallel to an axis along which the magnets move relative to the core. Another magnet may have a north pole oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: An interconnect utilizing a metal matrix composite of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, oxide dispersion strengthened copper, aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof, and at least one reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of carbon, boron carbide, silicon carbide, zirconium carbide, hafnium carbide, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, zirconium diboride, hafnium diboride, tantalum diboride, titanium diboride, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, alumino-silicate, silicon nitride, and aluminum nitride is disclosed. The interconnect can be utilized as a component of an electrochemical device. The interconnect can have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is within about 10% of a coefficient of thermal expansion of a component or assembly of the electrochemical device.

Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical device comprises a porous, ion-permeable material coated, on a surface thereof, a thermally sensitive layer comprising a polymeric material secured with a cross-linked adhesive and an adhesion promoter. The separator can be prepared by disposing, on a surface thereof, a thermally sensitive layer comprising heat-fusible material, a cross-linkable adhesive and an adhesion promoter, all of which dispersed in a solvent having a polar component, a non-polar component and a high boiling point component.

Abstract: A new adiabatic scanning calorimeter allows the thermal mass of a high-pressure reaction vessel to be dynamically compensated during a test. This allows the effective ? factor for the experiment to be reduced to 1.0 without the use of complex pressure balancing equipment. Endothermic events can be quantified and sample specific heats can be measured. The time required for test completion is much shorter than for conventional adiabatic calorimeters, thus considerably improving apparatus productivity. The sensitivity to exotherm detection is at least as good as existing adiabatic calorimeters employing the Heat-Wait-Search strategy, but does depend on the temperature-scanning rate. In addition, the heat of reaction is obtained without reference to the heat capacity of the sample, pressure is measured continuously, reactants may be injected into the test vessel and the sample can be mixed during the test.

Abstract: A multiple panel cooking oven having individual controls for combined conductive and radiant heating. Each panel comprises an upper heating element for conductive heating and a lower heating element for radiant heating to obtain uniform baking within a zone between panels in the oven. A control panel having displays and keypads interfaces with a processor which provides control signals for adjusting the temperature of the heating elements of the panels. Cooking energy efficiency is increased through the use of radiative and conductive heat transfer, to reduce bake times by significantly increasing heat transfer to the food products. Independent cook zones allow preparation of multiple products simultaneously under different cooking conditions. The oven, in one embodiment may include a convection heating mode of operation. In an alternative embodiment no convection mode is provided and the sole source of heat is provided by the conductive/radiant panels.

Abstract: Method of and system for aggregating into a relational database model the state of an ad hoc network comprised of uniquely addressable distributed sensor nodes in communication using networking protocols with one another through links and to a database server through access points. A relational database logical design resident on the database server is dynamically updated with respect to the sensor network's current and historical topological information through the use of a traversal and interrogating network modeling agent. The distributed sensors nodes may be mobile, and may communicate by wired or wireless means through networking protocols such as the Internet.

Abstract: A system is provided for balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units that includes a power converter that selectively couples to an individual storage unit of the a string of electrical energy storage units and transfers energy by bidirectionally between the individual storage unit and the string of storage units.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage units is provided. State of change of a selected storage unit in a string of storage units is determined by (i) applying a non-dissipative load to the selected storage unit, resulting in an energy transfer between the selected storage unit and the string of electrical energy storage units through the non-dissipative load and (ii) determining the state of charge of the selected unit from voltage and current data of the selected storage unit resulting from the energy transfer. When the state of charge of the selected unit is different than a target state of charge, energy can be transferred energy between the selected unit and the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A system and method of balancing state of charge among plural series connected electrical energy storage unit is provided. Individual storage units are selectively coupled by semiconductor switches for monitoring and balancing state of charge. When the state of charge of a selected unit is greater than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the selected unit to the string of storage units, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge. Conversely, when the state of charge of a selected unit is less than a target state of charge, energy is transferred from the string of storage units to the selected unit, such that the state of charge of the selected unit converges toward the target state of charge.

Abstract: A wound dressing well suited for mass production on manufacturing assembly lines and having a non-woven fabric reservoir for receiving and retaining wound exudate sandwiched between inner and outer layers of non-woven fabric, the inner layer being adapted for covering a wound, the outer layer being air- and vapor-permeable, but bulk water- and bacteria-impermeable, the inner layer having a plurality of spaced tapering elevations of non-woven fabric, the tapered ends of which are provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive for adhering the dressing covering a patient's wound.