Abstract: The liquid-dispensing comb includes a liquid reservoir in the handle and/or spine thereof, with the teeth of the comb being hollow to allow liquid to flow from the reservoir into the teeth. Outlets are provided along the sides of the teeth rather than at their distal tips, to distribute liquid to the hair strands as the comb is passed therethrough, rather than to the scalp of the person using the comb. Various embodiments include pneumatic devices for pressurizing the reservoirs of the combs, thus forcing liquid to flow from the outlets along the sides of the teeth. Another embodiment includes an internal plate with a series of stops thereon, the stops fitting into corresponding passages at the bases of the teeth. A handle extends from the spine of the comb, enabling the user to manipulate the internal plate to control flow from the reservoir and into the teeth.

Abstract: The clothes drying rack has a generally horizontal rectangular frame with a series of intermediate lateral members and support legs. The various elements are formed of hollow pipe or tube, with most being perforated. Additional perforated tubular members depend from the lateral members. A portable fluid supply unit is remotely situated from the frame and connected to a non-perforated leg of the frame by a suitable duct, with the fluid supply unit having a fan therein to provide air to the tubular frame to flow from the perforated tubes, thereby circulating through clothing suspended on the frame. The fluid supply unit may also include a water dispenser and a heating element therefor, to produce steam to reduce wrinkling of the clothing. A fragrance tank and dispenser may also be included with the fluid supply unit, to dispense a pleasant fragrance through the frame and to the clothing suspended thereon.

Abstract: The multisensor system for the blind includes a cane, a boot, a headband, and a central control device. The cane, the boot, and the headband may each include one or more sensors to detect obstructions in the path of the user. Each sensor may be configured to detect obstructions at a level corresponding generally to an elevation at which it is carried on the user. Once an obstruction is detected, the sensors may transmit signals to the central control device. The central control device may process the signals and activate an appropriate auditory device to alert the user of the presence and/or distance of the obstruction.

Abstract: Hybrid TiO2 nanostructures with engineered morphologies (flakes, spheres and buds) supporting Ag nanocrystals were synthesized based on cooperative sol-gel chemistry of either titanium iso-propoxide or N-butoxide and assembled with polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: The clothes drying rack has a generally horizontal rectangular frame with a series of intermediate lateral members and support legs. The various elements are formed of hollow pipe or tube, with most being perforated. Additional perforated tubular members depend from the lateral members. A portable fluid supply unit is remotely situated from the frame and connected to a non-perforated leg of the frame by a suitable duct, with the fluid supply unit having a fan therein to provide air to the tubular frame to flow from the perforated tubes, thereby circulating through clothing suspended on the frame. The fluid supply unit may also include a water dispenser and a heating element therefor, to produce steam to reduce wrinkling of the clothing. A fragrance tank and dispenser may also be included with the fluid supply unit, to dispense a pleasant fragrance through the frame and to the clothing suspended thereon.

Abstract: The compostable waste processing apparatus includes a pulverizing device and a shredding device in separate compartments within a housing. The pulverizing device and the shredding device may be driven by at least one electronic motor. The electronic motor may be powered by one or more batteries that are charged by a photovoltaic panel of the housing. The compostable waste processing apparatus has a simple and efficient structure to facilitate use by a wide range of end-users, including households.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and making use of a catalyst for the photo-catalytic degradation of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in water. Palladium doped on composite Cerium oxide-zinc oxide (Ce2O3—ZnO) photo-catalyst was prepared by wetness incipient impregnation method. This catalyst composition demonstrated 99.6% degradation of MTBE at room temperature in a photo catalytic reaction conducted in oxygen saturated aqueous medium in the presence of UV light.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing air pollution includes a piping system, at least one compressor fan, a cooling system, and a tank having at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member. The piping system is coupled to a cooling system adapted to saturate the exhaust with water. The exhaust and contaminated water flow downward into the tank containing at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member where the exhaust and the contaminated water are filtered. The cleaned water is recirculated through the cooling system, and the exhaust is filtered a second time through the at least one second filter, the at least one intermediary member, and the at least one first filter prior to release into the atmosphere. A method for reducing air pollution from exhaust is also provided.

Abstract: A remotely actuated door lock is provided. The remotely actuated lock includes a transceiver for establishing telephone communication with a remote telephone and for receiving a transmitted identification code therefrom. The door lock includes a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller or the like for comparing the transmitted identification code with a stored identification code stored in memory associated with the processor or controller. The door lock further includes a lock bolt actuator in communication with a lock bolt for changing a state of the door lock. The lock bolt actuator is selectively actuated if the transmitted identification code matches the stored identification code. However, if the transmitted identification code does not match the stored identification code, then the transceiver transmits a first alert message to a user, alerting the user to possible unauthorized access.

Abstract: The cut stone construction and masonry method is a wall construction technique using the Flemish bond pattern and utilizing natural stone cut in blocks. The technique employs only vertically oriented semi-dry mortar layers between the stones. No horizontal mortar layers are used in the construction, except at the foundation level. Use is made of the dry-stacking, horizontal surface bonding techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians.

Abstract: A rail mounted wind turbine includes a pivotable housing placed between rails of a rail track. The pivotable housing can move into at least one upward position and at least one downward position and includes a wind turbine. The wind turbine has a blade that moves when a force, such as a wind force, is applied to provide mechanical energy to generate electrical power. An electrical generator communicates with the wind turbine to generate electrical power from the mechanical energy. A controller controls the movement of the pivotable housing into the at least one upward position and the at least one downward position. At least one sensor associated with the rail mounted wind turbine communicates with the controller to provide at least one signal to the controller to indicate a position of a vehicle operating on the rail track in relation to the pivotable housing.

Abstract: A method for predicting the California Bearing Ratio of a pavement subbase layer, wherein samples are collected from different regions of the subbase layer, the samples are tested to determine at least moisture content and density. Each sample is prepared at optimum moisture content and at different densities and tested to determine the California Bearing Ratio for each density and to obtain a dataset of variables. A multiple linear regression model is applied to selected variables from the dataset to relate the determined California Bearing Ratio value to the selected variables from the dataset to obtain a predicted value of the California Bearing Ratio of a subbase having comparable variables.

Abstract: A centralized bandwidth broker (a special network server) functioning as a domain manager in an internet network having differentiated services architecture is responsible for receiving and replying to a large number of requests and for performing huge numbers of resource management tasks at the inter- and intra-domain level. Consequently, it can have scalability issues. According to the invention the bandwidth broker maintains an experience database in addition to information about other aspects of the network, and uses iterative learning for solving scalability issues by using information of previous good experiences to take future resource management decisions. Based on similarity with previous network and request conditions, the new decision can be taken without executing resource intensive algorithms. The database of experience is continuously updated for optimized iterative learning. Processing overhead is reduced, enabling a single bandwidth broker to manage big networks with large numbers of users.

Abstract: An oil-less pump sampling system for portable environmental testing. The system includes an oil-less pump that generates a suctioning force, an external hose carrying the suction from the pump and in fluid communication with a control value and a collection container. The control valve is fluidly connected to the external hose to regulate the flow of suction, and the collection container is fluidly connected to the external hose for suctioning a sample from the surrounding environment. The internal assembly of the pump includes an electromagnetic coil generating an electromagnetic force to move a plurality of magnets. The magnets oscillate to move a plurality of lever arms which move a plurality of diaphragms to create the suction force from a valve block. A plurality of internal hoses stems from the valve block and joined at a connector to carry the suctioning force to the external hose.

Abstract: The catalytic converter for confined areas is installed with a vehicular tunnel, parking garage, or other confined area subject to motor vehicle operation therein. The converter catalyzes internal combustion engine exhaust by-products by selective catalytic reduction. The heat required for the catalytic reaction is provided by an electric heater installed with the converter, the converter being thermally insulated to retain the heat. The carbon dioxide and water vapor resulting from the catalytic reactions are gathered by the same fan or pump and the water vapor condensed to liquid form, and distributed to vegetation external to and adjacent to the tunnel or enclosure.

Abstract: The herbal composition for treating diabetes is a mixture of medicinal herbs, including gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), fenugreek (Trigonella foennum-graecum), marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), “true cinnamon” (also known as “Ceylon cinnamon” or “Sri Lanka cinnamon”) (Cinnamomum verum), bitter melon (also known as “bitter gourd”) (Momordica charantia), autumn crocus (also known as “meadow saffron”) (Colchicum autumnale), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) and prickly pear (also known as “cactus pear”) (Opuntia ficus-indica). Preferably, the herbal components of the above composition are dried, ground and packaged in a teabag or the like, allowing the composition to be delivered to the patient as an aqueous extract, similar to a conventional herbal tea.

Abstract: The low cost roofing techniques provide techniques for construction of low-cost roofing. The techniques reduce the proportion of cement by employing substitute (low-cost) materials that may be readily available to mix with the cement. These substitute materials include, but are not limited to, suitable agricultural wastes, such as rice husk ash, crushed used brick rubble, and pozzolana. The techniques involve forming a plurality of supports spanning the open space between the walls of the structure and mounting a plurality of dome-shaped sheet metal elements on the supports, forming a series of ceiling vaults. The concave surface of the dome-shaped elements forms the ceiling. The convex or outer surface of the dome-shaped elements forms the inner layer of the roof. The cement mixture is deposited on the convex or outer surfaces of the dome-shaped elements to form a second layer for the roof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for tracking an item transported with the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a global positioning system (GPS) module for determining a location of the item based on GPS signals received from one or more GPS satellites. The apparatus further comprises a mobile communications controller for generating a message including the determined location of the item, wherein the mobile communications controller sends the generated message to at least one mobile device. The mobile communications controller may also send the generated message to a remote server maintaining location tracking information for one or more items.

Abstract: The ionophore and polymer membrane selective for aluminum (III) ion provide an ionophore that is selective for aluminum (III) ion [Al3+]. The ionophore is diethyl (2-azobenzoic acid) malonate, which has the structure: The ionophore may be used as a dopant in a polymer membrane formed from a polymer matrix, e.g., poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC), and that may also include a plasticizer, such as dioctylphthalate (DOP) and o-nitrophenylloctyl ether (o-NPOE). The polymer membrane may be incorporated into an ion selective electrode (ISE) that can be used as a potentiometric sensor for the detection of Al3+ ions in wastewater.