Abstract: A forward osmosis method for desalination includes recyclable driving solutes which are easy to remove and recycle, have a high rejection by forward osmosis membranes, have low toxicity and are cost efficient.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for treating ship or barge ballast water. The system includes a ballast tank storing ballast water and one or more nozzles located in the ballast tank. One or more pumps supply a chemical into the ballast tank and water to the nozzles. The nozzles are strategically located in the ballast tank to circulate the ballast water and mix the chemical with the ballast water without removing the ballast water from the ballast tank to a separate mixing and treatment area located outside the tank either onboard or off of the ship or barge.

Abstract: A fluorochrome-marked sample is excited with the proper wattage and wavelength of light using an exciter or bandpass filter and beamsplitting mirror device. This causes the sample to emit light of a slightly higher wavelength than that of excitation. A subsequent barrier filter of the proper configuration placed between the sample and the observer allows this longer wavelength to be observed as fluorescence. This technique is particularly useful for viewing large biological specimens such as fish.

Abstract: A cement repair composition is provided for repairing thin concrete. The composition comprises, in weight percentages: fine aggregates, 50-80%; Portland cement, 10-20%; reinforcing fibers such as polyethylene, steel and fiberglass fibers, 0-5%; and a plurality of further additives. The additives preferably include a lithium admixture, an air entraining admixture and a water reducing chemical additive, and a shrinkage compensating chemical additive, in a combined weight percentage of 0.01 to 5%.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling an infrastructure, such as pipework or a bundle of electrical cables, to be passed directly through a wooden structural element without significantly weakening the structural element, rather than being routed around the structural element. A throughhole is provided in the structural element which extends between opposed sides. The method includes affixing to the wooden structural element a unitary reinforcement member including two spaced, parallel side plates joined together by a support plate. Each of the side plates has an opening therein as large as or larger than the throughhole. The reinforcement member is affixed to the wooden structural element by securing one of the side plates to each side of the structural element, with the opening of each of the side plates disposed so as to surround the throughhole.

Abstract: An apparatus for walking on mud includes a shoe body made of a rigid material that floats in water, the shoe body including a generally horizontal top surface having a substantially greater area than an area of a sole of a foot of a user, the shoe body including a bottom portion having a bottom surface with a generally convex contour; a fastener attached to the top surface for attaching the apparatus to a foot of a user; and pegs attached to the bottom surface, the pegs extending downwardly away from the bottom surface.

Abstract: The present invention is an economical and easily installed irrigation system for agricultural products covering large areas. The invention comprises top and bottom layers of geosynthetic material having a non-cohesive, porous material between the layers. A water distribution system is also placed between the layers. This system can be placed directly on the area to be irrigated without digging a trench or hole. Agricultural products, such as turf or row crops, are placed with top soil directly on the system.

Abstract: A robust two spectral band radiometer for long-term stand-alone spectral radiance measurements in the field is provided. The instrument can be used to monitor various surface parameters over prolonged periods of time by automatically collecting spectral radiance measurements at a user selected time interval (minutes to days). Two main applications are the monitoring of water surface parameters, such as total SSC and turbidity, and on-land vegetation by collecting spectral radiance measurements in a broad visible red and near-infrared spectral bands. Use for other application is possible using different spectral bands and multiple radiometers. Also included is the use of a ratioing technique to correlate the spectral radiance values rather than spectral reflectance values to the surface parameters of interest; this simplifies both the filed instrumentation requirements and post processing procedures.

Abstract: A hazard warning device for night-migrating birds is provided which warns the birds of the presence of a fixed structure or obstacle, e.g., a building or communications tower, against which the birds could collide during night-migration. The device includes a speaker affixed to the structure and a recorder connected to the speaker for, when activated, supplying to the speaker, for continuous broadcast thereby, an infrasonic signal which naturally causes the birds to avoid the structure. In one embodiment, the signal has a frequency close to that of a natural topographic feature and causes the birds to avoid the structure based on the workings of the innate navigational system of the birds. In another embodiment, the recorder supplies a signal which reproduces or mimics the sound of thunder and/or the sound of a lightning strike.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for placing a hard compact material such as rock surrounding a drill hole into axial tension for the purpose of breaking and excavating the material by virtue of a dual piston (23) and (25) arrangement disposed within a fluid cylinder (16) wherein the first piston (23) is attached to a thrust rod member (28) the second piston is attached to a wedge member (30) having an outwardly tapered conical end (34) and a feather member (40) surrounding the wedge (30) and thrust (28) members; wherein the feather segments (43) have a conical profile on both their internal and external peripheries.