Abstract: A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.

Abstract: A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.

Abstract: A material for storing hydrogen is prepared by a method including an extreme plastic deformation operation selected from cold-rolling, quick-forging and extrusion-bending performed on a metallic material selected from among a metal and an alloy containing said metal, or on a compound containing a metal material selected from among a metal and an alloy containing said metal and to which a hydride of said metal or a hydride of said alloy has been added. When the extreme plastic deformation operation is carried out on the metallic material, it is followed by an operation of adding, to the metal material, a hydride of said metal or a hydride of said alloy, as well as by a dispersing operation.

Abstract: An electrical power conversion system and method for connecting an electrical power source to an electrical grid, the system comprises an input module for generating a high voltage DC power signal from a variable low DC power signal of the electrical power source based on a voltage command. The system further comprises an output module connected to the high voltage DC power signal for generating an AC power signal with a peak voltage based on said voltage command according to a frequency command and a phase command. The system further comprises an electrical grid interface for selectively connecting said AC power signal to the electrical grid and to measure an electrical grid waveform for generating an electrical grid measurement including voltage, phase and frequency.

Abstract: The signals to be measured are transformed in the system to discrete time digital signals by synchronous sampling. These digital signals are then processed by a digital signal processor for vector detection and for computing digital feedback sent to the sampling gates. The analyzer has improved characteristics in the area of linearity, drift and test port signal injection because of its highly optimized architecture based on synchronous sampling with digital feedback. It possesses unique characteristics such as the ability to tune to a harmonic or a subharmonic of the excitation frequency and a good sensitivity in a high impedance environment.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a high-density adsorbent comprising a compacted mass of high surface area carbon particles bound together with a binder and defining a network of substantially unobstructed micropores, the mass of carbon particles having been compacted under a pressure sufficient to cause a reduction of about 50 to about 200% in bulk volume of the mass and a corresponding increase of about 50 to about 200% in density, thereby providing a gas storage capacity increase of about 20 to about 100% over that of the high surface area carbon particles in loose or uncompacted form. The high-density adsorbent according to the invention is particularly useful in adsorption storage systems for low-pressure storage of compressed natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring physical adsorption of a gas by a solid adsorbent are disclosed. Use is made of a capacitance cell in controlled gas flow communication with a sample cell initially under vacuum and containing the solid adsorbent. The capacitance cell is filled with an adsorptive gas at a predetermined pressure and the dielectric constant of the gas at the predetermined pressure is measured to determine a first density value. The gas from the capacitance cell is then allowed to expand into the sample cell for adsorption by the solid adsorbent, whereby an adsorption takes place pressure falls until eqilibrium is established. The dielectric constant of the gas at equilibrium pressure is measured to determine a second density value, and the amount of gas adsorbed by the solid adsorbent is determined from the first and second density values.

Abstract: The unknown capacitor or a standard capacitor are switched, one at a time, in parallel to a frequency setting circuit which sets the frequency of operation. The parallel combination of the unknown capacitor and the frequency setting circuit form a first parallel resonant circuit and the parallel combination of the standard capacitor and the frequency setting circuit form a second resonant parallel circuit. These resonant circuits are part of the feedback network of an oscillator. The bottom ends of the resonant circuits are connected to an instrumentation amplifier for maintaining the bottom ends at vertual ground in order to make three terminal measurements. A frequency meter is provided for measuring the frequency of resonance of the first resonant circuit and the second resonant circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the precise determination of the compressibility factor of a gas sample are disclosed. Two grating interferometers are coupled together with one interferometer defining a refractive index interferometer adapted to provide a signal of information related to the refractive index of the gas sample and the other interferometer defining a pressure interferometer adapted to provide another signal of information related to the pressure of the gas sample whereby to permit measurement of the refractive index as a function of pressure. Each interferometer is capable of dividing a linearly polarized monochromatic laser beam into a measuring beam and a reference beam and causing the measuring beam and reference beam to travel along respective optical paths extending in close parallel relationship over predetermined optical path lengths.