Abstract: A multilayer light reflective, variable interlayer separation (d-spacing), cross-linked self-assembling block copolymer film or coating wherein a property of the reflected light can be changed by varying the interlayer separation (d-spacing) of the film or coating.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a phase of a wavefield comprising the steps of: providing an estimate of the wavefield ?0 at an initial plane; and propagating the wavefield to and fro between an entrance plane being a plane having an area to which the wavefield is confined and a detector plane via a wavefield transform device, wherein at the entrance plane a support constraint is applied and at the detector plane a magnitude constraint is applied, the wavefield transform device being arranged to apply a wavefield transform function to the wavefield, wherein the wavefield transform function is characterised by a finite deviation from a lens function.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor light source structure. The method comprises providing a GaAs substrate; forming a lower cladding layer above the substrate, the lower cladding layer comprising an AIxGa1-xAs alloy; forming an active region above the lower cladding layer, the active region comprising a GaAs separate confinement heterostructure; and forming an upper cladding layer comprising an AIxGa1-xAs alloy above the active region in the form of an elongate stripe bounded on either side by an InGaP current-blocking layer, the elongate stripe defining an index-guided optical waveguide.

Abstract: A machining tool comprises a frame mounting an extendable yoke slidable with respect to the frame in a first direction through one or more mounting pillars. A tool motor is mounted on the yoke. A drive mechanism for the yoke is also mounted in the frame, with a drive motor to drive the yoke drive mechanism. A belt is between pulleys on the drive motor and mechanism to transmit drive between them. A rotatable sleeve is around the tool motor and on which sleeve the belt engages on opposite sides of the tool motor, whereby the tool motor can extend between the drive motor and mechanism, thereby resulting in a compact arrangement of the tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for analysing, designing and manufacturing a body to determine potential discontinuities within the body when subjected to an action.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a product gas (eg hydrogen and ozone) comprises: a supply of reactant gas (eg oxygen and steam) (14); a pair of electrodes (24) with a space between them of less than 1 mm (28); a conduit to lead the reactant gas from the source through the space between the electrodes; a power source (26) to apply a voltage across the electrodes to dis sociate the reactant gas and ultimately permit formation of product gas; and a conduit (40) to supply the product gas to an outlet. sterilisation unit for water treatment employs such apparatus and includes a fluidic oscillator to oscillate the flow of oxygen and/or ozone, and wherein said outlet comprises a plurality of orifices (42) to be submerged in said water and for the purpose of forming micro bubbles of ozone. An analyser for detecting large organic molecules in eg air can employ the ozone generator to breakdown the large molecule into simpler and easier-to-detect-and-identify molecules.

Abstract: A power electronic package includes: first and second high thermal conductivity insulating non-planar substrates; and multiple semiconductor chips and electronic components between the substrates. Each substrate includes multiple electrical insulator layers and patterned electrical conductor layers connecting to the electronic components, and further includes multiple raised regions or posts, which are bonded together so that the substrates are mechanically and electrically connected. The number, arrangement, and shape of the raised regions or posts are adjusted to have mechanical separation between the substrates. The electrical conductor layers are separated and isolated one another so that multiple electric circuits are provided on at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic compounds that are Nrf2-ARE pathway activators suitable for the treatment of diseases known to be mediated by oxidative stress such as motor neurone disease. The invention also includes compounds identified by methods of the invention for treatment of neurogenerative diseases.

Abstract: A power electronic package includes: first and second high thermal conductivity insulating non-planar substrates; and multiple semiconductor chips and electronic components between the substrates. Each substrate includes multiple electrical insulator layers and patterned electrical conductor layers connecting to the electronic components, and further includes multiple raised regions or posts, which are bonded together so that the substrates are mechanically and electrically connected. The number, arrangement, and shape of the raised regions or posts are adjusted to have mechanical separation between the substrates. The electrical conductor layers are separated and isolated one another so that multiple electric circuits are provided on at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus of a damper (46) for a bicycle comprising a housing defining a chamber, and a piston, movable in the chamber along a first direction. The apparatus further comprises a controllable means to vary the resistance to movement of the piston in the chamber, a sensor (62), and a controller (58) including a timer. Said sensor measures at least one dynamic quantity and produces an output signal based thereon. Said output signal is received by the controller, and said controller controls said controllable means based on said dynamic quantity as a function of time to control the level of damping. The invention further provides means for manually adjusting the level of rebound damping.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A self-healing composite material comprising a fibre-reinforced polymeric matrix, wherein the polymeric matrix comprises a thermosetting polymer and a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus comprising a semi-permeable membrane capable of being contacted with a water source; a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing water across said semi-permeable membrane; a pressure application surface capable of transmitting pressure to the gel; and a permeable membrane through which absorbed water is capable of being released from the gel upon application of pressure thereto from said pressure application surface, wherein said permeable membrane is isolated in use from the water source by an isolation means

Abstract: A group of fixtures for thin-walled shell/cylindrical components (10) while they are being machined internally and externally, has a mounting base (1) having mounting holes, positioning pins and clamps to locate one end of the thin-walled component. A supporting arbour or cylinder (5) is fixed in the base. A circular lid (12) is fixed to the supporting arbour or cylinder and has a wedged step to locate the other end of the cylindrical component for internal and external machining, or the major open end of shell component for internal machining. A pair of modified vehicle wheel inner tubes (8) are disposed around the supporting arbour or cylinder. A multi-layered sacrificial liner (7) surrounds the pressure element and is adapted to fit between it and the thin-walled components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for analysing, designing and manufacturing a body to determine potential discontinuities within the body when subjected to an action.

Abstract: Expression vectors, host cells and methods of using a recombinant expression system for the production of hydrogen are disclosed. The expression vectors comprise the a bidirectional hydrogenase protein complex coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: A composite material provided with a damage detection system, the composite material comprising a fibre-reinforced polymeric matrix, wherein the fibre reinforcement comprises electrically conductive fibres and the polymeric matrix comprises a thermosetting polymer and a thermoplastic polymer, and wherein detection means are provided detect a change in resistance of the composite material, said change in resistance indicating the presence of at least one damaged area of the composite material, said detection means comprising a plurality of spaced apart electrodes mounted on an electrically insulating substrate and electrically connected to the electrically conducting fibres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of antigenic polypeptides, typically opsonic antigens, expressed by pathogenic microbes; vaccines comprising said antigens; and therapeutic antibodies directed to said antigenic polypeptides.

Abstract: A control system, for controlling a process that repeats in a number of cycles, is arranged to control at least one input to the process and to modify the input or inputs iteratively over successive cycles so that an output of the process approaches a desired reference output, and so that, at each iteration a current input is determined by a two stage process the first being to minimize a cost function, the cost function including the tracking error between a calculated output for the current input and the reference output, and the change between the input of a previous iteration and the current iteration, the second through the introduction of a relaxation parameter obtained by empirical methods or mathematical optimization.