Abstract: An optical collector head comprises a beam splitting device (5) capable of producing at least three output beams (9) in different directions; a single objective lens (4) to provide a collimated beam to the beam splitting device (5); and an assembly of: (a) a quarter wave plate (6), or plate producing a similar effect; (b) a polarizer acting as an analyzing element; (c) a lens; and (d) a recording device (3/1, 3/2, 3/4) for the simultaneous capture of phase-stepped images from each output beam. The invention also includes a polarimetric device comprising an optical collector head as defined above and a source (12) of polarized light; and a polarimetric device comprising an optical collector head as defined above and a source (12) of polarized light.

Abstract: A levitation system which comprises: (a) a high conductivity body member having a greatest dimension of less than 1500 .mu.m; (b) a force generator for producing a levitating force on the body member; and (c) a miniature system adapted for rotation which further comprises: a rotating magnetic field such that the body member is rotated in the applied field.

Abstract: Nickel/cobalt, as well as platinum and palladium metal family members are recovered from soil by growing Brassicaceae plants, specifically Alyssum in soil containing nickel/cobalt as well as other metals. The soil is conditioned by maintaining a low pH, low calcium concentration, and the addition of ammonium fertilizer and chelating agents thereto. Nickel accumulation on the order of 2.5 percent or better in above-ground tissues is achieved, which permits recovery of the metal by harvesting the above-ground plant materials, drying, and then combusting the same, to oxidize or vaporize organic materials and recover the metals sequestered therein at 10-20 fold higher concentrations than in the soil, in a form which can be used in conventional Ni refinery or smelting operations.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to an epoxy resin coating used in reflection photoelasticity, which is "black" in the infra-red part of the spectrum; another aspect to the use of an epoxy resin as a coating on at least one surface of a body to be subjected to cyclic loading and examined by thermoelasticity, and another aspect to a method of making thermoelastic measurements of a body when subjected to cyclic loading and hence measurements of stresses or strains, comprising, as an initial step, coating the surface(s) of the body to be measured with an epoxy resin whereby the surface(s) so coated represents a black body.

Abstract: A magnetic field responsive device which includes: an electrically insulating substrate (2), a layer of an electrically conductive soft magnetic material (3), a layer of giant magneto-resitive (GMR) material (5) arranged in electrical contact with ethe layer of electrically conductive soft magnetic material, the thickness of the GMR material layer being not greater than twice the mean free path of an electron in the said GMR material, the layers being arranged in any order or position on the substrate and having opposed directions of mangetisation in zero magnectic field.

Abstract: A method of laterally reinforcing a load bearing structural member is described. The method comprises wholly or partly encircling the structural member with an elongate strip (8) of high tensile, high stiffness material and applying a tension to the strip (8) sufficient to put the material of the structural member into lateral compression such that an abnormal increase in the internal stresses in the structural member will cause yielding of the strip (8) before compressive, bending, or shear failure of the structural member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resistivity mapping of semiconductor materials by causing currents to flow in a semiconductor body and measuring resultant potentials created between pairs of surface probes. A resistivity map is produced using the information gathered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pump and refrigeration system including an evaporator from which refrigerant vapor is withdrawn by an absorber and absorbent is recharged by a generator. Further, a condenser is provided between the generator and the evaporator so that refrigerant vapor from the generator can be condensed prior to being returned to the evaporator. In addition, the system is provided with an ejector which is positioned downstream of the evaporator so as to withdraw refrigerant vapor from same and upstream of the condenser so that said withdrawn refrigerant vapor passes through the ejector to the condenser. Thus, in the system of the invention, both an absorber and ejector withdraw refrigerant vapor from the evaporator, thus enhancing the efficiency of the system and further refrigerant vapor passing through the ejector is delivered directly to a condenser, thus reducing the burden of the absorber.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a two-phase magnetic material that includes as the major phase a crystalline alloy of one or more rare earth metals, boron and iron, substantially all of the crystallites of which have a size of less than 35 nanometers, and as the minor phase .alpha.-Fe, involves the steps of (i) melt spinning an alloy consisting of up to 12 atomic percent of one or more rare earth metals, 3 to 7 atomic percent of boron and the balance iron or a mixture of iron and cobalt; (ii) quenching the melt spun alloy form step (i) under conditions such that a mixture of crystalline and amorphous material is produced, (iii) subjecting the material from step (ii) to an annealing treatment under conditions such that controlled crystal growth occurs to provide the crystalline alloy phase, substantially all of which has a particle size of less than 35 nanometers, the resulting materials having a remanence in excess of the theoretical value of 0.8 Tesla.

Abstract: A suppression of the human immune system is accomplished by administering to the person an effective amount of a non-toxic thioheterocycle compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R1 is a heterocycle ring system, R2 is a hydrogen, alkyl or aryl group, and R3 is a hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or nitroaryl group.

Abstract: A compound with immunosuppressive properties having formula (I), in which R.sup.1 represents a heterocyclic ring system, a combined heterocyclic ring system and homocyclic ring system, or an ethoxycarbonylmethyl group. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represent hydrogen or lower alkyl groups.

Abstract: A compound with immunosuppressive properties having formula (I), in which R.sup.1 represents a heterocyclic ring system, a combined heterocyclic ring system and homocyclic ring system, or an ethoxycarbonylmethyl group. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represent hydrogen or lower alkyl groups.

Abstract: An articulator for use in constructing artificial teeth is provided with means (10) for use in measuring the condylar movements of the artificial temporomandibular joints in the articulator, the measuring means (10) comprising boss means (11) adapted to be secured coaxially at the end of the shaft member (24) forming the pivot for a movable base plate (22) with respect to a fixed baseplate (21), axial scale bearing means (12) adapted to extend over the adjacent support (26) and generally parallel to the axis of the shaft member (24), point means (13) extending generally parallel to the axial scale bearing means (12), and slide means (14) for the pointer means (13) to enable its point (16) to be brought into contact with a scale (51) affixed to a face area of the support (26).

Abstract: A method of determining the external shape of a body comprises placing a plurality of electrodes adjacent the surface at spaced intervals around the body, causing currents to flow in the body by applying an electrical potential between pairs of electrodes in turn, measuring potentials between other pairs of electrodes, relating the measured potentials to the distances between the corresponding points of current introduction and of potential measurement, and determining electrode positions consistent with these distances, which electrode positions define the external shape of the body.

Abstract: A method of producing a thixotropic material is provided which consists of deforming a fully solidified metal or metal alloy below its temperature of recrystallization by cold or warm working such as extrusion or rolling. The deformed material is then caused to recrystallize by heating and the temperature is either further raised or subsequently raised above the solidus of the material so that the recrystallized structure partially melts to provide discrete particles which spheroidize in the liquid matrix to provide a material which behaves thixotropically. The flow characteristics of the material are such that lower forming loads are required and weaker non-metallic die materials may be used.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of three dimensional images for direct viewing or for recording on a sensitized recording surface. The invention provides a method and apparatus for the direct production of integral parallax orthoscopic panoramagramic images, which objective is met by a process comprising directing at an object a means of gathering and focussing incoming radiation from the object of a wavelength to which said means is suited, positioning to either side of said gathering and focussing means a grouping means for producing a number of groups of individual waves, each group emanating from a part of said object, said grouping means generating an image in pseudoscopic form, and a means of encoding the pseudoscopic image as discrete parallactic information on a single plane, for subsequent viewing as an orthoscopic image.

Abstract: A method of producing a thixotropic material is provided which consists of deforming a fully solidified metal or metal alloy below its temperature of recrystallization by cold or warm working such as extrusion or rolling. The deformed material is then caused to recrystallize by heating and the temperature is either further raised or subsequently raised above the solidus of the material so that the recrystallized structure partially melts to provide discrete particles which spheroidize in the liquid matrix to provide a material which behaves thixotropically. The flow characteristics of the material are such that lower forming loads are required and weaker non-metallic die materials may be used.

Abstract: Total synthesis of steroids with substitution in the 2,3, 6, 11 or 17 positions comprising the step of cyclization of a compound having the formula ##STR1## or analogues thereof, where X represents .dbd.O, ##STR2## or .beta.-substituted ##STR3## Y represents .dbd.O, .beta.-oriented ##STR4## or .beta.-orientated OH, R' and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and R' represents alkyl or aryl and R.sup.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to provide a substantial reduction of marine corrosion in sea water by micro and macro biofouling. An alternating current is generated of a strength and frequency sufficient to shock marine biofouling organisms and sufficient to upset the normal behavior patterns of the marine biofouling organisms entrained in the sea water passing around or through the structure. A second combination of alternating and direct currents are generated between two strategically located electrodes whereby to release into the water around or within the structure controlled amounts of chlorine ions and copper ions to produce an environment actively hostile to potential marine biofouling organisms. The effect of releasing copper ions and chlorine ions simultaneously is that they co-operate in a synergistic manner that greatly enhances the biocidal effect on marine organisms over and above the effect of the separate use of copper ions and chlorine ions.

Abstract: Tomographic images (I.sub.1 and I.sub.2) of a body are constructed by placing a plurality of surface electrodes (1 to 16) at spaced intervals on the body (M), causing currents to flow in the body, and measuring the potential between pairs of electrodes, calculating the potential in each case on the assumption that the body consists of one uniform medium, plotting the isopotentials corresponding to the calculated results to create a uniform image of the body, obtaining the ratio between the measured potential and the calculated potential in each case, and modifying the image in accordance with the respective ratios by increasing the impedance along an isopotential in proportion to a ratio greater than unity or decreasing the impedance in proportion to a ratio less than unity. The calculations of potentials and the obtaining of ratios are carried out using a computer and the plotting of the isopotentials is carried out by a visual display unit (VDU) and/or a print-out unit run off the computer.