Abstract: An ultrashort-pulse laser that has a resonator that includes a laser gain medium, dispersion compensation optics, and a deformable optical element adapted to change its shape and consequently one or more characteristics of pulses output from the cavity.

Abstract: An intra-cavity optical parametric oscillator. The oscillator includes means for providing a non-linear loss for suppressing relaxation oscillations.

Abstract: There is provided an anti-microbial composition comprising a cationic peptide and a glycineglycine endopeptidase. The composition has been found to be synergistic against bacteria, especially Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus MSSA or MRSA. In one embodiment the composition comprises ranalexin, dermaseptin, magainin or mixtures thereof together with lysostaphin. The composition is useful for treating surfaces, including a wound surface in a patient or surfaces of an object (e.g. surgical instrument) or room.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus for imaging subcutaneous body temperature that comprises a detector (22) for sensing millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation and a collector for collecting radiation emitted from a patient's body and directing it along a collection path (20) to the detector. The collector is configured so that the collected radiation has a defined sensitivity profile across and along substantially the entire length of that path. The collected radiation may have a Gaussian or a Bessel sensitivity profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light emitting device which comprises at least one layer that contains an organometallic dendrimer having a core comprising a metal cation. The invention also relates to organometallic dendrimers and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen comprising: contacting steam (20) with a proton conducting membrane (7) supported on a porous redox stable substrate (8), through said substrate (8). The membrane (7) is non-permeable to molecular gas and to oxide ions. A DC voltage is applied across an anode (15) coupled to the substrate side of the membrane and a cathode (9, 11) coupled to its other side so as to dissociate at least part of the steam (20), into protonic hydrogen and oxygen at said anode (15). The protonic hydrogen passes through the membrane and forms molecular hydrogen (23) at the cathode (9, 11).

Abstract: An ambulatory device for use in a therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment, the device comprises an organic light-emitting semiconductor which, in use, covers an area to be treated and emits electromagnetic radiation to cause said therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of the area. The light source may be extensive to provide uniform irradiation of the area to be treated and may be pulsed. The device may also include a photopharmaceutical.

Abstract: There is provided a method to convert O-functionalized indazolinone-derivatives to the corresponding N2-functionalized indazolinone derivatives, by use of microwave energy or a transition metal catalyst. A preferred catalyst is palladium tetrakis. The method described allows the creation of a library of chemical compounds which can be screened for biological activity.

Abstract: A Raman spectrometer comprising means for illuminating a sample with a shaped laser beam and a detector that is operable to detect light that is reflected from or transmitted through a sample. Preferably, the shaped laser beam has a dark spot at its centre.

Abstract: An additive for improving the rate of catalysis in biphasic reaction systems is disclosed. The additive is an ionic molecule comprising an organic cation such as a heterocyclic compound or a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium cation, and an anion which may be organic or inorganic. A process for improved catalysis in an aqueous biphasic system wherein the catalyst is substantially dissolved in the aqueous phase and the substrate is substantially contained in the non-aqueous phase is also described. A suitable additive is 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium halide. Examples of suitable catalytic reactions include the hydrogenation, hydrosilation, hydroboration, hydrovinylation, hydroformylation, oxidation and hydroxycarbonylation of alkenes, and Heck, Suzuki, Stille, and Sonigashira coupling.

Abstract: An ambulatory device for use in a therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment, the device comprises an organic light-emitting semiconductor which, in use, covers an area to be treated and emits electromagnetic radiation to cause said therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of the area. The light source may be extensive to provide uniform irradiation of the area to be treated and may be pulsed. The device may also include a photopharmaceutical.

Abstract: The invention provides sensors comprising one or more compounds of formulae (I) and (II): [DENDRON1]p-CORE-[[X]r-[DENDRON]m]n??(I) [DENDRON1]p-[X]r-[DENDRON]q??(II) wherein CORE, X, DENDRON, DENDRON1, m, n, p, q and r are as defined herein. The optical (e.g. luminescent) and electronic properties of the compounds are capable of being altered by exposure to a number of different substances. The invention also provides the use of the compounds disclosed above in the sensing of substances, in particular explosives.

Abstract: A charge-neutral organometallic dendrimer is described, said dendrimer having the formula (I): CORE-[DENDRITE(-Q)a]n??(I) in which CORE represents a group of formula MXxYz, in which M represents a metal cation, x represents an integer of 1 or more, each X which may be the same or different represents a mono-, bi- or tri-dentate coordinating group, z represents 0 or an integer of 1 or more, and each Y which may be the same or different represents a coordinating group, the total of (b.x)+(c.

Abstract: A parametric device having a non-linear material (4) for generating an idler wave and a signal wave (16) in response to a pump wave (14), the pump, idler and signal waves being non-collinear, the device having a cavity (10, 11) resonant at the pump wavelength and means for varying the angle between the propagation directions of the pump and idler waves.

Abstract: A process for modifying at least one dendron that is intended to form part of a dendrimer is disclosed. One reacts at least one reactable unsaturated group in a chemoselective manner to form a less unsaturated group. Also disclosed is a process for modifying dendrimers in a similar manner.

Abstract: An on-chip micro-fluidic device (10) fabricated using a semiconductor material. The device has a micro-fluidic channel or chamber (14) defined within the material and one or more monolithically integrated semiconductor lasers (12) operate to form an optical trap in the channel or chamber (14).

Abstract: An optical parametric device, for example an optical parametric generator or amplifier or oscillator, comprising a non-linear material (13) that is operable to generate a signal and an idler wave in response to being stimulated with a pump wave. The non-linear medium is such that the pump and idler waves are substantially collinear and the signal wave is non-collinear.

Abstract: There is provided a manganese oxide material, wherein the material comprises a host material QqMnyMzOx, where Q and M are each any element, y is any number greater than zero, and q and z are each any number greater than or equal to zero, and at least one dopant substituted into the host material, the manganese oxide material having a layered structure in which the ions are arranged in a series of generally planar layers, or sheets, stacked one on top of another. In a particularly preferred material Q is Li and M is either Co, Ni, Al, or Li. Particularly preferred combinations of M and a dopant are Ni,Co; Al,Co; Li,Cu; Li,Al; and Li,Zn. A method of preparing the material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light emitting device having at least one layer that contains a phosphorescent organometallic dendrimer with a metal cation and two or more coordinating groups as part of its core and wherein at least two of said coordinating groups each have a dendron attached, at least one of which dendrons comprises at least one nitrogen atom which forms a part of an aromatic ring system or is directly bonded to at least two aromatic groups.

Abstract: Light emitting devices are incorporate, as the light emitting element, a dendrimer of which the constituent dendrons include a conjugated dendritic structure comprising aryl and/or heteroaryl groups connected to each other via bonds between sp2 hybridized ring atoms of said aryl or heteroaryl groups.