Abstract: A method for defining one or more ANM zones in an electricity network that has at least one energy producing/consuming device that has an output that has to be regulated. The method comprises determining the maximum power and/or current transmittable to or from a node or branch in the network at which an energy producing/consuming device that has to be regulated is to be added; determining the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through that node or branch; and defining a zone (zone 1, zone 2) including the node or branch and regulated energy producing/consuming device that requires to be actively managed, in the event that the maximum power and/or current transmittable to the node or branch exceeds the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to maintaining bioactive molecules in their native or substantially near-native form and preventing or reduce aggregation. In particular, the present invention relates to precipitation-protective or stabilizing additives and a method of using said precipitation-protective/stabilizing additives to protect and maintain the bioactive molecules in a native or substantially near-native form and to prevent or reduce aggregation during or following precipitation to form particles.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of fibre Bragg gratings in an optical fibre, each fibre Bragg grating being sensitive to a different wavelength of light. The system comprises a broadband source for illuminating the optical fibre; at least one optical interferometer; light feeding means for feeding to an input of the interferometer light reflected from the fibre Bragg gratings, and a processor for processing the output from the interferometer to determine the wavelength of the reflected light. The light feeding means comprise a wavelength division multiplexer operable to separate light received from the optical fibre into a plurality of wavelengths, each associated with one of the fibre Bragg gratings and/or a time division mulitplexer operable to separate light received from the optical fibre into in a time separated series.

Abstract: A chemical indicator having a particulate inorganic substrate, and at least one reactive dye or ink coated on and/or impregnated within the particulate inorganic substrate. Coating and/or impregnating at least one reactive dye or ink on or within a particulate inorganic substrate improves the storage stability and/or thermal stability of the at least one reactive dye or ink, which typically includes relatively unstable compounds. This allows the present indicators to be incorporated into thermoplastic polymer materials and processed conventionally while maintaining the efficacy and stability of the new indicators. The indicators provide simple, reliable, and cost effective detection means for detecting analytes such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, and may find use in applications such as food packaging and medical applications.

Abstract: A condition monitoring paint is formed of a base material, and conductive components for forming a conductive network. The conductive components may include nano-particles or nano-structures. The paint in used in a condition monitoring system for monitoring the integrity or condition of structures, such as bridges.

Abstract: A transdermal device (10) for sensing one or more analytes in a biological fluid, the device (10) comprising a liquid or gel layer (14); a sensor (18) located in the liquid or gel layer (14) for sensing analyte in the gel layer and an outer layer (16) that is adapted to bind with or trap the one or more analytes of interest, wherein the device (10) is arranged so that in use the analyte is continuously drawn out of the liquid or gel (14) and into the outer layer (16) and the analyte concentration as a function of position across the gel/liquid has a defined profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of micron or sub-micron sized particles formed from one or more water-soluble crystals comprising a surface coating comprising one or more bioactive molecules wherein the particles are prepared such that in use the release of the bioactive molecule(s) is/are delayed and/or continually released over a period of time. Processes for the preparation of said particles, as well as the particles themselves are described, as well as uses of the particles.

Abstract: A presence determination system comprising at least one motion sensor for detecting movement in a sensing area. The system is adapted to determine a plurality of properties associated with at least one movement detected by the at least one sensor preceding a period where no motion is detected by the at least one sensor. The plurality of properties of the movement(s) detected before the period where no movement is detected are compared with a profile in order to determine whether or not the sensing area is unoccupied. The profile may be representative of movement properties indicative of exiting a room.

Abstract: A method of treating a metal billet to change its mechanical and/or physical properties by reducing grain size, the method involving feeding the billet through a first passage and into a second passage inclined to the first passage and deforming the billet by repeatedly loading and unloading it using a reciprocating die at a junction between the first and second passages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making nanoarrays for use in detecting species formed on the surface of the array using SE(R)RS. The methods can involve nanolithographic printing of a compound by dip pen nanolithographic printing. A SE(R)RS substrate can be used for the array and which can be selected from surfaces roughened by the oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC), island films, colloidal nanoparticles and surface-confined nanostructures. A coating or intermediate layer, such as a layer formed of nitrocellulose, can be provided between the compound and the SE(R)RS substrate. There are also provided arrays themselves and methods of using such arrays.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof. Each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand and the hydrogel is formed by self-assembly of said peptides in said aqueous dispersion medium. The aqueous dispersion phase is physiologically acceptable and may have a pH of 6 to 8, as may the hydrogel itself. The hydrogel may be used for cell culture or for treatment of medical conditions characterised by tissue loss/damage.

Abstract: An integrated perfusion apparatus or device for use in e.g. extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiopulmonary bypass, or isolated organ or limb perfusion, comprises a blood pump for circulating blood through the device; a blood oxygenator for oxygenating blood, and at least one heat control unit capable of controlling and/or regulating blood temperature within the device, wherein the at least one heat control unit comprises at least one solid state heating and/or cooling source, such as at least one Peltier device. The invention also relates to a method of performing perfusion on a patient, limb or organ, comprising using the perfusion device.

Abstract: A method for defining one or more ANM zones in an electricity network that has at least one energy producing/consuming device that has an output that has to be regulated. The method comprises determining the maximum power and/or current transmittable to or from a node or branch in the network at which an energy producing/consuming device that has to be regulated is to be added; determining the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through that node or branch; and defining a zone (zone 1, zone 2) including the node or branch and regulated energy producing/consuming device that requires to be actively managed, in the event that the maximum power and/or current transmittable to the node or branch exceeds the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through it.

Abstract: Apparatus for powering devices, comprising a power supply having inputs from two or more different power sources; means for combining the power sources and providing a power supply to one or more end devices; means for comparing the two input power sources and generating an index representative of the relative proportions of each at any time and means for using the index to determine how the power is utilised.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a powering a network of devices, the apparatus comprising a power supply, means for inputting a parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, means for determining network load, means for generating an error signal using the parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, the network load, and measured power of the power supply, and means for using the error signal to determining how the power is utilised.

Abstract: A method for defining one or more ANM zones in an electricity network that has at least one energy producing/consuming device that has an output that has to be regulated. The method comprises determining the maximum power and/or current transmittable to or from a node or branch in the network at which an energy producing/consuming device that has to be regulated is to be added; determining the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through that node or branch; and defining a zone (zone 1, zone 2) including the node or branch and regulated energy producing/consuming device that requires to be actively managed, in the event that the maximum power and/or current transmittable to the node or branch exceeds the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through it.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof. Each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand and the hydrogel is formed by self-assembly of said peptides in said aqueous dispersion medium. The aqueous dispersion phase is physiologically acceptable and may have a pH of 6 to 8, as may the hydrogel itself. The hydrogel may be used for cell culture or for treatment of medical conditions characterized by tissue loss/damage.

Abstract: A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wave-lengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.

Abstract: A system for monitoring actions performed on a data processing device by one or more users. The system comprises a plurality of user data processing devices including a mechanism for interacting with a user and a system monitor that can communicate with each user device and a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the monitor includes a plurality of software agents for carrying out specific functionality. These agents may be distributed over one or many different machines. Each user device includes at least one sensor for detecting events occasioned by interaction of a user with the data processing device. These sensors are operable to create a data structure representing a detected event, and communicate that data structure to the monitor. Once these structures are received, the monitor records them in the database. By analyzing the event data for specific users, user profiles can be created, which can be used to authenticate users.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is concerned with a treatment where it is desired that an active agent is designed to be released in a pulse at a time point some time after administration of the active agent. The present invention is particularly suited to administering an agent which may be released whilst a subject is sleeping. As well as treating certain conditions by a particular regime, the invention also provides novel formulations for a delayed, followed by a pulsed release of drug.