Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting contaminants, such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, in various materials, including household products, and medicines. The contaminants can be detected using enzyme assays that produce measurable changes in light absorption and/or light fluorescence.

Abstract: A method for creating a tapered spiral welded conical structure where the overall shape of the cone is first graphically slit axially and unwrapped, and then a series of construction arcs and lines are created to form the edge lines of a strip that can then be wrapped (rolled) to form a tapered conical structure. The edges of the spirally wound strip can be welded together, and a very large conical structure can thus be achieved. Various construction options are presented from a constant width strip to strip made from straight segments. Equations are given for the formation of the strips to enable those skilled in the art of spiral welded tubing to practice the invention.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a partially coiled tube having a closed end and an opposite open end. The closed end is rolled and set into a coiled configuration. The device also includes a partially coiled tube supporting structure having a pressure indicating scale. The supporting structure holds the partially coiled tube such that the open end of the tube is in communication with a fluid whose pressure is to be measured. Pressure applied by the fluid causes the tube to unroll and the closed end of the tube to be visibly displaced relative to the pressure indicating scale by a distance related to the pressure applied by the fluid.

Abstract: A syringe having an internal pressure gauge comprises a syringe barrel; a piston within the barrel; a spring coupled to the piston at a first position of the spring, the spring having a second portion that is movable in response to fluid pressure within a syringe cavity; and a pressure gauge having an indicator correlated to a plurality of positions of the second portion of the spring to indicate a pressure of a fluid. The spring can be a bellows. The first portion of the spring can be coupled to the piston to form a sliding seal with an inner wall of the syringe, and the second portion of the spring can move longitudinally within the syringe without sealing contact.

Abstract: A system for harvesting, storing, and generating energy, that includes floating structure supporting machinery to extract energy from wind, waves, surface generators, or currents. At least one energy storage and power generating unit is anchored to the seafloor and adapted to tether the floating structure to the unit. The unit includes an internal chamber into which water flows through a hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy. A pump is provided, powered by energy from the floating structure machinery, to evacuate water from the unit and a control system directs power from the machinery to pump water out of the unit during periods of excess energy extraction by the machinery and to allow water to flow into the chamber through the hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy during periods of lower energy extraction by the machinery.

Abstract: A custom knee prosthetic includes a polycentric rolling contact joint, whose instantaneous center of rotation coincides with the instantaneous center of rotation of a patient's knee joint.

Abstract: A static semi-solid filled energy storage system having a plurality of static cells, each cell comprising an ion permeable membrane separating positive and negative current collectors and positioned to define positive and negative electroactive zones. Electroactive material is delivered to the electroactive zones via a plurality of manifolds. The manifolds are injected with an electronically insulating barrier that is configured to seal each static cell from its neighboring static cell. Valves are used to allow gas created from the electrochemical reactions to be released from the system. Coolant may be introduced to dissipate heat from the system.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing is provided that includes a plurality of bearing pads that form loading carrying areas.

Abstract: A multi-cell stack electrochemical device having an ion-permeable membrane separating positive and negative current collectors. A plurality of actuating devices configured to inject an electroactive composition into multiple zones within an electrochemical cell. The actuating devices are configured to apply direct pressure to internally contained electroactive composition to displace depleted electroactive material contained within an electrochemical cell. Gravity or mechanical means are used to operate the actuating device to displace electroactive composition that is internally housed.

Abstract: A test system for testing a unit such as multiple solid oxide fuel cells. The test system includes a thermal test chamber in which a non-contact electrostatic voltage probe is mounted to scan the solid oxide fuel cells. The test system includes a detector coupled to the voltage probe to produce an output signal or display based on the measured voltages. The measured voltages are processed to compute a representative voltage for each fuel cell and to identify any defective fuel cells based on the measured voltages. The test system may be used during manufacture of solid oxide fuel cell stacks for cost effective testing to lower manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Devices under test (DUTs) can be tested in a test system that includes an aligner and test cells. A DUT can be moved into and clamped in an aligned position on a carrier in the aligner. In the align position, electrically conductive terminals of the DUT can be in a predetermined position with respect to carrier alignment features of the carrier. The DUT/carrier combination can then be moved from the aligner into one of the test cells, where alignment features of the carrier are mechanically coupled with alignment features of a contactor in the test cell. The mechanical coupling automatically aligns terminals of the DUT with probes of the contactor. The probes thus contact and make electrical connections with the terminals of the DUT. The DUT is then tested. The aligner and each of the test cells can be separate and independent devices so that a DUT can be aligned in the aligner while other DUTs, having previously been aligned to a carrier in the aligner, are tested in a test cell.

Abstract: A wire includes a plurality of units. Each unit has a relatively stiff region joined to an intermediate region. The intermediate region has a varying stiffness along its length. The intermediate region is joined to a relatively pliable region.

Abstract: A machine includes a spindle for storing wire, a wire passage structure having an interface coupline, a controllable drive system, a control system, and a pressure-resistant housing. The drive system is configured to feed the wire through the wire passage structure and through the interface coupling, under the control of the control system. The housing encloses the wire passage structure, the controllable drive system, and at least a portion of the control system.

Abstract: A device for mixing and delivering a mixture of fluids to a target site includes a tube for containing the mixture. A compressible auger for mixing the fluids is movably disposed within the tube, one end of the auger being free at the distal end of the tube. A plunger is also movable within the tube in communication with the other end of the auger. When the plunger is moved axially within the tube the auger also moves axially and the auger is compressed to dispense the fluid. The mixing and delivery device can be used with an apparatus for the arthroscopic delivery of a tissue repair material to a repair site. The apparatus includes a first sheath and a second sheath removably attached to the first sheath for delivering the tissue repair material to the repair site.

Abstract: A solar panel configured to reduce contaminant accumulation thereon, including a surface adapted to harvest solar energy; and a vortex-inducing generator including chevron-shaped features disposed across at least a portion of the surface to reduce contaminant accumulation thereon by causing air flow passing over the surface to remove at least some contaminants deposited thereon and/or keeping particles entrained in the air flow to reduce deposition on the surface. A method of passively cleaning a solar panel includes providing the solar panel, and positioning the solar panel such that the leading edge is oriented to intercept a prevailing wind direction. A solar array includes a plurality of the solar panels, wherein each solar panel is positioned such that the leading edge is oriented to intercept a prevailing wind direction.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a resilient expandable pressure sensor element having an open end and an opposite closed end. The pressure sensor element includes spiral flutes extending between the open and closed ends defining spiral bellows. The pressure sensor element is tapered over at least a portion of its length from the open end to the closed end. The pressure measuring device also includes a supporting structure having a pressure indicating scale. The supporting structure holds the pressure sensor element such that the open end of the pressure sensor element is in communication with a fluid whose pressure is to be measured and pressure applied by the fluid causes the pressure sensor element to expand axially and be visibly displaced relative to the pressure indicating scale by a distance related to the pressure applied by the fluid.

Abstract: A bone plate and method in vivo deployment is designed to secure proximate portions of a bone together. The bone plate includes first and second anchoring regions extending in at least two direction to form a surface configured to extend coaxially with a bone and having formed therein a plurality of passages configured to receive fasteners to secure the first and second anchoring region to respective first and second portions of the bone. A deformation region extends to join the first and second anchoring regions along at least one plane extending substantially co-planar with the surface of the first anchoring region and the surface of the second anchoring region and having reduced structural integrity with respect to the first and second anchoring region to deform the deformation region and, thereby, adjust a relative orientation between the first and second anchoring regions in response to forces applied to the deformation region.

Abstract: A syringe having an internal pressure gauge comprises a syringe barrel; a piston within the barrel; a spring coupled to the piston at a first position of the spring, the spring having a second portion that is movable in response to fluid pressure within a syringe cavity; and a pressure gauge having an indicator correlated to a plurality of positions of the second portion of the spring to indicate a pressure of a fluid. The spring can be a bellows. The first portion of the spring can be coupled to the piston to form a sliding seal with an inner wall of the syringe, and the second portion of the spring can move longitudinally within the syringe without sealing contact.

Abstract: A pressure measuring device includes a partially coiled tube having a closed end and an opposite open end. The closed end is rolled and set into a coiled configuration. The device also includes a partially coiled tube supporting structure having a pressure indicating scale. The supporting structure holds the partially coiled tube such that the open end of the tube is in communication with a fluid whose pressure is to be measured. Pressure applied by the fluid causes the tube to unroll and the closed end of the tube to be visibly displaced relative to the pressure indicating scale by a distance related to the pressure applied by the fluid.