Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoelectric-based power generation system designed to be clamped onto the outer wall of a steam pipe or other heating pipe. The system can include a number of assemblies mounted on the sides of a pipe. Each assembly can include a hot block, an array of thermoelectric modules, and a cold block system. The hot block can create a thermal channel to the hot plates of the modules. The cold block can include a heat pipe onto which fins are attached.

Abstract: A retractable fastener device and method for facilitating the fastening of multiple objects are provided. The retractable fastener may extend through an aperture defined in at least one component having a first side and a second side and further includes a tab device that may be extended and/or retracted so as to selectively prevent the retractable fastener device from being removed from the aperture through the first side.

Abstract: A retractable fastener device and method for facilitating the fastening of multiple objects are provided. The retractable fastener may extend through an aperture defined in at least one component having a first side and a second side and further includes a tab device that may be extended and/or retracted so as to selectively prevent the retractable fastener device from being removed from the aperture through the first side.

Abstract: A retractable fastener device and method for facilitating the fastening of multiple objects are provided. The retractable fastener may extend through an aperture defined in at least one component having a first side and a second side and further includes a tab device that may be extended and/or retracted so as to selectively prevent the retractable fastener device from being removed from the aperture through the first side.

Abstract: A bone surgery device with a reciprocating cutting head. The device comprises several sets of shaping surfaces sometimes including cutting blades, which are located and oriented so as to shape the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia for total knee replacements and unicompartmental knee replacements. The device, which may be hand directed or aided by spatial and directional guiding mechanisms or an optical navigation system, may also include both coolant supply for controlling heat during bone cutting and shaping, and a suction method for carrying away fluid and debris. The device is substantially configured to the artificial joint component to be attached thereto.

Abstract: A bone surgery device with a reciprocating cutting head. The device comprises several sets of shaping surfaces sometimes including cutting blades, which are located and oriented so as to shape the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia for total knee replacements and unicompartmental knee replacements. The device, which may be hand directed or aided by spatial and directional guiding mechanisms or an optical navigation system, may also include both coolant supply for controlling heat during bone, cutting and shaping, and a suction method for carrying away fluid and debris. The device is substantially configured to the artificial joint component to be attached thereto.

Abstract: A bone surgery device with a reciprocating cutting head. The device comprises several sets of shaping surfaces sometimes including cutting blades, which are located and oriented so as to shape the distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia for total knee replacements and unicompartmental knee replacements. The device, which may be hand directed or aided by spatial and directional guiding mechanisms or an optical navigation system, may also include both coolant supply for controlling heat during bone cutting and shaping, and a suction method for carrying away fluid and debris. The device is substantially configured to the artificial joint component to be attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic apparatus so as to produce an automated display of date and time specific biorhythmic acupuncture points is disclosed. The method monitors a current Gregorian-calendar date and time generated by the electronic apparatus, converts it into a Chinese-calendar Kan-day and Chih-period index affiliated with a biorhythm, utilizes the index to indicate and retrieve a biorhythmic acupuncture point from a table of predetermined biorhythmic acupuncture points, and displays the retrieved biorhythmic acupuncture point and current date and time. Once started, the method continues to display and update current date and time and their corresponding biorhythmic acupuncture point until it is interrupted by a user of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A polarizer-sample-analyzer intensity quotient ellipsometer and ellipsometric technique is disclosed which includes: a polarized light source, including a light source and a polarizer, for providing polarized light; and a detecting device, including an analyzer and a photodetector. The ellipsometer successively measures three intensities of polarized light emitted by the polarized light source and reflected by the sample being measured with the azimuth angle of the polarizer rotated to .+-.45.degree. with respect to a plane of incidence and the azimuth angle of the analyzer successively rotated to 0.degree.,60.degree., and 120.degree.. With these three measurements, the ellipsometric parameters .psi. and .DELTA. can be deduced. The invention also calculates deviations in the azimuth angles of the polarizer and analyzer with respect to a plane of incidence by utilizing two intensity quotients under two incident angles to be equal after roughly adjusting azimuth angles of the polarizer and the analyzer.

Abstract: A process for making molded objects utilizes powder injection molding techniques. Powder is mixed with a binder and then cast into a compact. The compact is then subjected to a first debinding step in the presence of a wicking agent under gentle heating. In this first stage, at least 40% of the binder is removed. Additional binder is then removed in a subsequent higher temperature stage to produce a compact which is free of binder and free of cracks.