Abstract: Wood and non-wood pulp is bleached by: a) adding an aliquot of agglomerate from a bulk solids dispensing means, advantageously a hopper, to a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide which is desirably agitated to keep the agglomerate in suspension, the agglomerate comprising: a bleach activator, advantageously tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED); a peroxide soluble binder, preferably polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH); a dispersing system comprising a wetting agent which is a low foaming and does not discolour on exposure to temperatures of up to 120° C. and optionally a salt, preferably sodium acetate, which is highly soluble in hydrogen peroxide; and sequestrant which may additionally or alternatively be added directly to the hydrogen peroxide; b) allowing the TAED to substantially completely react with the hydrogen peroxide; c) adjusting the pH of the bleach solution by adding alkali, preferably caustic soda; and d) bleaching the pulp by contacting it with the bleaching solution under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a remote user with a selected data resource, such as a picture or video clip, via a low bandwidth link, which is capable of carrying only basic data. An identity code representing the data resource is transmitted which references a duplicate data resource held in a library by the remote user. The system has been developed specifically for illustrating news articles transmitted as part of an airline information service.

Abstract: A shredder (10) for brushwood comprises a shaft (52) which carries first and second sets (54, 56) of cutters (58). Each set of cutters (54, 56) is arranged around the shaft (52) along respective helical paths. The first set (54) of cutters (58) is arranged to feed out material towards one end of the shaft. The second set (56) of cutters (58) is arranged to feed cut material towards the other end of the shaft.

Abstract: A backing sheet (101) is provided with a pattern of pathways (131,132,133) of (e.g.) silica or cellulose by a printing process (e.g., screen printing). There may be multiple pathways leading from an eluant application region (117) to a detection zone (116) and thence to a waste reservoir (118). Different pathways may have different fluid traversal times because they differ in length and/or material (e.g., nitrocellulose for slow traversal and fibrous cellulose for rapid traversal by an aqueous liquid). Thus analyte and reagents deposited at depots (112,113) on different pathways are sequentially delivered to the detection zone. Reagents may be applied by printing. The detection zone may have an electrode assembly (105), also applied by printing, for detecting the effects of analyte.

Abstract: A dual air electrode metal-air cell having a casing with an upper cathode mask wall, a lower cathode mask wall, and a side wall; an anode assembly having a layer of anode material positioned above and below an anode collector and means, that may be a membrane or a solid foil current collector, for inhibiting movement of anode material between the two layers; separator materials covering the anode assembly on at least its upper and lower sides; an upper air cathode positioned between the upper cathode mask wall and the separator materials on the upper side of the anode assembly; a lower air cathode positioned between the lower cathode mask wall and the separator materials on the lower side of the anode assembly; a gas vent positioned on one or more of the side walls of the casing; and a liquid electrolyte substantially trapped by the separator materials.