Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, an optional absorbent and collapsible element disposed within the container to reduce presence of undesired air during manufacture of the device, an outlet to deliver a volume of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container toward an ambient environment, and a manual screw pump to reduce volume (or sometimes, just increase pressure) within the volatile substance container and promote the delivery of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container. A safety chamber is sometimes provided to resist unintended escape of volatile substance in liquid phase to the environment.

Abstract: A disposable, single-use wipe 100 that can be used deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. The wipe typically creates and applies one or more treatment agent at the time and location of use on the object. A wipe 100 includes a flexible membrane or cloth-like element 106 that typically carries at least one element of a chemically reactive couple. A wipe 100 may be activated in various ways to produce a treatment agent, such as Hydroxyl radicals or alcohol, and subsequently used to physically spread the treatment agent onto the object. One or more additional treatment agent (e.g., Triclosan, Chlorine dioxide, Hydroxyl radicals, etc.), may be included in association with a wipe 100 to enhance biocidal activity. The wipe 100 may be used alone, or in combination with a holder 120. A holder 120 may operate to activate a wipe 100, and/or apply one or more treatment agent onto the object.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: Applying a sufficient quantity of an Alkali metal or an Alkaline earth metal to a fluid in a stripping process loop 106 to form a first intermediary compound and thereby, to strip the undesired element from the process fluid 102. The first intermediary compound 130 is processed in a recovery process loop 110 to recover the Alkali metal or Alkaline earth metal. The recovered Alkali metal or Alkaline earth metal is then re-introduced to an additional quantity of process fluid to strip and clean the undesired element from the additional quantity of the process fluid. A recovery process loop 110 may include either or both of a chemical substitution process, and an electrolytic process, effective to separate the Alkali metal or Alkaline earth metal from the undesired element or another compound.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for volatile fluid operable to apply one or more agent to a local environment for more than 14 days. Preferred devices dispense a first agent for air freshening, and may optionally dispense a second agent, such as a drain cleaner. A workable drain cleaner is structured to permit a slow release of drain cleaning agent. A dispensing device may nonexclusively operate by evaporation of volatile fluid from a carrier material that is infused with the volatile fluid; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of volatile fluid through a small orifice onto an emanator; osmotic transfer of volatile fluid from a bulk supply; gas-pump drive of volatile fluid at controlled pressure; or diffusion of volatile fluid through a wall of a container of bulk volatile fluid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A treatment chamber 102 in which an object may be disinfected, deodorized, and/or sterilized. A source 172 of Hydroxyl radicals is arranged to introduce treatment agents, including Hydroxyl radicals, into the chamber 102. Operable sources 172 include nebulizer, Fenton generator, and Hydrogen Peroxide in the presence of nanoparticle catalyst and UV light. Ozone may be applied as an additional treatment agent. A tablet dispenser 128 may optionally be included to introduce additional chemical treatment agents into the chamber 102. The entire treatment device 100A-O may be sized for placement and use at the point-of-use of an object to be sterilized, such as in a hospital to sterilize an endoscope component.

Abstract: An orientation independent delivery device. The delivery device includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to treat skin defects include a pump with reservoirs for a pressurization gas and a fluid. Upon activation, the pump generates a gas introduced into the gas reservoir, a movable wall of which displaces a movable wall of a fluid source, thus dispensing the fluid into the dressing to spread throughout irrespective of orientation of the dressing, maintaining a transport fluid (e.g. carrier) in the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated. The dressing may have a distribution network, and multiple members, dispensing the fluid into the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for volatile fluid operable to apply one or more agent to a local environment for more than 14 days. Preferred devices dispense a first agent for air freshening, and may optionally dispense a second agent, such as a drain cleaner. A workable drain cleaner is structured to permit a slow release of drain cleaning agent. A dispensing device may nonexclusively operate by evaporation of volatile fluid from a polymer or rubber-like carrier material that is infused with the volatile fluid; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of volatile fluid through a small orifice onto an emanator; osmotic transfer of volatile fluid from a bulk supply; gas-pump drive of volatile fluid at controlled pressure; or diffusion of volatile fluid through a wall of a container of bulk volatile fluid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell that includes an anolyte compartment holding an anode in contact with an anolyte, wherein the anolyte includes an oxidizable substance having a higher standard oxidation potential than water. The cell further comprises a catholyte compartment holding a cathode in contact with a catholyte that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell includes an alkali cation conductive membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment. As an electrical potential passes between the anode and cathode, the reducible substance reduces to form hydrogen and the oxidizable substance oxidizes to form an oxidized product. The pH within the catholyte compartment may be controlled and maintained to a value in the range of 6 to 8. Apparatus and methods to regenerate the oxidizable substance are disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for volatile fluid operable to apply one or more agent to a local environment for more than 14 days. Preferred devices dispense a first agent for air freshening, and may optionally dispense a second agent, such as a drain cleaner. A workable drain cleaner is structured to permit a slow release of drain cleaning agent. A dispensing device may nonexclusively operate by evaporation of volatile fluid from a polymer or rubber-like carrier material that is infused with the volatile fluid; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of volatile fluid through a small orifice onto an emanator; osmotic transfer of volatile fluid from a bulk supply; gas-pump drive of volatile fluid at controlled pressure; or diffusion of volatile fluid through a wall of a container of bulk volatile fluid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to treat skin defects include a pump with reservoirs for a pressurization gas and a fluid. Upon activation, the pump generates a gas introduced into the gas reservoir, a movable wall of which displaces a movable wall of a fluid source, thus dispensing the fluid into the dressing to spread throughout irrespective of orientation of the dressing, maintaining a transport fluid (e.g. carrier) in the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated. The dressing may have a distribution network, and multiple members, dispensing the fluid into the dressing and in contact with a skin defect being treated.

Abstract: A disposable, single-use wipe that can be used deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. A holder may be used to create or energize one or more treatment agent in a wipe to improve its efficacy. A wipe includes a flexible membrane or cloth-like element that may apply, distribute, and/or remove a treatment agent to, over, or from a surface of the object. An enhanced treatment agent, such as peracetic acid, may be applied to the surface subsequent to being formed in the wipe as a result of installation of the wipe onto a holder, or otherwise activating the wipe. A holder may include a rechargeable reservoir to contain and apply a synergistic treatment agent to the wipe to create the enhanced treatment agent.

Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, an optional absorbent and collapsible element disposed within the container to reduce presence of undesired air during manufacture of the device, an outlet to deliver a volume of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container to an ambient environment, and a manual screw pump to reduce volume (or sometimes, just increase pressure) within the volatile substance container and promote the delivery of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container.

Abstract: A device for introducing volatile fluid into a local environment. A volatile fluid chamber holds a quantity of volatile fluid in a solidified form to permit sustained release of volatile fluid in vapor form. A device may cause release of volatile fluid vapor into the local environment as a steady stream or intermittent puff. Gas discharge from the device may be urged by way of a vacuum pump, compressor, container of compressed gas, or by way of a gas-generating chemical reaction.

Abstract: An automatic air freshener that operates for a period of time in excess of about 14 days, and that may optionally include a drain cleaner, mosquito repellant, or other beneficial fluid. Certain embodiments are adapted for disposal in a urinal, although a variety of other applications are contemplated. An air freshener may operate by: emanation of scent from a rubber or rubber-like material that carries a dispersed scented oil; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of scented fluid through a small orifice; osmotic transfer of scented fluid from a bulk supply; or gas-pump drive of scented fluid at controlled pressure. When present, the drain cleaner typically is carried by a container structured to permit a slow drip of drain cleaning fluid from a bulk fluid supply.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing device for volatile fluid operable to apply one or more agent to a local environment for more than 14 days. Preferred devices dispense a first agent for air freshening, and may optionally dispense a second agent, such as a drain cleaner. A workable drain cleaner is structured to permit a slow release of drain cleaning agent. A dispensing device may nonexclusively operate by evaporation of volatile fluid from a polymer or rubber-like carrier material that is infused with the volatile fluid; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of volatile fluid through a small orifice onto an emanator; osmotic transfer of volatile fluid from a bulk supply; gas-pump drive of volatile fluid at controlled pressure; or diffusion of volatile fluid through a wall of a container of bulk volatile fluid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen from natural gas includes contacting substantially dry natural gas that contains unwanted nitrogen with lithium metal. The nitrogen reacts with lithium to form lithium nitride, which is recovered for further processing, and pipeline quality natural gas. The natural gas may optionally contain other chemical species that may be reduced by lithium, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and small amounts of water. These lithium reducible species may be removed from the natural gas concurrently with the removal of nitrogen. The lithium nitride is subjected to an electrochemical process to regenerate lithium metal. In an alternative embodiment, lithium nitride is reacted with sulfur to form lithium sulfide and nitrogen. The lithium sulfide is subjected to an electrochemical process to regenerate lithium metal and sulfur. The electrochemical processes are advantageously performed in an electrolytic cell containing a lithium ion selective membrane separator.

Abstract: A disposable, single-use wipe 100 that can be used deodorize, disinfect, and/or sterilize an object. The wipe typically creates and applies one or more treatment agent at the time and location of use on the object. A wipe 100 includes a flexible membrane or cloth-like element 106 that typically carries at least one element of a chemically reactive couple. A wipe 100 may be activated in various ways to produce a treatment agent, such as Hydroxyl radicals or alcohol, and subsequently used to physically spread the treatment agent onto the object. One or more additional treatment agent (e.g., Triclosan, Chlorine dioxide, Hydroxyl radicals, etc.), may be included in association with a wipe 100 to enhance biocidal activity. The wipe 100 may be used alone, or in combination with a holder 120. A holder 120 may operate to activate a wipe 100, and/or apply one or more treatment agent onto the object.