Abstract: An excreta sample capture device includes a primary influent pipe that receives influent from a toilet(s) and includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The excreta sample capture device also includes a first valve positioned at the downstream end of the primary influent pipe, and a second valve positioned between the upstream end and the downstream end of the primary influent pipe. In some cases, an excreta sample capture device further includes spray jet positioned above the second valve and a sample extraction vessel located downstream from the second valve. A method of using an excreta sample capture device includes receiving influent in the primary influent pipe, initiating a closing of the first valve, opening the second valve, and capturing a sample of the excreta.

Abstract: A fluoride treated medical implant, such as a dental component, is provided, the medical implant comprising fluorinated metal oxide on the substrate surface. A method for the preparation of such treated implants is also provided, the method involving exposure of the medical implant to a fluorine-containing reagent. A dental structure is also provided, which includes a first dental component comprising a fluorinated metal oxide layer on its surface, a silane coupling agent, a dental cement, and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement. An additional dental structure, which includes a first dental component comprising a fluorinated metal oxide layer on its surface, a dental cement, and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement is also provided.

Abstract: A fluoride treated ceramic material is provided, the ceramic material comprising fluorinated metal oxide on its surface. A method for the preparation of such treated ceramics is also provided, the method involving exposure of the ceramic to a fluorine-containing reagent. The ceramic materials can be further functionalized so as to bond to functional ligands and/or resins. The ceramic materials can be, for example, ceramic medical implants or particulate ceramic, which can be incorporated within dental and/or orthopedic composites.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing porcelain, such as a porcelain material comprising a fluorine-doped glass, is provided for use in dental applications. The porcelain may be used to overlie at least a portion of a dental component such that an interface between the porcelain and the dental component comprises a fluorinated metal oxide. Methods for producing such fluorine-containing porcelains and for treating dental components with such fluorine-containing porcelains are also provided. The fluorine-containing porcelain may exhibit enhanced bonding to the underlying dental component such as a high strength ceramic.

Abstract: A fluoride treated ceramic material is provided, the ceramic material comprising fluorinated metal oxide on its surface. A method for the preparation of such treated ceramics is also provided, the method involving exposure of the ceramic to a fluorine-containing reagent. The ceramic materials can be further functionalized so as to bond to functional ligands and/or resins. The ceramic materials can be, for example, ceramic medical implants or particulate ceramic, which can be incorporated within dental and/or orthopedic composites.

Abstract: A detector array and method for making the detector array. The array includes a substrate including a plurality of trenches formed therein, and includes a plurality of collectors electrically isolated from each other, formed on the walls of the trenches, and configured to collect charge particles incident on respective ones of the collectors and to output from said collectors signals indicative of charged particle collection. The array includes a plurality of readout circuits disposed on a side of the substrate opposite openings to the collectors. The readout circuits are configured to read charge collection signals from respective ones of the plurality of collectors.

Abstract: A detector array and method for making the detector array. The detector array includes a substrate including a plurality of trenches formed therein, and a plurality of collectors electrically isolated from each other, formed on the walls of the trenches, and configured to collect charged particles incident on respective ones of the collectors and to output from the collectors signals indicative of charged particle collection. In the detector array, adjacent ones of the plurality of trenches are disposed in a staggered configuration relative to one another. The method forms in a substrate a plurality of trenches across a surface of the substrate such that adjacent ones of the trenches are in a staggered sequence relative to one another, forms in the plurality of trenches a plurality of collectors, and connects a plurality of electrodes respectively to the collectors.

Abstract: A dental component comprising a modified porcelain veneering coating thereon is provided, wherein the porcelain veneering coating can comprise a plurality of crystalline inclusions. The crystalline inclusions can serve to strengthen the porcelain veneering coating and the dental component as a whole. A method for the preparation of such treated implants is also provided, the method involving providing a dental component; applying a porcelain slurry comprising about 5% or more by weight of an additive capable of forming a crystalline silicate phase to at least a portion of the surface of the dental component to give a coated dental component; and firing the porcelain-coated dental component.

Abstract: A coated medical implant, such as a coated dental component, is provided, the coated medical implant including a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups and a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface. A method for the preparation of such coated implants is also provided, the method involving application of the silicon oxide coating layer to the substrate surface by chemical vapor deposition. A dental structure is also provided, which includes a first dental component having a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups; a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface; a silane coupling agent overlying and covalently attached to the silicon oxide layer; a dental cement overlying and coupled to the silane coupling agent; and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement.

Abstract: A fluoride treated medical implant, such as a dental component, is provided, the medical implant comprising fluorinated metal oxide on the substrate surface. A method for the preparation of such treated implants is also provided, the method involving exposure of the medical implant to a fluorine-containing reagent. A dental structure is also provided, which includes a first dental component comprising a fluorinated metal oxide layer on its surface, a silane coupling agent, a dental cement, and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement. An additional dental structure, which includes a first dental component comprising a fluorinated metal oxide layer on its surface, a dental cement, and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement is also provided.

Abstract: A coated medical implant, such as a coated dental component, is provided, the coated medical implant including a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups and a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface. A method for the preparation of such coated implants is also provided, the method involving application of the silicon oxide coating layer to the substrate surface by chemical vapor deposition. A dental structure is also provided, which includes a first dental component having a substrate surface formed of a material comprising available hydroxyl groups; a silicon oxide coating layer chemisorbed on the substrate surface; a silane coupling agent overlying and covalently attached to the silicon oxide layer; a dental cement overlying and coupled to the silane coupling agent; and a second dental component having a surface bonded to the dental cement.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for sonically activating cement slurries. In some implementations, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes positioning a settable composition including a capsule in a wellbore. The capsule is used to increase a setting rate in response to at least sonic signals. A sonic signal is transmitted to at least a portion of the settable composition to release an activator from the capsule.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for sonically activating cement slurries. In some implementations, a composition for treating a subterranean formation includes a settable composition and an activator. The activator is released in response to a sonic signal to initiate setting of the settable composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for sonically activating cement slurries. In some implementations, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes positioning a settable composition including a capsule in a wellbore. The capsule is used to increase a setting rate in response to at least sonic signals. A sonic signal is transmitted to at least a portion of the settable composition to release an activator from the capsule.

Abstract: A detector array and method for making the detector array. The array includes a substrate including a plurality of trenches formed therein, and includes a plurality of collectors electrically isolated from each other, formed on the walls of the trenches, and configured to collect charge particles incident on respective ones of the collectors and to output from said collectors signals indicative of charged particle collection. The array includes a plurality of readout circuits disposed on a side of the substrate opposite openings to the collectors. The readout circuits are configured to read charge collection signals from respective ones of the plurality of collectors.

Abstract: A detector array and method for making the detector array. The detector array includes a substrate including a plurality of trenches formed therein, and a plurality of collectors electrically isolated from each other, formed on the walls of the trenches, and configured to collect charged particles incident on respective ones of the collectors and to output from the collectors signals indicative of charged particle collection. In the detector array, adjacent ones of the plurality of trenches are disposed in a staggered configuration relative to one another. The method forms in a substrate a plurality of trenches across a surface of the substrate such that adjacent ones of the trenches are in a staggered sequence relative to one another, forms in the plurality of trenches a plurality of collectors, and connects a plurality of electrodes respectively to the collectors.

Abstract: An improved electrode capable of smaller variances and mean breakdown voltage, increased breakdown reliability, smaller electron emission turn-on requirements, and stable electron emissions capable of high current densities include a first electrode material, an adhesion-promoting layer disposed on at least one surface of the first electrode material, and a nanostructure-containing material disposed on at least a portion of the adhesion promoting layer. An improved gas discharge device is provided incorporating an electrode formed as described above. An improved circuit incorporating an improved gas discharge tube device as set forth above is also provided. Further, an improved telecommunications network, incorporating an improved gas discharge tube device as set forth above can also be provided. An improved lighting device is also provided incorporating an electrode constructed as described above.

Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical uses is made of a conductive metal mesh coated with diamond-like carbon or dirty diamond. The electrode may be used in electrochemical cell either as a cathode or as an anode, or can be used with an alternating current.

Abstract: An improved electrode capable of smaller variances and mean breakdown voltage, increased breakdown reliability, smaller electron emission turn-on requirements, and stable electron emissions capable of high current densities include a first electrode material, an adhesion-promoting layer disposed on at least one surface of the first electrode material, and a nanostructure-containing material disposed on at least a portion of the adhesion promoting layer. An improved gas discharge device is provided incorporating an electrode formed as described above. An improved circuit incorporating an improved gas discharge tube device as set forth above is also provided. Further, an improved telecommunications network, incorporating an improved gas discharge tube device as set forth above can also be provided. An improved lighting device is also provided incorporating an electrode constructed as described above.

Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical uses is made of a conductive metal mesh coated with diamond-like carbon or dirty diamond. The electrode may be used in electrochemical cell either as a cathode or as an anode, or can be used with an alternating current.