Abstract: A power generation system includes a fuel cell including an anode that generates a tail gas. The system also includes a hydrocarbon fuel reforming system that mixes a hydrocarbon fuel with the fuel cell tail gas and to convert the hydrocarbon fuel and fuel tail gas into a reformed fuel stream including CO2. The reforming system further splits the reformed fuel stream into a first portion and a second portion. The system further includes a CO2 removal system coupled in flow communication with the reforming system. The system also includes a first reformed fuel path coupled to the reforming system. The first path channels the first portion of the reformed fuel stream to an anode inlet. The system further includes a second reformed fuel path coupled to the reforming system. The second path channels the second portion of the reformed fuel stream to the CO2 removal system.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for boosting overall performance of a fuel cell while simultaneously separating a nearly pure stream of CO2 for sequestration or for use in generating electrical power to further increase overall efficiency of the process. The system and method employ a heat exchanger system configured to generate a stream of fuel that is returned to the inlet of the fuel cell anode with a higher molar concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) fuel than was initially present in the fuel cell anode outlet.

Abstract: A combined cycle fuel cell includes a fuel cell such as a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) comprising an anode that generates a tail gas. A hydrocarbon fuel reforming system that mixes a hydrocarbon fuel with the fuel cell tail gas downstream of the fuel cell partly or fully converts the hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO). A fuel path diverts a first portion of the reformed fuel to the inlet of the fuel cell anode. A cooler such as an Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is optionally configured to remove heat from a residual portion of the reformed fuel and to deliver the cooled residual portion of the reformed fuel to a bottoming cycle that may be an external or internal combustion engine such as a reciprocating gas engine or gas turbine that is driven in response to the cooled residual portion of the reformed fuel.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.

Abstract: A hand sanitizer (2) comprises: (a) a first part comprising a chlorite in an alcoholic medium having a first foam promoter dissolved therein and contained in a first foam dispenser (4) whereby it is dispensed as a first foam; and (b) a second part which comprises an acid in an alcoholic medium which has a second foam promoter dissolved therein and which is contained in a second foam dispenser (6) whereby it is dispensed as a second foam; wherein the chlorite and the acid will react to provide chlorine dioxide when the first foam is mixed with the second foam; and wherein a mixture (18) of equal quantities of the first part and the second part contains at least 50% alcohol by weight.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes USB communication circuitry for communicating via a USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry transmits data to and from the integrated circuit over the USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry further provides protection to internal circuitry of the integrated circuit from a 5 volt short circuit on the USB interface.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises an error amplifier for generating, an error signal responsive to a reference voltage in a feedback signal. A feedback circuit provides the feedback voltage signal to the error amplifier and a driver circuit provides regulated output voltage responsive to the input voltage in the error signal. Short circuit protection circuitry selectively protects transistors within the error amplifier, the feedback amplifier and the driver circuit responsive to a short circuit protection enablement signal.

Abstract: A light weight brake assembly for bicycles is disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to enhance assembly adjustability, for example to accommodate geometric variations that occur with various bicycle frame and wheel geometries. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to allow for a brake leverage that can be non-linear and capable of multiplying during brake actuation so that braking force increases more rapidly than brake lever force applied by the user. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to provide a brake sensitivity that is adjustable in use. Some embodiments provide for a quick-release functionality, for example by quickly increasing the gap between the two brake pads so that the wheel can be easily/quickly removed.

Abstract: A decontamination system suitable for decontaminating items of medical equipment such as endoscopes, the system comprising: (I) a plurality of pre-clean wipes comprising moist fabric members for wiping an item to be decontaminated; (II) a two-part sterilant system comprising: (a) a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium; and (b) a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium; wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a sterilizing composition; the first part being contained in a dispenser (2) whereby it may be dispensed as a fluid, and the second part being absorbed or impregnated in a plurality of sterilizing wipes (18) each of which comprises a fabric member in a sealed container (20); and (III) a plurality of rinse wipes, each rinse wipe comprising a moist, sterile, fabric member in its own sealed container (40).

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises an error amplifier for generating an error signal responsive to a reference voltage in a feedback signal. A feedback circuit provides the feedback voltage signal to the error amplifier and a driver circuit provides regulated output voltage responsive to the input voltage in the error signal. Short circuit protection circuitry selectively protects transistors within the error amplifier, the feedback amplifier and the driver circuit responsive to a short circuit protection enablement signal.

Abstract: A collapsible treatment device (81) for treating a target area of a vessel wall within a human or animal body, having a mesh portion, preferably annular in shape (82) and with a contracted configuration allowing travel within the vessel to the target area and an expanded configuration allowing treatment of the target area. A treatment implement is on the mesh portion and protuberance either as part of the mesh or provided on a sheath which protects the vessel from contact with the implement during travel within the vessel.

Abstract: A decontamination system suitable for decontaminating items of medical equipment such as endoscopes, the system comprising: (I) a plurality of pre-clean wipes comprising moist fabric members for wiping an item to be decontaminated; (II) a two-part sterilant system comprising: (a) a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium; and (b) a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium; wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a sterilising composition; the first part being contained in a dispenser (2) whereby it may be dispensed as a fluid, and the second part being absorbed or impregnated in a plurality of sterilising wipes (18) each of which comprises a fabric member in a sealed container (20); and (III) a plurality of rinse wipes, each rinse wipe comprising a moist, sterile, fabric member in its own sealed container (40).

Abstract: A decontamination system suitable for decontaminating items of medical equipment such as endoscopes, the system comprising: (I) a plurality of pre-clean wipes comprising moist fabric members for wiping an item to be decontaminated; (II) a two-part sterilant system comprising: (a) a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium; and (b) a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium; wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a sterilising composition; the first part being contained in a dispenser (2) whereby it may be dispensed as a fluid, and the second part being absorbed or impregnated in a plurality of sterilising wipes (18) each of which comprises a fabric member in a sealed container (20); and (III) a plurality of rinse wipes, each rinse wipe comprising a moist, sterile, fabric member in its own sealed container (40).

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes USB communication circuitry for communicating via a USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry transmits data to and from the integrated circuit over the USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry further provides protection to internal circuitry of the integrated circuit from a 5 volt short circuit on the USB interface.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises an error amplifier for generating an error signal responsive to a reference voltage in a feedback signal. A feedback circuit provides the feedback voltage signal to the error amplifier and a driver circuit provides regulated output voltage responsive to the input voltage in the error signal. Short circuit protection circuitry selectively protects transistors within the error amplifier, the feedback amplifier and the driver circuit responsive to a short circuit protection enablement signal.

Abstract: A light weight brake assembly for bicycles is disclosed. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to enhance assembly adjustability, for example to accommodate geometric variations that occur with various bicycle frame and wheel geometries. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to allow for a brake leverage that can be non-linear and capable of multiplying during brake actuation so that braking force increases more rapidly than brake lever force applied by the user. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to provide a brake sensitivity that is adjustable in use. Some embodiments provide for a quick-release functionality, for example by quickly increasing the gap between the two brake pads so that the wheel can be easily/quickly removed.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acids encoding chimeric polypeptides comprising vacuole targeting sequences and plant-noxious sequences and especially pest control proteins. The polypeptides are useful in methods for targeting non-vacuolar harmful proteins to plant vacuoles. Chimeric polypeptides of the invention containing pest control proteins are useful for conferring pest resistance on plants and in the production of compositions useful as pesticides.

Abstract: A foundation component (1) is disclosed which is suitable for forming part of a modular foundation for a building structure. The foundation component (1), defines at least one receptacle (2) which, in use, may be filled with a suitable particulate material. A plurality of protrusions (5) extending generally downwards from the base (6) of the foundation component (1) engage a foundation surface on which the foundation component is located. In a preferred embodiment the foundation component may include tongue in groove interengagement of adjacent foundation components (1), and may also include provision for service channels and reinforcing rods.

Abstract: A real-time transaction processing system includes a leaky bucket and a flow controller for monitoring the response time of each real-time transaction, for comparing the response time with a predetermined response time, and for incrementing the contents of the leaky bucket when the response time exceeds the predetermined response time. The real-time transaction processing system may reject transactions in proportion to the contents of the leaky bucket. Further, there is a method of operating the real-time transaction processing system by monitoring the response time of each real-time transaction; comparing the response time with a predetermined response time; and incrementing the contents of the leaky bucket when the response time exceeds the predetermined response time.

Abstract: A retractable device is provided for an earphone/microphone used with a cell phone. The device is formed of a housing with one rewinding spool for the earphone end of the cord with allowance for twisting of the connector end of the cord. The device with two spools allows for independent rewinding of earphone end portion of the cord and the connector end portion of the cord on different spools and the confinement of a middle portion of the cord in reversible winding cavity with the ends of the middle portion of the cord fixed so that middle portion can wind and rewind in the reversible winding cavity without leaving the cavity.