Abstract: A mental watch band and the connecting joints used thereof, wherein the joints each includes a first assembly, a second assembly and a decorative cover, a connecting part of a lower drum in the second assembly is connected to a first short fork and a second short fork in the first assembly while a chamber of the decorative cover is clasped into an upper drum, and tightened by the first and second decorative cover clasps. The long fork of the first assembly in one joint is inserted into a groove part of the second assembly in an abutting joint. The abutting joint can be connected together or the abutting joint can be detached. The watch band according to aspects of the present invention can be disassembled quickly and easily, and can be used on many kinds of bands. Advantageously, the watch band provided herein is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is disclosed in which the negative electrode material comprises carbon nanostructures having no dimension greater than 2 ?m. The battery has a high reversible capacity of the order of 400 mAh/g to 500 mAh/g which can be maintained over a long cycle-life (at least 30 cycles). The carbon nanostructures may be mixed with graphite to improve conductivity. The carbon nanostructues may be synthesized using an AFI template material followed by calcination.

Abstract: A method for forming carbon nanostructures is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: (a) synthesising a microporous template material comprising crystals having no dimension greater than about 2 ?m, (b) heating the crystals in the presence of an inert gas or a mixture of an inert gas and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature of between 500° C. and 900° C., and (c) recovering carbon nanostructures by washing the heated crystals in an acid to remove the template material.

Abstract: Optically active glazing comprising two parallel plates of glass or the like that define between them a closed volume containing dielectric particles in suspension in a fluid, and electrodes formed on the plates and connected to an electrical power supply for moving and organizing the particles by means of dielectrophoretic forces and of interactions between particles.

Abstract: A “paper look-alike” display comprises pixels formed of dielectric particles suspended in a non-conducting liquid. By applying a voltage to electrodes the particles may be switched between positions in which they are stored in vertical columns normal to the surface of the pixel and have no effect on the colour of the pixel, and a position in which they occupy a major part of the surface area of the pixel and influence the colour of the pixel accordingly.

Abstract: Acoustic attenuation materials are described that comprise outer layers of a stiff material sandwiching a relatively soft elastic material therebetween, with means such as spheres, discs or wire mesh being provided within the elastic material for generating local mechanical resonances that function to absorb sound energy at tunable wavelengths.