Abstract: A method of forming a natural fiber polymer composite includes the steps of introducing into an extruder a polymer, a natural fiber and a supercritical fluid to form a natural fiber polymer mixture; and extruding the natural fiber polymer mixture to form the natural fiber polymer composite at a temperature below a standard melting temperature of the polymer alone. The supercritical fluid may be introduced after the polymer is introduced into the extruder. The supercritical fluid may be introduced before or after the natural fiber is introduced into the extruder.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method are provided. The method includes a molded cavity coupled to a resin injection apparatus which injects molten resin under pressure with a gas such that the resin foams within the mold cavity. An electrical heater is in contact with a first cavity surface, and a cooling medium cools the mold. The resin may include metallic flakes.

Abstract: A parking lot management system comprising a computer host, a handheld device, an entrance sensor, an entrance camera, an entrance stop, an exit sensor, an exit camera, and an exit stop is disclosed. The handheld device interactively transmits data with the entrance sensor and the exit sensor by near-field communication techniques. Each of the entrance camera and the exit camera takes a photo and acquires a license plate number of a vehicle and communicates this information with the computer host. After the computer host confirms and verifies some specific data, the computer host sends instructions to the entrance stop or the exit stop for allowing the vehicle to either enter or exit a parking lot. When exiting the parking lot, the parking fee is paid by the electronic wallet of the handheld device.

Abstract: A parking lot management system comprising a computer host, a handheld device, an entrance sensor, an entrance camera, an entrance stop, an exit sensor, an exit camera, and an exit stop is disclosed. The handheld device interactively transmits data with the entrance sensor and the exit sensor by near-field communication techniques. Each of the entrance camera and the exit camera takes a photo and acquires a license plate number of a vehicle and communicates this information with the computer host. After the computer host confirms and verifies some specific data, the computer host sends instructions to the entrance stop or the exit stop for allowing the vehicle to either enter or exit a parking lot. When exiting the parking lot, the parking fee is paid by the electronic wallet of the handheld device.

Abstract: A compostable interior panel for use in a vehicle includes an injection molded compostable polymer. A layer is disposed about the compostable polymer and comprises a composting-resistant polymer having a thickness ranging from 10 ?m to 175 ?m. The compostable polymer and the composting-resistant polymer are substantially insoluble in one another when liquid.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method are provided. The method includes a molded cavity coupled to a resin injection apparatus which injects molten resin under pressure with a gas such that the resin foams within the mold cavity. An electrical heater is in contact with a first cavity surface, and a cooling medium cools the mold. The resin may include metallic flakes.

Abstract: A compostable interior panel for use in a vehicle includes an injection molded compostable polymer. A layer is disposed about the compostable polymer and comprises a composting-resistant polymer having a thickness ranging from 10 ?m to 175 ?m. The compostable polymer and the composting-resistant polymer are substantially insoluble in one another when liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery the 5?-AMP and analogues thereof can be used to induce a state of torpor or suspended animation in subjects, as exemplified by studies carried out in laboratory mice. In these studies; mice were injected with high doses of 5?-AMP, which was found to result in a decoupling of the animals' body temperature regulation mechanism accompanied by a reduction in the animals' core body temperature, which tended to lower towards the ambient environmental temperature. It was further discovered that the introduction of high levels of 5?-AMP resulted in an induction of fat regulation genes such as procolipase (Clps) in tissues and organs that do not normally express Clps, this in turn was accompanied by a shift in metabolism from a primarily glycolytic energy metabolism (which is inhibited at lower temperatures) to one that relied primarily on the liberation and metabolism of free fatty acids.

Abstract: A method (100) and an apparatus for manufacturing a heat-dissipation device (10) with a vacuum chamber and a working fluid therein are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: vacuuming a hollow metal casing (12) through a first open end (121) thereof until an interior of the casing reaches a predetermined vacuum degree; sealing the first open end; filling a predetermined quantity of working fluid into the casing through a second open end (123) thereof; and sealing the second open end. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump, a liquid-storage tank and a set of processing device, as used respectively for the above vacuuming, liquid-filling and sealing steps. By this apparatus, the heat-dissipation device can be manufactured at a same place without the requirement to shift the casing from one place to another place during the manufacture of the heat-dissipation device.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus of manufacturing a heat pipe includes a vibration tray having a supporting board and a plurality of pipes positioned in the supporting board of the tray. A mandrel is coaxially inserted in each of the pipes. A feeder is located corresponding to an end of each pipe for feeding powder into the pipe. A vibration source drive the tray to vibrate along a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of each of the pipes when feeding the powder into the pipes from the feeders, whereby the pipes vibrate with substantially the same amplitude in the vibration direction.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus and a method of manufacturing a heat pipe are disclosed. The method includes: a) proving the powder feeding apparatus including a vibrating tray and a pump (800); b) positioning a tube in the vibrating tray; c) inserting a mandrel (400) into the tube from a first open end of the tube, wherein at least one groove (410) is defined in an end of the mandrel corresponding to a second open end of the tube; d) positioning a feeder (300) on the first end of the tube; e) driving the vibrating tray to vibrate and feeding powder into the tube from the feeder whilst the pump is operating to generate a forced airflow flowing from the first to the second open end of the tube. By using this method, bridging of the powder is prevented.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating a heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion. The least one temperature sensor has a detecting section exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A heat pipe includes a body with working fluid contained therein and a sealing structure forming on an end of the body. The sealing structure includes a single layer sealing portion formed at a distal end thereof. The sealing structure further comprises a two layer sealing portion connecting the single layer sealing portion to the body. The single layer and two layer sealing portions and the body are made of the same metallic material. A method for sealing the heat pipe, includes the steps of: (1) providing a metallic pipe with an end sealed and an opposite open portion; (2) pressing the open portion of the pipe to form a two layer sealing portion; (3) melting at least one part of the two layer sealing portion to form a single layer sealing portion.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus of manufacturing a heat pipe includes a vibration tray having a supporting board and a plurality of pipes positioned in the supporting board of the tray. A mandrel is coaxially inserted in each of the pipes. A feeder is located corresponding to an end of each pipe for feeding powder into the pipe. A vibration source is located under the tray to drive the tray to vibrate with substantially a same amplitude in a vibration direction when feeding the powder into the pipes from the feeder.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion to detect the temperature of the evaporating section of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and has sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening individuals at risk for developing diseases caused by trinucleotide repeat sequence instability. Specifically, the present invention is drawn to screening individuals at risk for developing autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 by determining the length of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the ?1A calcium channel gene of the individual. In addition, there is provided a method of identifying genes which are disease-causing due to trinucleotide repeat sequence instability by large scale genotyping.

Abstract: A heat pipe includes a body with working fluid contained therein and a sealing structure forming on an end of the body. The sealing structure includes a single layer sealing portion formed at a distal end thereof. The sealing structure further comprises a two layer sealing portion connecting the single layer sealing portion to the body. The single layer and two layer sealing portions and the body are made of the same metallic material. A method for sealing the heat pipe, includes the steps of: (1) providing a metallic pipe with an end sealed and an opposite open portion; (2) pressing the open portion of the pipe to form a two layer sealing portion; (3) melting at least one part of the two layer sealing portion to form a single layer sealing portion.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion to detect the temperature of the evaporating section of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and has sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion.

Abstract: A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating a heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion. The least one temperature sensor has a detecting section exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A powder feeding apparatus of manufacturing a heat pipe includes a vibration tray having a supporting board and a plurality of pipes positioned in the supporting board of the tray. A mandrel is coaxially inserted in each of the pipes. A feeder is located corresponding to an end of each pipe for feeding powder into the pipe. A vibration source drive the tray to vibrate along a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of each of the pipes when feeding the powder into the pipes from the feeders, whereby the pipes vibrate with substantially the same amplitude in the vibration direction.