Abstract: A process for producing monodispersed carbon spheres comprising the steps of mixing supercritical-carbon dioxide fluid under pressure with a solvent in an inert atmosphere; heating the mixture in to a temperature to carbonise the solvent; and modulating the pressure to the heated mixture to produce carbon spheres. Subsequent addition of an organometallic precursor can be used to induce the nucleation and growth of nanocrystals across the surface of the spheres.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for producing semiconductor nanowires, for example germanium or Silicon, grown by solution decomposition comprising the steps of heating at least one high boiling point solvent to its reaction temperature in a chamber and injecting a precursor directly into the chamber to react with the at least one high boiling solvent to produce a refluxing solvent. Subsequent vapour deposition of a monomer, achieved by the refluxing solvent, onto a locally heated substrate contained within the chamber produces the semiconductor nanowires. The system and method removes the dependency upon the incorporation of metal catalyst for the production of silicon and germanium nanowire, thereby nullifying the adverse effects of metal contamination in the resulting semiconductor nanowires.

Abstract: The aspects enable a computing device or microprocessor to determine a low power mode that provides the most system power savings by placing selected resources in a low power mode while continuing to function reliably, depending upon the resources not in use, acceptable system latencies, dynamic operating conditions (e.g., temperature), expected idle time, and the unique electrical characteristics of the particular device. Aspects provide a mechanism for determining an optimal low power configuration made up of a set of low power modes for the various resources within the computing device by determining which low power modes are valid at the time the processor enters an idle state, ranking the valid low power modes by expected power savings given the current device conditions, determining which valid low power mode provides the greatest power savings while meeting the latency requirements, and selecting a particular low power mode for each resource to enter.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for producing semiconductor nanowires, for example germanium or Silicon, grown by solution decomposition comprising the steps of heating at least one high boiling point solvent to its reaction temperature in a chamber and injecting a precursor directly into the chamber to react with the at least one high boiling solvent to produce a refluxing solvent. Subsequent vapour deposition of a monomer, achieved by the refluxing solvent, onto a locally heated substrate contained within the chamber produces the semiconductor nanowires. The system and method removes the dependency upon the incorporation of metal catalyst for the production of silicon and germanium nanowire, thereby nullifying the adverse effects of metal contamination in the resulting semiconductor nanowires.

Abstract: The present invention involves a health care reimbursement method and server for a manufacturer of a product fulfilling an order to health care provider. The method involves purchasing an order from a manufacturer for a predetermined price, for example via a computer server. The method further involves receiving utilization data from a payor; and reconciling the order with the utilization data, both of which may be done by a server. The method may further involve preparing an invoice for the order; and submitting the invoice to the payor, such as by a server. The method may still further involve preparing a second invoice for at least a portion of the order; and submitting the second invoice to a patient, which may be implemented by a server. Further aspects of the method involve receiving payment from the patient; and forwarding the payment to the payor, one or both of which may be done by a server.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of health care reimbursement, and more particularly to valuing claims generated by a health care provider for purposes of underwriting and accelerating such health care provider's reimbursement from a variety of payors.

Abstract: A catalytic process for converting biomass-derived carbohydrates to liquid alkanes, alkenes, and/or ethers is described. The process uses combinations of self- and crossed-aldol condensation reactions, dehydration reactions, and hydrogenation reactions, over specified metal-containing catalysts, to yield alkane, alkene, and ether products from carbohydrate reactants.

Abstract: Biomaterial comprising derivatized porous silicon is described. Derivatization of the porous silicon has been found to increase its stability. The porous silicon is preferably derivatized by a technique that does not involve oxidation of the silicon, e.g. by hydrosilylation. The derivatized porous silicon is stable to boiling in aerated water for preferably at least two hours. The derivatized porous silicon is preferably at least substantially stable to boiling in aerated basic solutions of aqueous KOH (pH 10) and solutions of 25% EtOH/75% aqueous KOH (pH 10) for one hour. The corrosion rate of the derivatized porous silicon material in simulated human plasma, is a factor of at least two orders of magnitude lower than underivatized porous silicon. The porosity of the derivatized porous silicon is preferably least 5%. Devices comprising the derivatized porous silicon are also described. These include immunoisolation devices, biobattery devices, and optical devices.

Abstract: A modular financial service instrument is disclosed herein. The modular financial service instrument allows both the customer and the issuing financial institution to modify the set of features associated with the instrument without requiring the issuing of a new instrument. The modular nature of the instrument allows for a rationalised operational structure that eliminates the necessity for storing each combination of features as a separate product. The modular nature of the instrument allows a customer to select features to create a customisable financial service instrument that suites the customer needs.

Abstract: A disc brake uses retraction springs arranged in directions transverse to the direction of movement of the brake pads. The springs thus apply both tangential and radial forces to the brake pads to both retract the pads and to reduce rattle. In the preferred embodiment, the springs are S-shaped and attached to the pad backing plates by insertion of the ends of the springs into holes in the backing plates.

Abstract: A mechanism for a sliding-pin type disc brake assembly provides a gap between a brake pad and the rotor. The mechanism includes a bushing that receives a sliding pin and a resilient element between the end of the pin and the end of the bushing. The pin reciprocates in the bushing during operation of the brakes, and the bushing moves along the bore as the brake pads wear.

Abstract: A generally disc-shaped polymeric insulating article (14) is in two parts to fit around the core (4) of an insulator (2). A first part (22) of the article (14) is substantially C-shaped to fit around the insulator core (4), and the second part comprises an insert (30) that slidably engages the first part (22) so as to secure the article in place. The article (14) projects a substantial distance radially from the insulator (2) to prevent animals and the like, bridging the length of, and thus electrically short circuiting, the insulator (2).