Abstract: Apparatuses, capacitor arrays, and methods for generating therapeutic compressed acoustic waves (e.g., shock waves). In the apparatuses and at least some of the methods, a plurality of electrodes can disposed in a chamber that is defined by a housing and configured to be filled with liquid, and a plurality of capacitors can be electrically connected to the electrodes and can be carried by (e.g., physically coupled to) the housing. Voltage pulses can be applied simultaneously to the plurality of electrodes (e.g., to begin to vaporize and ionize portions of the liquid to provide at least one inter-electrode conductive path between the plurality of electrodes) and to the capacitors to charge the plurality of capacitors). The plurality of capacitors can be configured to, upon reaching a threshold charge, discharge to the plurality of electrodes (e.g.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A microencapsulation process is improved by adding a stabilizing agent that contains one or more catalytic organo-metal oxide materials, such as metal soaps. This functions as a crosslinker by causing unsaturated bonds in the microcapsule walls to react, thereby stabilizing the microcapsules against the effects of additives to coatings that, otherwise, degrade the functionality of thermochromic or photochromic materials at the microcapsule core.

Abstract: A needle guard for use with a hypodermic syringe comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow body, having a first end that is open and a second end that is closed, wherein said guard has attached to an external surface thereof and projecting therefrom a grasping tab adapted so that the user can hold the body of the needle guard by grasping the tab, thus removing the user's hand from the projected line of force described by the insertion of the needle into the needle guard. The improved needle guard reduces the incidence of accidental puncture wounds which users of hypodermic syringes often experience.

Abstract: A splatter shield for use with a hypodermic syringe to prevent high-angle back-splatter, from syringe lavage, into the user's face. The splatter shield comprises a preferably circular sheet of stiff material which is preferably colorless and transparent, having a central tube which is attached thereto and which passes through the center of said sheet and projects on at least one side of said sheet sufficiently to have one end adapted to receive a standard syringe fitting and the other end adapted to receive a standard hypodermic needle. Said generally circular sheet is preferably cupped about the central tube so as to be concave on the side of the guard which has the needle-receiving, central tube end. The radius of the generally circular sheet and the degree of cupping in the preferred embodiment are chosen so that the shield flares out from the needle, like a skirt, sufficiently to intercept lavage-splatter at about 60.degree. to 90.degree.