Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum enclosure which is defined by a wall having inner and outer surfaces, where the inner surface is in contact with the vacuum and the outer surface is in contact with ambient air. The vacuum enclosure is characterized by the presence therein of a getter for undesired gaseous contaminants. The getter includes a substrate (either integral with the inner surface or not) and, deposited thereon by vacuum deposition, a thin-layer laminate including at least one layer (?) of substance(s) such as platinum group metals and oxides thereof, and at least one porous hydrophilic layer (?). A corresponding layered structure having utility as a getter is also part of the invention.

Abstract: Anti-theft apparatus for protecting solar electricity generating panels from theft including at least a first lockable element configured for engagement with a first solar electricity generating panel, at least a second lockable element configured for engagement with a second solar electricity generating panel, at least one locking element for securing the at least first and the at least second lockable elements together in a locking arrangement whereby the first and second solar electricity generating panels are at least locked together, and a top securing element arranged for non-removable engagement with the locking element, the top securing element being operative to resist disengagement of the first and the second solar electricity generating panels from the locking element.

Abstract: A vacuum enclosure which is defined by a wall having inner and outer surfaces, where the inner surface is in contact with the vacuum and the outer surface is in contact with ambient air, is characterized by presence therein of a getter for undesired gaseous contaminants, which comprises a substrate (either integral with the inner surface or not), and deposited thereon by vacuum deposition a thin-layer laminate including (?) at least one layer of substance(s) selected from the group consisting of platinum group metals and oxides thereof, and (?) at least one porous hydrophilic layer. A corresponding layered structure having utility as a getter is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A composite membrane for separating components of fluid mixtures including either a porous, essentially continuous, vacuum-deposited ceramic layer, supported by a porous substrate, the ceramic layer comprising at least one oxide selected from aluminum, titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, silicon, thorium, cadmium and tungsten oxides, wherein the average width of the substrate pores is greater than that of the ceramic layer pores, subject to stated conditions; or a multi-layer system of at least two such ceramic layers, disposed on at least one side of, and supported by, a porous substrate, the ceramic layers comprising at least one of the above-specified oxides, wherein between successive ceramic layers, there is disposed a vacuum-deposited metallic layer wherein the porosity and (or) average pore width of the metallic layer is less than those of the ceramic layer. The invention further relates to the application of similar membranes to TLC and column chromatography.