Abstract: A system for securing a plurality of slabs of insulation to an underlying roof decking substructure by a plurality of batten strips is disclosed, wherein the plurality of slabs of insulation are disposed within a grid-type arrangement comprising a plurality of transversely oriented rows of the slabs of insulation and a plurality of longitudinally oriented columns of the slabs of insulation. Alternative columns of the slabs of insulation are preferably longitudinally offset with respect to the columns of the slabs of insulation which are interposed between the alternative columns of the slabs of insulation so as to effectively stagger adjacent or abutting slabs of insulation with respect to each other for enhancing wind uplift resistance properties.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to new liquid-liquid extraction methods for the length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other 1-dimensional nanostructures.

Abstract: An instrument for checking quality of therapeutic x-ray and electron radiation provides modes optimized for both electrons and for photons obtained by physically flipping the unit to interpose the necessary build-up material between the radiation beam and contained detectors. The invention provides an improved method of constructing ionization detectors for improved energy discrimination using such detectors and wire-free operation.

Abstract: An improvement over existing image display systems which utilize polygonal terrain databases, e.g., such as are used in RADAR simulation and image generation systems for flight simulators, the improvement residing in a method for modifying the polygon faces in the existing terrain database by replacing the constant normal vectors thereof with non-constant normal vectors derived from a higher-detailed terrain database of the same geographical area, to thereby produce a modified polygonal terrain database which enables the generation of images in which the terrain of the scene being displayed is represented by textured polygons, as opposed to polygon faces of constant intensity. The present invention also encompasses an image display system programmed to implement this method.

Abstract: A tap dance platform for producing pitched sounds in response to energy imparted onto the surface of the platform having a flat base surface and parallel spaced-apart supports disposed on the flat base. Disposed on each of the spaced-apart supports are a plurality of flat spaced-apart keys which define a sound chamber between the base and the bottom of the keys. The supports are spaced-apart to engage the keys at their vibrational nodes. On the top surface of each of the spaced-apart supports are resilient strips to insulate the keys from the supports and the base to enhance the tonal sound. There are also provided side apertures in both the vertical supports and the side walls of the platform, to allow the sound to come out and to determine the desired sound quality. The ends of the platform are also recesses so that sound can travel out of each end of the platform. Thus, tap dancers can dance on the keys and create unique pitched, percussionlike sounds resembling a marimba.

Abstract: The tool comprises pliers (5) mounted in an extension of a shaft (2) mounted to rotate around its axis in tubular sleeve (4). Metal wire (14) can be engaged in an axial bore (12) of shaft (2) and between the jaws of pliers (5). The tool makes it possible to fasten two elements (17,18) to one another by means of the wire (14) by a pull exerted on the sleeve (15) of the tool which, in a first stage, wraps the ends of the fastener engaged between the jaws of the pliers (5), around one another, and, in a second stage, separates the fastener from the wire (14).