Abstract: A device and method for performing a cricothyrotomy and/or a tracheotomy has an outer cannula. An inner cutting cannula is positioned within the outer cannula. An actuator is coupled to a proximate end of the inner cutting cannula. The actuator keeps the inner cutting cannula in a retracted position within the outer cannula when the actuator is not activated and an extended position where a distal end of the inner cutting cannula extends out of the outer cannula with a force for the distal end of the inner cutting cannula to penetrate one of a cricothyroid membrane or tracheal wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first plurality of fuel cells having a cathode and an anode. The plurality of fuel cells is configured to produce electrical power having a current and a voltage output. The plurality of fuel cells includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate. A shunt is electrically connected to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate for shunting voltage output between the cathode and the anode. The shunt is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells. The shunt is connected to a control mechanism to control a shorting of one or more fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells. The control mechanism is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first plurality of fuel cells having a cathode and an anode. The plurality of fuel cells is configured to produce electrical power having a current and a voltage output. The plurality of fuel cells includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate. A shunt is electrically connected to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate for shunting voltage output between the cathode and the anode. The shunt is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells. The shunt is connected to a control mechanism to control a shorting of one or more fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells. The control mechanism is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free flowing aqueous composition comprising (a) at least one polyester consisting of the residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol; 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl) dimethylolpropionic acid; and at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic and adipic acid, wherein said polyester has an acid number in the range of 10 to 100 mg KOH/g, a hydroxyl number in the range of 20 to 120 mg KOH/g and a number average molecular weight of 500 to 5000; (b) at least one neutralizing agent; and (c) water. The composition is useful in aqueous coating compositions.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a cricothyrotomy and/or a tracheotomy has an outer cannula. An inner cutting cannula is positioned within the outer cannula. An actuator is coupled to a proximate end of the inner cutting cannula. The actuator keeps the inner cutting cannula in a retracted position within the outer cannula when the actuator is not activated and an extended position where a distal end of the inner cutting cannula extends out of the outer cannula with a force for the distal end of the inner cutting cannula to penetrate one of a cricothyroid membrane or tracheal wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a cricothyrotomy and/or a tracheotomy has an outer cannula. An inner cutting cannula is positioned within the outer cannula. An actuator is coupled to a proximate end of the inner cutting cannula. The actuator keeps the inner cutting cannula in a retracted position within the outer cannula when the actuator is not activated and an extended position where a distal end of the inner cutting cannula extends out of the outer cannula with a force for the distal end of the inner cutting cannula to penetrate one of a cricothyroid membrane or tracheal wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free flowing aqueous composition comprising (a) at least one polyester comprising residues of at least one cyclobutanediol; at least one 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)alkylcarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof; and at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof; (b) at least one neutralizing agent; and (c) water. The composition is useful in aqueous coating compositions.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a cricothyrotomy and/or a tracheotomy has an outer cannula. An inner cutting cannula is positioned within the outer cannula. An actuator is coupled to a proximate end of the inner cutting cannula. The actuator keeps the inner cutting cannula in a retracted position within the outer cannula when the actuator is not activated and an extended position where a distal end of the inner cutting cannula extends out of the outer cannula with a force for the distal end of the inner cutting cannula to penetrate one of a cricothyroid membrane or tracheal wall when the actuator is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester composition comprising a polyester further comprising (a) at least one cyclobutanediol; (b) at least one 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)alkylcarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof; and (c) at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or a derivative thereof. This polyester composition can be useful in several areas including but not limited to thermoplastic polyesters, curable polyesters, inks, paints, composites, coating compositions, for example, waterborne coatings, water-dispersible coatings, solvent-borne coatings, and powder coatings.

Abstract: A hashing method and system. The method comprises receiving by a computing system, a user password. The computing system generates a first hash for the user password. The computing system generates a second hash for a system parameter and performs an operation relating the first hash to the second hash to generate a first combination value. The computing system generates a third hash for the first combination value. The computing system receives a specific password for requesting access to the computing system. The computing system generates a fourth hash for said specific password and performs an operation relating the fourth hash to the second hash to generate a second combination value. The computing system generates a fifth hash for the second combination value. The third hash is compared to the fifth hash to determine that the third hash matches the fifth hash. Access is enabled to the computing system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell which has an anode and a cathode includes first and second circuitry which are utilized, to selectively short the anode to the cathode and further is useful in measuring the rate of voltage recovery following shorting, and which can be utilized as a predictor of appropriate fuel cell hydration and can be further utilized to adjust the operational conditions of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for treating a fuel cell membrane is described and which includes providing a fuel cell membrane which is not generating an electrical current output; and exposing the fuel cell membrane which is not generating an electrical current output to a nonambient environment which is effective to render the fuel cell membrane substantially immediately operable to generate at least about 80% of the maximum sustainable electrical power output of the fuel cell membrane when it is supplied with a source of fuel and an oxidant. The present invention also describes a fuel cell produced by the same methodology and a conditioned fuel cell membrane.

Abstract: A hull for a boat having a forward section with two twin subhulls or sponsons joined by a bridging structure which forms, approximately midway along the sponsons, the fore-end of a third subhull. The twin forward subhulls each have a modified W cross-sectional shape which is continued to a spoiler located near the mid-section of the hull. Water flowing past the undersides of the sponsons gives rise to a lifting action as the boat starts to move. The bottom of the central subhull runs downward and rearward between the sponsons but remains separated from them past the spoilers. In the rear section, the extension of the central subhull is deeper than the remainder of the hull and has a substantially flat bottom joined to sides inclined outwardly and upwardly to form a generally V cross-sectional shape. As the boat picks up speed, it merely rises in the water with little change of attitude until the aft part of the hull skims on the surface of the water.