Abstract: A hydrogen supply system (FIG. 1) comprises a first hydrogen storage material (1), which may be an AB5 type material, and a second hydrogen storage material (2) which may be a MgH2 type material; wherein the two hydrogen stores are separate. The first hydrogen storage material can be activated to release hydrogen at a lower temperature than can the second hydrogen storage material and at least a proportion of the hydrogen released from the first hydrogen storage material is utilised to activate the second hydrogen storage material. Hydrogen released from the second hydrogen storage material is made available to a hydrogen consumption system (3). The system is particularly suited for use as a mobile hydrogen supply, for example to provide hydrogen to a fuel cell powered vehicle.

Abstract: Electrical oscillations are supplied to electrodes of a diathermal heating chamber. A liquid is passed through the diathermal heating chamber so as to be heated. The liquid has a minimum level of dissolved solids, which is replenished over time or when the dissolved solids in the liquid fall below a predetermined minimum level. Alternatively, when the level of dissolved solids is excessive, current input or liquid temperature is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic graphics delivery system that operates in parallel with an existing Web site infrastructure is provided. The system streamlines the post-production process by automating the production of media through content generation procedures controlled by proprietary tags placed by an author within URLs embedded within Web documents.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for achieving correct exposure, focus, or both in a panoramic photograph that is stitched together from component photographs. In one example embodiment, a camera user sweeps the camera across the scene to be photographed, at least two measurements of scene portion brightness are made during the sweep, the brightness measurements are combined, and camera exposure settings are chosen based on the combination.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart is disclosed. The actuation system includes a framework for interfacing with the natural heart and a power system that can be coupled to the framework. The framework includes an internal framework element and an external framework element. The power system is configured to engage an exterior surface of the heart wall, and includes an actuator mechanism for exerting force on the heart wall, a driving mechanism for actuating the actuator mechanism, a transmission mechanism coupled between the actuator mechanism and the driving mechanism for transmitting power to the actuator mechanism, and a carrier device coupled between the actuator mechanism and the driving mechanism and configured for housing the transmission mechanism. The modular power system is configured for being freely exchanged and replaced in the actuation system while leaving the framework elements in place and generally undisturbed.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. A first general feature of the process is to define suspended structures with a DRIE process, such that the dimensions desired for the suspended structures are obtained. A second general feature is the proper location of specialized features, such as stiction bumps, vulnerable to erosion caused by the DRIE process. Yet another general feature is to control the environment surrounding suspended structures delineated by DRIE in order to obtain their desired dimensions. A significant problem identified and solved by the invention is the propensity for the DRIE process to etch certain suspended features at different rates.

Abstract: A cover system for an open-topped container includes two covers that are individually and separately deployable over the open top of the container body. The covers may be fabricated from different material and may be deployed using different deployment mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, especially suited for computers that can execute fused multiply-add instructions, for performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT) are disclosed. Divisions by zero that create a risk of error in other methods are avoided. In a first example embodiment, a zero divisor is detected and the division circumvented by performing an alternate computation. In a second example embodiment, a zero divisor is detected replaced by a safe finite value. In a third example embodiment, two optimized FFT kernels are used, one avoiding division by a zero real part of a root of unity and one avoiding division by a zero imaginary part. In a fourth example embodiment, a first kernel computes some kernel iterations without multiplication, and a second, optimized kernel computes the remaining iterations without risk of division by zero.

Abstract: A method for forming a film of material using chemical vapor deposition. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a pattern of at least one metallic nanostructure, which is made of a selected material. The method includes determining a plasmon resonant frequency of the selected material of the nanostructure and exciting a portion of the selected material using an electromagnetic source having a predetermined frequency at the plasmon resonant frequency to cause an increase in thermal energy of the selected material. The method includes applying one or more chemical precursors overlying the substrate including the selected material excited at the plasmon resonant frequency and causing selective deposition of a film overlying at least the portion of the selected material.

Abstract: The present disclosure methods and systems that provide heat, via at least Photon-Electron resonance, also known as excitation, of at least a particle utilized, at least in part, to initiate and/or drive at least one catalytic chemical reaction. In some implementations, the particles are structures or metallic structures, such as nanostructures. The one or more metallic structures are heat at least as a result of interaction of incident electromagnetic radiation, having particular frequencies and/or frequency ranges, with delocalized surface electrons of the one or more particles. This provides a control of catalytic chemical reactions, via spatial and temporal control of generated heat, on the scale of nanometers as well as a method by which catalytic chemical reaction temperatures are provided.

Abstract: A dice-less Craps game is disclosed. The game may be played by dealing a first card and a second card from a plurality of cards; determining whether the first card and the second card are of the same suit; if the first and second cards are not of the same suit, then adding the numerical values of the first card and the second card to determine a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps; if the first and second cards are of the same suit, then paying a predetermined result; determining whether the first and second cards match an additional criteria; and if the first and second cards match an additional criteria, paying an additional result.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel fluidized bed membrane reactor for autothermal operations. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique fluidized bed membrane reactor which includes internal catalyst solids circulation for conveying heat between a reforming zone and an oxidation zone.

Abstract: An access panel for providing access to cables, services or the like through an opening in a floor having a floor covering, is disclosed. The access panel includes a floor frame (10) located in the opening and a lid (100) supported on the frame (10). The frame (10) has a support flange (26) extending around its periphery which extends between the floor covering and the floor deck. The flange (26) provides a ramped edge tapered substantially uniformly over a distance of between 10 and 20 times the maximum thickness of the flange (26). The outermost part of the flange (26) is typically formed from a flexible polymeric material. A rib (20) extends around an aperture in the frame (10) and the height of the rib (20) is lower than the load bearing surface of the floor. The hinge (24, 120) is generally square and defines a pivot surface which extends parallel to and is spaced inwardly from an inner edge of the frame (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.

Abstract: A dice-less Craps game is disclosed. The game may be played by dealing, by a dealer, a pair of cards having numerical indicia thereon; determining whether the pair of cards are of a like suit; if the cards are not of a like suit, then adding the numerical indicia together to determine a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps; and if the pair of cards are of a like suit, then arriving at a predetermined result other than a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps. In a further disclosed aspect, the first predetermined result comprises a NoCall. In a further disclosed aspect an apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game is disclosed, comprising a deck of cards comprising 48 cards having numerical indicia thereon including four like-suited pairs each of Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes; and a Craps playing surface having additional indicia thereon for wagering on a predetermined result if a pair of dealt cards are of a like suit.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. A first general feature of the process is to define suspended structures with a DRIE process, such that the dimensions desired for the suspended structures are obtained. A second general feature is the proper location of specialized features, such as stiction bumps, vulnerable to erosion caused by the DRIE process. Yet another general feature is to control the environment surrounding suspended structures delineated by DRIE in order to obtain their desired dimensions. A significant problem identified and solved by the invention is the propensity for the DRIE process to etch certain suspended features at different rates.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vending system wherein a monitoring system verifies that a product ordered by a vending customer is actually delivered through a delivery area to the customer. If the product ordered is unavailable either because of an out of stock situation or a blockage of the delivery path for that product, the present invention allows the customer to request a refund or order a second product. Additionally, the present invention helps to prevent theft of product from the vending system.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart that includes a dome structure configured for being coupled with a ventricular portion of the heart. The dome structure has at least one opening formed therein. The dome structure, proximate the opening, is configured to interface with at least one of an atrial chamber and a great vessel of the heart. A stabilizing element or an actuating element may be anchored to the dome structure for engaging a portion of the heart.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart comprises a framework for interfacing with a natural heart, through the wall of the heart, which includes an internal framework element configured to be positioned within the interior volume of a heart and an external framework element configured to be positioned proximate an exterior surface of the heart. The internal framework is flexibly suspended with respect to the external frame. An actuator system is coupled to the framework and configured to engage an exterior surface of the heart. The actuator system comprises an actuator band extending along a portion of a heart wall exterior surface. The actuator band is selectively movable between an actuated state and a relaxed state and is operable, when in the actuated state, to assume a predetermined shape and thereby indent a portion of the heart wall to effect a reduction in the volume of the heart.

Abstract: A process for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device by a deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process during which a substrate overlying a cavity is etched to form trenches that breach the cavity to delineate suspended structures. A first general feature of the process is to define suspended structures with a DRIE process, such that the dimensions desired for the suspended structures are obtained. A second general feature is the proper location of specialized features, such as stiction bumps, vulnerable to erosion caused by the DRIE process. Yet another general feature is to control the environment surrounding suspended structures delineated by DRIE in order to obtain their desired dimensions. A significant problem identified and solved by the invention is the propensity for the DRIE process to etch certain suspended features at different rates.