Abstract: An ultra-low thermal mass refractory article includes fibers impregnated with a colloidal inorganic oxide. The refractory article has at least one of the following properties: (i) a density of 500 kg/m3 to 1500 kg/m3; (ii) a thermal conductivity of 1.0 Wm/K or less at 700° C.; and/or (iii) a linear thermal shrinkage at 1400° C. of less than 2.5%.

Abstract: An industrialized construction process is provided in which the filling material (8) is poured in situ on empty segments (3) prefabricated ex situ. The process comprises the prefabrication of empty segments (3) including the assembling of steel reinforcement elements (9) and assembling fixing elements (4) whereby these comprise rigid elements (22) and at least part of the moulds (13), which occur at a location (5) ex situ; transport and placement of the empty segments (3) in the final position in the structure (1); pouring the filling material (8); consolidation or curing of the filling material; prestressing the structure (1); and removal of the moulds (13) and fixing elements (4). The present invention also relates to a construction system adapted for carrying out the construction process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an industrialized construction process of at least part of a structure (1) to be constructed, by applying it, for example, to bridge decks, in which the filling material (8) is poured in situ on empty segments (3) prefabricated ex situ.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing, a fragile element disposed within the housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the fragile element and the housing for maintaining the positioning of the fragile element, absorbing mechanical shock, and providing thermal insulation. The mounting mat includes a layer or sheet of inorganic fibers with a portion of the layer having a first basis weight and another portion having a second basis weight that is different from the first basis weight. The mat or a vacuum formed insulating pre-form having a variable basis weight in certain regions may be used as end cone insulation in exhaust gas treatment devices.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides arrays comprising polypeptides associated with extracellular matrix that can be used to isolate, differentiate, or culture certain cell types including stem cells, cancer cells, and/or primary hepatocytes. The array comprises at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing a certain disease or disorder through contacting a cell sample from a patient with an array comprising at least a pair of polypeptides that comprise a polypeptide sequence associated with extracellular matrix or functional fragments thereof.

Abstract: A mat or mat-pre-form hybrid for use in an exhaust gas treatment device, such as catalytic converters and diesel particulate traps that are used in automotive exhaust systems. The mat or hybrid may be used as a mounting mat to mount a fragile monolith within an outer housing of an exhaust gas treatment device or as thermal insulation in an end cone of the exhaust gas treatment device.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: A support system for a fragile substrate of an exhaust gas treatment device includes a microporous, inorganic insulating layer, which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of the fragile substrate: and a flexible fibrous mounting mat which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of said fragile substrate. The support system may support the fragile substrate of a catalytic converter, a diesel particulate trap filter, a selective catalyst reduction unit, or a NOx trap.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing, a fragile element disposed within the housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the fragile element and the housing for maintaining the positioning of the fragile element, absorbing mechanical shock, and providing thermal insulation. The mounting mat includes a layer or sheet of inorganic fibers with a portion of the layer having a first basis weight and another portion having a second basis weight that is different from the first basis weight. The mat or a vacuum formed insulating pre-form having a variable basis weight in certain regions may be used as end cone insulation in exhaust gas treatment devices.

Abstract: A mat or mat-pre-form hybrid for use in an exhaust gas treatment device, such as catalytic converters and diesel particulate traps that are used in automotive exhaust systems. The mat or hybrid may be used as a mounting mat to mount a fragile monolith within an outer housing of an exhaust gas treatment device or as thermal insulation in an end cone of the exhaust gas treatment device.

Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.

Abstract: Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include high or low pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention may also include devices that perform analog functions such as switching regulator.

Abstract: A support system for a fragile substrate of an exhaust gas treatment device includes a microporous, inorganic insulating layer, which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of the fragile substrate: and a flexible fibrous mounting mat which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of said fragile substrate. The support system may support the fragile substrate of a catalytic converter, a diesel particulate trap filter, a selective catalyst reduction unit, or a NOx trap.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated fluidic systems and methods. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. The pressure source may be high pressure source or a low pressure source.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated fluidic systems and methods. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. The pressure source may be high pressure source or a low pressure source.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated fluidic systems and methods. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention include switches that can be opened and closed to allow or block the flow of fluid through a channel in response to the pressure level in a gate of the switch. The microfabricated fluidic switches may be coupled together to perform logic functions and Boolean algebra, such as inverters, AND gates, NAND, gates, NOR gates, and OR gates. The logic gates may be coupled together to form flip-flops that latch signals. The present invention also includes microfabricated fluidic pressure multipliers that increase the pressure in a second chamber relative to a first chamber. Microfabricated fluidic devices of the present invention also include pressure sources. A pressure source of the present includes a pump coupled to a reservoir through unidirectional valves. The pressure source may be high pressure source or a low pressure source.