Abstract: The present invention relates to activated polymer substrates capable of binding functional biological molecules, to polymer substrates comprising bound and functional biological molecules, to devices comprising such substrates and to methods of producing them.

Abstract: Compressor wheel (16) and techniques for manufacturing such a wheel are provided. The wheel may include a hub (21) with a counterbore (36) internally treated to impart residual compressive stresses, for enhanced endurance to stress-induced fatigue. The surface treatment allows extending the counterbore relatively closer to a plane (30) of typical maximum stress of the wheel. This design flexibility advantageously allows avoiding or reducing overhang of the compressor wheel, thereby improving rotor dynamics and reducing the axial length of the hub, and the overall foot print of the compressor wheel.

Abstract: A plasma process (5) for modifying at least a region of a surface of a component (1); wherein the component (1) is bombarded by ions from a gas plasma environment (4); and the ions are drawn towards the component (1) by a voltage source applied to a first mesh (3). The first mesh (3) is a stationary non-conformal mesh (3), and the component (1) does not contact the first mesh (3). The component (1) is moved (2) in the vicinity of the first mesh (3) to evenly expose it to ion bombardment (4).

Abstract: A system, method and device for power switching and power control, particularly for switching the source of power between two or more power sources are provided. Power control elements testing the availability and stability of alternate power sources and switch loads between these power sources in short periods of time and with advantageous switching characteristics. In a fuel-cell system, the embodiments of the invention may be advantageously deployed to power up balance of plant loads using opto-electronic couplers and electronic relays.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (10) for plasma treatment of a substrate surface (16). The apparatus comprises a plasma source (12) for generating a plasma and a plasma-control electrode (14). The apparatus further comprises a drive means for effecting a relative movement between the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) or of the plasma-control electrode (14) and the plasma source (12) relative to the substrate (16). The plasma-control electrode (14) is located adjacent the substrate (16) to facilitate treatment of the substrate surface (16) in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn, in which the plastics material includes one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method includes heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: A method of converting a plastics material into a yarn in which the plastics material comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyphenylene sulphide, polystyrene. The method comprises heating the material to melt it, pumping the melted material through an extruder to form an extruded filament, and cooling the extruded filament. The cooled filament is passed through a first draw roller assembly while elevating the temperature of the filament. The filament is then heated in a heating zone as it exits the first draw roller assembly and, thereafter, the filament is passed through a second draw roller assembly operating at a different linear speed to the first draw roller assembly. The filament is spooled after exiting the second draw roller assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reformatting a main storage device associated with a computer system. The storage device is reformatted by making use of a secondary storage device on which is stored a copy of the data stored on the main storage device. A reformatting process is run on the secondary storage device while the main computer system continues normal operation. When the reformatting process is completed, the secondary storage device is updated with the updates that were made on the main storage system while the reformatting process was run on the secondary system. Thereafter, the reformatted and updated data is either transferred to the main storage device, or the main storage device is physically replaced with the secondary storage device. In another aspect, non-standard programming techniques are employed to provide access to non-configured disc drives coupled to an AS/400.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported transition metal catalyst comprising a particulate organic or inorganic support material, a transition metal complex and a compound capable of forming metallocenium ions comprises the following process steps: a) contacting a solution of a compound capable of forming metallocenium ions with a second solvent in which this compound is only sparingly soluble, in the presence of the support material, b) removing at least part of the solvent from the support material and c) contacting a solution of a mixture of a compound capable of forming metallocenium ions and a transition metal complex with a second solvent in which this mixture is only sparingly soluble, in the presence of the support material obtained as described in a) and b).

Abstract: In catalyst systems of the Ziegler-Natta type modified during their preparation and comprising as active constituentsa) a titanium-containing solid component which is obtained by reacting a compound of titanium with a compound of magnesium, a halogen, an inorganic oxide as support, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkanol and a carboxylic ester as electron donor compound,and also as cocatalystb) an aluminum compound andc) if desired, a further electron donor compound,the titanium-containing solid component a) is prepared by first, in a first stage, admixing an inorganic oxide as support with a solution of a chlorine-free compound of magnesium in an inert solvent, stirring this mixture for from 0.5 to 5 hours at from 10 to 120.degree. C. and subsequently reacting it while stirring continually in an inert solvent with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkanol in an at least 1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reformatting a main storage device associated with a computer system. The storage device is reformatted by making use of a secondary storage device on which is stored a copy of the data stored on the main storage device. A reformatting process is run on the secondary storage device while the main computer system continues normal operation. When the reformatting process is completed, the secondary storage device is updated with the updates that were made on the main storage system while the reformatting process was run on the secondary system. Thereafter, the reformatted and updated data is either transferred to the main storage device, or the main storage device is physically replaced with the secondary storage device. In another aspect, non-standard programming techniques are employed to provide access to non-configured disc drives coupled to an AS/400.

Abstract: A dual element PIR detector for a security system uses a series of beams in selected areas to limit the amount of radiation received from small domestic pets. A series of alternating beams define dead zones and the beams and dead zones provide size discrimination where a small domestic cat or other small pet does not have sufficient size to cause IR responses in two sensors sufficient to cause an alarm condition.