Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals by applying a water mist and dry air. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. The mist and dry air can be applied together or separately, simultaneously or alternately, with varying timing and intensity. In some embodiments, the mist and dry air are manually controlled or operate according to the passage of time. In other embodiments the need for cooling is determined by one or more physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. Still other embodiments estimate the heating of the individual by measuring the amount of work performed or the rate of energy expenditure.

Abstract: A light-curtain alarm system is disclosed that provides to authorized persons uninhibited access to a protected item by automatically, temporarily deactivating the alarm whenever proximity of an authorized person is detected. Each authorized person carries a deactivating device that is detected at short range, preferably using radio waves or Bluetooth. Embodiments can track detection information, and/or distinguish between a plurality of deactivating devices, so as to track and/or control access to the protected item. The deactivating device can be included in an identification badge, and/or can be carried in a pocket or worn around a wrist or neck. The light-curtain can be generated using any combination of lasers and/or other light sources, light reflectors, and photo-detectors. In preferred embodiments, the alarm system can be configured to control access to a magnet of a magnetic resonance device, such as an MRI or NMR.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals with a water mist while automatically preventing the undesirable accumulation of excess water. In some embodiments, a sensor detects accumulated water on or near an individual, while other embodiments use measured climate parameters to predict water accumulation. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus is controlled according to the passing of time and/or one or more measured physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some embodiments dry air is also applied either simultaneously or alternately with the mist to enhance cooling and further discourage water accumulation.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that cools an exerciser using an exercise machine by blowing chilled air directly onto the exerciser from an airflow director that is independent of the exercise machine. The airflow director is either located within the living space of the exercise room, or able to project a directed stream of chilled air into the living space of the exercise room. The airflow director can include adjustments for chilled air direction, flow rate, and other qualities. The chilled air source can include adjustments for temperature, humidity, and other qualities. A plurality of airflow directors can be included, so as to provide uniform cooing and/or to deliver chilled air to a plurality of exercise machines. A barrier and/or chilled air return vent can be included, so as to save energy and enhance the localization of the chilled air. Some embodiments can also warm the exerciser using warmed air.

Abstract: A swimming environment is disclosed that enables a swimmer to select water of a desired temperature by moving between swimming regions that are separate swimming pools and/or sub-regions of a swimming pool. Pools can be divided into sub-regions by thermally isolating barriers that are sheets or strips hanging from floats, sheets attached to pool boundaries, or solid barriers. Strips can be flexible or rigid, and can be linked by magnets. Barriers can be designed to avoid swimmer injury and absorb wave energy. Swimmers can move past barriers without fully leaving the water by submerging floats, separating strips, moving through a barrier gap, traversing a slide, and/or moving through a door. Doors can be single or double, swinging, sliding, revolving, or pocket. A water temperature control system ensures that none of the regions exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and can include a heater, cooler, and/or heat pump.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sterilizer and method of use thereof are disclosed for rapidly and conveniently sterilizing the end of a tubular cosmetic applicator, such as an eyeliner pencil or a lipstick. A hole in the sterilizer allows an end of the cosmetic applicator to be inserted for sterilization. A hole blocking mechanism, such as an iris, can be included, and can be automatically activated by a sensor when an applicator is inserted through the hole. Some embodiments are battery powered and portable, and some of these are wearable by a strap or attachable to a belt. Various embodiments include a brush bristle manipulating structure and/or an ultrasonic source to agitate and expose contaminants during sterilization. Embodiments are able to kill 99 percent of accessible bacteria after a 10 second exposure. Some embodiments further include a drawer or other access mechanism that allows one or more complete applicators to be simultaneously sterilized.

Abstract: A water-cooling apparatus is disclosed that significantly improves the comfort of an individual by reducing overheating, perspiration, dehydration, odors, and electrolyte loss. A vascular distribution system attachable either directly to the individual or to a shirt or other garment worn by the individual delivers water that cools the individual by evaporation. A source of water can be included, and water can be pumped and/or squeezed from the source, pushed by air pressure, or drawn through the vascular system by gravity or capillary action. A chiller can cool the water before it is delivered, and the vascular system and/or water source can be in thermal contact with the individual. A connecting port can be included to allow the water source to be temporarily connected, and a drinking port can be included to allow the individual to drink the water and/or force water into the vascular system by blowing into the port.

Abstract: A cooling garment is disclosed that enhances the comfort of an exercising, working, or resting individual by reducing overheating, perspiration, dehydration, and electrolyte loss. A vascular distribution system delivers water to the garment, and evaporation cools the individual. Wetness can be concentrated where needed and moderated by water absorbent materials such as gel polymers. Water flows under gravity, by capillary action, pumping, or air pressurization. The garment can include inner layers that improve comfort, absorb perspiration, keep the individual at least partly dry, and/or include metallic and/or polymeric and/or other materials that conduct heat. Cooling can be enhanced by garment texture that increases evaporative surface area. Water can be chilled before it is delivered to the fabric, and ports can be included to allow a water bottle or other water source to be temporarily connected, and/or allow the individual to drink the water and/or pressurize a water container.

Abstract: A garment, such as a shirt, shorts, socks, or a hat, is disclosed for efficiently cooling an individual by water evaporation, thereby reducing perspiration, dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and discomfort. The garment includes at least one property that is intentionally non-uniform, so as to concentrate and retain applied water in areas where enhanced cooling is desired. Variable properties include structure, density, composition, texture, type and/or quantity of additive substances, included fabric layers, and degree of contact with a user's body. A source of water can be included, for example in an attachable container. The container can be compressed, water can be pumped, or compressed air can push water from the container. A pump can be actuated by hand or by natural movements of a user. A drinking port can be included, and a pouch can hold a removable, water-absorbing and water-releasing insert that can be pre-wetted and/or pre-cooled.

Abstract: The invention enables coordinated, flexible, agile, and energy efficient temperature variation among a plurality of rooms, as found in a hotel, an apartment building, or a group of exercise rooms, by transferring heat between the rooms. Air can be moved by fans and/or heat can be transferred by a heat pump. Heat transfer between exercise rooms can be powered partly by exertion of individuals in the rooms. Rapid air exchange can quickly equalize temperatures in adjacent rooms. Embodiments exchange heat between rooms and interior and/or exterior reservoirs of warmer and cooler air and/or water, and some embodiments move air from the reservoirs into and out of the rooms. Heat can be pumped into or out of the system, and air and/or water can be added or extracted from the reservoirs. In some embodiments heat is moved sequentially through a variable series of rooms, creating a monotonic variation of temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that cools an individual on an exercise device by supplying a cooling fluid such as cool air or cool water to an applicator at least attached to the exercise device, and by bringing the cooling fluid into cooling contact with the individual. The fluid source can include a cooler, and/or a drier, can supply fluid from a colder and/or drier region, can be attached to the exercise device, and/or can supply multiple exercise devices. Some cooling air embodiments supply dry air or air with mist, provide a flow directed onto the individual, and/or control and/or allow the individual to control the direction, speed, flow rate, divergence, volume, and/or temperature of the air. Other embodiments cool by direct conductive cooling through a seat, backrest, handgrip, etc or indirectly by conductive cooling of air. Some embodiments can also warm the individual in a similar manner using warming fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals by applying a water mist and dry air. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. The mist and dry air can be applied together or separately, simultaneously or alternately, with varying timing and intensity. In some embodiments, the mist and dry air are manually controlled or operate according to the passage of time. In other embodiments the need for cooling is determined by one or more physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. Still other embodiments estimate the heating of the individual by measuring the amount of work performed or the rate of energy expenditure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for programmatically controlling the climate of a localized exercise environment so as to accommodate the evolving needs of exercisers during a workout. In preferred embodiments, the localized environment is an enclosed exercise room or the area surrounding one or more stationary exercise machines. Heat is applied by convective, conductive, and/or radiant means, and/or removed by convective, conductive, and/or evaporative means. In various preferred embodiments the humidity, direction, and speed of the air flow are controlled, and/or a cooling mist is applied. In preferred embodiments, the climate control program is executed according to the passage of time, according to the rate of work and the amount of work performed, according to acoustic features of music, and according to physiological parameters of the exerciser such as heart rate, breathing rate, and skin temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals with a water mist while automatically preventing the undesirable accumulation of excess water. In some embodiments, a sensor detects accumulated water on or near an individual, while other embodiments use measured climate parameters to predict water accumulation. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus is controlled according to the passing of time and/or one or more measured physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some embodiments dry air is also applied either simultaneously or alternately with the mist to enhance cooling and further discourage water accumulation.

Abstract: A normal CPMAS experiment is modified to provide for spectral editing. In one embodiment of the invention, the conventional CPMAS experiment is performed with the proton decoupling RF applying at a frequency slightly different than the proton resonance frequency in order to suppress methylene (CH.sub.2) resonances more severely than CH and CH.sub.3 resonances.In another embodiment of the invention the RF pulse sequence normally using during the cross-polarization period is replaced with a WIM RF pulse sequence which has the effect of suppressing the CH and CH.sub.3 resonances, thereby leaving the CH.sub.2 resonances.

Abstract: A new RF pulse sequence is applied to selected nuclei in the evolution period of a 2D NMR heteronuclear correlation experiment to more effectively suppress heteronuclear interactions. The new pulse sequence is designed to be effective with the existing BLEW-12 pulse sequence so that both homonuclear and heteronuclear interactions are suppressed. In addition, the new pulse sequence effectively suppresses homonuclear interactions so that it can be used with a variety of nuclear species.