Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising platinum and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin, and with an extender metal to control the rate of dissociation of the water while being non-reactive with the amalgam during dissociation.

Abstract: A material and method to decompose/dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The material comprises a reactive alloy of an alkali metal and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising a metal selected from the platinum metal family and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium and bismuth.

Abstract: A method of making an amalgam of alkali metal and aluminum comprises the steps of making an alkali metal amalgam under an inert atmosphere. The surface of aluminum is then coated with mercury and the coated aluminum is mixed with the alkali metal amalgam and given sufficient time to form the amalgam of alkali metal and aluminum.

Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising nickel and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, and bismuth.

Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising a metal selected from the platinum metal family and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin.

Abstract: A material and method of use thereof is disclosed which produces hydrogen by decomposition of water. The material is an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury and aluminum and hydrogen is produced by contacting water therewith.

Abstract: A material and method for the decomposition/dissociation of water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. The material comprises an amalgam of an alkali metal, mercury, and aluminum combined with a catalytically effective amount of an alloy comprising platinum and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of germanium, antimony, gallium, thallium, indium, cadmium, bismuth, lead, zinc and tin.